News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi has assured the African Development Bank (AfDB) and  Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that the 1028km Lagos–Abidjan Corridor will bolster trade and connectivity across West Africa. He stated this during a high-level meeting with delegations from the ECOWAS Commission and the AfDB in Abuja on Thursday.  The team visited Umahi who is the Chairman of the Steering Committee for the project and Nigeria's representative at the ministerial level, to brief him on progress and resolve outstanding technical and financing issues. Umahi conveyed the backing of  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that infrastructure development remains central to the administration’s agenda. The project is connecting Cote D’Ivoire from Abidjan, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria from Lagos.  Umahi explained that the Lagos–Abidjan corridor, spanning about 1,028 kilometres, is being developed to match the s...

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai for allegedly intercepting the telephone conversation of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.  El-Rufai who was arraigned on a five-count amended charge before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, pleaded not guilty to all the counts. When the case was heard, Counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN) told the court that the matter was fixed for the defendant to take his plea. Aladedoye informed that an amended five-count charge was filed on April 13, praying the court to substitute it with the earlier three-count charge. However, Counsel to El-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN) said that he had been served with the amended charge and was not opposing it, making the judge to strike out the earlier three-count charge. After the counts were read to the former governor, he pleaded not guilty, and Aladedoye sought three consecutive trial dates. But Iy...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Political leaders from Enugu State have pledged unalloyed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election in 2027. Representing the state’s seven million citizens, the leaders made this pledge on Tuesday when Governor Peter Mbah led them to a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The high-powered delegation included Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke;  former Senate President, Sen. Ken Nnamani; former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; former Governors of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo. Others on the delegation were members of the National Assembly, former ministers, traditional and religious leaders, and academics. Some of the leaders came with their spouses. President Tinubu thanked the delegation for their support. He noted tha...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening economic relations with the United Kingdom, particularly in the aviation sector and other mutually beneficial areas. He gave the assurance on Wednesday when he met with a delegation from British Airways led by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery and the Commercial Officer of British Airways, Mr Colm Lacy at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The President, while highlighting the longstanding and productive partnership between both countries, noted that Nigeria places great value on its strategic relationship with Britain. Tinubu particularly reflected on his recent historic visit to the United Kingdom and the wonderful reception he received from the Royal family. He assured the delegation that the partnership will continue to create opportunities for growth, investment, and shared prosperity. "It is a very great joy to share with you this afternoon...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWO), Hajia Aishatu Ibrahim has officially inaugurated the newly elected executive members of the association in Niger State, charging them to uphold professionalism, unity, and core values of journalism. At the inauguration ceremony, Hajia Ibrahim congratulated the new executives and described their election as a call to greater service, dedication, and responsibility.  She urged them to work collectively to strengthen the association, promote ethical journalism, and advocate for the welfare and development of women journalists across the state. The newly inaugurated executives of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Niger State chapter include: Dr. Asabe Garba — Chairperson Ruth Gana — Vice Chairperson Hauwa Inuwa — Secretary Aishatu Aliyu Babadoko — Assistant Secretary Safiya Yaman — Financial Secretary Fatima Kaka Mohammed — Treasurer Hussaina Musa — Auditor In her ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reconstituted the 16-member governing council of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, appointing the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, as the chairman. Other members of the council include the chairman of the Police Service Commission, Inspector-General of Police, and one representative each from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Federal Ministry of Justice. The President also appointed six persons to represent the six geopolitical zones. They are: Babagana Zannah Adam (DCP Rtd.) – North East  Emmanuel Torkuma Manger – North Central   Maigari Abati Dikko (DIG Rtd.) – North West  Dubem A. Obaze (KSM) – South East   Ajibogere Toyin – South West   Udom Udo Ekpoudom (DIG Rtd.) – South South The Commandant of the Academy, Provost, and Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of training will s...