Author: John Ojoagbene

The Osun State Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has announced that local government elections will be held on February 22, 2025. OSIEC Chairman, Hassim Abioye, announced in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State. Abioye stated that the commission will soon release the timetable for the poll. He emphasized the commitment of the commission to follow due process and the law, stating that they have thoroughly studied relevant electoral legislation and consulted with legal professionals, technocrats, and key stakeholders. Abioye assured the public that there are no legal hurdles inhibiting the commission from commencing the process of the local government elections. Abioye stated…

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who is the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, has called for solutions to alleviate the challenges facing the Northern region of Nigeria. He urged the traditional rulers to honestly appraise the situation and provide effective solutions, highlighting issues such as insecurity and poverty as immediate concerns. The Sultan emphasized the need for political leaders to take decisive actions to combat the rising problems and ensure peace and stability in the region and Nigeria as a whole. He also expressed concerns about the lack of implementation of previous solutions proposed by the…

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, clarified that the university did not ban worship centres on its campus. Instead, the university developed a policy to regulate the establishment of worship centres within the campus. The decision was made in accordance with the Federal Government’s policy on the creation of fellowships and churches within campus establishments. The university has allowed the Catholic Church, Protestant Chapel, and a mosque to operate within its premises by providing them with land to build their worship centres. However, worship in classrooms is not permitted to prevent distractions.

The Senegalese authorities have suspended mobile internet and banned a march protesting the delay of this month’s presidential election. The move follows violent protests that erupted after President Macky Sall postponed the February 25 vote. The United Nations has expressed concern over the situation, calling on the authorities to uphold democracy and respect for human rights. At least three people have been killed and 266 others, including journalists, have been reportedly arrested. The Aar Sunu Election (Let’s protect our election) collective had organised a peaceful rally in the capital, Dakar, but it was banned due to concerns over traffic disruption.…

Emmanuel Amuneke, former Nigeria international, has provided an explanation as to why Victor Osimhen did not perform as well as expected at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON) in Ivory Coast. Despite being tipped as a strong contender for the Golden Boot, Osimhen only managed to score one goal in the tournament. Amuneke believes that Osimhen’s performance was affected by his defensive responsibilities, which reduced his effectiveness as a striker. Amuneke also highlighted the need for other players to complement the efforts of Osimhen, as well as the likes of Chukwueze and Moses.

The National Treasurer of the Labour Party, Oluchi Oparah, has accused the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, of engaging in anti-party activities. Oparah made the allegation while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme. She had previously demanded that Abure provide an account of party funds totalling over N3.5 billion. Oparah also claimed that Abure had prevented her from carrying out her assigned role of handling the party’s accounts. She disputed the party’s claim that she was being sponsored by individuals outside the party, stating that the LP is known for disseminating false information. Oparah further alleged that Abure has…

According to a recent market survey, prices of staple foods in Nigeria have increased by at least 40 per cent in the last two months. Some specific price increases include a 50kg bag of rice rising from N35,000 to N65,000, beans increasing from N800 to N1,600 per mudu measurement, and a 50kg bag of garri increasing from N22,000 to N39,500. Prices of other essential foods such as groundnut oil, noodles, eggs, sugar, bread, indomie, semovita, and tomatoes have also experienced significant hikes. The figures show that certain foods have recorded substantial increments, with rice increasing by 46.2 per cent, beans…

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has issued a statement advising the public to prioritize their safety and well-being during Valentine’s Day. The Director General of NACA, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, urged people to incorporate protection into intimate moments, undergo regular HIV testing, and have conversations about sexual health with their partners. These measures are not only important for personal health but also contribute to the broader goal of building safer and healthier communities. NACA will be conducting comprehensive awareness campaigns on Valentine’s Day to educate the public about the importance of abstinence and safe sex practices. The…

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) is calling for the prompt implementation of the teachers’ professional salary structure in the country’s budget. The salary structure, which was supposed to be implemented since 2023, was approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in commemoration of World Teachers Day on October 5, 2020. The structure includes a special salary scale for teachers in basic and secondary schools, as well as provisions for rural posting allowance, science teachers allowance, and peculiar allowance. Additionally, Buhari increased the number of years of service and retirement age of teachers from 35 to 40 and 60 to 65…

Former Archbishop Tunde Adeleye has argued that Nigeria must adopt true federalism to address the country’s sociopolitical challenges. Adeleye stated that each federating unit should have autonomy and the power to make decisions without relying on the central government. He called for the establishment of independent parliaments, legal systems, school systems, and control of resources for each sub-national. Adeleye also emphasized the importance of allowing different regions to have their own police forces, rather than transferring officers unfamiliar with the local area. He argued that the current system is not working and that Nigeria needs to adopt a true form…