Author: Friday Omosola

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana, has announced plans to enhance the defence partnership between Nigeria and Germany through a new cycle of projects by the German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG). Mr Kana made this statement during a meeting with a high-level GTAG delegation, led by Marcus Ohm, at Ship House, Abuja. Expressing his satisfaction with the renewed collaboration, Mr Kana said, “I am happy to accept the new project cycle, and I promise we are going to sustain it.” The Permanent Secretary highlighted the Nigerian government’s progress since GTAG’s last visit, noting the development of…

The Federal Government (FG) has renewed its commitment to eradicating open defecation across the country, emphasising the need for intensified efforts from all stakeholders. Speaking at a Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja ahead of World Toilet Day in 19nNovember, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, outlined significant strides and remaining challenges in achieving an Open Defecation Free (ODF) Nigeria by 2025. Mr Utsev disclosed that since the launch of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign in 2019, 135 local government areas (LGAs) and over 30,000 communities have attained ODF status. However, he acknowledged that achieving…

The Federal Government’s (FG) Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu garnered praise for its focus on infrastructure development, particularly in Niger State. At a town hall meeting in Minna, stakeholders commended the administration while calling for decisive actions on lingering road projects. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, highlighted progress on the 125-kilometre Niger State segment of the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, a legacy project passing through seven states. Mr Umahi emphasised the project’s potential to boost socio-economic activities along its corridor, directly benefiting residents and businesses. Despite the optimism, Umahi expressed disappointment over the state of ongoing road projects…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reinstated Olorunfemi Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election taking place today (Saturday). In a post shared on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, INEC announced that the reinstatement was based on a Court of Appeal ruling, which dismissed Olusola Ebiseni as the party’s flagbearer. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a Federal High Court decision from September 27, 2024. The High Court had ordered INEC to recognise Olusola Ebiseni as the LP candidate. However, the appellate court,…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged the federal government’s full backing for Nigeria’s campaign to secure an Academy Award, offering access to the $618 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Programme (iDICE). This support is aimed at propelling Nigeria’s Oscar entry, ‘Mai Martaba’, directed by Prince Daniel, to clinch a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Academy Awards. Speaking at a meeting with the ‘Mai Martaba’ team, led by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, Shettima expressed his excitement about the…

The family of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has dismissed reports claiming they endorsed Bamidele Akingboye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, in the upcoming Saturday’s governorship election. Reports had circulated suggesting that the Akeredolu family, alongside a group called ASEI Human Rights of Nigeria, threw their support behind Akingboye. However, Vanguard reported that during a press conference in Akure, Oba Adewuyi Babalola, the National President of ASEI Human Rights, who represented the Akeredolu family called on voters to prioritize candidate integrity over party affiliation for the sake of good governance. In response, the Akeredolu family issued a statement signed…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate has arraigned Echendu Ndubuisi Endy, the Managing Director of Echendu GPC Limited, before Justice E. A. Obile of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He faces charges for allegedly defrauding victims of N9 million by falsely claiming to secure travel visas for them. Endy was charged with three counts of visa fraud and obtaining money under false pretenses, offenses that violate Section 1(1)(a) & (b) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud related offences act, 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same act. One…

On Thursday, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, Abuja, expressed frustration over the delay tactics employed by Adeola Adedipe, counsel for former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, in the ongoing trial concerning alleged $6 billion fraud. Agunloye, who is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on seven counts of official corruption and fraudulent awarding of the Mambilla Power Project contract, has been accused of involvement in the $6 billion scheme. During the proceedings, the judge criticized Adedipe for repeatedly citing Agunloye’s health and age as reasons for delays, as well as filing multiple motions…

Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved significant changes to the leadership of the state’s climate change team, aiming to strengthen efforts to combat the negative effects of climate change. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor announced the dissolution of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Climate Change office. Consequently, the current SSA, Moruf Adedapo, has been redeployed to the pool of SSAs outside the climate change sub-sector. Additionally, the governor directed the relocation of the state’s climate change and renewable energy consultant’s office from the Ministry of Environment to the Governor’s Office. Prof. Chinwe Obuaku,…

Ahead of the upcoming off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State on Saturday, President Bola Tinubu has urged all political stakeholders and voters to maintain peace and decorum while fulfilling their civic duties without fear, both before and after the polls. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his expectation for a democratic process that will truly reflect the will of the people and their power to freely choose their leaders. The President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its thorough preparations for the election, particularly noting the timely…