Author: Akintayo Adams

Anthony Aziegbemi, Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Monday, described his experience in the kidnappers hideout as traumatizing. He narrated this when the Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, paid him a visit at his residence. He was abducted by some gunmen on March 15 on his way home at about 11 pm after a meeting at the state Government House in Benin and spent 11 days in captivity before regaining his freedom. Days after the abduction, a family member said the kidnappers demanded ₦500m ransom for Aziegbemi’s release. It was unclear if any ransom was…

Abdulkadir Kamar, a lecturer in the Department of Physical and Health Education of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) has been found dead in his office. Confirming the unfortunate incident in a late Monday press release, the institution’s Director of Radio and Public Relations, Danjuma Gambo said the police and other security agencies have already launched an investigation to untangle the circumstances surrounding his death. The statement released by the institution read thus: UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURIMonday, 1 April, 2024 PRESS RELEASE The attention of Management of the University of Maiduguri has been drawn to numerous reports, rumours and misrepresentations, especially on the…

Three students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Cross River State, have been taken hostage by abductors. The students were reportedly kidnapped from their hostels on Thursday night. The three students are Ojang Precious Ebejin, a 200-level student of the Department of Medicine and Surgery; Ugwu Chukwuemeka, a 300-level student of the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology; and Damilola Dickson, a final-year student of the same department. It has been confirmed by the Police Spokesperson in the state who said the Force alongside other security agencies are doing everything possible to ensure the safe release of the three students. Join…

The Zamfara State Government under Governor Dauda Lawal has come out to dispel speculations surrounding the report of the DMO that the state borrowed ₦14.26bn in six months. In a release, the state government said that the sum of ₦14.26 billion was not borrowed but part of the proceeds from a ₦20 billion loan floated by the previous administration. The Debt Management Office (DMO) in its latest sub-national debt – domestic and external – had said: “Plateau got ₦16.32bn; Rivers borrowed ₦7.07bn; Zamfara, ₦14.26bn; and the FCT under the leadership of Nyesom Wike borrowed ₦6.75bn from domestic creditors”. Speaking through…

Judith Suminwa Tuluka, planning minister of The Democratic Republic of Congo has been appointed as the Central African nation’s first woman Prime Minister. She takes over as Prime Minister from Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, following President Felix Tshisekedi’s re-election on December 20. Speaking, Tula said the “task is big, the challenges are immense but together… we will get there”. “I am aware of the great responsibility that is mine,” she added, saying she wanted to work “for peace and development” so that the “Congolese people can benefit from the resources” of the country. Tshisekedi won the election with 73.47 per cent…

A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said the federal government’s close association with the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western super powers is unfavourable to Nigeria. The APC Chieftain said this while speaking on the importance of the visit of some of his colleagues including the immediate-past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami; Senator Mohammed Hassan; Senator Bashir Lado; Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu; Dr. Joseph Ono alongside him to the Russian ambassador in Nigeria during a recent interview with Arise TV. He noted that the partnership being enjoyed by Nigeria with its…

The Nigerian Army says its men have in a series of well-defined operations, bombarded terrorists’ hideouts in Katsina and Zamfara States, resulting in the elimination of a significant number of terrorists. A post on the Nigerian Army’s official ‘X’ handle on Monday, revealed that the operations were conducted on March 29 and March 30. “Nigerian Army troops deployed for Counter Terrorism Counter Insurgency operations in Katsina and Zamfara States in a series of coordinated operations have raided terrorists’ enclaves resulting in the elimination of significant number of terrorists,” reads the post. “In an operation in Zamfara State, on 29 March…

Management of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State have approved the rustication of 19 students, including six in their final year over indulgence in various offences. This was made known in a statement by Kunle Akogun, director of Corporate Affairs of the institution, where he said the approval of expulsion/rustication of the affected students by the vice-chancellor, Wahab Egbewole (SAN), followed the recommendations of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee at its 220th/221st meeting. Offences ranging from misconduct, theft, examination malpractice, hostel bed-space racketeering and extortion, beating a fellow student, admission racketeering, extortion, and assault resulted in their rustication. DETAILS OF EXPELLED…

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, on Monday, urged the Federal Government to consider getting palliatives to poor and vulnerable Nigerians through royal fathers. He stated this while distributing 5kg bags of rice and cash of various sums to many vulnerable residents in his domain to cushion the effects of the harsh economy on them. The Monarch said, “Traditional rulers serve as a link between the government and the people. You can see that I went to my people in their respective homes. I didn’t send anyone to them. That is to show the government that traditional rulers…

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to be discharged from hospital on Tuesday, according to a release from his office on the second day after a hernia operation. The premier “is feeling very well and continues to hold his daily routine -– including consultations and conversations -– from the hospital,” his office said, adding that his release was set for Tuesday afternoon. Netanyahu was operated upon late on Sunday in a keenly monitored operation as the nation’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip hit the six months mark. Netanyahu had approved a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks before…