Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has sworn in Mr Austin Ezekiel Hart as a Permanent Secretary in the state’s civil service. The swearing-in ceremony, which took place today, marks a significant step in recognising Hart’s professionalism, integrity, and dedication to public service. Governor Fubara, while administering the oath of office, commended Mr Hart’s commitment to duty and urged him to remain steadfast in upholding due process, truth, and ethical standards in the discharge of his responsibilities. READ ALSO: Fubara sacks all commissioners after Supreme Court ruling “This appointment is in recognition of your professionalism and integrity. I urge you…

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has said that every Nigerian is now legally entitled to compulsory health insurance following the enactment of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act of 2022. In a statement issued on Friday, Falana explained that the new Act replaces the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act of 2004, which he described as ineffective in achieving broad population coverage or integrating the country’s fragmented health insurance systems. Falana said the NHIA Act introduces a legal framework for universal health coverage, mandating a Basic Minimum Package of Care for all Nigerians and establishing a Vulnerable Group…

Roro village, along Mile 8 in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, was gripped by tension after a cattle rearer reported his son missing following a chase from a farm. Rumours of a possible Fulani herder invasion quickly spread as search efforts for the missing boy intensified. Community members, hunters, and police collaborated in the search, which ultimately led to the discovery of the boy’s body buried in a shallow grave. Community leaders called for an oath-taking ceremony to reveal the truth within seven days. However, before this took place, a farmer and hunter, Taiwo Amos, confessed to the…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that the upcoming national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be anchored on fair processes, open debate, and inclusivity to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Makinde made the statement in a newsletter released on Thursday evening, where he underscored the importance of internal party democracy and unity in strengthening the PDP’s chances at the polls. The PDP’s elective national convention is scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, during which 19 new members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) are…

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring that the 2027 general elections are more transparent and credible than the 2023 polls. Abbas stated this on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the European Union (EU). He said the National Assembly is already working to amend the Electoral Act 2022 based on observations from the last general elections. “I want to acknowledge that the leadership of the country under President Bola Tinubu is very committed to improving our electoral processes, particularly in response to observations made by international…

States in Nigeria’s South-West have heightened border security following intensified attacks by suspected terrorists and bandits in neighbouring Kwara State, prompting fears of a spillover into the region. Security agencies in Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states confirmed on Thursday that coordinated containment measures have been activated to prevent infiltration by bandits fleeing ongoing military operations in Kwara. Top intelligence said that federal security agencies are tracking the movement of the armed groups after recent deadly raids in several Kwara communities. A high-level security report has flagged the bandits’ potential advance into the South-West, prompting urgent interventions. Surge in attacks…

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to urgently implement political and economic reforms, warning that Nigeria’s development remains stunted without bold structural changes and inclusive governance. In a statement marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP–Rivers) said the moment calls not just for celebration, but for sober reflection on the nation’s progress and persistent challenges. “We must face the uncomfortable truth that our political and economic structures need deliberate and timely reforms,” Chinda stated, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. He emphasised the need for fairness, equity, and…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed all commissioners and other public office holders in his administration with immediate effect, following a recent Supreme Court judgment that reasserted his executive authority after months of constitutional uncertainty. The announcement was made in a statement released Wednesday evening by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt. It came shortly after a valedictory session held at the Government House as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary. “Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development…

The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, accusing the government of offering Nigerians “empty rhetoric and statistics” in the face of deepening poverty, hunger, and insecurity. In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, dismissed Tinubu’s October 1 speech as disconnected from the lived realities of ordinary Nigerians. “Citizens cannot eat statistics or sleep on PowerPoint slides,” Shaibu said. “True progress is not about GDP figures, but about whether people can feed their families, send their children to school, access quality healthcare,…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the touted successes of ongoing economic reforms are meaningfully reflected in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The association stressed that true national progress must go beyond favourable statistics to touch the daily realities of citizens. CAN’s position came in response to President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, in which he highlighted signs of economic recovery. According to the President, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, the fastest pace in four years and above the International…