Author: Chinedu Ibeakanma - Page 93

21Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Govs Disown Yahaya Bello COVID-19 Claim

Members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have dissociated themselves from the reported claim by Kogi Governor Yahaya that coronavirus vaccines are meant to kill people and reduce population. The Governors, in a communiqué at the end of their virtual meeting on Wednesday, said their decisions and actions in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic would be guided by science and informed opinions. “On the ill-fated pronouncement made by a member of the forum, regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, in a national daily, the forum (NGF) totally and categorically dissociated itself from the statement. “The forum will continue to be informed and guided by science and will ensure that every decision it takes retains public and professional trust and is not compromised by conflicts of interest.” ...

I’ve Forgiven Americans for Voting Racist Trump —Soyinka

20Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Interview, News, Nigeria

I’ve Forgiven Americans for Voting Racist Trump —Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says he has forgiven Americans for electing former President Donald Trump whom he described as a “racist” and a “xenophobe”. Soyinka said this during an interview with Arise Television on Wednesday. The Nobel Laureate, who had in 2016 torn his American immigrant visa to shreds for voting Trump, said he would not be renewing the green card since he usually visits the United States even without it. The playwright, who displayed pieces of his torn green card, stated that America had redeemed itself with the removal of Trump Soyinka said, “I feel honoured to be associated with the democratic forces of the United States for correcting the unbelievable error that they committed four years ago.” On the green card issue, he said, “I consider mysel...

20Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Breaking News, Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

FG Extends Deadline for NIN

The Federal Government has extended the deadline for millions of Nigerians unable to link their National Identity numbers (NINs) with Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards to February 9. The initial deadline expired on January 19. The mobile network operators (MNOs) said the Federal Government granted a further extension of the deadline to February 9 to allow subscribers yet to sync their SIMs with their NINs to do so. They also promised to start enrolling citizens to National Identity Database (NIDB) of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ease the frustration, desperation and extortion of people by desiring to get enrolled and get their NINs by unscrupulous elements. The MNOs, acting under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators ...

Obaseki Swears in Eight High Court Judges

19Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Judiciary, Justice, News, Nigeria

Obaseki Swears in Eight High Court Judges

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has promised that his administration would keep supporting the judiciary. He spoke yesterday when he swore in eight new judges for the State High Court. Obaseki congratulated the judges, and urged them to carry out their duties without fear or favour as their appointment is from God. He said: “History is made with the swearing in of eight new judges for the Edo State High Court, which is part of our commitment to strengthen the judiciary. For us to have a virile democracy, we must strengthen the rule of law, making sure the judiciary is one of the strongest arms of our democracy. “This morning, we are a step further in fulfilling our desire to make Edo one of the strongest judiciary hubs in Nigeria. Our dream of making Edo an economic hub will ...

19Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Crime, Nigeria, Terrorism, Violence

Gunmen Kidnap Travellers in Osun

Gunmen on Sunday night abducted travellers on Omoh/Erin-Ijesha road in Ori-Ade Local Government of Osun State, according to a report by The Nation. It was gathered that the hoodlums waylaid the travellers and took some of them to a nearby bush near Ori-Oke Omoh, while others were left on the scene. The Nation learnt that one of those abducted escaped from the gunmen and informed security operatives about the incident. The Corps Commander of ‘Amotekun Corps’ in Osun State, General Bashir Adewinbi, confirmed that travellers were kidnapped on Sunday. “We did not know how many people that were abducted by the gunmen, but we have drafted operatives to the scene to rescue the victims,” he said. Police spokesperson Mrs. Yemisi Opalola confirmed the kidnap, saying one of the a...

Ekiti Govt. Includes N550m Budget For drones Used To Fight Kidnapping, Banditry

18Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Communication, Crime, Economy, Finance, Information Technology, News, Nigeria, Terrorism, Violence

Ekiti Govt. Includes N550m Budget For drones Used To Fight Kidnapping, Banditry

Ekiti State Government has said efforts are on to procure sophisticated drones as part of efforts to boost surveillance, expose criminal hideouts and combat insecurity. Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Mr. Femi Ajayi disclosed this at the weekend during the breakdown of the 2021 Appropriation Law with a budgetary provision of N109.666 billion. He said the government projected N550 million to purchase the drones as part of plans to tackle armed robbery, banditry and kidnapping. Ajayi added that N1.4 billion has been set aside to fund the Ekiti State Security Network code-named ‘Amotekun Corps’ for the security outfit to live up to its responsibility. He said the government budgeted N8billion for social services, covering education, health, gender empowerment, social...

18Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Nigeria, Terrorism, Violence, Youths

Three Robbery Suspects Arrested in Osun

The Police Command in Osun says it has arrested three suspected robbers who hijacked two articulated vehicles and robbed the occupants along Osu-Ile Ife expressway in the state. This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Osogbo by Commissioner of Police Olawale Olokode. Olokode said the suspects were arrested on Thursday about 4am by a patrol team of the Joint Task Force and police who were alerted to the operation of the suspects within the axis. “On January 14, at about 4a.m, a suspected gang, fully armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, invaded Osu-Ile-Ife Expressway. “They attacked innocent motorists plying the road and hijacked two different trucks at gunpoint. “One Iveco Truck marked DTM 113 AX, loaded with toiletries and one DAF 75 truck marked JJJ 445...

Former Nigerian Minister, Martins-Kuye, Is Dead

17Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Life, News, Nigeria

Former Nigerian Minister, Martins-Kuye, Is Dead

A former Minister of State for Finance and Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, is died. He died on Sunday morning in his hometown, Ago-Iwoye, in Ogun State. The late politician was born in August 1942 in Ago Iwoye, Ijebu constituency of the state. He studied sociology at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State (1965-1968) and then Economics at the Harvard University Business School, graduating in 1983. He was also a Chartered Accountant. Martins-Kuye served as a senator during the Third Republic. Upon the country's return to democratic system of government in 1999, he contested for governor of Ogun State, as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost to Olusegun Osoba. In the same year, he was appointed by the Olusegun Obasanjo adminis...

BREAKING: Foreign Diplomats Must Get NIN

17Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Communication, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Youths

BREAKING: Foreign Diplomats Must Get NIN

The Federal Government on Sunday said it is mandatory for foreign diplomats to obtain the National Identity Numbers (NIN). It said an enrolment centre has been established for them at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, said the Special Centre will be managed by his ministry. Pantami, in a statement by his Technical Assistant, Dr Femi Adeluyi, said the centre is being set up based on the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama. The statement reads:” The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has approved the setting up of a National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment centre at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ” The desk will be set up by ...

Buhari Felicitates With Bisi Akande at 82

16Jan

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

Life, News, Nigeria, Press Statement

Buhari Felicitates With Bisi Akande at 82

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated pioneer National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, as he clocks 82 years of age. The President, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, described the former governor of Osun State as “one of the biggest and strongest pillars of democracy in the country.” In a goodwill message, the President sent his “best wishes” to the elder statesman, remarking that Chief Akande “is committed to service of the country and welfare of all citizens.” According to President Buhari, “the party he helped to form and lead as the pioneer chairman has benefited tremendously, and continues to benefit from his astute leadership, wisdom and strong democratic convict...