News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The residents of Ogijo in Ogun State are in high spirit as the National Environmental Standards and regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and her partners have finalised plans to evacuate poisonous Used Lead-Acid (ULAB) slag from the community. The exercise was the focus of a Stakeholder Engagement Meeting on the strategy for managing ULAB slag in Ogijo, a community which is home to numerous battery recycling facilities.  Slag is a hazardous by-product of smelting used lead-acid batteries, and is primarily made up of iron and lead oxides, along with impurities from battery casings, electrolytes, and additives. It is classified as hazardous waste under both national and international environmental regulations. Highlighting the danger faced by the residents, the Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor said that Ogijo has unfortunately emerged as a hotspot for unregulated and improper disposal of slag. He noted that the continued dumping ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   President Bola Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recalled the sacked Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr Salihu Abdullahi Dembos, who vacated the post following some management changes in the agency. Dembos was appointed DG of the TV network by President Tinubu in October 2023. He is expected to complete his three-year tenure. The President also recalled the Executive Director of News, Mr Ayo Adewuyi to complete his three-year tenure, which ends in 2027. Adewuyi was appointed by President Tinubu in 2024. With the latest directive, the previously announced appointments of a director-general, executive director of news, executive director of marketing, and managing director of NTA Enterprises was reversed.  This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in Abuja. 

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  The Federal Government has stated its readiness to build more transformative projects across priority sectors, aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).  This was the crux of a discuss between the Vice President of IsDB and other stakeholders, organised by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun in Abuja.  Edun described the bank as a steadfast ally in Nigeria’s development journey since 2005, adding that their visit marked a significant moment in the shared journey of partnership, progress, and purpose. He lamented that despite fiscal constraints, Nigeria has continued to honour its obligations, since the Federal Government deeply values the bank’s flexibility in aligning with its realities.  The minister noted the success of IsDB interventions across education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and innovation, describing the projects as lifeline fo...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter has kicked against the molestation of a female journalist, Comrade Ladi Bala while carrying out her official duties.  News Rider report that the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Kayode Opeifa attempted to shame Bala with unfounded comments about indecent dressing.  This was even as the MD subjected Bala to verbal abuse, harassment and intimidation, an unacceptable form of gender-based humiliation.  Bala, who was a National President of NAWOJ is widely known for her decency, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to ethical journalism. Irked by the tantrum, NAWOJ described it as a gross violation of her dignity and direct attack on press freedom. The statement reads: "We are shocked that a public officer occupying such a high office could resort to derogatory remarks such as 'You are stupid' against a respected profe...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, Esq. has insisted that occupational health and safety must remain a national priority in order to guarantee sustainable development.  At a national stakeholders’ workshop on Workplace Safety and Health over the weekend in Abuja, Goronyo reiterated the Federal Government's commitment to strengthening workplace safety standards in Nigeria. The minister emphasised that workplace safety is not merely a regulatory duty but a shared responsibility that requires the active involvement of the government, private sector, labour unions, professional bodies, and society at large. "When safety measures and protocols are enforced, accidents reduce drastically, productivity improves, and human development index records significant gains. Protecting human lives must be at the center of every workplace policy and practice," he added.  Goronyo acknowledged existing challenges such as weak enforcemen...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a 100 percent increment for the cost of international passport booklet.  With the latest development, the passport application fees in Nigeria, for 32-page with 5-year validity rose to N100,000, while a 64-page with 10-year validity was pegged at N200,000. The upward review, which takes effect on 1st September, 2025, was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the spokesman for NIS, A.S Akinlabi.  It reads: "The review which only affect Passport Application fees made in Nigeria, now set a new fee thresholds for 32-page with 5-year validity at N100,000 and 64-page with 10-year validity at N200,000. "Meanwhile, Nigerian Passport Application fees made by Nigerians in diaspora remain unchanged at $150 for 32-page with 5-year validity and $230 for 64-page with 10-year validity." Akanbi said that the increment was meant to improve the quality and integrity of the Nigerian standard passport. ...