Author: Akintayo Adams

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the conversion of ad-hoc staff in the state’s 33 local government councils to permanent positions. The announcement came during the commissioning of the newly-constructed Local Government House and Staff Training School in Ibadan on Wednesday. Makinde explained that this decision was made to address workforce gaps at the local government level and emphasized that due process for the conversion must be completed within four weeks. He also reassured that his administration remains committed to supporting local government authorities to better serve citizens and align with his broader vision for the state. In…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) has no legal authority to stop vehicles, confiscate them, or impose fines on motorists. Justice Evelyn Maha delivered the ruling on October 2, 2024, in a case brought by human rights attorney Abubakar Marshal, challenging the actions of VIO officers. In her judgment, Justice Maha declared that no existing law grants the VIO or its officials the power to engage in such actions. She specifically barred the Director of Road Transport, along with VIO officers in Jabi, Abuja, and the Minister of the Federal…

The UK has announced its decision to relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, a strategically significant cluster in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius after more than 50 years. This agreement follows years of negotiations and will include the handover of Diego Garcia, a key US military base, although the base will remain operational under UK control for an initial period of 99 years. This historic move, announced jointly by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, marks a significant step toward resolving longstanding tensions between the two nations. The treaty will also address the welfare of…

The Africa Film Academy has officially announced the nominees for the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), marking the 20th edition of the prestigious event. During a press briefing at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, the nominations were revealed under the theme “Celebrating African Creativity.” Leading the nominations is the Nigerian film The Weekend by Uche Okocha, which secured 16 nods, while Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun followed closely with seven nominations. The much-anticipated awards ceremony will be held on November 2 in Lagos, in partnership with the Lagos State government. In a social media post, AMAA revealed their nominees,…

Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has expressed conditions under which he would consider taking the head coach role on a full-time basis. Currently leading the team through the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Eguavoen emphasized the need for a long-term contract, patience, and consistent support from the football governing body. He stressed that the Super Eagles job is a significant responsibility that demands careful reflection and commitment, stating, “It’s going to be tough. I’d need a long-term contract, patience, and clauses in the deal because you don’t win every day. It takes time to build a team.” Eguavoen, who has had…

President Bola Tinubu has submitted four tax reform bills to the House of Representatives for consideration and swift passage. In a letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during Thursday’s plenary, Tinubu stated that these bills align with the goals of his administration to enhance Nigeria’s fiscal framework. The proposed bills include: President Tinubu emphasized that the proposed legislation would strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal institutions and align with the broader objectives of the government. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.

The Senate, on Wednesday, summoned the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to explain the prolonged delay in completing the Oyo-Ogbomoso federal highway. L This decision followed the Senate’s consideration of a motion brought by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, representing Oyo North Senatorial District. The Senate unanimously approved two prayers in Buhari’s motion. First, they urged the federal government to expedite the rehabilitation of the old Ogbomoso-Oyo road to prevent further accidents and disruptions. Second, the Senate directed its Committee on Works to invite the minister to investigate why the contractor abandoned the Ogbomoso-Oyo Federal Road project. Senator Buhari emphasized the importance…

Former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku was granted bail in the sum of ₦150 million by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday. Ishaku, who faces allegations of involvement in a ₦27 billion fraud, was granted bail alongside his co-defendant, Bello Yero, with two sureties required for each. One of the sureties must be a Federal Government employee at the rank of Director, and both must reside in the FCT with their addresses verified by the court. Justice Sylvanus Oriji, who presided over the case, prohibited Ishaku and Yero from traveling abroad without the court’s permission. The Economic…

Israel launched airstrikes on Beirut early Thursday morning, killing at least six people amid escalating tensions with Iran-backed Hezbollah forces. The airstrike targeted a building in the Bachoura district, close to the Lebanese parliament, marking the closest Israeli attack to Beirut’s downtown area to date. The attack follows Israel’s most lethal day on the Lebanese front in over a year. Lebanese officials condemned Israel’s actions, with Rami Mortada, Lebanon’s ambassador to the UK, accusing Israel of taking an escalatory path in an already volatile region. He emphasized Lebanon’s preference for diplomacy while warning of the dangers posed by further aggression.…

Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in on Tuesday as Mexico’s first female president, taking office amid significant public enthusiasm for her predecessor’s social programs but facing numerous challenges, including widespread violence and a weak economy. After taking the oath of office in Congress, Sheinbaum was greeted with chants of “Presidenta!” — the first time in Mexico’s 200-year history a female president has been recognized. A scientist-turned-politician, Sheinbaum inherits a country grappling with high levels of violence, sluggish economic growth, unfinished infrastructure projects, and the aftermath of recent hurricanes, particularly in Acapulco. In her inaugural speech, Sheinbaum acknowledged the struggles of women…