News Rider

The 2019 governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Imo State, Uche Nwosu has regained freedom. The son-in-law of former governor Rochas Okorocha was arrested in church on Sunday by the police. Nwosu’s Special Adviser Media, Nwadike Chikezie, said on Monday that he has spoken with his boss who also extends his greetings to those that stood with him. “I have spoken with him and he extended his greetings to all of us out there." “While we await police report on why the abduction and arrest, we call on everyone to remain calm and focused because God is in charge of the whole situation." “The act of desecrating the House of God we all know is a direct affront and challenge to God Almighty." “We leave God to do his fight because vengeance is of God…” Senator Okorocha’s media aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, told our correspondent that Nwosu has regained freedom. “Yes he has been released,” he said. But the Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO),

    Obiago One of the veteran actors in the Nollywood industry, Samuel Obiago.  The talented actor died in the early hours of Thursday. The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, confirmed the news of his colleague’s death on Thursday. ” He suffered from a stroke for some time now, which has been managed, but sadly he died in the early hours of 2am today, ” Rollas said. The actor, who was popularly known as Daddy Sam by his colleagues, had a career in the banking sector before he quit banking for acting. Briefly  Obiago started acting in Nollywood movies in 2013 and has risen to be one of the star actors in the Nigerian movie industry. He was Bilingual (French and English) and often played the role of Kings, fatherly roles in movies. Obiago often starred alongside the likes of Zubby Michael, Ken Erics, Regina Daniels, Yul Edochie, Chika Ike, Destiny Etiko, Chizzy Alichi and Rachael Okonkwo. Some of his memorable movie roles include ‘The Love of a Father and

Next Cash and Carry, one of Abuja’s biggest shopping malls has been gutted by fire. The mall which is situated in the Jahi Area of the Federal Capital Territory went up in flames around 10:00 am Sunday morning. Thick smoke can be seen around the mall as emergency operatives tried to salvage the situation. The cause of the fire is unknown at the time of this report. The roads have however been closed and the fire service are still trying to contain the fire. The Head of Search and Rescue National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Abuja, Labuan Ahman who spoke with Channels Television called on mutual aid fire services for support. Emergency operatives try to put out the fire at Next Cash and Carry on Sunday, December 26, 2021. “The whole of Next Cash and Carry is on fire. We have the FCT and Federal Fire Services on the ground. We are calling on all mutual aid fire services to deploy to Next Cash and Carry. The mutual aid fire services are Julius Berger, CBN, an

        Adesina  The Presidency says there is nothing abnormal for presidential aides testing positive to COVID-19, “and are now on self isolation in their respective abodes”. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who stated this when he appeared on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, said such incidents only “confirmed that the presidential aides are human and not immune to happenings around them”. PREMIUM TIMES had on Saturday reported that some presidential aides had tested positive to Coronavirus. Mr Adesina’s statement is the first subtle confirmation that presidency has been hit by the scourge according to sources who spoke with Premium Times. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the rampaging coronavirus pandemic hit Nigeria’s State House, as some administration officials and aides of President Muhammadu Buhari have contracted the virus. But the Nigerian government had kept sealed lips on the matter until the news broke out. Presidency

  Buhari The rampaging wave of the dangerous coronavirus pandemic has hit Nigeria’s State House, otherwise called Presidential Villa, as some administration officials and aides of President Muhammadu Buhari have contracted the virus. But the Nigerian government is keeping a sealed lip on the matter, even as newspapers correspondents are advised against reporting the surge in infections at the villa. Presidency sources named those believed to have been infected by the virus to include the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Tijani Umar; the President’s aide-de-camp (ADC), Yusuf Dodo; his chief security officer (CSO), Aliyu Musa, and his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu. One source included the minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on the list. But the minister told PREMIUM TIMES he was neither infected nor down with the virus. But Mr Shehu, who confirmed that he was “afflicted by the mild variant of the COVID-19,” in a text messag

        Tutu South Africa's anti-apartheid champion, Desmond Tutu described as the country’s moral compass, died on Sunday aged 90, President Cyril Ramaphosa said. “The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa,” he said in a statement. “Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead,” he said. “A man of extraordinary intellect, integrity and invincibility against the forces of apartheid, he was also tender and vulnerable in his compassion for those who had suffered oppression, injustice and violence under apartheid, and oppressed and downtrodden people around the world.” A tireless activist, Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for combatting white minority rule in his country. Famously outspoken, even after th

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja       ikeazor Committed to the protection of the environment and human health, the federal government has approved a 5-year biosecurity policy and action plan for Nigeria, expected to run from 2022–2026.  Minister of State for the Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor said the approval was endorsed yesterday at the special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja. The policy was specially designed to protect the environment and human health from harmful biological agents, as well as guarantee socio-economic development for Nigerians.  A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja today by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Environment, Saghir el Mohammed, highlighted that the policy will foster an integrated and holistic biosecurity strategy that will be implemented through One-health approach for the prevention, early detection, rapid response to biothreats and recovery from biosecurity incidents. It will also provide an op

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Aregbesola  The federal government has declared Monday 27th, Tuesday 28th December, 2021 and Monday, 3rd January, 2022 as public holidays to mark Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day celebrations respectively. This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore. Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora on this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations. He encouraged Christians to practise the doctrine of Christ such as faith, hope and love. “We must emulate the life of Jesus Christ in His practice and teachings on humility, service, compassion, patience, peace and righteousness, that His birth signifies. This will be the best way to portray Christ and celebrate his birth”, he said. He stated that peace and security are two critical conditions for economic development and prosperity,

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II and Her Majesty, Queen Naomi Silekunola The three-year-old marraige between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II and Her Majesty, Queen Naomi Silekunola has ended with damming accusations and counter-claims from both parties.  This is coming barely few days after Princess Ashley Adegoke was rumoured to be the new wife of the monarch.  Queen Silekunola announced the divorce yesterday through her verified Instagram handle and Facebook page.  She accused the monarch of displaying different disposition in the public compared to his real self in the palace.  Silekunola said, “I did my best to endure and make it work; many times, I smiled through the struggle, but I have finally realised I had just one assignment, my son, and when God is done, He is done. He chose Saul to be king, and when He was done, He told the prophet Samuel I have moved on. Religion was never an issue between us; please refer to my in

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSO's) have issued the National Assembly a 30-day ultimatum to either override President Buhari’s decision to withhold assent to the 2021 Electoral Bill or remove the contentious clause (s) and transmit it back to the President for assent. To this end, they urged the NASS to ensure that all clerical, editorial, and cross-referencing gaps in the current bill are resolved before transmitting it back to the President, adding that it would avert further complications and logjam in an effort to strengthen the electoral process.  This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja today by the Program Manager of International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos, Stella Nwofia and endorsed by Yiaga Africa, IPC, Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD), Albino Foundation and CLEEN Foundation.   Others are Institute for Media and Society (IMS), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) and Premium Times Centre for I

A hijab model, 18-year-old Shatu Garko has emerged as the winner of the 2021 Miss Nigeria beauty pageant. She became the first Muslim to win the Miss Nigeria pageant since its inception in 1957. Garko, who hails from Kano State, was crowned the 44th Miss Nigeria after beating 17 other finalists at an event on Friday, December 17, 2022, in Lagos.  She was also the youngest contestant this year, winning N10m, a one-year residency at a luxury apartment, a brand new car and brand ambassadorship opportunities. Speaking shortly before being crowned Miss Nigeria Garko said, “Winning this competition means a lot to me. I have always wanted to be a Miss Nigeria. I’d like to thank Miss Nigeria and its sponsors. I would also like to thank my mum for supporting and loving me." Garko had earlier stated that she loves riding horses and is passionate about proving that religion and culture are not barriers to following one’s dreams. Nicole Ikot was the first runner-up, while Kasarach

        Gadagau  Bandits have killed a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rilwanu Gadagau, along the Kaduna-Zaria Highway. Gadagau, who represented Giwa Constituency of the state, was the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development in the Assembly. He was reported to have been killed on Monday night by bandits who attacked travellers along the road. The body of the lawmaker was later discovered yesterday morning. Although police authorities in Kaduna were yet to react to the incident, a relative of the late lawmaker confirm the killing to Channels Television. He revealed that Gadagau’s body was found near Mawai, a village just about 13 kilometres from the Kaduna State capital. Another traveller, one Sani Dogara was also reportedly killed by the bandits. He was said to be among over 30 travellers abducted by the bandits who laid a siege on the road. The operation on the highway, according to sources, lasted more than two hours. Confirming t

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  L-R: Country Director of Agence Française de Dévelopment (AFD), Mr. Xavier Muron; Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor and National Project leader of Nigeria Deep Decarbonization Project (DDP Nigeria), Professor Chukwumerije Okereke shortly after their visit to the Ministry of Environment in Abuja, yesterday.  Committed to strengthening climate actions, the federal government has pledged to join forces with the French Development Agency, “Agence Française de Dévelopment” (AFD) towards the development of Nigeria’s low carbon roadmap. This formed part of the deliberations when the new Country Director of AFD, Mr. Xavier Muron visited the Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor in Abuja yesterday.  Muron said the essence of the visit was to brainstorm on AFD strategies and priorities for climate action given Nigeria's commitment at the 26th session of the Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Committed to the implementation of Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been conferred with the 'Special Recognition Award' for his substantial and lasting contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria by signing into law the Freedom of Information Bill on May 28, 2011. This is coming on the heels of the maiden edition of National Freedom of Information (FOI) Awards ceremony in Abuja over the weekend, organised by International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos in collaboration with Media Rights Agenda (MRA), with the support of European Union through component 4b: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Project. Other awardees include the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, who was honoured for his significant contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Ekiti State and Nigeria, being the first govern

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Judge of the African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights, Arusha, Tanzania, Justice Stella Anukam (2nd right), presenting Special Recognition Award to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Executive Director of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms Ann Fyonu (2nd left), while the Executive Director of International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos, Mr Lanre Arogundade (left) and Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Mr. Edetaen Ojo watch with keen interest, at the maiden edition of National Freedom of Information (FOI) Awards ceremony in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO BY CHIkA OKEKE. As part of its commitment towards the implementation of Freedom of Information (FOI) law, Former President Goodluck Jonathan has linked series of fake news peddled in the country to bad governance, just as he advocated for access to public information.  He stated this in Abuja yesterday at the maiden edition of National Freedom of Information (FOI) Award

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja As part of the activities lined-up to commemorate the10th year anniversary of signing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill into Law in 2011, the International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos has concluded arrangement to honour former President Goodluck Jonathan for his patriotic and courageous act in endorsing the bill.  This is even as the Ekiti State Governor, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi will also be recognised as the first governor to facilitate the adoption of FOI Law at the state level, during the maiden edition of National Freedom of Information (FOI) Awards ceremony billed to take place at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja tomorrow.  The event is organised by the IPC in collaboration with Media Rights Agenda (MRA), with the support of European Union through component 4b: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Project. It also coincides with this year’s Inte

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Buhari Given its commitment in tackling land degradation, President Muhammadu Buhari over the weekend, took over the Presidency of Pan African Agency for the Great Green Wall (PAGGW) for a 2-year tenure.  The 11 countries in Africa selected as intervention zones for the Great Green Wall (GGW) are: Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan, covering about 156 million hectares of land, with largest intervention zones located in Niger, Mali, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Within the time frame,  Buhari is expected to work assiduously with the Federal Ministry of Environment in addressing issues bordering on land degradation, food security, desertification, depletion of the forest ecosystems and biodiversity within the intervention zones.  These were the climax at the just concluded 4th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government (CHSG) of the PAGGW in Abuja.  In his accept

                   Wayas The Second Republic Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas yesterday died in a London hospital.  He died at the age of 80 after a protracted illness.  Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade confirmed the death through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita.  He described Wayas death as a monumental loss to Cross River State in particular and Nigeria as a whole. Ayade said that Wayas left indelible footprints on the sands of time. He added, "As a state, Cross River is in pains as we mourn the passing of our illustrious son. He was a rare gem. Dr Wayas’ demise is indeed a monumental loss to our dear state and Nigeria". According to him, “As senate president, Dr Wayas contributed to the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic ethos through his robust and vibrant leadership of the upper legislative chamber." “And since his retirement from active politics, the former senate president had been playing a fatherly and st

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Minister of State for Environment, Barr Sharon Ikeazor brainstorming with the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Godwin N. K. Gininwa during a courtesy visit to the Royal Father's palace in Rivers State today.  Committed to improved livelihoods, the federal government has promised to recruit Ogoni youths as Environment Surveillance Officers (ESOs) towards the successful clean-up of oil impacted areas in the Niger Delta.  The Minister of State for Environment, Barr Sharon Ikeazor stated this in Bori, Khana local government area of Rivers State today at a parley with community leaders, youths, women groups and other stakeholders from Ogoniland.  She said that the federal government is keen on working with the youths and women groups to enable them acquire the requisite skills and be empowered for sustainable living.  This is even as she vowed to address the issues raised by the community about the on-going remediation of oil impacted s