Author: Safiu Kehinde

Safiu Kehinde Family of late Director-General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ibrahim Zakari were, on Monday, struck by another tragedy after the deceased youngest son, Mubarak Zakari, reportedly passed away few hours after his father’s burial. The 34-year-old Mubarak had travelled to Katsina with other family members to bury his father who died on Sunday. Following the burial, Mubarak was reported to have succumbed to heartbreak, leaving family and sympathisers in deep shock. Ambassador Zakari, aged 81, passed away in the early hours of Sunday in Abuja. His remains were transported to his hometown of Katsina for burial…

Safiu Kehinde The Edo House of Assembly, has, on Tuesday, granted the request for the appointment of 20 Special Advisers by the state’s governor, Monday Okpebholo. In the letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor, Okpebholo stated that the appointment was for the smooth running of his administration. The motion to approve the request was moved during plenary by the Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Eric Okaka. Aiguobarueghian said that Section 196 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, empowered the governor to appointment special advisers. In a unanimous decision,…

Agency Report Edo state governor, Monday Okpebholo, has launched the construction of first flyover bridge atRamat Park, Benin, as part of immediate efforts to reduce traffic congestion in the city. Performing the ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday, Okpebholo said his administration would also construct two more flyover bridges at Dawson Road Junction and Sapele Road/Adesuwa Road Junction, also in Benin. According to him, the completion of the Ramat Park flyover in Benin will transform the economic and social fortunes of the city. He stated that Ramat Park is a gateway to Benin and other parts of the country, noting that the…

Safiu Kehinde An Abuja driver and a lady, were, on Tuesday, subjected to brutal assault by officers of the Nigeria Army in Abuja. As seen in a now viral video on X, two officers approached the driver, identified as Vershima Mker, for allegedly bashing the car of their General. Despite Vershima’s plea, the military officers resorted to physical assault on the driver, with one visibly seen hitting him with an unidentified object. He was dragged out of the car and taken to the said General. Meanwhile, the lady, identified as Lami Jennifer, was challenged by one of the officers for…

Safiu Kehinde A 28-year-old man, Sunday Sagbo, has, on Tuesday, appeared before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing building materials from a church. The defendant is standing trial before Magistrate A. Alade, on a two-count charge bordering on stealing and willful damage. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Meanwhile, the prosecutor, Insp. Esther Adesulu, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between Feb. 22 and Nov. 11, at Abule Ado area in Ojo, Lagos. She said that the defendant stole a tonne of 12mm Iron rod valued at N1.25 million, one tonne of…

Safiu Kehinde Super Eagles have apologized to Nigerians over their horrific performance which saw them succumb to a shocking 2-1 home defeat to Rwanda at the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final qualifiers match. Having already sealed a spot for the bi-annual tournament set to hold in Morocco, Nigerians expected the Super Eagles to put an icing in the cake by defeating Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Akwa-Ibom, yesterday. To the dismay of their football loving supporters, the Super Eagles ended their qualifiers campaign with a humiliating defeat to Rwanda. However, the national team has, on Tuesday,…

Safiu Kehinde The remains of late Nigerian lawmaker, Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, has arrived the National Assembly complex. Prior to his death which was announced on the 27th of July 2024, Ubah represented Anambra South at the Senate. The lawmakers are, however, set to honour their colleague as the casket bearing his remains is lying-in-state at the foyer of the White House wing of the Nation Assembly Complex. There is only one item on the order paper for today titled: “Valedictory Session.” Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central) would upon commencement of plenary move a motion: “That the Senate…

Safiu Kehinde President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly, seeking approval of a fresh N1.767tn external borrowing plan in the 2024 appropriation act. Tinubu’s request was read by the speaker during plenary on Tuesday. The loan, if approved, will reportedly be used to part-finance the budget deficit of N9.7trillion for the 2024 budget. In the same vein, the president also forwarded the MTEF/ FSP 2025- 2027 to parliament and the National Social Investment Programme establishment amendment bill, to make the social register the primary tool for the implementation of the federal government’s social welfare programmes. This is as…

Safiu Kehinde The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the implementation of N70,000 national minimum wage for workers of the FCT Administration. This was announced by the acting Head of Civil Service in the FCT, Grace Adayilo, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja. She said that the minister also approved the payment of three months arrears. Adayilo explained that the move was part of the minister’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of FCTA workers. “The gesture will further spur workers of the administration to support the minister’s efforts toward delivering the Renewed…

Agency Report Some residents of Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa states have advocated states government and private sector investment in the establishment of Independent Mini Power Grids to boost electricity supply in Nigeria. This, they say, would help address the incessant collapse of the national power grid and its negative impact on the nation’s economy. The stakeholders made the call during a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday. Mr Joseph Adedayo, an Energy Expert in Lokoja, Kogi, said that the establishment of independent mini power grids would greatly minimise power failure in the country. He noted…