Author: Friday Omosola

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced plans to release a $2.2 billion fund for the development of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) across Nigeria starting in 2025. Abdul Kamara, Director General of AfDB’s Nigeria Office, revealed this during Channels Television’s 2024 End-of-Year Review themed “Focus on the Agriculture Sector, Food Security, Research, and AfDB Investments.” Kamara noted that in 2025, AfDB expects to see contracts signed, mobilization efforts, and construction activities beginning in some states. He added that the fund will be channeled toward establishing agro-industrial hubs, aggregation centers, and agricultural transformation programmes aimed at boosting Nigeria’s agriculture sector…

Ademola Oshodi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, has said the President is set to unveil his list of ambassadors in the coming weeks. Speaking on Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review programme, Oshodi said following the announcement, the nominees would undergo Senate approval and accreditation before being deployed to Nigeria’s missions worldwide. This comes sixteen (16) months after Tinubu recalled all career and political ambassadors representing Nigeria abroad, a move criticised by former Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lawrence Obisakin, and former High Commissioner to Australia, Ayoola Olukanni. Both faulted the delay in appointing replacements,…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has hailed the mandate of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, as a divine calling aimed at bringing relief and progress to the state. In a statement issued today by Fred Itua, Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Akpabio made the comments yesterday while receiving Governor Okpebholo at his residence in Uyo. Praising Okpebholo’s electoral triumph, Akpabio attributed his victory to divine intervention, declaring that God had appointed him to reshape the history of Edo State and steer it toward a future of growth and development.. He said: “Your excellency, every leadership comes from God, and God chooses whom…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to publish his asset declaration. The organisation in a statement on its website today said Tinubu’s publication of his assets will set an example for his Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, National Assembly leaders, state governors, and local government chairmen to do the same. In the letter signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation praised Tinubu’s statement during his first Presidential Media Chat, where he expressed a willingness to consider asking the CCB to release his assets. SERAP…

In a renewed effort to combat criminal activities across Nigeria, the Police have rescued 13 kidnapped victims, arrested five suspected armed robbers, and recovered firearms and ammunition. In a statement ,today, Olumuyiwa Adejobi,Police spokesperson , said the achievements underlined the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians. He said the operatives of the Kwara State Police Command stormed a kidnappers’ den in the Idofin-Igbana area following a distress call regarding the abduction of 13 individuals. According to him, despite resistance from the kidnappers, the operatives overpowered them, forcing the criminals to flee with injuries and rescuing all…

It was a day of honour and glory for the late Ondo State,Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, as the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi described him as a leader whose patriotism knew no bounds. Speaking at the one-year remembrance service held in honour of the late governor yesterday in Akure, Fayemi echoed Akeredolu’s unwavering dedication to the public good and his relentless pursuit of a united, prosperous, and secure Nigeria. He noted that the late Akeredolu led with conviction, governed with compassion, and inspired everyone he encountered. Fayemi expressed deep sorrow over the reality of Akeredolu’s untimely passing, which…

The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has declared his support for the second-term bid of his successor, Biodun Oyebanji. Speaking during a meeting and end-of-year gathering with All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders from the 16 local government areas of the state, Fayemi emphasised that the governor had performed exceptionally well and deserved full backing to secure a second term in office. However, the former Minister of Solid Minerals clarified that his endorsement does not preclude other aspirants from contesting for the party’s governorship ticket. “I am a Democrat, so I cannot discourage anybody from contesting for the…

To boost agricultural development in Bayelsa State, a South Korean owned company has installed a modern rice processing mills in Yenagoa, the state capital. The state-of-the-art mills, located at the state-owned School-to-Land Farm, can process 40 metric tonnes of rice paddies daily. The project is part of a bilateral partnership aimed at improving rice production and strengthening the agricultural sector in Bayelsa. Speaking after a demonstration exercise on the operation of the mills, Byung Chul Son, Managing Director of Deta Sung Machinery and Construction Company Limited and leader of the Korean delegation, said the team collaborated with the Bayelsa State…

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has stated that it is unaware of claims that social media influencer Martins ‘VeryDarkMan (VDM)’ Otse lost N180 million from his non-governmental organisation (NGO). Earlier, The New Daily Prime reported that VeryDarkMan, in an Instagram video, alleged that the account of his NGO—launched in October to focus on community development and equipping public schools—was hacked. According to him, N180 million was transferred to an unknown account, leaving only N20 million behind. READ ALSO: VDM meets with Don Jazzy after N100m donation VeryDarkMan, who had previously sought public support during the NGO’s launch and…

To boost judicial infrastructure in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa today flagged off the construction of a new High Court Complex along Oba Osupa Road in Akure. The state-of-the-art Judiciary Village, which will be named after the late former Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is expected to be completed within 48 weeks. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the project as a historic milestone, marking the first time since the state’s creation in 1976 that such a modern edifice is being constructed for judicial purposes. “This is a milestone celebration as we flag off the construction of a New…