The Oyo State House of Assembly has canceled its planned third-anniversary celebrations due to security concerns, especially in the Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso areas. Instead, the legislature reflected on its performance over the past three years as a crucial arm of government. The 10th Assembly was inaugurated on June 14, 2023. During Thursday’s plenary, Speaker Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin explained that the decision was driven by recent security challenges and the need to show solidarity with affected areas and residents. He noted that, ordinarily, the anniversary would have been marked with celebrations and public events. However, members chose to focus on governance,…
Author: Newsdesk
The Bayelsa Government has yet to determine the tariffs for using its 60-megawatt gas-powered electricity plant. Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, made this known in an interview with reporters in Yenagoa on Thursday. In April, Gov. Duoye Diri’s administration inaugurated the independent 60-megawatt gas-fired power plant. Phased test-running of the plant has begun, providing reliable electricity to parts of Yenagoa City. Koku-Obiyai explained that the government’s main focus is to ensure electricity reaches communities. “We have not yet decided on the tariff structure for different user categories. That’s a technical area, and not everyone should…
Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all bribery charges brought against her by UK prosecutors, bringing to a close an 11-year corruption investigation that drew international attention. A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London found Alison-Madueke not guilty on six counts, including five charges of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, after a trial that lasted several months. The prosecution had alleged that while serving as Nigeria’s petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015, Alison-Madueke received lavish benefits and gifts from oil industry figures in exchange for facilitating access to…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reports that 1,028,929 out of 1,059,360 registered voters in Ekiti have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, announced this in Abuja on Wednesday, after the PVC collection period in the state concluded. Haruna explained that following the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on Thursday, May 15, and the subsequent clean-up of the voters’ register, the number of registered voters increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026. He added that PVC…
The UN reports that preliminary data indicates around 950 human rights defenders, journalists, and trade unionists were killed or forcibly disappeared worldwide in 2025. This information is from the latest global dataset titled “Human Rights Count,” published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). According to the most comprehensive data, one human rights defender, journalist, or trade unionist is killed or disappeared every 10 hours. The report states, “Every 10 hours, a human rights defender, journalist or trade unionist is killed or disappeared,” and notes that “every hour, a child dies in armed conflict. One in…
The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) will convene key stakeholders to explore innovative ways to strengthen public institutions and accelerate reforms nationwide. The bureau announced this in Abuja, stating that the event will include a public lecture and activities to mark the United Nations Public Service Day on June 23. BPSR Director-General Mr. Dasuki Arabi emphasized the event’s role in fostering excellence in the public service and supporting reforms to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness of public institutions. He highlighted that strengthening institutions is vital for sustainable development, better service delivery, and restoring public trust. Arabi noted that the…
The Lagos State Police Command has reviewed security measures at Pan-Atlantic University, Lekki, following a viral video showing masked individuals. Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani led the assessment visit on Wednesday. The visit was prompted by footage showing two masked persons emerging from a nearby forest, raising security concerns. A statement from the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the development. Tijani inspected the university’s security arrangements with senior officers and engaged university management, emphasizing the need for stronger security around the campus. He advised improving perimeter security and access control to prevent potential threats and ensure the safety of…
England opened their World Cup campaign with a dramatic 4-2 win over Croatia in a match full of attacking football and late drama. The Three Lions started strongly and took the lead in the 12th minute when captain Harry Kane converted a penalty.Croatia responded vigorously and equalized in the 36th minute through Martin Baturina’s fine strike from outside the box. England regained the lead before halftime as Kane scored his second goal, heading home from a corner in the 42nd minute.Croatia refused to give up and equalized again in stoppage time, with Petar Musa finishing a quick attack in the…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first comprehensive clinical guidelines for filovirus diseases as the Democratic Republic of the Congo faces an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus. WHO announced this in a statement on Wednesday, stating that the new guidelines cover all Ebola and Marburg virus diseases in a single document and provide 16 evidence-based recommendations to improve patient outcomes. The guidelines focus on early supportive care and standardized treatment approaches, which are vital in outbreaks with case fatality rates ranging from 25% to 90%.The ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak highlights the urgency of establishing consistent and…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced on Wednesday that plans are underway to begin the second phase of enforcement against the sale of sachet alcohol in Nigeria. Dr. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos.He also stated that the agency has completed the first phase, targeting manufacturers. NAFDAC began enforcing the ban on sachet and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic drinks in January.The enforcement received mixed reactions and was aimed at aligning Nigeria with global health standards and Sustainable Development Goal 3.5, which focuses on…