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Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the latest allegations levelled against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, describing the petition against him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as politically motivated, unsubstantiated, and part of a calculated campaign to weaken a key loyalist of President Bola Tinubu. Reacting to the recent protest at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, led by what HURIWA described as "the self-styled mushroom group working for the Zamfara state governor," the rights body expressed concern over what it said was "a sustained, well-coordinated smear campaign orchestrated…

By Sam Tyav, Makurdi A group under the aegis of Mbachoghur Development Association (MDA), Tarka Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, has lauded the state Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia for the state's rapid development through pragmatic leadership, hard work and commitment. Speaking during the weekend when the group paid a courtesy call on their son, who is the Director of Research and Publication, Benue Public Service Institute (PBSI), Dr. Mark Nyitse, at the latter's residence in Makurdi, the state capital, MDA Chairman, Akpera Sylvester Tyogema, and the group's Treasurer, Zaki Tyotom Akpen, lauded the Governor for his love for…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade 1, has thanked President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, traditional rulers, organising committee, and others who graced his coronation ceremony for making it colourful and memorable. According to a release from the palace's Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Oba Owoade stated these in his letter of appreciation to those who participated in the coronation ceremony, where he restated his commitment to promoting the welfare and prosperity of his kingdom and the entire Yoruba race. Oba Owoade expressed his deepest appreciation to President Tinubu, members of…

*Enugu North Leaders Queue Solidly Behind Gov By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu Huge fillip has been injected into the spirited bid by the administration of Governor Peter Mbah to transform Enugu State into a paradise on earth as several economic pillars are set to come onstream this month,ahead of the governor's second anniversary in office. These include Enugu Air, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mass Transit programme, and the ultramodern transport terminals all built from scratch by the Mbah administration. The government has also approved the development of the state’s tourism industry, while total transformation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu…

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna It was time to tell some home truths as the 19 Northern State Governors today acknowledged the resurgence of Boko Haram terrorist activities in parts of the region. Boko Haram is a Salafi-jihadist terror group fighting for the replacement of the secular Nigerian state with an Islamic one based on a strict compliance to the Sharia law, throughout the country. Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, whose North-Eastern State has faced renewed murderous attacks by the group which the Global Terrorism Index ranked in 2019 as the second deadliest terrorist group in the world, had, recently…

*Pope Leo's Inauguration Holds May 18 Being sealed off from the world in the conclave to choose the new Pope was "immensely peaceful", England and Wales's most senior Roman Catholic has told the BBC . Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, was one of 133 cardinals who were shut into the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and later elected Pope Leo XIV on Thursday. He told BBC Breakfast on Saturday that nobody in the highly secretive meeting was saying who to vote for or who to not vote for, adding that there was "no rancour"…

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the release of 35 patrol vehicles and motorcycles to enhance the operational capabilities of the military and youth volunteers in Izge town in the North-Eastern State. The patrol vehicles and motorcycles are to improve mobility for local security volunteers, enabling them to respond swiftly to threats and support military operations in the community. Zulum gave the approval on Friday during an assessment visit to Gwoza, according to statement issued by his media aide Abdurraman Bundi. The Governor commended the military and local community for their gallantry in repelling…

By Prosper Okoye Director General (DG) of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has reaffirmed the scheme’s relevance as a unifying force in Nigeria. His comments followed renewed national debates over proposals to scrap or restructure the programme. Speaking during a visit to the Benue State NYSC orientation camp in Wannune on Friday, Nafiu urged corps members to embrace national unity and see the service year as a platform for personal growth and national development. “Youths are the leaders of tomorrow, and NYSC is here to shape that future,” the DG said. He encouraged them to…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu The management of Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has advised its customers in Enugu to pay their energy bill for the month as it plans massive disconnection of indebted ones. Spokesman of the firm, Mr Emeka Ezeh, in a statement in Enugu, advised customers under Abakpa, Awkunanaw, Nsukka and Ogui districts to pay up to avoid blackout to their business and residential premises. According to him, customers were to pay their bills before the disconnection team gets to their premises and not wait for the firm's marketers to visit before they pay, to avoid payment of…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu Detectives in Enugu have arrested 228 persons for alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, illegal possession of firearms and cultism in the state in the last two months. State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mamman Bitrus Giwa, who made this known at a press briefing held at the state police headquarters, Enugu, disclosed this whole giving details of his achievements since he assumed office two months ago. Giwa said they also rescued 36 kidnapped victims and recovered 44 firearms, 173 ammunition and 20 vehicles. According to him, the breakdown showed that of the 228, 44 are armed robbery…