NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Minister For Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Anite Uzoka has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. Dr. Uzoka said the Tribunal’s affirmation of Tinubu as the duly elected president of Nigeria was a re-validation of the love Nigerians have for him and reaffirmation of the popular mandate they bestowed on him on February 25th, 2023. “Let me on behalf of the Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment Congratulate Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his well-deserved election tribunal victory. “As the then member in President Tinubu's Think-tank on Finance and Economy and a member of the President Campaign Council (PCC)  I joined Mr President to campaign across the 36 states and Abuja and I know how Nigerians accepted his Renewed Hope Agenda. He will not fail Nigerians! “Now that the Court had spoken overwhelmingly, the petiti...

  The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital this afternoon, nullified the election of Hon Maureen Chinwe Gwacham of the All Progressives Grand Alliance as the member representing Oyi/Ayamelum federal constituency. The tribunal in a petition filed by Hon Charles Uchenna Okafor (Wiper) of the Young Progressives Party ordered for a re run in 8 polling units in Umueje ward,Ayamelum LGA  Mrs Gwacham was declared the winner of the February 25 National Assembly poll  after INEC declared her votes as  15299 while Hon. Okafor (Wiper) garnered a total of 13332 votes, Labour Party candidate Chira Obiora Uzochukwu scored 8159 votes with  the former incumbent House of Representatives PDP member, Hon. Vincent Ofumelu handed 6912 votes. You may recall that voting in umueje ward was deliberately scuttled as it is a well-known political enclave and support base of the YPP Candidate , Hon Okafor (Wiper)

In the course of the conference, President Tinubu successfully secured a number of investment commitments from some Indian investors. Addressing participants at the conference, President Tinubu assured that Nigeria is open for business with enormous opportunities for investors. He also assured them of good government policies that will favour foreign investments. He said: he were ready to give you the best returns for investment possible, there’s nowhere else like our country. Nigeria offers the best returns for investment today, so invest now. The new investors include Indorama Petrochemical Limited, Jindal Steel and Power Limited, Bharti Enterprises and Jitender Sachdeva, President of SkipperSeil Limited. 1. Indorama Petrochemical Limited announced a commitment of $8 billion in fresh investment for the expansion of its fertilizer production and petrochemical facility located in Eleme, Rivers State. 2. Jindal Steel and Power Limited, a prominent Indian private steel manufacturer, has ...

***Congratulates Tinubu, Shettima, APC The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has lauded the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), which on Wednesday affirmed the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 presidential election. Akpabio describes the Court verdict as an affirmation of the popular mandate of the Nigerian people for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket of the All Progressives Congress(APC) as delivered at the polls in February. The Senate President heartily congratulates President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima on the resounding affirmation of their popular mandate by the well-thought-out judgement of the Court. Akpabio notes that the court painstakingly evaluated all the issues raised by the petitioners and delivered a clear verdict on the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process. He asserts that it is clear to see for dispassionate observers that despite the challenges, Nigeria's electoral process is...

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has explained that the reason for the loss of supply currently being experienced in parts of its network is due to the strike action embarked on by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), which resulted to the shutdown of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Stations feeding its Injection Substations. The Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh who made this known in Enugu today confirmed the affected TCN Stations as, New Haven, Ohiya, and Egbu Transmission Stations. According to him, the development affected supply to customers of EEDC under Ogui, Abakpa, Umuahia, Owerri, New Owerri, Orlu, and Mbaise districts, feeding from the affected TCN Stations. “We shall continue to monitor events and provide timely updates as it affects our operations and service to our customers”. “We are mindful of the inconveniences this situation has caused our esteemed customers and plead for their understanding”.

The Department of State Services (DSS) this morning, Monday, September 4, said it has uncovered a plot to stage violent protests in the country. The Service disclosed this in a statement, adding, "Intelligence reports have indicated that the plotters include certain politicians who are desperately mobilising unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic based associations, youth and disgruntled groups for the planned action". In the statement by the Public Relations Officer Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, the DSS said "some elements" were behind the plans to stage violent protests. It further disclosed that the plot was "in order to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters".  "Meanwhile, the Service has identified the ring leaders of the plot as well as sustained monitoring around them in order to deter them from plunging the country into anarchy", Afunanya declared in the statement.  The DSS urges, "In view of ...

Dr Doris Anite Uzoka,the Minister for Industry Trade and Investment,has congratulated the newly appointed member of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC,Board, representing Imo State,Dr Kyrian Uchegbu. The minister described the appointment as well deserved, as she stated that Dr Uchegbu is eminently qualifed for the job. The minister however commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu for choosing Uchegbu as the representative of Imo State. She further commended the governor of IMO State, H.E Senator Hope Uzodinma who recommended Dr Uchegbu for the plum job and wished him well in his new office.

Legendary Nigerian musician, Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has said that he desires to become a cleric. The 47-year-old music icon said sometimes he desires to establish his own church. He said, if peradventure, he answers the call to serve in God’s vineyard as a cleric,  his denomination would be called “Straight To Heaven International Church “of God Nigeria Limited (STHICOGNL). The proud  father of seven  disclosed this in a video message shared via his verified Instagram page recently. He said, “To open church just dey hungry me. (STHICOGNL), Straight To Heaven International Church of God Nigeria Limited.”

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has admitted to lying in courtrooms and police stations on various occasions. The self-styled ‘African Giant’ admitted this while bragging about his blunt nature. He said he never lies except in “courtrooms and police stations.” On his Instagram story, Burna Boy wrote, “The only times I ever lied was in courtrooms and police stations.” “If you don’t like me, I don’t like you more than you don’t like me. You can’t win.”

The federal government is set to introduce the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine  to prevent cervical cancer in the country.  The vaccine will be given to children and adolescents between the ages nine to 15 years across the country.  Executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this yesterday at the Bi-annual Religious Leaders Review Meeting, organised by the agency, in Abuja. He said, “I want to use this auspicious occasion to bring to your attention the progress we are making towards preventing one of the deadliest diseases that affects our mothers, sisters and daughters: cervical cancer.  ‘This cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). On the 25th of September this year, we will be introducing a vaccine, the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer when given to our daughters between the ages 9 to 15 years.” He urged the religious leaders to join hands with the medical community in c...

Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a neglected, debilitating skin disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans. After the first definite description in 1948, M. ulcerans infections have been reported from 34 countries, mainly with tropical and subtropical climates. Following a peak of 5,954 reported BU cases globally in 2004, the number of new recorded cases has been decreasing in recent years. In 2016, a total of 1,952 BU cases were reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from twelve different countries. Underreporting is considered likely, as BU mostly affects populations in remote areas with limited access to the formal health sector. Although transmission pathways of M. ulcerans are still unclear, infection foci are closely associated with wetlands. This is the third most common disease after tuberculosis and leprosy.   Although, it is not known how people get Buruli ulcer.One possibility is that the disease is passed to humans from some insects that are found in water. Wh...

Cristiano Ronaldo has celebrated his 850th career goal as Al Nassr won 5-1 at Al Hazem in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday. Ronaldo scored his sixth goal in his past three games and claimed two assists as Al Nassr recorded a third straight league victory. Sadio Mane was also on the scoresheet. “Another great team performance! We keep improving. Let’s go @AlNassrFC … 850 career goals and still counting!” the 38-year-old Ronaldo posted on social media. Ronaldo has now scored 26 goals in his first 30 games in all competitions for Al Nassr, just one short of the number he managed in the same amount of games at the start of his Real Madrid career. His longtime rival, Lionel Messi, currently has 818 career goals. After Al Nassr lost their first two league games this term, last season’s runners-up, who have scored 14 goals in their past three games, are now just four points off leaders Al Hilal. Ronaldo is the league’s top scorer this season with six goals, one ahead of former Liverpool forwa...

  The LaLiga match between Atletico and Sevilla on Sunday has been postponed due to the extremely high risk of flooding in Madrid, the Spanish soccer league said. “Facing the exceptional weather situation in Madrid … the President of the RFEF, the Sports Minister and the CEOs of Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla, has taken the decision to postpone the match. The new date and time of the match will be communicated soon,” LaLiga said in a statement on Sunday. AEMET has issued a severe weather warning in the regions of Madrid, La Mancha and Andalusia. Madrid mayor Luis Martínez Almeida has urged the population to stay home as the city is expecting “the heaviest rainfall since records began 49 years ago” over on Sunday afternoon. Atletico are second in the LaLiga standings on seven points, level with Girona, Barcelona and Cadiz, five points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Foremost human right Lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called for the suspension of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from operating in Nigeria over breach of the nation’s Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA). Falana while speaking at the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Abuja, said the suspension shouldn’t be lifted until Nigerian indigenous airline, Air Peace is allowed to operate the Lagos-London route. According to Falana, BASA allows for reciprocity of flight operations on the route by designated airlines in line with the agreement signed by both countries. According to him, it was out of place and unfair for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to be allowed to continue flying into Nigeria without any Nigerian airline flying to London in return. He observed that Air Peace has proven it has the capacity to operate on international routes, adding that the airline currently flies to China, Israel, India and South Africa among others using modern aircraft c...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has revealed plans to establish functional offices in all the 8,813 wards across the country. The move, according to the governing party, is to also bring symbolic representation close to the people. The party also hinted that it is at the concluding stage of establishing a National Institute of Progressive Study. This, the APC said, is in line with its belief that progressivism as a political ideology can be deployed to improve the lives of millions of Nigerians and improve society through appropriate political action and social reform based on advancement in Science, Technology, Economic Development and Social Organisation. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony of the leadership and members of Kogi State national gubernatorial campaign council yesterday, national chairman of the APC,  Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said; “It is pertinent to also note that we have initiated and concluded plans to structure our party into a truly grassroots prog...

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has promised to strengthen medical services in all the hospitals, by treating medical doctors under the FCT Administration with human face. In a statement signed by the assistant director of information for Minister of State for FCT, Freda Aideyan, the minister made this known during a meeting with medical unions. Wike, who was represented by the minister of state for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the recent circular of the eight years tenure retirement was an issue of concern, but that the administration would study the matter carefully. According to the minister, the eight years did not only affect the Medical sector but some other sectors. “We have a guideline that exempted the medical doctors from the circular, so we need to have a backup document to speak on the matter. “I will have to meet with the heads of departments, stakeholders, and other sectors concerning recalling the letter, and I assure you that we wi...

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Monday to attend the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India, on the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. According to a statement by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on the sidelines of the Summit, the President will participate in and deliver keynote addresses at both the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and the Nigeria-India Business Conference. He said the CEO Roundtable will be attended by leading industrialists in the Indian private sector, Nigerian industrialists, as well as senior government officials from both countries. According to him, the President aims to leverage this platform to attract global capital and promote increased foreign direct investments in key labour-intensive sectors of Nigeria’s economy for job creation and revenue expansion. “Moreover, he will use this opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, specifically outlining his cross-sectoral refor...

Dr. Nasir Sanni-Gwazor has assumed duty as the new permanent secretary of the ministry of Police Affairs stating that change is inevitable for civil servants as it broadens their expertise and ability to impact and share skills acquired in various places they had served as accounting office of a Ministry. He made this known during the official handing over between the outgoing permanent secretary, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan and Dr. Nasir Sanni-Gwazor at the ministry headquarters in Abuja. Spokesperson of the ministry, Bolaji Kazeem, said the new permanent secretary said posting of civil servants is a blessing not a difficult movement in transmission but an opportunity to acquire more knowledge, skills and experience in the public service. Dr Sanni-Gwazor added that the most essential thing in public service is to impact positively directly on people’s lives, especially adding value to citizens in the country. In his words, “directorate cadre is the backbone of the civil service and quality ...

Military and security analysts are beginning to pay more attention to presidential guards across a growing number of African countries who are wielding as much power as the official heads of the Armed Forces. Though that is how some African heads of state want it, promoting trusted aides and demanding personal loyalty over and above loyalty to the state; their preference is having dire effects on the sustainability of democratic rule on the continent. After a period of relative democratic stability in the African continent prevalence of coups d’etat has suddenly become the trend at a time military rule is highly abhorred all over the world and considered an aberration and anathema. Checks showed that there were six coup attempts in Africa, four of them successful in 2021 and  there were two in Burkina Faso in 2022 as well as failed coup attempts in Guinea Bissau, the Gambia and the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe. The latest in the series of military takeover of power from d...