News Rider

Shops on fire following the killing of a hawker by Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) at Wuse market in Abuja on Tuesday.  The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has condoled with the family of the deceased inmate who was shot by a personnel at Wuse market, Abuja.  News Rider reports that a 27-year-old convict, Ibrahim Yahaya was shot on Tuesday, March 12, after he allegedly jumped from the vehicle conveying him to prison in a bid to escape. Yahaya was apprehended by Task Force of Abuja Environmental Protection Board, tried and convicted by a Mobile Court sitting in Wuse Market. But an eyewitness said that Yahaya, who was a hawker at the market was arrested by some task force officials and the police. He stated that the hawker was shot while trying to escape from custody.  The killing led to a protest as angry mob attacked a police station in the market, destroyed windows and burnt down eight cars and 10 shops.  Public Relations Officer of NCoS FCT Co...

Late Senator Abubakar Sodangi  A three-term Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Sen. Abubakar Danso Sodangi is dead.  The former chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa died on Sunday night, March 10, 2024, at an Abuja hospital. He was aged 70. In accordance with Islamic rites, Sodangi was laid to rest in his country home, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on March 11, 2024.  Condolences Pour For Sodangi At the funeral rites of the late senator on Monday in Nasarawa, Gov. Abdullahi Sule enjoined his family and the people of Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) to take solace in God. He said that God gives life and takes at will, just as he encouraged them to see Sen. Sodangi’s death as the will of God. The governor condoled the Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin and the entire Nasarawa LGA over the demise and prayed God to forgive his shortcoming and grant him Aljanatu...

Remains of Herbert Wigwe, Wife and son during funeral mass in Isiokpo, Rivers State. Thousands of mourners including friends, associates and well-wishers from Nigeria and abroad tearfully bid the late Wigwe’s farewell in their hometown, Omueke in Isiokpo, Rivers State. News Rider reports that the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe; his wife, Doreen; and son, Chizzy were laid to rest in a private tomb after a funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo. The funeral service, which commenced at exactly 11:00 am on Saturday, attracted dignitaries who trooped enmass to pay their final respect to the trio. At the funeral service were Senate President Godswill Akpabio; former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; business tycoon, Aliko Dangote; dethroned Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II; Abia State Governor, Alex Otti and Governor of...

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has proposed the sum of N709,000 monthly as new minimum wage for Nigerian workers. Chairman of NLC, FCT Chapter, Dr Stephen Knabayi made the submission at the North Central Zonal Public Hearing, organised by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage on Thursday in Abuja. News Rider reports that Vice President, Kashim Shettima had on January 30 inaugurated a 37-member panel on the new minimum wage in Abuja. The committee scheduled March 7 for public hearing in all the six geo-political zones on issues bordering on the new wage.  Knabayi stated that NLC considered the present economic conditions in the country before arriving at the figure. He was optimistic that the proposed wage would reduce the effect of economic challenges and ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians. “We have a common position. This position considered the current economic plight in the country. “We have the submission that N709,000 per month should be the ...

The House of Representatives has concluded plans to investigate N200 billion spent on the suspended 2023 Population and Housing Census. This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Clement Akanni (PDP-Osun) during plenary on Thursday in Abuja.  Akanni noted that the immediate past administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari, planned to conduct another census in 2022 but the programme was later postponed to 2023. He disclosed that the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr Clem Agba informed that a total of N869 billion would be required for the exercise. Akanni quoted the former minister as saying that the figure included post-census activities, noting that the National Population Commission (NPC) claimed that it spent about N200 billion to prepare for the 2023 population and housing census. He hinted that Buhari suspended the exercise indefinitely, a few days to the end of his tenure.  Akanni said that it is imperative to provide N...

Nigerian Navy has sealed a tank farm suspected to be storing illegally-refined diesel in Calabar.  The tank farm was uncovered following intelligence report from military’s joint taskforce in the South-South – “Operation Delta Safe’’. Commander of Nigeria Navy Ship Victory, Commodore Rotimi Oderemi stated this while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Calabar.  He noted that after sealing the tank farm, samples of the suspected illegally-refined diesel were taken to a laboratory for analysis. Oderemi disclosed that investigation is ongoing, advising business and tank farm owners to operate within the confines of the law by obtaining necessary approvals for their operations. He added: "On February 24, a joint operation by the Nigerian and Cameroonian Navies led to the interception of a vessel laden with 30,000 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen from Nigeria. The commander had informed newsmen during the inspection of the vessel at Ibaka in Mbo Local Govern...

Late John Okafor Famous Nollywood actor, John Okafor popularly known as Mr Ibu is dead.  He died at the age of 62.  Born in October 17, 1961, Ibu hails from Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. National President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Emeka Rollas stated this via his instagram page on Saturday. He said: ”Sad day for Actors Guild of Nigeria. Kate Henshaw lost her mother earlier today and Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest according to his manager of 24 years, Mr Don Single Nwuzor. “I announce with deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu didn’t make it. May his soul rest in peace.” Okafor acted in more than 200 Nollywood movies and also ventured into music briefly.  News Rider reports that in October 2023, Mr Ibu  disclosed that he was suffering from an ailment that threatened the amputation of one of his legs. He stated that he was struck by the problem while on a movie set with other Nollywood actors and actresses. Thereafter, he begged his fans...