Author: Friday Omosola

The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu, has reaffirmed the federal government’s (FG) commitment to alleviating the challenges faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and boosting food security. Iliya Ishaku, Director of Information and Public Relations in a statement on Thursday said the minister during his official visit to Plateau State on Tuesday flagged off the ‘Renewed Hope Agricultural Empowerment Project (REHAEPI)’ in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area. The Minister distributed relief materials to IDPs in Bokkos, and paid a courtesy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Majesty Da Dr. Jacob Gyang Buba (CFR). …

The Federal Government (FG) in partnership with UNESCO, has inaugurated the UNESCO Chair in Integrated Flood Management and Water Resources, aimed at addressing the country’s pressing flood and water resource challenges.  Funmi Imuetinyan, the Director of Information and Public Relations in a statement said the initiative, housed at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, seeks to bolster food security, sustainable livelihoods, and resilience through innovative flood management strategies and capacity building. The inauguration workshop, held in Abuja on December 4-5 brought together key stakeholders in water resource management. Speaking, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, emphasised the…

The Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan (NiYEAP). The Minister in a statement on his X page Thursday reinforced the federal government’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians and creating sustainable job opportunities.   The inauguration, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, brought together key stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Olubunmi Olusanya, ministry officials, and representatives from organizations such as GIZ, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF, and the United Nations. Minister Olawande highlighted the collaborative nature of the…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has announced plans to revive the long-abandoned Edo Line, the state-owned transport company, as part of his administration’s efforts to restore public assets for economic growth.   Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the governor in a statement on Wednesday said the governor reveled this during an inspection visit to the Edo Line facilities on Mission Road, Benin City. He was accompanied by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa and assessed the premises, which have been neglected for years. The guided tour, led by Jaffar Inegbedion, Fleet Manager of Move Monkey, allowed the governor to gather firsthand information…

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has presented a 2025 budget proposal of N1.05 trillion to the State House of Assembly, emphasising hope, prosperity, and sustainable development.  The appropriation bill tagged the ‘Budget of Hope and Prosperity’, comprises N600.98 billion for capital expenditure and N453.56 billion for recurrent expenditure. Announcing the development on his X page, Governor Abiodun highlighted the budget’s focus on infrastructure, health, education, and fiscal responsibility. He said key allocations include N120.14 billion for personnel costs, N76.07 billion for public debt charges, and N219.86 billion for overhead expenses. The 2025 budget outlines several major projects, including the renovation…

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has raised concerns over the handling of the case involving human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that a Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti remanded Farotimi, in prison custody over an alleged defamation case against the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola.  Reacting to the development on his X page on Wednesday, the former Anambra State Governor described Farotimi’s remand in prison as a violation of democratic principles, emphasising the importance of freedom of expression and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.  …

A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday ordered the remand of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, in prison custody over an alleged defamation case against the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola.  Farotimi was arrested by officers from the Ekiti State Police Command on Tuesday at his Lagos chamber—was arraigned for allegedly publishing a book titled “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.” In the book, Farotimi alleged Babalola of corrupting the judiciary and procuring judgments in the Supreme Court. The allegations was said to have exposed Babalola to public hatred, ridicule, and damaged his professional reputation.…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, calling it a dangerous throwback to the oppressive days of military dictatorship. In a statement on his X page Wednesday, Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using state power to silence dissent and suppress free speech. Atiku, who described the charges against Farotimi as baseless, particularly criticised the police’s involvement in what he called a “sledgehammer” response to a defamation case, an issue that, under normal circumstances, should be addressed through civil litigation. He underscored that the police’s actions are…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised the arrest of lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi on allegations of libel and the reported invasion of his law firm by law enforcement agents. The association described the actions as a “grave breach of the rule of law” and an assault on the sanctity of the legal profession. In a statement issued by the NBA President, Mazi Osigwe, the association emphasised that libel is no longer a criminal offense in Lagos State. The Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 repealed the criminalization of defamation, aligning with global standards that treat defamation as a…

South Africa has expressed keen interest in collaborating with Nigeria to tap into its lithium reserves as part of efforts to drive the global electric vehicle (EV) revolution and green energy transition. Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu spokesperson in a statement said the announcement came during the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable held on Tuesday in Cape Town.   President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted Nigeria’s vast lithium resources as a cornerstone for industrialisation in the EV sector. He urged private sector players and development finance institutions to work together in building infrastructure and scaling up manufacturing capabilities for EV batteries. “There is much…