Author: Friday Omosola

The Federal Government (FG) has announced it is set to unveil a youth farmers enrollment portal as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and boost economic engagement among young Nigerians. The announcement followed a meeting between the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and a delegation from the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalisation Programme (NIYEEDEP).   The delegation, led by NIYEEDEP National Coordinator, Kennedy Iyere, included representatives from the American Association of Grant Writers, Marc Paley and Staci Smith, as well as Victor Obinna Edeh, the African representative for Bayern Munich Football Club. READ ALSO: Edo Election Tribunal to begin…

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has urged Christian pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land to use the opportunity to deepen their relationship with God and return as carriers of His presence. The governor made the call during the farewell ceremony for the pilgrims in Jos, where he emphasised the transformative potential of the journey.   “This pilgrimage is more than just a journey; it is an opportunity for a life-changing encounter with God. May this experience positively transform your lives, benefit your families, and leave a legacy for generations to come,” he said. Governor Mutfwang highlighted that true Christianity reflected in…

The Federal Government (FG) has acknowledged that national grid collapses will continue due to its inability to repair a critical transmission line in northern Nigeria, citing persistent insecurity as a major barrier.   Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this during the 2025 budget defence session with the Senate Joint Committee on Power.  He identified the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando transmission line, which has been out of service since a vandalism incident in October 2024, as a key factor contributing to the grid’s instability.   “The Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando line is one of two main lines supplying power to the north. While the Ugwuaji-Makurdi line, which…

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has scheduled full hearings for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, on the petition filed by Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The petition challenges the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.   The New Daily Prime earlier reported that Farouk Adamu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer declared Okpebholo a a winner.  Adamu said Okpebholo, a serving senator at that time scored 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ighodalo who polled 247,274 votes. The hearing…

The National Assembly has resolved to exclude the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from the Federal Government’s (FG) 2025 budget grants, citing concerns about the agency’s financial practices. Lawmakers criticised the apparent contradiction in JAMB’s financial operations during an interactive session on revenue projections for 2025, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East). JAMB’s Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that the board remitted N4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2024 but received N6 billion from the FG. This disclosure sparked outrage among committee members, including Abiodun Faleke, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, and Senator Adams…

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has described as untrue, speculations about a possible alliance with Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, ahead of the 2027 general elections The National Chairman of the party, Shehu Gabam disclosed this during an interview on “Politics Tonight”, a programme on Television Continental. Gabam emphasised that the SDP’s primary focus remains on building its structures and offering Nigerians credible alternatives. On his interactions with El-Rufai, Gabam described the former governor as a notable figure whose influence has stirred concerns among political players.…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has presented Franco-Malian Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles. The unveiling ceremony, held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja brought together football enthusiasts and industry stakeholders. The 47-year-old tactician’s appointment, which was approved last Tuesday by the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Committee, marks a new chapter for the Nigerian national team. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau expressed optimism about Chelle’s ability to take the Super Eagles to greater heights. While acknowledging the passion Nigerians have for football,…

An Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ring Road, Ibadan, has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, along with Ibadan-based media personality Oriyomi Hamzat and Abdulahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the trio were arranged and remanded over a stampede that occurred in December 2024. The stampede led to the death of 35 children and many being hospitalised. READ ALSO: Oyo files fresh murder charges against Ooni’s ex wife, others Justice K.B. Olawoyin of Court 8 issued the ruling on Monday after hearing a…

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has revealed that fire incidents across Nigeria in 2024 resulted in property losses estimated at N67.1 billion and claimed over 100 lives. This was disclosed by the Controller General of the Service, Abdulganiyu Jaji, during a press conference at the FFS headquarters in Abuja. Jaji further noted that despite the losses, the Service saved property valued at N1.94 trillion during the year. He added that the Service saved over 30,890 lives. READ ALSO: Nigeria records 100 fire-related deaths in 2024 Jaji further highlighted the increased risk of fire outbreaks during the harmattan season, attributing this…

The Federal Government (FG) has approved four airlines to serve as air carriers for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Usman, revealed that the selected airlines were chosen from 11 companies that applied for the role. The approved airlines are Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas (a Saudi Arabian airline), Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd. Usman explained that the selection process involved a rigorous screening carried out by a 32-member Aviation Screening Committee inaugurated by NAHCON on November 26, 2024. The…