Author: Safiu Kehinde

Safiu Kehinde  No fewer than 172 people have been confirmed dead as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) raised alarm over the rise in cases of Lassa fever. Also confirmed by the agency is the report of nine new cases in Ondo and Edo states. The NCDC stated this on its official website, based on latest Lassa Fever Situation Report. According to the report, this marked an increase from four cases reported in previous week, raising the total number of infection and deaths in the year to alarming levels. The NCDC revealed that “the country is witnessing…

US singer and actress Selena Gomez joined her co-stars on the red carpet at the London Film Festival on Friday, for the UK premiere of her Oscar-tipped film Emilia Pérez. The Spanish-language musical was one of the breakout hits of the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where Gomez and three of her co-stars were jointly named best actress. The others – Zoe Saldaña, Adriana Paz, Karla Sofía Gascón – appeared alongside Gomez in London, where the film hopes to continue its momentum in the awards race. Emilia Pérez follows a Mexican Cartel leader (played by Gascón), who asks a…

Safiu Kehinde  Super Eagles continued their stellar performance at the African Cup of Nations Qualifiers (AFCON) as they edged past Libya in 1-0 win on Friday. The Nigerian National team hosted the North African country at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Akwa-Ibom as they seek to advance their chance of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON tournament. Austin Eguavoen-led Eagles dominated the first half, but failed to find the back of the net. Efforts by Alex Iwobi Moses Simon, and Troost-Ekong were denied by Libyan goalkeeper as the Super Eagles endured a frustrating goalless first half. The Second half began with Nigeria…

Safiu Kehinde  Amnesty International has called on governments at all levels to prioritize the rescue and societal reintegration of girls who had suffered insurgency. The human rights organisation’s Programme Manager, Barbara Magaji, made the call at a programme organised by Amnesty International to illuminate the challenges faced by girls on Friday in Abuja. Magaji said that the programme was in commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child and had the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future”. She maintained that the programme engaged girls to speak for girls by empowering them to lend their voices to the campaign…

Agency Report Prof. Onimisi Abdullah of the Department of Social Science Education, University of Ilorin, has said that male students had higher tendencies to cheat in examinations than females. Abdullah made the submission in Ilorin in a paper presented at the 266th Lecture of the University. The paper was titled: “A Psychological Perspective on the Systemic Inconsistencies in the Nigerian Educational System”. The don stated that the research was an attempt to understand students psychology and development. “It is also to determine the relationship between background variables and cheating tendencies among students of Federal Universities in Nigeria,” he said. According…

Safiu Kehinde A 32-year-old man, identified as Lanre Ogungbe, has allegedly committed suicide after being found dead in a hotel in Ogun state. The state’s Police Command confirmed the discovery of the deceased body in a hotel room at Soyoye in Abeokuta. According to the statement issued on Friday by the Command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, in Abeokuta, the incident reportedly occurred at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Odutola explained that a bottle of one alcoholic drink called “Lakoko” and another bottle of pesticide known as “sniper” was found beside the deceased in the hotel room. She narrated how the owner of…

Safiu Kehinde Poultry business investors and farmers have cried out over the high cost of feeds as they demand government’s intervention. The call was made by Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Omidokun Oyekunle, during the celebration of 2024 World Egg Day in Ibadan on Friday. Oyekunle, represented by PAN Ibadan Zone I1 Chairman, Mr Wole Olulade, spoke also about the association’s several challenges during a visit to the Ido Local Government Chairman, Mr Sheriff Adeojo. The chairman disclosed that the high cost of feeds was greatly affecting the poultry business in Nigeria, adding…

Agency Report The Vincentian International Network for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation(VIN-JPIC) has stressed the need for collective action to address stigma, promote rehabilitation, and ensure successful reintegration of ex-offenders. Mr Jim Claffey, the International Coordinator, VIN-JPIC, NGO UN-Desk, New York, made the call during an international conference in commemoration of the Prisoners’ Justice Day on Friday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference which was organised by VIN-JPIC in collaboration with Earthspring international was themed “Restorative Justice and Community Reintegration. Claffey said that the focus of the conference was on partnerships and prisoners…

Safiu Kehinde  Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has explained reason behind allowing petroleum marketers to lift fuel directly from Dangote. The Minister made this known in a statement issued on his X handle on Friday. According to Wale Edun, the resolution was made by the Implementation Committee on the Sales of Crude Oil and Refined Products in Naira. The committee came with the decision in compliance with the directive of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the implementation of the new Naira-based sales mechanism. The Minister further explained that the direct lifting of fuel from Dangote Refinery by marketers will…

Safiu Kehinde President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consoled the Chairman of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Melee Kyari, over the death of his daughter. Tinubu expressed his condolences with the Kyari family in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. NPO earlier reported the demise of the 25-year-old Fatima Kyari who passed away earlier today after a protracted illness. As contained in the statement, Tinubu sympathized with the family over the loss while urging them to stay strong. The statement read in part; “President Bola Tinubu condoles with the Group Chief…