Author: Friday Omosola

Two Federal High Courts sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos have convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to prison for cyberterrorism and internet fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, secured the convictions before Justices Chukwuemeka Aneke and Dehinde Dipeolu. The convicts are Deng Wen Quang, Lin Jin, Shi Yang Xiong, Lu Yong Yao, Yang Chen Cheng, Feng Li Cai, Li Niue, Li Kuang Kuang, and Dan Jia, also known as Bu Fan. READ ALSO: We do not have your passport – Court to Yahaya Bello They were arraigned on separate charges relating to cyberterrorism and internet fraud. …

The Lagos State Ministry of Health has concluded a four-day capacity-building workshop for health leaders and managers, with a call for action on sector reform and integration of new planning tools into health governance. The event, part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), ended yesterday at Trident Suites in Ikeja. Organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the SWAp Coordination Office, the sub-national workshop gathered top state officials, technical experts, and development partners to drive system-wide transformation. READ ALSO: Lagos govt launches survey on lead poisoning in children to tackle metal hazards Speaking at the…

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has honoured the athletes who participated in the 2024 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He rewarded them with cash prizes and certificates in recognition of their performance. At a reception held at the state banquet hall in Ilorin, AbdulRazaq described the athletes as ‘heroes and heroines’, noting that their achievements had brought pride and honour to Kwara. READ ALSO: Gov AbdulRazaq rewards Kwara United with ₦5m, land for Federation Cup victory The state won six gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze medals at the festival. Gold medallists received ₦1 million each, while silver…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, issued a stern warning on Friday to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, advising him not to enter the state without obtaining prior security clearance. The governor’s admonition follows Obi’s visit to Benin on July 7, during which he donated ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences for ongoing projects. READ ALSO: Okpebholo to probe Obaseki’s eight-year tenure after Supreme Court victory Okpebholo explicitly linked Obi’s visit with a subsequent uptick in violence across the state. “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15…

The Ekiti State Government has begun the process of securing a N175.75 billion grant from the Natural Resources Development Fund (NRDF) to diversify the state’s economy through strategic investment in agriculture, solid minerals, and tourism. Governor Biodun Oyebanji disclosed this yesterday during a meeting with officials of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), led by Ambassador Desmond Akawor, in Ado-Ekiti. The RMAFC team was in the state to conduct a feasibility assessment on the proposed projects under the NRDF grant application. READ ALSO: Ekiti govt signs MoU with REA to boost rural electrification Represented by his Chief of Staff,…

Governors from the South-West have championed the urgent need for a constitutional overhaul that would usher in true federalism and the establishment of state policing. Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti made the call at the South-West Centre B Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review in Akure. The governors argued that the nation’s current centralised police structure is proving unsustainable in the face of escalating insecurity. READ ALSO: INEC announces dates for Ekiti, Osun governorship polls Aiyedatiwa called for a constitutional amendment to permit the creation of state…

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has provided his rationale for why he and other members of the G5 Governors’ Forum defied the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 general elections. Ortom stated that the G5’s actions were a stand for equity, fairness, and justice within the party. Speaking on Arise TV, Ortom explained that their opposition stemmed from the PDP’s refusal to adhere to the principle of power rotation. READ ALSO: PDP disputes resolved, no coalition — Ortom He highlighted the G5’s insistence that the presidency should shift to the South after eight…

More than 20 individuals, including suspected arms traffickers and their accomplices, have been arrested by the authorities in Kwara State. The arrest followed the renewed security operation targeting criminal networks across several local government areas. The coordinated operation, which began earlier this week, is being carried out in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Edu, and Patigi, as well as other border communities that have recently experienced security breaches. READ ALSO: AbdulRazaq endorses Kwara Kre8 as headline sponsor to empower creative talents Nearly 400 special security operatives have been deployed under the directive of the state government in collaboration with the office of the National…

The Lagos State Ministry of Health has commenced a crucial statewide survey to estimate children’s blood lead levels and assess environmental health. This marks a step in addressing growing concerns over heavy metal exposure among the youngest population. This initiative is being driven by the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Lead Poisoning Elimination in Nigeria, with support from UNICEF and implementation by the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET). READ ALSO: Lagos govt partners with Diageo Nigeria to empower youth in hospitality, retail The formal launch of preparatory activities for the survey took place during an advocacy visit by the IAWG delegation…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced a significant achievement in its first year of operation, having already allocated over N73.2 billion in interest-free loans to 396,252 students spanning all 36 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory. NELFUND’s Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, shared these figures during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, reflecting on the substantial progress made since President Bola Tinubu launched the initiative. READ ALSO: More than one million Nigerians have benefited from Loans, Grants — FG Sawyerr reported that the Fund has processed 94% of the 645,692 loan applications received from 206 tertiary institutions across…