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  Governor Otti approves appointment of new Head of Civil Service Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has approved the appointment of Mr. Benson Ojeikere as the New Head of Service for Abia State Civil Service. A release endorsed by the Secretary to Abia State Government, Prof Kenneth Kalu says this appointment takes effect from December 31, 2024. The release explains the appointment of the Edo State born Civil servant, who was until his appointment, the Permanent Secretary, Government House followed the conclusion of a rigorous merit-based selection process. While congratulating Mr. Benson Ojeikere on his appointment, the release sends Governor Otti’s appreciation to the immense contributions of the outgoing Head of Service, Dr. Ngozi Queen Obioma who is proceeding on statutory retirement. The new Head of Service, Ojiekere is the first non–indigenous Head of Service of Abia.

 Tax reforms must go on — Edwin Clark Elder statesman Edwin Clark has criticized the pushback by the 19 northern governors against the tax reform bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu. Clark made this statement on Sunday during Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television. “As far as I am concerned, that tax bill must go on,” he said. DAILY POST recalls that the new tax bills introduced by the Tinubu administration have been mired in controversy, sparking widespread criticism and opposition from various quarters, including the 36 state governors under the aegis of the National Economic Council, NEC. The 19 northern governors have unequivocally rejected sections of the bills, calling for their withdrawal from the National Assembly. Reacting to the development, Clark, leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, criticised the stance of the northern governors following NEC’s collective position. “I was so shocked when I learnt that th...

 Family of 10 die in Brazil plane crash Ten members of a family died early Sunday when their small plane slammed into a commercial district in the city of Gramado in southern Brazil, civil defense authorities said. Officials had earlier put the death toll at nine. The plane, a Piper Cheyenne 400 turboprop, was being flown by a businessman named Luiz Claudio Salgueiro Galeazzi, police confirmed to AFP, and the passengers were all family members of his. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from the nearby city of Canela, striking the chimney of a building and then a house before falling onto a furniture store, the Rio Grande do Sul state security secretariat said in a statement. An inn was also damaged, it added. “There are no survivors of the plane,” Cleber dos Santos Lima of the state civil police told AFP. At least 17 people were injured on the ground, two of them seriously, while several others were treated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the accident is under investigat...

 Stampede: FG, Governors issue advisory, as PDP, CAN blame systemic policies …Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Alia condemn tragic incidents, commiserate with victims’ families …FG expresses deep sorrow over tragic loss of lives, pledges immediate govt assistance …105 lives lost due to poverty-induced neoliberal economic policies, criminal negligence — Falana …CAN condemns Abuja stampede, urges nationwide reflection The Federal Government and State Governors have issued a joint advisory on crowd management following a series of deadly stampedes at charitable events across the country. This move comes as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have pointed to systemic policy failures as the cause of the recurring tragedies, urging urgent reforms in crowd control and the management of public gatherings. The PDP condemned the recent food stampedes in various states, which have claimed approximately 60 lives, including children. In a statement issued in Ab...

 Bournemouth thrash Man Utd 3-0 as Chelsea miss chance to Premier League On Sunday, Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, while Chelsea missed the chance to go top of the Premier League after a 0-0 draw at Everton. United boss Ruben Amorim, who once again left Marcus Rashford out of his squad, faces a miserable Christmas following the worst result of his brief tenure. Languishing in 13th place, United have endured four defeats in nine matches across all competitions since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag. United’s second successive loss, following their League Cup exit at Tottenham on Thursday, underscored Amorim’s admission that their road back to the top will be long and arduous. Having conceded first in their last six games, United were booed off at half-time, while the final whistle was greeted by more jeers from the few fans who stayed until the bitter end. While it is too early to pass judgem...

 FG set to arraign five terrorism suspects linked to Bello Turji today …As suspects face 11-count charge over terrorism-related activities The Federal Government is set to arraign five suspected terrorists with alleged links to notorious kingpin Bello Turji before the Federal High Court in Abuja today (Monday). The suspects, including Musa Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, Bashir Abdullahi, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma, are accused of aiding terrorist activities through the provision of material support, such as weapons, uniforms, food, and illicit drugs, to various terrorist groups operating in the Northwest. The suspects were initially scheduled for arraignment on Friday, December 21, but the process was delayed as no legal counsel appeared on their behalf. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) through its counsel, David Kaswe, requested a brief adjournment, which was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite, setting Monday for their court appearance. In the 11-count charge filed on...

 Suspected ritualist arrested with human head, body parts in Ogun Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested Taiwo Yemitan, a 45-year-old man, for unlawful possession of a human head and dismembered body parts of a woman named Darasimi. The suspect was apprehended at approximately 1:40 a.m. on Sunday, December 22, following a tip-off from local security groups, including Agbekoya and Vigilante operatives. According to police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, Yemitan lured Darasimi to his residence in the Lafenwa area of Abeokuta, where he killed her. During questioning, the suspect admitted to the crime and identified two accomplices, Kehinde Yemitan and one Kazeem, who remain at large. Yemitan further revealed that their intention was to sell the victim’s body parts for ritual purposes. “The suspect admitted to knowing Darasimi and confessed that he killed her with the help of his accomplices, Kehinde Yemitan and Kazeem, with plans to sell her body parts,” said Odutola...