News Rider

Nigerian troops on Sunday captured the commander and other members of Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Niger State.  The ISWAP fighters were killed in an attempt to free their leaders detained in Army base, Daily Post revealed,  A defence intelligence officer informed PRNigeria that the military had expected the terrorists who met an ambush. “Though the incident happened in the night, the troops had been anticipating such daring moves and had been on high alert." “They came into our trap. While at least seven bodies were counted, troops arrested one of the commanders who led the fighters”, the source said. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 401 Air Combat Training Group (ACTG) supported troops from Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area. In Borgu local government area, there's a NAF facility that houses Alpha jets and the A-29 Super Tucanos purchased from America. Wawa Cantonment, home to 221 Light Tank Battalion, is located in New Bussa, near the

The nation's capital was again thrown into confusion last week as the news of impending  terrorists' attack dominated major discuss, forcing many residents to scamper for safety. CHIKA OKEKE writes.          Trademore Estate Lugbe Wailking through Trademore Estate, one of Abuja's quite settlements located along the Aiport road axis, one could visibly notice heightened tension in the locality.  The serene environment provided shelter for all categories of people ranging from civil servants, traders, craftsmen and women as well as religious leaders, given the influx of churches and mosques in the area.  BOblog learnt that aside last year's flooding that swept valuables including humans, the estate was spotlighted again as the news of impending terrorists' attacks hit the nation's capital.  Tragically, information filtered around the city that some suspected (Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) members camped in the estate, while planning

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In a bid to curb counterfeit, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has redesigned the Naira notes, expected to be released to the publics by December 15, 2022. This is even as the new and existing currencies would circulate together until January 31, 2023, being the deadline for the phase-out of old notes.   Governor of CBN, Godwin Emefiele, who disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the redesigned notes include: N100, N200, N500, and N1000. He was worried that about 85 per cent of the currency in circulation were hoarded by Nigerians, adding that the redesigned denominations would curtail counterfeit and ramson payment to terrorists and kidnappers. According to him, "Although global best practice is for central banks to redesign, produce and circulate new local legal tender every five to eight years, the Naira has not been redesigned in the last 20 years." “On the basis of these trends, problems, and facts, and in

  Rescue officials at WAEC office Lagos  About seven persons were rescued as fire gutted the headquarters of the West African Examination (WAEC) office in Lagos State on Wednesday.  The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) attributed the incident to a power surge.  According to the agency, “Upon arrival at the aforementioned location, a section of the WAEC headquarters multi-storey building was found to be on fire." “Further investigations revealed that the fire started on the 3rd floor of the 12-storey building due to a power surge." “A total of seven female staff of the corporation were trapped on the 5th and 7th floors and were safely evacuated due to the swift response of the rescue team on the ground. The fire has also been put off and dampening down concluded.” It further stated that a post-disaster assessment and staff headcount were ongoing to ascertain the level of damages.  “The combined efforts of the agency’s team alongside the agency’s par

        Diezani Alison-Madueke Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, ordered the final forfeiture of two Abuja properties and two luxury cars belonging to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to the federal government. The two properties are located at Plot 1854 Mohammed Mahashir Street, and No. 6, Aso Drive, in the highbrow Asokoro and Maitama Districts of Abuja are valued at $2,674,418USD and N380, 000,000 respectively. The luxury cars are a black BMW saloon with Chassis No B8CV54V66629 and registered number, RBC155 DH and a black Jaguar saloon car with Chassis No SAJAA.20 GRDMv43376, valued at N36,000,000. The judge gave the order forfeiting the assets to the federal government of Nigeria while ruling on the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in Suit No. 1122/2021 and Suit No 1123/2021, asking for the final forfeiture of the assets. The Commission had on November 29, 202 se

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Apostle Suleman  The President of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman has informed Nigerians to expect more lies over his assassination attempt, adding that lies are their source of livelihood. This is coming barely four days after his convoy was attacked on Friday by gunmen along the Benin–Auchi Road, Edo State.  BOblog learnt that the cleric returned from a foreign trip and was heading for a destination in the state when the gunmen attacked his convoy, leading to the death of three policemen and four others.  I Didn't Chase Away Slain Officers Families On his Twitter handle @APOSTLESULEMAN, he said, "I was just told that some social media platforms carried that some families of the slain policemen came to my house and were chased away. " "My worry is the confidence with which people lie..Nothing of such happened. Expect more of their lies, it’s their source of livelihood", he added.  In an earlier

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  The federal government has pledged to spread ecological intervention projects fairly to benefiting communities across the six geo-political zones to avoid bickering, encouraging synergy with states and local governments in the utilisation of its ecological funds.  Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Mallam Shehu Ibrahim stated this in Abuja when he received a delegation from Veritas University led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Hyacinth Ichoku over the weekend.  He assured that the request for ecological intervention was already captured in EPO's databank, adding that appropriate action would be taken based on merit.  Ibrahim commended Prof Ichoku and his team for engaging in solid Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within Bwari community by providing a transformer, borehole, police post and kitting the vigilante group to beef up security in the locality.  On his part, Prof Ichoku appealed for urgent intervention to salvage th

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Cross section of Environmental Health Officers. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN) has received legal backing on two operational documents, meant to enhance and sustain environmental health practise in the country.  The documents are EHCN service charter and gazetted practitioners register, just as the customised seal, rank badges, as well as communication materials were also added to enhance the services rendered by the professionals.  Minister of Environment, Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi stated this in Abuja at the recently concluded 3-day National Environmental Health Business Forum, organised by EHCN with the theme, "Developing Sustainable Environmental Health Business Model in Support of Nigeria’s Economic Diversification Drive".  He stated that the seal for practitioners and gazetted names of operators in environmental health sector could be verified anywhere in the country. The minister said that every prof

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Following the suspension of the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the University of Ilorin has concluded arrangements to commence academic activities on Monday, October 24, 2022. This is in line with the ratification of the amended academic calendar  by the University Senate at its 291st meeting on Friday, October 21, 2022. According to the amended calendar, final year and postgraduate students are expected back on campus on Monday while other categories of students will resume on December 15th at the commencement of the 2021/2022 academic session. This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday by the Director of Corporate Affairs, UNILORIN, Mr Kunle Akogun.  He stated that students of the Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, who are yet to complete their Rain semestre examinations before the strike on February 14, 2022, are expected to resume on October 24th to write the examinati

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Cross section of staff during their maiden meeting with the Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Mallam Shehu Ibrahim in Abuja recently . PHOTO BY EPO The Ecological Project Office (EPO) has enjoined the management and staff of the office to develop themselves by embracing capacity building programmes, personal skill acquisition, seminars, reading books and online training opportunities for optimal results.  Permanent Secretary of EPO, Mallam Shehu Ibrahim, who stated this in Abuja recently at the maiden meeting with the staff of EPO, enjoined the staff to synergise with one another so as to maximize their full potentials.  He said that effective collaboration would improve their work ethics, adding that the essence of the meeting was to familiarise with the staff for a robust working relationship.  This, he believed would quicken the actualisation of the mandate of EPO, urging the staff to be diligent, committed and focused on their

      Late Bimbo and her husband, Ikechukwu Ogbonna  The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old Lagos-based auto dealer, Ikechukwu Ogbonna, popularly known as IVD over the death of his wife, Bimbo. Bimbo had died on Saturday, October 15, 2022 in a hospital as a result of an injury she sustained while trying to raze down her home at Megamound Estate, Lekki, Lagos,  She sustained first degree burns while IVD escaped with minor burns. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Monday, saying that, “He was arrested on Saturday, he’s with us.”  In a tweet via his Twitter page on Tuesday, Hundeyin said that IVD was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba. He added, “Contrary to claims by family and friends that 37-year-old Ikechukwu Ogbonna aka IVD is on the run, he has been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba. Ikechukwu and Bimbo had bee

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Prof Emmanuel Osodeke  Students of tertiary institutions across the country are expected to resume lectures on Monday, October 17 after the suspension of the 8-month industrial strike.  This is even as the President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Emmanuel Osodeke revealed damning statements on why the union called off the strike action embarked by university lecturers.  ASUU had last week announced the suspension of the strike after an emergency meeting with its National Executive Council (NEC) that started on Thursday night and dovetailed to Friday.  In a statement issued by Osodeke, he said that the decision to suspend the strike was due to pleas by President Muhammadu Buhari, parents, students as well as the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.  "However, as a law-abiding Union and in deference to appeals by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. His Excellency, Pre

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Dr Yakubu Baba Determined to spread its tentacles across all sectors, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN) has opened up opportunities to enrol and certify journalists as public health practitioners.  This is even as the feat would be achieved through a short-term programme  for interested journalists willing to further their studies in public health at EHCN's education resource centre, Abuja.  Registrar of EHCN, Dr Yakubu Baba disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in Abuja, shortly after the conmissiing of the centre at Gwarinpa district, on the sidelines of the just concluded 3-day National Environmental Health Business Forum, organised by the council. According to him, "The council will come up with a short-term programme because journalists that will enroll in the centre will be identified as public health journalists. They will be trained in public health journalism so that during their report, they will fl

 BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Participants  at the just concluded National Environmental Health Business Forum in Abuja Stakeholders have canvassed the establishment of Environmental Health Trust Fund (EHTF), expected to provide sufficient funds for the development and growth of environmental health sector in Nigeria.  This formed part of the deliberations at the just concluded 3-day National Environmental Health Business Forum, organised by Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN) with the theme, "Developing Sustainable Environmental Health Business Model in Support of Nigeria’s Economic Diversification Drive". Managing Director of Forward Resources Nigeria limited, Dr Shehu Muhammad stated that EHTF when established, would provide funds to support environmental health education, boost research and development, provide loans and grants for innovation and investment in environmental health technology.  In his presentation titled, 'National Environmental Healt

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Prof Amadi Nkwa  Professor of Environmental and Public Health at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Dr Amadi Nkwa has linked the escalating meat-related diseases and meat borne diseases to poor handling of meat in abattoirs. He stated this during an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday, on the sidelines of a 3-day National Environmental Health Business Forum, organised by Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN), with the theme, "Developing Sustainable Environmental Health Business Model in Support of Nigeria’s Economic Diversification Drive".  Nkwa stated that poor handling of meat is a perennial problem in Nigeria, saying that it could only be solved by implementing the policies and guidelines on the management of abattoirs that has been in existence since 1948.  Also speaking, the Managing Director of Forward Resources Nigeria limited, Dr Shehu Muhammad lamented that poor handling of meat from abattoirs to desi

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  L- R: Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN), Dr Yakubu Baba; Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi and Professor of Environmental Public Health at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Dr Amadi Nkwa at the commissioning of EHCNs Education Resource Centre in Abuja, Wednesday . PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN) has unveiled its education resource centre, modeled in line with international best practices, with a promise to bolster environmental health practise for professionals across the country.  Located in Gwarinpa district Abuja, the centre houses a theater and Reference Environmental and Public Health Laboratory, and its expected to provide training for Post graduate students in environmental health and students from other discipline willing to study public health.  Speaking at the commissioning of the facility on Wednesday, the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi co

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          L-R- Ambassador, Republic of Poland to Nigeria, Joanna Tarnawska; Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi; Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN), Dr Yakubu Baba; Deputy Registrar of EHCN, Dr Andy Ukah; Head of Department, Education & Training, EHCN, Mrs Ibrahim Bolanle and Assistant Director of Special Duties, EHCN, Mrs Jummai Ahmed at the unveiling of Gazetted Practitioners Register in Abuja Tuesday . PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja.  The Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN), Dr Yakubu Baba has disclosed that environmental health value chain will revamp Nigeria's economy and raise the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.  He stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of a 3-day National Environmental Health Business Forum, organised by EHCN with the theme, "Developing Sustainable Environmental Health Business Model in Support of Nigeria’

By Kehinde Openibo, Abuja   Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) Dr. Yakubu Baba In line with the federal government's stance to diversify Nigeria’s economy through the non-oil sector, technocrats in Environmental Health Profession (EHP), academia, political class, business moguls and Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) will converge in Abuja for the much-touted National Environmental Health Business Forum.  The event, which is a stepping stone to harnessing the fortunes in the environment sector, will liberate thousands of Nigerians from endemic poverty by improving their livelihood.  Environmental health Is a branch of public health concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment affecting human health in order to effectively control factors that may affect health and the requirements that must be met in order to create a healthy environment, according to Wikipedia.  Scheduled to take place between 11th and 13th October, 2022,

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   L-R: Director, overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office ( EPO), Dr Famous Eseduwo presenting the handover documents to the newly redeployed Permanent Secretary of EPO, Mallam Shehu Ibrahim while the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Policy and Coordination, Dr Habiba Lawal watches. PHOTO BY EPO.  The newly redeployed Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office ( EPO), Mallam Shehu Ibrahim has pledged improved service delivery as he officially resumed duties at the project office.  Until his appointment, Mallam Ibrahim was the Permanent Secretary of Political and Economic Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation  (OSGF).  Speaking at the handing-over ceremony in Abuja over the weekend, Ibrahim appreciated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha for providing a conducive work environment, promising to initiate programmes that would bolste

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Aregbesola  The federal government has declared Monday, October 10 as a public holiday to mark this year's Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Shuaib Belgore. He congratulated all Muslims both at home and in the diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion. Aregbesola enjoined Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues and which the Prophet Muhammad exemplified, saying that doing so would guarantee peace, security and harmony in the country. He encouraged Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to refrain from violence, lawlessness and other acts of criminality, adding that, “As the indisputable leader of our race, we must demonstrate responsible leadership in Africa." While pleading for an end to all divi

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  President Muhammadu Buhari  Out of over 1000 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, there is an indication that about 800 shutdown their offices and suspended operations and programmes due to shrunk reserves during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The affected CSOs include Faith-based Organisations, Community-based Organisations, Non-governmental Organisations, Social Enterprise Organisations, Unions/Coalition/Umbrella Organisations and among others.   This was further exacerbated given their over-dependence on donor agencies and weak technological infrastructure, a situation that defaced the non-profit intervention organisations.  It formed the crux of a 48-page report titled, "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria", conducted by The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) Accra, Ghana, with support from Wilde Ganzen Foundation.  While WACSI was set up by the Open Society

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Inside the bombed Abuja-Kaduna-bound train  Terrorists on Wednesday released the remaining 23 Abuja-Kaduna-bound train passengers six months after their abduction.  The seven-man presidential committee headed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor disclosed this on Wednesday. Terrorists had on March 28, 2022  bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train, killed nine passengers and abducted about 70 others during the attack. A statement by the Chief of Defense Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), Prof. Usman Yusuf revealed that the hostages regained their freedom at about 4pm today.  It reads, "I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs. (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5-10-2022, the seven-man presidential committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General L E O Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko haram terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The federal government has filed a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated, owners of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, as well as its agent, AT3 Resources Limited for publishing unvetted advertisements. This is even as the government demanded N30bn as compensation for the revenue loss accrued to the treasury over what it described as illegal, unlawful and violation of extant advertising laws in Nigeria. Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) instituted the case on behalf of the federal government yesterday at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division. The apex advertising agency in a statement titled, 'ARCON Sues Meta Platforms Incorporated, Seeks N30b in Sanction and Penalties', said that the advertisements on Meta platforms in the Nigerian markets were not vetted and approved by the federal government. ARCON vowed to stop the unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space, emanating from the plat

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The much anticipated seventh edition of Big Brother Naija reality television show, 'Level Up' season ended on Sunday night as Phyna won the mouth-watering prize of N100 million, leaving behind Bryann as the first runner-up. At the grand finale in Lagos, the show which kicked off at 7 p.m with scintillating performance by MI Abaga, was also aired on DSTV's Africa Magic Channel and the streaming platform, Showmax.  The show host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced the eviction of Daniella, followed by Chichi, Adekunle and Bella. Addressing the finalists as 'Big Brother Spectacular Six',  Biggie said, “You have not just levelled up. You have become forces of nature. Immovable. Irresistible. Unstoppable. As they say, goodbyes precede new beginnings." The show, which commenced on July 24, pulled 28 housemates that levelled-up romance, games, fun and other side attractions in the last 72 days.  According to the organisers, Phyna would be re