Author: Agency Reporter

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Port Harcourt Region, has announced the restoration of electricity to most parts of Bayelsa State afterv four-month blackout.The region covers Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, and Rivers States.The General Manager of TCN’s Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Anyaegbulem,disclosed this yesterday at a press conference in Port Harcourt, just as he listed the company’s achievements in 2024.He explained that the blackout was caused by criminals who vandalised about 20 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132 Kilovolt (KV) electricity lines on July 29.“The 132KV line is the only transmission line that supply electricity to Bayelsa…

Recently, the singer David Adeleke was given a global stage to do whatever he wanted and deliver any message. Sadly, Mr. Adeleke used the opportunity to speak in an American accent. Not only that, he used that American accent to talk down on Nigeria and tell the world not to invest in Nigeria because, as he put it, Nigeria’s “economy is in shambles”. Coincidentally, a month after his faux pas, Kemi Badenoch, probably inspired by Davido, used her British accent to talk down Nigeria, calling us “a very poor country” where the police rob citizens. But the interesting thing about…

The Managing Director, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Mr Takashi Oku, has commended the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals complex for showcasing Nigeria’s technological advancements on the global stage.Oku was quoted in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos by Dangote Group.He made the commendation on when a delegation from the Japanese Business Community in Nigeria, led by Japan’s Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo visited the facility on Friday.The Japanese delegation toured the facilities housing both the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as well as Dangote Fertilisers.They commended the state-of-the-art technology on display, noting that it reinforced Nigeria’s role as the…

In a matter of two weeks, Syrian rebel forces took Damascus and displaced President Bashar al-Assad in what came as a surprise to many watchers of political developments in the region.The rebels swept through Syria’s largest city, Aleppo, then Hama and Homs. In a sleek and seamless move, they entered Syria’s capital, Damascus, days later, taking the city without a fight as government forces fled.The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, was triumphantly welcomed by Syrians, who have endured a civil war since 2011 when the ‘Arab Spring’ blew across North Africa and the Middle East.Syria’s…

Vice-President of ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, on Monday said about two million West/Central African women and girls have benefited from Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment Demographic Dividend plus (SWEDD) project in 10 years.Tchintchibidja made this known while officially inaugurating a new phase of the project tagged: SWEDD+, on Monday, in Abuja.SWEDD is a World Bank-sponsored project aimed at promoting inter-regional, inter-institutional cooperation and collaboration for empowering West and Central African women and girls.According to her, the SWEDD project, funded with 365 million dollars by the World Bank, has transformed the lives of women and girls in five countries in its initial…

A former Federal Bureau of Information (FBI) informant on Monday admitted to making up a story about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter taking $5 million in bribes from a Ukrainian energy firm.Alexander Smirnov, 44, pleaded guilty to creating a false record in a federal investigation, as well as three counts of tax evasion for failing to pay taxes and penalties on $2.1 million in income for 2020 through 2022.The Russian-born Smirnov, a dual US-Israeli citizen, faces up to six years in prison under the terms of a plea agreement he struck with prosecutors.US District Judge Otis Wright, sitting…

Language is a dynamic tool shaped by interaction, cultural perception, attitudes, and beliefs.While some see language as a simple system of words, research shows it is a complex set of symbols, expressions, and actions that resonate with specific communities.In Nigeria, known for its creativity and linguistic diversity, 2024 has seen a surge of new words and phrases popularised through social media.These expressions are quickly adopted into daily interactions, showcasing the adaptability and creativity of Nigerians.The year began with the viral slogan ‘no gree for anybody’, translating loosely to ‘don’t back down for anyone’.This phrase embodies resilience, inspiring Nigerians to stand…

The Zone-2 Police Command in Lagos says it has detained two suspected international fraudsters that allegedly specialised in forging foreign certificates in Lagos and Ghana.The AIG in charge of the zone, Adegoke Fayaode, who confirmed this to newsmen on Monday, said that the suspects have succeeded in acquiring exotic cars and erecting mansions in different parts of the country with the proceeds of their loot.Fayoade said that the suspects allegedly offered N66m to the operatives with a view to free them but the offer was turned down.The same zone operatives rejected a N174m bribe offered by a suspect in November…

A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Monday, sentenced a 26-year-old Mechanic, Sadiq Umar to 15 months imprisonment for pickpocketing from passengers.The Magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.Bokkos in his judgment, ordered the convict to pay an option of N100, 000 fine or spend one year in prison.He also asked him to pay a compensation of N15, 000 or an additional three months in prison in default.Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Ijuptil Thiawur , told the court that the case was reported on Nov.16, at the “A” Division Police station by Moses Pam,…

A woman who was killed in a triple shooting in northwest London has been named as 46-year-old Michelle Sadio.Two men, both in their 30s, also suffered injuries in the attack on Gifford Road in Harlesden, Brent, on Saturday night.The victims had been among mourners attending a wake inside the River of Life Elim Pentecostal Church, according to Pastor Lawrence Larbie.He told the MyLondon website people started running into the building at around 9.15pm saying “there’s been a shooting, there’s been a shooting”, with gunshots believed to have been fired at the gathering from inside a passing car.”It’s shocking. We are…