News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Lanre Arogundade The International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos has enjoined the media and journalists to hold critical stakeholders responsible for flaws in the electoral process. Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a one-day Media/Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) roundtable, organised by International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos, under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) project.  The critical stakeholders are the government, security and law enforcement agencies, election management body such as INEC, SIEC; political parties and their candidates, civil society, citizens, observers and monitors.  Arogundade said that the stakeholders are expected to play crucial roles for Nigeria to have credible elections, which serve as the basis of public trust.  The theme of the event, "Re-examining the Role of Critical Stakeholders in Rebuilding Trust in t...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Mr Jide Ojo  A Development Consultant, Mr Jide Ojo has lamented the escalating identity theft on social media, adding that over zealous citizen journalists clone people's account and post without the consent of the account holder.  He stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a one-day Media/Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) roundtable, organised by International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos, under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase 2 (EUSDGN II) project.  The theme of the event, "Re-examining the Role of Critical Stakeholders in Rebuilding Trust in the Electoral Processes & Institutions", was designed to enhance the credibility of INEC and improve the electoral processes by providing accurate information to the public.  Ojo said that election is the best way to recruit political leaders and it is also a prime factor in a democracy, noting that conducting election is the responsibility of the 37 elec...

Police have rescued five abducted victims unhurt at a forest located in Kuje and Karmo, in Kuje Area Council and Abuja Municipal Area Council respectively.  Named Kuje forest, the area is an isolated forest where kidnapped victims are kept, though largely occupied by Fulani herdsmen and few Kuje natives.  News Rider reports that aside kidnapping, illegal tree logging occurs in the thick forest daily and unhindered despite the grave implications of climate change on Nigeria’s soil.  FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josphine Adeh said on Monday in Abuja that the rescued woman among them was kidnapped on January 27, 2023.   She said: "At about 11:30 pm when a distress call was received by the Iddo Police Division and on hearing sounds of gunshot around Sabon Lugbe axis, the police patrol team were drafted to the scene where one Blessing Eze, a woman was met with bullet wounds on her shoulder inside a Toyota Corolla car with RSH 724 KC, black in c...

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has decimated over 30 terrorists and kidnappers along Kwiga-Kampanin Doka axis in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch  recorded the milestone following an intelligence report on the movement of the criminals along the axis. Report also revealed that the syndicate was responsible for the ambush on troops at Kwanan Mutuwa on January 27, 2024, as well as several attacks and abduction of innocent civilians in Birnin Gwari. The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet said on Monday in Abuja, that a deliberate and detailed scan revealed a group of terrorists moving in a convoy of about 15 motorcycles, each with at least two armed terrorists. “Accordingly, the terrorists were trailed to a location where they converged before they were engaged and neutralised in a precision strike. “The aftermath of the air strike revealed that several of the terrorists were elimina...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja                                           Ruth Tene  The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Elected Caretaker Committee has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun;  Department of State Services (DSS) and International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) over growing crisis associated with failed election.  News Rider reports that a copy of the petition was also copied to the CWC, President of NUJ, President of NLC, NCWS President, NLC Women Committee, Human Rights Commission, Minister of Women Affairs, and Chairman of NUJ, FCT Council.  Recall that over 100 members of NAWOJ staged a peaceful protest on Saturday, January 20, 2023 at the FCT Secretariat of NUJ in Utako, Abuja, the proposed venue for the election.  The protest marred the scheduled election for the executive members of FCT chap...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, ABUJA Mrs Mary Nkem Barely ten months after the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to release official statement on the pros and cons of the election.  News Rider reports that the 2023 general elections commenced with the Presidential and National Assembly polls on Saturday, February 25, while the Governorship and State Assembly elections took place on Saturday, March 18.  Findings indicated that the elections experienced skirmishes such as snatching of ballot boxes, violence, corruption, ethnic politics and failed technology like the use of INEC Result Viewing (IReV) in uploading results as promised by the commission.  The European Union Election Observation Mission in its report revealed that the 2023 general elections was not transparent and lacked inclusive democratic process.   “The 2023 general elections did not ensure a well-run transparent, and inclusive democratic process as as...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Director General of WE LEAD Campaign Team, Princess Ekwi Ajide has raised concern over the botched election of the executive members of the FCT Chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).  News Rider reported that the election scheduled to hold on Saturday, January 20, was stalled with a peaceful protest from members, over what they described as irregularities in the electoral process.  It was also gathered that the protest was instigated by visibly angry female journalists, who were informed on the last-minute changes to use the NUJ identity card for accreditation and voting, instead of the identity card of media organisations.  But Ajide said on Sunday in Abuja that the stalement of the election sparked concerns among members and the wider community.  She said that though the organisation strives to address the concerns and challenges faced by women journalists, that the deadlock in the election of executive me...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja At least, over 100 members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) staged a peaceful protest, a situation that truncated the scheduled election for the FCT chapter.   The protest started few minutes past 1p.m on Saturday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, the proposed venue for the election.  News Rider reports that the protest was instigated by visibly angry female journalists, who were informed on the last-minute changes to use the NUJ Identity Card for accreditation. This, they described as fraud and irregularities in the electoral process, just as they wondered why the same rule was not applicable during the NAWOJ National Delegates’ Election.  Recall that the Executive members of the FCT chapter of NAWOJ were dissolved earlier on Saturday to pave the way for a peaceful election before members staged a peaceful protest.  In a chat with News Rider, some members insisted...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Participants at the Defence and Security Anti-corruption training in Lagos recently.  The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has blamed security breaches on systemic corruption, and inactive transparency and accountability in the Defence and Security sector.  This formed part of the discuss at the end of a two-day  Defence and Security Anti-corruption training organised by CISLAC in collaboration with Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria).  The event, which held in Lagos on January 10 to 11, 2024, was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. It was aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society to advocate and conduct state and national engagements toward an accountable, responsive, and efficient management of the defence and security sector. The communique was jointly signed by CISLAC and representatives of Vanguard Newspaper, Chioma Obinna; SiidAfrican Initiatives for...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In a bid to strengthen response mechanism, the  Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated the national multisectoral Emergency Operations Centre for Lassa Fever (LF-EOC).  This was done through the National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group (LF-TWG), aimed at reducing the increasing cases of the infectious disease in the country.  The LF-EOC activation resulted from a risk assessment conducted by experts from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA's)  stakeholders and major partners. Director-General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa said on Thursday in Abuja that the outcome of  the risk assessment placed Nigeria as high-risk country with lassa fever transmission. This, he attributed to increased number of states reporting cases, high case fatality in confirmed cases, low index of suspicion among health care workers, healthcare worker infections and deaths, and continued attrition of essenti...

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday trashed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) host, Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire 1-0 in their second group game. At the Ebimpe Olympics stadium, the match  ignited a long-time rivalry between the two countries, which was crucial to their qualifying  group stage, due to a 4-2 victory by Equatorial Guinea against Guinea-Bissau earlier in the day. But Super Eagles’s captain, Williams Troost-Ekong pulled through in 55 minutes and scored a lone goal via penalty kick. This decided the victory for Jose Peseiro-led team which held a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their opening match. Peseiro adopted a tactical change by deploying a 5-4-1 formation against Cote d’Ivoire, which was a tweak from the 4-4-3 formation he used in the first match. The 5-4-1 formation led to the introduction of central defender, Calvin Bassey, who was paired alongside Williams Troost-Ekong.  Also in the midfield, Frank Onyeka replaced Alhassan Yusu...

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the payment of renewal fees for  Group Life Assurance for Federal Government workers. This is even as the Federal Government has concluded plans to commence the disbursement of loans to students.  Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris disclosed this on Wednesday at the end of the maiden 2024 council meeting in Abuja. He said that the approval for payment of life assurance was sequel to a memo submitted to the council by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan. Idris informed that President Bola Tinubu approved about N9.6 billion for 12 local insurance firms to cover the Federal workers in case of unforeseen eventualities in the course of their duties. “There are about 12 insurance companies involved. It’s a normal annual cover that insurance companies give workers. So, in the event of death or severe injury, they can resort to it so that their families ...

At least, two persons died and 77 others sustained injuries when an explosion hit Bodija area of Ibadan and its environs yesterday night.  The incident, which occured around 7:44 p.m on Tuesday, was caused by a cache of explosive devices stored by some illegal miners occupying a residential building in the area. Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde provided the number of the casualties when he visited the scene of the incident yesterday to ascertain the extent of damage. Already, some of the injured victims had been treated and discharged, while the government promised to pay the medical bills of all the victims.  Makinde noted that the government would provide temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected and support toward rebuilding their lives. He noted that preliminary investigations by security agencies revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija area had stored some explosive devices which caused the blast. The governor i...

A Kaduna State High Court has sentenced a 38- year old woman, Helen Ejiofor to two years imprisonment for N2.1 million job scam. Justice Darius Khobo, who announced the imprisonment on Tuesday, also handed the convict an option of N100, 000 fine and ordered her to pay back N2.1 million to the complainant, Mr James Adams. He insisted that if the convict failed to pay the agreed amount, that she would serve additional one year imprisonment. But Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Mr Precious Onyeneho had told the court that the defendant committed the crime in September 2023, in Kaduna.  Onyeneho said that the defendant deceived the complainant to pay the said money into her account under the pretence of securing jobs for his two brothers. He stated that as soon as the defendant received the money, she started avoiding calls from the complainant who waited for the non-existent employment letters. The counsel informed that all efforts made by t...

Prof Chukwuma Soludo holding the wreath during the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Awka  Anambra State on Monday Pledges To End Banditry, Terrorism As Nigeria commemorates 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) governors have pledged better deal for ex-service men and families of fallen heroes.  The 15th of January annually was designated as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to honour the fallen heroes and members of Armed Forces for their sacrifices to the nation.  Governor of Anambra State, Prof  Chukwuma Soludo promised that his administration would not take the sacrifices made by ex-servicemen for lasting peace and unity of Nigeria for granted. Speaking at Awka, the State capital on Monday, he noted that with the liberation of eight Local Government Areas and sacking of more than 100 criminal gang camps, Anambra is one of the safest states in Nigeria. He said that Anambra had an unprecedented mass return of people during the last Christmas celeb...

  Governor Siminialayi Fubara  The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Patrick Tonye-Cole against the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. A five-member panel headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun announced the postponement of the appeal on Monday after all parties in the suit adopted their briefs of argument. The APC candidate had approached the apex court on the grounds that Fubara did not resign as Accountant-General of the state, adding that he acted as accountant general exceeding the stipulated time as provided by the constitution and electoral act before the election. Tonye-Cole further argued that Fubara was not qualified to contest or even to be declared winner of the election. News Rider reports that the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State had affirmed the election of Fubara as the governor of Rivers. This was even as the court dismissed the petition filed by Tonye-...

Drugs recovered at the factory National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered Skuchies factory at Ibadan, Oyo State on January 11. Skuchies is a Chapman drink laced with hard drugs. The factory which is operated by a 28-year-old, is sited at the Moniya area of Ibadan.  NDLEA’s spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi said on Sunday in Abuja that 76.6kg of Indian hemp, 134gm of tramadol, 93gm of Rophynol and 50 litres of skuchies were recovered from the factory. He noted that in Ondo State, operatives also  arrested four drug suspects in a hotel off Ado-Ekiti Road, Akure, on January 12 with 524.5kg Indian hemp. Babafemi disclosed that NDLEA nabbed a 26-year-old man at Ala Forest, Akure, and recovered 293.5kg of Indian hemp and a dane gun from him. He informed that NDLEA also arrested a 67-year-old man at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo on January 11 with 454 blocks of Indian hemp. The spokesman hinted that the hemp which weighed 311kg, was loaded in a Le...

President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has established a 6-man Special Presidential Panel on Social Investment Programmes. This followed the President's six-week suspension of the four programmes under the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA). News Rider reports that the suspended programmes are N-Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, and Home Grown School Feeding Programme. The panel would be led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale said on Saturday in Abuja, that the panel would undertake a comprehensive review and audit of the existing financial frameworks and policy guidelines of the social investment programmes. He noted that the changes would culminate in a total re-engineering of the financial architecture, as well as the detailed modification of the procedu...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has appointed new management teams for three Nigerian banks to replace the disengaged staff.  Acting Director of Corporate Communications, CBN, Hakama Sidi Alli said on late Wednesday that the appointees would head the Keystone, Polaris and Union banks.  The apex bank had on Wednesday dissolved the board and management of the affected banks due to non-compliance with the provisions of Section 12(c), (f), (g), (h) of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOIFA) 2020. To this end, the bank named Yetunde Oni as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank and Mannir Ubale Ringim as Executive Director. This was even as Hassan Imam would mount the saddle as the managing director and chief executive officer of Keystone Bank, while Chioma A. Mang would serve as executive director of the bank. Also, Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola is expected to serve as the managing director/chief executive officer of Polaris Ba...

        President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has fired the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Mr Babatunde Irukera and his counterpart in Bureau of Public Enyerprises, Mr Alexander Okoh. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale disclosed this on Monday in Abuja. He noted that the dismissal was in conformity with plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the Federal Government. This, he believed was to protect the rights of Nigerian consumers and provide strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy by key growth-enabling institutions. Ngelale said that the two dismissed chief executives were directed to hand over to the most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new ones. He informed that the dismissal of the two heads was with immediate effect. 

     Alhaji Ahmed Tijani-Anaje  The Ohi of Okenwe, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani-Anaje has been named as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. This followed his appointment by the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, which led to the deposement of three traditional rulers.  News Rider reports that the former Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim died on October 29, 2023 at the age of 94 due to prolonged illness. Announcing the appointment on Monday at the Government House in Lokoja, the state capital, Bello also named Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo-Kabir as the Maigari of Lokoja. Gambo-Kabir replaced late Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Maikarfi III, who died on September 28, 2022 at the age of 80. The governor also appointed Alhaji Dauda Isah as the Maiyaki of Kupa in Lokoja, Lokoja Local Government Area. He noted that government decided to make the appointments after due intervention to resolve the lingering controversies over the selection process for the three vacan...

Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia as the Governor of Benue State.  This is even as the court dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Titus Uba at the March 18, 2023 governorship election,  Justice John Okoro, who led the five-member of the panel of justices delivered the judgment on Monday. Okoro said that issues raised in the appeal did not qualify as post-election matters. “This appeal having been withdrawn is hereby dismissed,” Okoro added. Governor Alia, his deputy, Sam Ode and state officials were at the Supreme Court to witness the Monday’s proceedings. The governorship election petition tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Abuja had affirmed the election of Alia, who contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Dissatisfied with the verdicts, Uba approached the apex court for redress. At the proceedings, the counsel for the applicant, Sebas...

       Betta Edu  As allegation over N585 million scandal rages, President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu from office. News Rider reports that a viral document had emerged, which detailed how Edu allegedly approved the payment of N585,198,500.00 into a private account.  The document which was signed by the minister, directed the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to disburse the sum of N585,198,500.00 to one, Oniyelu Bridget. But the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale said on Monday in Abuja that the suspension takes effect immediately.  He noted that the President approved the suspension in line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians. The suspension is expected to pave the way for thorough investigation by ...