By Abimbola Ogunnaike Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Mokhber, is expected to assume the presidency after Ebrahim Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash as the country gears up for early elections. The Iranian constitution stipulates that the First Vice President takes over “in the event of the president’s death, dismissal, resignation, absence or illness for more than two months”. Raisi, who died on Sunday, 19 May, 2024 along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials, was nearing the end of his first four-year term as president. Mokhber’s interim appointment requires the approval of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
By Abimbola Ogunnaike Gunmen killed two soldiers stationed at an outpost in Aba, Abia State just as they also shot dead a commercial tricycle operator. Eyewitnesses, including a tricycle operator named Chima Ibekanma, recounted the panic and chaos that ensued during the attack, saying one soldier died instantly and another succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The incident, it was gathered, disrupted business activities in the area, with luxury bus operators unable to load passengers due to security measures imposed by the military. The incident occurred less than a year after a similar attack on a military outpost in Aba,…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, on Monday, 20 May, 2024 thrown out the request by terrorist negotiator, Mohammed Tukur Mamu, for his transfer from the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS), to Kuje Prison in Abuja. Mamu is standing trial for terrorism offences slammed on him by the Federal Government and had been in DSS custody following the refusal of the court to admit him to bail. Justice Ekwo, while delivering the latest ruling, said the Federal Government had raised the issues of incessant jail breaks…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has asked all banks to stop the implementation of 0.5 per cent cyber-security levy after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on its suspension. The withdrawal was disclosed in a notice dated Friday, 17 May, 2024, signed by Chibuzo Efobi, CBN’s Director of Payment System Management, and Haruna Mustapha, Director of the Financial Policy and Regulatory Department. Recall that on May 6, the Apex Bank ordered the implementation of a cyber-security levy, which required all banks and financial institutions to charge a 0.5 per cent levy on all electronic transactions. However, the levy was…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike The United kingdom (UK), has stated that only international students coming in for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies were eligible to bring in dependents to the country. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, made this disclosure during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, 5 May, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power. According to Montgomery, the educational system policy changed earlier this year for international students in higher education not to bring dependents into the UK was to curb the increase of foreign students bringing in dependents. The envoy…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike A federal jury in Camden, New Jersey, has convicted a Nigerian couple – Isiaka and Bolaji Bolarinwa aged 67 and 50 years old respectively for forced labour in the United States and other related crimes with possible 20 years imprisonment. The couple, residing in Burlington County, used coercive scheme to force two people in engaging in domestic labour. The jury also found the couple guilty of two counts of forced labour, one count of sheltering a stranger for financial gain and two counts of document servitude. According to a press release by the US Department of Justice,…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike Following Chelsea’s 5-0 triumph over West Ham United on Sunday, 5 May, 2024, manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his aspirations for European contention, emphasizing its significance for the team and players this season. Reflecting on the match during his post-game press conference, Pochettino highlighted the team’s dedication to securing a place in Europe, underlining its importance for the club’s growth and development. A brace from Nicolas Jackson and a goal each from Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke gave Chelsea the win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge. “I don’t want to say nothing because from the…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Tinubu has given the assurance that his administration would continue to put in place policies for the industrialisation of the country to the benefits of Nigerians. According to a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu disclosed this when he received a delegation of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers and the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association. The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, met the members, led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Friday, 3 May, 2024 in Abuja. He urged the delegation to…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Lagos State Government has disclosed that it would remove over 100 shanties at Adeniji Adele under bridge from Monday, 6 May, 2024. The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, made this disclosure during an interview with newsmen on Sunday, 5 May, 2024. “The Lagos State Government will undertake enforcement action to remove over 100 shanties at Adeniji Adele underbridge from tomorrow, Monday, 6th of May, 2024. “The removal is coming after the expiration of a 48-hour removal notice served on all occupants of the shanties to move with their belongings,” Wahab…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Federal Government on Tuesday, 30 April, 2024 flagged off commercial train operations on the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line for use by members of the public. The commencement of the train service has previously been postponed twice. But the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, performed the commencement of commercial services on the 62.0 kilometre Port-Harcourt -Aba corridor at the Railway Station in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 30 April, 2024. Alkali said the ceremony was part of the intensified drive by the Federal Government to facilitate trade, enhance mobility and accessibility, and ensure connectivity between the southern…