News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Chigozie Okoye, elder brother and ex-manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct P-Square music group over alleged N1.38bn fraud.  Lagos Zonal Directorate of EFCC arraigned the accused on February 26, 2025, before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. He was prosecuted alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.38billion, $1million and £34,537.59. One of the charges read: "That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometimes in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth N850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and...

In this report, CHIKA OKEKE unlocks the dual roles played by women in peace building and security despite rising cases of Gender- based Violence (GBV).  Peace-building and security are crucial for the growth and development of any nation. From the Global South down to Global North, the roles of women are indiscribable. However, there seems to be a paradigm shift as women tries to navigate troubled terrains.   Recognising the contributions of women, the Beijing Declaration was adopted by the United Nations at the end of the Fourth World Conference on Women in September 15, 1995.  The resolution was adopted to promulgate a set of principles concerning the equality of men and women during the fiftieth anniversary of the UN.  Article 35 of the Declaration states that: "(We) recognize that the status of women has advanced in some important respects in the past decade but that progress has been uneven, inequalities between women and men have persisted and majo...

 BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo has disclosed that annual budgets cannot fund over  35,000 kilometres of Federal roads across Nigeria, hence the need for alternative funding outside the government’s coffers. Goronyo stated this while addressing the Management and Staff of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Kogi State Field Office at Lokoja, during his maiden visit to the office, alongside the Managing Director of FERMA.  He reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to fix all the roads to drastically reduce unemployment, crimes and insecurity.  Goronyo said: "Let me commend President Tinubu for his determination. I have never seen a President so committed to sustaining physical assets nationwide. The administration gives priority to various road projects scattered across the country. "This shows that he is a patriotic Nigerian. He is undertaking these projects so th...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  L-R: Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo; Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi and, Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshomole at the flag-off of H7dualisation of Ajaokuta to Benin roads in Kogi and Edo States.  President Bola Tinubu has approved the dualisation of Federal roads using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology that lasts between 50-100 years.  The Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi stated this during the flag off of Ajaokuta junction-Okene-Okpella-Auchi-Ekpoma-Benin dual expressway in Kogi and Edo States at Ekpoma recently News Rider reports that sequel to the  termination of contracts for the dualisation of Sections II, III, and IV of the Obajana Junction - Benin road due to non-performance and effluxion of time last year, the Federal government through the Ministry of Works reawarded the project to another contractor.  He noted that commuters and motorists h...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Fresh evidence has emerged on why the Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan out of plenary.  Akpabio represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District while Akpoti-Uduaghan represents Kogi Central at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.  A heated arguement had erupted during Thursday’s plenary session when Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reallocation of her seat by Akpabio, with her nameplate removed. Not satified with the seating arrangement, Akpoti-Uduaghan demanded an explanation over the injustice meted to her.  Worried by the heated arguement, the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and other colleagues offered to resolve the isssue.  However, the Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno also raised a point of order, citing sections of the Senate rule book to justify the reassignment of seats. Monguno disclosed that the changes were necessary to accommodate shifts caused by some opp...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba (left) alongside others at the maiden edition of the National Environment Health Excellence Award (NEHEA) on Tuesday in Abuja.  The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has unveiled policies aimed at reducing Greenhouse Gas (GhG) emissions and protecting the environment.  They are Premises-based National Greenhouse Gases (GhGs) Emission Monitoring Programme (NGHGEMP), and National Environmental Health Practice Regulations (NEHPR) 2025.   This was one of the major highlights on Tuesday at the maiden edition of the National Environment Health Excellence Award (NEHEA), organised by EHCON in Abuja. News Rider reports that President Bola Tinubu was conferred as the Grand Patron of the National Environment and Public Health Association of Nigeria (NEPHAN) and Life Fellow of the Society for Environmental and Public Health of Nigeria (SEPH...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: Minister, Federal Ministry of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume at the Maiden Edition Of Environmental Health Excellence Award on Tuesday in Abuja.  Given the escalating climate crisis, deforestation and pollution, President Bola Tinubu has pledged more investment in sustainable environmental solutions. This was even as the President  harped on the need to embrace innovations and collaborate with stakeholders toward safeguarding the environment and public health sectors for future generations.  He stated this on Tuesday at the maiden edition of the National Environment Health Excellence Award (NEHEA), organised by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) in Abuja. News Rider reports that President Tinubu was conferred as the Grand Patron of the National Environment and Public Health Asso...