Author: Akintayo Adams

Officials have disclosed that an estimated 1,000 homes have been destroyed after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit flood-stricken northern Papua New Guinea, and at least 5 people have died. Emergency crews are“still assessing the impact” from a tremor that “damaged most parts of the province,” “So far, around 1,000 homes have been lost,” said East Sepik Governor Allan Bird. US$130 million emergency funding package to help recovery efforts following “a spate of natural disasters” across the country has been approved by Prime Minister James Marape. “Papua New Guinea has been recently hit hard by (the) earthquake, flooding caused by heavy…

Kidnappers of Dr Tony Aziegbemi, the Edo State chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have demanded the sum of ₦500 million ransom from anyone seeking to secure his release, according to reports. A member of his family said the kidnappers have been in contact with the family and ₦500 million was demanded. This is coming eight days after his abduction. However, the state Police Force through SP Chidi Nwabuzor, the spokesperson said they are not aware of any demand from the agents of doom. “I am not aware of any ransom demand. I can only confirm what I am…

Nigerians who do not have proper linkage of their National Identification Number, NIN to their Subscriber Identity Module, SIM numbers are set to experience another round of disconnection by service providers. Slated for Friday, 29th March 2024, it aligns with the directive of Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) that all registered SIMs that are not properly linked with the NIN should be barred until corrected or disconnected from the network in its entirety. The NCC disconnection directive is in phases. The first phase occured February 28, 2024, and the second phase is due March 29, 2024. In the first phase, about…

Setting a deadline of March 28, 2024, The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced an increase in the fare for this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia by ₦1,918,032.91. This was announced in a statement by its spokesperson, Farima Sanda Usara who claimed the development was influenced by forex crisis which Nigeria has been facing in recent times. At the start of the whole process, the fare for the latest edition of Hajj was capped at ₦4.9 million, with many stakeholders and intending pilgrims calling for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government. With the announcement, it has become mandatory…

After a lengthy period of illness, Veteran Nollywood actor, Amaechi Muonagor, has died. The news was disclosed by Morris Monye, a social commentator and critic via his X handle, on Sunday. The news of his death comes just days after a video where he solicited funds to help him have a Kidney transplant surfaced on the internet. “Deeply heartbroken by the news of Amaechi Muonagor’s passing,” Monye wrote. “He was a talented Nollywood actor whose presence on our screens was truly masterful. “We watched with concern as he battled health issues, offering whatever support we could to help him seek…

On Friday, March 29, 2024, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would attain the age of 72. However, the Presidency has advised well-wishers and friends of the President not to organise events or place adverts in the media. This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the President’s decision was influenced by “challenging times” in the country. “As the leader of our country, President Tinubu in deference to this challenging times will not host any birthday event and does…

On Sunday, Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) ended their warning strike over withheld salaries. This was contained in a circular sent to branch chairmen at public universities all across Nigeria. SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, ordered SSANU and NASU members to resume work from Monday, March 25, 2024. “Consequently, you are hereby informed that the seven-day warning strike shall end at midnight of Sunday, 24th March 2024 and normal work will resume on Monday, 25th March 2024,” the circular partly read. The unions didn’t fail to salute the “dedication, resoluteness…

Accepting job offers from entities disguising as multinational oil and gas companies is dangerous, says the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. According to the agency, it is one of the new tactics employed by human traffickers who are using known brand trademarks to lure and traffic unsuspecting young and active individuals to neighbouring countries for different forms of exploitation. Speaking, the Director-General of the Agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, in a statement by NAPTIP’s Chief Communications Officer, Adekoye Vincent, on Sunday said, “Under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities in gold mining and oil companies, victims are…

10 candidates, including two strong opponents of the military regime in control of Dhad have been excluded from contesting in the presidential election on May 6. The constitutional court said “irregularities” were sighted in the application of the candidates -namely those of outspoken opponents Nassour Ibrahim Neguy Koursami and Rakhis Ahmat Saleh. However, ten other candidates remain in the race including the current junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno who was named president by a junta of 15 generals in 2021 following the death of his father & long-standing President Idriss Deby Itno and current prime minister Succes Masra. Succes…

As Christians in Nigeria join Christians across the world to celebrate Palm Sunday, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Daniel Okoh, has urged Christians to be beacons of hope and agents of change, not minding the situation of the country. This was contained in his message to Christians on Sunday, where he urged them to emulate the virtue of unity, as laid down by Jesus Christ. Speaking, he said, “In reflecting on the lessons of Palm Sunday for contemporary Nigerian society, we are called to emulate the virtue of unity exemplified by Jesus Christ. “Just as the people of Jerusalem…