Author: Friday Omosola

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…

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the Ondo State gubernatorial election, DIG Sylvester Alabi, reaffirmed on Thursday the readiness of the police and other security agencies for Saturday’s poll. Speaking during a press briefing at the Ondo State Police Command Headquarters in Akure, DIG Alabi addressed officers assigned to election duties and members of the press. He highlighted the extensive deployment of security personnel across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas, 203 wards, and 3,933 polling units. He assured that each polling unit would have at least four police officers working alongside personnel from other election security agencies to ensure…

By Friday Omosola The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a significant milestone in crude oil and gas production, reaching 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd) and 7.4 standard cubic feet per day (scfd) of gas. At a press briefing on Thursday, NNPC announced it aims to increase crude oil production to 2mbpd by the end of 2024. NNPC attributed the achievement to the mandate of President Bola Tinubu and the dedicated efforts of its Production War Room Team. Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, commended the team for their role in the production recovery process. “The team…

Betty Akeredolu, the immediate past First Lady of Ondo State, has described Nigeria as a ‘zoo.’ In a post on her X page, Mrs Akeredolu compared the just-concluded United States presidential election, which saw Donald Trump emerge, to Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election that produced President Bola Tinubu. She said: “Just thinking. 2023 Nigerian Presidential Election; total votes cast: 25 million and counting duration is 5 days. 2024 U.S Presidential Election, total votes cast, 155 million: counting duration: approx. 10 hours. Moral: When dishonesty is prioritized, simple things become difficult.” Mrs Akeredolu’s tweet caught the attention of an X user, Paulexy,…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesdaypresented an estimated N390 billion budget for 2025 to the State House of Assembly. The budget tagged the ‘Budget of Sustainable Growth and Transformation’, received prior approval from the State Executive Council (SEC). Governor Adeleke revealed that approximately N144 billion is allocated for capital expenditure, while N246 billion is designated for recurrent expenditure. “Following the approval of the Osun State Executive Council earlier today, it was my pleasure to present the year 2025 Budget Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly at the Osun State House of Assembly Complex. “The 2025 Budget Appropriation Bill…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a directive to freeze all state-owned bank accounts, effective immediately and until further notice. In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor instructed commercial banks, as well as heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), to ensure full and prompt compliance. The governor further cautioned that any violation of the directive, including by heads of MDAs or civil servants, would attract severe penalties. “All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is…