News Update

An Ondo-based man, Mr Ademola Adeola, has called on the state government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of his mother and four children following alleged food poisoning. His mother, Mrs. Esther Adeola, and four grandchildren reportedly died after drinking liquid pap at home in Oke Aro Akure, Ondo State, on Saturday.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike on Tuesday attributed the mayhem in Rivers State to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s disobedience of court order. In a TV interview Wike alleged that Fubara once admitted that Rivers “was turning to state” where the rule of law is not obeyed.

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 The Supreme Court is set to determine the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate states. It has scheduled a hearing for October 22. Sixteen state governments are challenging the constitutionality of the law establishing the EFCC.

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 The Minister of State, Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said the nation is expecting $50 billion investments in the sector before the end of the year. He also announced “audacious” plans to increase the nation’s oil output to about 2.7 barrels per day. The minister hinted of a total deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector, saying it is the way to attract investment.

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A comprehensive nationwide nutrition programme aimed at addressing malnutrition and food insecurity was on Tuesday launched by the Vice President. The ‘Nutrition 774 Initiative’, endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC), seeks to improve nutritional outcomes across all 774 local government areas.

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The Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has commenced the process of appointing new Permanent Secretaries to fill vacancies in eight states. A memo from the OHCSF, signed by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, on October 7, 2024, indicated that officials currently undergoing disciplinary procedures were barred from applying for the positions of Permanent Secretaries.

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 The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will today (Wednesday) make available to the Peoples Democratic Party electoral materials for the September 21 Edo State governorship poll. The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Augbum Onuoha, disclosed this on Tuesday amid complaints of delay by the PDP.

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Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Tuesday, sentenced a head teacher, Benjamin Ogba, to life imprisonment for defiling two underage girls, who are both seven years old. The judge held that the prosecution proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, with the ingredients of defilement to the court’s satisfaction.

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, warned on Tuesday that oil production in the state will be threatened if there was any further violence or attacks in the state. The governor also said his administration will not fold its arms and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk and commit arson in the state.

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The Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to direct the immediate dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue, as part of preventive measures against flooding. The House also asked the President to facilitate dredging of both rivers in the 2025 budget.