Author: darelasisi@gmail.com

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has pleaded with the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah to stop stoking the embers of ethnic and religious division in the country. In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said it reached this conclusion following recent comments by the Bishop during a homily in Kaduna at the funeral ceremony for a Catholic seminarian, Michael Nnadi of the Good Shepherd Seminary, Kaduna, who was killed penultimate week by kidnappers who raided the seminary. “We are disappointed that a highly respected Bishop, who is also flourishing in…

By Harry Awurumibe, State House, Abuja The Federal Government has approved the appointment of a Lead Consultant for the much-awaited Forensic Audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which had delayed the constitution of the board of the Commission. Also, the sum of N310 million has been approved for the consultants, Messers Olumuyiwa, Bashiru & Co. to execute the job which includes the appointments of 9 other forensic auditors to join in the probing of NDDC. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio disclosed this today after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. According to him, “the…

By Harry Awurumibe, State House, Abuja In a bid to arrest any outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus, now named Covid-19, currently ravaging China, the Nigerian Government has taken proactive measures including setting up three Coronavirus laboratory testing centers in the country. The three centers located across Nigeria are in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja; Nigeria’s commercial nerve center, Lagos and the sleepy town of Irrua, Edo State. This good news was dropped Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire while briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by the Vice…

A Federal High Court sitting in Benin on Wednesday, fixed April 27 for judgment in a suit filed by Ms Odegua Okojie, a single mother, demanding N350 million from the Department of State Services (DSS) and a Lebanese businessman over alleged illegal detention. Joined in the suit No. FHC/B/cs/120/2019, are the Director-General, DSS, Director, Edo command of the DSS and Charles Makhoul, a Lebanese businessman. Justice M.G. Umar, fixed the date after parties in the suit adopted their final written addresses. Earlier, counsel to the applicant, T.A. Akahomen, in adopting his address, urged the court to order the respondents to…

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the Federal Government to pay an N200, 000 fine to Omoyele Sowore, Convener, #RevolutionNow, and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare. Justice Ojukwu, who gave the order after Aminu Alilu, counsel the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), sought an adjournment to enable him to serve the defendants the amended charges. Justice Alilu held that the action was an attempt to delay the case. She described the application for an adjournment as “frivolous.”News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sowore, alongside Bakare, was initially standing trial on seven counts of treasonable…

The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on Nigeria’s security sector. The decision followed a motion of Urgent Public Importance moved by the Chief Whip of the house, Rep. Mohammed Monguno, during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila. The motion was tagged “Recent Attack by the Boko Haram Insurgents at Auno Village, Borno State”. Monguno, who presented the motion, said commuters on the Damaturu-Maiduguri road were compelled to suspend their journeys once it was 6 p.m due to security challenges in the northeast. “Auno village is one…

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) has announced significant appointments to its Board and Executive Management. Transcorp is Nigeria’s leading listed industrial holding company, whose interests include Transcorp Power, Nigeria’s largest power generator, Transcorp Hotels, owner of the iconic Transcorp Hilton, and significant upstream oil and gas assets. Owen Omogiafo has been appointed as President/GCEO of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, with effect from March 25, 2020. She succeeds Valentine Ozigbo, who is retiring to pursue a career in public service, having served Transcorp for close to a decade. Owen is currently the MD/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc and has…

By Ayo Oye, ABUJA Apparently disturbed by the recent attack by Boko Haram that claimed no fewer than 30 lives of travelers as well as vehicles and houses burnt, President Muhammadu Buhari has paid a sympathy visit to Maiduguri, Borno state capital. Mr President on arrival from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, headed straight to Maiduguri. He was in Addis Ababa for the African Union Summit. Senior Presidential Media Aide, Garba Shehu, confirmed the visit in a tweet Wednesday afternoon, saying the President landed at 12.45 pm local time. “12:45 pm. President Buhari, aboard the BBJ from Addis Ababa just landed in…

A Federal High Court sitting in Jos on Wednesday admitted Plateau natives as co-defendants in a N50 billion suit filed against the Federal Government by a group. Justice Dorcas Agishi made the order in her ruling on an earlier argument whether or not the ”Berom” natives are “necessary parties” in the suit. “The Berom natives, live in the Communities in Jos South, Jos North, Barkin Ladi and Riyom where the alleged atrocities were committed against the Plaintiffs, therefore, they (Beroms) are necessary parties in this suit, ” the judge declared Justice Agishi explained that for the Fulani to have alleged…

Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has said there was a need for a change of strategies in the ongoing fight against Boko haram. The Governor who however acknowledged successes recorded by the same military in the state spoke in presence of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Shehu of Borno’s palace in Maiduguri. Buhari was in the state on sympathy visit following Boko haram attacks in Auno which left 30 persons killed with 18 vehicles and houses burnt. “Your Excellency sir, between the period of March 2019 to date we have started witnessing horrific and spontaneous attacks by the insurgents…