Author: statereporter
Three kingpins and 16 others have been convicted and sentenced to a total of 302 years in prison for trafficking and dealing in illicit drugs, such as, cocaine methamphetamine, cannabis and other hard drugs. Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy of NDLEA in a statement on Friday, August 16, 2024, revealed that the convictions followed their arrest and prosecution by the anti-narcotics agency. The statement reads in part, “The 19 convicts top the list of 414 drug traffickers and dealers convicted by the Federal High Court in Benue, Bauchi, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Gombe and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the results of the 2023 presidential election valid and authentic, dismissing claims of discrepancies between the results on its website & those presented by returning officers at the National Collation Centre, which were broadcast live on national television and VanguardLive. Relying on the Freedom of Information Law, the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism in a letter dated August 7 and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, alleged that in the televised announcements, INEC reported 1,578 polling units where voting was cancelled because of irregularities. It said no figures were given…
The Enugu State government has issued a 90-day ultimatum to all churches and mosques in the state to remove outdoor loudspeakers and install soundproofing measures within their worship centres. The decision was made during a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, aimed at implementing the Enugu State Anti-Noise Pollution Policy. The meeting, organised by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, brought together Christian & Muslim leaders, government officials & media practitioners to address the issue. It is reported that the state government had in December 2023 as part of its urban renewal policy, directed all night clubs, beer parlours and other entertainment…
Jerry Eze, the founder and president of Streams of Joy International, has responded to allegations that a miracle performed during a recent conference in the United Kingdom was staged. The event, part of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSSPD) series, saw an 8-year-old girl reportedly healed from cerebral palsy, sparking both praise and skepticism online. The dramatic healing, where the girl—previously confined to a wheelchair—was said to have walked, quickly became a viral topic, with social media divided. While many celebrated the apparent miracle, a wave of criticism followed, accusing Eze of orchestrating the event for publicity and…
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has declared that aircraft in the presidential fleet are sovereign assets used solely for sovereign purposes and are therefore immune from attachment by any entity. This statement comes after three presidential aircraft undergoing routine maintenance in France were seized pursuant to ex parte orders issued by the Judicial Court of Paris. Fagbemi stressed that the federal government is exploring both diplomatic and legal means to address the issue. He stated that the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney General of the Federation are working together…
NAFDAC, has revealed that bread sold in the markets is failing laboratory tests because producers are using saccharine due to the high cost of sugar. NAFDAC warned water producers, patent medicine dealers and other manufacturers of regulated products against selling fake and substandard products. Mrs Roseline Ajayi, NAFDAC Southwest Coordinator, gave the warning during a stakeholders engagement meeting organised by the agency, on Friday, in Ibadan. Ajayi said that the report gathered by the agency during its recent operation revealed that some patent medicine dealers were selling restricted drugs and unregistered products. She said some manufacturers also failed to comply…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday raised concerns over the federal government’s alleged plan to reduce the tenure of labour union leaders to two years. The labour centre declared it would not be intimidated by what it described as an orchestrated campaign against its leadership and operations. The NLC’s head of information and public affairs, Comrade Benson Upah, who addressed journalists in Abuja on the development, including last week’s raid on the NLC secretariat, accused the government of gross interference in the unions’ internal matters, warning that the move is part of a broader strategy to weaken the labour movement.…
The Presidency’s statement that prices of foodstuffs have been falling recently has been rejected by Nigerians. The Senior Special Assistant on Citizenship and Leadership to President Bola Tinubu, Rinsola Abiola, while speaking on AIT Weekend Show, on Saturday (10 August), said online vendors confirmed that food prices have started decreasing. Mrs Abiola said the decrease in the prices of foodstuffs is a testament to the federal government’s initiatives towards addressing economic hardship and hunger, which are yielding results. Nigerians on social media, X platform, said the statement from the Presidency did not tally with what is obtainable in the markets.…
Manchester United’s new signing Joshua Zirkzee scored a late winner on his debut to give his team a 1-0 victory over Fulham in the opening match of the Premier League season. Zirkzee, who joined from Bologna last month, came on in the final half hour and poked in Alejandro Garnacho’s cross on 87 minutes to save United from a frustrating evening at Old Trafford. United boss Erik ten Hag’s team struggled to find their rhythm, with key players missing through injury or lack of match fitness. However, Zirkzee’s late heroics ensured a winning start to the season for Ten Hag,…
The Federal government has charged the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC and other foreign media operators to maintain principle of accuracy, balance and fairness as well as objectivity in their daily reportage on issues concerning Nigeria. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris handed down the charge when a delegation from the BBC visited him in his office in Abuja. objectivity in their daily reportage on issues concerning Nigeria. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris handed down the charge when a delegation from the BBC visited him in his office in Abuja. He said while the…