Author: Chima Onyido

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operations of Xejet Airlines due to allegations of possessing counterfeit insurance certificates for its Embraer 145 aircraft. A letter bearing reference number NCAA/DGCAIGC/8/16/628 and dated Wednesday, August 30, 2023, addressed to the Accountable Manager of XeJet Limited, and titled ‘Notice of Suspension of the Air Transport License (ATL) and Air Operators Certificate (AOC) EXJETJAOC/01-22/00’, was signed by Captain Musa Nuhu, the Director General of NCAA. The letter indicated that the aircraft’s insurance documents were found not to be authentic, contradicting the airline’s claim that they were issued by Consolidated Hallmark Insurance.…

Major General Mohammed Takuti Usman, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA), has called on soldiers to prioritize loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and all constituted authorities. Usman made this statement during an address to soldiers at the 35 Artillery Brigade in Alamala, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Addressing the soldiers, the GOC told them to be professional and exhibit total loyalty beginning with the President down to the top echelon of the Armed Forces. His remarks come against the backdrop of ongoing military coups in several African nations, with the latest occurring in Gabon…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has stated that they are currently awaiting monies owed by world football governing body, FIFA, which are meant for the players of the Super Falcons. According to the federation, each member of the Super Falcons’ squad is entitled to receive $60,000 for their advancement to the second round of the recently concluded Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. The Women’s World Cup, which concluded on August 20 in Sydney, saw Spain emerge as the winners, defeating England with a lone goal. Addressing the issue of the Super Falcons’ entitlements from the 2023…

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating the utilisation of ecological funds released to the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) has uncovered N81.2 billion allegedly spent to plant 21m trees in 11 states. The investigation is from 2015 till date Rep. Isma’ila Dabo, the Chairman of the committee in Abuja, decried the persistent of environmental challenges in spite of funds put into the programme. He said the funds put by the Federal Government and international partners necessitated the investigation. He said the committee would embark on, on-the-spot assessment tour to all the projects executed under this…

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday emphasised the need for re-engineering and re-strategising of affairs in the North with a view to fast tracking development. Shettima stated this when he receive a Coalition of Northern States’ Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA) led by its President, Malam Dalhatu Abubakar, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said: ” We have to go back to the drawing board, re-assess the state of affairs in the North and come up with robust platforms of re-engineering our society. ” It is imperative for the North to embark on the re-strategizing and…

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has firmly condemned the ongoing coup attempt as a means to resolve the post-electoral crisis in Gabon. UN Spokesperson Stephanie Dujarric disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday at UN headquarters in New York. Gabonese military officers have canceled elections results and dissolved state institutions, claiming they have taken power, according to local media reports. The African country’s borders are closed until further notice, said the reports, adding gunfire was heard in the capital Libreville. The officers said that the general election was not credible, and the results were annulled. Prior to the incident,…

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has thrown down the gauntlet to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging them to expel him. Addressing the possibility of expulsion from the party for alleged anti-party activities, Wike boldly asserted, “Nobody can expel me.” Wike made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s program, “Politics Today.” The former governor of Rivers State said that he has not encountered any PDP leader with the authority to remove him from the party. “The person who will suspend me is when I couldn’t produce a governor, three senators, Assembly…

The British Government has recently granted 127 Nigerians the esteemed Chevening and Commonwealth UK scholarships to pursue a diverse array of master’s and Ph.D. programs in 2023. At a pre-departure reception held in Abuja, British High Commissioner Dr. Richard Montgomery CMG extended his heartfelt congratulations to the successful scholarship recipients. Dr. Montgomery acknowledged the challenges of the application and interview process and highlighted the beneficiaries’ tenacity and determination. He remarked, “Seeing you all here is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and resilience through a highly competitive process. I encourage each of you to strive for excellence in your studies,…

The House of Representatives Ad hoc committee investigating non-remittance to the National Housing Fund (NHF) and utilisation of the funds from 2011 has summoned concerned Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of insurance companies. This is to explain the reason for over N267 billion unremitted workers investment in NHF only for the year 2019. Rep. Dachung Bagos, the Chairman of the committee issued the summon following their failure to appear before the committee in Abuja on Tuesday to explain the unremitted fund. He said the insurance companies should come and explain why they are still owing over N267 billion of workers investment…

Lagos State Government paid N2.017 billion as retirement benefits to 644 of its retirees Wednesday. Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission, (LASPEC) Mr Babalola Obilana, disclosed this at the 101st batch Retirement Bond Certificate presentation for retirees in Lagos State. Obilana said Wednesday’s payment represented the retirees’ past service benefits prior to the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2007. He noted that the event was organised to celebrate a significant milestone and exceptional retirees who had dedicated their time, energy and talents to the service of Lagos State. “It is indeed an honour to recognise and commend the retirees’…

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has invited researchers of Nigerian descent worldwide to contribute to the creation of Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy. Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced this call through a post on Twitter, urging Nigerians to share information about any noteworthy researchers in their knowledge. In a document titled “Co-creating a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Nigeria,” Tijani highlighted that the government aims to build upon the groundwork laid by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in developing a National AI Strategy.…

Following his ousting by the military, President Ali Bongo of Gabon has made a plea for his release. In a video that has been circulated and viewed by GOOD EVENING NIGERIA, the embattled president can be heard calling on people to raise awareness about his situation. The ousted leader, along with members of his family, has been placed under house arrest in the aftermath of the military coup. The coup took place in the early hours of Wednesday, resulting in the annulment of the election held the previous Saturday, in which Bongo had been declared the winner. The soldiers responsible…

Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun warned in Abuja on Tuesday that serious sanctions awaited police operatives engaged in extortion and harassment, particularly on interstate highways. “Alleged incidences of extortion, intimidation, and harassment of commuters on highways are being looked into and the force is resolute in addressing these issues promptly and decisively. “In response to the reports and series of complaints received on police platforms, the police leadership have directed all supervising officers to undertake stringent supervision of their subordinates in the field. “The idea is primarily to curb and eradicate the unprofessional conduct of erring officers,’’ Force…

The certificate issued to Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma, Edo, to produce Glucozil herbal capsules for the control of diabetes has expired, NAFDAC declared in Abuja on Tuesday. Its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that NAFDAC did not give approval of the drug, but only listed it on Nov. 10, 2020. She explained that the drug was listed for the management of high blood sugar as stated on the approved label and listing certificate issued to the university. The certificate, she added, expired on Nov. 9, 2022. “Treatment, curative and preventive claims for diabetes, benign prostatic hyperplasia and detoxification were…

The naira depreciated against the dollar on Tuesday as it exchanged at N775.34 at the Investors and Exporters window. The naira lost by 0.42 per cent compared to the N772.12 it exchanged for the dollar on Monday. The open indicative rate closed at N769.66 to the dollar on Tuesday. READ ALSO: Gov’ship Elections: APC disowns Campaign Council lists for Bayesal, Imo, Kogi A spot exchange rate of N799.90 to the dollar was the highest rate recorded within the day’s trading before it settled at N775.34. The naira sold for as low as N701 to the dollar within the day’s trading.…

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Tuesday in Abuja released its schedule for matchday one of the upcoming 2023-2024 campaign season, which kicks-off on September 9. At a colourful draw held in Abuja, the fixtures for the upcoming season was held, with football stakeholders led by Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman, Nigeria Premier League Board in attendance. NPFL champions Enyimba of Aba will kick off their title defence with a mouth watering home encounter against Bendel Insurance, Federation Cup champions. It’s Shooting Stars of Ibadan against Plateau United, while Akwa United lock horns with Bayelsa United. Niger Tornadoes will face Abia…

Mr Emma Deko, the Director in Charge of Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) says shortage of cash-backing is responsible for non-remittance of workers contribution to National Housing Fund (NHF). Deko said this at the resume hearing of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating non-remittance of deduction from workers salaries for NHF in Abuja on Tuesday. He also said sometimes, IPPIS often get directives to remit the net of workers salaries, while the gross was kept in view because of shortage of funds. The Director further said that IPPIS was not responsible for the payment of salaries…

Police in Edo have arrested a 24-year-old student of the University of Port Harcourt for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend to death. Commissioner of Police in Edo, Mr Muhammed Dankwara told newsmen on Tuesday in Benin that the suspect’s landlord reported the case to the police. The landlord, he said, told the police that the student stabbed the lady several times in the neck and in the chest with a knife. “Police operatives immediately swung into action, arrested the suspect, recovered two knives, and rushed the victim to the hospital where her body was deposited in a morgue. “Items recovered from…

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerian students, particularly students of the University of Ilorin, against hard drugs, saying no drug can enhance their academic performance. Mr Mohammad Ibrahim, the NDLEA Commander, Kwara Command, gave the advice while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday at Unilorin. He asserted that hard drugs does not promote performance of students in any examination. Ibrahim stressed that the small perceived feelings from the drugs would later hurt such a student, adding that they must resist all forms of pressure that can lead them to drug abuse. He explained that “part of what…

In a bid to tackle immorality and indecent dressing on campus, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife has prohibited public kissing, hugging between opposite sexes, skimpy outfits, tinted hair, and tattoos. The university mandated that students must avoid face coverings and sitting on opposite-sex peers’ laps. It also asked the students to desist from wearing any dress or items that cover their faces and also banned opposite sex students from sitting on each other’s lap. The school management also bared sexually suggestive clothing. These directives are part of a revised students’ handbook that outlines codes of conduct and dress guidelines. The…