Author: Akintayo Adams

The Federal Government is considering recruiting 2,000 teachers per state annually to address the nationwide shortage of educators. This would total 74,000 new teachers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Ministry of Education plans to implement the policy by December 2024 as outlined in a roadmap obtained by Saturday PUNCH. The initiative follows concerns about the shortage of teachers, with reports revealing that 18 states have not recruited teachers in the past five years. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has also expressed concern over the scarcity of qualified teachers in public schools. The roadmap…

Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Allen Onyema, has been charged in a superseding indictment with obstruction of justice for allegedly submitting false documents to impede an investigation into earlier bank fraud and money laundering charges. This development, revealed by the U.S. Justice Department, also implicates Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, in the obstruction scheme and the initial bank fraud case. According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, Onyema allegedly used his airline to commit fraud on the U.S. banking system and then attempted to derail the investigation. The Justice Department’s statement emphasizes that these charges are…

Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) has revamped its iconic comedy series Papa Ajasco, unveiling the new PAPA AJASCO & COMPANY: GEN Z PAPI set to premiere on 15th October 2024. The new version follows the lead character, Papa Ajasco, now known as Gen Z Papi, as he navigates his rise to fame as an Afrobeats star while engaging in a rivalry with fellow musician, Emperor Agu. Retaining its beloved characters—Papa Ajasco, Pa James, Mama Ajasco, Boy Alinco, and Miss Pepeiye—the series introduces fresh faces played by renowned actors such as Jude Chukwuka, Jide Kosoko, and Francis Odega, among others. Producer Wale…

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has defended the President’s recent travels amid criticism. Responding to backlash over Tinubu’s movement from the United Kingdom to France during his vacation, Onanuga reiterated that the President is on a two-week leave and has the freedom to travel wherever he wishes. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday evening, Onanuga emphasized that Tinubu is not restricted to the UK during his private time. He stated, “President Tinubu is on leave for two weeks. He is not restricted to the UK. It is his private time.…

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming November 16 governorship election, has approved a minimum wage of ₦73,000 for civil servants in the state. This announcement comes after the federal government agreed to a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 in September. Aiyedatiwa, speaking at the APC flag-off campaign in Ondo West Local Government, emphasized that his administration has been focused on improving the welfare of civil servants. He highlighted prompt salary payments, training programs, and regular promotions as key motivations for workers. In addition to the new…

A Nigerian woman has raised concerns on social media, alleging that passengers on a GIG Motors bus traveling from Port Harcourt to Abuja were kidnapped, with only the driver returning to base. The claim was shared on her page via X (formerly known as Twitter), where she stated that hours after the incident, none of the missing passengers had been found or contacted. She further accused GIG Motors of protecting the driver, preventing him from giving an account of the situation. According to her, the company has neither filed a police report nor issued any updates on social media regarding…

During a rally in Aurora, Colorado, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump called for the death penalty for migrants who kill U.S. citizens or law enforcement officers. In his Friday night speech, Trump repeated misleading claims about immigrants, stoking nativist sentiments as part of his campaign for re-election. Referring to what he called an “invasion” of migrants, Trump declared that the U.S. is now “known all throughout the world as occupied America.” He also laid out a stark plan for mass deportations, promising that November 5, 2024, Election Day, would be “liberation day in America.” Trump has increasingly focused on anti-immigrant…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Bolaji Akinduro, the Executive Chairman of Total Grace Oil and Gas Investment Limited, wanted for alleged fraud. In a statement shared on the EFCC’s official X account on Saturday, Akinduro is accused of obtaining money under false pretence and stealing by conversion. The EFCC revealed that Akinduro, 51, hails from Ondo State and his last known address is in Victoria Island, Lagos. The public is urged to provide any information regarding his whereabouts to the EFCC or the nearest police station. Contact details for the EFCC offices and other relevant security…

A new university could soon be added to Nigeria’s higher education system following the first reading of a bill to establish the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages. Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and eight others, the bill seeks to create a university dedicated to promoting Nigerian languages and cultures. The institution, as outlined in the bill, would offer diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs focused on Nigerian languages, aiming to produce professionals with expertise in these fields. The university will also engage in research and outreach programs to enhance the study and use of Nigerian languages for…

Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder of Living Faith Church and Chancellor of Covenant University, revealed during the university’s 19th convocation that he has never earned a salary from the institution since its founding in 2001. Speaking at the event themed “The Release of Eagles 2024,” Oyedepo emphasized that the achievements of the students have been his true reward. A total of 1,607 students graduated, including 339 with first-class honours. Oyedepo highlighted the impact of Covenant University graduates in various sectors and reaffirmed his commitment to societal contribution over personal gain, stating, “Your success stories are my earnings.” He urged graduates to…