Author: Akintayo Adams

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simon Peter, a Thailand returnee, for attempting to smuggle 13.30kg of heroin worth over ₦3.192 billion through Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The 29-year-old, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, was apprehended on 7th October 2024 while trying to reroute his luggage containing the drugs. According to the NDLEA’s statement, the heroin was concealed in six backpacks, which were packed in two large suitcases. Oguejiofor’s plan to smuggle the drugs included stopping in Doha, Qatar, and rerouting his luggage to Accra, Ghana, before attempting…

A ₦40 daily tax has been imposed on corpses in mortuaries in Enugu State. However the government claimed the act is not aimed at generating revenue but is in line with the state’s Mortuary Tax Law, which has been in place for years. According to the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), Emmanuel Nnamani, the tax is paid by mortuary owners, not the families of the deceased, and is meant to discourage prolonged storage of bodies in mortuaries. Nnamani explained that the tax is ₦40 per day, not ₦40,000, and if a body remains in the…

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has warned that the price of a crate of eggs, currently selling for ₦5,500 – ₦6,000, may soon rise to ₦10,000 due to inflation, forex scarcity, and the removal of fuel subsidies. These factors have significantly increased transportation and feed costs, impacting poultry production. At a press conference marking World Egg Day in Abuja, PAN’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secretary, Musa Hakeem, called for a state of emergency in the egg production sector to prevent further price hikes, which could worsen Nigeria’s already low protein consumption. He criticized the lack of government support for…

His Imperial Majesty, Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀, Adéyẹyè Ògúnwùsì, unveiled a golden statue of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) on Thursday, marking his 50th birthday celebration. The event also included the commissioning of a 2.7km road and a hostel, both named after the First Lady, in recognition of her contributions. Speaking at the unveiling, the Ọọ̀ni highlighted the significance of the statue and projects, describing them as tributes to Oluremi Tinubu’s virtues as a teacher, mother, and leader. “The 2.7-kilometer road, now called Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way, symbolizes the many paths she has opened for youth, women,…

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State announced on Saturday that workers in the state’s service will receive the newly established ₦70,000 minimum wage, with pensioners also benefiting from consequential adjustments to their pensions. The announcement was made during the 2024 Pensioners’ Day in Ado Ekiti, which kicked off activities marking the second anniversary of his administration. Oyebanji emphasized that the minimum wage is now a legal requirement for all states and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the well-being of the people. During the event, the governor distributed ₦3.5 billion in cheques to 829 pensioners who retired between 2014 and…

Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, has submitted a petition to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, advocating for the creation of a Yoruba nation. The petition, presented on behalf of Prof. Adebanji Akintoye, leader of the Yoruba Nation movement, seeks the intervention of the UK government in their campaign to establish a country predominantly for the indigenous Yoruba people. Igboho’s spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, confirmed the submission on his X page, noting that it was delivered to 10 Downing Street on Monday at 14:00 hrs. Igboho has been a prominent figure in the Yoruba Nation agitation, and there have been past…

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.…