The Lagos State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board has finalized arrangements to refund a total of N223 million to pilgrims who participated in the Y2023 Holy Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia through the state.  This was disclosed in a statement by the Board Secretary, Saheed Onipede, and released by the Board’s Public Affairs Officer, Taofeek Lawal. Onipede revealed that the sum of N223 million was received from the National Hajj Commission of…

The Lagos State Government has reinforced its commitment to maintaining law and order in the building sector by sealing multiple buildings on Lagos Island for lacking proper planning permits. Leading the enforcement exercise, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, stressed the importance of compliance with physical planning laws.  He noted that the government had offered a generous amnesty programme for property owners to regularize their permits,…

In one of its clear-out operations, troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have dismantled 13 illegal refining sites and recovered 300,000 litres of stolen crude oil. The troops also arrested 15 suspected oil thieves. Confirming the development, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said this was achieved in a major operation targeting oil…

World-renowned writer and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The distinguished poet was given the award at the first-ever Sharjah Festival of African Literature on 24 January 2025 at University City Hall in Sharjah, the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the festival brings together 29 Emirati and African authors, including Nobel laureates, Abdulrazak…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has named the administrative block of its Academy in Karu, Abuja after Aminu Sahabi Salisu, one of its operatives who was recently killed on duty in Anambra State. Salisu, an Assistant Superintendent, ASE 1, was shot to death by a suspected internet fraudster identified as Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu during a sting midnight operation in Awka, the state capital on January 17, 2025. The…

Following the discovery of 30 graves, a shrine, an army uniform, and live cartridges, the Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites, aka “La Cruise Hotel” along Onitsha-Owerri Road, Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been demolished by the state security outfit ‘Operation Udo Ga-Achi’ codenamed ‘Agunechemba.’ The security outfit said the hotel served as a den of kidnappers and hideout for other criminals. According to…

The Lagos State House of Assembly has reiterated its unwavering support for the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, reaffirming the impeachment of the former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa. Obasa, who was recently impeached by his colleagues over allegations of misconduct, during a welcome event organised in his honour by supporters at Ikeja GRA on Saturday, claimed that the process of his impeachment did not comply with constitutional procedures. But in a statement…

The Kwara State Health Insurance Agency (KWHIA) has further strengthened its commitment to providing affordable and quality healthcare services by opening three regional offices across the state’s geopolitical zones. The move aims to improve accessibility and ensure that no resident is left behind in the quest for better health outcomes. Speaking at an inter-ministerial press briefing organised by the Kwara State Ministry of Communications, the Executive Secretary of KWHIA, Olubunmi…

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has unveiled the ‘Action Plan on Durable Solutions’, an initiative aimed at facilitating the safe and sustainable return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the governor, during a visit to the dry season farm project site along Gboko Road, Makurdi, announced the initiative.   However, in a statement yesterday, he emphasised the robust and strategic framework…

The World Bank Group has advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sustain efforts to tackle inflation, as Nigeria’s inflation rose to 34.8 percent in December — up from 33.6 percent in November. Senior economist for Nigeria at World Bank Group, Sameer Matta, said this at the launch of the 2025 macroeconomic outlook of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) weekend. Matta said during a panel sessions at the…

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has said he is not desperate to become president of Nigeria. Speaking at the fourth convocation ceremony of Nexford University, a US-based online school on Saturday, Obi decried the state of leadership in the country, describing it as “an imposition on the people.” A former governor of Anambra State, Obi urged the graduating students to…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government over the recent 50 per cent hike in the telecom tariff by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Joining the NCC as a defendant in the suit, SERAP regards the tariff increase as “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable.” With the increase, the average price of calls will rise to N16.5 per minute from N11; the…