Former Kogi deputy gov, Awoniyi, dumps PDP for APC.  Front row, from left: Governor Bello, Ganduje and Awoniyi. A former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi, has officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the November 11 governorship election in the state. Awoniyi, who expressed his admiration for Governor Yahaya Bello’s exemplary leadership, commitment to inclusivity, unity of purpose, and governance, was officially received into the APC at the party’s National Headquarters, on Tuesday, in Abuja. He served as Deputy Governor of Kogi State from 2011 to 2015 during Idris Wada’s administration. The former PDP chieftain acknowledged the complexities and challenges of Kogi State politics and commended Governor Bello for exceeding expectations. He said, “I served as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State between 2011 and 2015. I know the state very well, and I can tell you that the current governor has done exceptionally well in terms of leaders...

We’ve invested $2bn in Nigeria, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said it has invested over $2 billion in the last 10 years of its operation in the Nigeria. The Country Director of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Jeremie Zoungrana disclosed this on Tuesday, when he led a team of the Foundation on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu in Abuja. He said the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation considered Nigeria as one of its important partners in Africa and has been in the country for more than 10 years, doing several programs on polio vaccine and other health issues like malaria. He also said that the Foundation has plans to improve upon the health of Nigerians because it believed that healthy populace will contribute immensely to economic growth of the country. “This visit is to connect, work with the minister and to draw from his wisdom. “We want to make sure part of Nigerians’ p...

Mohbad: ‘This life no balance’, Omawunmi, others mourn late singer.  Singer Omawunmi, Olamide, MI and other celebrities have reacted to the death of Nigeria’s rapper, singer and songwriter, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, who died on Tuesday at the age of 27. The celebrities confirmed Mohbad’s death through their various social media handles. Mohbad was formerly signed to Naira Marley’s “Marlian Records” but departed from the label in 2022. He had gained widespread recognition for his hit singles such as “Ponmo”, “Feel Good” and “KPK (Ko Por Ke)” in collaboration with Rexxie. Multiple award-winning rapper, Olamide, took to his social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, to react to the news of Mohbad’s death. The singer expressed his devastation in a short post that read, “Damn ! Mohbad ”. Popular afro-pop artiste, Small Doctor, on his Instagram page, wrote, “that future you are planning so hard, you fit no see am. Imole Baba Imole. Till we meet a...

Subsidy removal: Edo begins free transport scheme.  BENIN City—Edo State government, yesterday, flagged off its free transport scheme to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy. Governor Godwin Obaseki recently approved free transport service for passengers on all routes operated by the state-owned Edo City Transport Ltd. The service, which spans an initial two-month period covers commuting within the Benin metropolis and from Benin City to the major cities in the three senatorial districts and will run between 6.30a.m., and 7p.m., daily. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at the ECTS Park, Ring Road, Governor Obaseki, represented by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, urged Edo people to use the free buses regularly as it was designed by the Edo State government to help them get over the hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal. He said: “The Edo State Government takes the welfare of Edo people seriously and this is just on...

Why new states and LGs can’t be created (4), By Eric Teniola.  From last week continues the speech by Justice Udo Udoma, Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, averring during his ruling on June 1, 1978 that it would be meaningless to consider proposals for the creation of over 40 new states THIS is a difficult matter of considerable historical importance which cannot be dismissed summarily. Realising the sensitive nature of the matter and the depth of feelings of some honourable members on the issue of the creation of new states, I felt impelled to allow the debate on the matter to be opened. In the ordinary course of events I should have refused the Amendments to be listed, and, if listed, to have them struck off as not only out of order but disorderly.  “The debate has been interesting but somewhat noisy. Members have conducted them with decorum and restraint. Honourable Members without dubiety appreciate that the creation of state is a matter of high governmenta...

Expelling Wike from PDP is a task that must be done — Atiku’s camp.  Abuja—The Director of Research, Strategy and Documentation of the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, has said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike’s expulsion from the party was a task that must be done for its survival. He said Wike’s call for the suspension/ expulsion of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, his countless virtuperations against the party as well as his serial acts of betrayals should earn him the sack. Obaseki, who stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja yesterday, said Wike who, until his appointment as minister served as Rivers State governor, had had a hand in most, if not all of the internal crisis of the PDP, because of his inordinate ambition to fly the party’s Presidential flag. He noted that Wike had been inconsolable since his schemings which started with his support for Uche Sec...

UAE lifts visa ban on Nigeria as Emirates, Etihad airlines resume flight operations.  ABUJA—THE United Arab Emirates, UAE, yesterday lifted the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travellers after a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and his UAE counterpart, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi. Another landmark agreement at the meeting between the two leaders was the immediate resumption of flight schedules of both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines into and out of Nigeria without any further delay. Recall that both airlines suspended their operations in the country due to their inability of remit home millions of dolars earned from their operations, courtesy of the forex problems in the country. The agreement was made known via a statement issued by the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. The statement read: “As negotiated between the two heads of state, this immediate restoration of flight activity through these two airlines...

. 🎉🎂 Happy Birthday! 🎂🎉On this special day, I want to take a moment to celebrate you and all the incredible qualities that make you the amazing person you are. Another year has passed, and with it, you've grown wiser, stronger, and even more extraordinary.Your presence in my life brings joy and positivity every day. Your kindness, compassion, and unwavering support inspire those around you. Today is a reminder of how fortunate we are to have you in our lives. May your birthday be filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments with friends and family. Here's to another year of beautiful memories and endless possibilities.Once again, Happy Birthday! 🥳🎈🎁With warmest wishes and love, [Aina Stephen] ��� @Aina Stephen