Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredol signs the anti-grazing bill into law

   

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has signed the anti-grazing bill into law. The governor signed the bill on Tuesday after it was earlier passed by the State House of Assembly. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo.

  According to the governor, the signage of the bill is in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum at its last meeting in Lagos where September 1 was set as the deadline for Governors in Southern Nigeria to sign the Anti-Open Grazing Bill into law.

Federal Government To Clear Arrears Of Varsity Workers’ Minimum Wage By October —Ngige

 

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has announced that the federal government will clear the arrears of the consequential adjustment on minimum wage owed the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions by the end of October.

   He disclosed this on Thursday, at the end of a meeting between the FG and the Joint Action Committee of the two unions, convened to examine the level of implementation of the Memorandum of Action it signed with the unions in February, 2021. Ngige commended the unions for their understanding and maturity in cooperating with the government to resolve the issues, emphasising that the government did not take them for granted.

Ronaldo’s move to Manchester United sees shares soar by eight percent

   

  Manchester United’s shares have soared by 8 percent following the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to the    EPL side. On Friday afternoon, Friday 27, United announced that they have agreed on a deal to bring the 36-year-old back to Old Trafford. This gave a major boost to the shares of United, which is publicly traded in the United States, as reported by CNN.

British-Nigerian footballer Samuel Oji passes away at 35

   

British-Nigerian footballer, Samuel Oji has died at the age of 35. The former Arsenal youth player and League of Ireland footballer is said to have been battling 'illness.'Oji kicked off his career at the Gunners as a teenager in 2000, but failed to make the grade and joined Birmingham in 2004.

  The defender,  the cousin of English singer,  Lemar - also turned out for Doncaster Rovers, Leyton Orient, Bristol Rovers, and Hereford United during his career. Oji was most recently working as assistant manager at non-league outfit Highgate United which play in the Midland League Premier Division - the ninth tier of English football.

PDP Choose Abuja As Venue For National Convention

   

The Peoples Democratic Party has chosen Abuja as the venue for its national convention. The decision was reached at the party’s 92nd National Executive Committee meeting which was presided over by acting National Chairman, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi on Saturday. The NEC also agreed to reconvene in September.

Main opposition party PDP has recently been hit by multiple defections as some embittered members call for the resignation of Uche Secondus as National Chairman. Mr Secondus has been accused of having “no clear road map, blue print or policy programme for the PDP.”

Two Children ‘Abducted’ From Lagos By Nanny Rescued In Benin-City

   

    Two siblings based in Lagos have been rescued following their abduction allegedly by a nanny simply identified by Precious. Precious was said to have absconded with the minors – a four-year-old boy and two-year-old girl – on Monday and brought them to Benin City to a couple based abroad who were on a visit to Nigeria.

   The Police Public Relations Officer in Edo, Bello Kontongs, disclosed this to Channels Television on Saturday in the Edo State capital. “Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Unit on 26 at about 15:35 hours arrested some suspects for the abduction of children from Lagos down to Benin City,” he said.

Zimbabwean motivational speaker born without limbs is getting married

 

     Physically disabled Zimbabwean motivational speaker, Sinikiwe Kademaunga, has announced that she is getting married to her man.

Senator Stella Oduah defects from PDP to APC

   

A former Minister of Aviation and senator representing Anambra North, Stella Oduah has defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress party.

Cristiano Ronaldo 'agrees personal terms with Manchester City'

   

Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed on personal terms with Manchester City despite playing for rival Manchester United during the peak of his career. The 36-year-old's future at Juventus has been cast into doubt this summer and his agent Jorge Mendes had to flew to Italy to meet the Serie A giants' bosses to discuss a resolution. 

 According to new reports in Portugal, Ronaldo has spoken with City boss Pep Guardiola, and that the Italian side are now in talks with the Premier League champions about letting him leave three years after he joined. Reports in Italy earlier this week reported that City had offered the former Manchester United star a two-year deal worth £230,000 per week after missing out on Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

Nigeria’s GDP Records 5% Growth For Second Quarter

   

    Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.01% (year-on-year) in real terms in the second quarter of 2021, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said.

   The NBS disclosed this in the latest report on the nation’s GDP entitled Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report (Q2 2021) released on Thursday. It explained that the increase in the GDP index marked three consecutive quarters of growth following the negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.

Buhari Announces ₦287bn NNPC Profit After Tax For 2020

   

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the declaration of a Profit after Tax (PAT) of N287billion in the year 2020 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

   According to a communique by his special media aide, Femi Adesina, the President’s announcement is in fulfillment of an earlier pledge by the Federal Government to publicly declare the financial position of the NNPC. Adesina’s statement notes that Buhari has disclosed a Net Profit, making it the first time in the 44-year history of the establishment.

NSA: Porous Borders Aggravating Nigeria’s Security Challenges

     The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), has expressed porous borders have continued to aggravate the security challenges in the country.

   The NSA spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the eighth session of the Cameroon-Nigeria Trans-Border Security Committee.

   He stated that members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists (BHTs) have continued to exploit the porous borders to disrupt the livelihoods of innocent citizens in their communities.

NDA Bandits Attack: President Buhari Speaks

 

      In a statement released by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Buhari said now is the time to put a decisive end to activities of criminals across the country.

The statement reads

Abducted Major Stephen Datong found dead

 

   Major Stephen Datong, who was abducted yesterday by bandits who attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna has been found dead.

  Reports have it that the bandits had killed two military officers and kidnapped Datong when they attacked Nigeria’s foremost military university in the early hours of Tuesday.

Delta Govt Confirms Outbreak Of Bird Flu

 

   Delta State Government has confirmed a fresh outbreak of the Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu with over 160,000 birds affected in various farms across seven local government areas of the state.

   The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Julius Egbedi and his information counterpart Charles Aniagwu disclosed this during a press conference in Asaba on Wednesday. According to Egbedi, the affected farms are located in Udu, Oshimili South, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Okpe and Sapele local government areas, with samples from the reported farms sent to the National Veterinary Institute, Jos, and all were confirmed to be the h5n1 strain of avian influenza.

Plateau Govt Re-Imposes 24-Hour Curfew On Jos North LGA

   

  The Plateau State government has re-imposed a 24-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area (LGA).

  Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Simon Lalong, Dr Makut Macham, announced this in a statement on Wednesday. Imposing curfew on the local government follows tensions sparked by the attack on Yelwa Zangam – a village in Zangam District of the state.

R5 Homixide Death: US rapper dies aged 22

 

    R5 Homixide Death: R5 Homixide, a fast-rising American rapper has lost his life at the age of 22, his friends confirmed on social media.

  The Lion Heart performer, whose real name is Rashad Dowdy, passed away on Monday 23 August. It has not yet been confirmed how the singer died.

PIA: 3% Allocation To Host Communities Higher Than 30% Of Profit Oil And Gas For Frontier Exploration, Says Mele Kyari

   

   Group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari has expressed that allocation of three percent oil companies operating expense to host communities is higher than 30 percent of profit oil and gas for frontier exploration. Kyari disclosed this when he appeared on an NTA interview programme on Tuesday.

   Speaking during the interview, Kyari said the allocation for host communities has a low percentage but a bigger value.  He stated that the three percent from operating expense is bigger than 30 percent allocation from profit oil and gas.

Osinbajo For President: VP disowns 2023 presidential campaign materials

 

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reacted to the flurry of campaign activities signposting his interest in the 2023 election. In a statement signed by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo disowned the campaigns.

Rolling Stones star, Charlie Watts dies aged 80

 

 

    Charlie Watts, a drummer and member of legendary music group, Rolling Stones, has died, at the age of 80.

Bandits Attack NDA, Kill Two Officers, Abduct One

 

 Bandits have attacked the permanent site of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna State, killing two officers and abducting one other officer.

  The Spokesman for the academy in the state Major Bashir Muhd Jajira confirmed that that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday. “The security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen,” Jajira said in a statement.

Why we raided BBNaija star, Dorathy's house - EFCC

 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has reacted to claims by former Big Brother Naija housemate, Dorathy Bachor, that her house was broken into by its operatives.

  Reacting to Dorathy's claim, EFCC in a statement released this afternoon, said its operatives broke into the house because they refused to open the door. The statement reads:

Gunmen kill 4, abduct 50 others in Zamfara community

    Four people have been killed by gunmen who also abducted 50 others in Goran Namaye town in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara. The state police command which confirmed the attack on Monday August 23, said the attackers invaded the town around midnight on Sunday August 22, in large numbers. 

Taraba University Student Found Dead In Hostel

     A 200-level student of the Taraba State University in the Peace and Conflict Resolution Department has died after a brief illness.

   According to an anonymous source, the student identified as Patience Samson was rushed to the school clinic on Saturday after her fellow students discovered she was critically ill.

FG to deploy 5G network soon – Pantami

 

    The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy says it will soon deploy the Five Generation network (5G) in Nigeria for increased connectivity. The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, disclosed this in Abuja when he featured on FORUM, a special News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) interview programme.

   The minister said the decision to deploy the 5G network followed an outcome of thorough investigations, research and trial absolving it of posing security or health threat. According to him, the work on the national policy on 5G stands at 95 per cent done and will be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in due course.

Pantami, who said the primary concern of government was to ensure security and welfare of Nigerians in their utilisation of services in the telecommunications sector, blamed the delay in the deployment of the 5G network on conspiracy theories.

Ghanaian footballer arrested with 3 human heads in his fridge

   

The Police in Ghana have arrested a footballer and sports commentator identified as Richard Gyamfi with 3 human heads and body parts in the Sunyani Municipality of the west African country.

According to reports, the sports commentator and footballer was arrested for murder. According to the police, after a thorough search in his house, it was discovered that Richard Gyamfi was keeping three human heads packed in his refrigerator.

 Confirming the news on a Sunyani-based Sky FM, the father of one of the deceased children, Thomas Agyei told the host that the footballer lured his 13-year-old child Louis Agyemang Junior from the football park ar Sunyani Abesim into his room and murdered him.

Striking Doctors Refuse To Sign New MoU With FG After Six-Hour Meeting

   

   The leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has refused assent to a new memorandum of understanding brokered by the Nigeria Medical Association to end the three weeks old strike that has crippled medical services in government hospitals across the country.

   NARD President, Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, declined his assent owing to an undisclosed clause. According to Okhuaihesuyi, NARD’s leadership has to consult with members of the association before he appends his signature.

Governor Samuel Ortom task security operatives to arrest those responsible for the killing of two pastors

   

   Governor Samuel Ortom on Sunday, tasked security operatives to arrest those responsible for the killing of two pastors in Ochoro community in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State. 

The two pastors identified as Moses Ijoko and Emmanuel Aleje, with the Methodist Church, Ochoro, were shot dead by assailants while on their way to the hospital on Tuesday, August 17.  Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Terver Akase, in a statement on Sunday, August 22, said that Ortom condemned the murder of the pastors and described the incident as unacceptable.

He urged the Chairman of Konshisha Local Government and other stakeholders in the area to ensure that the killers and their sponsors are apprehended to face justice.

15 More Abducted Bethel School Students Regain Freedo

   

Fifteen more abducted students of Bethel Baptist Secondary School in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state have regained their freedom.

    Although the government or security agencies are yet to confirm the development, a source in the school told Channels Television that the 15 students were released on Sunday after a ransom was paid to the bandits. Bandits suspected to be kidnappers had on July 5 attacked the school and took away 121 students from their hostels.

University of Calabar arraigned dean over N20.6m fraud

   

   A University of Calabar dean, Prof. Francisca Ime Bassey has been arraigned before Cross River State High Court Six over her alleged involvement in a contract fraud of N20.6 million. She was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

   The agency accused Prof. Bassey, who is the Dean and Director of the Pre-Degree Programme of the university of allegedly holding private interests in multiple contracts awarded by the school to four companies directly owned by her. According to ICPC in the 10 counts filed before Justice Elias O. Abua on Wednesday August 18, the alleged crime happened between 2013 and 2017 and violated Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

We’ll Continue To Prosecute Fake Graduates- NYSC

   

   The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has restated that it would not bow to pressure to compromise its mobilisation process. The organisation stated that anyone caught with fake certificates during registration would be prosecuted as enshrined in the NYSC Act.

   The Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, according to a statement by its Director (Press and Public Relations), Adenike Adeyemi, issued the threat when he hosted the Registrar/CEO of Health Records Officials Registration Board of Nigeria, Alhaji Babagana Mustapha who paid a courtesy visit to him in his office in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Kaduna reopens schools, asks students to wear mufti

 

    Kaduna government has announced that schools in the state re-opened on Wednesday, 18th August, 2021, after being initially closed down due to ongoing military operations against bandits in northwestern states.

The resumption date is for Junior Secondary School (JSS) III students only, and they were directed to come to school in mufti.  Kaduna state’s Commissioner for Education, Shehu Usman Muhammad said in a statement on Wednesday August 18.

Insecurity: President Buhari meets with service chiefs

   

     President Buhari had a closed-door meeting with the service chiefs in the statehouse today, August 19. The meeting had in attendance Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and others.

PIA: We Discussed With Labour Extensively, No Job Will Be Lost – Sylva

 

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva has assured that no job will be lost in the nation’s petroleum sector following the signing of the Petroleum Industry Bill into law.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday signed the bill, thus providing a legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry, the development of host communities, and related matters. Although there were fears in some quarters over the fate of workers in the petroleum sector, the minister says the move will instead create more jobs.

I've been battling diabetes for 35 years - Obasanjo

   

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that he has been battling diabetes for the past 35 years. 

Obasanjo made the disclosure at the closing ceremony of the Ogun State Diabetes Youth Development Camp, held in Abeokuta, Ogun state on Wednesday August 18.

The former President who reiterated that diabetes is not a killer disease, told children to abstain from consuming sugar, foods with carbohydrates and always take their insulin injection in order to manage the disease well.

Nigeria Lost $50bn In 10 Years Due To Uncertainty Over Petroleum Industry – President Buhari

 

 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja said Nigeria lost an estimated $50billion worth of investments in 10 years. This, according to him, was a result of the uncertainty of the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), lack of progress and stagnation in the petroleum industry.

    In his remarks at a ceremony on passage of the PIA, which preceded the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the President said the stagnation affected growth of the economy, citing lack of political will on the part of past administrations to actualize the needed transformation.

Headline inflation falls to 17.38% in July

    Headline inflation fell for the fourth consecutive months to 17.38 percent in July, 2021, representing a 0.37 percentage points when compared to 17.75 per cent recorded in the previous month of June. Similarly,  the food index fell by 0.80 percent to 21.03 per cent from 21.83 per cent  in June.

   In its Consumer Price Index, CPI, report for July released yesterday, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the decline in food index was due to increases in prices of milk, cheese and eggs, coffee, tea and cocoa, vegetables, bread and cereals, Soft drinks, and meatCPI measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services.

CBN, Police To Prosecute Abusers Of Naira

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has expressed displeasure over the activities of persons, who flagrantly abuse the Nigerian Naira by hurling wads of currency notes in the air and stamping on them at social functions.

Anyone rushing to bail suspects linked to Plateau killings will be arrested - Governor Lalong

   

     Governor Simon Lalong has announced that anyone rushing to bail suspects linked to Plateau killings will be arrested. 

  Lalong made the announcement at emergency meeting on peace and security, centered on killing of 14 worshippers returning from an Islamic event in Bauchi and other attacks in Bassa, Jos south, Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs.

EFCC arrests 10 suspected Internet fraudsters in Kaduna

 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Command, has arrested 10 persons for alleged Internet-related fraud

   The agency in a statement released gave the names of the suspects as Ezenwa Peter, Fahad Ahmad, Alyassau Mohammed, Nehemia Joel, Enoch Simon, Kabson Ziryi Beloved, Japheth Audu, Olatunji Abimbola, Innocent Arzuka and David Samuel.

Niger, Akwa Ibom Governors, Others Celebrate IBB @ 80

    Governors of Niger, Akwa Ibom and Sokoto states today met in Minna, the Niger State capital to celebrate with former Nigerian Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on the occasion of his 80th Birthday at his hilltop residence.

   Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Abubakar Bello who described the Retired General as a man of the people, said he has achieved so much in his years on earth. The governor wished him more wisdom in life.

Timipre Sylva - NNPC Limited To Kick Off In Six Months

   

      The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will become a commercial company within six months, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva said on Tuesday. This follows the signing of the Petroleum Industry Bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

   Mr Sylva, who was speaking at a press conference in Abuja, said a transitional committee is already in place to incorporate NNPC Limited. All shares in NNPC Limited are expected to be vested in the government at incorporation and held by the Ministry of Finance.

Mozambican Actress Hermelinda Simela dies after giving birth

 

    Popular Mozambican actress Hermelinda Simela has died after giving birth. According to the reports, The actress died at a hospital after suffering from complications during childbirth.

    “THE COUNTRY HAS LOST A STRONG, RESILIENT WOMAN, AN EXEMPLARY MOTHER AND, ABOVE ALL, AN ENGINE OF OUR DREAMS,” SIMELA’S LONGTIME FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE ALVIM COSSA TOLD THE BBC.

All Civil Servants Ought To Own A Home – Osinbajo

   

   Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for a reform of the Nigerian civil service by doing “something bold and big that will make a difference.” According to him, a mass housing policy for all civil servants fits into this “bold and big” agenda, a statement signed by presidential spokesperson Laolu Akande on Friday said.

Prof Osinbajo reportedly made the comment on Thursday at the Presidential Villa when he received a brief on the Federal Civil Service Strategy & Implementation Plan 2021-2025, presented by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan.

The meeting is a Presidential Level Briefing of the reform process of the Federal Civil Service which has been on since 2017. The reform is being led by Steering and Implementation Committees with membership drawn from the public and private sectors with the engagement of development partners.

My government’s response to insecurity has been strong and robust - Buhari

   

   President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government's response to insecurity witnessed in the country has been “strong, determined and robust”. 

  The President who was represented by Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi at the graduation of Course 29 participants of the National Defence College in Abuja on Friday August 13, commended the personnel of the Nigeria police, intelligence and security agencies as well as local vigilante and community groups for their efforts, adding that his government is making continuous efforts at consolidating the progress made in improving the enabling security environment for peace and development.

Buhari said; 

I see danger ahead, doctors are competing with God - Ngige

   

    Minister of labour and productivity, Chris Ngige has accused doctors who are currently on strike of competing with God.  Recall that resident doctors commenced a nationwide strike on August 2, over irregular payment of salaries, hazard allowances among other issues.

 Ngige who asked these doctors to carry themselves with humility, also wondered why doctors tend to go on strike more often when someone from the medical profession holds a political position. He said; 

“At no time in the history of NMA (Nigerian Medical Association) and the medical association, was I seeing our association and our profession ever being in danger as I am seeing them now.

Court Orders Temporary Forfeiture Of ₦241m Diverted From Office Of SDG

 

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture, to the Federal Government, of the sum of ₦241milion allegedly diverted from the office of the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

President Buhari Returns From UK Trip

   

   President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in the country after a two-week trip to the United Kingdom. He touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 18:45 pm on Friday.

We’ll Complete All Critical Projects In Niger Delta- V.P Osinbajo

   

    In furtherance of its New Vision development agenda for the Niger Delta, the Buhari Administration will ensure the completion of the critical projects it has embarked upon in the region, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

   Prof. Osinbajo who was represented at the event by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Edobor Iyamu, stated this on Tuesday at the 6th Anniversary Lecture/Niger Delta Awards Organised by Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper, which held in Lagos.

Federal Government to resumes COVID-19 vaccinations Aug 19

     

    Federal government has said that COVID-19 vaccinations will resume in the country on August 16. The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib who disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, said the doses of the Moderna vaccine, which arrived  from the United States last week, were being prepared for rollout. Shuaib who spoke at a media briefing,  said labels with barcodes were being prepared to enable proper  tracking and tracing of the vaccine doses at health facilities where they will be administered.

Andrew Cuom, New York governor resigns over sexual harassment report

   

   

    Andrew Cuomo Resigns: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has resigned after an inquiry found he sexually harassed multiple women, prompting efforts to remove him. His resignation goes into effect in 14 days. Power will then be transferred to Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The best way I can help now is if I step aside,” he said on Tuesday, while maintaining the claims were untruthful.

   The Democrat faced pressure from his own party to resign since last week’s report, including from President Biden. Albany DA spokesperson Cecilia Walsh said their office’s inquiry into possible    criminal conduct in their jurisdiction “remains open and pending.”

Lionel Messi completes move to PSG on a two-year deal worth "£1million a week"

    Lionel Messi has completed a sensational move to Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal after leaving Barcelona following 21 incredible years. 

   The Argentina captain became a free agent this summer after his contract with Barcelona expired. The club was expected to re-sign him after positive initial talks between all parties but  LaLiga's financial regulations made it impossible.