Author: Friday Omosola

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has emphasised that the government and the media are not adversaries but partners in the mission of nation-building. In a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Idris shared these thoughts during a courtesy visit from The Guardian’s management team to his office on Thursday. Idris acknowledged that while misunderstandings may arise, he does not view the government and the fourth estate as opponents. Instead, he sees them as collaborators in the demanding work of building the nation—an effort marked by diverse perspectives and methods. The Minister highlighted that nation-building relies…

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri presented a 2025 budget of N689.4 billion to the State House of Assembly on Thursday. In a statement on his X page, the governor described the appropriation bill as the ‘Budget of Assured Prosperity’. He emphasised that his administration will prioritize development in 2025, dedicating 61.8 per cent of the total budget—approximately N426.1 billion—to capital expenditures. Meanwhile, the proposed N263.4 billion, representing 38.2 per cent of the budget, is allocated to recurrent expenditures. “This afternoon and in the exercise of my constitutional powers, I laid our 2025 Budget estimates of six hundred and eighty-nine billion,…

Ondo State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming November 16 governorship election, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusivity. At a ceremony at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome) in Akure, featuring an empowerment program, he pledged that his government would uphold equal rights for all, regardless of religious affiliations. Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed gratitude to the Muslim community for their endorsement and steadfast support, emphasising that their prayers and solidarity have strengthened his administration since its inception. He praised the religious harmony in Ondo State, assuring Muslims that their rights and privileges would be…

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Major-General Olufemi Oluyede on his recent appointment as Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) by President Bola Tinubu. Governor Oyebanji expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for selecting an esteemed son of Ikere-Ekiti, recognising Oluyede’s exemplary dedication and commitment. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, the governor expressed complete confidence in Oluyede’s ability to excel in his new role, given his impressive track record and previous accomplishments. He described Oluyede as a gallant officer with an unblemished reputation and a distinguished military career. READ ALSO:…

Ondo State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming November 16 governorship election, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reassured residents of his commitment to sustainable development. Speaking during his campaign tour at Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area, Governor Aiyedatiwa engaged with community stakeholders and addressed a crowd of enthusiastic supporters. Reflecting on the early legal hurdles faced by the recently established Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), the governor reiterated his unwavering resolve to ensure their functionality, emphasising that these LCDAs were created to bring governance closer to the people. Addressing infrastructure needs, Aiyedatiwa assured the audience that the ongoing rural-urban…

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…