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Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr Sa'ad Abubakar III, has declared Saturday, March 1, 2025, as the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH in Nigeria,reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period during which adult Muslims observe compulsory fasting from dawn to sunset for a complete month. The Sultan made the announcement in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Friday, February 28, confirming the sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in various parts of the country. He stated…

By our reporter The quarrel inside the Senate Chambers between female Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) and Senate President Goodswill Akpabio, has extended to the latter's household. This is because wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, has taken sides with her husband over the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by Sen. Natasha. Recall that in the wake of the Kogi senator's outburst on the Senate floor over changed seating arrangement as it affects her in which she accused Akpabio of discrimination, Sen. Natasha had today, February 28, accused him of making sexual advances towards her --an…

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)'s Education Secretariat has reaffirmed its commitment to vocational training and entrepreneurship development. Speaking during the flag-off of the 3rd edition of Ladi Memorial Foundation National Sewing Championship in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, Permanent Secretary, Education Secretariat, Mrs Joy Okeke, said the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has been an unwavering supporter of vocational education and skills development initiatives in the territory as shown by his commitment toempowering the youth through practical and entrepreneurial skills. Mrs Okeke acknowledged the invaluable contributions of all stakeholders by their continuous investment in skills development, fostering innovation and promoting self…

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)'s Education Secretariat has reaffirmed its commitment to vocational training and entrepreneurship development. Speaking during the flag-off of the 3rd edition of Ladi Memorial Foundation National Sewing Championship in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, Permanent Secretary, Education Secretariat, Mrs Joy Okeke, said the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has been an unwavering supporter of vocational education and skills development initiatives in the territory as shown by his commitment toempowering the youth through practical and entrepreneurial skills. Mrs Okeke acknowledged the invaluable contributions of all stakeholders by their continuous investment in skills development, fostering innovation and promoting self…

By our reporter More trouble came for the beleaguered government of Governor Simi Fubara of Bayelsa State as the Supreme Court today, February 28, issued an order restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation from further releasing financial allocations to the State government. This appears to be a major victory for Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who has been entangled in a protracted tussle for control of the petro-dollar-rich state with the governor, his estranged political godson and successor. Wike has the support of factional Speaker of the…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State says lack of public accountability, weak institutions, passivity of citizens and civil society organisations are reasons Nigeria still gropes for good governance. Fubara spoke at the 6th Yearly Lecture of SWAAYA Limited, Publishers of Freedom Online, on Thursday, in Lagos. At the event, Fubara received the Governor of the Year 2024 Award. The lecture tagged “Nigeria’s Socio-Political Challenges: Whose Fault, Leaders or the Led?,” brought together politicians and media experts, among others. Fubara, who was represented by a former Deputy Governor of the state, Engineer Tele Ikuru, said that as long as citizens and…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Oyo State government has officially flagged off the enrolment of 10,000 basic school pupils into the state’s Healthcare Insurance Scheme. The children, enroled from 90 schools across 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs), were presented their Insurance Scheme ID cards on Thursday, February 27, at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, by the State Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal. Lawal said the enrolment was part of the state government's effort towards ensuring its pupils were of sound minds. "This scheme will ensure that our children have sound minds, while they learn in conducive environments," he said. He also…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Former South African president, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, will chair the 2025 Obafemi Awolowo Foundation Webinar expected to hold on March 6, 2025. A statement by the Foundation made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday, February 27, explained that "as part of its mandate to propagate the continuing relevance of the ideas of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Obafemi Foundation 2025 annual Webinar will be chaired by His Excellency Thabo Mbeki on March 6." While Mbeki chairs the webinar, which theme is 'Our 21st Century World: Reflections and Projections,' the keynote…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr.) Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin 1), has commended the Igbo ethnic group of South-East Nigeria for their contributions to Oyo State's economy. The revered royal father reiterated his commitment to peaceful co-existence among the various ethnic groups in Ibadanland, South-West Nigeria. The traditional ruler bared his mind during a courtesy visit by members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Oyo State chapter. Speaking through Senior Chief Rafiu Emiola Onideure, the Agba Akin Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin said Ibadan would continue to appreciate the economic contributions of the Igbo,…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu An auto crash along the busy Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Thursday, February 27, claimed several lives. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), however, confirmed the death of six persons in the lone accident which occurred between Enugu Fly-over Bridge and Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the expressway. Sector Commander of FRSC, Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Thursday in Enugu. It will be recalled that barely a month ago, a total of 23 persons lost their lives in a fuel tanker explosion accident that occurred in the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of same expressway. The…