News

*Urges Advocacy Of Higher Tax By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has trained journalists from the South-East zone on the need for Federal Government (FG) to raise sugar-sweetened beverage tax, urging them to inform and educate the public on the devastating health impact of sugary drinks on Nigerians' economic future. Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi, in a welcome address, disclosed that the training, which took place at the Exclusive Serene Hotel and Suites, Enugu, with theme 'Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax and Industry Interference', was vital for public health. Oluwafemi lamented that Nigerians are facing…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an institution that cannot be threatened by talks about an emerging coalition, noting that the party remains united and undivided in the South-West geopolitical zone. The governor said that PDP leaders in the South-West have resolved that as responsible leaders, they would stay in the party and fix whatever challenges arise, adding that the party will deal with its issues and come out stronger as the only credible political alternative for Nigerians. Governor Makinde stated these today while speaking with newsmen…

Again, the issue of non-inclusiveness of groups in Nigeria's federal set-up took centrestage as indigenous youths of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) clamored to be included in the scheme of things. They cried out for an equitable governance environment where their marginalized voices will not merely be heard, but valued and acted upon too. They spoke under the auspices of the umbrella Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths and Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO). The outcry was unanimous with speaker after speaker echoing same message at a town hall meeting tagged 'Strengthening FCT Indigenous Community Voices in Key Governance Processes' organised by AOIYEO in collaboration…

By John Ekah, Zamfara Zamfara Peace Journalists Forum (ZAMPEJF) in collaboration with an international peace-building body, Search for Common Ground (SCG), has sensitized 100 students of Department of Mass Communications, Zamfara State College of Arts and Sciences (ZACAS) on peace-building and sensitive reportage. The one-day sensitization programme was conducted under a project known as ‘Enhancing Collaboration for Peace and Security (ECPS) in Nigeria, Benin and Niger Republic Border Communities', in the Assembly Hall of ZACAS, Gusau, the state's capital. The SCG is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that works to end violent, conflict and rather builds healthy, safe, and just societies.…

By Sam Tyav, Makurdi Immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has accused then-President Muhammadu Buhari of engaging in actions and inactions that worsened the armed herdsmen menace in the land. Ortom,an opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, took the bold stance during an interactive session with newsmen in his residence in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, today. There was as yet no word from the Buhari camp, as of press time. Ortom, who had a strained relationship with the Buhari presidency over the issue of Abuja's handling of insecurity in the North-Central State, pulled no punches as…

By John Ekah, Zamfara Governance is not all about provision of physical infrastructure. Developing or enhancing human capital is in many cases more immediately impactful. This much was demonstrated by Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, and his wife, Hajiyah Huriyya, when they reached out to directly and individually touch lives of people of the North-West Nigerian state. While Gov. Lawal flagged off the distribution of fertilizers, seeds, and agrochemicals,loaded in 98 trucks, to farmers across the state, Hurriya made unconditional cash grants to 100 women, setting the stage for their removal from poverty. The governor's gesture was part of…

*Auwalu Yadudu Is Chair *State Police, LG Autonomy, Others Are Areas Of Interest By Sani Bala Karo, Kano In a strategic move to ensure that the voices of the government and people of Kano State are adequately represented in the ongoing constitutional amendment process initiated by the National Assembly, the State Government has inaugurated a 26-member high-powered committee to articulate the state's position. The inauguration ceremony was performed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim, on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Speaking during the event, held at the Cabinet Office, Alhaji Ibrahim said that the…

By Emma Ogoigbe, Warri Managing Director (MD), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has reiterated the commission’s effort to positively impact all oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta. According to him, the Commission has laid out many programmes to facilitate its readiness to make life easier for the populace. Dr. Ogbuku, who disclosed these while addressing a world press conference in Asaba on the occasion of the 25th establishment of the Commission, further disclosed that a lot of abandoned mega projects have been completed while new ones are also been executed under his charge. According to him, the…

*Mark Dispels Notion That Party Has Been Hijacked By Sam Tyav, Makurdi The bid to stop President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027 gathered steam in Benue State as the opposition coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC) wooed the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to join its ranks. Both Alia and Tinubu belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and reportedly enjoy a warm relationship. The move to get the governor to ADC's side occurred on Wednesday, July 9, during the unveiling of the newly constituted interim leadership of the party in the State. At the event, also, former Senate President and…

By John Ekah, Gusau Zamfara State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, has lauded Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for its swift and comprehensive response to recent measles outbreak in Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. This was disclosed in a statement by Information Officer of the Health Ministry, Comrade Suleiman Isah. "We are immensely grateful for MSF's initiatives," she stated. Lauding the international medical humanitarian organization's large-scale vaccination campaign launched this month in collaboration with the Ministry, the Commissioner expressed joy that the efforts were yielding success. "Their efforts are crucial in curbing the spread of this…