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Falana to FG: Compensate victims of accidental airstrikes or risk legal action Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to compensate the victims of military airstrikes in the past seven years. Falana gave the warning in a statement on Sunday, adding that the Federal Government will be sued before a Federal High Court if the demand is not met. In the past few years, over 300 civilians, including children and women, have died in accidental bombings initiated by the Nigerian military. The most recent one occured on December 3 when many residents of Tudun Biri in Igabi LGA of Kaduna were killed in airstrikes said to be targeted at terrorists. The death toll from the miscalculated airstrike in Kaduna has now reportedly surpassed 120. Falana, in his reaction to the incident, said there has been no justice for victims of these bombings across the years. The human rights lawyer said after the Rann bombing of Jan...

TCN: We’re only able to transmit 8,100MW of 13,000MW generated electricity The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it currently has capacity to transmit 8,100 megawatts (MW) of about 13,000 megawatts (MW) generated electricity. Thomas Inugonum, TCN’s general manager for the Port Harcourt region, spoke during a news conference on Sunday in the state. He said the country is supposed to transmit about 15,000MW, but “we are unable to meet this capacity due to weak and ageing infrastructure”. Inugonum bemoaned the incessant attacks on TCN’s facilities, urging the media to raise public awareness of the dangers of the act. “In some of our stations, vandals have cut earth-conductors of big transformers that cost about N800 million resulting in the ‘floating’ of the facility,” he said. “There are projects that have been on-going for almost 20 years in Okigwe and Mbano in Imo, and in other places that could not be completed partly because of vandalism. “We do not understand why people van...

CBN: Why There’s Naira Scarcity The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has explained the reasons behind scarcity of naira notes in the country. This comes following a series of complaints by some bank customers on the scarcity of naira notes at the counters, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Points of Sale (PoS), and Bureaux de Change (BDCs). In a statement issued by the Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, the apex bank said the seeming currency scarcity was occasioned by large volume withdrawals of cash from various CBN branches by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs). It stated that panic withdrawals by bank customers were also partly responsible for the seeming scarcity. The CBN said there is no shortage of naira notes, noting that there is an adequate supply of the currency in the economy. “The attention of the CBN has been drawn to reports of alleged scarcity of cash at banks, ATMs, PoS and BDCs in some major cities across the country. “Our findings reveal that the seeming cash scarc...

Akeredolu: Clark writes Tinubu, says ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ll end Ondo crisis’ Ijaw National Leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the Doctrine of Necessity be adopted to end the current political logjam in Ondo State. A political crisis has been bedeviling Ondo State following Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s failure to resume duty after his medical trip abroad, and the plot to impeach Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. But as the crisis deepened as Akeredolu stayed back in Ibadan, Oyo State, President Tinubu had summoned all stakeholders at the centre of the crisis to Abuja, for peace talks. However, peace has yet to return to the state. Clark, in his letter titled, ‘Urgent need to resolve the Ondo State impasse’, addressed to Tinubu and made available to newsmen in Abuja, said the President should pave the way for Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take over in acting capacity, while Akeredolu continues to tackle...

Poor Primary Healthcare Fueling Maternal, Child Deaths – FG The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas-Ibrahim says the poorly functional Primary Health Care (PHC) system remains a major contributor to maternal and child deaths in the country. She stated this at the weekend during the 7th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) in Akwanga, Nasarawa State. It was themed ‘Health Security: Nigeria’s Efforts to Achieve Universal Health Coverage’ She said in Nigeria the PHC level of care has received the least attention and continues to add to the burden of morbidity and mortality, especially due to pregnancy-related conditions making it the weakest link of the health service delivery system. She said other challenges to reducing maternal and child deaths are issues of low healthcare coverage for life-saving interventions, ill-equipped and weak service delivery systems, low coverage with community and household-level interventions; gaps...

Plateau APC Chieftains Jostle For Lalong’s Ministerial Post ...I’m confused on next step, says ex-gov   Several chieftains of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau have begun pushing for the ministerial position from the state in case the current Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Bako Lalong, resigns. This is even as Lalong, the immediate past governor of the state, said he is currently confused as to the right decision to make; whether to abandon his ministerial position or go to the Red Chamber. “As I am now, I am a very confused man because of whether to go to the left or to go to the right but pray for me to take the best decision,” he said last week while receiving an award during an organized labour event in Abuja. He said though his friends in the labour sector kept reminding him of the need to stay with them in the struggle, he did not think his constituents in Plateau would agree with them, insinuating that the prevailing call from his constituency was for him to...

Dangote Refinery will champion Nigeria’s energy security —Otedola Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has said that Dangote Refinery will champion energy security in Nigeria. Otedola said this on Sunday on his X (formerly Twitter ) handle, where he congratulated Africa’s richest man and his “bestie,” Aliko Dangote, on the commencement of production of the refinery which was commissioned in May, before the expiration of the tenure of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari. He said, “By meeting our requirements for all refined petroleum products, it will champion energy security and independence for our nation and act as a catalyst for a new era of prosperity for the subcontinent. It promises economic transformation for Nigerians today and for generations to come.” Otedola started his piece on the social media platform by congratulating Dangote.  

“You are Nigerians most favorite woman now”- Reactions as May Edochie bags award May Yul Edochie, the estranged wife of Nollywood actor Yul Edochie, has had a successful year, adding another achievement to her list. The United Nations Eminate Peace Ambassador award has been bestowed upon the mother of three children. May announced the good news on her Instagram page, expressing her delight at being nominated and honoured. “Thank you for the honor @iawpaambassadors and special thanks to @official_amb__pastrchi for the nomination. I am elated”. Taking to her comment section, the likes of Anita Joseph, Uche Nnanna, Benson Okonkwo, and her thousands of fans rejoiced with her. Anita Joseph wrote, “A toast to you again. Mary nkem yessss. We gather dey shalom baby Uche Nnanna wrote, “Congratulations sis Benson Okonkwo wrote, “Superwoman. Congratulations to you Queen May this is just the starting point more to go One Sunny Benosky wrote, “Wow, just wow, see ehh, some men’s stars depend on whom...

Senate Donates N109m December Salary To Kaduna Air Strike Victims The leadership of the 10th Senate has donated 109 million naira to victims of mistaken army air strike at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who announced the donation when he led other principal officers and senators on a condolence visit to Governor Uba Sani at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House on Sunday, said the donation which is for the welfare of the victims is their December salaries. While sympathizing with the Kaduna State government and people of Tudun Biri community over the tragic incident, the Deputy Senate President, who represented the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the National Assembly will work in partnership with the Presidency to unravel the circumstances surrounding the accidental bombing of innocent civilians at Tudun Biri village in order to avert a recurrence. On his part, Governor Sani while tha...

 I almost quit Nollywood over sexual harassment – Mercy Aigbe Popular Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe has narrated how she almost left the Nigerian movie industry over sexual harassment. The actress disclosed this while narrating her challenges before making her way to the top. Speaking in an interview with Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Aigbe recounted how a producer made passes at her after a movie audition despite earning the role for an upcoming film. “I met a producer in Surulere, and I expressed to him how much I would love to act. He told me he had an upcoming film and invited me to his office for an audition in his office. ” After I had passed three stages of the audition, I was given a minor role, which I told him that was not the character I was auditioning for, and he replied that the director said he did not know me, and that was why he wanted me to be close to him,” she said. “He then stood up to touch me. I was very upset and I thought if that was what it took to be an actress, ...

In line with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to prioritising public safety, urgent repair work will commence on the compromised pedestrian bridge at Alapere/Estate Bus Stop along the Third Axial Road. As part of ongoing revitalization efforts, the Lagos State Government has cleared damaged sections, temporarily closed the bridge for safety, and installed necessary signages and well-lit displays. Repair initiatives include creating an alternative pedestrian pathway, installing speed breakers, and marking a zebra crossing. Traffic and emergency personnel will be actively present to facilitate smooth movement as well as a standby ambulance to forestall emergencies. Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Commissioner for Transportation  

 Alesh Sanni calls out young man he accommodated for five months only to end up stealing his money and jewelry. Popular actor, Alesh Sanni laments as he calls out a homeless young man he accommodated for five months only for him to repay by stealing millions of naira and items of jewelry from him.S The actor took to his Instagram page to make the public outcry, as he bemoaned the heartlessness of some people. He revealed that the young man is a certain Folorunsho from Ekiti state, and he had been compassionate enough to give the young man shelter when he had none. Alesh Sanni claimed that when he went out, the young man ran away with his gold jewelry and 3.2 million naira which he got form his room. Alesh wrote: “This guy is from Ekiti, his name is Folorusho 🥹 i don’t judge people with their look 🥲I helped him when he needed me, I gave him shelter under my own roof and he flee away with my gold jewelry and 3.2m just yesterday when I went out I don’t know how he managed to access ...

Prophet Christopher Phiri of the Supernatural Embassy Ministry has appeared before a court in Mangochi, Malawi, following his arrest on allegations that he s3xually abused his 16-year-old daughter.  The prophet was arrested last week in the district and charged with defilement. Videos and pictures relating to the alleged s3xual abuse also emerged on social media.  Phiri appeared in court on Friday, December 8, 2023, where he denied the charges The state paraded four witnesses in the matter which is being heard by senior resident magistrate Muhammad Maxwell Chande. Witnesses included the child, her mother, a medical officer and a police officer. Lawyer for Centre for Human Rights Education Advice Assistance (CHREAA) Brenda Nkhwale told the court that prosecutors will review the charges against Phiri. Meanwhile, the hearing of the case has been adjourned to December 19, when the court is also expected to make a roiling on Phiri’s bail application.  Earlier, police said the ...

Father of three Sosoliso plane crash victims, Dr. Andy Ilabor, is dead The father of the three victims of the 2005 Sosoliso plane crash, Chief Dr Andy Ilabor, has passed away.  Dr. Ilabor, a devout Catholic, from Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State died in his sleep on Monday, November 27th, 2023, two weeks to the 18th anniversary of the tragic plane crash.  His three children, Chuka, Nkem and Buso, all students of Loyola Jesuit College Abuja, were aboard the plane when it crashed at the Port Harcourt International Airport on December 10, 2005, killing 106 people, including their schoolmates. Friends, family members, acquaintances and colleagues, have paid touching tributes to the late medical doctor, describing him as a man with a sweet disposition, a peacemaker, and a team player.  

Tornadoes kill six in southeastern US Tornadoes tore through the US state of Tennessee on Saturday, leaving at least six people dead, damaging homes and causing blackouts, authorities said. Three people died in a suburb of Nashville, the southeastern state’s capital, while photos posted by the city’s Office of Emergency Management showed downed trees and collapsed homes. “Unfortunately we can confirm there are 3 fatalities as a result of the severe weather on Nesbitt Lane,” the office wrote on X, formerly Twitter. In the city of Clarksville about 40 miles (65 kilometers) away, two adults and one child were killed by a tornado, according to a statement from the Montgomery County government. Additionally, 23 people have been treated at the hospital,” it said. First responders were “still in the search and rescue phase of this disaster,” it added, asking residents to stay off the roads. Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew from 9:00 pm Saturday (0...

Nigeria Losing Best Brains To Japa Syndrome — AfDB President The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has called on African leaders to create quality jobs for their teeming unemployed youths to stem the trend of brain drain bedevilling the continent. Adesina said in Abuja on Friday at the second Veritas University Digital Innovations Exhibition and 12th convocation lecture that Nigeria was losing its best brains to Japa syndrome.

Rivers cult rampage: Famous photographer Nwagubo dies trying to rescue mother Famous photographer and Chief Executive Officer of Wildshots Studios, Port Harcourt, Michael Nwagugbo has died in a tragic crash while going to rescue mother from pandemonium caused by rampaging cult gangs in Rumuola area of the Rivers State capital. Nwagubo died on Friday night and his sudden death has thrown the entertainment community in Port Harcourt into mourning as his customers and fans have taken to various social media platforms to mourn his passage. It was learnt that late Nwagugbo’s mother was caught in the pandemonium caused by members of the cult group who were angry over the killing of one of their kingpins, popularly called “Frege” two weeks ago. Frege was reportedly shot dead by suspected members of rival cult gangs around Rumuola area of Port Harcourt on his way home after watching a football match. Though the cult kingpin was taken to Akwa-Ibom state for burial, his gang members went on ram...

 FG to punish women who protect paedophile husbands The federal government says women who protect husbands that molest their children would also be charged with negligence. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, who made the statement, emphasised that the government will no longer tolerate mothers preventing legal action against those who molest their children. She added that the government’s primary concern is the well-being of the child, saying that mother should not protect their husbands from legal consequences. Kennedy-Ohanenye made the statement in Abuja at a one day awareness creation programme on using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to address Gender Based Violence (GBV), organised by the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development. She said her ministry is fighting for the establishment of mobile courts all over the country to fight cases if GBV and added that the President is in support because he is a he for she. She noted: “Now w...

 STIs, unwanted pregnancies loom as condom price skyrockets By Angela Onwuzoo As the price of condoms skyrockets in Nigeria, medical practitioners and other concerned stakeholders fear that it could lead to low demand and force many people into unsafe sex, which could increase sexually transmitted infections including HIV and a boom in unplanned pregnancies. ANGELA ONWUZOO reports Stanley Uba was shocked to the marrow when he picked a pack of condoms off the shelf of a supermarket and saw the affixed price. Curious, at the same time, dumbfounded, he walked up to the cashier with the pack and stammered in a low tone, “How much; is this now the price?” The young lady, who was eager to attend to other customers clustering around the pay point, blurted impatiently, “That is the price. Please let me attend to other customers if you are not ready,” Lost in thought, Uba, who had anticipated getting a soothing and rousing romp with his wife after eating his dinner, walked into the dimly li...

 42 years old woman shot dead in London by 16-year-old boy 10th Dec 2023 A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a woman who was shot in Hackney, east London. Lianne Gordon, 42, died at the scene of the attack outside a home in Lower Clapton on Tuesday evening. The 16-year-old was arrested in the early hours of Friday and charged on Saturday. He was also charged with the attempted murder of a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy. The Met Police made a further charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on 11 December.

UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT PROMOTES 43 TO RANK OF PROFESSOR, 22 TO RANK OF READER 43 senior academics of the University of Port Harcourt are now promoted to the rank of professor. They were considered suited to benefit from the new round of promotion in the institution. A notice made public by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Dr. Samuel Kpenu, said 22 other senior academics were promoted to the rank of associate professor (readers). It stated that the promotion was sequel to the approval by the Minister of Education on Friday, December 8, 2023. There has been an earlier meeting of the Central A&PC Academic of the University of Port Harcourt on Thursday, November 23, 2023, where the newly promoted academics were recommended. A breakdown of the promotion showed that the Faculty of Science got ten new professors, Faculty of Education got ten new professors, Faculty of CHS got eight new professors, Faculty of Humanities got seven new professors, while the Faculty of Ag...

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE ECOWAS SUMMIT: PRESIDENT TINUBU ADVOCATES GOOD GOVERNANCE TO COUNTER COUPS IN WEST AFRICA Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, implored West African leaders to prioritize good governance and collective prosperity as an essential tool to prevent authoritarian takeovers of power and unconstitutional changes of government in the region.   Addressing the high-powered regional gathering at the 64th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the President identified good governance as a key catalyst to secure popular support through the socio-economic transformation and development of West Africa.   "The delivery of good governance is not just a fundamental commitment; it is also an avenue to address the concerns of our citizens, to improve their quality of life, and create a stable environment conducive to the achievement of sustainable development.    "By...