Author: Friday Omosola

Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, has reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s military capabilities through enhanced Research and Development (R&D).  Speaking at the Annual Seminar and Exhibition organised by the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) in Abuja, Abubakar emphasised the crucial role of local innovation in addressing both global and regional security challenges. The Minister said: “Our national security strategy acknowledges the vital role of innovation in fostering a secured and prosperous nation. To effectively respond to today’s dynamic threats, we must integrate a Military Industrial Complex that promotes self-reliance and local production of military equipment.” He…

President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to Wahid Enitan Oshodi on his recent election as President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF). This announcement was announced in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Oshodi, who previously served as the Deputy President of ATTF and as Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development, was elected during the organisation’s annual general meeting held on 15 October in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. President Tinubu expressed pride in Oshodi’s achievement, emphasizing the strong support he received leading up to the election. READ ALSO: Tinubu demands…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has labelled Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s remarks about Toyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, as false and misleading. During the launch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo, Makinde claimed that Mrs Babalola is from the state.He said she should be removed to guarantee the neutrality of the electoral body. He also stated that PDP members would protest until she is either removed or redeployed. He said: “This message is for INEC national chairman Yakubu Mahmood that you must redeploy the…

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has condemned the frequent national grid collapses, calling them a clear indication of failed leadership and poor policy execution at the highest levels. The New Daily Prime reported that the national grid collapsed on Monday, with relevant agencies now working to restore normalcy. In a statement posted on X, Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, labelled the recurring grid failures a ‘national shame.’ He also challenged President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asking how much longer Nigerians must endure a system that cannot provide such a fundamental necessity for a functional and productive society. The…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has tasked the newly appointed Board of Directors of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) with expanding the country’s investment portfolio to bolster key sectors of the economy. Addressing the board members, Shettima emphasised their critical responsibility as stewards of Nigeria’s collective wealth. According to his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President delivered this message during a meeting with the NSIA board at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday. Shettima articulated the administration’s strategic vision for the NSIA, drawing parallels with more established sovereign wealth funds. Acknowledging Nigeria’s delayed establishment of such a fund, he said,…

Alaco Construction Ltd and Rudy Construction Ltd have pledged to further invest in the Ondo State economy. In a statement by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, it was revealed that representatives from the two multinational companies, which have business interests in the state, visited the governor’s office in Akure on Tuesday. Rodolph El Najjar, Managing Director of Rudy Construction, and Aladen, Managing Director of Alaco Construction, were received on behalf of the governor by the Chief of Protocol, Abayomi Olasanya. READ ALSO: Flood: FG delegation visits Ondo During the visit, Mr Najjar and Mr Aladen praised Governor…

The Bayelsa State Government has partnered with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to promote sectoral development within the state. Governor Douye Diri shared via his X account that he recently met with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to discuss plans aimed at diversifying the state’s economy. He said central to this effort is the establishment of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. READ ALSO: Tinubu demands collaborative action to drive economic growth Governor Diri also noted that his administration is committed to leveraging the state’s maritime resources, with plans to invest…

On Friday, Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, dismissed the objection raised by defence counsel Olalekan Ojo in the trial of seven individuals accused of participating in a £1 million fraud.  The court also accepted a flash drive containing video evidence of the sixth defendant, which was presented by the prosecution. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) earlier arraigned Morufu Adewale, also known as Gbegunleri Adelana, Abayomi Alaka, aka Dauda Usman Alashe, Omitogun Ajayi, and Ajisegiri Abiodun on 3 February 2022 before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the same court. Three other defendants—Taiwo Ahmed, Raufu…

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ilorin has sentenced Yakubu Aminu to 200 hours of community service for operating a bureau de change business without a valid license. In a related case, Justice Hammed Gegele of the Kwara State High Court sentenced Abdullahi Abdulrasaq Omotosho and Akeem Ibrahim Salaudeen to prison for their involvement in internet fraud. The Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned all three individuals on separate charges on October 9. The charge against Yakubu reads: “That you, Yakubu Aminu sometime in July 2024, at Chikanda Market, Yashikira District, Baruten Local Government…

President Bola Tinubu has urged for stronger collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and international partners to drive economic growth, improve competitiveness, and ensure stability in Nigeria. This call follows encouraging economic indicators, signalling that recent reforms introduced by his administration are starting to show positive outcomes. Speaking at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit on Monday, organized by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, President Tinubu highlighted his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The agenda is focused on fostering an environment conducive to sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity. Tinubu stressed the need…