A former Presidential Candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has hailed the Supreme Court judg\ment that bars the Federal Government from sending Local Governments funds to States, but directly to the LGAs. The Supreme Court, on Thursday, 11 July, 2024, declared that it is unconstitutional for State governors to hold onto funds meant for Local Government (LG) administrations. In its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the refusal of state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades. However, Mr Olawepo-Hashim counseled that accountability structures including the local Governments Legislative Assemblies,…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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The Federal Government’s efforts to combat illegal mining received a significant boost yesterday with the arraignment of several Chinese nationals for illegal mining activities in Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. The suspects: eight Chinese nationals and one Nigerian, were recently apprehended by the Mining Marshals, an elite security outfit crafted from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The Marshals are tasked with ridding the mining sector of illegal operators. The Mining Marshals, codenamed “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” is the brainchild of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake. This initiative is…
Over 70 per cent of Nigerians who were asked to pay a bribe in 2023 refused to do so on at least one occasion, according to a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC). According to a statement, “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends”, jointly produced with Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) with the support of the MacArthur Foundation and the Government of Denmark, is the third survey of perceptions of corruption among the Nigerian population and provides an analysis of corruption trends and the effectiveness of anti-corruption strategies in the country. “This survey is…
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the younger generation across Africa as the catalyst for developing a new economic frontier for the continent. Prince Abiodun stated this, when he received members of the Royal African Young Leadership Forum, an initiative of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi for young men and women of the African continent in Abeokuta on Thursday night. While commending Oba Ogunwusi for starting a movement of an evolving leadership for Africa, the governor said that the energy and creativity of members of the forum would help reposition the continent. He said: “I see…
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said on Friday, 12 July, 2024, that the ascension of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland is a testament to the enduring and resilient spirit of Ibadan. The Governor noted that the coronation of Oba Olakulehin has also put individuals who chose to focus on things that divide Ibadan in their place, as Oba Olakulehin has now taken the crown to Ibadan North-East and Ona-Ara. Governor Makinde stated this at the historic Mapo Hall Grounds, where he presented the staff and instrument of office to Oba Olakulehin, during an elaborate event…
Stranded Nigerian students in the United Kingdom (UK) get relief as an amicable payment solution have been agreed to get their tuition fees paid. No fewer than 60 Nigerian students were reportedly stopped from lectures by Teesside University and reported to the Home Office, and ordered to leave the UK for non payment of tution fees. The students subsequently blamed the devaluation of the naira for their breach of visa sponsorship requirements. The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, announced on Thursday, 11 July, 2024, at a press conference ahead of the 2024 National Diaspora…
The President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has stated his country’s readiness to partner with the Federal Republic of Nigeria in key areas of the economy, reports thegazellenews.com He stated this when he received the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in his office in Belarus. He highlighted some of the areas Belarus is looking at for cooperation between the two countries to include agriculture, food processing, industry and education. The President who spoke through an interpreter pointed out that Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s visit has further strengthened his administration’s resolve to enhance bilateral relations with Nigeria noting…
Barely two weeks after false rumours of his death swept across social media, famous veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs, is celebrating his 82nd birthday on Thursday, 11 July, 2024. Jacobs’ wife, Joke Silva, took to Instagram on Thursday, 11 July, 2024 to celebrate the milestone, sharing a video that included the actor in a customised house coat as she showered him with prayers. “82 just like that. Agba ko ni nira l’agbara Jesu. Happy birthday and have an amazing year ahead, my darling… Sir J of life _olujacobs (loving his customised housecoat),” she wrote. Commenting on Silva’s post, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde…
The arraignment of Mr Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was, on Thursday, 11 July, 2024 failed to hold after he collapsed outside the courtroom of the Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho. Mamman, whose plea was fixed for the morning of Thursday, 11 July, 2024 collapsed before the case was called. The former Minister’s counsel, Femi Ate, SAN, told Justice Omotosho shortly when the matter was called for Mamman to take his plea. Upon resumed hearing, the ex-minister walked into the courtroom and stepped into the dock with part of his…
The Federal Government has announced a N1 million bounty on one Magnus Okpalannadi, who allegedly defiled his three-year-old daughter. The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, announced this through a statement issued on Wednesday, 10 July, 2024 by the ministry spokesperson, Grace Njoku. The Minister stated that she received a report that 62-year-old Okpalannadi, a resident of Onitsha, Anambra State, was alleged to have been sexually molesting his under-aged daughter. The suspect, however, disappeared before he could be apprehended. Kennedy-Ohanenye, who pledged the government’s resolve to protect the rights of every Nigerian child, also reiterated the government’s commitment to creating…