Osaretin Balogban, Author at African News Today

Fani-Kayode – Christians Shouldn’t be Afraid, Says Nobody can Islamise Nigeria

19Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Nigeria, Religion

Fani-Kayode – Christians Shouldn’t be Afraid, Says Nobody can Islamise Nigeria

Former Minister of Aviation and All Progressive Congress (APC) Chieftain, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said Christians should not be afraid of the Party’s choice of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, the ex-minister said no one could Islamise the country as feared by Many Christians on the party’s choice of the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Although he admitted to warning Nigerians about a plot by the current administration to Islamise Nigeria, He said he then realised that the Muslim-Muslim ticket poses no threats after he prayed about the situation. See Also: Christians Didn’t Do Enough To Win APC Presidential Ticket – Oshiomhole He said: “Obviously, there are issues with the same faith ticket. There are issues with that. Any Christian...

Nigeria’s Falconets Qualify for the U-20 World Cup Quarterfinals

18Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Sports, World Cup

Nigeria’s Falconets Qualify for the U-20 World Cup Quarterfinals

Nigeria’s Falconets qualify for the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after defeating Canada 3-1 in their final group game on Thursday morning. The Falconets were able to maintain their unbeaten run after winning their first two games of the tournament. The West Africans conceded in four minutes by a goal from Canadian, Kaila Novak but the Nigerians leveled the scoreline after Esther Onyenezide scored from the penalty spot in the 24th minute. See Also: 2022: U-20 WWC: How Falconets Beat South Korea – Danjuma The Falconets took the lead as Onyenezide scored another goal eight minutes later again from the penalty spot after a foul on Mercy Idoko. The last goal came from Mercy Idoko who made the scoreline 3-1 after she made a close-range shot into the b...

Emirates to Suspend Nigerian Flights Over Non-Repatriation of Funds from Ticket Sales

18Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Transportation

Emirates to Suspend Nigerian Flights Over Non-Repatriation of Funds from Ticket Sales

Emirates Airlines have decided to suspend flights into Nigeria over its inability to repatriate its ticket sales funds back to its home country in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The airline said in a statement on Thursday morning, that all flights from Nigeria will be suspended effective from the 1st of September, 2022. According to the Daily Post, over 20 foreign airlines have $600 million in funds trapped in Nigeria since the start of the year. See Also: Ibom Air – 58 flights Cancelled as Airline Laments Over Fuel Hike The Emirates claims that about $85 million of the trapped funds belong to them. Before its announcement, the airline reduced flights into the Lagos Airport from 11 weekly frequencies to 7 on Monday. The airline also notified that all efforts to get ...

Federal Government Spent N24 Billion on Poverty Alleviation Schemes

17Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

News, Nigeria

Federal Government Spent N24 Billion on Poverty Alleviation Schemes

The Federal Government said on Tuesday that about N24 billion was spent on various empowerment and poverty reduction schemes. The Alleged amount was said to be spent on the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) in Sokoto state. The statement was made at the inauguration of the disbursement of Cash Grant to Vulnerable Groups (GVG) in the state. See Also: Buhari Congratulates Ruto on Becoming Kenya’s New President The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouk, who was represented by the National Coordinator of NSIP, Dr. Umar Bindir, said the schemes under President Buhari's administration have been made to help vulnerable Nigerians. The Minister mentioned that the Federal Government has made efforts and partn...

17Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Law Enforcement, News, Nigeria

EFCC Recovers 1.4 Billion Naira Meant for The NHIS

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, reveals that a sum of N1.4 Billion which was meant for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been recovered. The commission made a statement on its official Twitter page which said the sum was included in the funds that some commercial banks wrongly refused to remit to the Treasury Single Account since 2015. See Also: Osun Elections: EFCC Deploy Operatives To Checkmate Vote Buying EFCC also reveals something similar occurred on the 10th of February 2022 and a further N1.5 billion was recovered. The statement says the funds had been rightly disbursed to the NHIS on the 5th of August 2022. Source: Daily Post

Buhari Congratulates Ruto on Becoming Kenya’s New President

16Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

News, Uncategorized

Buhari Congratulates Ruto on Becoming Kenya’s New President

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates William Ruto for winning the Kenyan Presidential election on the 9th of August, 2022. The president says he anticipates more engagements between Nigeria and Kenya under the coming administration. He also praised President Uhuru Kenyatta for his achievements and ambitious leadership, which he gave to his country in the past nine years. See Also: 2023 Election: Jonathan Tells Nigerians Candidates To Vote These were all in a statement by President Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina. the statement reads; “President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates the President-elect of Kenya, William Ruto, on his victory in the General Elections on August 9, 2022." “The President also commends the people of Kenya for ...

Victor Osimhen Scores for Napoli in Season Opener

16Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Sports

Victor Osimhen Scores for Napoli in Season Opener

Nigerian Forward, Victor Osimhen scored in his first match of the new Serie A season as Napoli defeated Hellas Verona 5-2 on Monday night at the Stadio Marc’ Antonio Bentegodi stadium. Osimhen scored the second goal for the away team at extra-time of the first half after he headed in Giovammi van Lorenzo’s corner-kick. See Also: Ademola Lookman Scores on His Atalanta Debut The Napoli striker also set up Matteo Politano for the fifth goal of the match before he was substituted for Algeria's international, Adam Ounas, in the final stages of the game. Victor Osimhen bagged 14 goals in 27 league appearances for the Serie A side last season. Source: Daily Post

Five Barrels of Crude Oil Discharged into Rivers Environs, Shell Reveals

15Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Environment, News, Nigeria, Petroleum

Five Barrels of Crude Oil Discharged into Rivers Environs, Shell Reveals

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Limited revealed that five barrels of crude oil were discharged into environments of the Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Rivers State Ministry of Environment, SPDC, and the host community signed a Joint Investigation (JIV) report that disclosed the development. See Also: Reactions as Asa performs “Fire on The Mountain” at The Unveiling of NNPC LTD According to the report, Shell’s Trans Niger Pipeline discharged residue containing 98% water and 2% crude amounting to five barrels as the Trans Niger Pipeline was flushed. A representative of SPDC, Micheal Adande said the spill's impact was minimal as the Trans Niger Pipeline has ...

Joe Aribo Bags First Premier League Goal for Southampton

15Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

English Premiership, Sports

Joe Aribo Bags First Premier League Goal for Southampton

Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo scored his first English Premier League goal for his new team Southampton on Saturday. The Saints were trailing behind at home with Leeds United leading 2-0 in the 60th minute, after a brace from Leeds United forward, Rodrigo. In a bid to get back into the game, the Southampton Coach substituted Mohamed Elyounoussi and Stuart Armstrong for Joe Aribo and Adam Armstrong in the 61st minute. See Also: “Aribo Can Bring Creativity” – Southampton Boss Lauds Aribo’s Signing The substitutions paid off as Aribo scored his first goal for Southampton in the 72nd minute after taking advantage of a cross from Armstrong then Kyle Walker-Peters scored the equalizer in the 81st minute to end the game with a draw. Speaking in an interview with BBC Solent...

Repentant Boko Haram Members Engage in Sanitary Activities

14Aug

By Osaretin BalogbanNo Comments

Boko Haram, Nigeria, Terrorism

Repentant Boko Haram Members Engage in Sanitary Activities

In Maiduguri, some Repentant Boko Haram members on Saturday volunteered to perform sanitary activities as they prepare themselves for reintegration. The Centre for Democracy Development (CDD) with the aid of the Borno State Government organised the exercise. See Also: Abuja-Kaduna Train: How FG Paid For Terrorist’s Wife Delivery, Released Children – Presidency Prof. Mala Mustafa who is a Senior Research Fellow with the CDD said; “The rationale behind this exercise is for CDD to support the Borno State government as part of preparatory work for the reintegration of the ex-combatants.” “We felt it’s imperative to change the narrative, particularly the negative perception about them among community members." “We want to rebuild the relationship and trust between those that...