News Rider

At least 17 buildings have been marked for demolition in Uli community, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State for providing hideouts for criminals.  To this end, the police have deployed security personnel including its officers and the army to commence surveillance in four villages in the community to restore peace. The Commissioner of Police for Anambra, Echeng Echeng, stated this during the Uli Peace and Security Summit/Convention on Saturday.  He revealed that the buildings have been harbouring criminals and gunmen that truncate the peace of Anambra residents.  Echeng, who was represented by the Area Commander of Ihiala, ACP Bassey Christopher, tagged the renewed security operations in the community: ‘Action All The Way’. He said, “Any building harbouring criminals and gunmen will be demolished and about 17 of them have already been marked for demolition and we are not going to spare anyone or any building irrespective of who the owner is. “This peace and securi

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to boycott health and medical services over poor remuneration.  This was even as the doctors mandated the Federal Government to increase the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) at the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum on May 13, 2023, or risk nationwide strike.  To this end, they insisted that the increment should be 200 percent of their current gross salary, in addition to the new allowances included in the letter written to the Minister of Health in 2022 for the review of CONMESS. This was contained in a communique issued on Saturday at the end of the extra-ordinary meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of NARD in Abeokuta, Ogun state. It was signed by the President, Dr Innocent Orji; the Secretary-General, Dr Kelechi Chikezie, and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Musa Umar.  NARD observed that despite several engagements with the Federal Government on the need for upward review of

The Federal Government has postponed the 2023 Population and Housing Census, earlier scheduled for May 3-7 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming administration. President Muhammadu Buhari approved the shift after a meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council, Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) Nasir Isa-Kwarra and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.  A statement signed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Saturday highlighted the need to conduct a population and housing census, 17 years after the last census.  Mohammed said the essence of the census is to collect up-to-date data that would strengthen the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standard of Nigerians. He quoted President Buhari as saying that appreciable progress was made towards the preparation and implementation of the now postponed census. The President noted that the completion of the Enumeration Area

Over 7, 000 Nigerians including other nationals are currently stranded since they arrived the Egyptian border on Thursday evening from the conflict afflicted Sudan. Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed this on Friday in Abuja through the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of the commission, Mr Gabriel Odu.  News Rider reports that the crisis started on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese army and paramilitary RSF, both headed by army generals.  Dabiri-Erewa enjoined all officials involved with passages and movement of persons and services along the borders of Sudan to create a humane condition for them to access their various destinations. The chairman stated that the Nigerian mission in Egypt had been working to address the issues, though the Egyptian authorities insisted that all Africans must have valid visas to transit to their countries. She appealed to the Egyptian authorities to kindly allow the trav

        Mr Isah Jere President Muhammadu Buhari has for the second time elongated the tenure of Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Mr Isah Jere.  This is even as Jere would remain in office till May 29, 2023, as contained in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari. News Rider reports that Jere, who was the then Acting Comptroller-General of NIS was due for retirement when he turned 60 on April 24, 2022, until President Buhari extended his tenure by one year. NIS Spokesman, Mr Tony Akuneme, said in Abuja on Friday that Jere has since resumed duties at the Service Headquarters. But it was gathered that the Governing Board of the NIS had on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, served a retirement notice to Jere, effective on or before April 24, 2023. The memo quoted the expiration of the one-year extension of service granted by President Buhari as the reason for the retirement notice.  To this end, the board directed Jere to han

       Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola  The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 1, 2023, as a public holiday in commemoration of Workers Day Celebration.  Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, stated this on Friday in Abuja, just as he congratulated workers across the country on this year’s occasion.  He praised workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, adding that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness and respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations. Aregbesola pleaded with workers to embrace productivity, noting that productivity leads to satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. While saying that productivity is the path to national and individual prosperity, the minister stated that there is dignity in labour, which is vital to nation building.  He urged workers to increase the tempo in their different areas of specialty in line with President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s drive to upgrade gov

In a bid to close-up the gap created by insurgency, the Federal Government has empowered 100 vulnerable women and girls in various skills from the 17 Local Government Areas in Yobe State.  The skills, which cut across groundnut oil extraction, soap and vaseline production and tailoring, was intended to open up different livelihood opportunities.  Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr Nasir Gwarzo, stated this at the inaugural programme in Damaturu, the state capital.  He said the essence of the programme was for proper reintegration of women and girls affected by the boko haram insurgency. Gwarzo, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Social Inclusion and Protection, Mr Peter Audu, hinted that the empowerment was also intended to make the women and girls independent. He lamented that a considerable number of married women became single, head of households and sole decision-makers due to kidnapping, death or s

                        Tukur Mamu A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has thrown out the bail application filed by the alleged terrorists' negotiator, Tukur Mamu.  Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the counter-affidavit of the Department of State Services (DSS) as contained in  paragraphs 3 (i), (j), (k), (1) and (m) were not resisted by Mamu on the implication of granting him bail. News Rider reports that the DSS had in March 21, 2023, arraigned Mamu on 10-count bordering on terrorism financing.  Mamu, who pleaded not guilty to the counts, prayed the court for a bail on the grounds of ill-health. Ekwo hinted that Mamu said that the DSS cannot take care of his health challenge and that he was suffering from cardiac decomposition and thyro-cardiac disease.  He insisted that the court would have to weigh some conditions in exercising its discretion such as the  availability of appropriate or adequate or peculiar medical care where the defendant/applicant is in custody. Ekw

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has threatened to sue the Lagos State Government (LASG) over incessant building collapse in the state.  Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Ikeja, the institute was optimistic that legal action would compel LASG to fully implement its law against building collapse.  The Honorary Secretary, Lagos chapter of NIOB, Mr Abiodun Ogundare, lamented that despite the existence of various laws and regulations, buildings were still collapsing in the state. Ogundare hinted that several efforts made by the institute to curb the menace was not fruitful due to the impunity caused by inadequate enforcement by government officials. He was hopeful that the forthcoming worshop with the theme: "Building Surveying Practice, Charting a New Course in Building Post Construction Services”, would provide an avenue to curb building collapse in Lagos and Nigeria generally.  He said that NIOB is exploring building surveying practice as another measure to he

        Dr Mohammad Abubakar  Federal Government has approved the sum of N6 billion for the construction of new corporate headquarters for the Ministry of Agriculture.  The proposed headquarters, to be named Agriculture House, would comprise a 10- storey building that would be sited in the cadastral zone of the Federal Capital Territory.  Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cr Mohammad Abubakar, stated this while briefing newsmen shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.  He said that since the relocation of the ministry to Abuja  over 30 years ago, that they have been using a temporary office.  "We are currently using an office provided by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) which is just about three floors and cannot accommodate the entire ministry. “So, the FCTA has allocated a plot to us in the cadastral zone, totalling about 1.84 hectares at a very strategic place for the construction of a 10

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved $1.2million dollars for the immediate evacuation of Nigerians trapped in the ongoing Sudanese crisis.  Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, stated this while addressing State House shortly after the council’s meeting on Wednesday in Abuja. He noted that the money would be used to hire luxury buses that would convey stranded Nigerians from Khartoum, the Sudanese capital to Egypt, where they would be airlifted to Nigeria. Onyeama said that the major challenge encountered in the evacuation of Nigerians was to secure the authorisation of the Sudanese government and security support for the convoy. “This is because, it has been decided that we will transport or convey Nigerians to the Egyptian border, Aswan. ”We are liaising with our embassy in Egypt; so we have been able to overcome these challenges and have started the process which we are very happy about. “$1.2 million dollars is what we were charged for all the 4

        President Muhammadu Buhari  President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday swore in six new permanent secretaries, with a mandate to contribute to the development of the nation's economy.  He performed the exercsie shortly before the commencement of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja.  News Rider reports that the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, had on March 29, 2023, announced President Buhari's endorsement of the permanent secretaries.  Yemi-Esan noted that they were successful in the selection process conducted by her office. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, read the citation of the new permanent secretaries.  He disclosed that the event was the final stage of weeks of pre-qualification exercises for directors that was conducted by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. Those sworn-in are Mahmud Kambari (Borno), Esuabana Nko-Asanye (Cross River)

      Late Musa Gwadabe A former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, is dead. He died on Tuesday night in Kano after a protracted illness at the age of 86.  Nasiru Gwadabe, a family member of the deceased  disclosed that the funeral prayer of Musa took place on Wednesday at his residence, off Maiduguri road, Kano at 2.00 p.m. The late elder statesman was a minister during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s first tenure from 1999 to 2003.  He was also Secretary to Kano State Government during the tenure of the late Sabo Bakin Zuwo.  Until his death, he was a member of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Board Chairman, Industrial Training Fund (ITF). He was also a member of several boards.  He is survived by children, great grandchildren and relatives. 

                              Late Engineer Dons Udeh A former governorship aspirant during the March 18, 2023, general elections in Enugu State, Engineer Dons Udeh has been found dead. Ude, who was declared missing since last Saturday, April, 22, contested under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).  A family source revealed that the lifeless body of Udeh was discovered at the 9th-mile area of Enugu State. His vehicle was also said to have been recovered. It is unclear whether he was a victim of assassination or kidnapping.   As at the time of filing this report, the police are yet to make an official statement on the incident.

        Joe Biden US President, Joe Biden has declared his interest to contest for the country's number one job for another term.  He announced his plans to seek reelection via Twitter on Tuesday. The tweet was accompanied with a three-minute video clip launching his campaign for re-election in 2024. He said: Every generation has a moment where they have had to stand up for democracy. “To stand up for their fundamental freedoms. I believe this is ours.  “That’s why I’m running for reelection as president of the United States. Join us. Let’s finish the job.” Biden, a Democrat, defeated the incumbent Republican President, Donald Trump during the 2020 presidential election.  The Democrat assumed duty since 2021, as the oldest president that had ever occupied the White House.  He will clock 81 years in 2024 during his campaign and electioneering period. 

        Late Peter Enahoro  Seasoned Journalist, Peter Enahoro Dies At 88. One of Nigeria's seasoned journalists, Mr Peter Enahoro, popularly called Peter Pan is dead.  He died on Monday, April 24, 2023, in London at the age of 88. Enahoro was also an author, publisher, businessman and a columnist for the New African magazine. Briefly  He was born in 21 January 1935 to the famous Enahoro's family in Uromi, Edo State.  Late Enahoro commenced his media career in 1954 as Assistant Publicity Officer of the then Federal Ministry of Information.  At a young age of 20, he joined Daily Times as a sub-editor in 1955, before proceeding to Rediffusion Services, Ibadan, where he served as Assistant District Manager in 1957. Enahoro became the Editor of the Nigerian Sunday Times in 1958 at the age of 23, and Features Editor of the Daily Times in 1958.  He was elevated to the post of Editor in 1962 before he served as Daily Times Group Editorial Adviser in 1965. But in 1966, he b

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: Chairman of EMCAN, Chuks Oyema presenting a congratulatory letter to the National President of Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia in Abuja recently. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE.  The National President of Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) Dr. Efegbidiki Okobia has revealed that absence of independent regulatory body is responsible for the rising environmental crisis in the country.  He stated this when he received members of the Environmental Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) led by its National Chairman, Chuks Oyema in Abuja. To address the shortfall, he noted that the association came up with Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN) bill, which had suffered setback and passed through President Muhammadu Buhari for assent for more than five times.  When passed into law, IEPN bill would regulate the professional practice and boslter activities in the environment sector.  Okobia said that given the e

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted two drug consignments consisting of ecstasy and skunk that was concealed in a wedding gown. Spokesman of NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said on Sunday in Abuja that NDLEA officers attached to courier companies intercepted the drugs, billed for United Arab Emirates.  Babafemi said that the pills of ecstasy were concealed in a gold colour wedding gown, while the skunk was hidden in a micro controller. The 400-level Marine Engineering student at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa state, Kelvin Ogenedoro was also arrested for purchasing 600grams of skunk.  Babafemi noted that the suspect was arrested at the university’s gate following the interception of the consignment in a commercial bus along Tombia-Amassoma road. In Adamawa State, a notorious drug dealer, Ishaku Emzor (aka Lalas) who was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in 2010 for drug offences, was on Thursday, April 20, arrested

At least seven persons were burnt to death and 14 others sustained injuries in a lone autocrash around OPIC on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The incident occured at about 10:45am on Sunday when a Mazda bus with registration number BDG 993 YG, carrying 22 persons lost control due to excessive speeding.  An eyewitness said that the driver of the vehicle was overspending, a situation that led to brake failure.  He noted that as soon as the drive was unable to control the steering, the vehicle hit the road divider, somersaulted and went up in flames.  Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun state, Mrs Florence Okpe confirmed the accident. She disclosed that the 22 persons comprised of seven men, eight women, four male children and three female children. Okpe said that the 14 injured persons were four men, five women, two male children and three female children. She hinted that the seven persons burnt to death were two men, three women and two children.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has closed-in on developers over insinuations that suspected fraudsters invested proceeds of crime obtained through money laundering on real estate business.  One of the EFCC lawyers, Chris Mishela stated this at a training for journalists on effective reporting of economic and financial crimes in Benin, Edo State capital.  He said the essence of the training was to intimate journalists about the framework of the new anti-money laundering Act 2022 and their roles as media practitioners.  “As it is, I am talking about Abuja; you see so many estates springing all over Abuja and more. “The sources of these funds are unlawful; the funds are illegally gotten either from government or international crime and laundered through estate business. “So, EFCC is actually working to look into that dimension and the new money laundering Act has provided an opening for the government to look into the aspect of real estate as we have seen under the Ac

                Collapsed floodlight mast The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, on Saturday ordered the temporary shutdown of National Stadium, Surulere in Lagos over the collapse of a floodlight mast. This, he said became necessary after the on-the-spot assessment of the sporting facility and collapsed floodlight mast on Friday.  Dare hinted that the closure would avert any unforeseen circumstances, adding that no casualty was recorded during the collapse.  “I also inspected the three other floodlight masts and the effects of age and weather elements were visible. Clearly, they are also a suspect after 51 years. “Based on my assessment, advice of experts and in the interest of public safety, there will be a temporary closure of the stadium and surrounding facilities. Proper assessment and necessary action will be taken soon," he added.  The minister assured that the Federal Government through   the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (

At least four out of the remaning 11 students of Federal Government College (FGC) Birnin-Yauri, Kebbi State have been released  by bandits 22 months after their abduction.  Those freed are Faiza Ahmed, Bilha Musa, Hafsat Murtala and Rahama Abdullahi. Bandits had on Thursday, June 17,  2021, abducted 96 students and eight teachers from the College. While many students were released to the state government in batches, 11 students were held hostage.  But the Chairman of Committee for the 11 abducted FGC, Binrin Yauri students, Alhaji Salim Ka’one confirmed in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday that four of the students regained their freedom.  He said that in the past three months, the committee had raised an appeal fund to enable them gather money to secure the release of the students.   Ka’one hinted that the committee used the money they received through the apppel fund in addition to their personal money to free the four girls.  “This means we have been able to secure the release of

The Imo State Police Command has launched manhunt to arrest the killers of five officers and couple at Okpala junction in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State. Gunmen had on Friday morning at about 8.a.m opened fire on the slain policemen who drove from neighbouring Abo Mbaise police division to eat at the junction. An eyewitness revealed that three police were shot dead at the scene, while the other two officers who ran to a nearby shop were traced by the unknown gunmen and murdered instantly.  "The policemen drove in a white coloured Hilux from Aboh Mbaise Police Division to eat at the junction. “As they were eating, gunmen drove to the place and opened fire on them. Two out of the five policemen ran to a nearby shop where a couple sold meat pie and sachet water. After killing the three policemen, they went to the shop where the two other officers were hiding and killed them, "he said.   The source disclosed that a couple identified as Mr and Mrs China

BY CHIKA OKEKE The residents of Ayetoro community in Ilaje Council Area of Ondo State are excruciating as about 500 to 700 buildings including schools and places of worship worth millions of naira were washed away during sea turbulence.  This was even as the 20-year-old surge rendered many landlords homeless, while majority of the residents had relocated to the neighboring communities. The coastal community of Ayetoro with an estimated population of 10, 000 residents had been battling with ocean surge for than 10 decades.  In a two minutes and 51 seconds video titled: 'Save Ayetoro From Extinction', a male voice was heard at the background describing the impact of the ocean surge that occurred on Monday, April 17, 2023.  He said that many houses were destroyed, while more than  half of the community were encroached by the ravaging sea turbulence.  Describing the incident as excruciating and sardonic, he called on the relevant agencies to rescue the community from th

Senator Aliyu Wamakko  In the spirit of Eid-el-Fitri celebration, the lawmaker representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Senator Aliyu Wamakko has secured the freedom of 62 inmates serving various jail terms in Correctional Centres in Sokoto State.  The inmates, who regained their freedom were imprisoned in Sokoto, Tambuwal, Wurno and Gwadabawa correctional centers. In addition, the Senator paid the fines imposed on the inmates by different courts in order to free them from the four walls of the prison.  Bashar Abubakar, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Sen Wamakko said on Thursday that the Senator also gave each of the 62 inmates N10,000 as transportation to their respective homes.  News Rider reports that the lawmaker commenced the initiative in 2016, as part of his humanitarian intervention programme. Wamakko was excited that the inmates would celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr with their families, just as he advised them to be of good behaviour and avoid mist

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Osun Oshogbo Grove National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) has raised concern as Nigeria's two World Heritage Sites are threatened by illegal excavation and erosion that currently defaced the monuments.  The Sukur Cultural Landscape, Adawama State and Osun Oshogbo Grove in Osun State are Nigeria's only monuments inscribed as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage sites in 1999 and 2005 respectively.  To this end, the commission has sought the support of the Ecological Project Office (EPO) in remediating the heritage sites and other national monuments across the country. The Director- General of NCMM, Prof Abba Isa Tijani made the passionate appeal during a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary of EPO, Malam Shehu Ibrahim on Wednesday in Abuja.  Tijani hinted that illegal mining and encroachment around the Osun Oshogbo Grove worsened erosion menace in the area and pollute

        Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola  The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 21, and Monday, April 24, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eld-ul-fitr celebration. Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this on Wednesday via a statement released through the  Ministry’s Twitter handle.  The statement, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Shuaib Begore, he congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan. The minister urged Muslims to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighborliness. “The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshiper,” he added. Aregbesola assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari is fully committed to a peaceful transition of government following

At least two people died and four rescued when a fence adjacent to a building under construction collapsed in Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.  News Rider gathered on Wednesday that the dead and rescued victims were the construction workers at the site of the incident.  But an eyewitness hinted that the foundation of the building was dug too close to the fence, a situation that prompted the collapse.  Appraising the incident, Director, Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA) Mukhtar Galadima said that there was an earlier order stopping work at the site until necessary measures were put in place. “The Department of Development Control has done all within its power by even stopping the work here. But then, the developer, maybe using his engineer, did not heed the warning and then this incident happened. “Because when you are doing this kind of activity, you need to shore it up, retain the wall so that there will b

One of Nigeria's telecommunications companies, 9mobile has invested N70 billion on its ongoing network modernisation. This was even as additional 600 new sites, equipped with 4G LTE facilities would be deployed alongside the new broadband services to enlarge its fibre network across some Nigerian cities. Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile, Juergen Peschel, disclosed this at the just concluded annual Channel Partners Conference in Lagos. Peschel said that the interventions became crucial to enhance its operations and market competitiveness, adding that it would be extended to other technical, digital and organisational upgrade to demonstrate 9mobile’s core values of innovation, quality of service and customer-centricity. He noted that the company is on the path of resurgence following the enormous investments into its network operations and a strong commitment by the board and management to aggressively reclaim market share.  The CEO added: “9mobile is on the path of res

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja A Niger-Delta Environmental Health Advocacy group, Women for Sustainability (WfS) has extolled the military for the giant strides recorded in the region especially its intervention on the black soot.  This was even as the group expressed optimism that the soot,  which appeared in the region following the heightened activities of crude oil thieves would soon fizzle out.  Convener of the group, Ms. Ibieye Batubo, said on Wednesday that though the soot was not completely eradicated, but their intervention brought relief to the region especially among Portharcourt residents.  Batubo attributed the gradual disappearance of the soot to the ongoing military onslaught against illegal bunkerers, determined to sabotage the economy of the Niger Delta region.  While commending the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen LEO Irabor for playing a crucial role towards the eradication of the soot, she enjoined the troops to shun criminals that are bent on spreading diseases in th

At least, eight abducted female students of Government Secondary School, Awon in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have escaped from terrorists' den.  The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, had on Monday, April 3, 2023, announced that bandits kidnapped eight secondary school students at Awon in Kachia LGA alongside other residents.  He had stated that the students were not kidnapped within the school premises, but on their way home from school when they came in contact with the bandits, who had abducted other residents.  But the commissioner on Tuesday, said that eight students escaped from the kidnappers den after spending almost 14 days with their captors in a thick forest bordering Kaduna and Niger states.  He noted that the students trekked for days before arriving at an undisclosed location (name withheld for security reasons) where they were sheltered before alerting the state government. Aruwan stated that Govern

        Governor Ahmadu Fintiri  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the prolonged Adamawa Gubernatorial election.  Fintiri polled 430,788 votes to defeat his closest rival, Sen. Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 398,788 votes. News Rider reports that INEC had fixed April 15, 2023, for supplementary election following the declaration of the March 18, governorship election in the state as inconclusive. INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Mele, who announced the result on Tuesday in Yola, said that the supplementary election was conducted in 69 polling units across 20 Local Government Areas of the state. He said: "Ahmadu Fintiri of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes in the election is hereby declared the winner and returned elected. News Rider gathered that the s

A recent survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has faulted the low representation of women at all tiers and levels of governance. The report, released on Tuesday in Abuja, titled: "NBS Statistical Report on Women and Men in Nigeria 2021", highlighted that women constituted almost half of the electorate. It revealed that despite efforts to promote the contribution of women in politics and decision-making, that women had consistently recorded low representation at all tiers and levels of governance. The report pointed out that Nigerian women have never been appointed as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, nor elected as President or Vice-President since independence and the return of democracy in 1999.  It pegged the highest representation of women in the National Assembly at 7.2 per cent, which was attained between 2007 to 2011. The report revealed that: “It was 6.6 per cent each in 2011 to 2015 and 2015 to 2019 while a total of six