Wednesday, May 8

U-17 WWCQ: Flamingos to Head to Bamako for Burkina Faso Match
8May By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments
Sports

U-17 WWCQ: Flamingos to Head to Bamako for Burkina Faso Match

Departing the country on Thursday, Nigeria’s U-17 team, the Flamingos, are gearing up for their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying game against Burkina Faso in Bamako, Mali this Saturday. The third-round fixture was shifted from Ouagadougou to Bamako as the Burkina Faso Football Federation was unable to secure a suitable venue for the match. The game is set to take place at the Stade 26 March in Bamako on Saturday with the return leg scheduled for May 18 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Notably, there has been an adjustment in the fourth official for Saturday's match in Bamako by the Confederation of African Football, CAF. Initially, Joselyn Nsabimana was supposed to officiate as the fourth official with Burundian colleagues Suavis Iratunga, Fides Bangurambona, and Al...
Read More
Gateway International Airport Transforming into a Hub for Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Training School
8May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Gateway International Airport Transforming into a Hub for Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Training School

An exciting development is on the horizon at the Gateway International Agro Cargo and Passenger Airport as plans are underway to establish an aircraft maintenance repair facility and a flight training school for aspiring pilots and auto engineers. This upcoming facility aims to eliminate the need for aircraft to travel abroad for routine maintenance, as these services will soon be available at the Gateway International Airport. Gbolahan Abatan, the President of Air First Maintenance and Repair Facility, revealed this significant milestone during a press briefing following a meeting with Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. Abatan expressed the company's eagerness to collaborate with the state government to establish the Aircraft Maintenance Facility at the Agro Cargo Airport. Init...
Read More
Harry Kane’s Pick for Best Finisher in Football Might Surprise You
8May By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments
Sports

Harry Kane’s Pick for Best Finisher in Football Might Surprise You

In a recent interview with Goal, Harry Kane of Bayern Munich has named Cristiano Ronaldo as the top finisher in the history of football. When prompted with a list of notable names like Henrik Larsson, Robert Lewandowski, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi, Kane chose to stay silent. However, when Cristiano Ronaldo's name was mentioned, Kane promptly responded, declaring him as the best by saying, "Ronnie."
Read More
NAPTIP secures conviction of human traffickers in Akwa Ibom
8May By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments
Metro

NAPTIP secures conviction of human traffickers in Akwa Ibom

Two convictions have been obtained by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in charge No: FHC/UY/06/2024 at the Uyo Zonal Command, as revealed by Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, the Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, in a statement issued in Uyo. On February 7, Udobong Udofia and Nsidong Eduogo were arrested for sexually assaulting an orphan named Utitofon Bassey, resulting in charges related to trafficking in persons under Section 13(2)b of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015. According to the statement, “Today, May 8, 2024, the Uyo Zonal Command secured conviction in Charge NO: FHC/UY/06/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Udobong Etim Udofia & Nsidong Abasiama Eduogo filed on the 7th of Feb. 7, 2024. “T...
Read More
85 suspects arrested by NSCDC in Ebonyi within 3 months
8May By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments
Metro

85 suspects arrested by NSCDC in Ebonyi within 3 months

Within the first 100 days of the new State Commandant's tenure, the Ebonyi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has apprehended a total of 85 suspects from January to March 2024. Dr. Willie Elijah, the State Commandant, briefed journalists in Abakaliki on Wednesday about the operations conducted since he assumed office on Jan. 8, 2024. During this period, 65 cases were reported to the command, resulting in six convictions. Furthermore, ongoing prosecutions in various stages of the court system are addressing remaining cases, with one kidnapping victim successfully rescued. As part of the Safe School Programme, the corps, under Elijah's leadership, has conducted patrols in schools across Ebonyi, with specially trained female squad members working inc...
Read More
EFCC to prosecute Sirika and daughter for alleged N2.7bn fraud
8May By Adebayo SheriffNo Comments
Press

EFCC to prosecute Sirika and daughter for alleged N2.7bn fraud

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter, Fatimah, and two other individuals, are set to be arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday. The charges stem from an alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud discovered within the Aviation Ministry during Sirika's tenure. Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal High Court in Abuja will preside over the trial, marking the first time the embattled former Minister will face arraignment. Sirika, along with his daughter, Fatima, Jalal Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, will be in court to answer accusations of misusing their positions to facilitate the laundering of funds exceeding N2.7 billion. More details coming soon...
Read More
Peter Obi Criticizes Implementation of Cyber Security Levy
8May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Peter Obi Criticizes Implementation of Cyber Security Levy

Raising concerns about the newly enforced cyber security levy, Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate for 2023, expressed his disapproval, citing its potential negative impact on the economy. In a statement released by Yunusa Tanko, his spokesperson in Awka on Wednesday, Obi emphasized the need to focus on nurturing and revitalizing the economy, as he believes that introducing additional taxes amidst the prevailing challenges in the country will further destabilize the economy. Observing that the cyber levy targets the trading capital of businesses rather than their profits, Obi argued that this would deplete the capital base of organizations. This, he pointed out, leads to a scenario of multiple taxation on banking transactions, which are already subjected to various ot...
Read More
Rejection of Cybersecurity Levy by Coalition of Northern Groups
8May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Rejection of Cybersecurity Levy by Coalition of Northern Groups

The recently introduced 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on all bank transactions has been rejected by the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG. A circular issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, directed all types of banks to deduct the levy, starting two weeks from Monday, May 6, 2024. In response, the CNG, through its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, expressed disapproval, stating that the decision showcased the government's lack of compassion towards Nigerians during economic hardships. According to the group, the levy, akin to the removal of fuel subsidy and the sudden hike in electricity tariffs, reflects a heartless approach of extorting citizens, especially those already burdened by neoliberal exploitations. They demanded the immediate w...
Read More
Legal Expert Challenges Nigerian Government: Deems Cyber Security Levy Unlawful and Unconstitutional
8May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

Legal Expert Challenges Nigerian Government: Deems Cyber Security Levy Unlawful and Unconstitutional

In the eyes of human rights advocate Madubuachi Idam, the cyber security levy recently imposed by the Nigerian government is akin to theft from the people of the nation. Idam has strongly asserted that the act of taxing Nigerians for security purposes is both illegal and in violation of the constitution. As per recent directives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), all banks in the country are now obliged to collect and forward a 0.5% cyber security levy to the Office of the National Security Adviser. Reports from NewsNow indicate that the CBN officially communicated this instruction through Chibuzor Efobi and Haruna Mustafa, who serve as directors of the Payment System Management and Financial Policy and Regulation Departments. In response to these developments, Idam called on the...
Read More
The Nigerian Government’s Commitment to Community Policing in Tackling Insecurity
8May By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments
News

The Nigerian Government’s Commitment to Community Policing in Tackling Insecurity

Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of State for Police Affairs, has reaffirmed the Federal Government's dedication to prioritizing initiatives that promote community policing in Nigeria as a means to address the prevailing insecurity issues. Emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and fostering mutual respect and understanding, Sulaiman-Ibrahim also stressed the government's efforts to strengthen the relationship between the Police and the community. Speaking at the 40th-anniversary event of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) with the theme "PCRC @40 Community Policing at its Best" held at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, she highlighted the significance of the occasion in recognizing the enduring legacy of community policing and the invaluable rol...
Read More