Author: statereporter

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has officially signified her interest to run for a second term. This announcement positions her as the sole candidate for the WTO’s top position. The WTO formally began the process of appointing its next Director-General on October 8, allowing member countries until November 8 to submit nominations. In a message to members, the Chairman of the WTO General Council, Petter Olberg, disclosed that no additional nominations were received by the deadline. Olberg stated: “Under the procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/L/509), I am required to communicate to members…

Amidst economic hardship and rising inflation in Nigeria, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has allocated N5 billion for the renovation of the vice president’s official residence in Lagos State. In November 2023, the Federal Government passed a N2.17 trillion supplementary budget, which earmarked N3 billion for renovations at the vice president’s Lagos residence and N2.5 billion for refurbishing his official quarters within the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. However, an analysis conducted by The PUNCH through GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks government expenditures, revealed that a total of N5,034,077,063 was spent on the Lagos residence renovations in…

Baltasar Engonga, the former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, has been remanded in custody at Malabo’s Black Beach Prison. Engonga’s arrest came shortly after reports surfaced accusing him of recording over 400 explicit videos involving the spouses of influential figures in the country. This revelation emerged amid an ongoing fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, prompting officials from ANIF to conduct an unannounced search of his residence and office. During the search, authorities reportedly uncovered numerous CDs containing footage of these encounters, The PUNCH reports. The leaked videos have ignited widespread public outrage and intense media scrutiny.…

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has declared his willingness to account for his eight-year tenure if required by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Speaking in Abuja at the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, an event celebrating his administration’s achievements in education, Obaseki stated that he has nothing to fear and is ready to submit to any inquiries regarding his tenure. Obaseki, who has focused significantly on education reform during his administration, explained that he prioritized his work over political distractions. “I’m not afraid of the EFCC. Why should I be? What is important is focus,” he remarked. “If the…

The Bayelsa west representative at the National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has admonished for positive leadership at all levels of authority. He made the call in Yenagoa while having an interactive session with constituents from his senatorial district, on 2nd November, after the Bayelsa state annual thanksgiving, that he enjoined Governor Douye Diri and People of Bayelsa at the state’s ecumenical centre, Yenagoa in appreciation to God. Senator Dickson reigned as Governor in Bayelsa state from February 14 2012 to February 14, 2020, as the first Governor to serve complete two terms and successfully handed over to Governor Douye…

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has backed President Bola Tinubu on the tax reform bill, forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative attention. State reporters revealed that Sani, in a statement on Thursday, urged the Nothern governors to rescind their decision on the tax bill, stressing it was not against or adverse to the interest of the North. The former lawmaker stated that the bill is one of President Tinubu’s bold moves to strengthen tax administration in Nigeria, in which its operations and enforcement are simplified. Sani urged the National Assembly to take the bill seriously,…

The 2024 US presidential election is heating up, with seven key battleground states taking center stage. These states, worth 93 electoral votes, have been the focus of the election since the beginning of the cycle. The contenders, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, are neck and neck in several states, making it anyone’s game. As of November 5, 2024, the polling averages show a tight race between Harris and Trump. The averages are based on the most recent polls from each state, with some states still too close to call. The seven battleground states are: -Arizona: A crucial state with 11…

Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator and third prosecution witness in Ali Bello’s trial, testified on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja. He confirmed that funds were delivered to him by agents of the Kogi State Government to cover school fees for the daughters of former governor Yahaya Bello. Under cross-examination by Ali Bello’s counsel, A.M. Aliyu SAN, Abdullahi clarified that each tranche of payment was exchanged for its cash dollar equivalent. “It was cash that was brought to my office for the payment of the school fees,” he…

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed satisfaction with the achievements of his administration after two tenures. State reporters informed that Obaseki, during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Benin Technical College on Tuesday in Benin City, said he did his best as the governor of the state in the last eight years. Obaseki stated that the rebuilding of the college was part of his electioneering promises to create 200,000 jobs for the young boys and girls in the state to stem the tide of human trafficking and irregular migration among the youths. He said, “This afternoon, I am so glad…

After an extensive meeting with members of the Third Phase Amnesty Program yesterday, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, It became very necessary to inform His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP) Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro and the general public that the aggrieved members of the Third Phase Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP), led by Lord Onipa and General Cairo resolved that: 1. We have been denied recognition, benefit and reward as Ex- Militants for thirteen (13) years. 2. Our struggle is genuine, not self seeking or influenced by politicians or any…