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Category: Breaking News

  • A Youth corps member dies, others injured while going to orientation camp

    A Youth corps member dies, others injured while going to orientation camp

    A corps member has died in a road crash while going to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Ebonyi.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in the state, Mr Henry Igwe, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Thursday.

    Igwe said that the crash occurred on Wednesday at about 2 p.m. on Amasiri-Okigwe Road, Amenu village in Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

    “It involved two vehicles – a 14-seater Toyota commercial bus, grey colour and a commercial Mercedes Benz tipper.

    “From our preliminary findings, it might have been caused by speeding on the part of the commercial bus.

    “The identities and details of the number of those injured have yet to be ascertained because the victims were actually rescued by bystanders in the area,” he said.

    The sector commander said that the injured had been taken to David Umahi Federal Hospital in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, adding that they were currently in stable condition.

  • Tinubu, meets Rivers Gov, Ogoni leaders, at the Aso Rock

    Tinubu, meets Rivers Gov, Ogoni leaders, at the Aso Rock

    President Bola Tinubu met with Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State and prominent leaders from Ogoniland at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

     The meeting, attended by top federal officials and stakeholders, is believed to focus on critical issues affecting the Niger Delta region.  

    Governor Fubara was accompanied by Senators Magnus Abe, Lee Maeba, Olaka Nwogu, Chief Victor Giadom, and other prominent figures from Ogoniland.

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    Federal officials present included the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abba; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.  

    Though the agenda was not officially disclosed, discussions are expected to address the cleanup of Ogoniland and the potential resumption of oil exploration in the area. 

    These issues have sparked debates in recent months, with civil society organizations demanding a $1 trillion allocation for environmental restoration and compensation before oil activities resume.  

    The 2011 UNEP report highlighted extensive pollution in Ogoniland, affecting land, water, and air, and recommended comprehensive cleanup efforts.

     Activists have expressed disappointment over delays in implementing the report’s recommendations and called for urgent action to address the environmental and economic concerns of the region.  

  • Untitled post 30933

    As the state and the rest of Nigeria mourn the tragic death of 50 people this Saturday, Niger State Gov. Umaru Bago has banned heavy-duty trucks from plying one way through Dikko bridge.

    This directive follows a tanker explosion Saturday, killing more than 50 people and wounding numerous others.

    The governor gave the directive during a visit to the scene of the explosion at Dikko junction in Suleja local government area of the state.

    He described the incident as pathetic while expressing sadness over the loss of lives.

    He, however, expressed relief that it did not extend to adjoining communities in the area.

    Bago decried the recklessness of some drivers just as he directed that vehicles coming from the Maje axis should not pass through Dikko Bridge.

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    He said that the vehicles should, instead, follow the route under the bridge and take a U-turn.

    The governor called on the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to establish a detachment in the area to enforce the directive.

    He also urged transport unions to cooperate with the FRSC.

    Bago attributed the frequent accidents in the area to the delay in completing the Minna-Suleja road project and called on the federal government to expedite action on the project.

    He commended the state Emergency Management Agency, Fire Service, FRSC and the National Union of Road Transport Workers for their roles in evacuating victims of the explosion.

    He noted that doctors from Minna hospitals would be redeployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving treatment at Suleja General Hospital.

    The News Agency reports that more than 50 people lost their lives in the Saturday morning incident caused by scooping of fuel from the articulated vehicle.

  • BREAKING: Israeli cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas

    BREAKING: Israeli cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas

    The agreement, which calls for exchanging Palestinian inmates in Israeli prisons for hostages held in Gaza, is set to go into force on Sunday.

    Following more than 460 days of fighting in which Israeli troops have killed over 46,788 Palestinians and injured 110,453, Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet has accepted an agreement with Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza.

    The agreement, which was approved early on Saturday morning and is anticipated to go into effect on Sunday, calls for exchanging Palestinian inmates in Israeli prisons for hostages held in Gaza. The details of a lasting end to the conflict will then be finalized.

    READ ALSO: Tinubu calls for end to Gaza conflict, supports two-state solution

    Israel blamed Hamas for delaying important sessions of its cabinet and security cabinet, which were scheduled to vote on Thursday, because of apparent long-standing differences among ministers.

    Hamas allegedly broke important terms of the deal in order to secure last-minute concessions, according to Netanyahu’s staff. Izzat al-Risheq, a senior Hamas official, however, emphasized that the organization was still dedicated to the ceasefire agreement.

    Hamas said in a statement earlier on Friday that obstacles that arose in relation to the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement had been resolved at dawn that day.

    According to Netanyahu’s office, if the Israeli cabinet approved the accord, Hamas would begin releasing prisoners “as early as Sunday.”

    Destruction of Gaza by IDF

    On Wednesday, mediators Qatar, Egypt, and the United States announced the ceasefire accord.

    According to the agreement, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from several parts of Gaza, a six-week interim ceasefire will be implemented, and humanitarian aid will increase.

  • Cross River Commissioner for Tourism Passes Away

    Cross River Commissioner for Tourism Passes Away

    Robert Ewa, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Cross River State, has died. 

    He passed away on Wednesday evening at Arubah Specialist Hospital in Calabar, the state capital.  

    Earlier in the day, Ewa attended the state executive council meeting led by Governor Bassey Otu.

     Following the news of his death, members of the council and the governor’s aides gathered at the hospital to support his family.  

    Ewa’s career included roles as Secretary and Chairman of Boki Local Government Council, Special Adviser on Community Relations, and Secretary of the Anti-Deforestation Task Force.

  • Fire Guts Cross River High Court

    Fire Guts Cross River High Court

    A fire has engulfed the Cross River High Court building in Ogoja, leaving the structure in ruins.

    The fire, which broke out on Sunday, reduced the court’s infrastructure to charred remnants. 

    The exact cause of the incident remains unknown as investigations are yet to begin.

    Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames consuming the building late into the night, with firefighters struggling to contain the blaze.

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     Despite their efforts, the fire left behind a trail of destruction, damaging key documents, legal records, and critical infrastructure.

    A local resident, Mr. John Ekanem, expressed his concerns:

    “This court is not just a building; it’s a symbol of justice. Many people in this area rely on it to resolve their disputes and seek redress. This is a huge loss for us.”

    Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the fire’s cause. However, security personnel have cordoned off the area to prevent unauthorized access as investigations are expected to commence soon.

  • IPOB Opposes RUGA in S/East, Warns Against Cattle Settlements

    IPOB Opposes RUGA in S/East, Warns Against Cattle Settlements

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has firmly rejected plans to introduce cattle ranching or settlement schemes, including RUGA, in Nigeria’s South-East region. 

    The group issued a stern message to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, warning that any such initiative would be met with resistance.  

    RUGA, a policy aimed at resolving herder-farmer conflicts through designated settlements, has been a point of contention in the region. 

    READ ALSO: Fubara Draws the Line Amid Tension With Wike’s Loyalists

    IPOB reiterated its longstanding opposition, arguing that such schemes could serve as a cover for herdsmen camps and potentially disrupt the peace in the South-East.  

    In a New Year address, IPOB leadership also cautioned Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah against implementing RUGA within the state. 

    The group stated that any attempt to enforce cattle settlements in Biafraland would provoke strong opposition, emphasizing their determination to protect the region’s sovereignty.  

    This development signals growing tension over federal policies related to cattle grazing and land use in Nigeria.

  • PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU’S 2025 NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS

    PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU’S 2025 NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS

    Dear Fellow Nigerians,

    As we enter 2025, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. May you be rich in joy, success, and good health. As the new year dawns, it brings many hopes, aspirations, and prospects for better days. By the grace of God, 2025 will be a year of great promise in which we will fulfil our collective hopes.

    In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting food production and promoting local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies. We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people

    Though 2024 posed numerous challenges to our citizens and households, I am confident that the New Year will bring brighter days. Economic indicators point to a positive and encouraging outlook for our nation. Fuel prices have gradually decreased, and we recorded foreign trade surpluses in three consecutive
    quarters.

    Foreign reserves have risen, and the Naira has strengthened against the US dollar, bringing greater stability. The stock market’s record growth has generated trillions of naira in wealth, and the surge in foreign investment reflects renewed confidence in our economy. Nevertheless, the cost of food and essential drugs remained a significant concern for many Nigerian households in 2024.

    .

    In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting food production and promoting local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies. We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

    I seek your cooperation and collaboration at all times as we pursue our goal of a one trillion-dollar economy. Let us stay focused and united. We are on the right path to building a great Nigeria that will work for everyone. Let us not get distracted by a tiny segment of our population that still sees things through the prisms of politics, ethnicity, region, and religion.

    In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output. To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

    The Company-expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter-is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry,
    Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.

    This initiative will strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support under-served groups such as women and youth. It will drive growth, re-industrialisation, and better living standards for our people.

    On a personal note, thank you for placing your confidence in me as your president. Your trust humbles me, and I promise to continue serving you diligently and wholeheartedly. We will continue to embark on necessary reforms to foster sustainable growth and prosperity for our nation.

    I seek your cooperation and collaboration at all times as we pursue our goal of a one trillion-dollar economy. Let us stay focused and united. We are on the right path to building a great Nigeria that will work for everyone. Let us not get distracted by a tiny segment of our population that still sees things through the prisms of politics, ethnicity, region, and religion.

    CITIZENSHIP
    To achieve our national goals and objectives, we must become better citizens and be uncompromising in our devotion and allegiance to Nigeria.
    Citizens’ moral rectitude and faith in our country are fundamental to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda. In 2025, we will commit to promoting adherence to ethical principles, shared values, and beliefs under the National Identity Project.

    I will unveil the National Values Charter, already approved by the Federal Executive Council, in the first quarter of 2025. I will launch an ambitious national orientation campaign that fosters patriotism and love for our country and inspires citizens to
    rally together. The Charter will promote mutual commitments between the government and citizens and foster trust and cooperation among our diverse population and between the government and the citizens.

    As far-reaching and foundational as our reforms are, they can produce the desired outcomes only through shared common values and identities and unconditional love for our country.

    The Youth Confab will begin in the first quarter of 2025, a testament to our commitment to youth inclusiveness and investment as nation-builders. The Ministry of Youth will soon announce the modalities for selecting the conference’s representatives from our diverse, youthful population.

    Dear Compatriots, I urge you to continue believing in yourselves and keeping faith in our blessed country. Let me use this New Year’s message to urge our governors and local council chairpersons to work closely with the central government to seize emerging opportunities in agriculture, livestock, and tax reforms and move our nation forward.

    I commend governors who have embraced our Compressed Natural Gas initiative by launching CNG-propelled public transport. I also congratulate those who have adopted electric vehicles as part of our national energy mix and transition. The Federal Government will always offer necessary assistance to the states.

    To all citizens, your sacrifices have not been in vain over the past 19 months. I assure you they will not be in vain even in the months ahead. Together, let us stay the course of nation-building. The New Year will bring us closer to the bright future we all desire and the Nigeria of our dreams.

    God bless you all, and may God bless our beloved country, Nigeria.

    Happy New Year and a prosperous 2025 to you all!

    Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
    GCFR President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
    01 January, 2025

  • 125,000 barrels/day Warri Refinery Resumes Operation

    125,000 barrels/day Warri Refinery Resumes Operation

    National energy company, the NNPCL says its long comatose Warri Refining and Petro-Chemical company has commenced production.

    NNPCL Group Managing Director, Mr. Mele kyari announced today in Warri, Delta State that the company’s 125,000 per day Warri Refinery commenced operation, though it currently operates at below installed capacity.

    Mr. Kyari who made the disclosure before conducting journalists and other guests on a tour of the refining complex said, “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 per cent complete, we are still in the process.

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    Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”

    “I must congratulate our team for their determination and extreme belief that this company can restart this plant.

    “This has brought the result we are seeing in collaboration with our contractors. We have proved that it is possible to restart a plant that you deliberately shut down. We have proved this.

    “This plant has three stages. We have started stage one which is called Area 1, able to produce AGO (diesel), Kerosene, naphtha and others. These are brands of high-quality products required in the country. We will also be able to export them. This country will make money to meet the promises of Mr president that this country will be an exporter of petroleum products.

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    “I must put on record the development was as a result of the charge by Mr President that we must get all three refineries to work. It is already happening. We have successfully started the Port Harcourt 65, 000 barrels per day refinery. We have also started the area 1 of the Warri refinery. The other plants that will produce PMS will also come live.

    “Kaduna is also on stream. We are not going to give you a date but we will surprise you,” Mr. Kyari said, excitedly.

  • Jimmy Carter: Oldest Surviving POTUS Dies at 100

    Jimmy Carter: Oldest Surviving POTUS Dies at 100

    The oldest surviving President of the United States (POTUS), Mr. James Earl Carter Jr. has died, aged 100 years.

    Mr. James Earl Carter Jr., born October 1, 1924 in Plains, a city in Sumter County, Georgia, was the 39th President of the United States who served a single term of four years from 20 January 1977 – 20 January 1981.

    Having left office with low approval ratings, Mr. Carter was most reputed for his philanthropic work before and after office as POTUS, following which he received numerous awards.

    Some of these awards include; Nobel Peace Prize, 2002, nominated ten times for the Grammy and awarded three times for Best Audio Book Narration, 2019, 2016, 2007, Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999.

    The late President was possibly one of the most celebrated former President of the United States, having received about 98 such awards.

    In a tribute titled, the Peanut Farmer Who Rose to President, his son, Chip Carter wrote, “”My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.”

    “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”