No fewer than six people lost their lives in a stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India, with several others injured, officials confirmed on Thursday, 9 January, 2025. The tragedy occurred on Wednesday, 8 January, 2025 as a massive crowd gathered to collect entrance tokens to the temple, one of Hinduism’s most revered sites. Spokesperson for the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state, Prem Kumar Jain, expressed grief over the incident. “The unfortunate incident has claimed the lives of six devotees. I pray to God to give peace to the departed souls,” he told reporters.…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
The crisis in the leadership of First Bank Holdings of Nigeria worsened on Wednesday, 8 January, 2025 as a group of stakeholders called for the removal of its board chairman, Femi Otedola, and non-executive director, Mr Julius B. Omodayo-Owotuga. This comes as the group calls for an immediate extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in the next 21 days in line with section 215 (1) of CAMA. The group shareholders alleged that FBN has not known peace since the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, influenced Otedola’s acquisition of a significant amount of shares that led to his emergence as…
President Bola Tinubu has charged the military to proactively take the war against insurgency to the camps of bandits and terrorists. Tinubu gave the charge following the recent attacks on the military base in Damboa, Borno State where some soldiers lost their lives via a condolence message to the Nigerian Army and families of the deceased soldiers. The President stated that that the fight should be focused in the Northwest, where the criminals continue to threaten the lives and homes of innocent villagers. He expressed his profound sympathy to the military authorities following the loss of six brave soldiers during…
At least 104 officers have been elevated to various ranks by the Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Police Force. State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, who presided over the decoration ceremony at the Police Officers’ Mess in Jos, the state capital, disclosed that the promotions were based on the officers’ exemplary service and track records. According to him, the exercise aligns with the vision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to reposition the force for enhanced service delivery. Adesina also urged the newly promoted officers to see the development as a renewed call to serve with…
One of the most notorious bandit leaders in Kaduna State, Kachalla Dogo Isah, has been killed in a violent confrontation with a group of repentant bandits in Kachia Forest on Tuesday, 7 Januar, 2025. Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, who confirmed the development, said the clash occurred when Isah’s group attempted to steal cattle from a camp led by Kachalla Musa, a former bandit leader who recently joined a government-backed peace initiative. The situation escalated into a gun battle, leading to the deaths of Dogo Isah and two of his men. “The violence erupted as Isah’s group tried to raid the…
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has said he stands by the comments he made about the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.Morka, who appeared on an Arise TV interview on Wednesday, 8 January, 2025 stated that he stands by his words, which some have interpreted as a threat to Obi’s life. According to Morka, his comments were made in response to a question about Obi being called a “prophet of doom.” He clarified that he was not making an independent statement, but rather answering a question. “First of all, what I meant in the…
Telephone subscribers will have to pay more as the Federal Government has approved a tariff increase for telecommunications operators in the country.The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Abuja. According to Dr. Tijani, the government has been engaging with telecom operators to arrive at an acceptable rate. He assured Nigerians that the new tariffs would not be as high as the 100% increase requested by the operators.“You have seen over the past weeks that there has been agitation from some of these companies…
Expectedly, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, dominated the nominees for the League Bloggers Award (LBA) for the month of December. Organisers of the monthly award released the list of nominated players and coaches for the month, with 3SC having three players in contention for the player of the month award, while coach Gbenga Ogunbote got nominated for the best coach award. Desmomd Ojietefian, who played all the 19 matches of the first round, goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal, who kept nine clean sheet, Ikouwem Utin, who scored the team’s only goal in the away win over Rangers International, were nominated…
Eighth of January every year is always a memorable one for the trio of Convener of Arise Women, Dr Siju Iluyomade; Lagos State First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; and former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen; as it marks a special day that binds them together as birthday mate Fortunately the three glamorous and prominent celebrities who are close friends often use the day not to just socialize, throw parties but give back to the society in form of empowering the less privileged. They have shown over the years that they are humble but yet fascinating with their…
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has inaugurated three boards in the health sector as he gives directive for a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s health care service delivery. The event was held on Thursday at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri. The newly inaugurated boards include Borno State Hospital Management Board, Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board, and Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital Management Board. The boards are tasked with overseeing initiatives designed to enhance healthcare delivery. Zulum, during the inauguration, outlined his vision for the health sector, directing reforms to address issues such as inadequate…