Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

Why I’m no Longer in Active Politics– Former President Jonathan Former President Goodluck Jonathan says his membership of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) is one of the reasons for his continued absence in active and partisan politics in recent times. Jonathan gave this explanation in Abuja, while speaking at an event marking the 10th anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), with the theme “Legacy of Impact, Celebrating Our Journey.’’ The event was also with a gala dinner held to mark the 68th birthday anniversary of the Jonathan. Jonathan, who apparently was explaining to his associates on why he…

Schoolgirls’ Abduction: Tinubu Orders Defence Minister’s Relocation to Kebbi President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in the state.‎ ‎This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday in Abuja.‎ ‎Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.‎ ‎It will be recalled that gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State,…

World Bank to Boost Irrigation, Agriculture Projects in Gombe The World Bank says it will invest in Gombe State’s irrigation system to strengthen food security, water management, and climate resilience. Chakib Jenane, Regional Director for Sustainable Development for Western and Central Africa, confirmed the plan on Thursday during a visit to Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau. Jenane said the Bank’s renewed commitment reflected Gombe’s progress. “We are impressed by what we have seen here. Your achievements encourage us to do more,” he said. He led a World Bank team assessing ongoing projects and confirmed that new support would focus on agriculture…

20% of World’s Children Trapped in Extreme Poverty -UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says 20 per cent children worldwide live-in extreme poverty, surviving on under $3 a day, UNICEF, in a report, on Thursday stated that nearly 90 per cent of those children are in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, but even in high-income countries, 23 per cent live with far less income than their peers. “It doesn’t have to be this way,” UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell said. “When governments commit to ending child poverty by implementing effective policies, they can unlock a world of possibilities for children.”…

Nigeria Partners China to Advance Intelligent Rail Control System The China Railway Signal and Communication (CRSC) Group, has launched an international seminar on Rail Transit Intelligence Control Systems for Nigerian engineers, scholars, and transport practitioners. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Umar Usman, the spokesperson of the Federal Transportation University Daura (FUTD). According to him, the seminar going on in Beijing, China, is a major step toward deepening the Nigerian cooperation in modern railway technology, “The two-week programme, running from Nov. 20, to Dec. 4, brings together representatives from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigerian Railway…

South Africa rebukes U.S. for Boycotting G20, Opposing Consensus The United States’ absence negates its role over the Group of 20 (G20)’s conclusions. Chrispin Phiri, the spokesperson of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said, reiterating that Pretoria would not be bullied. Phiri made the remarks in response to Washington’s decision not to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, as well as its objection to the issuance of any outcome document presented as a G20 consensus without U.S. consent. Earlier, South African G20 Sous-Sherpa Xolisa Mabhongo confirmed receiving a letter from the United States, in…

Court Sentences Nnamdi Kanu to Life Imprisonment The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of the terrorism offences. Justice James Omotosho, who earlier convicted Kanu in all the seven counts preferred against him, held that the Federal Government had been able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against Kanu in the terrorism offences. Justice Omotosho consequently sentenced the IPOB leader to life imprisonment in counts one, four, five and six, instead of death sentence penalty. According to the…

Africa’s Future at Risk from $80bn Annual Cybercrime, Corruption Drain -ICPC Dr Musa Aliyu, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Chairman, has warned that cybercrime, corruption, and illicit financial flows draining Africa’s resources, undermined its future prospects. ICPC Spokesperson, John Odey, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, quoted Aliyu as giving the warning in a keynote address delivered at the Realnews 13th Anniversary Lecture Series in Lagos. While speaking on the theme “Cybersecurity, Illicit Financial Flows and Achieving Agenda 2063 in Africa”, Aliyu painted a grim picture of the African situation with classrooms without teachers,…

CBN Keeps Rates on Nigerian Treasury Bills Unchanged The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) kept rates on Nigerian Treasury bills unchanged despite disinflation and widening real return on investment. The Apex Bank conducted a primary market auction (PMA) on Wednesday where N700 billion worth of Nigerian Treasury bills were offered to investors for subscriptions. Supported by a significant liquidity level in the financial system and a rising appetite for the naira asset, total subscription printed at N1.292 trillion for Treasury bills with 91 days to maturity, 182 days and 364 days. Investors maintained strong preference for long duration, with heavy…

GTCO Slides Amidst Multiple Block Transactions Guaranty Trust Holdings Company (GTCO) Plc share price declined slightly as investors traded huge volume on the Nigerian Exchange, including an off-market transaction. Data from the local bourse showed that GTCO.s share price settled at N84.60 on Wednesday as 18.726 million units valued at N1.591 billion exchanged ownership today.  Stockbroking firm Anchoria Securities Limited told investors in a note that multiple transactions involving a total of 9.00 million shares were executed at a price range of between ₦84.75 and ₦85.25 per share, amounting to a trade value of ₦765.75 million. Investors with substantial units…