Author: Akintayo Adams

General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who has headed Chad’s military junta for three years, was inaugurated as president on Thursday after winning an election that the opposition challenged. Deby formally secured 61 percent of the May 6 ballot that international NGOs deemed neither believable nor fair, and which his main opponent labeled a “pretense.” Taking the oath of office, Déby said he swore “before the Chadian people… to fulfil the high functions that the nation has entrusted in us”. Eight African heads of state as well as Constitutional Council members and hundreds of guests witnessed the 40-year-old, dressed in his…

A bill aiming to allow Nigeria to return to its previous national anthem has passed the second reading in the Senate. The bill, put forward by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has received strong backing from the lawmakers. It’s now under review by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, with a report expected in two weeks. The lawmakers, who appeared unanimous in support of the bill, opined that it would promote better symbol for unity, peace and prosperity, compared to the current one. Following a private session on the bill, the legislators stated that the current…

The House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria is demanding for a return to the Old National Anthem. This was debated, earlier today on the floor of the hallowed chamber. Julius Ihonvbere, who moved the motion claimed his argument is based on the need for patriotism and nationalism. The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, opposed the bill, arguing that the old anthem had a colonial connection, which led to the creation of the new anthem. He pointed out that the old anthem was written and composed by British people. Mr. Chinda questioned the necessity of changing the anthem when the country…

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the palace of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on Thursday, amid growing rumors of his imminent deposition. This is sequel to the passage of the Kano State Emirates Council Amendment Law (repeal bill), 2024 by the state assembly earlier Thursday morning. The law abolished all offices created under the repealed legislation, and if Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf signs it, it will become law, raising speculation that the Emir may be removed. The bill stipulates that the governor must take all necessary steps to restore the Kano emirate to…

Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State has signed into law the 2024 revised supplementary budget of ₦404bn into law. This represents an increase of 22 percent from the earlier approved budget. Obaseki stated that the revised budget is necessary due to inflation and needs to reflect the new economic realities. “I have signed into law the revised supplementary budget for Edo State. We have to amend the 2024 Appropriation Act which was passed late last year because of developments that have occurred in the economy in the first five months of the year,” he said. “We have to increase our…

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II has been reinstated as the Emir of Kano. This is according to an exclusive report by a National Daily, LEADERSHIP newspapers. This decision came after the Kano State House of Assembly resolved to dethrone the current Emir and dismantle the four new Emirates created under a controversial 2019 law. Although not officially announced, the newspaper reliably reports that Sanusi II has been reinstated and is expected in Kano on Friday. “So certainly with the passage of the Bill, Sanusi automatically stands reinstated. No need for confirmation, the thing to is wait for the Governor to assent…

President Bola Tinubu has instructed his ministers to share their progress updates with Nigerians as part of the events marking his first year in office. This was made known by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday. The low-key first-anniversary celebration would be marked with sectoral media briefings by the 47 federal ministers starting on Thursday, May 23, according to Idris. In an April interview on AriseTV, President’s Special Adviser Hadiza Bala-Usman said the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) received updates from 20 of 35 ministries. The assessment involves ministers,…

An officer of the Nigerian Police Force has been shot dead at Terminus Market, Jos, Plateau State capital. According to an AIT report, the officer was assigned to the enforcement team of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board. He was tragically killed in what was termed ‘accidental shooting’. Lately, state government authorities sent out security forces, such as police and soldiers, to enforce rules against street trading in the region. This sudden action led to disturbances in the area, prompting the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd. Join our WhatsApp community via https://t.ly/16Hkn for instant and latest news updates.

Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Aviation was arraigned before Justice Suleman Belgore of the FCT High Court sitting in Garki, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday (Today) over an alleged ₦19.4bn contract fraud. Sirika was paraded alongside his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika; and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Abubakar. They were charged with a revised set of 10 accusations dated May 13 and submitted on May 14, 2024. Sirika is accused of misusing his authority by granting contracts valued at ₦19.4 billion to Enginos Nigeria Limited. The accused individuals denied being guilty of any…

Ademola Lookman netted an impressive hat-trick as Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final, clinching only the second significant trophy in their 117-year history and halting the German champions’ remarkable run without defeat. The triumph marked the conclusion of Gasperini’s own twenty-year-long quest for significant silverware as his team completely outperformed Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen – also known as ‘Neverlusen’ after an astonishing 51-game unbeaten streak. In a nearly flawless performance, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team made a strong statement early in the game after earning a corner. Although Leverkusen initially cleared the ball, David Zappacosta dribbled back into…