News Rider

            Late Chukwuemeka Ezeife  A former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife is dead. He died on Thursday December 14, 2023 at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, at the age of 85.  His death was announced through a short press statement issued on Friday and signed by Chief Rob Ezeife on behalf of the family. The statement reads: “On behalf of the Ezeife Dynasty of Igbo-Ukwu, I wish to announce the promotion to glory of our most distinguished son, ‘Okwadike’, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, CON, a former Federal Permanent Secretary, a former governor of Anambra State, a former Political Adviser to the President and former Presidential aspirant. “This sad event took place yesterday at 6 pm at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.” “More details about the deceased and the arrangements for his state burial will be announced later.” Born on November 20, 1938, the deceased fondly called ‘Okwadike’, was the governor of Anambra state bet...

                      Prof. Zacheaus Adangor The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Rivers, Prof. Zacheaus Adangor has terminated his official assignment in the state.  This development happened barely 24- hours after Governor Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers State ordered 10 bulldozers to pull down the State House of Assembly on Wednesday.  But Fubara blamed the demolition on structural defects arising from explosion and fire outbreak, which rendered the building unfit for human use.   In a statement, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson said that the government sought for professional advice on the integrity of the building, after Gov Fubara’s inspection visit to determine the level of damage. However, confirmed sources linked the resignation of the AGF on Thursday to the power tussle between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike and ...

World football governing body, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has  designated 30 Nigerian Referees for 2024 international duties.  The beneficiaries comprise 11 referees, 11 assistant referees, four beach soccer referees and four futsal referees. A breakdown of the names revealed that Basheer Salisu, Ogabor Odey Joseph, Olufunmilayo Abigael Alaba, Nurudeen Abubakar and Abdulsalam made the list.  Others are Kasimu Abiola, Elaigwe Hannah Enekole, Akintoye Yemisi Eunice, Egba Patrick John, Madu Ndidi Patience, Mustapha Grema Mohammed and Abdullahi Abubakar. The 11 persons approved as assistant referees are Pwadutakam Samuel, Igudia Efosa Celestine, Abibatu Iyadunni, Muhammad Yakubu, Mfon Friday Akpan and Digbori Tejiri. Also, Usman Abdulmajeed Olaide and  Igho Hope OgenekeweTerah Kabenda Beauty, Ahmad Mustapha Tijjani and Agbons Faith.  The beneficiaries that were placed on futsal soccer list are Ukah Odigomma, Musa Davou, Umua...

President Bola Tinubu has disengaged the Heads of Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development: The affected agencies are Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).  To the end, the President named their replacements in line with his determination to bring world class standards to Nigerian Civil Aviation in consumer protection and the promotion of the wellbeing of Nigerian passengers and other sectoral stakeholders.  A statement by the Presidential Spokesman, Mr Ajuri Ngelale on Wednesday revealed that the President approved the suspension, removal, and replacement of the affected CEO's.  In the statement, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed was replaced with Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as t...

         Demolition of Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday  The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has explained the morale behind the demolition of the State House of Assembly on Wednesday.  This, he linked to structural defects arising from explosion and fire outbreak, which rendered the building unfit for human use.   Recall that at least, 10 bulldozers arrived at the complex on Wednesday morning, December 13, 2023, and started demolishing the burnt chamber and the conference hall, where the legislators uses for their sitting.  Security agencies at the scene reportedly cordoned off the area and prevented people from taking pictures of the demolished complex. Sources noted that the demolition of the complex further deepened the crisis between the House of Assembly and Fubara, which started with an impeachment threat on the governor. The governor was said to have ordered the demolition to allow for the renovati...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate signing the Nigeria's Health Sector Renewal compact while President Bola Tinubu and Governors watch with keen interest on Tuesday in Abuja. The Federal Government has indicated interest to redesign the Basic Health Care Provision Fund as the foundation to achieve equitable allocation of resources to the poorest and most disadvantaged Nigerians.  In addition, the Federal Government would mobilise additional financial resources from development partners, both multilateral, bilateral, philanthropic and private sector to align with the sector-wide approach. The fund comprises at least one percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund as encapsulated by the National Health Act (2014).  Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate stated this on Tuesday at the Presidential unveiling of Nigeria's Health Sector Renewal compact between the Federal Govern...

 Rotimi Akeredolu The ailing Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has proceeded on another medical leave as a follow-up to his medical treatment. This is even as the governor wiill transfer power to his Deputy, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa pending his recovery.  A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Richard Olatunde in Akure, revealed that the medical leave will commence on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.  During the leave, the governor is expected to  prioritise his health and ensure a full recovery before resuming his official duties. Olatunde stated that a formal letter regarding the medical leave and a notice formally transferring power in line with the Nigerian Constitution will be transmitted to the House of Assembly. He informed that in the absence of Governor Akeredolu, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Aiyedatiwa will assume the responsibilities of the governor in acting capacity. “Governor Akeredolu expresses his gratitude for th...