Author: Friday Omosola

The newly appointed Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Dikko, announced on Wednesday that Nigeria’s journey toward a sustainable sports economy has begun. Dikko made this statement during a handover ceremony in Abuja, where former Minister of Sports, John Enoh, passed on the commission’s affairs in a brief but significant event. Reflecting on his history with Nigerian sports development, Dikko noted, “History has a way of coming full circle. In 2008, I served as a consultant to the House of Representatives and drafted the National Sports Commission Bill—a job I did pro bono. Sixteen years later, I am…

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday emphasised that Nigeria’s carnival industry holds significant potential not only for promoting the nation’s vibrant cultural heritage but also for fostering national unity, cohesion, and youth empowerment. He assured that the Nigerian government is strategically positioning the country’s carnival sector to tap into the global carnival market, valued at an estimated $5 billion, as a key driver for economic growth. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima highlighted this vision during a meeting with the Abuja International Carnival delegation at the Presidential Villa. He noted the valuable opportunities that the $5…

The Judicial Commission Inquiry has commenced with a probe with five witnesses that appeared before the commission over the attack that led to the destruction and arson of some local government secretariat headquarters within the state. The LG councils were attacked on October 7 immediately after the election day. Out of 22 witnesses that were asked to appear before the council, only five were present at the Rivers State High Court Complex in Port Harcourt. Earlier, The New Daily Prime reported that the Judicial Commission Inquiry summoned 109 witnesses to appear before the commission with different dates allocated to the…

Justice S. Pam of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters, Emmanuel Wisdom and Donald Etege, to two years in prison each for impersonation and obtaining money under false pretenses. In a statement released on its X page on Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that the two were sentenced on Tuesday after being arraigned by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Commission on separate one-count charges related to these offenses. The lone count against Eteg’s reads: “That yo Donald Etege sometime in 2024 in Port Harcourt Rivers State…

Justice A. T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced Henry Nathaniel Ekanem, a final-year student at the University of Port Harcourt, to fourteen (14) years in prison. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced the sentencing on its X page on Wednesday, stating that Ekanem was found guilty of internet fraud. He was sentenced after being arraigned by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on seven counts related to obtaining money under false pretenses and impersonation. One of the counts against him reads: “That you, Henry Nathaniel Ekanem on or…

Operatives from the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended seven suspected internet fraudsters in the Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The arrests were made following credible intelligence regarding their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud. Authorities recovered 13 mobile phones of various brands and one vehicle from the suspects. They are expected to be charged in court once investigations are completed. In a separate operation, the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC arrested 25 suspected internet fraudsters at multiple locations across Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday. This action was also based on credible intelligence…

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has announced that the state’s 2025 budget will be tailored to address the specific developmental needs across all regions. According to his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor shared this vision during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign tour in Akoko North West Local Government Area on Tuesday. Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasised that the budget will be carefully designed to ensure inclusivity, ensuring that no part of the state is overlooked. He highlighted ongoing progress across various sectors and reiterated that development is a gradual process, requiring systematic efforts. Key infrastructure projects and essential services, he…

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has clarified that his administration did not receive an N8 billion refund from Oyo State concerning the LAUTECH settlement. Adeleke in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed said the previous administration under Gboyega Oyetola received N3.5 billion and spent nearly N2 billion of that amount before leaving office. Refuting recent claims circulating as fake news, Governor Adeleke explained that the Oyetola administration received N3.5 billion from Oyo State as part of the LAUTECH settlement. He said by November 30, 2022, the remaining balance stood at N1,562,440,436.80, meaning that N1,937,559,563.20 had been used by the previous administration.…

By Friday Omosola Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq launched the Kwara Project Ten Million on Tuesday, a health initiative aimed at screening 196,913 residents for hypertension and diabetes. According to a statement by Modupe Joel, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, the event took place at the State Banquet Hall, marking the start of a program that will run from October 27 to November 3, 2024. In his remarks, delivered by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, Governor AbdulRazaq emphasized the urgency of addressing hypertension and diabetes, which are major health issues globally and pose significant risks to communities in Kwara. …

By Friday Omosola The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, the NNPC Foundation, is set to launch a free cancer screening campaign to address the rising cases of cancer in Nigeria. Chief Corporate Communications Officer Olufemi Soneye announced the initiative on Tuesday. The campaign, titled ‘Cancer Awareness and ZSX Screening,’ will offer free cancer screenings to underserved Nigerians, alongside health education, workshops, and consultations with healthcare professionals. These resources aim to empower individuals to recognize early symptoms, adopt preventive measures, and understand the importance of regular screenings. In partnership with local health authorities…