Author: Safiu Kehinde

Safiu Kehinde The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited over allegedly missing N500 billion oil revenue. The accountability group in the lawsuit accused the NNPCL of failing to remit the money to the Federation Account between October 2024 and December 2024. SERAP disclosed this in a statement issued on its official website on Sunday. According to the statement, tge suit followed the recent allegations by the World Bank that out of the N1.1trn revenue from crude sales and other income in 2024, the NNPCL only remitted N600bn, leaving a deficit of…

At least 151 people in central Nigeria are now known to have died following flash floods that destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents earlier this week. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema) confirmed to the BBC the death toll had risen sharply from 115, after floods hit the town of Mokwa. A Nsema spokesman told the BBC more than 500 households with a population in excess of 3,000 people were affected. Some families are said to have lost between two and five relatives including children. The agency warned the death toll could rise further after people were washed…

At least 26 people have been killed after Israeli tanks open fire near an aid centre in Gaza, rescuers say, and 150 Palestinians have also been injured, according to the Red Cross hospital in Rafah Local residents told the BBC Israeli forces opened fire near the aid hub in Gaza’s southern city There was no immediate comment from Israel on the reported attack Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza and resumed its military offensive against Hamas on 18 March, collapsing a two-month ceasefire brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt A military campaign was launched by Israel in Gaza…

Agency Report The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has urged residents of the territory to take ownership of public infrastructure built in their communities. Wike, who made the call after he inspected some ongoing projects in satellite towns, also urged the residents to protect the public infrastructure against vandals. Some of the projects included the completed Market and Palace Road in Gwagwalada, completed 15-kilometre A2 to Pai and the ongoing 15.4-km Pai to Gumani in Kwali Area Council. The minister also inspected the ongoing dualisation of Ushafa to Military Checkpoint and War College Roads in…

Agency Report Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, has called for a ban on flavours and product designs that appeal to young users. Ihekweazu, made the call in a statement on Saturday on his message on World No Tobacco Day, with theme: “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products”. “More must be done to stay ahead of evolving tactics that target young people. “We must ban flavours and product designs that appeal to young users.Regulate digital advertising and sponsorship on youth platforms. “We must ensure product packaging does not imitate snacks or toys.…

Safiu Kehinde Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf,  has declared Monday a public holiday in honour of the 22 Kano athletes and officials who died in a road accident while returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival held in Ogun state. NPO Reported that the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday along the Kano-Zaria expressway. Reacting in a statement issued on Sunday by Sanusi Bature, the state governor’s spokesperson, Yusuf said the victims, mostly youths, were part of the state’s contingent to the just-concluded National  Sports Festival, held in Abeokuta, Ogun. “On behalf of the government and the…

Agency Report Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed a mix of optimism and concern after the 2025 Unity Cup final. While acknowledging the positives from the tournament, Chelle emphasised that Nigeria must significantly improve to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in the USA. “This game today with the two mistakes, we need to improve, we need to step up in our group, in our team. “To go to the World Cup, we need to step up, I can say my players have a good spirit, a good state of mind, I’m happy about that.…

Safiu Kehinde Former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi,  has revealed his reason for not supporting and voting for President Bola Tinubu. Amaechi made the disclosure at a public lecture themed “Weaponisation of Poverty as a Means of Underdevelopment: A Case Study of Nigeria,” held to commemorate his 60th birthday in Abuja on Saturday. The ex-Minister of Transportation said he had already told the President, prior to the 2023 general election, that he would neither vote for nor work for him as he cited the issue of capacity. “I met President Tinubu in Yola and told him, ‘I will not work…

Agency Report The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, has expressed deep sorrow over a tragic crash on the Kaduna-Kano expressway that claimed 21 lives, calling for urgent adherence to road safety measures. This is contained in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Saturday in Abuja. Mohammed commiserated with the Kano State Government and the families of the victims. The crash, which involved 24 adults, is believed to have resulted from driver fatigue and excessive speed during a long night trip. Mohammed said the fatal incident occurred at…

Safiu Kehinde The Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Plateau State, has hailed one of its pilgrims, Zainab Idris, who found lost 5,000 dollars and returned it to rightful owner, stressing that she made the state and Nigeria proud. Its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Daiyabu Daudu, said this while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 Hajj exercise in Makkah on Saturday. According to reports, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has acknowledged numerous return of lost cash to the rightful owners by the Nigerian pilgrims. Daudu said that the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Plateau, was proud of Idris…