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NESREA Seals Kano Rice Factory Over Non-compliance With Environmental Regulations

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed a factory in Kano State, Fortune Rice Mills Limited for non-compliance with extant environmental regulations. The enforcement exercise led by the North West Zonal Director, Dr. Mudashiru Raheem followed investigation of public complaint against the facility, bordering on dust emission and offensive odour despite notices of compliance concerns issued by NESREA. But an investigation by the zonal office which established violation of the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations 2014, and National Environmental (Food, Beverages and Tobacco Sector) Regulations 2023, led to the sealing of the facility on Monday, 18 May 2026. The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor expressed deep concern over the reckless attitude of facilities toward the health and well-being of the citizens and environment.  While issuing an order to seal the facility, ...
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Ekiti Election: CSO's Fault Delayed Funding, Zero Female Candidates

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja As 2026 Ekiti off-cycle Governorship Election approaches, Civil Society Organisation's (CSOs) have faulted delay in release of funds and zero female candidates across 13 political parties.  This is even as the CSO's pegged INEC's preparedness at 34 percent, raising concern over uncontested political space and a media environment partially suppressed by a punitive levy.  This formed the crux of discuss at the unveiling of Ekiti State off-cycle Governorship Election Pre-Assessment Report on Thursday in Abuja.  The report was endorsed by Election Observation Hub, comprising Centre For Media and Society (CEMESO), ElectHER, International Press Centre (IPC), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre and Yiaga Africa. It was funded under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two (EU-SDGN II) programme, which is consistent with its mission of promoting transparent, credible, peaceful and inclusi...
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President Appoints Prof Segun Aina As New JAMB Registrar

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Prof Segun Aina President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). He succeeded Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose two-term tenure expires on July 31, 2026. Aina, who will be 40 in July, is a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform.  He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University, United Kingdom.  Aina has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School. As a Prof of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Aina began his career with JAMB during his National Youth Service, gaining foundational experience in national admissio...
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President Endorses Airbus Proposal To Establish Maintenance, Hanger Facilities

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja As part of efforts to position Nigeria as a regional aerospace and aviation services hub, President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the proposal of world aircraft-maker, Airbus to establish maintenance and hangar facilities in the country.  This was even as Tinubu emphasised the urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft capable of supporting security operations, logistics, and national development priorities, in furtherance of his administration's effort to end the intractable security challenges.  The President spoke on Thursday, during a meeting with a delegation from Airbus, led by Head of Regional Business Growth Africa and the Middle East, Thierry Cloutet, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. He informed the delegation that his administration was determined to scale up the cordial relationship between both parties, leveraging the company's comparative advantage in military aircraft and aerospace developmen...
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Tinubu Appreciates US Govt On Successful Counterterrorism Operation

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has appreciated the United States over the successful counterterrorism operation that led to the killing of ISIS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki.  He said that overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism. The statement reads: "Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.  "Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin. "Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unw...
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DHQ Speaks On Neutralised Terrorist, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Abu-Bilal al-Minuki The Defence Headquarters has provided further insight into the elimination of a senior ISIS leader and one of the world’s most active terrorists, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.  News Rider reports that Nigerian troops in collaboration with United States forces on Friday, May 15, 2026, conducted a meticulously planned and highly coordinated counterterrorism operation resulting in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.  The precision operation was the result of a recently formed U.S—Nigeria partnership and intelligence sharing efforts across different regions of the world. Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba attributed the successful operation to coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world. He said: "Together, we have disrupted a violent terrorist network that endangered Nigeria and the broader West African region. Our efforts represent a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat te...
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FG Validates Agreement With Construction Coys On Legacy Road Projects

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has validated an agreement with construction companies for speedy dualisation of Legacy road projects in line with the Renewed Hope Administration’s intervention in critical sectors of the economy.  This led to the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Works and Messrs Hitech Africa Limited, and Infiouest International Limited in Abuja.  The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi described the event as another milestone in the transformation of Nigeria’s infrastructure sector. He stated that many people initially doubted and criticised the projects, but they have seen the reality, adding that the projects are investments that will stimulate economic growth, improve connectivity, and enhance national development and integration. The four legacy projects are Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway....
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