Author: Chima Onyido

The Police Command in Imo has nabbed three officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and two from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for allegedly harassing and extorting civilians in the state. Also arrested was a 37-year-old Police Inspector for the same offence. The Spokesman of the command, ASP Henry Okoye, made this known to newsmen on Tuesday in Owerri. READ ALSO: Lagos-Kano narrow gauge freight operations begins December — Minister He alleged that the suspects were notorious for extorting unsuspecting civilians, especially the youths in Owerri, using Point of Sale (POS) machines. “These are security operatives…

The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Sa’idu Alkali, has said that the freight wagon haulage on the narrow gauge from Lagos to Kano will begin in the next three months. Alkali made the disclosure during his visit to Kajola Wagon Assembly Plant in Ogun, on Tuesday. He said the railway corporation was using standard gauge to carry cargo from Lagos to Ibadan. but will begin the operation from Apapa to Kano in three months time. Alkali said that the Federal Government had already fixed the narrow gauge from Lagos to Kano, and will now get some locomotives and wagons to take…

Vice president Kashim Shettima on Wednesday departed Nigeria to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G77+China Leaders’ Summit in Havana, Cuba, holding from Sept. 15 to 17. The Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Mr Olusola Abiola, in a statement, said Shettima would join other world leaders, including the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gutteres, at the Summit. He said the summit would deliberate on development issues facing members, mostly from the global south. “The summit will equally explore proactive ways of addressing challenges facing the development of the member-states leveraging science, technology and innovation to enhance socio-economic growth. READ…

Smart DNA, a leading DNA testing center based in Lagos, Nigeria, has released a comprehensive data analysis of all relationship DNA tests conducted at its facility between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. DNA is Deoxyribonucleic acid; it is the material that carries genetic information for the development and functioning of an organism. A DNA test (genetic testing) is a medical test that can identify mutations in one’s genes, chromosomes or proteins. These tests provide information about an individual’s ancestral roots. A DNA relationship test is the use of genetic profiles to determine whether an individual is the biological…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, has in an early morning air strike on Monday, dislodged terrorists from their enclaves at Suwa in Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno. This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Tuesday in Abuja. Gabkwet said that Suwa was a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists in Gezuwa general area near Sambisa Forest until it was dislodged by the military and other security agencies. He said that recent intelligence revealed the massing up of…

Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, witnessed scenes of turmoil as two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed on Sapele Crescent, near Ladoke Akintola Boulevard in Garki II. The clash reportedly involved gunshots, escalating tensions in the vicinity. As of now, the exact number of casualties, if any, remains unconfirmed. This incident highlights the growing unrest within the NURTW, prompting concerns among observers who advocate for immediate intervention to prevent further deterioration of law and order. According to sources who spoke with Vanguard, the clash erupted when supporters of NURTW President, Prof. Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, attempted to march…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed the deposit money banks (DMBs) to cease utilizing gains resulting from the revaluation of the naira for dividend payments or financing their operations. This directive stems from the CBN’s evaluation of the recent foreign exchange (FX) regime change, which has the potential to significantly increase the naira value of banks’ foreign currency (FCY) assets and liabilities. The CBN’s directive was communicated via a letter titled ‘Impact of Recent FX Policy Reforms: Prudential Guidance to the Banking Sector,’ dated September 11, 2023, signed by Haruna Mustafa, director of the banking supervision department. A…

The total revenue generated from postal activities in 2022 dropped from N3.63 billion in 2021 to N3.01 billion in 2022, indicating a decline of about 17.05 per cent. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated in its Postal Service Data for 2022 released in Abuja on Tuesday. The report said the total number of Post Offices and Postal Agencies declined by 19.43 per cent from 2,794 recorded in 2021 to 2,251 in 2022. It stated that the total number of boxes installed in 2022 was 836,731, indicating a decline of 0.08 per cent from 837,428 recorded in 2021. READ ALSO:…

An unfortunate accident involving an overturned loaded truck has resulted in traffic disruption on Otedola Bridge in Ojodu Berger, Lagos State. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, has led to congestion on the road, impacting the traffic flow towards Lagos/Ibadan Expressway and Ojodu Berger. Additionally, the bridge is reportedly flooded, exacerbating the traffic challenges. READ ALSO: Apple to Unveil iPhone 15, New Watches Tuesday The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has acknowledged the situation and assured the public that efforts are underway to address it. They have initiated measures to remove the overturned truck and its contents from…

Special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has said that Nigerians understand that there are no instant solutions to the challenges the country faces. He made these remarks while discussing the positive outcomes of President Tinubu’s recent trip to India for the G-20 meeting. Ngelale maintained that President Tinubu is committed to mitigating the hardships faced by Nigerians, particularly following the removal of the fuel subsidy. READ ALSO: FG to grant financial autonomy to universities When asked what measures the President was taking to better the lives of the Nigerians considering the hardship in the…

African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) is to double its financing of intra-African trade to 40 billion dollars on a revolving basis by 2026. This bank’s intra-African trade financing stood at 20 billion dollars in 2021. Mrs Kanayo Awani, Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President, made the disclosure at the Intra-African Trade Fair 2023 (IATF) Nigeria High Level Business Roadshow on Monday in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IATF 2023, scheduled for November 9 to Nov. 15, in Egypt, is organised by Afreximbank, African Union Commission and the Africa Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. The event is a…

A group of partners in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) space is set to execute various MSME-focused interventions, targeting 1.3 million beneficiaries across 17 States and the FCT. The Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Mr Olusola Abiola, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja Abiola said that the MSME’s interventions was part of their efforts to complement the Federal Government’s drive to improve the economy and create more jobs He said the MSME and Job Creation Unit of the Vice President’s Office which was coordinating the interventions disclosed that the interventions were…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has cautioned contractors handling the rehabilitation of 135 roads in the capital city and civil engineering services against contract variations. Wike, who gave the warning while inaugurating the projects in Abuja on Monday, said that the project would be completed in six months. He said that the FCT would pay all the contractors their money to enable them to complete the project within the agreed timeline. “To the contractors, let me warn you now, all these things you are doing with engineering services will not work again. “Nothing like…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has warned traditional rulers in the state, against involvement in the activities of cult groups, vowing to “come after” those who induge in such acts. The warning follows the recent murder of Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Bako Amgbashim by cultists in the state. Superintendent of Police Bako Amgbashim, who was attached to the police command in Rivers State, met a tragic end on a Friday evening while leading a security squad in an operation within the Odiemudie community of Ahoada East Local Government. Fubara, who spoke at the commissioning of Mgbuodohia internal roads in Obio-Akpor,…

The Labour Party Candidate in the Feb. 25 election in Ebonyi south senatorial district, Chief Linus Okorie, has faulted Chief David Umahi’s declaration on his right to choose his a replacement for his Senate seat. The seat became vacant after Umahi, the immediate past governor of the state, was appointed Minister of Works by President Bola Tinubu. The Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Sept. 8, ruled that Umahi was the district’s validly elected senator and dismissed petitions from the LP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Umahi, however, on Sept. 9 during a visit to Gov. Francis Nwifuru,…

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari, on Monday failed to appear before a House of Representatives ad hoc committee. The committee, headed by Abubakar Nalaraba is investigating the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing by the NNPCL. The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (MMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, also failed to appear. The two executive officers however sent representatives. The NNPC Ltd sent its Executive Vice President (Downstream), Mr Yemi Adetunji while the NMDPRA was represented by Mr Soji Soloye. They said…

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), says it plans to disburse N150 billion to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country in 2023. Prof. Joseph Nnanna, Chief Economist in DBN said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja. Nnanna said that the disbursement would be done through participating financial institutions for onward lending to MSMEs across various sectors of the economy. According to him, the objective is to enlist 120 000 MSMEs in 2023. READ ALSO: Fresh Attack in Plateau Claims 11 Lives “I think we are on track to…

A Magistrates’ Court in Calabar on Monday ordered that nine men be remanded for allegedly abducting Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, a lead consultant of neurology at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). The suspects police charged Effiom Asuquo, 60; Ndifreke Akpan, 29; Effiom Edet, 20; Asuquo Edet, 45 and Okon Okon, 37 with four counts bordering on unlawful possession of dangerous weapons and kidnapping. Other suspects are Emmanuel Bassey, 35; Bassey Edet, 20; Effiong Edet, 35 and Patience Etim, 21. Magistrate Mercy Ene did not take the plea of the suspects for want in jurisdiction. The magistrate said that the…

In a groundbreaking moment for Nigerian beauty pageants, Ugochi Mitchel Ihezue, the former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2017 from Imo State, has been crowned the title of Miss Universe Nigeria 2023. This achievement establishes her as the first individual to hold both esteemed beauty crowns. Ihezue emerged victorious amid fierce competition, triumphing over 36 other exceptionally talented contestants to secure the highly sought-after Miss Universe crown. The grand event was held at the prestigious Convention Center of Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos on Sunday, September 10th. During the ceremony, Miss Nasarawa earned recognition with the Miss Photogenic…

The Lifeline International, an NGO, says access to timely and available crisis support services, could prevent suicides and save lives. Professor Taiwo Sheikh, the Continental Representative of the organisation, made this known in a statement to commemorate the 2023 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on Sunday in Lagos. Sheikh expressed concerns that suicide remained a significant issue across the African continent, which is home to six of the ten countries with the highest suicide rates in the world. WSPD is marked annually on Sept. 10 to raise awareness around the globe on the possibility of preventing suicides. The theme of…