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 CBN denies selling FX at N1,301/$ to BDCs The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed claims that it is selling foreign exchange (FX) to eligible Bureau de Change (BDC) operators at N1,301 per dollar. In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the CBN clarified that a widely circulated document suggesting such a transaction did not originate from the bank. The fake circular claimed that BDCs were permitted to sell FX to eligible end-users at a margin of no more than 1% above the purchase rate from the CBN. It further alleged that the CBN had implemented measures to address exchange rate distortions and approved the sale of $20,000 to each BDC at the rate of N1,301 per dollar. “Following ongoing reforms in the foreign exchange market to achieve an appropriate market-determined exchange rate for the Naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed continued price distortions at the retail end of the market, feeding into the parallel market and widening the exchange rate premium...

 PRESS RELEASE RMAFC NOT OPPOSED TO PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TAX REFORM The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has refuted recent media reports alleging its opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, today, Tuesday 10th December, 2024, the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, described the reports as “grossly misleading, false, and malicious.” Dr. Shehu clarified that the RMAFC has been fully engaged in the reform process and is aligned with President Tinubu’s vision for an equitable and sustainable fiscal framework. He also highlighted the importance of the proposed tax reform bills in addressing Nigeria’s fiscal challenges. “We applaud President Tinubu’s strong commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s revenue base through bold initiatives. The proposed tax reform bills are a significant step towards integrating untapped revenue sources, enhancing Nigeria’s revenue-to-GDP...

 An Indiana couple is facing serious charges after locking their toddler in a closet with a space heater, resulting in her death. 21-year-old Sintia Perez and 23-year-old Jace Hirschy are facing charges of felony neglect resulting in death and neglect of a dependent after a heartbreaking incident on November 29th. Berne Police responded to a report of an unresponsive child. Once on scene, they were directed to a crib in a closet where they found a 2-year-old girl deceased. First responders have reported the closet had an overwhelming heat disparity with the rest of the home. They said the closet was in disarray, filled with trash and dirty diapers. The child was found on a "very soiled mattress" with a body temperature of 109.4 degrees. That is incredibly sad.  When questioning the mother, she informed officers that they had "placed the child in the closet around 7 p.m. the night before with a space heater set on the highest setting and didn't check on her until 3 p....

 Show us your mother let see how she look like  – Tonto Dikeh slams women for body shaming their gender Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh King has slammed her fellow women for body shaming their gender. In a new Instagram post, Tonto Dikeh called out women who body shame their fellow, asking them to show their mothers, too. She highlighted the hypocrisy of women who insult others who experienced a physical change in their bodies due to childbirth She calls for self-selection and empathy to remind them to consider the sacrifices and transformations women often go through. “Before you body shame anyone, show us your mother… This statement highlights the hypocrisy of men/women who body-shame women, especially those whose physical changes result from natural processes like childbirth. It calls for self-reflection and empathy, reminding them to consider the sacrifices and transformations women, including their own mothers, often go through in life. Body shaming in 2024???? That’s quite...

 Blessing CEO invites Nkechi Blessing to Shiloh as she mocks her failed relationship Self-acclaimed relationship expert Blessing Nkiru Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has invited her namesake, Nkechi Blessing Sunday, for the Shiloh programme, which kick-start today. On Instagram, Blessing CEO posted a video of herself shaking her backside and mocking Nkechi Blessing’s alleged failed relationship with xxcesive. She demanded to know about her boyfriend’s absence after the actress stopped posting about her boyfriend. Blessing CEO invited Nkechi Blessing to join her at the just-started Shiloh programme to find another relationship partner. “Nkechi Blessing Sunday pls where is your baby PA of the. government?????! You Dey follow us go Shiloh this December? Let us know before we close the list of the single WhatsApp group. Thank u.” For some months now, break-up rumours have been trailing Nkechi Blessing’s relationship with Xxssive, who she started dating in 2021 after her failed...

 I can’t express my excitement -Funke Akindele shorts of words as UK premiere of her new movie sells out Nollywood actress and box office Queen Funke Akindele is on her way to making history and breaking new records with her Everybody Loves Jenifa movie For months now, the mother of two has been heavily promoting her new movie which will hit Nigeria Cinemas on December 13th. Funke revealed that ahead of the UK premiere at Odeon Cinemas, tickets have already sold out. The movie star, who couldn’t contain her excitement, expressed love for her UK fans and supporters as she announced that more screens have been added to accommodate the numerous requests. JENIFANS WORLDWIDE. Our Dec 20 UK premiere is SOLD OUT. I can’t contain my excitement and I LOVE YOU ALL. We have now secured more screens to accommodate our numerous requests”.

 Press Release   Public Debates on Tax Reform Bills Vital for Democratic Governance – Information Minister  The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasized that the ongoing robust public debates on the Tax Reform Bills, are critical components of democratic governance, as policy formulation and debates are inseparable.  Idris stated this in Abuja on Tuesday when he received the management of the Progressives Institute, led by the Director General, Dr. Lanre Adedayo, on a courtesy visit to his office. The Minister said constructive engagement with stakeholders and the public on any policy of the government, would ensure that policies are well-aligned with the needs and aspirations of citizens.  “Let’s take the Tax Reform for example, that has generated so much debate with some people saying that the debate is against government policy or the President and I tend to disagree. I think that these are healthy debates that all of u...

 PRESS RELEASE INTERNAL SECURITY: POLICE RECOVER N129BN COUNTERFEIT CURRENCIES, ARREST 3 GUNRUNNERS, RECOVER AMMUNITION. As Police Visit, Debrief 36 Rescued Kidnapped Victims in Kebbi, Assures Safety, Security. The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the 22nd Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., in its relentless effort to tackle all forms of crimes and criminality, continues to mark giant strides in the fight against crime in all spheres. Recently, in Kano, the Police successfully recovered the sum of N129,542,823,000 in counterfeit currencies, with a breakdown of 3,366,000 in Counterfeit US Dollars, 51,970 in Counterfeit CFA franc, and 1,443,000 in counterfeit Naira. This momentous achievement was recorded on the 8th of December 2024, at Gwale, Kano State, where police operatives acting on credible intelligence accosted one Nura Ibrahim ‘m’ and upon a conducted search, discovered N392,000 counterfeit notes, USD7800 counterfeit...

 Kwara Court Jails Student,  Three Others for  Internet Fraud Justice Suleiman Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Monday, December 09, 2024 sentenced a student,  Akanbi Akorede Afeez, to two years imprisonment for internet fraud.   He was arraigned on a lone-count charge bordering on internet fraud. The charge reads: “That you, Akanbi Akorede Afeez (a.k.a Erdis) between February 2023 or thereabout Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly induced one Dinero Enviado, a white man to send you gift cards worth the sum of Five Hundred and Fifty One Dollars when you knowingly pretended and represented yourself to be one Erdis, a white lady who is in a romantic relationship with him and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 321 and punishable under section 324 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria.” Equally, on Monday,  December 9, 2024 the Ilorin Zonal Directorate secur...

 France begins military withdrawal from Chad, army says France has started the withdrawal of its military from Chad with the departure of two warplanes that were based in the capital N’Djamena, the French army said, two weeks after Chad said it was ending its defense cooperation pact with Paris, Reuters reported. In a surprise move, the government of Chad — an ally of the West in the fight against Islamist militants in the region — ended the defense cooperation pact on Nov. 28. Terms and conditions of the withdrawal and whether any French troops will remain in the central African country altogether have yet be to be agreed, but on Tuesday the first Mirage warplanes returned to their base in eastern France. “It marks the beginning of the return of French equipment stationed in N’Djamena,” Army spokesperson Col. Guillaume Vernet said after two Mirage fighter jets left Chad. France has already pulled its soldiers out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger following military coups in those We...

 A 26-year-old Spanish woman has been arrested for allegedly defrauding over 300 men using a cheap smartphone and a photo editing app.   According to Spanish police, the woman operated a sophisticated scam over the past eight months, extorting nearly £13,500 (around Rs 15 lakh) from her victims. The woman, apprehended in Azkoitia near San Sebastian, manipulated her victims by creating fake compromising images. She used a photo montage app to superimpose their faces onto AI-generated bodies and then threatened to share these images publicly and with their families unless they paid her. Police discovered evidence of her crimes on her phone, including 3,500 chat logs documenting her blackmail schemes. Despite limited resources, the woman was highly skilled in deceiving and intimidating her victims, making her scam both effective and damaging. Authorities have urged people to be cautious about their online interactions and warned against sharing personal information or photos with...

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE   PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS SHAMSELDEEN BABATUNDE OGUNJIMI AS THE ACTING ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).    His appointment is effective immediately following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.    In announcing Madein's successor, President Tinubu ensures a seamless transition in the administration of Nigeria's treasury and consolidates the implementation of the present administration's treasury policy reforms.   As a career civil servant and the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Ogunjimi brings over 30 years of extensive experience in financial management across the public and private sectors.    He has held significant positions, including Director of Funds at the OA...

 Human Rights Day: SERAP and NGE Urge End to Media Crackdown in Nigeria On International Human Rights Day, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) called for an end to the harassment and repression of journalists and media organizations in Nigeria.  The groups condemned the use of laws like the Cybercrimes Act and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) codes to intimidate journalists and stifle free expression. They highlighted a surge in press attacks in 2024, with 110 incidents recorded, and urged Nigerian authorities to respect media freedom and uphold constitutional rights. The groups also called for investigations into human rights violations against journalists and reforms to repressive laws.

 ACF Criticizes Presidency Over 'No Vacancy in Aso Rock' Statement The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has criticized the Presidency for its statement that President Bola Tinubu will remain in office until 2031. The ACF urged the Tinubu administration to focus on providing good governance to Nigerians rather than being preoccupied with the 2027 presidential election.  The comment was made by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who advised northern political leaders planning to run in 2027 to wait until 2031, after Tinubu’s second term. In response, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, emphasized that it was too early to discuss the 2027 election, and clarified that the ACF’s focus is on the welfare of the citizens, not partisan politics.

 Reps Urge CBN to Tackle Ongoing Cash Scarcity The House of Representatives has raised concerns over the persistent cash scarcity in commercial banks across Nigeria, calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve the issue that has caused significant hardship for Nigerians. In a motion presented by Uguru Emmanuel under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, the House highlighted the severe economic and social consequences of the cash shortage, which has left many citizens unable to access funds for essential needs. Emmanuel emphasized that consumer spending and business investment are vital for economic growth, but the ongoing cash shortage is hindering these activities. He recalled the CBN’s December 21, 2022 policy that set cash withdrawal limits of N500,000 for individuals and N5 million for corporate entities. However, he noted that commercial banks have largely ignored this policy, with some limiting withdrawals to as low as N10,000 or even none at all. The lawmaker als...

 UNICEF Donates N1 Billion Medical Oxygen Plant to Bauchi On December 10, 2024, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) handed over a newly constructed Pressure Swing Absorption Oxygen Plant, valued at over N1 billion, to the Bauchi State Government. The donation was made at the Azare General Hospital in Katagum Local Government Area, Bauchi. UNICEF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Christian Munduate, credited the project’s success to donors such as the Government of Canada and IHS Nigeria. Munduate highlighted that the oxygen plant marks a significant milestone in UNICEF’s commitment to improving maternal, newborn, and child health in the region. He emphasized that the plant would provide crucial life-saving treatment for newborns and children suffering from pneumonia and other respiratory conditions. Additionally, the newly established Level 2 Newborn Unit at Azare General Hospital, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, is expected to drastically reduce neonatal mort...

 Bill to end exportation of raw materials scales second reading in Senate A bill seeking to mandate domestic processing of at least 30 per cent of raw materials before exportation has passed its second reading in the Senate. Sponsored by Senator Nwebonyi Peter (APC, Ebonyi North), the bill aims to amend the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act 2022, introducing provisions for local processing and production protection. During his lead debate on Tuesday, Senator Nwebonyi highlighted the transformative potential of the bill for Nigeria’s economy. He argued that mandating local processing would boost local manufacturing industries, create jobs for Nigerians, reduce dependence on imports and the demand for foreign exchange. “Promoting local processing to a minimum of 30 percent or more will add value to our economy, particularly to our Naira. It will also encourage innovation within our local industries, leading to a significant increase in domestic production,” he said. ...

 Farotimi languishes in prison for speaking truth to power – Atiku Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has decried the detention of human rights lawyer and advocate, Dele Farotimi, saying he is languishing in prison for speaking truth to power. Farotimi is being prosecuted before a chief magistrate’s court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola. In a post on X to commemorate the International Human Rights Day, Abubakar said the lawyer’s arrest is a glaring example of the pervasive climate of impunity and rights violations in the country. “Dele Farotimi now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed ‘crime’ of persistently speaking truth to power,” the statement read. “His only offense lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden,” Atiku stated. He faulted the circumstances surrounding Farotimi’s incarceration, stressi...

 Romero criticises Spurs board for lack of spending Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has criticised the club's board for a lack of investment following the disappointing 4-3 loss at home to Chelsea. Spurs let a 2-0 lead slip on Sunday and Ange Postecoglou's side have now won just one of their past seven games in all competitions. Speaking to Spanish broadcaster Telemundo Deportes following the defeat, Argentina international Romero said a lack of spending is seeing the club fall behind their rivals. "Manchester City competes every year, you see how Liverpool strengthens its squad, Chelsea strengthens their squad, doesn't do well, strengthens again, and now they're seeing results. Those are the things to imitate," said Romero. "You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they [the board] realise it." The result against London rivals Chelsea left Tottenham in the bottom half of the Premier League table, sitting 11th after 15 games. ...

 Taraba Governor Kefas's Sister Dies from Gunshot Wounds Following Police Escort Incident Atsi Kefas, the sister of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, has tragically died from gunshot injuries sustained when she was accidentally shot by a police escort during an attempted bandit attack. The incident took place last Thursday on Kente Road in Wukari Local Government Area, Taraba State, as Atsi Kefas and the governor's mother, Jumai Kefas, were traveling. Gunmen ambushed the vehicle, and in the ensuing chaos, a police officer assigned to protect the family unintentionally shot Atsi while attempting to repel the attackers. Atsi was immediately transported to an Abuja hospital for treatment, but unfortunately, she passed away from her injuries. Sources close to the family confirmed her death, expressing condolences to the grieving family. The governor's office has yet to release an official statement.

 UK and Germany Sign Joint Plan to Combat Migrant Smuggling Networks Britain and Germany have formalized a joint action plan to strengthen their efforts against migrant smuggling networks. The agreement was signed during a high-level meeting of European interior and migration ministers in London on Tuesday, which also involved representatives from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Europol, and Frontex. This initiative, part of the Calais Group, aims to address the growing issue of irregular migration and the smuggling networks exploiting vulnerable individuals. Nearly 34,000 undocumented migrants have crossed the English Channel to the UK this year, with 70 fatalities recorded, making 2024 the deadliest year for such crossings. Under the new agreement, Germany will amend its laws to allow the prosecution of smugglers facilitating crossings from northern France to the UK. The new measures will enhance law enforcement's ability to target smuggling networks, particularly those involve...

 South Sudan fires army, police and central bank chiefs South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has fired the head of the country's military, the police chief, and the central bank governor, an announcement made on the state-owned broadcaster SSBC said, Reuters reported. Kiir's announcement gave no reasons for the dismissals. It said Kiir had appointed Paul Nang Majok as the army's chief of defence forces, replacing General Santino Wol. Security sources with knowledge of the goings-on in the military said the changes could have stemmed from disquiet within the army ranks, adding that some soldiers had not been paid wages for about a year. Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang did not immediately respond when contacted for comment. Michael Makuei, the information minister and government spokesperson, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reasons for the changes. In late November, an attempt to arrest the former head of the intelligence service l...

 NELFUND Disburses Over N104bn, Projects 2.1 Million Student Beneficiaries The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed over N104 billion to 613,734 students in tertiary institutions and aims to reach 2.1 million beneficiaries. The Fund’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, highlighted this target during the launch of the SERVICOM unit in Abuja.  NELFUND continues to provide financial support to students for institutional fees and upkeep loans, with an estimated 400,000 new students expected to register this year. While addressing the needs of out-of-school children is a priority, NELFUND's mandate is limited to tertiary education.

 Three Workers Arraigned in Ogun for N22m Energy Theft Three employees of ATC Nigeria Base Station, Ogijo—Sikiru Oyedokun (50), Oladimeji Monsuru (46), and Abraham Ebenezer (33)—were on Tuesday arraigned at the Ogun State Magistrate Court in Sagamu for allegedly stealing 165,033.18 Kilo Watt of electricity valued at N22,887,474.28, the property of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). The theft is said to have occurred between September 17, 2019, and May 5, 2022, as well as from August 3, 2023, to December 5, 2024, at the ATC Nigeria Base Station in Ogijo. The accused face two charges: fraudulent appropriation of electricity and unlawful diversion of power, both of which are punishable under the Criminal Code laws of Ogun State. The defendants pleaded not guilty, and their counsel requested bail on liberal terms, arguing they are employees and not the owners of the company. Magistrate Olayinka Idowu granted each defendant bail of N7 million with one surety residing in th...

 CSO Coalition Calls for Dismissal of Charges Against Farotimi, Deems His Arrest Unconstitutional A coalition of over eighty civil society groups and non-governmental organizations has strongly condemned the arrest, detention, and mistreatment of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, who is accused of defaming legal expert Afe Babalola. The coalition has demanded that the police drop all charges against Farotimi and release him without conditions. The coalition described Farotimi's arrest as a violation of his rights, stating that the activist should not have been treated as a criminal in a case involving civil defamation, as outlined in Section 4 of the Police Act of 2020. The group expressed concern over the aggressive and confrontational nature of the arrest, which involved police officers crossing state lines to detain him. CCTV footage from Farotimi's office revealed the unprofessional and violent conduct of the officers. The statement, issued by Abubakar Mohammed of the 21st...

 Nigeria Receives 2 Million Human Rights Violation Complaints in 2024 — NHRC The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reported receiving two million human rights violation complaints from Nigerians in 2024. NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this in an interview during a Human Rights Walk, organized in partnership with the European Union-funded International IDEA, to mark the 2024 International Human Rights Day. Ojukwu emphasized that the walk aimed to raise awareness about the rights of every Nigerian. He highlighted that the large number of complaints reflects increased public awareness and a growing willingness to report human rights violations. He called on the government and private sector to provide more resources to support the NHRC in addressing these issues, acknowledging that funding remains a significant challenge. Dr. Salamatu Hussein, Chairperson of the NHRC Governing Council, also underscored the importance of focusing on children’s rights, pa...

 Abia Governor Otti Proposes N750.2bn Budget for 2025, Allocates 35% to Education and Health Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has presented a N750.2 billion 2025 budget to the Abia State House of Assembly for review and approval. During his presentation to the Assembly, led by Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa, Governor Otti emphasized his administration's commitment to prudent management of the 2024 budget, which he said facilitated the state's transformation across various sectors. In the proposed 2025 budget, N611.7 billion (82%) is allocated for capital projects, while N138.6 billion (18%) is earmarked for recurrent expenses. Notably, education and health receive significant allocations of 20% and 15%, respectively. Governor Otti highlighted a 30% increase in the 2025 budget compared to the previous year and reiterated his administration's focus on continuing reforms in health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and security. Key provisions include N13 billion for agro-indus...

 Bandits Abduct 12, Injure 2 in Separate Attacks on Katsina Communities Armed bandits have launched two separate attacks in Funtua and Dandume Local Government Areas of Katsina State, abducting 12 individuals and injuring two others. Reports indicate that in Unguwar Dahiru, Funtua LGA, the bandits injured two people and abducted at least ten individuals, including both men and women. Earlier in the day, another group of bandits blocked a road near Jarumai in Dandume LGA, kidnapping two travelers and stealing their motorcycles. A resident of Unguwar Dahiru, Bala Ishiaku, reported that the families of the victims have not yet been contacted for ransom. He added that the local community is living in constant fear, with many residents fleeing the area out of concern that the bandits may return for further attacks.

 Austrian Police Discover Body of Homicide Victim 25 Years Later A body discovered by construction workers in the cellar of a Vienna apartment building had been buried there for 25 years, Austrian police revealed on Tuesday. In April, workers found the decomposing remains wrapped in plastic bags, buried in the cellar floor of an apartment block in the Margareten district after being alerted by a foul smell. Extensive forensic investigations confirmed that the victim, believed to be around 30 years old at the time of death, was a homicide victim who had been buried at the location for approximately 25 years. Authorities have released photos of the man's burgundy tracksuit in an effort to gather more information. Despite international police cooperation and comparisons with database records, the identity of the victim remains unknown. The workers had been excavating the basement in preparation for a new concrete floor when the body was discovered.

 Beyonce and Jay-Z Make a United Statement with Blue Ivy on the Red Carpet Following Sexual Assault Controversy Beyoncé and Jay-Z brought daughter Blue Ivy Carter, age 12, to the premiere of the new movie Mufasa: The Lion King on Monday, one day after the rapper was named in a lawsuit alleging he raped a 13-year-old girl with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in 2000. Jay-Z, 55, and Beyoncé, 43, were accompanied by daughter Blue Ivy and Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles , 70, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. The family was smiling and appeared to be in the holiday spirit after the 99 Problems rapper issued a scorching denial to the claims and took aim at his accuser’s legal representation. Jay-Z said in a response he issued to Dailymail.com Sunday that he is the victim of a ‘blackmail attempt’ and fears his three children with Beyoncé will have to ‘endure’ harassment in the wake of the shocking allegations. Jay-Z is especially worried about Blue Ivy, 12. He is afraid she will face quest...

 A tragic accident in Mumbai’s Kurla West area on Monday night left seven people dead and 49 others injured.  A Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus on route 332 lost control and crashed into pedestrians and nearly 30-40 vehicles near the busy Kurla railway station. The bus eventually stopped after hitting the wall of a residential society. The injured were immediately taken to Kurla’s Bhabha Hospital for treatment, with four people reported to be in critical condition. Preliminary reports suggest that the bus driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol during the accident. The driver has been taken into custody, and further investigations are underway. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences and announced financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased. He also assured that the treatment expenses for the injured would be covered by BEST and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This shocking incident ...

 Abia State Engages Host Communities on Proposed Airport Development The Abia State Government has begun engaging with the Nsulu clan in Isialangwa North Local Government Area regarding the proposed Abia airport project. The Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti, Calab Ajagba, announced this during a meeting with traditional rulers and community representatives at the palace of Eze Christopher Ebere in Umuomaita on Monday. Ajagba explained that the government had already secured the consent of village heads for the project and presented letters from community stakeholders endorsing the airport. He emphasized that the purpose of the meeting was to inform the residents and prepare them for a forthcoming government delegation to visit each community starting December 10, 2024. He assured the community that the government’s intentions were genuine, highlighting the economic benefits of the airport, including job creation, improved infrastructure, and better amenities. Ajagba also dismis...

 14 Killed, 1 Injured in Jigawa Motor Accident Fourteen people have been confirmed dead, and one person injured in a motor accident in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area, Jigawa State. According to a local resident, the accident occurred when the driver, traveling at high speed, lost control of the vehicle, causing it to somersault and crash into a damaged bridge at Tage village. Fourteen passengers died, while one survivor sustained serious injuries. Jigawa State Police spokesperson, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, confirmed the incident. He explained that the accident involved a Golf 3 wagon with registration number GML 842 XA JGS, which was traveling from Hadejia to Makera village with 15 passengers on board. The crash occurred when the driver attempted to brake suddenly upon reaching the damaged Tage bridge, causing the vehicle to lose control and fall into the bridge. Police officers, led by DPO Bulangu Division, responded to the scene, evacuating the victims and transporting them to Ha...

 Ebonyi Governor's Father, Who Married 30 Wives and Has 108 Children, Becomes King The father of Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu, who married 30 wives and has 108 children, has been crowned the traditional ruler of Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community in Izzi Local Government Area of the state. Known for his successful farming career, Ezeogo Nwankpu married 30 women, although some left due to childlessness. He currently lives with 17 wives and has fathered 108 children, including Governor Francis Nwifuru, who is from his fourth wife. Among his children, 21 are graduates, with many having been individually supported by their mothers for their education. At the coronation, Governor Nwifuru presented his father with a certificate and staff of office, in accordance with Ebonyi State’s Local Government and Chieftaincy Law. Reflecting on the family's past hardships, Nwifuru shared how they endured mistreatment, including the murder of his uncle and forced land ac...

  ASUU Declares Indefinite Strike at Bayelsa’s Niger Delta University The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Niger Delta University, owned by the Bayelsa State Government, has announced an indefinite strike. This decision comes after the government’s alleged failure to honor agreements made with the union. The strike was declared on Tuesday following a meeting at the union's secretariat in Amassoma. Further details on the union's grievances and the impact on academic activities at the university are expected to emerge in the coming days. More information will follow shortly.

 Kogi Launches Probe into WASSCE 2024 Examination Malpractice The Kogi State Ministry of Education has established an Examination Misconduct, Investigation, and Disciplinary Committee to investigate the involvement of schools and individuals in examination malpractice during the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The committee, tasked with determining the extent of misconduct and recommending appropriate penalties for those found guilty, will operate in accordance with the Kogi State Education Law and its amendments. The committee, which has been given one week to submit its findings, is chaired by Dr. Jibrin Saidu Alhaji, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, with Mrs. Omolayo Barikisu Onozare, Director of Administration, serving as Secretary. Other members include representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, the Kogi State Secondary Education Commission, the State Universal Basic Education Board, and the West Africa...