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On Wednesday, unidentified gunmen killed two soldiers and kidnapped an expatriate at a road construction site in Ukanafun council area of Akwa Ibom State. The two soldiers were shot dead while escorting an expatriate engineer in a routine inspection of a road project along Idim Okpok mini bridge in Inen Ekeffe the boundary village between Oruk Anam and Ukanafun local government area of the state, the reports gathered. An eyewitness, Friday Idiok, told newsmen that the gunmen whisked the expatriate engineer away immediately the two soldiers were shot dead on the spot and residents ran away for fear of arrest by security operatives. He said: “There were sporadic shootings here and before you know what was happening, two soldiers were dead. The gunmen also escaped with the soldiers’ guns and took the expatriate to their hideout. Everybody here is in panic, we don’t know what the government would do in this matter.” Also reacting on the incident, the clan head of Inen, His Royal...

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunlesi has raised the alarm over the security challenges in the country, declaring that the southwest does not want war. Oba Ogunlusi made this known at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the statehouse on Thursday, ChannelsTV reports. Speaking on behalf of other traditional leaders in the region, he noted that the challenge in the southwestern part of the country was real as most rural communities have been occupied by strange people. The Ooni reiterated that the traditional leaders were worried and prepared to work with the government as they called for a reinforcement of federal apparatus to defend themselves from people he describes as bad eggs who may not all necessarily be Fulanis. He called on all those beating the drums of war as well as politicians escalating issues to desist from acts capable of causing anarchy as the nation cannot withstand a war. He further disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari assured him that he wil...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, has arrested a Nigerian Immigration Service officer, Adebimpe Kehinde, an Immigration Assistant, for his alleged involvement in passport racketeering. Kehinde was arrested alongside 14 other suspected passport racketeers on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at the Immigration Service Passport office, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, following intelligence reports received by the Commission leading to series of surveillance about their alleged criminal activities. The suspects are: Nnadika Timothy, Oyeyiga Samuel, Sunday Adekunle, Lola Kadoso, Adebayo Damilola, Adeola Oluwafikayomi Ajiboshin, Abubakri Adebayo. Others are: Uka Precious Ifeanyi, Raph Emeka Ibuaku, Henry Onyebuchi, Christy Odey, Aba-Peter Ajuma Blessing,Ogunmefun Oluwanishola and Busayo Balogun. The suspects allegedly conspired to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public applying for international passports. Items recovered from the suspects at th...

About 40 percent of medical doctors in Nigeria are are unemployed, Chairman, Federal Capital Territory branch of the Nigeria Medical Association, Ekpe Phillips, has said. Ekpe, a gynaecologist at the Nyanyan General Hospital said this in Abuja yesterday at a roundtable discussion on accountability for maternal health in Nigeria organized by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, in Partnership with the National Human Rights Commission. He said: “Many of them are employed by private hospitals that are not even paying them enough because of the economy. We don’t have enough doctors and the ones we have are not being utilized. “The manpower issue is that government is not engaging the needed health personnel. We need to make the place conducive. As you build the primary healthcare centres, make accommodation available, electricity and make life conducive for the workers.” Executive Director, WARDC, Abiola Afolabi, said, maternal mortality could be successfully reduc...

Residents of some communities in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have sent “Save-Our-Soul” appeal to the State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde to beef up security in and around the borders of their communities to protect the people against the dreaded Bororo Fulanis who were evicted by neighbouring communities in Ogun State. 247newsglobal learnt that the herders were ordered by the community leaders to vacate the land or face the wrath of the people following the killings of some farmers, especially one farmer and his children, by Bororo Fulani herders at Alabata, in Odeda Local Government Areaof Ogun State. However, fears heightened on Wednesday night when leaders of the Alabata community passed information to all neighbouring communities, including Ibadan border communities, warning them against accommodating the evicted Bororo Fulanis, who were alleged to have killed their people. It was gathered that the evicted Bororo Fulanis began their movement out of the host communities on ...

Femi Falana in a communique sent out on Thursday, advocated for election petitions to be handled by retired Judges as serving judges have been overburdened, leaving all matters pending in their courts to carry out national assignments. The human rights activists pointed out the adjournment of court cases by over 350 Judges of the State High Courts, Federal High Court, and National Industrial Court, for a 'national assignment' which was never within their jurisdiction. Femi Falana pushed for a review of preference given to election petitions and appeals, and further stated that such cases are not handled by regular courts in neighbouring countries but by constitutional courts. The statement reads “Over 350 Judges drawn from State High Courts, Federal High Court, and National Industrial Court and handling election petitions have adjourned all matters pending in their courts’ sine die. Their Lordships and Ladyships are said to have left their jurisdictions for “national a...

Over seven months after the death of Nigerian oil mogul, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, controversies have continued to cloud his demise just as his family members are yet to reach a consensus on how to proceed with his remains. The Rivers State-born billionaire, who was the founder and chairman of Moni Pulo Limited, an oil exploration and production company, died on December 27, 2018, in Accra, Ghana at the age of 89. His demise has since created controversy among his family. The deceased’s widow, Dr. Seinye Lulu- Briggs, who travelled with him, has been accused by her step-children and faction of the family leaders, of having a hand in his death. According to media reports, the Nigeria Police Force have since waded into the matter by launching an investigation into High Chief’s death. An investigation team led by Adaku Uche-Anya, an assistant commissioner of police has since moved to Accra, Ghana, and together with the Ghana Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) h...

Following reports of an alleged building collapse at No. 7 Ogene street Ukpono, Awka, the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority through its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Venerable Amaechi Okwosa has said the reports are not only false but also misleading. He said what transpired at the said site was a controlled demolition by the property developer following directives by his Agency that the said property be removed having not met the requisite building standards. He called on members of the public to disregard such reports and always endeavour to verify facts from the relevant Agencies. He said ACTDA runs an open door policy and is always available and ready to provide clarification on any issue as posed by the public.

Resident doctors of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra State, have suspended their two-month strike. In a statement signed by the president and secretary of the association, Obinna Aniagboso and Chidiebele Egolum, they said the strike was suspended for a month to provide a window for a more sustainable resolution. Recall that Resident doctors of the Teaching Hospital embarked on strike on 13th May 2019  due to protest the failure of the state government to honour its agreement to implement full Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS for doctors and upgrade diagnostic facilities in the hospital as obtained in other tertiary health centres in the country. The statement read in part, “We noted the request of His Excellency (Governor Willie Obiano) for ARD (Association of Resident Doctors) to suspend its strike in order to give the government a little time to complete the ongoing personnel audit and financial analysis. “W...

The management of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, has expelled 10 students and rusticated 103 others over examination malpractice. According to Volume 40 No. 4 of FUTO News, yesterday, the Biology Department recorded four casualties; Biotechnology, two; Biochemistry, one; Maritime Management Technology, one, and Information Management Technology one. It stated: “At its 144th meeting, the Senate considered the report on the cases of the students accused of examination misconduct, during the 2016/2017 Rain Semester examinations and found them liable for being in possession of cell phones, which contained answers relevant to the examination.” Similarly, FUTO management rusticated 103 students, “following Senate consideration at the same meeting, of a report on examination misconduct, which found them liable of impersonation and copying from one another.” Also, some staff (names withheld), were either terminated, dismissed or suspended from duty. The appoin...

The Catholic bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has warned against blanket demonisation of herdsmen, especially of the Fulani stock, warning that such actions could be preamble to a breakout of violent confrontation against the Fulani. The bishop said hate speech often precede any genocide experienced in history. Mr Kukah spoke Tuesday at a colloquium on fake news and hate speech organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies, an arm of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He said Nigerians “have to be very careful” before the situation degenerates beyond control. He likened the uproar and profiling of the Fulani to what happened to the Igbo leading up to the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970. “If it is Fulani today, yesterday it was the Igbos,” he said. Reacting to the recent controversy on the use of picture of a herdsman on the Nigerian passport booklet, Mr Kukah said he was almost swayed by the fake news, before he got a copy of the p...

The organised Labour has directed its members in all the 36 states and Abuja to get ready for a total showdown with government should the negotiation on the adjustment from the new national minimum wage break down. On its part, the government side is insisting on 9.5 percent salary adjustment for officers on grade levels 07-14 and 5 percent for those on grade levels 15-17. The workers expressed concern that rather than presenting the two positions to technical subcommittee as agreed, but “Surprisingly, when the Technical Sub-Committee reconvened, the Government Side introduced a strange clause to the discussion insisting that the Term of Reference of the Committee was to work out the consequential adjustment of salaries of Public Servants based on the subhead provided for salaries in the 2019 Budget.” All efforts by the Trade Union Side to persuade the Government Side to return to the right track of negotiation and agree on a realistic percentage increase proved abortive.” ...

Wales and former Arsenal midfielder, Aaron Ramsey has been unveiled as a Juventus player. The 28-year-old Welshman was officially unveiled by the Italian champions in Turin and was handed the No 8 shirt worn by Claudio Marchisio, Antonio Conte and Didier Deschamps.  ‘I wanted the No 8, I wore it at Arsenal and when it was free here I had to take it with both hands,’ Ramsey said.’I know Marchisio was an unbelievable player, grew up here and had a fantastic career. I spoke to him a couple of times in J Medical. ‘If I can emulate what he did for Juventus I would be pretty proud of that. I know it comes with responsibilities but I am ready for that.’ You want to play football the best you can but it is not the only way to win a football game,’ Ramsey added. ‘At the end of the day it is about winning. But if you win playing nice football that is the way you want to win. This coach has his own philosophy and I am sure all the players here will adapt to that.’ He later added...

The Christian Association Of Nigeria (CAN ) has dissociated itself from the visit which occurred on Sunday, July 14, 2019. It was reported that some pastors visited COZA on Sunday, July 14, 2019 to pay solidarity visit to Pastor Fatoyimbo of COZA. Evangelist Barrister Kwamkur Samuel Vondip, who is the National Director of Legal and Public Affair's of CAN, signed a statement which read that the pastors who visited COZA on Sunday acted on their own and that an investigation has been opened by the Pentecostal Fellowship Of Nigeria concerning the rape allegation involving pastor Biodun Fatoyimbo. The Pastors who visited the COZA Church on Sunday promised Pastor Biodun Fatoyimbo that the Christian Body will always support him. Rev. Israel Akanji, who's currently the CAN President of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja was among those who visited the church and he said; “It is a pleasure being here. And I assure you we are with you and we will continue to be with you. We are ...

Clarence Seedorf has been sacked by the Cameroon Football Federation, barely a week after the Indomitable Lions exited the 2019 African Cup of Nations competition following a defeat by Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Coach Clarence Seedorf who was sacked alongside his assistant Patrick Kluivert, had taken over the role in August 2018. “After consulting the Fecafoot Executive Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Education, in the wake of the premature elimination of Cameroon senior male national team from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Cameroon Football Federation, in conformity with the stipulations of the resolutive condition of their respective employment contracts, has decided to terminate the duties of coach Clarence Clyde Seedorf and his assistant Patrick Stephan Kluivert with immediate effect,” a statement signed by Fecafoot president Seidou Mbombo Njoya read.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said leaders must be prudent and disciplined in the way they handle state treasury while in office. According to Obaseki, leaders who have been saddled with the responsibility of leadership, especially at the state level must have it in mind that the money at his disposal must be used for the development of the state and not for personal aggrandizement. Speaking with journalists in Abuja when he paid a condolence visit to the home of a former military governor of defunct Bendel State, Vice Admiral Husaini Abdullahi (retd) over his death, Obaseki described the late Milad as a leader who was disciplined and understood the fact that the money he had access to while he was in charge was for the state and not for individuals. Obaseki said, “This visit is a solemn event. We came here to pay homage to a great Nigerian statesman. These are people who served this country who meant well for this country. They had all the opportunities to make all...

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, has commended the call for herdsmen to leave southern part of Nigeria. The area comprising of the South-West, South-East and South-South region are often under attacks by suspected armed herdsmen who kill, maim, rape and destroy landed properties and farmlands. The plan by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to create Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) nationwide for the herders was met with stiff resistance by southerners who accused the government of embarking on a land grabbing mission for herdsmen from the Fulani extraction. Calling on the herders to leave the protectorate is the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) backed by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF). This is after the CNG threatened the security of southerners living in their domain with the presidency asking the residents to discountenance the threat. Hailing the decision, Mr Fani-Kayode said the call when heeded to will return peace in the troubled areas. The...

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the 9th National Assembly will give special budgetary attention to the three senatorial districts of Zamfara State to address the security crisis in the state. This, he said, would be made possible if the warring herdsmen in the state agreed to a one-year ceasefire. Gbajabiamila said this during his visit to Zamfara State as part of efforts to reconcile the warring herdsmen factions in the state, according to a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Lanre Lasisi. The Speaker said the National Assembly would do everything within its constitutional powers to bring development to the state through budgetary allocation. Addressing the leaders of the warring factions at the Government House, Gusau, the state capital, Gbajabiamila said he was happy to be part of the historic reconciliation of the factions, whose activities held the state to ransom for about 16 years. H...

The move by the Federal Government to electronically register illegal migrants in the country has come under criticism, with some observers describing it as a backdoor to unleash an “army of occupation” on Nigerians. President Muhammadu Buhari hinted of the e-registration last Friday when he declared: “It is on this note therefore, that I am declaring a six-month amnesty period for illegal migrants already in the country to submit themselves to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for the purpose of this registration.” Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, the president explained: “The registration will be carried out without any payment or penalties. I’m enjoining all migrants staying in Nigeria whether regularly or otherwise, to take advantage of the amnesty window to register with the NIS.” But a former presidential adviser, Echefuna ’Rotimi Onyebeadi faulted the premise of the planned registration. In a July 13, 2019 letter see...

FC Barcelona number 10 star Lionel Messi is making the most of the limited time available to him after Argentina's Copa America campaign ended in semi-final defeat by Brazil. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who was granted extra time to recuperate from an extended season, has been posting his family pictures on his Instagram page. His latest post shows the 32 year-old driving a roofless Jeep with his sons Thiago, Ciro and Mateo in the front seats with wife Antonella Roccuzzo in the back. Just like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi also boasts of amazing car collections like Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale, Audi Q7, Audi RS6 Avant, Range Rover Sports, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Range Rover Vogue and a Mini Cooper S Cabriolet he acquired in his early days. Despite not winning the Champions League or Copa America this year, the Barcelona number 10, who is favourite to win this years Ballon d'Or, still managed to bag a sixth European Golden Shoe award for the top s...

The Peoples Democratic Party has called on President Buhari to declare a state of emergency on security in order to address insecurity situation in the country. The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, made the appeal at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja while reacting to the open letter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Buhari. Secondus said the advice was necessary looking at the increasing rate of cases of killing and kidnapping across the country. He recalled the killing of the then female international aide worker and the recent killing of Funke Olakunrin daughter of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere. Secondus said that the worsen security situation between April and now had made concerned patriotic leaders to voice out their concerns. These leaders, according to him, include Mr Obasanjo; the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka; and former governor of old K...

The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority through its Managing Director/CEO, Venerable Barr. Amaechi Okwosa has issued a stern warning to traders and residents in the habit of erecting illegal shanties on unauthorized spaces in the state to desist from the act immediately or face prosecution. This is coming on the heels of recent observations that shanties that have hitherto been demolished or earmarked for demolition by the Agency, are beginning to spring up in the state capital. Venerable Okwosa made this known while speaking to journalists at the Agency's headquarters in Awka, the Anambra state capital. He said ACTDA’s resolve to make Awka a model city is total and it will not compromise in taking actions that are required to actualize this objective. He however expressed delight that stakeholder engagements and sensitization campaigns by his Agency are beginning to yield positive results as some of the culprits are beginning to dismantle their shanties voluntari...

Britain’s ambassador to Washington resigned on Wednesday after Donald Trump labelled him “stupid” and “wacky” following the release of confidential memos from the envoy in which he branded the US president’s administration inept. Memos from Kim Darroch were leaked to a British Sunday newspaper, infuriating Trump who launched a stinging Twitter attack on both the envoy and British Prime Minister Theresa May who had given him her full support. “Since the leak of official documents from this Embassy there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador,” Mr Darroch wrote in his resignation letter. “I want to put an end to that speculation,” he added. “The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like.” Ms May told parliament after the resignation was announced that she had spoken to Mr Darroch, who was due to leave his post anyway at the end of the year. “I have told him i...

Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, has announced his readiness to sign an Executive Order to bring into force the use of the Treasury Single Account by the State Government. Ihedioha in Owerri, on Tuesday said the move became imperative following the discovery of over 250 accounts in various banks operated by the Rochas Okorocha led government. Ihedioha said his discovery on assumption of office was that there were leakages in the revenue accruing to the state government. He said this was largely due to numerous accounts being used for collection. He said this accounted for why he decided to sanitise the state’s financial system. The governor disclosed that he had sought the assistance of a former Director General of the Debt Management Office, Abraham Nwankwo, for a critical look at the financial system. “It is not an insurmountable issue, we will block all loopholes for leakages and corruption. “We discovered over 250 revenue accounts. So I will sign the Executive O...

The CEO of Huawei has revealed the first details of the firm’s Android alternative, claiming it will run faster than Google‘s mobile operating system. Ren Zhengfei said his firm’s HongMeng OS would be up to 60 per cent faster than Android and would connect across multiple smart devices – ranging from cars to phones. Speaking to French publication Le Point, Mr Zhengfei revealed the new operating system has a processing delay of just 5 milliseconds, meaning it is also faster than Apple’s MacOS. But the impressive speed does not make up for the severe lack of apps, with the Huawei CEO admitting that the HongMeng OS currently lacks an equivalent to the Google Play store. This would mean users would potentially not have apps that have become integral to the Android experience, such as Google Maps, Chrome and Gmail. Huawei’s development of its own operating system comes after tensions between the US and China led to the world’s second biggest smartphone maker being placed on the ...

Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State, yesterday distanced himself from a group purportedly campaigning for his presidential ambition in 2023. The All Progressives Congress chieftain in a statement by his spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, denied having a link with the group he described as 'faceless'. “We have seen pictures of face caps, T shirts, shirts and even leaflets with Bola Tinubu 2023 embossed on them purportedly by a faceless group which christened itself ‘Asiwaju Reloaded Ambassadors’ Nigeria’. Neither the group nor its souvenirs are known to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. “We hereby, through this medium, categorically deny any knowledge of the group and dissociate Asiwaju Tinubu from the group’s unsolicited and unwarranted materials,” the statement read.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday tongue-lashed a member from Benue state, Honourable Mark Terse Gbilah representing Gwer-East/Wger-West Federal Constituency over unsavoury comments made in the media against him and others. The chastisement by the Speaker came on the heels of motion on a matter of privileges brought by Hon. Pat Asadu who prayed the House to investigate an alleged breach of his privilege and those of his colleagues from Enugu and Ebonyi State by the Benue Rep. Asadu, while moving the motion, had cited a publication in Sun Newspaper wherein the lawmaker was quoted as maligning both the governors of Enugu and Ebonyi states that they instructed members from their States to work against PDP’s choice in the Speakership election. He also quoted the member as saying that the PDP should discipline the two governors for working against the party, saying that it questions his right as an elected representative of his peo...

One of the four injured policemen beaten up by Shi’ites protesters during a violent invasion of the National Assembly, Umar Abdulahi, a Sergeant, has died. The others include the DPO, who was stabbed in the arm and two others. One of them, it was learnt, was shot one on the side (rib) and the other on the thigh. The two suspected Shii’te supporters involved in the attack are still being interrogated in the DSS office as at the time of filing this report. The two however maintained their innocence that they were officially cleared to access the NASS.

Senator Elisha Abbo today appeared at the Senate investigative committee for sex shop assault. The woman he assaulted is apparently in hospital. He has apologised to the nation but pleaded not guilty in court. In a video we've been furnished with, Senator Elisha Abbo is seen arguing with members of the committee set up to probe his conduct regarding the assault at the intimacy gadget shop.

The police have arrested scores of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria for injuring a policeman and an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at the National Assembly, Abuja, on Tuesday. The force has also launched a manhunt for Shi’ite members across the city centre. The sect members had stormed the NASS complex to protest the continued incarceration of their leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky who had been in custody since December 2015. Our correspondent observed a police team at Samuel Ademulegun Avenue, near the National Mosque, searching commercial buses in order to fish out the sect members. The leader of the operation, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, whose name could not be ascertained, was seen with his team harassing commuters and other passers-by. The policemen, who were wielding sticks and rods, also prevented our correspondent from talking to the suspects in their patrol van. “Get out of here, I don’t want to see you,” the ACP shouted at ...

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said he will not deny any child in the state quality education for the greed of any individual blackmailing him to share the state’s limited resources. The governor said this during a courtesy visit by members of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) from the 18 local government areas of the state, at Government House, in Benin City, Edo State. He said a major concern of his administration is how to improve education, noting, “Education is one of the biggest problems we need to address as a nation. The difference between developing and developed countries is education, knowledge, training and information. “People say we have done well by constructing roads, developing the state, but it is the least we have achieved as a government. To build human beings is most critical and enduring. That is what SBMC is helping us to achieve in transforming the education sector.” Obaseki urged women to join the committee as his administ...

In keeping with global best best practices in environmental conservation, The Anambra  state government has set machinery in motion for planting of three million trees across the State. The Managing Director of  the State Leisure Parks and Street Beautification Agency, Lady Sylvia Ify Atogu made this known while speaking to newsmen in Awka, the state capital. She stated that the essence is  to boost the aesthetics of the State and promote a healthy environment  for residents. In addition to tree planting, Atogu pointed out that her agency has taken pro-active measures towards the realization of the goal by establishing a nursery for growing and provision of  flowers and trees to members of the public  to actualize the programme. According to her:"Tree planting takes into consideration the areas that are erosion prone. Once we identify such a place, we study the terrain and embark on planting of such trees like the neem tree populalry known as ...

President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that the performance of his administration in the power sector was “not good enough.” He said that this called for more efforts by Electricity Distribution Companies to provide the needed resources and technical expertise. Buhari assured that his government would play its own part by improving the transmission of electricity. The Nigerian leader stated in Abuja on Wednesday when the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’ Edo Ewuare II, led members of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and chiefs on a visit to the President at the Presidential Villa. The Benin monarch, who sought Buhari’s intervention on the poor power supply situation in Edo State, had described it as a “pathetic situation.” The President, however, appealed to Nigerians for calm, while urging them to be patient with the Discos to deliver on their mandate. A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, quoted him as saying that thou...

Boeing is giving $100m (£80m) to help families affected by the two crashes of the company's 737 Max planes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. The payment, stretching over several years, is independent of lawsuits filed in the wake of the disasters, which together killed 346 people. The money will support education and living expenses for families and community programmes, Boeing said. Boeing's 737 Max has been grounded worldwide since March. The loss of Ethiopian Airlines' flight ET302 in March was the second fatal accident involving a 737 Max in the space of five months. A near identical aircraft, owned by the Indonesian carrier Lion Air, went down in the sea off Jakarta in October 2018. Crash investigators have focussed on the aircraft's control system and Boeing has been working with regulators to roll out a software upgrade. But there is still no date when the manufacturer's top-selling aircraft might be cleared to fly again. Boeing said in a statement on...

President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) to shelve its proposed industrial action over alleged delay in implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage. Lawan made the appeal when the executives of the NLC and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, (PASAN) led by Mr Ayuba Waba and Sunday Sabiyi paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. Lawan called for further understanding and patriotism, adding that some states had started paying the agreed minimum wage. “We should not encourage personal issue to overshadow our collective responsibility to nation building. “We will journey with you to ensure absolute implementation of the minimum wage by the Federal government,” Lawan pleaded. He also assured PASAN to collaborate with the management and leadership of the National Assembly, urging it to present issue-based arguments, instead on engaging strike action to press home its demands. He also said the ninth assembly would...

Lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, has advised the federal government to replace the suspended Ruga settlement scheme with ranching. Falana stated this, while reacting to the suspension of Ruga settlement by the federal government. “As far back as 2016 the Buhari administration had opted for ranching. “To actualise the ranching policy 11 states had made available 55,000 hectares of land. “Ranching has also been adopted by the National Livestock Policy of the Buhari administration. “What is now left is for the immediate implementation of the ranching programme,” Falana said in a statement. Falana believed Ruga was suddenly introduced from the blues, by some fifth columnists in the administration. He added: “Ruga should not just be suspended but cancelled completely by the federal government. It should be replaced with ranching funded by state governments and individual stakeholders with the assistance of the federal government. “However if the federal government is int...