Author: New Daily Prime

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Tincan Island Port Strategic Command in Lagos has made significant strides in curbing drug trafficking, seizing 339,576.91kg of illegal substances and arresting 38 drug suspects throughout 2024. Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju made the announcement during a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, revealing the extensive operations carried out by the command over the past year. The drugs seized included a wide range of substances, with the largest haul being Codeine at 305,323.37kg. Other significant seizures included Tapentadol (13.37kg), Tafradol (11,230.8kg), and Benzhexol (5,888.8kg). Cannabis Indica amounted to 3,601.25kg, Methamphetamine 83.3kg, Cocaine 56.39kg, and Heroin…

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has issued a strong rebuke of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, following what he described as disparaging remarks made by Wike in a recent media interview. In his statement, Governor Mohammed accused Wike of stirring division and creating drama, following the latter’s criticisms of him and his role as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum. The statement, which was released by Mohammed’s Media Adviser, Muhktar Gidado, on Thursday, lambasted Wike’s comments as “disjointed” and “bombastic,” with the Governor accusing the Minister of being prone to “contradictions” and “grandstanding.”…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to former Super Eagles midfielder Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, describing him as an “unbelievable” talent and one of the best players he has ever shared a pitch with. Arteta and Okocha’s paths crossed briefly during the 2001/2002 season at Paris Saint-Germain, with the young Spaniard on loan from Barcelona and Okocha in his final season at the French club before moving to Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. Despite only playing together for a short time, the duo formed a memorable midfield partnership, with Arteta going on to join Glasgow Rangers permanently after his…

Construction on the $1.96 billion Kano-Maradi rail project has resumed, despite challenges arising from the strained diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Niger. The rail project, set to connect Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states in Nigeria with Maradi in Niger, is progressing, with work already completed in some areas. However, it has been marred by unresolved compensation issues for thousands of displaced persons. The project, initially approved by Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council in September 2020, is largely financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and is expected to be completed by 2026. The railway line will pass through 122 communities in…

Nigeria-eligible defender Michael Kayode is on the verge of joining Premier League side Brentford from Fiorentina, with negotiations reportedly at their final stages. This comes after transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the impending move on Tuesday via X, stating that the deal is close, with key details being finalised between the two clubs. The 20-year-old full-back’s exclusion from Fiorentina’s squad for their recent Serie A match against Torino raised further speculation about his exit from the Italian side. Reports from Violanews suggest that Brentford is looking to secure Kayode on a paid loan deal, with an option to make the…

Borussia Dortmund has parted ways with head coach Nuri Sahin following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Bologna in the Champions League on Tuesday. The club announced on Wednesday that they had “lost faith” in the young manager after a series of poor results. Tuesday’s loss marked Dortmund’s fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions, adding to the pressure on Sahin, who had previously led the team to the Champions League final last season. The club’s management cited the team’s recent struggles as a key factor in the decision to terminate Sahin’s contract. As Dortmund aims to regroup and return to form,…

Operatives of the South-West security outfit, Amotekun Corps, have made significant strides in curbing crime, rescuing a 19-year-old girl from a rape attempt in Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State, and apprehending 21 suspects in Ondo State for various criminal activities. Abiodun Adeleye, the Head of Communications for the Ekiti Amotekun Corps, revealed in a statement on Wednesday that the teenage survivor was rescued by operatives on Tuesday from a 25-year-old suspect, Ojo Adewunmi, who had locked her inside a building with the intent to assault her. The victim, who had been screaming for help, was saved when the Amotekun team arrived…

During a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, called for Africa’s inclusion as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He also advocated for Nigeria to represent the continent on the global stage, citing the exclusion of African nations despite the fact that 60% of UNSC resolutions address African issues. Tuggar’s remarks, delivered during the “Africa’s Momentum” session, were supported by a statement from his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, who noted that Tuggar’s advocacy came alongside critiques of policies like the UN’s Deforestation Law,…

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has hailed 2024 as a pivotal year for the agency, marking significant strides despite various challenges faced. In a heartfelt New Year message to staff, Oyebamiji emphasised the agency’s resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to its mission and vision. The message, entitled ‘A Message of Hope and Commitment for the New Year 2025,’ was shared with The PUNCH on Sunday. In it, Oyebamiji reflected on the agency’s achievements over the past year, acknowledging that while obstacles were encountered, NIWA demonstrated exceptional adaptability and unity. “The year 2024…

Trump’s politics are entirely unconventional. He operates without restraint, saying what he wants to say in the manner he chooses Oftentimes, our positions on political issues are strong and uncompromising, especially when rooted in ideological principles tied to our identity, faith, or cultural upbringing. This is particularly true when these beliefs are viewed as essential to human life and existence. In Africa, particularly Nigeria, the factors shaping presidential choices are influenced by the unique challenges of a developing nation. These include assessing candidates’ abilities to address issues such as economic management, infrastructural development, and their track records in leadership. For…