Author: Safiu Kehinde

Agency Report  The family of the man who designed Nigeria’s national flag have told the BBC they have given up waiting for a promised state funeral, a year after he died. Instead Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi, who died a year ago aged 87, is going to be buried this week in Oyo state, where he lived. Akinkunmi, known by many as “Mr Flag Man” and whose house was painted in the distinctive green and white colours of the national flag, was a humble man. But his son hopes that during his send-off, which Oyo state has agreed to fund, he will…

Safiu Kehinde  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC) has bursted an illegal sachet water in Lagos. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the agency on Tuesday. According to the statement, the factory, located at No. 89 Marine Road, Oluwole Market Waterside, was discovered during an operation by NAFDAC’s Investigation & Enforcement Directorate. Over 2,500 bags of water were confiscated with the factory shutdown by the agency. In a video attached to the statement, a NDLEA official narrated how the products were transported by canoe from the slum where the factory is located. Meanwhile, NDLEA discovered that the…

Charges Firm to complete unfinished Railway Segments Safiu Kehinde Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has paid a visit to Beijing headquarters of the  firm in charge of Nigeria’s railway project, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC). As disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu met with the Chinese firm hours prior to his meeting with  President Xi Jinping. While assuring the firm of Nigeria’s support of its investment in solid minerals, Tinubu charged the firm to complete the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Railway segment. “It is equally very important that we give…

Safiu Kehinde Sequel to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to China, the Asian country has strengthened diplomatic ties with Nigeria as both countries signed five Memorandum of Understanding Agreements. This is contained in a statement signed by the by Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. According to the statement, Tinubu met with Chinese President, Xi Jinping, as both leaders agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future. In his address at the meeting which precedes the 2024 Summit o the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Tinubu stressed the need for further strengthening of…

Agency Report The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) has increased the price of petrol from N585 to between N855 and N890 per litre, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN correspondents, who monitored the situation in Lagos metropolis, observed that in the midst of ongoing fuel shortages and crises, marketers swiftly updated their pump prices to reflect the new rates. NNPCL stations in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Gbagada, Ikeja, and Ikorodu Road have adjusted their prices to N855 per litre. Major oil marketers such as Northwest, Mobil, TotalEnergies, and NIPCO are selling petrol between N868 and N900 per litre.…

Safiu Kehinde The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sought partnership with the media and civil society organisations (CSOs) toward achieving its ‘Vision 2050 ECOWAS of the People’s’ goal. This was made known by ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Touray, while declaring open a two-day strategic engagement workshop with heads of government-owned television stations in West Africa on Tuesday in Abuja. Tagged: “Strategy Meeting on the Media’s Role in Countering Mis/Disinformation and Promoting Peace and Democratic Governance in West Africa,” the work shop aims to ultimately achieve the Vision 2050 integration, peace and prosperity goal. Touray, represented by…

Agency Report The Federal Government, has on Tuesday signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with a Chinese Firm, Mutual Commitment Company (MCC) limited on renewable energy. This was disclosed  in a statement issued by Mr Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations to the Minister of Power in Abuja. According to the statement, the MoUs were facilitated and signed in Beijing at the African-China Co-operation Summit by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), an agency of the Ministry of Power. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu said that the MoUs signing were important and…

Agency Report Former Wolves striker Rafa Mir has been arrested on suspicion of an alleged sexual assault. The 27-year-old was held last night and failed to show for training this morning with LaLiga side Valencia, where he is currently on loan from Sevilla. The Civil Guard confirmed a LaLiga footballer had been arrested, but denied Spanish media reports a second man was also in custody at present. A spokesman for the force in Valencia said: ‘We can confirm a LaLiga footballer has been arrested over an alleged sexual assault. ‘No one else has been arrested at the moment but that…

Safiu Kehinde Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has issued 24-hour quit notice to traders along Lagos State University axis, Ojo. This was disclosed in a video posted on X by the state’s commissioner of environment and water resources, Tokunbo Wahab. LAGESC officials could be seen addressing the traders in the median front of LASU gate. “Tomorrow, we are coming to clear everything.” one of the team leaders could be heard telling the traders. He urged them to relocate to the market or risk running into debt by the end of the ultimatum.

Safiu Kehinde The Minister of State for Oil and Gas, Heineken Lokpobiri, has denied ordering Nigeria National Pretroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to increase fuel price. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the minister, Nnemeka Okafor. Reacting to claims of Lokpobiri ordering the inflation of fuel price, the minister denied the alleged engagement in the price increment. He labelled the claim as ‘baseless and malicious’ while stressing that the NNPCL is an independent entity that makes its own decision without interference from the ministry. The statement read, “The Federal…