News Rider

The Bayelsa State Government has summoned the parents of a four-year-old bride and the 54-year-old groom.  This followed the viral media reports of the marriage between the girl and the man, identified as Elder Akpos, with the consent of the girl’s parents. News Rider reported that the traditional marriage rites between the bride and the quinquagenarian took place on December 26, 2023, at Akeddei community in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.  But in a statement issued on Saturday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state government described the marriage as illegal union.  It was jointly signed by the Director, Child Development at the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Development, Mr Paniebi Jacob; and Chairman, Gender Response Initiative Team, Dr. Dise Ogbise-Goddy.  The government noted that the illegal marriage was not based on tradition and customs, saying that it was repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience. It pointed out that it wou

A Child rights advocacy group, DO Foundation has kicked against the traditional marriage rites between a 4-year-old bride and a quinquagenarian  in Bayelsa State.  The ceremony took place on December 26, 2023, at Akeddei community in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state between the girl and a 54- year- old man.  A competent source who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the marriage between the girl and the  man, identified as Elder Akpos, was with the consent of the girl’s parents. He said that the parents of the girl claimed that the 54-year-old man was her husband in their previous life. The source noted that the girl said that the man was her husband who died mysteriously in their previous life. Narrating her ordeal, the girl stated  that over the years, she has been moving from place to place, to be given birth to by different parents, while searching for her former husband. The source added: ”The little bride said if she was not allowed to marry her hu

Late Rotimi Akeredolu  The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu is dead. He died on Wednesday morning at the age of 67.  The governor had battled with the prolonged and undisclosed illness, which reports revealed that it is cancer of the blood known as Leukemia.  Efforts to get confirmation from the Government House proved abortive as at the time of filing this report. The late governor is survived by his wife, Betty and four children. Recall that the governor handed over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on December 13, to enable him travel to Germany for medical treatment when his health deteriorated.  This, was after President Bola Tinubu intervened in the political crisis that almost engulfed the state.  The governor had on April 3, 2023 and July 10, 2023, proceeded on medical vacation. Before the trip, he also handed over to the deputy governor.  He returned to Nigeria on September 7 and wrote the state House of Assembly informing the lawmakers about his arriv

Late Ghali Umar Na’Abba A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba is dead. He died at the age of 65. News Rider learnt that Na’Abba died in the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja. Briefly. The late speaker was born on September 27, 1958, into the family of Umar Na’Abba, a businessman in Tudun Wada, Kano City.  He commenced his early education at Jakara Primary School, Kano where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1969. The late speaker later proceeded to Rumfa College, Kano for his West African School Certificate and was also at School of Preliminary Studies, Kano, between 1974 and 1976.  He gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in October, 1976, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1979. Na’Abba completed a postgraduate programme on Leadership and Good Governance at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in the United States in 2004. His funeral and interment is expected to tak

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the  brutal attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State, which resulted in the tragic loss of many lives. The Plateau State Police Command on Tuesday, December 26, revealed that 96 persons were killed while 221 houses were set ablaze during the Christmas Eve attacks by gunmen in the state. State Commissioner of Police, Okoro Alawari disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement signed by the command’s spokesman, Alfred Alabo. He noted that the attacks were carried out by the assailants in 15 communities of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs, adding that eight vehicles were burnt during the attacks.  But Tinubu in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale on Tuesday in Abuja, directed the security agencies to immediately move in, scour every stretch of the zone and apprehend the culprits. The President also ordered the immediate mobilisation of relief materials for surviving victims of the primitive and cruel att

      Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama  The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama has countered viral report that the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis approved blessings for same-sex marriage.  This is even as he described the media report as untrue and mischievous disinformation, adding that it is part of a deliberately orchestrated falsehood by the enemies of the Catholic Church to cause confusion among its members. Kaigama made the clarification in his homily during the Christmas Mass at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Pro-Cathedral in Abuja. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Pope did not and will never approve blessings for any intending same-sex couples because the position of the Church on this is very clear and has not changed. “I am the representative of the Pope here, so if there’s any such approval or directive, I’ll be the first to know and relay the message to the brethren. “The media reports on this issue is the handiwork of the enemies o

The Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) has pleaded with Christians to shun violence and all forms of hedonism.  This is even as the association begged Nigerians to desist from acts that could contradict the teachings of this season of love, care, joy, peace and support. The Borno State CAN Chairman, Rev. John Bakeni, who made the appeal on Monday in Maiduguri, encouraged the citizens to embrace peace, reconciliation and love. Bakeni lamented that this year’s Christmas is celebrated amidst difficult and harsh economic realities, insecurity and palpable fear of the unknown.  To this end, he urged Christians not to lose the essence and true meaning of the Solemn feast as the blessings and grace of Christmas far outweigh and supersede the temporal and ephemeral realities. “We must not focus on the material and worldly things that life affords, but on the spiritual preparation and disposition that will allow Christ to be reborn in our hearts, our homes, our communities, our

The police has rescued four underaged children abducted by a new neighbour in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.  This was even as the police arrested the eight kidnappers, including five females and three males, who are currently helping with investigation into the crime. News Rider reported that an unidentified female neighbour allegedly abducted four underaged children in Umuahia on Saturday, December 16, 2023.  The children aged between three to six years belonged to three different parents.  An eyewitness explained that Mrs Ifeanyi Udoma-Ibe, a resident of Ubakala Street/Ossai Road, Umuahia, left the four children in the care of a new female tenant in her sister's compound to fetch water.  "When she returned, she noticed that the new tenant had absconded with the four children and could not trace their whereabout, " the source added.  But the Police Public Relations Officer, Abia Police Command, Maureen Chinaka confirmed the rescue to journalists on Sunday.

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has completed the mechanical component on Area 5 Plant of the Old Port Harcourt Refinery.  News Rider reports that rehabilitation work has been ongoing at the refinery for over two years, just as the NNPCL had pledged to complete Phase One of the project (mechanical completion and flare start-up) by 31st December, 2023.  The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari stated this over the weekend during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation project, which also coincided with the 15th Refineries' Rehabilitation Steering Committee Meeting.  He said that as at December 15, 2023, 84.4 percent of Area 5 Plant, a key component of the refinery, and 77.4 percent of the entire rehabilitation project have been completed. “In our quest to ensure that this refinery is re-streamed to continue to deliver value to Nigerians, we made a promise that we will reach a mechanical completion of pha

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo In commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Federal Government has declared Monday, and Tuesday, December, 25 and 26 2023, as public holidays to mark the Christmas festivity.  This was even as the Federal Government set aside Monday, January 1, 2024, as another holiday for New Year’s Day celebration. Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government felicitated with Christians and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion. In a statement signed by the Director Overseeing Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Peter Egbodo, the minister enjoined Christians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ in his practice and teachings of humility, service, compassion and patience. He emphasised that peace and security are critical prerequisites for economic development and prosperity. Tunji-Ojo assured that the Federal Government under the leadershi

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Director- General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Dr Ifedayo Adetifa (2nd right) flanked by Health Officials in Bauchi State on Friday.  The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has intensified efforts to end the outbreak of Lassa Fever and Diphtheria in Bauchi State.  Director- General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa stated this on Friday during his meeting with senior officers at Bauchi State Ministry of Health and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH). Since 2022, Bauchi has consistently ranked among the top three states reporting the highest number of lassa fever cases.  In 2023, Bauchi recorded 945 suspected cases, with 160 confirmed cases and 33 confirmed deaths.  News Rider reports that as at October 2023, Bauchi recorded 369 confirmed cases of diphtheria, with over 26 deaths in the Local Government Areas.  Adetifa promised that NCDC would continuously support the state to addre

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  L-R: Hajia Shehu Tijani Abdullahi; CEO of Amal Technologies, Mr. Shehu Tijani Abdullahi; Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande; Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Aleke and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe at the commissioning of Amal Technologies Gas Leak Detection and Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Facility at Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja on Thursday. The Federal Government has recorded a breakthrough in Research and Development (R&D) with the unveiling of Gas Leak Detection Device and Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Facility at Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja.  Initiated by Amal Technologies Limited, the project was supported by the immediate past Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, who spearheaded the R&D roadmap as a key component in the development of oil and gas

The Federal Government has appointed 46 new Directors for agencies under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.  This followed the sack of all Heads of Agencies in the ministry by President Bola Tinubu on December 14.  A statement from the ministry on Thursday revealed that in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo released the list of newly appointed directors of the agencies under the ministry as follows: NIGERIAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (NIMET): 1 PROF VINCENT EZIKORNWOR WELI DIRECTOR, WEATHER SERVICES 2 PROF ODJUGO PETER AKPODIOGAGA OVUYOVWIROYE DIRECTOR, RESEARCH AND TRAINING 3 ONYEGBULE GLORY AMARACHI DIRECTOR, APPLIED METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES 4 ABDULKAREEM HAMID OLAYINKA DIRECTOR, ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 5 FUNKE ADEBAYO AROWOJOBE DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION 6 SHOLA GABRIEL DIRECTOR, LEGAL SERVICES/ COMPANY SECRETARY 7 NASIRU SANI DIRECTOR, HUM

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has vowed to sanction the culprits–buyers, sellers, medical practitioners and hospitals–involved in illegal organ harvesting in Abuja.  This is even as the government enjoined the public with any useful information that could lead to the arrest of such perpetrators to contact 08033228978, promising that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law.  This followed a viral report published by one of the national dailies tagged: "Inside Abuja’s Kidney Market where the Rich prey on the Poor in the FCT”.  In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs Patricia Deworitshe on Wednesday night in Abuja, the ministry condemned the barbaric and inhuman criminal practice of kidney trafficking. While acknowledging the pain of the victims, she informed the public that the National Health Act (NHA) 2014 Sections 51-56 prohibited such illegality.  Deworitshe stated t

The Rivers House of Assembly has withdrawn the impeachment notice served on Governor Siminialayi Fubara. Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule stated this during Wednesday’s plenary held at the auditorium of the Assembly’s residential quartres in Port Harcourt. News Rider reports that the house had relocated to the auditorium of the Assembly’s residential quarters to pave the way for renovation of the assembly complex. Amaewhule, who read the withdrawal notice, disclosed that the action was sequel to the intervention of President Bola Tinubu on the political crisis in the state. “Following the agreement reached on December 18 at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, the House has withdrawn the notice of impeachment it earlier served on the governor. “The house will also abide by the agreements and advice of the President, this is a mark of immense respect by members,” he added. 

    Senator Simon Lalong The former Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong has been officially sworn in as the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District in the 10th Assembly. This followed the sack of Senator Napoleon Binkap Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Court of Appeal.  Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took the oath of office on Wednesday, which was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, Mr Chinedu Akubueze.  Shortly after the oath of office, Lalong promised the people of Plateau that he would not disappoint them, saying that he decided to resign his appointment as the Minister of Labour and Employment for the Senate as his first choice. Recall that Lalong had on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu, to enable him occupy his seat at the Senate. He also submitted his Certificate of Return and relevant documents to the Clerk of the Senate.  In the letter, the former minister re

Governor Siminialayi Fubara  The Governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara has approved the sum of N100, 000 as Christmas Bonus for civil servants in the State.  This comes despite the feud between the governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike over financial and leadership tussle.  Fubara approved the immediate disbursement of the Christmas bonus to civil servants under the government’s payroll, as contained in a statement by Commissioner of Information and Communications, Warisenibo Johnson. He said that the governor wrote the approval for the bonus payment on Tuesday to enable the workers have a blissful Yuletide celebration this year. Recall that President Bola Tinubu had brokered peace to end the impasse between Governor  Fubara and Wike, leading to an 8-point agenda deal.  But Fubara noted that no price would be too big to pay to guarantee lasting peace.  “There is no price that will be too big to pay to ensure peace prevails,"  he said.

The Nigerian Army has honoured 113 retired generals with awards for their 35 years of meritorious service to the nation and treated them to a regimental dinner.  Among those honoured were the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Lucky Irabor; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya and Ex-Chief of Defence Intelligence, retired Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo. The senior officers comprising one full General, one Lieutenant General, 67 Major Generals and 44 Brigadier Generals were among the retirees or due for retirement within the year. At the event on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru said that the essence of the ceremony was to reflect on the extraordinary services and profound dedication demonstrated by the generals. Badaru noted that their experiences and skills, as well as integrity, discipline, dedication, loyalty and respect for diversity, would guide them in their future endeavours. He hinted that the generals led the

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Alhalji Abdulmalik Halilu with officials of Wilkriss Nigeria Limited and staff of the board at the load-out ceremony of OML 100 Skided Ejector Package in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has promised to priortise fabrication factories in order to provide healthy massive opportunities for them to sustain their operations.  The Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the NCDMB, Alhalji Abdulmalik Halilu stated this on Tuesday at the Load-out ceremony of OML 100 skided ejector package, fabricated and assembled by an indigenous company, Wilkriss Nigeria Limited for residual gas recovery in Port Harcourt.  He noted that the patronage and deployment of indigenous oil and gas service companies remained strategic since the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act over the years.

  Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has expressed excitement over the arrest of an Uyo-based legal practitioner, Mr Ekere Ebong over domestic violence.  A video of Ebong’s assault on his wife went viral on social media platforms on Sunday, a situation that compelled the Akwa Ibom government to order his arrest. In the few minutes video, Mrs Ebong, who was bleeding all over her body was rescued by her neighbours after she had been thoroughly beaten by her lawyer husband. In a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Grace Njoku on Monday, revealed that the minister endorsed the arrest.  The minister was angry over the incident, insisting that the alleged offender must be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to abusive spouses. She reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government towards ending all forms of violence against women and the girl-child. Kennedy-Ohanenye no

An unidentified female neighbour has allegedly abducted four underaged children in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.  The incident occurred on Saturday, December 16, 2023, barely three weeks after the disappearance of four school children of the same parents in Umuda Communuty, a suburb of Umuahia. An eyewitness explained that Mrs Ifeanyi Udoma-Ibe, a resident of Ubakala Street/Ossai Road, Umuahia, left the four children in the care of a new female tenant in her sister's compound to fetch water.  The source noted that when she returned, she noticed that the new tenant had absconded with the four children and could not trace their whereabout.  Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Abia Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka confirmed the  incident in Umuahia on Monday. She noted that the command  had arrested some suspects in connection with the Saturday’s incident. Narrating the incident, Chinaka stated that Udoma-Ibe visited her sister, who is a tenant in the compound and left t

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 13 cases of Dengue Fever outbreak in Sokoto State. This followed the reported cases of the fever in November 2023, with 71 suspected cases and zero deaths in the state.   Currently, the virus has been reported in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state such as Sokoto South (60 cases), Wamako (3 cases) and Dange Shuni (1 case). The majority of the suspected reported cases fell between the age range of 21- 40 years, according to the alert issued by the Director General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa on Sunday in Abuja.  Dengue fever is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV) and transmitted to humans through the infected mosquito bite.  Human-to-human transmission of the virus has not been established but DENV is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas worldwide. Adetifa informed that Sokoto state could respond to the out

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja At least, 200 persons died from Lassa fever outbreak, representing 17.1 percent in 28 States and 114 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 2023.  Aside the fatality, there are 8542 suspected cases and 1170 confirmed cases in the affected areas as of 3rd December, suggesting that 2023 may witness record number of cases. The Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Dr Ifedayo Adetifa disclosed this on Sunday while issuing a Public Health Advisory On Lassa Fever in Abuja.  But in 2021, 510 confirmed cases were reported across 17 states and 68 LGAs, while in 2022, Nigeria reported 1067 confirmed cases across 27 states and 112 LGAs.  Lassa fever is an acute Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the Mastomys natalensis rodent commonly known as the multimammate rat or the African rat). Other rodents can also be carriers of the virus. The virus spreads through direct cont

Following the revocation of licenses of Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and four Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has paid over N1.7 billion to insured customers of the failed banks.  The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NDIC, Mr Bello Hassan stated this on Saturday at the 2023 NDIC Editors Forum in Lagos, with the theme: "Stocktaking of Deposit Insurance Practice: Assessing the Past, Evaluating the Present and Forecasting the Future.” Hassan recalled that earlier in the year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the licenses of 183 institutions comprising microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks. He noted that after the revocation of licenses, NDIC quickly advertised and informed the affected depositors to get the required documents and come forward for verification so that their insured money would be paid to them.  "In terms of insured amount, we have paid more than 1.7 billion to more than 22,000 c

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Engr Felix Omatsola Ogbe The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has assumed duty, with a call on the staff to be productive and sustain the board’s legacies.  President Bola Tinubu had on Thursday, December 7 2023, appointed Ogbe as the Executive Secretary of NCDMB alongside eight senior management of the board.  He replaced the immediate past Executive Secretary, Engr Simbi Wabote who served the board for seven and half years.  At his first official meeting with the directors and senior management of the board on Thursday in Abuja, Ogbe received a high-level briefing on the ongoing projects and initiatives by the board.  Ogbe lauded the achievements recorded by the agency, especially the human capacity development programme which produced Nigerians that currently provide high-tech services in other African oil-producing countries. On the Nigerian Content 10-ye

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has debunked the claims that 25 new cases of COVID-19 pandemic were detected in Benue State. This is coming on the heels of report (not News Rider) on 11th December 2023, which was credited to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO surveillance officer in the state.  The report emanated from the Civil Society Organiations (CSOs) and media parley organised by the Benue State Primary Healthcare Board in collaboration with the WHO.  But the Director General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa said on Friday in Abuja that the report is a complete misinterpretation of a statement made by the WHO surveillance officer.  He noted that the surveillance officer, while making her presentation on the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Benue, stated that: “Benue State had recorded a total of 25 cases in the year 2023, with the last case recorded as of mid-April (epi week 18)." Adetifa disclosed that the information p