Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has expressed disappointment on the recurring spat between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and some states’ Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies over the Hajj Saving Scheme (HSS). When it was first launched, the HSS was welcomed by all stakeholders and was seen to be the perfect solution to the lingering issue of Hajj operations planning and executions. Since the launch about three years ago, however, IHR notes that both the apex Hajj regulatory body, which is NAHCON and the states have found it difficult to work smoothly on the project. Central to the…
Author: Khadijah Olowode
By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has continued to to be showered with praises over the removal of Service Chiefs, others on Monday, 19 June, 2023, thegazellenews.com reports. The latest praise is coming from no other than a former Aviation Minister and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Femi Fani-Kayode. Reacting, FFK, in a statement on Tuesday, 20 June, 2023, said the staunch supporters of Tinubu, who believed in his capability amid criticism, have been vindicated. “No leader or President in the history of our country has effected so many positive changes and reforms and appointed so many credible,…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command on Monday, 19 June, 2023, raided a hotel and rescued nine under aged girls used as sex workers, thegazellenews.com reports. The girls, who are said to be within the age bracket of 15 – 23 years, were taken away from the hotel while the owner of the brothel was arrested. The state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday, 19 June, 2023, stated that the police carried out the operation on the Awka-based hotel, after a reliable information from the state Ministry of Women and…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been commended by the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide for appointing an Igbo son as one of the Service Chiefs, saying good things and better days are ahead, thegazellenews.com reports. With the appointment, the group said Tinubu has good plans for the country and would carry everyone along in his administration. Recall that Tinubu had on Monday, 19 June, 2023, sacked Service Chiefs and announced their replacements. The National President of the Igbo group, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, in a statement on Tuesday, 20 June, 2023, stated that Tinubu had taken…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike Airfares on Nigeria routes to various destinations in Europe, North America, Middle East and other foreign cities have skyrocketed as exchange rate for ticket pricing hits N702, The Punch reports. The development came barely one week after the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) floated the naira and directed commercial banks to sell foreign exchange at market-determined rates. As part of its moves to end multiple exchange rates that have left to the exit of several investors from Nigeria, the CBN last week introduced new forex guidelines aimed at unifying the nation’s exchange rate. Among others things, the CBN…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike At least 5,000 applicants nationwide have been shortlisted for the award of scholarships for the 2023/2024 academic session overseas scheme by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), thegazellenews.com reports. The Head, Oversees Scholarship Scheme in the PTDF, Mrs Bolanle Kehinde-Agboola made this disclosure on Monday, 19 June, 2023 at a selected interview exercise for the shortlisted candidates for MSc and PhD postgraduate programme According to her, the selection interview was in continuation of the application process which commenced on February 13, 2023, through publications in some national newspapers, inviting qualified Nigerians to apply. “What is happening here today is…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has disclosed that henceforth commercial banks, telecommunications companies, and other organisations will now lose two percent of their annual revenue to the federal government for any breach of their customers’ data, thegazellenews.com reports. NDPC’s National Commissioner/CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, made this disclosure on Monday, 19 June, 2023 in Abuja during a news conference on the implementation of the recently signed Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. Olatunji also explained that the sanctions could be more or less severe, depending on the impact on the victim and other factors. According to him, the act would ensure a…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike American singer Bebe Rexha has given fans an update after a man threw a phone and hit her in the face during a concert in New York City on Sunday, 18 June,2023. The singer/songwriter, 33, was performing on stage at The Rooftop at Pier 17 on her Best F’n Night Of My Life tour when she was struck in the face by a mobile.The man has been identified as luxury dog kennel worker Nicolas Malvagna.Taking to Instagram on Monday,19 June, 2023, Bebe shared two close-up selfies, revealing her bruised left eye with tape over her eyebrow after…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike Gunmen have kidnapped the Oba of Idofin and his wife in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi on Monday, 19 June, 2023. It was gathered that the traditional ruler, Shedrack Durojaye Obibeni, and his wife were kidnapped along Makutu-Idofin road at about 5 p.m Yagba East Local Government Council Chairman, Mr Abdulrasak Asiru, who confirmed the incident to NAN, described it as “very shocking” and “sad”. Asiru said he was still in shock over the incident, which had not happened in the area for almost two years. “I, as the council chairman and the people of…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike Kwara State firefighters on Monday, 19 June, 2023, recovered the corpse of a 57-year-old woman, Mrs Jamiu Sikirat, from a well in Ilorin, the state capital. The woman of the Ile-Agunko compound of Adeta area Ilorin, Ilorin West Local Government Area, fell into the well on Monday evening around 6:42 pm. According to a report, the deceased woman went to fetch water at the well before one of her legs slipped off the ground and eventually fell into the well. According to the state fire service spokesman, Hassan Adekunle, the service was alerted through an exchange telephone…