In a move that has sparked intense controversy within the ruling All Progressives Congress, Mr Taslim Dan-Wanki, a chieftain of the party, has raised concerns over recent appointments made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. The APC chieftain decried the decision of Abbas to appoint over 600 members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party as Senior Legislative Aides, questioning the political wisdom and loyalty behind such appointments. Arewa PUNCH reports that Dan-Wanki, known for his strong advocacy for party unity and loyalty, voiced his concerns via a statement, adding that the appointments have not only…
Author: UZDO Media
A report from African leaders, the African Union, and Global Development warns that the World Bank estimates a staggering $21 trillion in lost productivity globally if the ongoing learning crisis is not urgently addressed. The statement was released following a conference at the UN General Assembly in New York, where it was emphasised that improving children’s learning could add $6.5 trillion in global value by 2030. The report said that the crisis was most severe in Africa, where nine out of ten children were currently unable to read with comprehension or perform basic math by age ten. The gathering underscored…
The Federal Government has disbursed N24.78bn under the National Cash Transfer programme to 991,261 poor households as part of efforts to alleviate poverty in Nigeria. The cash transfer initiative, spearheaded by the National Social Investment Programme Agency, had beneficiaries across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, according to a statement from NSIPA on Thursday. NSIPA National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, Badamasi Lawal, said the disbursement was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as he explained that the Federal Government had in August 2024 paid N3.83bn to 153,038 households. Lawal stated that in September 2024,…
The Borno State Police Command has alerted that a flash flood has caused extensive damage to the Ajeri-Dikwa road and the Dikwa-M/Guri road, leading to disruption of socio-economic activities just as it has also rendered critical routes impassable. A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, on Saturday night advised “commuters travelling from Mafa, Dikwa, Ngala, Marte, Kalbalge, Maiduguri, as well as individuals from the neighbouring countries such as cameroon and Chad, are advised to seek alternative routes and remain updated on the situation” The statement stated that although no casualties have been reported, yet “the command…
Chelsea’s pursuit of Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has hit a snag as the player expresses a preference for German and Spanish football, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The West London giants are being tipped to make a big-money attacking acquisition in 2025, with Boniface emerging as a leading target, according to TEAMTalk. Boniface, 23, played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal win last season, netting 21 goals and providing 10 assists in 34 games across all competitions despite missing some matches due to injury. The Nigeria international has continued his impressive form this season, scoring four goals…
The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission will conduct elections in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state on Saturday, 10 years after such exercise was last held. IKENNA OBIANERI writes on how the journey to break the jinx began The biggest event in Anambra State this week is the conduct of the chairmanship and councillorship elections in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state on Saturday. Barring any exigency, over 100 candidates, it was gathered, are set to battle for the control of the 21 LGAs in the state. The LGs have been under the control of Caretaker…
The Kwara State government has described the comments of the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on the outcome of the local government elections held in the state on September 21, 2024, as laughable and self-flattering. The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission declared the All Progressives Congress candidates as winners of the chairmanship in the 16 LGs and councillors in the 193 wards during the election. Not satisfied with the results as announced by KWASIEC, Saraki, in a statement signed by his Press Officer on Political Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, noted that the state government, in collaboration with KWASIEC, announced different…
A former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday, called for the probe of the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki as his administration winds down in about two months’ time. Oshiomhole made the call as the winner of last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, alongside his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, was presented with his Certificate of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Okpebholo is set to succeed Obaseki, whose second term ends on November 11. Oshiomhole urged the World Bank to probe Obaseki’s use of its $75m fund for the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation.…
The Senate, on Thursday, passed the South-West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 for the third reading. But the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, said while the commission was welcomed, what the country really needed was restructuring or devolution of power to ensure true federalism. The passage of the South-West Development Commission Establishment Bill on Thursday followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, during plenary. In his presentation, Senator Kaka explained that the bill is designed to foster the socio-economic development of the South-West region. “If the commission is…
The Ogun State government has said it is looking into the dispute between timber dealers in the state and cocoa farmers. The Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, told The PUNCH, “The government is aware of this challenge, and we are already working on it.” Timber dealers in Ogun State, on Wednesday, raised concerns about the alleged increasing destructive activities of illegal cocoa farmers, who they allege are destroying valuable economic trees in the sprawling Omo government forest reserves at J4 to cultivate cocoa. The dealers, under the aegis of the Ijebu Saw Millers and Timber Contractors Association, said the state…