News Rider

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia Lagos State Police Command has arrested three domestic staff in connection with the murder of Aribemchukwu, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia's daughter.  The body of the deceased was discovered outside the gate of Ofili-Ajumogobia's Park View Estate home in Ikoyi area of Lagos State.  State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Wednesday.  Hundeyin stated that police have commenced investigation to unravel the mysteries behind the death of the deceased.  “Confirmed. Three domestic staff (have been) arrested. The case is now being handled at the State Criminal Investigation Department,” the PPRO added. But a source close to the family, who preferred anonymous disclosed that the incident occurred on Tuesday night, July 30, 2024, while the lifeless body of the daughter was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday. In a social media post, the source hinted that the murd...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja R-L: Deputy President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr Ali Rabiu presenting a plaque to Council member, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Northcentral, Engr Abubakar Tanko in Abuja on Wednesday.  The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has stated that infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges and other structures are not merely physical entities but the backbone of Nigeria's socio-economic growth and legacy for the future generation.  This was even as the professional bodies hinted its readiness to adopt stringent measures that would guarantee the use of quality materials in construction projects.  President of NSE, Engr Margaret Oguntala stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while declaring open a one-day Stakeholders Workshop, organised by the NSE Abuja branch, with the theme, "Quality Assurance of Construction Materials in the FCT". News Rider reports that the essence of the workshop was to address issues bordering on quality...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Stakeholders at a one-day Stakeholders Workshop on Quality Assurance of Construction Materials in the FCT on Wednesday.  The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) has pleaded with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and professional bodies to enlighten Nigerians on how to identify standard building materials.  This, the institute said should be done through period jingles in the media, believing that the enlightenment campaign would curb the rising cases of building collapse across the country.  The Director-General of NBRRI, Engr. Samson Duna stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at a one-day Stakeholders Workshop, organised by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Abuja branch, with the theme, "Quality Assurance of Construction Materials in the FCT". News Rider reports that in over 50 years, precisely between 1974 to 2024, Nigeria has recorded over 587 building collapses especially in Abuja, Lagos, and Anambr...

        Late Onyeka Onwenu One of Nigeria's foremost musician, Onyeka Onwenu is dead.  She was said to have slumped on Tuesday, July 31, after performing at a birthday party of Stella Okoli in Lagos. The legendary actress and politician was immediately rushed to Reddington Hospital in Lagos, where she died.  She was aged 72 years.  The spokesperson for the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), Muhammed Ahlim confirmed the death.  “Yes, it is true. But we are yet to get an official statement from the family," he added. 

          President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu has signed the new minimum wage bill into law, mandating all employers to pay at least N70, 000 to workers. News Rider reports that the new minimum wage was endorsed by the leadership of two labour unions,  comprising Trade Union Congress and Nigeria Labour Congress.  Tinubu, who signed the bill on Monday at the State House in Abuja, was surrounded by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and other National Assembly leaders. According to the new law, the sum of N70, 000 was set aside as a national minimum wage for both the public and private sectors. Addressing journalists, Akpabio commended President Tinubu for increasing the minimum wage, adding that the new wage mandated both the public and private sectors to pay workers at least, N70, 000. He said: "We are not only doubling the minimum wage, we have added something on top. Initially, it was N30,000, now it is N70,000. “I’m ecs...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja           Kenneth Okonkwo and Peter Obi  More Moles Will Be Exposed –LP A former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kenneth Okonkwo has exited the party, citing the inability of the leadership to address internal crisis. In a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, Okonkwo noted that he had hoped the LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi would build a solid party that would overthrow the kakistocrats and kleptocrats after the 2023 general election but it did not happen.  "After the 2023 general election, Nigerians, including me, had high hopes for the Labour Party. I believed that Peter Obi will seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that will have the solid base that we need to overthrow these kakistocrats and kleptocrats,” he said. "However, I continued in his defence believing he will still privately bring the needed solution to LP problems, (but) to no a...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah  The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Uba is dead. He died in London, United Kingdom on Saturday, July 27.  Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, had left for London two days ago. This shocking news comes two days after the death of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on Thursday, July 24. But unconfirmed reports revealed that the Federal lawmaker died during a surgery in London.  Uba passed away at the age of 52 years, having escaped an assassination attempt in September 2022 at  Enugwu Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State. Three police escorts in the convoy of the Senator were among the persons that died during the assassination incident. News Rider reports that the Anambra Senator who was elected on the platform of YPP, had last year defected to the All Progressives Congre...

          Late Chief Iwuanyanwu  The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is dead. He died on Thursday, July 25, after a brief illness.  Born on September 4, 1942, the late business tycoon died at the age of 82, according to his family.  Jide Iwuanyanwu confirmed the death of his father, Chief Iwuanyanwu in a statement on Thursday. The statement reads: "The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo. “Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday July 25, 2024 after a brief illness. He was aged 82. Chief Iwuanyanwu before his death was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly.” Jide further disclosed that the final funeral rites of his father will be announced later by the family after due consultation.  Iwuanyanwu is survi...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Stakeholders at the official launch of Briefing Note on Strengthening Methane Emissions in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector in Abuja on Tuesday.  The Federal Government has advocated for more investment in Research and Development (R&D) as the  surest means of reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas sector.  Director-General of National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) Dr. Nkeiruka Maduekwe stated this on Tuesday at a one-day Multi Stakeholder Dialogue on 'Strengthening Methane Emissions Strategies in Nigeria’s Gas Expansion Plans to Achieve a Sustainable Just Energy Transition' in Abuja. It was organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in partnership with Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).  News Rider reports that methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and exacerbates climate crisis such as increa...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Joe Biden  The incumbent President of the United States of America, Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race barely five months to the election.   This implied that Biden, a Democrat who is seeking a reelection for the second term in office, ended the race on Sunday by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the US number job.  Biden's decision followed weeks of pressure from Democrats after a rather shameful performance during the June 27 debate with Republican candidate, Donald Trump.  In a withdrawal letter circulating on X, the 81-year-old Biden noted that it has been the greatest honour of his life to serve as the President of US.  The US election is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, November 5  2024.  He added: "While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has inducted 108 environmental consultants, with a clarion call to partner with the agency in resolving harmful practices in the environment.  Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Bariko stated this on Friday at a one-day hybrid induction workshop for newly accredited Environmental Consultants, organised by NESREA with the support of EU Delegation in Abuja. News Rider reports that environmental consultants provide expert assessment and advisory services for their clients on environmental issues by assisting to reduce the impact of industrial, commercial and government initiatives on the environment. Barikor tasked the newly accredited environmental consultants to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in carrying out their functions.  He said: "This is a call to be vigilant and proactive in addressing environmental challenges, and a call to...

Federal Government and Labour Unions have endorsed N70, 000 offered as the new minimum wage by President Bola Tinubu.  The agreement was reached during a meeting with the leadership of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday in Abuja.  News Rider reports that the Thursday meeting was the the second time that the organised labour and others members of the negotiating team met in seven days. Announcing the deal via his official X handle, @aonanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said: "President Bola Tinubu has approved N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers with a promise to review the national minimum wage law every three years. “President Tinubu also promised to find ways to assist the private sector and the sub-nationals to pay the minimum wage. “President Tinubu announced the decision at the meeting held with leaders of TUC and NLC on Thursday in Abuja, the second time the parties me...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Saleh Abubakar as the new Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW). Abubakar is a highly experienced public administrator with decades of experience across several sectors. The President tasked the appointee on diligence and dedication in driving the agency's mandate of empowering communities to combat land degradation, enhance food security, and build resilience to climate change through sustainable interventions and education. This was even as the President named Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi as the new Project Coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP). Until his appointment, Adekanmbi was a former Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture and Tourism in Ondo State, and a member of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES).  He holds a Doctorate degree in Environmental Management. The President anticipated competence, dedication...

BY CHIKA OKEKE  Abuja         President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has named Mr. Tosin Adeyanju as the new Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF). Adeyanju is an accomplished administrator, and good governance advocate. The President expects the new Chief Executive Officer to ensure transparency and efficiency in the operations of the agency in order to actualise the objective of the NLTF as a driver of good causes in Nigeria. This is even as the President announced the appointment of Mr. Silas Agara as the new Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). Agara is an entrepreneur and sports administrator who previously served as the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State. The President anticipates an overhaul of the NDE for optimal performance in designing and implementing programmes to combat mass unemployment. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale disclosed this in...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja           President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Baffa Dan Agundi as the new Director-General of the National Productivity Centre (NPC).  Agundi is a former majority leader of the Kano State House of Assembly. He was also a Principal Registrar of the Kano State High Court of Justice. Tinubu anticipates the new DGs utmost dedication and patriotic zeal in driving the centre’s mandate of developing a national culture of excellence in operational efficiency, as well as institutionalising a performance-driven orientation toward measurable productivity. This, he said was with a view to enhance service delivery and guarantee quality life for Nigerians across the nation.  The President also appointed Mr. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed as the new Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).  Mohammed is an architect, and construction technology and environment professional. With...

        Suspects caught mining illegally in Abia State recently  In a bid to rid the mining sector of all forms of illegalities, the Federal Government has arraigned eight Chinese nationals and a Nigerian for unapproved mining activities in Abia State.  The suspects were recently apprehended by Mining Marshals at Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.  News Rider reports that the suspects were arraigned on Friday before Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The defendants are Shen Yongchan, Mo Baixian, Xiao Bin, Huang Xu Fa, Ma Bingli, Yang Jian, Li Peiyi,  Que Wenyong, Hiyk Edward Desmond and Wanda Company Limited.  Police prosecutors had filed a three-count charge bordering on mining without lawful authority and obstruction of lawful mining operations, among others. Upon hearing the pleas and arguments from both sides, the defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Ce...

The Supreme Court has barred State governors from collecting allocations meant for Local Government Councils (LGCs). To this end, the apex court ordered that the said allocations must be paid directly to the account of Local Government Areas from the Federation account. The seven-member panel of justices led by Emmanuel Agim on Thursday in Abuja, also barred governors from dissolving democratically elected LGCs in the country, as doing so would amount to a breach of the 1999 Constitution. Justice Agim lamentated that governments have consistently abused their powers by retaining and using the funds meant for LGAs. He said that the state governments’ refusal of financial autonomy for Local Lovernments has lingered for over two decades. Reading the lead judgment, Agim insisted that  states are mandated to ensure that their LGCs are democratically elected, and that governors cannot use their powers to dissolve democratically elected LGCs.  He said: "The amount standin...

BY SONNIE EKWOWUSI      Mr Sonnie Ekwuowusi Nigeria must unsign or withdraw from Samoa  Agreement. Contrary to Minister Bugunda's propaganda, Samoa Agreement IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF NIGERIA. Why? Articles of the Agreement especially 2.5, 29.5, 36.2, 88, 97, violate Nigeria's laws, Nigeria's sovereignty and African Charter on People's and Human Rights which Nigeria has domesticated, Executive Summary Of Samoa Agreement  A  Article 2.5 states: “The Parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies.” 1.     Nigerian delegates who participate in United Nations deliberations will readily attest that the phrase: gender equality is a Trojan horse for deceptively bringing in all sorts of immoralities into a country. In any case, the appropriate word is 'sex' not 'gender'. This is why section 42 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution talks about sex and not gender. Sex...

                 Justice Olukayode Ariwoola The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has sworn-in Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom Wike, wife of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike as Appeal Court Judge.  News Rider reports that Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, who sanctioned the Department of State Services (DSS) for unlawfully detaining ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, was also among the 22 new Justices of the Court of Appeal inaugurated on Wednesday in Abuja.  Shortly after the 22 Appeal Court Justices were sworn in, the CJN also inaugurated his daughter-in-law, Justice Victoria Oluwakemi Ariwoola and 11 others as new judges of the High Court of the FCT. The CJN lamented that Nigeria is fast emerging as a frontline crime-infested country that requires urgent attention. He enjoined the judges to remain faithful to the law, the Constitution and ...

               Yakubu Maikyau The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reacted to the alleged Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) clauses contained in the Samoa Agreement.  New Rider reports that the $150 billion agreement attracted widespread condemnation via Social Media on July 2, 2024, when a Lagos-based lawyer, Sonnie Ekwowusi kicked against the LGBT clauses.  In the report, Ekwowusi had directed Nigeria to unsign the dreaded and devious Samoa agreement signed on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu alongside other officials.   Ekwowusi said: "The Samoa Agreement, named after the Pacific Island, Samoa, where it was signed on November 15, 2023 is a celebration of perversity. Certain Articles of the Agreement especially Articles 2.5 and 29.5 legalise LGBT, transgenderism, abortion, teen sexual abuse, and perversity in African countries.  "The...

  President Bola Tinubu  In a bid to resolve the prolonged farmers and herders clashes across the country, President Bola Tinubu has created the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. Tinubu stated this on Tuesday at the State House while inaugurating the Renewed Hope livestock Reform Implementation Committee. News Rider reports that the President is yet to assign any Minister to head the new ministry.  Present at the Inauguration were the Vice President,  Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, among other cabinet members. Recall that President Tinubu had on September 15,  2023, approved the establishment of the Presidential Committee mandated to reform the livestock industry and provide long-term solutions to end the frequent clashes between herders and farmers in the country.  The setting up of the committee was sequel to the submission of a repo...

Resident doctors at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) in Awka have threatened to embark on industrial action over unpaid allowances and poor working conditions imposed by the state government. The decision followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the government, which recently elapsed without any meaning response on their plights.   President, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr. Onyebuchi Ichoku stated this on Tuesday after a meeting with the doctors in Awka, the Anambra State capital.  The doctors are demanding the payment of hazard allowance, Medical Residency Training Fund, and the implementation of a 25 percent increase in basic salary, effective from July 2023. Ichoku hinted that doctors had been struggling with harsh working conditions including inadequate facilities and equipment that had hindered their capacity to provide optimal care to patients. The doctors said: “We have been patient and have giv...

Troops of 21 Armored Brigade of the Nigerian Army alongside the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted large consignment of illicit substances meant for terrorists in Borno. The drugs weighing 2.5 tonnes was neatly packed for supply to Boko Haram terrorists in Konduga Local Government Area of the state before the seizure.  A security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, who disclosed this via his X handle on Tuesday, said that the joint team acted on intelligence report to disrupt the supply of illicit substances to the terrorist groups.  News Rider reports that the illicit substances known as 'Goom' or 'Akusukura' is a deadly psychoactive substance that represents a serious threat to public health and poses a challenge for drug policy. Makama informed that the operation, which was  carried out following a tip-off, resulted in the recovery of 163 bags of the substance, equivalent to 2.5 tonnes in a wareho...

Barely 15 years after the relocation saga, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has set-up a committee to relocate mechanics and technicians operating along road corridors to Wasa District in the Federal Capital Territory.  AMMC Coordinator, Felix Obuah, who inaugurated the 19-member technical committee on Monday in Abuja, disclosed that the plan was part of efforts to sanitise Abuja.  The committee members were drawn from the Department of Development Control, Abuja Environment Protection Board and Urban Affairs, Resettlement and Compensation, General Counsel and Legal Services Secretariat. Others were from the Land’s Department, Urban and Regional Planning, Mapping and Surveying, Finance and Administration, and Directorate of Road Traffic Services. They are expected to safely relocate between 20,000 to 30,000 members in the mechanic village.  Obuah stated that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike had directed that residents occupying the right of way sh...

Non-teaching staff of universities have directed their members to mobilise for a nationwide protest on Tuesday over withheld four months’ salaries and other grievances. The protest is in reaction to the recent breakdown of dialogue between the Joint Action Committee of the two bodies and the Ministers of Education and Labour and Employment. News Rider reports that the workers comprise Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and  Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated (NASU).  The nationwide protest was contained in a circular sent to all branch chairmen of the two unions and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.  It was jointly signed by the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim and General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi. In the memo, the unions informed that the protest would commence on July 9, 2024, across the state chapters of the Federation and a national protest in Abuja on July 18. The statement read:...

Armed men suspected to be bandits have kidnapped two journalists, AbdulGafar Alabelewe and Abdulraheem Aodu, as well as some members of their families. The two incidents occurred on Saturday night at  Danhono 2, Millennium City, Kaduna State.  News Rider reports that Alabelewe and Aodu live in the same locality in the state.  Alabelewe, a correspondent of The Nation Newspaper and Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel in Kaduna, was kidnapped along with three members of his family. This was even as Aodo, a Correspondent of Blueprint Newspaper was kidnapped alongside his wife. A former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna chapter, Adamu Yusuf, and another member of the union, Tajudeen Ajigbade confirmed the abductions.  The Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassan also confirmed the incidents.  Hassan disclosed that the police have developed strategies to locate and rescue the victims unhurt.  Thou...

By Sonnie Ekwowusi         Sonnie Ekwowusi It is nauseating that despite several meetings held with Nigerian officials and several briefs and memoranda sent to them, the Nigerian officials proceeded yesterday to sign the dreaded and devious Samoa Agreement. The Samoa Agreement, named after the Pacific Island, Samoa, where it was signed on November 15, 2023 is a celebration of perversity. Certain Articles of the Agreement especially Articles 2.5 and 29.5 legalize LGBT, transgenderism, abortion, teen sexual abuse, and perversity in African countries. The signing of the Agreement by Nigeria constitutes a threat to the sovereignty of Nigeria and Africa. It further debases our democracy. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed yesterday at a reception organized by the European Union in Enugu that Nigeria has signed the Samoa Agreement. I can wager that neither Minister Atiku Bagudu nor the Nigerian officials or diplomats who signed th...