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Category: Governance

  • FG To Develop App For Student Loan Scheme Application

    FG To Develop App For Student Loan Scheme Application

    The Federal Government says it will develop an app for applications into the student loan scheme. 

    This is according to the Executive Secretary of the Student Loan Scheme Board Akintunde Sawyer who spoke on Monday after the board met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

    Sawyer said the move is to ensure zero human intervention in the scheme which is expected to start this year.

    The development came months after Tinubu said the scheme would commence in January 2024.

    “By January 2024, the new student loan must commence. To the future of our children and students, we are saying no more strikes,” Tinubu said in Abuja during the National Economic Summit 2023, assuring students that the era of incessant strikes is gone.

    President Tinubu in celebration of June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, signed the student loan bill in fulfillment of the promise he made during his campaign.

    The bill, sponsored by the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, now Chief of Staff to the President, provides easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

    The funds for the programme will be domiciled in the Ministry of Education and will only be accessed by indigent students of tertiary institutions.

  • Bandits Strike In Enugu Community, Kill 1

    Bandits Strike In Enugu Community, Kill 1

    Agu-Amede community near Eha-Amufu in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State witnessed another horrifying attack on Sunday, January 21, 2024. 

    Suspected herder bandits targeted Odoba and Isi Agbuhu villages, resulting in the tragic death of Ikechukwu Odomi from Isi Agbuhu.

    Community leader Ephraim Ogbu confirmed the attack, expressing deep concern over the apparent lack of response from security forces despite timely information provided by the locals. 

    Ogbu revealed that a house owned by Chibuike Olinya in Odoba Agu Amede village was also burned down, with Olinya narrowly escaping harm.

    Despite the prolonged nature of the attack, Ogbu lamented that soldiers and other security agencies did not intervene, raising questions about the effectiveness of their presence in the area. 

    Ogbu questioned, “What we don’t know is whether the soldiers are here to protect the bandits?”

    Residents have been grappling with ongoing attacks since late last year, with Fulani bandits reportedly occupying a significant portion of farmland. 

    The assailants enter the community freely, leaving destruction in their wake. Ogbu emphasized, “The bandits come into the community at will, kill and burn houses.”

    The slain Ikechukwu Odomi had been accompanying his in-law when they encountered the bandits on the road. 

    He abandoned his vehicle and fled into the bush, but tragically, the assailants pursued him, setting the bush ablaze and claiming his life.

  • Suspended Minister, Betta Edu Reacts As Prayer Groups Hold Protests To Demand Reinstatement

    Suspended Minister, Betta Edu Reacts As Prayer Groups Hold Protests To Demand Reinstatement

    The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has claimed that she did not authorise groups organising public prayers and protests in her support to seek her reinstatement to President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. 

    This was stated in a release by her media aide, Rasheed Olanrewaju, alleging that Edu was confident and committed to the government’s ongoing inquiry and was fully collaborating with the authorities.

    The suspended minister added that she did not sponsor any public activity and urged those behind the planned actions to stop it for smooth investigation into the allegations made against her. 

    The statement reads: “Following recent developments, would like to thank various stakeholders for their immense support since the unfortunate chain of events at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Dr Betta Edu remains committed and confident in the investigative process instituted by President Bola Tinubu and is cooperating fully with relevant authorities.

    “The Minister has however been made aware of several efforts by individuals, supporters and others to organise public prayers, road walk and or protests to show public support.

    “We wish to use this medium to state that such efforts are not approved by her or any member of her team and should be discontinued forthwith because such efforts – no matter how noble the intent, it could be seen as an attempt to pre-empt the outcome of the investigations, or can be hijacked by nefarious persons with ulterior motives.

    “We kindly request that those with such plans should show their support by respecting the process and await the official findings and conclusions.

    “Your understanding and cooperation are highly appreciated at this time. She is indeed grateful for the overwhelming support from Nigerians across all strata of society especially those most dear to her heart; the Poor and vulnerable.

    “By God’s Grace, she will be back to continue her selfless service to humanity, especially to the poorest of the poor whose prayers have kept her strong thus far.”

  • New Commander Takes Charge to Tackle Abuja Kidnapping Crisis

    New Commander Takes Charge to Tackle Abuja Kidnapping Crisis

    Once a rare occurrence in the nation’s capital, Abuja, the incidence of kidnapping and other violent crimes have become rampant in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.

    Determined to stem the escalating incidence of kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has inaugurated the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).

    This squad, under the leadership of the newly appointed commander, DC Mohammed Sanusi, aims to combat the activities of kidnappers, bandits, and enhance security in the border towns of the FCT.

    The launch of the SIS comes at a critical time as Abuja and its environs grapple with a surge in insecurity. Recent incidents have seen a rise in abductions and fatalities among civilians in the FCT.

    ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL INTERVENTION SQUAD

    IGP Egbetokun, who assumed office in June, declared the establishment of the SIS as a key initiative of his administration. The squad comprises specially trained officers equipped to swiftly respond to security incidents, aligning with the administration’s priority to address violent crime threats across the country.

    Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi unveiled the new commander, DC Mohammed Sanusi, via X (Twitter), stating, “Behold, the new commander IRT, DC Mohammed Sanusi. His team has arrested many kidnappers and recovered arms and ammunition, many of which were displayed recently.

    In just two days since the launch of the SIS in Abuja, significant progress has been made. Adejobi reported, “IRT has picked 2 gun runners and 4 suspected kidnappers who terrorize the FCT and neighboring communities.

    The operations are still ongoing, with details to be provided soon during a media briefing. We count on your support to do more. Thanks.”

  • Police Burst Identity of Abuja Notorious Kidnapper

    Police Burst Identity of Abuja Notorious Kidnapper

    The identity of the notorious Abuja kidnapper arrested by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command has been revealed.

    In a statement on Friday, the FCT Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Josephine Adeh, said the name of the suspected kidnapper is Chinaza Phillip.

    She said Philip was arrested on Thursday, January 18, 2024, for his involvement in the recent kidnappings and killings in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Adeh added that the suspect was handed over to the FCT Police Command on Friday and is currently in police custody.

    The statement reads: “The FCT Police Command wishes to confirm the arrest of one Chinaza Phillip, a notorious Abuja kidnapper by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday 18th January 2024.

    “The suspect has been handed over to FCT police Command today being Friday 19th January, 2024, and currently in police custody.

    “More details will be communicated soon….”

  • Ogun: Supreme Court Affirms Governor Abiodun’s Re-Election

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State.

    The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which dismissed the appeal filed by by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, seeking the nullification of the re-election of Governor Abiodun.

    Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Tijani Abubakar dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit

  • Kaduna: Uba Sani wins at the Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the Victory of Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the March 18 governorship election in Kaduna state.

    The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which set aside the decision of the Kaduna governorship election tribunal sacking Sani and declaring the governorship election in the state as inconclusive.

    Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Tijani Abubakar dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

    More Details later

  • S’Court Upheld Nasir Idris as Kebbi State Gov

    S’Court Upheld Nasir Idris as Kebbi State Gov

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Nasir Idris of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Kebbi State.

    The Apex Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja dismissing the appel filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aminu Bande challenging the victory of at the March 18 governorship election.

    Delivering the Lead Judgement, Justice Abba Aji dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit

    More Details later

  • Gombe Guber: Gov Yahaya election affirmed a S’Court

    Gombe Guber: Gov Yahaya election affirmed a S’Court

    The Supreme Court on Friday, dismissed an appeal by Jibrin Barde of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)challenging the election of Governor Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe state.

    The Apex court lead judgment read
    by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, unanimously dismissed an appeal by Barde for want of merit, incompetent and liable to be dismissed.

    Consequently, the apex court has affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which had in November, 2023, upheld the election of Yahaya as Governor of Gombe State.

    The appellate court had upheld Yahaya’s election after dismissing two separate appeals challenging his declaration as winner of the March 18, governorship election in the state.

  • Nasarawa: Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal Seeking To Sack Gov Sule

    Nasarawa: Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal Seeking To Sack Gov Sule

    A 5-man panel of the Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party seeking to upturn the electoral victory of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.

    Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Sule as winner of the election with 347,209 votes to beat his closest challenger, Ombugadu, who polled 283,016 votes.

    Not happy with the results declared by INEC, Ombugadu and his party, the PDP, filed a petition at the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the polls.

    On October 2, 2023, a 3-man panel of the election petition tribunal led by Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, in a split decision of two-to-one, declared Ombugadu, the validly elected governor of Nasarawa State.

    However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, affirmed the election of Abdullahi Sule as Nasarawa State governor, after overturning the earlier decision of the election petition tribunal that removed him from office.

    Delivering judgement on the appeal filed by Sule, a three-member panel of the appeal court held that the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was wrong to have declared David Ombugadu, as the winner of the 18 March election.

    Not relenting, Ombugadu appealed at the apex court.

    But in a lead judgment, Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun dismissed Ombugadu’s appeal for being ‘devoid of merit, vexatious and incompetent.

    The panel unanimously held that all the sister appeals abide by the instant judgment.

    More so, the panel ordered parties to bear their respective costs.

    Recall that Governor Sule was initially declared the winner of the polls by INEC.

    But Ombugadu challenged the election outcome at the tribunal, arguing that he won the majority of valid votes during the contest.

    In a split decision of the tribunal on October 2, two members, forming the majority, declared Ombugadu the winner of the election, while the minority opinion of the only other member affirmed Sule’s victory.

    Sule subsequently appealed against the majority decision of the tribunal, and won.