Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, admitted new evidence against former Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris in a trial-within-trial. Idris, first defendant in a 14-count charge bordering on gratification, abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of over N109 billion, in a sudden twist, claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) obtained his statement under duress, necessitating a trial-within-trial to determine the veracity of his claim. He is standing trial alongside three others: his company, Mr. Godfrey Olusegun Akindele and Mohammed Kudu Usman. During yesterday’s…
Author: Merit Ugolo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deplored what he termed mislabelling and blanket stereotyping of Nigeria as a country with the highest prevalence of cybercrime and other forms of corrupt practices among its population, saying it undermines majority of the citizens maintaining the principles of integrity and diligence. He regretted that over the years, the entire Nigerian populace had been linked with internet crimes without statistical proof, a development he said is out of tune with the way of life of the typical Nigerian citizen. The President made the observation on Wednesday during a Public Engagement on Youth, Religion, and the…
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of four Permanent Secretaries in the Lagos State Public Service. The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are: Engr. Lateef Ayodele Somide, General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation; Engr. Mahmood Olakunle Adegbite, Director Civil, Office of Drainage Services; Mr. Fatai Audu Emmanuel, Director, Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Mrs. Lyla Morenike Oki, Director, Administration and Human Resource, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. A statement signed by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, said the appointments were based on merit and impressive track records as the appointees were selected…
Residents in Delta State have been charged to obey the State’s environmental sanitation law as any one who violates it, will face the full wrath of the law. The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Jamani Tommy Ejiro gave the warming in Asaba when he led Ministry officials to seal a bar, the 11:59 Lounge a over noise pollution in Asaba. Mr. Jamani said the bar was sealed following series of complaints from residents over noise pollution. He said the Ministry had invited the owner of the property over the violation of the rules and regulations guiding the operations of such…
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday reiterated his administration’s commitment to the education sector, saying his government is committed to providing unparalleled investments, funding and infrastructure to enhance the sector. He disclosed that Lagos State Government is working in partnership with TeachForNigeria to build a sustainable five-year programme to domesticate the initiative in Lagos State as the TeachForLagos project. Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on Monday at the “TeachForNigeria: A Day with Mr. Governor” held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, the State capital. The event, which is part of activities marking the International Day of Education with the Theme:…
National Association of Delta State Students – Nadesstu led by the national president Comr Wiska Monday has commended the Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori over the approved payment of the 2023 bursary. The student group made this known during an interactive meeting with the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board led by the Chairman Comrade Shedrack Agediga and the Executive Secretary Dr. Godfrey Enita which led to the suspension of a proposed protest. According to Wiska, the Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board have demonstrated undisputed love for the students by ensuring the…
The General Manager of Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal has emphasised the need for grassroots campaigns by disability-focused NGOs towards achieving a shift in societal perceptions of Persons With Disabilities. Speaking during a Zoom meeting with Dyslexia Nigeria, a non-profit organisation that supports individuals with dyslexia, led by its Managing Director, Dr. Adrienne Tikolo, the General Manager addressed the lack of awareness around dyslexia, stressing the importance of engaging communities for a more informed approach to cognitive conditions. Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal highlighted the common misconception of dyslexia, emphasising the necessity of community-level conversations. She said most people…
Delta State has won the safest state award for Oil and Gas investments in the country at the Nigeria Oil & Gas Forum and award night. The award ceremony was organised by the founder Ms Nafisa Aliyu Haruna and sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Presenting the award, Ms Haruna stated that Delta State has contributed immensely to increased oil and gas production in Nigeria. She stated that Delta State emerged first from the opinion pool carried out within the industry, as the safest in the oil and gas sector in…
The Lagos State Government, through the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), has rescued two minors, aged Four years (male) and 15 months (female) who were neglected by their father in the Awoyaya area of Lagos. The Office of the Public Defender (OPD), was able to rescue the children after responding to an SOS sent by Good Samaritans via its Facebook platform in respect of two children. The kind-hearted Lagosians narrated how the children were neglected and physically abused by their father. The Director of OPD, Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju added that the OPD rescue team therefore took immediate steps to…
Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Bodunrin Osikomaiya has underscored the crucial importance of blood donation, outlining the LSBTS mission to ensure the provision of safe blood through voluntary contributions, meticulous screening, efficient processing, and robust regulatory measures against quackery. Speaking at a Blood Donation Awareness Drive held recently at Marina and Eko-Idumota on Lagos Island to mark the commemoration of the 2024 Blood Donation Awareness Month, Dr. Osikomaiya disclosed that January has been dedicated to raising awareness about the need for blood donation. She said: “This strategic initiative aims to appreciate existing donors, raise awareness,…
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has appreciated the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led federal government, for approving the contract for the dualization of the Makurdi- Otukpo-9th Mile (Enugu) road project. The governor gave his word of appreciation at Apir, Makurdi local government on Thursday during the flag off of the Makurdi -Enugu road construction project. He assured the Ministry of Works and the contractor handling the project, China Habour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) of the State Government’s support and partnership to ensure the project is completed within the specified time. Governor Alia who also appreciated God for granting the…
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said, President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated profound commitment to promoting national cohesion through inclusive governance where each and every segment of the Nigerian society is represented in his government in line with the Federal Character Principle. Idris made the remarks in Abuja on Wednesday in a paper titled “Promoting National Cohesion Through Strategic Communication,” delivered at the maiden National Security Course for Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication organized by the Defence Intelligence Agency. The Minister, who was represented by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu…
The Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentence of one Yusuf Aminu before Justice A.M Sambo of the Bauchi State High Court. Aminu bagged three years imprisonment for dishonesty and obtaining by false pretence. He was arraigned by the Gombe Zonal Command of the EFCC on one-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretences. The one-count charge reads: “That you Yusuf Aminu (trading under the name and style of Yusuf Aminu General Enterprises ) sometimes in January 2021 at Bauchi, Bauchi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with…
The Lagos State Taskforce has lived up to the State Government’s expectation of zero tolerance to the menace of okada in the Metropolis by carrying out a special operation where 355 bikes popularly known as okada were impounded for operational infractions. The unique exercise which was led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye took place in various locations across the city and lasted over five hours due to the rigorous tactical methodology required to execute it. Jejeloye disclosed that the operators of Okada on Highways in Lagos seem to be daring but they are no match for…
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohamed Idris, has received the blueprint of the National Values Charter with a pledge to implement a comprehensive strategy that considers the various ways moral values can become engrained in the hearts and minds of every citizen. Recall that in December 2023, the Minister constituted a 10-man Committee to finalise Nigeria’s Values Charter, which will be unveiled by President Bola Tinubu this year. In his remarks, while receiving the blueprint from the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Mohammed Auwal Haruna, in Abuja on Tuesday, Idris said the Tinubu Administration is determined to define and…
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has again called on all producers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in the food supply chain business to ensure all consumable food products being produced and sold to consumers are registered with the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administrative Control (NAFDAC). The agency also advocated for the inclusion and display of comprehensive and genuine information about consumable products at strategic places where such information can be easily seen. The General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo made the call during one of his unscheduled monitoring visits to some supermarkets and grocery stores around Lagos. He…
Special Adviser to the Governor on Mineral Resources, Engr. Abiola Olowu has paid an official visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake in Abuja to seek a synergy between Lagos State and the Federal Government to achieve operational efficiency in mining activities across the State. Engr. Olowu, in his remarks during the visit, noted that with effective collaboration between the State and Federal Government, quacks and illegal mining activities, road degradation and environmental pollution by dredgers and truck drivers across the State would be eradicated. “The synergy between both tiers of government is paramount as this…
In the fast-evolving digital landscape of the 21st century, where information flows freely and connectivity knows no bounds, a sinister underbelly lurks, preying on the most vulnerable among us – children and girls. The surge in online exploitation has become an alarming epidemic, requiring urgent attention and resolute action to shield the innocent from the malevolent forces that operate in the shadows of the internet. The internet, a tool designed for knowledge-sharing and global connection, has inadvertently become a breeding ground for traffickers seeking to exploit the vulnerabilities of unsuspecting victims. Children and girls, in particular, find themselves ensnared in…
As part of efforts to enliven activities, create a communal bond and a resounding AFCON experience among participants at the 20 designated AFCON viewing centres across the state, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has introduced a predict-and-win competition among viewers at the various locations. The strategic initiative of the State Government is to foster unity among Lagosians, especially the youth, to come together for a common purpose and create an atmosphere that transcends social boundaries, including gender, tribe and religion. The predict-and-win segment, which cuts across all the 20 designated viewing centres, allows football fans to make predictions about different…
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Friday, said God ordained him to be Governor and expressed appreciation to Him and Deltans for his victory at the Supreme Court. Oborevwori said he survived 38 cases in various courts up to the Supreme Court from pre-election to post election to become Governor of Delta State. Speaking at a thanksgiving service at the Government House Chapel Asaba, the Governor who was joined by his wife, Deaconess Tobore, his Deputy Sir Monday Onyeme and wife, Catherine, immediate past Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and wife, Dame Edith, Governor Oborevwori stressed that God ordained him to be…
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has directed that the contractor handling the construction of Ibusa/Achalla/Asaba Road Phase ll road (From KM6.83 to KM13, Oshimili North/South Local government area, should immediately return to site. Governor Oborevwori further directed the contractor to ensure that the project is done according to specification in the Bill of Engineering Measurements and Evaluation (BEME) and Bill of Quantity (BOQ). The directive became necessary after the State Commissioner for Works Highways and Urban Roads, Comrade Reuben Izeze, had briefed the Governor on the outcome of his visit to the project site on January 9th, 2024 with top…
The Traditional Prime Minister, Onishe of Ubulu Uku Kingdom, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation James Endurance Onwordi known as Ibori Ubulu has said that the Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is running Youth Inclusive Government. Onwordi who disclosed this during his visit to the Commissioner for youths Comrade Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro said since Oborevwori assumed office, he has been fair to the youths in the state considering how he engaged over 2000 youths through the teaching and non teaching jobs. “I am happy with the kind of personality the Governor appointed to head the Ministry of…
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent spate of kidnappings and bandit attacks, describing the development as disturbing, ungodly, and sinister. A statement by Presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale said speaking when he received a delegation of Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden, a highly respected Islamic Movement, at the State House, in Abuja on Tuesday, President Tinubu said while security agencies are acting with dispatch to immediately address the current challenge, all required resources, policies and plans will be rolled out soon for the massive education of Nigerian youths. The President said education is the antidote to the troubles agitating the nation, adding: “There…
Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has cautioned consumers of fried plantains popularly known as “Plantain Chips” to be aware of any unwholesome practices in the processing and frying of the plantain for sale. A statement issued by the Agency yesterday stated that the advice was necessary given the viral online picture posted by an eye witness showing a “plantain chips” seller allegedly adding Polythene known as “Rubber” into the hot vegetable oil used for frying the plantain. LASCOPA expresses deep concern about the health implications this may have on consumers. In light of this alarming discovery, the Agency, therefore,…
The Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Oluwatoyin Gafaar has stated that the “Keep-Fit-Lagos” initiative, a bimonthly aerobics programme designed to promote a culture of healthy living among Lagosians will continue to get bigger and better. Gafaar, speaking at the second edition of the programme held recently at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, said the exercise was created to promote the general well-being of the people of Lagos and it will continue to exceed expectations with the increasing number of participants. “People should take advantage of the initiative to come out and exercise to improve their health and well-being…
President Bola Tinubu has said his administration will give more attention to education and healthcare, as well as provide the enablements for industrialization and investments in consonance with his vision of creating an economically stable and prosperous country. A statement by a presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale said speaking at the second-term inauguration of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, in Owerri, on Monday, President Tinubu said he is well-attuned to the concerns of citizens, assuring them that the challenges brought on by very essential reforms are being addressed. “In the past 40 years, a few people were cornering our common…
The Lagos State Government has stressed the need for green and improved air quality across the State to ensure healthy living for the citizenry, noting that the present air quality in many parts of the State as indicated in the State’s Air Quality Index is unhealthy. As a result, the State government has called for the understanding and joint efforts of the public towards achieving a common and sustainable action plan, geared towards mitigating the climate change effect and its attendant consequences on human health. The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency ( LASEPA), Dr. Babatunde Ajayi stated this…
To reach the global benchmark as outlined by the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the Lagos State Government has undertaken proactive initiatives to mobilize grassroots communities towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Expressing this during a tour of the State’s SDGs Centres in some Local Government and Local Council Areas, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih disclosed that efforts towards ensuring that the aspirations of the global goals are translated into tangible and impactful actions at the local level is the priority of the present administration. The Special Adviser, while acknowledging the…
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed the readiness of the State to take advantage of its strategic geographical position and robust infrastructure to become a central hub for cocoa processing and trade in Nigeria. Sanwo-Olu revealed this at the International Cocoa and Chocolate Forum 2024 held in Lagos and organised in partnership with the Nigerian Export and Import Bank (NEXIM) and the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria. Represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Sanwo-Olu stated that Lagos is a trade hub for value addition and the ports in the State provide…
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has hailed the ruling of the Supreme Court, which affirmed his election as Governor of the State. The Governor said the verdict of the Supreme Court revalidated the position of Lagosians who freely cast their ballots on March 18, 2023. He said the judicial victory will spur his government to continue on the trajectory of progress that it started in 2019, which has resulted in many achievements across many areas of lives. Governor Sanwo-Olu in his reaction to the Supreme Court ruling made available to journalists on Friday said the victory is not just…
