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IBB Receives Nearly ₦17bn in Donations at Autobiography Launch

by Nelson Ugwuagbo February 20, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Former military President Ibrahim Babangida received nearly ₦17 billion in donations from top Nigerian business figures during the public launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service.

Leading the contributions was billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, who pledged ₦8 billion, structured as ₦2 billion per year over four years. Abdulsamad Rabiu followed with a ₦5 billion donation, while other prominent figures, including Folorunsho Alakija, also contributed undisclosed amounts.

The event, organized by the IBB Presidential Library Foundation, celebrated Babangida’s legacy and attracted key figures from Nigeria’s political and business sectors.

The autobiography is now available at major bookstores, including Roving Heights, with the paperback priced at ₦40,000 and the hardback at ₦50,000.

February 20, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

COAS Vows To Capture Bandit Leader Bello Turji

by Nelson Ugwuagbo February 20, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Nigerian military’s commitment to eliminating wanted bandit leader Bello Turji.

Speaking on Thursday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Oluyede stated that Turji remains on the run, but assured that the military is actively pursuing him.

“Bello Turji is on the run as we speak, and wherever he goes, we follow. Let him keep running—it is only a matter of time before he is eliminated,” he said while addressing journalists at the Headquarters of Operation Fasan Yamma.

The army chief highlighted recent successes in the fight against banditry, noting that several prominent bandit leaders, including Samaila, Boga, and Boderi, have been killed in recent months. He reiterated the troops’ determination to restore security in Zamfara and the wider North-West region.

“We are actively pursuing these criminals and remain committed to making the North-West safe,” he added.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by troops in the ongoing operations, Oluyede expressed confidence in their ability to overcome them. He also called on Nigerians to support the military by providing timely intelligence.

Earlier, Oluyede inspected the quarter guard under tight security before receiving an operational briefing from the Theatre Commander, Major General Oluyinka Soyele.

His visit, the first since his appointment on October 30, 2024, comes at a time when troops are intensifying efforts to combat banditry and other security threats in the region.

Operation Fasan Yamma remains a key part of the Nigerian Army’s strategy to restore peace and stability in the North-West, which has been plagued by rising incidents of banditry and kidnapping.

February 20, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Tinubu appoints Chairman, members National Assembly Service Commission

by Nelson Ugwuagbo February 20, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Saviour Enyiekere as Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) for a five-year term.

The announcement was made in a statement on Thursday by Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

Until his appointment, Enyiekere, an environmental specialist, served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President.

The President also approved the appointment of two commission members from each of the six geopolitical zones. The appointees are as follows:

North West:

Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi
Hon. Yusuf A. Yusuf Tabuka

North East:

Aminu Ibrahim Malle
Alhaji Lawan Maina Mahmud

North Central:

Mark Hanmation Tersoo
Salihu Umar Agboola Balogun

South West:

Hon. Taiwo Olukemi Oluga
Hon. Afeez Ipeza-Balogun

South East:

Hon. Dr. Nnanna Uzor Kalu
Festus Ifesinachi Odii

South South:

Patrick A. Giwa
Mrs. Mary Ekpenyong

February 20, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Babangida Makes U-Turn 32 Years After, Says MKO Abiola Won June 12 Election

by Folarin Kehinde February 20, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Thirty-two years after his controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Nigeria’s former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, admitted for the first time that the late philanthropist and democratic hero Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the election.

The startling revelation was contained in Babangida’s 420-page book titled, ‘A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida’ which was launched in Abuja on Thursday with continental and national dignitaries in attendance.

The book reviewer, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the “evil genius” as Babangida is nicknamed answered the question whether Abiola won the June 12 election or not in his book.

In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari moved Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in honour of Abiola and to remind all Nigerians of one of the freest elections in the nation’s history. The day is to celebrate the ideals of democracy since the beginning of the Fourth Republic 25 years ago.

February 20, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Senator Natasha grounds plenary over seating arrangement

by Folarin Kehinde February 20, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Thursday grounded the plenary over her seat that was changed without her consent.

LEADING REPORTERS learnt that the plenary which was being presided by the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, was midway into proceedings when the Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Ali Monguno raised a point of order.

Monguno drew the attention of the Senate President to “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s improper seating position of the lawmaker.”

Monguno, had hardly concluded a point of order before Natasha engaged in a shouting melee before she was surrounded by the Sergeant-AtArms in a bid to excuse her from the plenary.

Amid the confusion, the Senate President’s attempt to calm nerves was bluffed as the female lawmaker insisted to know, “reasons why her seat was changed without her consent.”

The chaos was controlled after the public address systems were shut and normalcy was restored afterwards.

February 20, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Lokoja varsity shut indefinitely after trailer accident claimed lives of 7 students

by Folarin Kehinde February 20, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The management of Federal University Lokoja has shut down the university indefinitely following the students continuous protest.

The students commenced the protest on Monday following the killings of their colleagues by a trailer that rammed into the school shuttle bus, killing seven people instantly.

The school’s closure was disclosed in a circular with Ref. Number FUL/R/GEN/REGC/03 issued on Thursday by Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, Registrar and Secretary to Council, and copied Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command Director, DSS Kogi State.

The circular reads, “Following the unfortunate loss of the lives of five students to a tragic trailer accident at Felele city centre on Monday, 17 February, 2025, students have barricaded the gates of the university despite magnanimous interventions from the the State Government as well as frantic efforts and appeal by the University Management for calm.

Accordingly, arising from the advice of the State Security Agencies and to forestall further loss of lives, the Vice-Chancellor after due consultation with Management, has decided on behalf of Senate, that the University (both campuses) be closed down Indefinitely within one hour of release of this circular.

“Students are therefore, to vacate the campuses on/or before 12 noon today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025. Please note for strict compliance.”

February 20, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

FG bans 60,000-litre fuel tankers on roads from March 1

by Folarin Kehinde February 20, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a ban on fuel tankers exceeding 60,000 litres from operating on Nigerian roads.

The ban is expected to take effect from 1 March 2025, as revealed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA.

The agency also specified that, by the fourth quarter of 2025, no truck with a capacity exceeding 45,000 litres will be permitted to load petroleum products.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Ogbugo Ukoha, NMDPRA Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, stated that the decision was made in response to the rising number of road accidents involving heavy-duty petroleum tankers.

“The first stakeholders’ technical committee met today to establish timelines for about 10 resolutions aimed at addressing the significant increase in truck transit incidents and fatalities,” he said.

According to him, after deliberations involving key agencies—including the Department of State Services, DSS, Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN, and NMDPRA—it was agreed that from 1 March 2025, any truck with an axle load exceeding 60,000 litres of hydrocarbons will not be allowed to load at any depot.

“The key point here is that, for the first time, consensus was reached among all stakeholders, and we will continue to work together cohesively to ensure the safe transportation of petroleum products across the country,” he said.

Ukoha dismissed recent claims questioning the quality of fuel in circulation across the country, describing them as bogus, misleading, and unscientific.

He assured Nigerians that all imported and locally refined petroleum products meet strict regulatory standards before being released into the market.

The regulator vowed to ensure compliance with petroleum industry standards and specifications, stressing that recent social media claims about the quality of fuel products in circulation are baseless and should be disregarded.

“The regulator would usually be more circumspect and not respond to every comment made in public,” he said.

February 20, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Military to release 381 ex-terrorists, urges states to be vigilant

by Folarin Kehinde February 19, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The military has announced plans to release 381 rehabilitated ex-terrorists in March 2025, urging state governments to ensure their proper reintegration through monitoring and empowerment programmes.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said a total 789 ex-combatants are undergoing rehabilitation, with 381 expected to graduate in 2025.

Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Shayi Olatunde, Musa stressed the need for proper reintegration of the repentant terrorists to sustain the gains made by Operation Safe Corridor.

He urged the state governments to play an active role in the transition process by deploying security measures to track and monitor reintegrated individuals.

Musa said, “I, therefore, say that conforming law with localities ensures the proper integration of the first of two parties, consisting of 381 clients.

“It is also important to mention that upon graduation from this scheme, each client will be provided with some personal items as well as start-up pacts based on the three acquired, including their families

“ This is to enable them to set up small businesses and start a new life. Accordingly, I urge benefiting state governments to facilitate the seamless re-integration of the ex-combatants by providing additional support to ease the transitional process. We are very optimistic that working closely with local and traditional authorities, the state can deploy security apparatus at their disposal to effectively track and monitor the progress of the re-integrated ex-combatants.”

The Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig. Gen. Y. Ali, said the programme has reintegrated no fewer than 2,190 repentant terrorists since its inception in 2016.

He added that the number included 27 foreign nationals who have been repatriated to their respective countries.

Ali disclosed that between July and November 2024, 825 new clients—including 14 foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger—were transferred to the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration camp for training.

Ali added that 22 clients requiring further psychological evaluation were transferred to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri.

He said, “Since the commencement of the programme in 2016, OPSC has successfully processed 2,190 clients comprising 2,163 Nigerians and 27 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger. All the foreign clients were transferred to their respective national authorities for reintegration.

“Between July and November 2024, a total of 825 clients were transferred to the DRR Camp to commence training. Amongst them are 14 foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad and Niger. It is also important to mention that 22 clients were subsequently transferred to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri for further evaluation and management.

February 19, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

USAID/Boko Haram Sponsorship: Senate Summons Ribadu, DSS, NIA, Others

by Folarin Kehinde February 19, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

The leadership of the Nigerian Senate has summoned key agencies over allegations made by a United States Congressman Scott Perry on Boko Haram sponsorship by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Senate issued the summons at the plenary on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

Some of the top security agencies summoned by the Red Chambers include the National Security Adviser (NSA), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

According to the Senate, the agencies’ heads are expected to brief lawmakers on the alleged sponsorship of Boko Haram by USAID through supposed humanitarian aid to Nigeria.

The Senate leadership said it needs more clarification on the matter before conducting its independent investigations.

More details soon…

February 19, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

JUST IN: Protests in Lokoja after fatal accident kills 7 University students

by Folarin Kehinde February 19, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Students of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Kogi State, have taken to the streets in a massive protest following the tragic death of seven students and a bus driver in a ghastly road accident involving a truck and a school shuttle bus.

The protest, which began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday morning, saw students demanding immediate government action to prevent further tragedies on the roads around the university.

The fatal accident occurred around 2:30 PM on Monday, February 18, when an articulated truck carrying wood and jerrycans of palm oil lost control and crashed into a school shuttle bus filled with students.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as devastating, stating that the shuttle bus was preparing to transport students when the speeding truck rammed into it, crushing it completely. Seven students died on the spot, alongside the bus driver.

“The driver of the truck lost control and rammed into the school shuttle bus, which was already filled with students and set to leave. The impact was devastating,” a student told SaharaReporters.

In response to the tragedy, enraged students mobilized and blocked roads leading to the university, calling for the restriction of heavy-duty trucks from operating during the daytime.

The protesters gathered at the university gate, demanding urgent government intervention to improve road safety in the area.

Emergency responders, including officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), were deployed to the scene to rescue trapped victims.

Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, Samuel Oyedeji, confirmed that while the exact number of casualties was still being determined, several bodies had been taken to the morgue, while the injured were rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and the Kogi State Specialist Hospital for treatment.

The ongoing student protest has intensified calls for stricter traffic regulations to prevent further loss of lives.

A student protester said, “On Tuesday, we gathered at the school gate, demanding lasting measures to avert the recurrence of accidents on this road. The Kogi State Deputy Governor visited the university entrance today to sympathize with the aggrieved students and the university community.”

“The students are still out this morning (Wednesday), continuing the protest,” the student added.

February 19, 2025 0 comments

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