Author: Alade Adisa

Many Nigerians were enveloped in joy and excitement when the Port Harcourt Refinery resumed operations a few months ago after over a decade of hiatus, but that feeling of hope and expectations must have evaporated as the refinery stopped all activities on Tuesday. A visit to the refinery on Friday revealed that there was no activity on site, as some workers met by our correspondent claimed that the refinery was undergoing calibration which might last till next week. The Port Harcourt Refinery has faced numerous delays and missed deadlines to resume operations. However, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the…

The Police have filed fresh charges against human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, before the Federal High Court In Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, over allegations of cybercrime. According to SaharaReporters, the state police command filed 12 fresh counts charges on Friday. Farotimi, known for his advocacy for justice and good governance, had appeared before the court on Wednesday following charges brought against him by Age Babalola SAN under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015. Some of the 12 fresh counts read, “That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 28th August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic…

Following the discovery of the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant rapidly spreading across the globe, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has urged health authorities to activate heightened alert systems. The variant XEC is the latest in a long list of past and current COVID variants being monitored as the COVID-19 virus naturally evolves. The government’s directive comes after the strain, first identified in Australia, has now been confirmed in 29 countries. A letter dated December 5, addressed to the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors, by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Head…

President Bola Tinubu has announced the appointment of chief executive officers (CEOs) for the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD). Special Adviser to the President(Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Friday said the President also approved the renewal of the appointment of Fatima Umaru Shinkafi as the executive secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI). She was first appointed into the job by President Muhammadu Buhari and is said to be one of the driving forces of the…

By Taiwo OyedeleSome people have expressed the view that the proposed VAT rate increase as part of the Tax Reform Bills will fuel inflation and lead to more hardship for the people. To address this issue, let’s examine the facts and answer some key questions: Question 1There are concerns that the VAT reform contained in the tax bills including the proposed increase in VAT rate will lead to inflation. Is this so? Answer 1No. The VAT reform, including the proposed increase in VAT rate, is part of a package involving several measures designed to reduce, NOT increase prices and therefore…

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, addressed the rumours in a statement on his official X account on Thursday night. Recently, the governments of Nigeria and France signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop joint projects aimed at promoting and diversifying the critical minerals value chain in the solid minerals sectors of both countries. The MoU, signed during President Tinubu’s official visit to France, focuses on collaboration in research, training, and student exchange programmes between Franco-Nigerian institutions to facilitate knowledge and skills transfer. The agreement, however, led to speculations on social…

The wife of President Bola Tinubu, Oluremi, has instituted an endowment fund of N50 million for the best graduating female students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State. Nigeria’s First Lady made the donation to the university following her conferment with an honorary doctoral degree during the 15th convocation ceremony of the institution. According to the president’s wife, who was represented by the First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, the endowment fund will further spur female students in their mission of academic excellence and innovation. While expressing her belief in empowering women through education, she…

Jose Mourinho has responded to Pep Guardiola’s apparent trophy dig, insisting that the Spaniard’s Premier League title achievements will always carry the shadow of the 115 financial charges facing Manchester City. Guardiola, recently jeered by Liverpool fans over City’s struggles, responded by raising six fingers to signify his Premier League titles. When reminded that Mourinho had previously used a similar gesture to highlight his three league titles before being dismissed, Guardiola offered in response;“I hope that’s not the case for me. But in the end, we are similar in some ways. However, he won three Premier Leagues, and I’ve won…

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has described Nigeria’s criminal justice system as “weak, sick, and in need of a complete overhaul.” Egbetokun made this statement on Thursday during the 2024 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN). He likened the justice system to a sick person in dire need of medical intervention. The IGP emphasized that the police alone cannot be held responsible for the failings of the criminal justice system, urging Nigerians to consider the broader challenges involving other stakeholders. “Police is not the only pillar or stakeholder in…

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the dismissal of 19 officers for “gross misconduct,” in violation of the Commission’s rules and regulations. The dismissal of the officers announced on Friday was sequel to the decision made during the PSC’s plenary in Abuja, led by Chairman Hashimu Argungu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG). The commission also downgraded the ranks of 19 other officers found guilty of various offenses. The dismissed officers include 10 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), six Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), two Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs), and one Superintendent of Police (SP). Their dismissal…