Local

BY ABDULLAHI ISAH, MAIDUGURI No fewer than 30 people were killed, while 78 others were injured when two female suicide bombers detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) at the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, Camp in Dikwa, the headquarters of Dikwa local government area of Borno State. Confirming the incident, the …

The trial of the seven persons accused of complicity in the over N24 billion scam in the police pension office resumed Wednesday, February 10, 2016 before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja with prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, leading the fourth …

DENNIS UDOMA, Uyo Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has said that he would settle down to the business of developing the state now that the legal battle concerning his governorship election is over. He gave the assurance in Uyo on Wednesday, during the special inter-denominational thanksgiving service to …

In continuation of their clearance operations of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, troops of 212 Tank Battalion, 29 Task Force Brigade, early Wednesday morning laid an ambush on some Boko Haram elements at a major cattle market in Gwai Mainari around Mainok general area. A statement …

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state, his wife, Monica, leaders and members of the state House of Assembly, and members of the state executive council were among the huge congregation that gathered Wednesday at the Government House, Enugu as a special Ash Wednesday mass held to kick off the 2016 …

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday felicitated with the Christian faithful as they commenced fasting to mark the 40 day Lenten season even as he urged them to use the period to pray for the peace and stability of the nation. Saraki who made the call in a …

Less than 24 hours after the sports writers body in the country issued the coach of the Super Eagles with a 7-day ultimatum, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is preparing a US$30,000 on the embattled coach who had called his critics ‘insane’, weekend. Oliseh looks set to consult with his …

AGENE GODWIN, Benin Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Wednesday, declared that past governments and leaders in the country since 1960 were responsible for failed policies aimed at diversifying the economy. Oshiomhole who stated this in Benin City while delivering a maiden public lecture of the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of …

ANTHONY OMOH Troubled management of Bristow Helicopters has dispelled reports making the rounds in the aviation sector claiming that the Sikorsky S – 76c helicopter ditching incident in the Atlantic Ocean was connected to the downsizing carried out last year following loss of contracts by the airline. Managing director of Bristow, Mr Duncan Moore who …

Dangote Group, Nigeria’s largest company, is struggling with a constricted supply of foreign-exchange in the country and is relying on its international cement operations and export-credit agencies to get around the shortage. “The forex situation is extremely tight in Nigeria,” Group Executive Director, Devakumar Edwin, said in an e-mailed response …

CHINEDU WOSU, Yenagoa The Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, has arrested a suspected pipeline vandal, Prince Alvin Covkman Ouegun (aka Commander Abula), said to be the mastermind of the recent attack on a Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) facility in Bayelsa State. The Command …

CHINEDU WOSU, Yenagoa At least 18 persons have been confirmed dead following an auto crash that occurred, Wednesday, along the busy Mbiama East/ West Road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The accident involving an 18-seater commuter bus travelling from Port Harcourt to Bayelsa State and a truck from …

Frontline rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana has lauded the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for taking the bold initiative to inaugurate the Special Offences (Mobile) Court to summarily deal with growing cases of traffic and environmental abuses in the State. The Lagos State …

CHINEDU WOSU YENAGOA The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested 9 males and 5 females in Bayelsa state for trafficking in hard drugs. The command said the 14 suspects were arrested in the month of January, 2016 for different drug related offenses. Spokesman of the Command, Superintendent Ikenna …

Twelve Federal Civil Servants have been honoured by the Federal Government for their punctuality, commitment and dedication to their official responsibilities. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita who presented certificates of commendation and a Laptop to each of the twelve officers Wednesday in Abuja …

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has made a case for public, private sector collaboration as a way of attracting more foreign direct investment into the country and growing the economy. Jonathan, who stated this in Wiesbaden, Germany where he was hosted by the leaders of the parliament of the state of Hessen …

The Nigerian Army has announced plans for an indefinite closure of identified markets alleged to be trading and aiding Boko Haram terrorists with logistic supplies in Borno and Yobe States. This was announced, Tuesday, in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, who did …

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said the N433 billion proposed in the 2016 budget before the National Assembly will ensure that the federal government is able to construct and complete about 6,000 kilometres of roads before 2019. Defending his ministry’s budget before the House of …

The Presidency has explained why it allocated N3.219 billion for the upgrade of equipment at the State House Clinic. This is just as it defended the N18.1 billion budget proposed for the State House in the 2016 N6.07 trillion national budget. The Presidency said the N3.219 billion proposed for the …

The senate has thrown its weight behind its president, Bukola Saraki, insisting that the embattled senator will continue to serve in that capacity unless convicted by the courts. Saraki is presently standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over alleged false assets declaration charges preferred against him by the …

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar has lauded the management of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Company for providing the needed technical support that has enabled the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to sustain its operations against the Boko Haram insurgents. The Company, at a time …

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, at the weekend decried the heavy taxation imposed on telecom operators in Nigeria by different layers of government, saying it weighs down their operations. The group through its Chairman Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, urged Federal Government to harmonise levies on operators to …

Security has been beefed up at the Presidential Villa in Abuja as Presidency, Tuesday, expressed the fear that terrorists focusing on high profile targets around the world may launch attacks on the complex. Following the development, the Presidency has advised all vehicles into the premises, official and unofficial, to subject to …

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has told President Muhammadu Buhari to’ save the country from the national embarrassment’ being caused by the 2016 Budget which he presented to the National Assembly last December by ‘formally withdrawing the document and re-presenting it.’ According to a statement issued, Tuesday, by his …