Author: darelasisi@gmail.com

Ringier Africa Digital Publishing in Nigeria is one of the seven news organisations that won  the Google News Initiative (GNI) innovation challenge and among those to receive $1.93 million in funding. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the countries that were awarded were Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google Communication Officer, West Africa, said that the GNI Innovation Challenges was part of Google’s $300 million commitment to help journalism thrive in the digital age. Kola-Ogunlade said that finding new and meaningful ways to engage readers was a hot topic for news organizations…

The Kano State Fire Service says 11 temporary  shops and two permanent ones  in a one-storey building  have been destroyed by an early morning fire at Singer Market on Ado Bayero road, in Kano metropolis. The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Alhaji Saidu Mohammed disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Thursday. “We received a distress call in the early hours of Thursday at about 04:00a.m from one Mubarak Umar that there was fire outbreak at the market. “On receiving the information, we quickly sent our personnel and fire fighting vehicles to the scene of the incident at about…

No single country in the world is adequately protecting children’s health, their environment and futures, says a report released by a Commission of over 40 Child and Adolescent Health Experts from around the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) made this known on its website on Wednesday. The commission was convened by WHO, UNICEF and The Lancet. The report is entitled: “A Future for the World’s Children.” It said that the health and future of every child and adolescent worldwide was under immediate threat from ecological degradation, climate change and exploitative marketing practices. The report said that the threat had…

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday confirmed a case of Lassa fever outbreak in the state, saying the patient has been isolated. Prof. Akin Abayomi, the State Commissioner for Health, who made this known in a statement, said that the patient was currently in isolation ward at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lassa fever has been ravaging in over 19 states in the country. Abayomi, who did not provide details about the patient and location, reassured Lagos residents that the situation was under control, advising them not to panic over…

The President of the  Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr Emeka Rollas, says that the body has set up a committee to raise funds for its ailing member, Ernest Asuzu. Rollas told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that other members of the guild had begun to respond to the directives of the association toward assisting their ailing colleague. NAN reports that the AGN is the umbrella body that regulates the affairs of film actors both in Nigeria and abroad. It also reported that Asuzu had been down with stroke since 2015. Rollas said, “Ernest Asuzu is one…

Plans have been concluded for the premiere of Nollywood film “Stepping into Maggie’s Shoe” (SIMS) in the United Kingdom (UK) and other European Countries from March 20. Dr Malcolm Benson, President, UK Nollywood Producers Guild, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday from UK stated that the film would be premiered in London at the Odeon IMAX Greenwich. Benson stated that the faith-based movie directed by Mr David Okeowo is about love, forgiveness, betrayal and scandal, starring actors such as Liz Benson, Eucharia Anunobi, Uche Osotule, Emma Oh My God, Juliana Olayode and Femi Jacobs. “SIMS passionately tells…

Some angry youths have impounded a police patrol vehicle allegedly been used to extort innocent travellers at Dambam, a rural community in Bauchi State. They seized the patrol van after armed robbers brutally attacked and robbed some women who were travelling in the North-East axis. Three little boys, who were together with their mothers, were seriously injured on their heads and faces. The villagers, who paraded the police vehicle in a video obtained by PRNigeria, said they discovered a mobile phone inside the car belonging to one of the officers who fled, and also the car’s key. Speaking in Hausa, they…

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has apprehended two suspects for human trafficking in Akwa Ibom. This is is contained in statement issued by the Agency and signed by the Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Wednesday. Nwanwenne said the suspects; Okokon Essien Bassey and Ofonime Essien Bassey, were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday (Feb. 17). The zonal commander said that the two suspects had approached one Mr Emmanuel Monday and his wife who is pregnant…

Parties in a suit of alleged NI.2 billion tax error claims before the Tax Appeal Tribunal, Abuja on Wednesday agreed to explore an out-of-court settlement. The appellant, Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, is challenging the alleged N 1.2 billion error in his taxation by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). At the resumed hearing, the counsel to the appellant, Mr Adedayo Adedeji tendered an application which contained the details of options of settlement. Adedeji however, told the tribunal that the hearing could still go on if the respondent rejected the options of settlement thereof. He also confirmed the presence of his witness,…

Societal Safety Network, a CSO, has called on the Senate to facilitate emergency funds to address oversight in the budget of the Nigeria Police Force. Mr Abdulrahman Agboola, Executive Director of the organisation, gave the advice in a letter to the Senate President on Wednesday in Abuja. Agboola said the letter became imperative to draw the attention of the senate to challenges hampering the fight against crime in the country. “Honestly, there are more and more to call your attention to, regarding flaws in the appropriated budget for internal security, which unfortunately put the populace at risk. “Except emergency budget…