The Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, broke silence on a recent unrest involving soldiers and some civilians at Banex Plaza in the Wuse of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the plaza was shut after the incident on Saturday, May 18, 2024 to probe the “cruel treatment” meted out to “unarmed soldiers” by some persons at the trade plaza. He said the attack on the soldiers was “entirely unwarranted and unjustifiable”. The Army said a “meeting was convened with the management of Banex Plaza to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous…
Author: Musa Bello
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Kano State Assembly on Tuesday commended legislative process for the amendment of Emirate Council Law 2019. The recall of the emirate law followed a motion raised by majority leader of the assembly, Alh. Lawan Hussaini Yan Gurasa during the plenary session of the assembly. Yan Gurasa, representing Dala state constituency, move the motion for the recall of the law under a matter of urgent public importance interest, seeking the approval of the lawmakers for urgent amendment. Upon the motion raised before the presiding officer, Rt. Hon. Speaker Jibril Isma’il Falgore, a member representing Dawakin-Kudu state constituency, Shu’aibu Rabiu seconded…
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says the application portal for students’ loan scheme will open on 24th May 2024. This is contained in a statement signed by Nasir Ayitogo -Media and Public Relations Lead of NELFUND, on Thursday. He said the move marks a significant milestone in the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to fostering accessible and inclusive education for all Nigerian students. The statement reads in full : “The management of Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) led by its Managing Director, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr are thrilled to announce 24th of May, 2024 as…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives seeking the preparations and approval of a N24.6 billion Promissory Notes to reimburse Nasarawa and Kebbi States on the costs of their Airports taken over by the Federal Government. Nasarawa is to be reimbursed N9.5 billion while Kebbi is to be reimbursed to the tune of N15.1 billion. In the letter read by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the Plenary on Thursday, the President said, the takeover of the airports was in line with Item 3 of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as…
Pilgrims from Kebbi State who were scheduled for the first flight to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have left for the 2024 Hajj exercise. According to a statement by the State Governor, Nasir Idris on his X handle on Wednesday, the exercise was inaugurated at the Sir Muhammadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi. Idris wrote, “This momentous occasion is a testament to the uncommon commitment of our administration to the success of the 1445AH Hajj season, as recognised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). “We are deeply grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima…
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says any reversal in the hike of electricity tariff for Band A customers in the country will derail the reform agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration for the power sector. Adelabu spoke on Tuesday after the Federal Executive Council (EFC) meeting at the Aso Villa in Abuja. His comments followed the nationwide picketing of the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies by the Organised Labour on Monday. On April 3, 2024, NERC raised electricity tariff for customers enjoying 20 hours power supply daily. Customers in this category…
A disturbing incident unfolded in Laraba Abasawa, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State as an unidentified man set fire to a mosque during the early hours of Wednesday morning. The arson attack occurred while worshippers were observing the ‘Subh’ prayer, resulting in harm to members of the community. According to reports from the Daily Trust, the assailant used petrol to ignite the fire, trapping approximately 40 worshippers inside the mosque. The perpetrator then locked the mosque, exacerbating the situation and hindering the victims’ escape. A member of the community, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted the harrowing ordeal,…
Kano State Government has suspended a medical officer at Muhammad Abdullah Wase teaching hospital for dereliction of entrusted duty. Executive Secretary, State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Mansur Mudi Nagoda said approval for immediate suspension of the female medical officer became pertinent to serve as deterrent to careless personnel. According to Dr. Nagoda, the affected doctor whose name was omitted, was accused of absconding from core duty, leaving a dialysis patient in a terrified condition. The head of the board further regretted the action of the doctor despite the oath taken to protect lives as 1st point of call warned…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) to henceforth procure compressed-natural-gas- powered vehicles. Tinubu gave the order during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at Abuja on Monday. The President then directed the rejection of all memos brought by members of FEC seeking the purchase of traditional petrol-dependent vehicles. He tasked the affected MDAs to go back and diligently seek value-driven procurements of CNG-compliant vehicles. Ajuri Ngelale, Spokesman of President Tinubu disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday. He said the directive was in line with Tinubu’s commitment to ensure energy security, drive…
Some unknown gunmen have reportedly shot dead a middle-aged man, identified as Khalid Bichi, in Maitama, Abuja, on Friday night. Bichi, said to be an employee of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, was reportedly killed by his attackers just before 9 pm while he was out to get food. He was reportedly shot multiple times. He was afterwards rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to sources, Bichi was known for being active on social media with the username @Khalid Bichi and had connections with influential politicians. The deceased will be laid to rest today…
Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria’s tax reforms under the administration of President Bola Tinubu is targeted at improving the system for the overall benefit of all Nigerians. He said contrary to speculations in some quarters, “we are not here to frustrate any sector of our economy but to create an administrative system that ensures the benefits of a thriving tax system for all our citizens.” The Vice President, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of The Vice President), Aliyu Moddibo Umar, spoke on Saturday at the close-out retreat of the Presidential Fiscal…
Ahead of inaugural flight of intending pilgrims, the advance team of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) will depart Abuja tomorrow for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The advance team of 35 officials and eight medical personnel are bid to perfect final preparation to receive the first set of Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi state scheduled to arriving the Kingdom on Wednesday 15th May 2024. Addressing the Team during a brief farewell ceremony on Saturday in Abuja, Chairman of the commission, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi urged the contingent to live up to expectation and entrusted duties in accordance with…
The National Identity Management Commission on Friday said it had uncovered a syndicate of individuals posing as employees of the commission and issuing fake national identity numbers to unsuspecting Nigerians. It said some suspects had been arrested and were undergoing prosecution with relevant security agencies. The NIMC Director General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, adding that the commission got wind of the issue after a customer complained that she had paid N120,000 to modify her birth certificate. Odusote at the briefing also announced that over 107.34 million Nigerians had been enrolled into…
Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, along with three others, including his daughter, Fatima, is set to face trial before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Maitama. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has amended the charges against Mr. Sirika to six counts, involving abuse of office amounting to N2.7 billion. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the former minister’s alleged involvement in fraudulent contracts awarded during his tenure prompted the EFCC’s investigation, leading to his detention on April 23 in Abuja. Sources within the EFCC revealed that Mr.…
Determined to reinvigorate internal revenue generation and collection in Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the immediate restructuring of the state income revenue. With the move to revitalize resources potential, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has appointed Dr. Zaid Abubakar as new Executive Chairman, Kano State Internal Revenue Services (KIRS). Dr. Abubakar, is taking over from Sani Abubakar Dambo who has been reassigned to serve as Special Adviser on Investment to the Governor. In a statement by Spokesperson to Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa said the new management restructuring which takes effect immediately. As appointed is Kassim Ibrahim as…
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reaffirmed restriction of pregnant women and elderly persons from performing the 2024 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Nigeria recorded about 75 pregnant women who traveled to Saudi Arabia for last year’s hajj after bypass the statutory recommendations, ended with medical complications occasioned by weather intensity. NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi, who disclosed the restriction notice on Wednesday insisted the authorities will no longer condone flagrant disregard of existing medical rules. He appealed to pregnant women who have made up their minds to perform this year’s pilgrimage to shelve the intention for…
The House of Representatives has stepped down a motion calling for the suspension of the cybersecurity levy which has elicited negative reactions from Nigerians. Honourable Manu Soro, who moved a motion on the floor of the house on Wednesday, had explained that the levy was coming at the wrong time, considering the current living conditions of Nigerians. The lawmaker had argued that the National Security Adviser is a political office, and has no mandate to manage accruals. However, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, urged the lawmaker to step down the motion to allow the leadership of the House to deliberate…
Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca on Wednesday said it was withdrawing Covid vaccine Vaxzevria, one of the first produced in the deadly pandemic, citing “commercial reasons” following a slump in demand. “As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines. This has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied,” an AstraZeneca spokesperson added in a statement. “We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic.” AstraZeneca…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed deposit money banks in the country to start charging 0.5% cybersecurity levy on transactions. This was contained in a circular dated May 6, 2024 by the apex bank to all commercial, merchant, non-interest and payment service banks as well as mobile money operators and payment service providers. “Following the enactment of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (amendment) Act 2024 and pursuant to the provision of Section 44 (2) (a) of the Act, ‘a levy of 0.5% (0.005) equivalent to a half percent of all electronic transactions value by the business specified…
Chairman, Kano Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Political Violence and Cases of Missing Persons, Justice Zuwaira Yusuf Monday, has vowed to unravel those behind political killings and missing of children in the state. Besides, Justice Yusuf reminded that despite commitment to discharge mandate as entrusted by the state government, the commission will not victimize any individual or group of persons. The leader of the commission gave the notice during it’s inaugural sitting at the High Court of Justice complex, Miller Road, where he pledged to deliver diligently and in fairness. Justice Zuwaira further extended invitation to individuals, groups, Civil…