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        . The Late Former U.S President, Jimmy Carter President Bola Tinubu has extended his deepest condolences to the government and people of the United States of America on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100. President Carter, the 39th President of the United States, was a beacon of service to humanity, demonstrating to leaders worldwide the profound impact of dedication beyond the highest office. As a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and global statesman, President Carter devoted his post-presidential life to the causes of peace, democracy, and the eradication of tropical diseases. His unwavering commitment to these noble pursuits has left an indelible mark on the world. The Nigerian leader stated this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. "President Carter showed us all how to remain relevant and impactful after leaving the esteemed position of President of the United States," remarked P...

. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa  The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa described the allegation that the House spent N17 billion on the fixing of a gate as spurious and funny. A self-proclaimed group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, had accused the Assembly of spending the amount to construct a gate. The group also sought investigation of the claim. Speaking at plenary, Dr. Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over 2027 which is still more than two years away. Obasa on Thursday further debunked the claim that the House spent N200 million on its recently organised 22nd thanksgiving service for staff. "It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we spent 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.  "We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I th...

 . L-R Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle, First Lady of Nigeria and National Chairman, RHI Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Beneficiary of the RHIESS and the President of DEPOWA, Wife of Chief of Defence Staff Mrs Oghogho Musa during the symbolic presentation of cash to one of the beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme held in Abuja on Tuesday, 17th December, 2024. First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has urged the elderly to prioritize their health and spend quality time with their loved ones. She stated this at the 2nd edition of the renewed Hope Initiative, RHI Elderly Support Scheme RHEISS. The programme which is held in all the States of the Federation including the FCT and for Veterans has the 250 beneficiaries per State, FCT and Military Veterans receiving N200,000.00 each. “The Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative has decided to increase the grant from N100,000 to N200,000 this year to provide further support to our eld...

The University of Lagos Alumni Association has elected new National Executive Council (NEC) members to steer its affairs for the next two years.  The new NEC members were elected at the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall, UNILAG, on Sunday, December 15, 2024. The meeting was attended by alumni members, both physically and virtually. The unveiling of the new NEC was sequel to the submission of the reports of the search and electoral committees, respectively.  The search committee which had Dr. John Momoh, as Chairman, produced officers for the National President (worldwide), the Vice President and National Secretary.  The Electoral Committee, which was chaired by Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, supervised the elections of officers for other positions. While the tenure of the National President, Vice President 1, National Publicity Secretary and National Social Secretary was renewed, other members of the NEC assumed new roles. The following...

A Federal High Court in Abuja has reduced the period that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) can freeze suspicious bank accounts to 72 hours, saying that allowing the Commission to freeze accounts for up to one year, as provided by the ICPC Act, is “totally unreasonable and usurps the powers of the Court”. Delivering judgement in a suit filed by the Lawyers Network Against Corruption (LNAC), Justice James Omotosho held that although the rights of citizens to movable property and the privacy of their bank accounts are not absolute, allowing the ICPC to freeze an account for up to one year is likely to lead to abuse of powers by the Commission as “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. The judgement arose in a suit filed by Abuja-based lawyer, Mr. Ezenwa Anumnu, on February 21, 2024, on behalf of the LNAC complaining that the ICPC and its Chairman have unilaterally directed that the bank accounts of citizens be frozen without c...

- as Methodist Archbishop advocates for Muslim governor in 2027 . Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa; Archbishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Lagos, during the 22nd annual Christian Thanksgiving of the Assembly on Friday. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has urged Nigerians not to despair as the administration of President Bola Tinubu is working to resolve the country's challenges. Dr. Obasa stated this during the Assembly's 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Service with the theme: 'The Voice Of Mercy'. According to him, "The outgoing year is indeed a challenging one, especially considering the economic situation of the country. Nevertheless, we have solace in the fact that the government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not leaving any stone unturned to bring us to our promised land. "Mr. President is busy doing everything possible to put smiles on our face...

By Olawale Makanjuola Tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, contributing to a myriad of health issues including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and various cancers.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year globally, with a substantial portion of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries including Nigeria. To combat this growing epidemic, effective funding for tobacco control initiatives has been identified as important as the country grapples with other myriad public health challenges. This article explores Nigeria's current state of tobacco control funding, the challenges faced, and recommendations for enhancing funding effectiveness. Nigeria has made strides in tobacco control through the enactment of the National Tobacco Control Act in 2015. The act aims to regulate tobacco production, distribution, and consumption. The law is aligned with the WHO Framewo...

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) on Tuesday called on Federal and State Governments to make human rights a lived reality for all Nigerians in accordance with their constitutional obligation to recognize and maintain human dignity.  It said that by so doing, they could begin to rebuild public trust in government, foster national unity, and unlock the true potential of the Nigerian people. In a statement issued in Lagos to commemorate this year’s International Human Rights Day, MRA lamented that the promise of human rights contained in the Constitution as well as in regional and international instruments that Nigeria is party to, has remained unfulfilled for far too many citizens as the country has spiraled into a jungle where only the fittest survive and human life has little value. MRA’s Programme Officer, Ms Esther Adeniyi, said in the statement: “The Federal Government has duties and obligations under international law to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. It cannot claim to ...

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) on Monday called on Nigerian youth to take concrete action against corruption by leveraging the power of technology, social media and the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to demand transparency and accountability in governance in order to build for themselves the future they want. In a statement to commemorate this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Ayode Longe, said: “As we come together today to reaffirm our collective commitment to combating corruption, a major challenge that continues to undermine national development, justice, and equality, we call on young people across Nigeria to unleash their boundless energy and creativity to transform our society for the better.” Noting that the theme of this year’s IACD, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” underscores their vital role in driving change, promoting transparency and accountability, and building a future rooted in ...

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application by a contractor to stop the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from prosecuting him and his company in a 65-million-dollar money laundering case. The Contractor, Mr. Tarry Rufus who is the Chief Executive of Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited, is being prosecuted by the ICPC alongside the former Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Gimba Kumo Ya’u and the former Executive Director of FMBN, Mr. Bola Ogunsola, over an alleged diversion of $65,000,000 meant for the development of 962 units of residential housing in Kubwa District of Abuja. Honourable Justice Yilwa H. Joseph of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja upheld that the evidence before the court proved that a prima facie case of alleged misappropriation had been established through legal investigation and thus the court could not hinder the ICPC “from carrying out and ...

... As IGP Re-echoes Directive To Mop Up Arms         . The suspects and the recovered arms The Nigeria Police Force says its men have arrested five suspects involved in trans-border gun running. The suspects are Adamu Noma, Matthew Audu, Andrew Poyi, Aminu Sani, and Aminu Talha were apprehended by the operatives of the FID-IRT on the 18th of November, 2024. Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made this known in a statement on Friday. Upon arrest and conducted search, 10 locally fabricated Ak-47 rifles, 5 Israeli Ak-47 rifles, 1 revolver pistol, 1 pump action rifle, 20 rounds of Ak-47 ammunition, and 1 welding machine for fabrication of rifles were recovered from the suspect.          .  The suspects and the recovered arms These feats, and several more recorded by police operatives across the country are indications of the steadfastness and commitment of the current police leadership to decimate and subdue criminal acti...

By Bukola Olukemi-Odele Salt has been an integral part of human existence since time immemorial. It is an important ingredient in our diets and is used by diverse populations regardless of race, age, status, religion and diversity. Salt has been an additive since ancient times due to its pivotal role in food processing and preservation.  In Nigeria, salt is used for different purposes, including expressing joy, hospitality, and acceptance at meetings and other occasions. It is also distributed as gifts and souvenirs at parties and sometimes as part of the items requested for bride price payment. Furthermore, salt is of spiritual significance as it is often used in rituals, prayers, initiations and sacrifices. In some communities, salt is believed to have medicinal properties leading to excessive consumption.  For economic reasons, salt and seasoning cubes may be used as a cheaper substitute for other natural seasonings or spices, which may be more expensive but provide better ...

Health and climate experts have identified the sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) industry as a major driver of the climate crisis, urging Nigeria to implement measures to curb their consumption in the interest of public health and the environment. The experts stated this on Friday at a webinar titled, "SSB and Climate Change: Climate Cost of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages," organised by the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA). They warned that excessive sugary drinks consumption is not only a risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), but that the single-use plastics (SUPs) favoured as packaging by the SSB industry emit greenhouse gases (GHG) alongside toxic pollutants that threaten human safety and food security. To curb the problem, they advocated implementing an improved, effective and pro-health SSB Tax, the proceeds of which can be channelled towards strengthening the health sector to better cater for NCD patients. CAPPA's Executive Direc...

. Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, on her unanimous re-election on Friday as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).   The renowned development economist and global finance expert made history in 2021 as the first African and first woman to lead the 164-nation-member WTO.   Her first term as the seventh Director-General of the WTO will expire on August 31, 2025, while the second term begins September 1.   The Nigerian leader in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga notes with delight that Dr Okonjo-Iweala's unanimous appointment for a second four-year term demonstrates the trust and confidence the international community places in her leadership to advance multilateral trade for sustainable global development.    Presid...

  . Operatives of the Lagos Taskforce during the operation. The Lagos State Taskforce has conducted an enforcement operation at Ikotun Bus Stop, opposite Irepodun Market along Idimu Road, where street traders and commercial buses, popularly referred to as Danfo, had caused untold traffic inconveniences to BRT buses, motorists, and pedestrians plying the roads. This was meant to restore free vehicular movement, sanity, and ensure compliance with Lagos State Traffic and Environmental Laws. The operation, led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, extended to Ikotun Roundabout along Ijegun Road and addressed long-standing complaints about street trading, trading on the kerb and walkways, illegal parking, and commercial vehicles obstructing traffic around the axis.    . Lagos Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele The exercise, initiated in response to observations drawn through the Agency’s “See Something, Say Something” feedback mechanism, swiftly cleared the...

…Says CBT Test Holds In Two Centres . The Chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Alh. Kamoru Aderibigbe The Oyo State Government has said about 15,000 candidates will sit for its forthcoming computer based test for recruitment into different cadres in the civil service. The Chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Alh. Kamoru Aderibigbe disclosed this today in Ibadan at his office. According to him, the examination will be held from Monday, November 25, 2024- Thursday, November 28, 2024. He said approval was given by Governor Seyi Makinde for about 900 officers to be recruited into over 60 cadres across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs in the mainstream of the Civil Service. Speaking further, the Chairman said out of 22,235 applications received by the commission, fifteen thousand were qualified to sit for the CBT. Aderibigbe said the recruitment is unprecedented in the history of Oyo State, as there has never been a time in the last two decades when such recruitm...