Author: Chima Onyido

The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi has voided the election of Sen. Emmanuel Udende of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Benue North-East Senate seat. Delivering judgement on Friday in Makurdi, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Ory’zik Ikeorha, declared former Gov. Gabriel Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of Feb. 25 election. Ikeorha held that the petitioners fulfilled the requirements of the law by proving the ingredients of their petition against Udende and ordered INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Suswam. She said that the evidence presented by the petitioners had…

The Indian High Commission in Nigeria on Friday in Abuja urged Nigerians to embrace Yoga as a means of exercise for their overall well-being. Diptiranjan Mohanty, Teacher of Indian Culture, High Commission of India in Abuja, gave the advice during the 16th International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC). Mohanty, who demonstrated the exercise , said that Yoga is an aspect of Indian culture known to reduce stress, anxiety as well as improve brain function. He said that practicing Yoga also improves cardiovascular function, quality of sleep, bone health and reduces inflammation. “Yoga is part of our culture, we want our…

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 2023 International Literacy Day, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment towards addressing the scourge of illiteracy in the country. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, disclosed this during a news conference in Abuja on Friday to mark the day. The theme for the 2023 commemoration is tagged: “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies”. The minister said it was essential to effectively explore the patterns of transformation and adjustment that had characterised education globally as a result of its…

Between January and August 2023, past and present governors in Nigeria have granted clemency to a total of 536 inmates, with the aim of alleviating the congestion within the nation’s correctional facilities. This is according to information obtained from the latest summary of inmate populations on the Nigerian Correctional Service’s website, as reported by The Punch As per the data, the nationwide inmate population stood at 80,883, out of which, 55,257 inmates are awaiting trial, while 25,626 have been convicted. Findings show that on June 12, Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State granted clemency to 80 inmates in different correctional…

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has presented foodstuffs to Chibok girls and some repentant Boko Haram members. Presenting the items at the Bulumkutu Rehabilitation Centre in Maiduguri on Thursday, Edu said that she was there to assess the situation for a better intervention. Edu, said that the Tinubu administration is committed to take millions out of poverty which remain one of the major causes of crisis. “This is an immediate relief, we will be coming with a more durable solution, ” Edu said. Earlier, the Borno Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, said…

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and sunshine from Friday to Sunday across the country. NiMet’s weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja, forecasts cloudy atmosphere on Friday with spells of sunshine over northern region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Kebbi, Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna states in the morning hours. ”Later in the day, thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Katsina, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto states. READ ALSO: Naira appreciates at Investors, Exporters window “Cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the North central region with isolated thunderstorms over parts of Niger,…

President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau has assured Nigerians that the Super Eagles will take the match against Sao Tome and Principe seriously, in spite already securing 2024 AFCON qualification. The Super Eagles will on Sunday lock horns with Sao Tome and Principe in a dead rubber 2024 AFCON qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. Gusau gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), National President, Isaiah Benjamin led a delegation on a courtesy visit to his office. The NFF boss told newsmen after the visit that that the Federation will…

Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) says he rejected the Presidential Elections Petition Court judgement delivered on the outcome of February 25, 2023. Obi spoke during a news conference at his Onitsha residence on Thursday. He acknowledged that though the PEPC’s adhered to the statutory time frames, but he totally disagree with the judgement’s rationale and final conclusion. “I express respect for the Court’s views and rulings but openly disagree with the judgment’s rationale and final conclusions,” he said. Obi announced his intention, in his capacity as a presidential candidate and on behalf of the…

The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison (AHQ Gar), Maj.-Gen Koko Isoni, on Thursday inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 12 officers and 15 soldiers alleged to have breached different provisions of the Armed Forces Act. The court martial was convened at the Scorpion Officer’ Mess, Asokoro Abuja, pursuant to the powers conferred on him by Section 131 (2) (d) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN, 2004 for the trial of Nigerian Army personnel alleged to have committed different offences. The Garrison Commander in his inaugural speech assured the accused persons that justice would be done to all parties…

The House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on the disposal of public property has placed the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority under status enquiry. Rep. Julius Ihonbvere (APC-Edo) Chairman of the committee said this at a public hearing on Thursday in Abuja. Ihonbvere also rejected the presentation by the Osun River Basin Authority for lack of details and for using wrong format. He said that the agencies did not provide the required information to enable the investigation of the committee. The chairman said that the documents presented did not account for the inventory of assets, those auctioned, details of…

Mr Osita Okechukwu, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) says he fully understands the grief of the opposition parties over the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC). Okechukwu, also a foundation member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said this when he spoke with journalists in Abuja. He said that although the main opposition PDP had bright chances of bouncing back through the 2023 presidential election, the political greed of the party’s candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, denied the party victory. Okechukwu said that Atiku’s failure to rise to the golden opportunity and play as…

Mexico is on course to see its first female president as both the ruling coalition and the opposition have nominated women as candidates for the 2024 election. The country’s ruling party named former mayor of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum as its candidate for the June 2 election, the three-party coalition National Regeneration Movement (Morena) announced on Thursday. READ ALSO: Lawmaker condemns murder of FUOYE student, demands thorough investigation Last week, the centrist opposition alliance Frente Amplio por México (Broad Front for Mexico) elected a senator and computer engineer Xóchitl Gálvez as its candidate. Sheinbaum prevailed over five rivals in her…

Stakeholders in the power sector have attributed the price increase in prepaid electricity meters to fluntuations in foreign exchange market, increase in Customs charges and Naira devaluation, among others. The stakeholders, who expressed their concerns in seperate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, said another factor was multiple charges by different government agencies at ports. NAN reports that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), on Sept. 5, granted approval for an upward adjustment in the prices of prepaid electricity meters. The cost of single-phase prepaid meter is now N81,975.16k, up from the previous N58,661.69k,…

The Lagos State Police have issued an arrest warrant for a University of Lagos (UNILAG) lecturer who stands accused of raping a 20-year-old student from the institution. The warrant was issued by Commissioner of Police Idowu Owohunmi through the state High Court and extends to the Vice Chancellor of the university. The victim, whose identity is being withheld, reported that the alleged incident occurred during her visit to the lecturer’s office to address concerns related to her academic results. Instead of addressing her academic issues, the lecturer is accused of sexually assaulting her on August 16, 2023. In response, UNILAG’s…

West Africa’s Central Bank, BCEAO, has announced an increase in its main lending rate in response to the recent military coup that has disrupted the region and led to trade disruptions between countries. In Niger, a member state of the central bank, a military junta seized power on July 26, marking the seventh military takeover in West and Central Africa since 2020. The bank will raise the rate by 25 basis points to 3.25% from Sept. 16 against a backdrop of growing regional uncertainty and persistent inflationary pressures, it said in a statement. “The increase in key rates is therefore…

President Bola Tinubu has successfully attracted a monumental 3 billion U S dollars investment pledge from Indian investors, to boost steel industry in the country. This is according to a statement by Mr Abdullahi Haruna, Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shauib Audu, in Abuja on Wednesday, The president made the commitment during the Nigeria-India economic roundtable in India. “In a historic move that promises to bolster Nigeria’s steel industry, President Tinubu has successfully attracted a monumental $3 billion investment pledge from Indian investors. “This achievement was met with applause and commendation from the minister.…

The Peoples Democratic party (PDP) has rejected the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) judgment affirming the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the Feb. 25 presidential election. The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that the judgment was against reason, facts and evidence presented in court. “As a party, we have had an initial review of the judgment as delivered by the PEPC and we unequivocally reject the said Judgement in its entirety. “The judgment is against reason, against the facts and evidence presented in Court; against the relevant Electoral Laws, Guidelines and Regulations…

The Nigerian equities market closed in negative territory on Wednesday, reversing some of the gains from the previous session. The benchmark index lost 0.07%, closing at 68,334.68 basis points. At the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the bearish sentiment was primarily driven by investors booking profits in key stocks, including Dangote Sugar, Guaranty Trust Holding Company, Nascon, and United Bank for Africa. These profit-taking activities resulted in declines of 4.79%, 1.77%, 0.41%, and 0.33%, respectively, in the value of their shares. Consequently, the Month-to-Date and Year-to-Date returns moderated to +2.6% and +33.2%, respectively. Equity investors saw a cumulative loss of N26.49…

The Board of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has postponed the kick-off of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season earlier scheduled for Saturday. Andrew Ekejiuba, media officer of GTI/NFF, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos. He said the league’s kick-off was postponed to allow its members focus on the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. NAN reports that no new date had been set at the time of this report. Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer…

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has said that the reason for the loss of supply currently being experienced in parts of its network was due to the ongoing strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). The company said the strike resulted in the shutdown of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) stations feeding its injection substations. The head of corporate communications of EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, who made this known in Enugu on Wednesday, September 6, confirmed the affected TCN Stations as, New Haven, Ohiya, and Egbu Transmission Stations. According to him, the development affected the supply to…