News

By Okerafor Athanasius, Jalingo Chairman of Taraba State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Matthew Eluid Jen, has stressed the importance of unity and sacrificial lifestyle among members to achieve desired goals Jen stated this while delivering a keynote address on the occasion of a press conference to sensitize members and the general public on activities lined up for NUJ's Press Week. The media conference held at the Oyakhire Press Centre Jalingo, the state capital. Jen lauded the efforts of the Press Week Organizing Committee, saying they have done well, despite lean resources. He said celebrating the union's…

By Sam Tyav, Makurdi Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has declared three work-free days to enable residents of the largely Christian North-Central State celebrate Easter. This is in recognition of the significance of Easter to the Christian community in Benue State,a government statement said. The statement from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) indicated that Gov. Alia has declared Thursday, Friday, and Monday as work-free days for all civil servants. The statement, signed by the SSG, Mrs Serumun Deborah Aber, revealed that the decision was to enable civil servants participate fully in the sacred celebrations…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Men of the Nigeria Police and Amotekun Corps, on Tuesday, April 15, took over the Oke-Ado, Ibadan office of self-styled online asset investment platform, CBEX. The development followed Monday night's looting of the facility by suspected subscribers after learning that the scheme had collapsed. Video of residents and hoodlums carting away goods, including electronics and office furniture, from the Oke-Ado office went viral, Monday night. On Tuesday, residents across Ibadan metropolis were discussing the loss they had incurred in the scheme, with many lamenting that they could no longer access their accounts with CBEX online. A…

By our reporter The recent suspension from office of Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, by President Bola Tinubu, imposition of emergency rule and appointment of former Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as Sole Administrator of the oil-rich Niger Delta State, have continued to generate different strands to the controversy. In the latest development, following a purported summons to Fubara by the Sole Administrator for the former to appear at Government House,Port Harcourt on Friday, April 18, a rights group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has requested the governor not to honour the summons. Contending that the…

By John Bassey, Gusau Kebbi State Government has reaffirmed its readiness to fully implement the $700 million Federal Government (FG)/World Bank-assisted Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) project in the North-West State. A combined team from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the World Bank is currently in the state for an assessment of the water sector -a key step toward the programme’s rollout. The development came as journalists and some security personnel in the state received training on transparent reporting as part of efforts to drive home to the grassroots official communication on impactful…

At least 51 people were killed by gunmen in the early hours of Monday in Nigeria's northern Plateau state, residents and Amnesty International told Reuters , two weeks after deadly clashes in another part of the state left dozens dead. Last week, the national emergency agency said gunmen had killed at least 52 people and displaced nearly 2,000 others over several days of attacks in Plateau, which has a history of violence between farmers and cattle herders. On Monday, residents said 51 bodies had been recovered in the Zikke and Kimakpa villages in Plateau's Bassa district, while several more were…

By Sam Tyav, Makurdi Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has revealed the readiness and commitment of his administration to align with the national agenda of economic diversification and inclusive growth. Speaking on Monday, April 14, while delivering an address at the opening of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) visit held at Government House, Makurdi, the Governor underscored prize strategic partnerships with the private sector and development finance institutions, insisting that the state was ready for bankable, well-structured, and impact-driven investment opportunities. Governor Alia who emphasized the state’s agricultural potential, noted, among other things, that Benue's arable lands…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu To foster regional and continental collaboration, Nigeria's Raw Materials Research and Development Council’s (RMRDC) has hinted that it has concluded plans to organize the African Raw Materials Summit in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, from May 20-22 this year. "This landmark summit will bring together policy makers, investors, industry leaders, and experts from across Africa and beyond to explore strategies for unlocking Africa’s vast raw materials potential and advancing industrial growth through sustainable value addition," the body stated. Director General/Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO), RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, disclosed this during the organization's Special Day at the ongoing 36th…

By John Bassey, Gusau Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed a deadly bandit attack in Banga village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. Two lives were lost while several persons were abducted during the attack. Police spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Yazid Abubakar, said investigations were ongoing to determine the exact number of those abducted, while efforts were being made to rescue them. Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the assailants struck around midnight on Sunday, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents. The attackers killed an elderly man and an 18-year-old girl. A joint security counter operation, supported…

By Sam Tyav, Makurdi Director General (DG), Benue State Public Procurement Commission (BSPPC), Engr. (Dr.) Akwonya Comfort Adadu, has dispelled the allegation bordering on inflation of contract sum for the Wurukum-Airforce Base Road dualization project in the North-Central Nigeria state. Addressing the legislators during plenary at the State House of Assembly, Dr. Adadu said that the contract was approved for approximately N28 billion, contrary to media reports suggesting a N68 billion valuation. Her appearance and explanation before the Assembly became necessary following a summons to address public concerns over some ongoing state projects. Media aide to the DG, George Nder,…