The Sokoto State government has further clarified that the award of contract for 25 boreholes at the cost of N1.2 billion is for the drilling of new ones, and not renovation. News reports, following Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s announcement of the contract, specifically using the word “gyara” in the Hausa language, (meaning renovated) had agitated criticisms by the public. ASHENEWS reports that the State Commissioner for Environment issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon, clarifying that the boreholes were drilled anew. In furtherance to the Commissioner’s explanation, the state government, in a statement by the Governor’s Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa on Thursday,…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
A Magistrate Court in Bauchi has issued a bench warrant against WikkiTimes‘ publisher, Haruna Mohammed Salisu. WikkiTimes has, in an investigative report, exposed how Mansur Manu Soro, a member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, diverted hundreds of millions in what appears to be fraudulently contracts through his associate in Bauchi State. Mr Soro who initially vowed not to take any legal action against the publication backtracked. He uses his ally, Abubakar Abdullahi who is a director of Sahel Global Desert Emergy Limited, to sue WikkiTimes over the publication. Joined in the lawsuit are Yawale Adamu (the reporter), and Haruna Salisu Mohammed, the…
In a move to address the persistent water shortage in the Sokoto metropolis and the surrounding communities, the State governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has announced the award of a contract to renovate 25 boreholes in five villages. The governor, addressing a mammoth crowd in the Hausa language, said the contract for the renovation of the boreholes was awarded at the cost of ₦1,200,000,000. “We have given out a contract for the repair of 25 boreholes at the rate of one billion two hundred million (N1,200,000,00),” the governor said. Making clarification in reaction to criticisms on the contract, the Commissioner for Environment,…
The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, says the price of petrol from his refinery will be determined by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Dangote spoke on Tuesday after a press conference in Lagos. The billionaire’s response follows the official announcement of the commencement of petrol production. “On pricing, it is an arrangement which is designed and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said. “As soon as it is finalised, which he (Tinubu) is pushing, once we finish with NNPC, it can be today, it can be tomorrow, we are…
Nigerian households are shouldering the majority of healthcare costs, with out-of-pocket expenses accounting for nearly 75% of total health expenditures in the country. This alarming statistic comes from a report on the World Bank’s “Nigeria: Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Program.” To support this program, the Nigerian government is engaging the World Bank for a $500 million loan to bolster its recently approved Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII). The report highlights the significant financial burden placed on citizens, who often have to deplete their limited personal funds to access essential health services. Nigeria’s government health spending among the lowest globally…
The Dangote Refinery, a monumental project with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has officially commenced the production of petrol. The development marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector, as the country moves closer to achieving self-sufficiency in fuel production. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during a press briefing. Speaking to journalists, Dangote expressed his pride in reaching this landmark achievement, emphasizing the refinery’s potential to transform Nigeria’s oil industry and reduce the nation’s reliance on imported fuel. “This is a significant milestone for us and for Nigeria as…
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris has approved the appointment of Abdullahi Idris-Zuru as Special Adviser to the governor on Communication and Strategy. The letter, signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Yakubu Bala-Tafida, said the appointment was purely based on merit. The governor urged Idris-Zuru to show total commitment, devotion, high sense of responsibility and professional capability in the discharge of his responsibility. Idris-Zuru is a seasoned journalists with requisite professional experience and competence. ALSO READ Financial strain at NNPC threatens fuel supply The appointee started the practice of journalism in Sokoto with the defunct Concord Group of…
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has admitted that the company’s significant debt to petrol suppliers is a major factor contributing to the persistent petrol queues across the country. This acknowledgment comes amidst growing concerns over fuel scarcity, which has plagued Nigeria since the beginning of 2024. Reports have indicated that the NNPCL owes petrol suppliers approximately $6 billion, a debt burden that has severely impacted the company’s ability to maintain a steady supply of fuel. This financial shortfall has led to prolonged petrol shortages, further exacerbating the already challenging situation for Nigerian consumers. In the past, the NNPCL…
A viral video claiming to show bandits massacring over 150 kidnap victims in Sokoto State has been debunked as false. The video, which circulated on WhatsApp, purportedly showed gunmen killing abducted victims in deep trenches.The video, capturing gunfire and scenes of chaos with dead bodies in trenches, claimed that bandits executed the victims after the government refused to pay a ransom of 200 billion Naira and provide 250 motorbikes.However, a fact-checking investigation by PRNigeria revealed that the footage originated from Burkina Faso, where a jihadist group linked to Al Qaeda killed over 400 civilians.The fact-check platform found that the misleading…
A 54-year-old Nigerian woman, Alake Latoyosi, has delivered 11 babies in Cotonou, Benin Republic after carrying the pregnancy for over 3 years. According to the woman’s husband, Yahaya Nafiu, the first set of six arrived on August 7, while the second arrived seven days later, on August 14, 2024. Nafiu said the babies were eight boys and three girls but two of the girls died during delivery. The 56-year-old husband disclosed that the pregnancy of the children lasted over three years before delivery. According to Nafiu, medical doctors were not able to carry out successful operations on his wife as…