News Rider

        Buni The crisis of leadership in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) took a turn for the worse on Monday following the purported disbandment of the Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC by one of the support groups in the party, the Progressive Youth Movement (PYM). Consequently, the movement named its leader, Prince Mustapha Audu as Chairman of the new CECPC, with a mandate to conduct the party’s national convention on February 26. The youths also named Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila into the new CECPC as representatives of the National Assembly. However, Gov. Buni immediately fired back, asking for the arrest of Audi and his co-travellers for treasonable felony. Mustapha is the son of a former governor of Kogi state and late chieftain of the party, Prince Abubakar Audu. Since it came into power in 2015, the APC has always broken into factions ahead of the general elections. In

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In a bid to stem the barrage of oil spills in the riverine areas, the federal government has shut down AITEO Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited (AEEPCo) oilfields located at Santa Barbara in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State over spillage. This was intended to pave the way for proper investigation in order to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in the area.   A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Saghir el Mohammed, revealed that the unfortunate oil spill occured on November 5, 2021, within Opu Nembe community at Well 1, Well Head, located at the Southern Field of Sant Barbara in form of a fountain.  He said that as soon as the incident occured, that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regualtory Commission (NUPRC), Bay

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has increased its examination fee per candidate from N13,950 to N18,000 for the 2022 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSSCE). Head of WAEC National Office (HNO), Mr. Patrick Areghan, announced this yesterday while addressing reporters on the release of this year’s WASSSCE at the council’s office in Yaba, Lagos. Areghan said the increase became necessary because of rising costs the examination body was incurring in conducting its examinations. “We have received approval from the appropriate quarters, with effect from the WASSCE for school candidates 2022, to charge N18,000 per candidate. We are, therefore, asking all school principals to collect N18,000 per candidate for registration. A part of this new fee has been dedicated to the enhancement of the remunerations for the various examination functionaries,” he said. Areghan announced that 81.7 per cent of the candidates who sat for the 2021 WASSCE f

        Baba Suwe Adesola Omidina, a son of the late veteran Nigerian comic actor, Baba Suwe, has announced the burial arrangements of his father who died on Monday. The young man who is also an actor, took to his Instagram page to announce that his father’s interment would hold on Thursday, November 25, 2021. In a statement e-signed by Adesola, on behalf of the family, the interment will commence at the deceased residence at 26, Oluwatimiro Street, Ewu Elepe Bustop, Ijede Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, by 10 am prompt. Adesola also stated that the final funeral ceremony for his 63-year-old deceased father would be announced at a later time. The statement revealed that Baba Suwe is survived by children, grandchildren, his aged mother, and other family members. Born Babatunde Omidina, Baba Suwe became popular after he featured in Iru Esin, produced by Olaiya Igwe in 1997. He also featured in and produced several Nigerian movies such as Baba Jaiye Jaiye, a movie that featured Funke Ak

        Baba Suwe Veteran Nollywood actor and comedian, Babatunde Omidina (aka Baba Suwe) is  dead. The actor, who died yesterday after a prolonged battle with an undisclosed illness,  was aged 63.  His death was announced by one of his daughters, Adesola Omidina. “This is to announce the sudden death of my father, Babatunde Omidina, the legend and rare gem, Baba Suwe, on November 22, 2021. Details and other arrangements will be announced shortly,” she said. Baba Suwe became popular for his comic roles in several Nollywood films and television productions between late ‘80s and mid-‘90s. The actor and film producer became famous for his TV series, Erin Keeke, which had Yoruba as the language of communication. The series made waves on NTA Channel 7 in the ‘90s and featured popular film stars, like Opebe, Madam Saaje, Suwe, Emukay, and others, until it stopped airing in 1996. The veteran actor went on to make an impact on the home video scene by appearing in several movies and

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Climate Change Act and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Amendment Act into law that was  recently passed by the National Assembly.  This was disclosed by the president’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu in Abuja yesterday.  He said the climate change act derived its origin to a bill sponsored by a member of the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo, and provides for, among other things, the mainstreaming of climate change actions and the establishment of a National Council on Climate Change. The act also paved the way for environmental and economic accounting and a push for a net zero- emission deadline plan in the country. Buhari had during the world leaders summit at the just concluded 26th session of the Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow, United Kingdom made a commitment that Nigeria would cut its carbon emis

Troops of Joint Task Force, North East (NE), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralized over 50 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroyed several of their combat equipment in a fierce counteroffensive in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. This was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu yesterday. He said that the troops eliminated top commanders of ISWAP as well as foot soldiers. “The gallant troops also unleashed massive destruction on the terrorists’ Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle and several Gun Trucks,” the statement partly read. It would be recalled, that 115 Task Force Battalion had an encounter with ISWAP terrorists in Askira Uba on 13 November 2021, during which the troops aggressively defended their location and followed up with a ferocious counter-attack. Unfortunately, the Commander of 28 Task Force Brigade alongside three of his soldiers

      Cubana Anambra-born socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana has shut down his Abuja club, Hustle & Bustle over the death of a female client. The businessman disclosed this via an Instagram post yesterday.  Findings revealed that the clubber was electrocuted over the weekend inside the club house.  An Instagram statement posted by Cubana and his club, Hustle & Bustle, reads: “We are closed till further notice. This is due to the loss of our esteemed client". “We are deeply saddened by this situation and need time to heal from it. Our prayers are with the family of the lost soul. May her soul Rest In Peace. We sympathise with the family on this unbearable loss". “Kindly bear with us as we pass through this storm", he concluded. Recall that Cubana was detained and interrogated by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for three days over alleged money laundering and tax fraud. 

The death toll from the explosion which rocked a gas store at Ladipo, Mushin, Lagos, is now five. It was three until the recovery of the body of a 10-year-old boy and a female adult from the scene of the incident. The was confirmed by the Acting Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, Lagos State Territorial District, Ibrahim Farinloye. He said the female adult was recovered dead, while a 10-year-old died on the way to the hospital. The female adult was identified as Mama Funmi. Recalled that the incident occurred at about 8.42am today, at 21, Ojekunle Street, Ladipo, Mushin. It was learnt that the LPG cylinders were being used for auto welding when the explosion occurred. So far, three male adults, Mama Funmi and the boy have been recovered dead. Confirming the incident, Farinloye said: “Altogether, five persons were recovered dead including a 10 years old boy.”  Rescue operation was ongoing at press time. BY VANGUARD 

Air strikes launched by military fighter jet at Fulani settlements in the Takum local government area of Taraba State, was said to have killed about 1,500 cows belonging to herdsmen. It was learnt from the witnesses that the air strikes started at about 11am and lasted till 4pm on Wednesday and Thursday around Kashinbila and Tor Donga areas. A victim identified as Sadu Saidu, lamented that he lost about 120 cows while his brother Sale lost 105 cows during the air strikes. Sadu said, “We were about to lead our herds to the grazing area when we heard the sound of an approaching aircraft and it came with fire". “We all ran for our lives and took cover under big trees and within minutes we counted about 700 cows dead and that was the first strike.” He added that the same aircraft came the following day for another air raid of the two settlements, killing seven hundred and fifty cattles. Another victim named Musa, said that apart from the cows killed, several ones which wer

        Buhari  BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of Commander of the Special Forces, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers killed in a battle with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at Askira Uba local government area on Saturday. This is even as he lamented that Nigeria has lost brave soldiers.  In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu on Saturday, Buhari commended the bravery of the fallen soldiers, describing them as martyrs.  “Nigeria has lost brave soldiers. I salute their courage. May their souls rest in peace. General Zirkusu leaves us sad and devastated. The soldier in him will remain immortal,” he said. The President urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya to accept his heartfelt condolences and that of the nation as well as convey same to families of those martyred. “I pray to the Almighty to give you and the bereav

The Army has confirmed that a senior officer, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers were killed by insurgents at Askira Uba local government area. Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the deceased officer and the soldiers exhibited rare display of “gallantry as they provided reinforcement in a counter offensive against the terrorists and successfully defended the location”. He said the families of the senior officer and soldiers have been contacted. According to him, “Troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Saturday’s encounter at Askira Uba local government area”. According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has deeply commiserated with the families and relations of the fallen heroes. Yahaya said the gallant officer and soldiers courageously defended the territorial integrity of Nigeria and Nigerians

         Anambra Governor-elect, Prof Chukwuma Soludo (middle) displaying his Certificate of Return at INEC office in Awka, Anambra State today.  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today issued a Certificate of Return to the winner of the just concluded Anambra governorship election, Prof Chukwuma Soludo of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the INEC National Commissioner Supervising Anambra, Mr Festus Okoye, presented the certificate to Soludo in Awka. The Deputy Governor-elect, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, also received his Certificate of Return at same the event. In his remarks, Soludo promised not to disappoint the people of the state who gave him the support and mandate in the Nov. 6 Governorship election. According to him, the efforts and sacrifice of people of Anambra will not be in vain, as I will justify the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state. “Initially, there were tensed moments, but this ele

A Lagos High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square yesterday heard how the body of SuperTV owner, Michael Usifo Ataga was found. Nkechi Mogbo, owner of a short service apartment in Lekki, spoke before Justice Yetunde Adesanya in the trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, her relative Chioma Egbuchu, and one Adedapo Quadri for Ataga’s murder. Mogbo said couples, workers, students and people from out of town were her clients, adding that she got a phone call on June 13 requesting a short service apartment. “I asked the lady to send a message to me through WhatsApp so I could forward the address to her. Afterwards, the lady confirmed that she would take the apartment for three days but left before the billed day she was to leave.” Mogbe said the lady gave her name as “Jewel” and that she forwarded payment details, after which she sent proof of payment of N125,000 to my WhatsApp. She said, “The payment  made through a bank account from one Mr Michael Usifo had a time and date of transfer and my nam

        Salem The missing Vanguard reporter, Mr Tordue Salem has been found dead in Abuja. This was even as the Police reportedly arrested a man who posed as kidnapper in an attempt to extort money from the late journalist’s family. Details of recovery of his remains haven’t been released as at yesterday evening. The late Benue born journalist was covering the lower legislative Chamber of the National Assembly until he was last seen on Wednesday, 13th October, 2021. After he closed from work, he was said to have left in a public cab for B.J’s garden with a female relative situated close to Total filling station, opposite Force headquarters. From the garden, he reportedly flagged a cab for the lady who left before him, informing her that he was going to Area 8, Garki. But he was never seen until his remains were recovered yesterday. According to Vanguard, the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT swung into action on 16th October after the matter was reported to it about th

Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai Tuesday got married to Asser in Birmingham. The education activist announced this on Twitter yesterday.  Malala said she “marked a precious day” in a small nikah ceremony to tie the knot with Asser. The activist seeks everyone’s prayers for her married life. “Today marks a precious day in my life. Asser and I tied the knot to be partners for life. We celebrated a small nikkah ceremony at home in Birmingham with our families. Please send us your prayers. We are excited to walk together for the journey ahead,” Malala wrote. Malala also posted four photos from the wedding ceremony in which she could be seen posing alongside her newlywed husband, Asser, as well as her parents, Ziauddin Yousafzai and Toor Pekai Yousafzai. For her big day, Malala wore a melon-pink outfit adorned with gold embroidery. Her nikkah pictures were captured by her friend, Malin Fezehai, who is a photographer and visual journalist, The News reports. Ziauddin expressed joy

        Kanu A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the trial of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu till January 19 2022. Prior to the adjournment by Justice Binta Nyako, there was confusion as Kanu’s team of lawyers staged a walk-out over the refusal of operatives of the Department of State Services to allow them into the courtroom. Kanu was brought into the courtroom after his case was called. But security agents reportedly refused to allow lawyers to the IPOB leader, including a legal practitioner from the United State of America, Bruce Fein enter the courtroom. Kanu’s lawyer told Justice Nyako that Fein, who was handling a case for him in the US, was around to witness his trial. Justice Nyako had to adjourn the case due to the absence of a legal team to conduct proceedings for the IPOB leader. Kanu’s lawyer told the court that the matter was fixed for the hearing of an application that was filed by the defendant. A lawyer

        Soludo Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has won the Anambra governorship election, polling a total of 112,229 votes. APGA scored the most votes in the Ihiala supplementary election that held on Tuesday, Vanguard reports Recall that voting was extended to Tuesday to allowing voting take place in Ihiala LGA, which was the only local government left. While APGA gathered 8,283 votes, PDP came second with 2,485 votes, while APC got 343 votes. Breakdown He won in 19 local government areas of the state and scored 25% in all the 21 local government areas of the state. His closest rival, Mr. Val Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, came second with 53,807 votes, while the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, came third with 43,285. Anambra has a total of 2,466,638 registered voters, while 253,388 were accredited for the election. The supplementary election

                         Ikeazor BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Worried by the adverse impact of climate change in Nigeria, the federal government has vowed to enrol women in energy technology training centres across the six geo-political zones so as to widen their knowledge on emission-free technologies.  Minister of State, Environment, Barr Sharon Ikeazor stated this at a side event yesterday on 'Nigeria's Commitments to Addressing Gender Equality within Climate Action', during the ongoing 26th session of the Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow, United Kingdom.  The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Engr Hassan Musa promised to provide alternative livelihoods for women affected by climate change in urban and rural areas by organising livelihood training. She promised that Nigeria would promote effective waste management practices in commun

        Odukoya Pastor Nomthi Rosemary Odukoya, wife of the founder of the Fountain of Life Bible Church, Taiwo Odukoya, is dead. Nomthi reportedly died of cancer. According to a statement on the Church official Twitter page, she battled the deadly disease for two years. “With deep regret and gratitude to God, we have to announce the passing of our Senior Pastor’s wife, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya. “She battled cancer for the better part of 2 years, she stood on the Word of God, and she fought. “We loved her with all our heart, but who are we to fight with the will of God". “The truth is, at one point in our lives, we all will have to say goodbye. So for now, till we meet again in glory, Goodbye Pastor Nomthi,” the statement added. Pastor Taiwo lost his first wife, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya on December 10, 2005, as result of the Sosoliso plane crash. In 2010, Pastor Odukoya married Rosemary Nomthi, a South African. DAILY POST 

        Maina The Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday sentenced a former chairperson of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, to eight years’ imprisonment for money laundering offences involving N2billion in pension fund. The judge, Okon Abang, jailed Mr Maina after convicting him and his company, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd, on all the 12 counts filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the judge sentenced Mr Maina to various jail terms ranging from three to eight years, which would run concurrently. He jailed the convict three years for count 1, five years for count 2, eight years for count 3, eight years for count 4, two years for count 5, five years for count 6, and eight years in count seven. He also sentenced him to three years in jail for count 8, five years for count 9, eight years for count 10, three years for count 11 and three years for count 12.

Gunmen on Saturday allegedly took away ballot boxes from two polling centres at the Immaculate Heart Catholic Church and the St Faith Catholic Church in Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State. The assailants, numbering about six,  stormed the St Faith Catholic Church by Mbonu Ejike/Basden Junction in an unmarked L300 bus. They shot indiscriminately to scare the voters and security operatives. The Nation gathered that the gunmen drove straight to the ballot boxes and fled with two of them. “I am sure they were two boxes but an INEC official from his hiding place said it was just one,” an eyewitness said. The centre has been deserted by both the voters and security operatives. Another set of gunmen stormed the polling unit at the Immaculate Heart Church along Ziks Avenue, snatching a ballot box.

        Obi Cubana  Anambra-born socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana has regained freedom,  three days after he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  The club owner, who was arrested on Monday for alleged money laundering and tax fraud was released on Thursday evening.  EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Cubana was released yesterday.  During his stay with the EFCC, he was quizzed several times over his alleged involvement in money laundering and tax fraud. The business man broke records in July when he hosted a lavish burial for his late mother in Oba, Anambra State, in which over 200 cows were reportedly killed.

        Femi Osibona The body of Femi Osibona, owner of Fourscore Homes, the company in charge of the 21-storey building that collapsed in Lagos, has been found dead. An official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who confirmed the development to TheCable at the site, said rescue workers recovered Osibona’s body on Thursday evening. On Thursday night, there were several security operatives on ground as the ministry of health conveyed his body away from the site. The building, one of a group of three under construction, collapsed on Monday afternoon. There is still no official figure of how many people were in the building when the structure caved in. Meanwhile, as at Thursday afternoon, NEMA had recovered 38 bodies. Also believed to be trapped under the debris are Wale Bob-Oseni, a US-bound real estate dealer, who is also the Executive Director of African Bureau for Legislative Empowerment; Onyinye Enekwe, personal assistant to Osibona who got employed last

      Regina Daniels and Jaruma  The friendship between the popular aphrodisiac seller, Jaruma and Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels seems to have hit the rocks as the duo has taken to social media to trade words. The pair had been seen as ‘besties’ after they posted several mushy videos of themselves on their individual social media accounts. However, the wedge between their relationship began when Daniels took to Instagram to debunk insinuations that she bought and used kayan mata, an aphrodisiac, from Jaruma on her billionaire husband, Ned Nwoko. Moreso, her statement came shortly after one of the wife’s of Nwoko, Laila Charani, publicly revealed that she is now divorced from the businessman. Shortly after Charani’s revelation, some fans had accused the actress of using kayan mata to end her husband’s marriage to the Moroccan model. In her defence, Daniels said via her verified Instagram account, “This is for clarity sake…. I have and will never use any kayamata product.

The death toll in the 21-storey building that collapsed on Monday on Gerrard Road, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State, has increased to 38. The building crumbled around 2pm when workers were on the site. The PUNCH had reported that many people were trapped in the rubble, including the Managing Director, Fourscore Heights Limited, Mr Femi Osibona, who owned the building. The South-West Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, on Thursday confirmed that 33 males and three females have been brought out dead from the rubble. Farinloye added that nine people which included one female and eight males were rescued alive. Lagos Approved 15-storey Building Plan, Not 21 The suspended General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, on Monday, stated that the collapsed structure was approved as a 15-storey building, and not 21. But the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, while countering Oki’s claim, stated that

Rescue officials have recovered 20 bodies buried under the rubble after a 21-storey building collapsed on Monday in the Ikoyi part of Lagos, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said. The building, situated on Gerard Road, trapped about 50 persons under the rubble, witnesses said. Residents and family members of persons trapped under the collapse besieged the site on Tuesday, furious that rescue operations were slow. On Monday, it took over four hours for excavators and other heavy equipment to arrive at the site. A relative, who declined to say his name, said he has three siblings in the collapsed building. He was seen crying and urging security agents to allow him and other men to assist in the operation. Another relative said his elder brother, who is an engineer, is still trapped beneath the rubbles. “His name is Engineer Efe Martins, yesterday was one month he joined them. As at 1:04 p.m on Monday, he sent a picture to us of this building that he was wor

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that Nigeria will cut its emissions to net-zero by 2060. Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman in a statement, said Buhari revealed this while delivering his national statement at COP26 Leaders’ Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, on Tuesday. The president said that attaining national and global climate change goals would require adequate and sustained technical and financial support to developing countries. He said the greater effort should be channelled towards assisting developing nations to meet their ‘‘Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments through the pledges made by the developed countries to provide at least $100 billion yearly.’’ President Buhari noted that easier access to climate finance had become imperative in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, which really battered the economies of developing countries. ‘‘I do not think anyone in Nigeria needs persuading of the need for urgent action on the environment".

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja       Obi Cubana  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released Anambra-born socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana today. This is coming hours after he was grilled over alleged money laundering and tax evasion yesterday. The news about his release was shared by his colleague and friend, Instigator PH via his Instagram page. He wrote: “Thank u Jesus!! @obi_cubana is free. We gat Jesus!!! . Dis Dance is for all my fans. I love u all.” He also shared a post that reads: “Breakinh Newz. Obi Cubana is free. Confirmed by me, only 1 instigator. Give away loading.” Few minutes after his release, the billionaire socialite also posted on his Instagram page:  "Okpataozueora! I love you ALL!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️.UNBROKEN!!!💪#manoftheyear2021". The Cubana chief priest added, "It makes us stronger ♥️".

    Obi Cubana      Popular socialite and businessman, Obinna Iyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana, was interrogated by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged money laundering yesterday. The Anambra-born club owner,  who arrived at the headquarters of the EFCC at Jabi, Abuja, at about noon on Monday, was undergoing interrogation by the operatives of the commission as of the time of filing this report. Though allegations against the socialite were sketchy as of press time, a source disclosed that his case bordered on alleged money laundering and tax fraud. The source said, “Obi Cubana was arrested and brought to the EFCC headquarters on Monday afternoon over allegations of money laundering and tax fraud. He is being grilled by detectives as we speak.” The  EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said he had yet to be briefed on the development. Obi Cubana made headlines in July  when he hosted an ostentatious burial for his late mother in Oba, Anambra State, in w