President Bola Tinubu has described Vice President Kashim Shettima as a dependable and loyal partner in the mission to transform Nigeria, as he felicitated with him on his 59th birthday. In a warm congratulatory message, the President said Shettima has consistently demonstrated reliability, competence, and devotion to the vision of national renewal. “My brother, co-traveller and Vice President, your vibrancy, courage, determination, and unwavering faith in our country have been remarkable. You are a reliable and loyal partner in the Renewed Hope Agenda, and I deeply appreciate your commitment,” Tinubu said. The President recalled his choice of Shettima as his…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed claims that his political future is closed, insisting that nobody has the power to dictate his choices ahead of the 2027 elections. Jonathan was reacting to recent remarks by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN) and rights activist Chidi Odinkalu, both of whom argued that he was constitutionally barred from contesting again. Keyamo’s claim Keyamo had insisted that Jonathan’s tenure was over, saying:“The law is clear. Jonathan has exhausted his chances of seeking another mandate. Any speculation about his return in 2027 is dead on arrival.” Odinkalu’s argument On his part, Odinkalu described the idea…
A Finnish court has sentenced Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism-related offenses. The court found that Ekpa, between 2021 and 2024, was involved in activities aimed at advancing the independence of Nigeria’s Biafra region by unlawful means. This involved providing armed groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his network. The court ruled that his actions constituted participation in a terrorist group and public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent. In addition to the terrorism charges, Ekpa was also convicted of aggravated tax fraud and breaches of the Attorneys Act. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Ekpa…
The Chairman of SAGAMA Homes and SAGAMA Construction & Engineering Ltd, Ali Nuhu, has donated essential food items to an orphanage in Kano State as part of his company’s commitment to community development. The donation, which included rice, pasta, cooking oil, and other food supplies, was aimed at easing the burden of the orphanage, particularly at a time when food prices are steadily rising. Speaking during the visit, Ali Nuhu said the gesture was a way of showing compassion to those in need and reinforcing the company’s dedication to social responsibility. “Caring for orphans and the less privileged is a…
The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has provided free medical and surgical services to more than 1,000 residents of Zaria, Kaduna State. The intervention was carried out in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and other health organizations. Dr. Aisha Mustapha, President of MWAN Kaduna State branch, said on Sunday in Zaria that the medical outreach marked the official opening of the association’s 24th National Conference and Scientific Meeting. She explained that the services were offered at a primary school adjacent to the Emir of Zazzau’s palace and covered a wide range of healthcare needs, including: Minor…
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, making it the first G7 country to take such a bold step. The move, aimed at reviving the two-state solution and addressing the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, is expected to intensify global debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Macron framed the recognition as a step toward peace, saying it was essential to provide Palestinians with political hope while guaranteeing Israel’s security. But the decision has triggered strong opposition from Israel and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin…
Nigeria records about 16,000 suicide deaths every year, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, prompting fresh calls for urgent legislative action to tackle the country’s growing mental health crisis. Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC – Cross River South) raised the alarm in Abuja on Sunday while receiving members of the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group — a coalition of psychiatrists, psychologists, legal experts, and civil society organisations. Ekpenyong, sponsor of the Suicide Prevention Bill, said the proposed legislation seeks to decriminalise attempted suicide and provide a framework for prevention, helplines, service delivery, and training for mental health professionals. The bill…
The Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum (ABMPF) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene following the recent demolition of Alaba Rago Market in Lagos State. In a statement issued by its chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi I. Yelwa (Ajiyan Yauri), the forum expressed concern that the exercise had displaced thousands of traders, many of them from the North, who depend on the market for their livelihood. According to ABMPF, traders lost goods and property estimated at over ₦20 billion, while several places of worship were also affected. The forum alleged that the demolition was carried out without adequate consultation or notice…
From symbol of excellence to symbol of betrayal: The Chalawa Ultra-Modern Abattoir was not just a facility, it was a statement. A vision of excellence first initiated by Commissioner of Police Audu Bako, and courageously continued by military administrators Colonel Sani Bello and Air Commodore Ishaya Shekari, the project reached completion under the civilian government of Governor Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi in 1980. At a time when such infrastructural ambition was rare, Kano rose to become a regional leader in hygienic meat processing. Built at a staggering cost of ₦10 million — a fortune in its day — the abattoir was…
The recent clash around the Mandilas area of Lagos Island, which led to the death of one person and left many others injured, has once again exposed the growing degeneration of the Lagos Island trading communities. From Idumota through Dosunmu, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Tinubu Square, Broad Street, Balogun, Bankole, Offin, Oke-Arin, and down to Apongbon, what was once a clean, decent, and peaceful hub of commerce has now deteriorated into a chaotic and ungovernable sprawl. Traders have taken over the roads, obstructing motorists and pedestrians, while middlemen and street urchins harass buyers in an increasingly unsafe environment. This degeneration has…