Author: Chief Editor

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, to work with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly probe allegations of corruption in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) between 2004 and 2020. It said the probe should include the missing N3,836,685,213.13 documented in the 2017 Annual Report by the Auditor-General of the Federation. SERAP, in an open letter dated February 20, 2021 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said allegations of corruption…

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, has given 48 hours ultimatum to the troops of the Nigerian Army to clear reported captured areas of Borno State off Boko Haram. Marte, a local government in the troubled state, was recently reported to have been attacked and taken over by Boko Haram. Some communities in the state including Kirenowa, Kirta, Wulgo, Chikingudo in Marte and Ngala Local Government Areas were reported to have a strong presence of the terrorist group. The COAS, who on Sunday addressed the troops of the Nigerian Army Super Camp 9, Dikwa gave the…

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over Sunday morning’s fatal crash of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft which claimed the lives of the seven people on board. The president, in a release on Sunday evening by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, extended his heartfelt condolences to family members, friends and colleagues of those who died as a result of the tragedy. He joined the Nigerian Air Force, the military and other Nigerians in mourning the unfortunate loss of the dedicated and courageous personnel, who died in the line of duty. President Buhari…

Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka said she felt comfortable being a role model for the next generation after her fourth Grand Slam victory solidified her position at the forefront of a new era for tennis. But the Japanese star, a four-time major-winner at the age of just 23, insisted America’s Serena Williams, 39 — who has 23 Slam crowns — remains the face of the women’s game. Osaka beat America’s Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-3 in the Australian Open final on Saturday to win her fourth Slam from the last eight in which she has played, and extend her year-plus winning streak…

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, has underscored the need for state governments to prioritise investment in the water sector, to achieve targets. Adamu gave the advice at investiture ceremony of Mrs Chinwe Igwegbe, the 6th National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), on Saturday in Abuja. The event with the theme: “Reconciling bragging rights with human rights in the Nigerian water sector development” was organised by NIWE, an arm of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). According to the minister, who was the Distinguished Guest at the event which also featured a public lecture,…

• Govt Reacts To Cattle Issues As If It Owns Them – Falae • States Should Resist Unfriendly Policies In Non-violent Way – Ajayi • FG Must Come Up With Sustainable, Win-win Policies To Appease All Stakeholders • Buhari Handling Fulani Herdsmen Issues As National Priority As the Federal Government mulls over an enduring panacea to the worsening deadly farmers-herders clashes, elder statesmen, civil society and socio-cultural groups are urging state governments not to cower, or bat an eyelid, but to resist any attempt by the government to undermine their authorities in favour of the herdsmen. While a former Secretary…

• As Govs, Monarchs Storm Ibadan To Proffer Solution To Insecurity In Southwest  The Southwest governors, yesterday, stressed the need to tighten Nigerian borders to prevent foreign herdsmen from coming into the country without any form of caution, saying a number of them have come in with their herds and what they do is worrisome. The Chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State stated this at the security meeting held at the Oyo State Governor’s Office, Ibadan. The meeting was hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office. Top traditional rulers from the Southwest…

Atletico Madrid gave renewed hope to their La Liga title rivals on Saturday by losing 2-0 at home to Levante and missing the chance to extend their six-point lead at the top of the table. The defeat is only Atletico’s second in the league this season and their first at the Wanda Metropolitano in any competition since Barcelona beat them there in December 2019. It means what could have been a commanding 11-point advantage at the top of the table is now just six, with Real Madrid, the closest challengers, up against Real Valladolid later on Saturday. Due to rearranged…

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool won’t focus on catching Manchester City when he reviews what went wrong in their disastrous Premier League title defence. City are 10 points clear at the top of the table and Liverpool boss Klopp has been forced to concede the champions are out of the title race. The injury-plagued Reds are languishing 16 points behind City in sixth place after three successive league defeats. But Klopp, whose team were thrashed 4-1 by Pep Guardiola’s men recently, is adamant City are not going to be the driving force behind his own plans for improvement next term. “We…

Thomas Tuchel admitted he was “unhappy” with Callum Hudson-Odoi’s attitude after dragging off the Chelsea winger soon after his introduction as a substitute in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton. Hudson-Odoi was sent on as a half-time replacement for Tammy Abraham, but his afternoon ended in embarrassment when he was replaced to make way for Hakim Ziyech in the 76th minute. Blues boss Tuchel made no attempt to hide his frustration with the England international’s lack of effort. “We brought in Callum Hudson-Odoi but I was not happy with his attitude, energy and counter-pressing. I took him off and we demand…