IPERU The Gateway International Airport, Illisan, in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Tuesday recorded its first commercial flight take-off, as a Value Jet airplane conveyed passengers from the airport to Abuja. The plane took off at 10.02 a.m. in the presence of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, and other government functionaries. Speaking with newsmen after the official take-off of the first commercial flight, Abiodun appreciated God for making it possible. The governor noted that God had given the team the grace to envision, to implement and to see it happen. Abiodun described the event as a major…
Author: Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the approval of the House of Representatives for new external borrowing and debt refinancing totalling $2.3 billion, alongside the issuance of a $500 million debut sovereign Sukuk in the international capital market. The request, contained in a letter read on the floor of the House by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, seeks the National Assembly’s resolution in line with Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (DMO) Establishment Act, 2003. According to the President, the new borrowing is aimed at implementing provisions of the 2025 Appropriation Act, refinancing maturing Eurobonds, and diversifying Nigeria’s funding…
Embattled Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday returned to the Senate after serving a six-month suspension. She was seen smiling as the upper chamber resumed plenary following a 10-week recess, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio presiding over the session. The lawmaker was accompanied by a handful of activists and loyalists, including Aisha Yesufu, who was spotted in the gallery, while others weren’t allowed in. She walked into the Senate chamber and made her way to her seat and after exchanging pleasantries with a few senators. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return marks the end of a suspension that had generated widespread public…
Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Imisi Ayanwale, has officially received her grand prize package consisting of ₦80 million in cash and a brand-new SUV from Innoson Motors. The prize presentation took place on Tuesday, at Ilupeju, Lagos, where representatives of Innoson Motors handed over the car key to the reality TV star. Imisi emerged as the winner of BBNaija Season 10 on Sunday, October 5, after securing 42.8% of total votes, defeating fellow finalists Dede, Koyin, Sultana, and others. Her total prize package is valued at ₦150 million, which includes the ₦80 million cash reward, the Innoson SUV, and…
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, have declared a one-day protest on Thursday over the inability of the Federal Government to address their demands. SSANU and NASU, through the Joint Action Committee, JAC, have directed all their branches to convene a joint emergency meeting on Wednesday to mobilize all their members for protest activities, which include protest marches on campuses, the display of placards conveying their grievances, and press conferences. The decision to embark on a protest was reached by JAC on October 6, after a comprehensive…
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday announced his resignation. This comes after a decade of steering Nigeria’s elections through sweeping reforms and digital innovations. Yakubu, who has been at the helm since 2015, formally stepped down during the Commission’s quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs in Abuja, describing the session as his “last as chairman.” Citing Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, Yakubu said the move would allow a smooth transition as INEC braces for a busy electoral calendar. By consensus of the National Commissioners, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior commissioner,…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he is open to stepping aside for a younger aspirant if he loses the presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate in the 2023 elections, also said it is too early to confirm whether he will contest but stressed that uniting the opposition under the ADC is his current priority. “This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following. “If…
ABUJA A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday dismissed a suit instituted against President Bola Tinubu challenging the March 18, 2025, emergency rule declaration in Rivers State. Justice James Omotosho, while delivering judgment in the suit filed by Belema Briggs and four others against the declaration, held that the five plaintiffs lacked the legal power to institute the case. Tinubu, in March, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. Following the suspension,…
OPINION Building Smarter: How Rail Can Secure Ogun’s Industrial Future By: Bayo Orebiyi The story of Ogun State is, in many ways, the story of Nigeria’s industrial backbone. From Sagamu to Ibeshe, Papalanto to Ewekoro, and now Itori, Ogun has quietly become the cement capital of West Africa. Dangote Cement, with its 12 million metric tons per annum facility in Ibeshe and another 6 million metric-ton plant rising in Itori, dominates the landscape. Lafarge, with plants in Ewekoro and Sagamu, contributes an additional 4.5 million tons each year. Together, these giants account for over 20 million tons of cement—enough to…
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, through one Segun Tomori, a Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Dele Alake, has confirmed that 13 miners were recovered dead from the collapsed pit in Zamfara. This is however contrary to earlier figures quoted by residents and media outlets. “The collapse, triggered by heavy rainfall and aggravated by the unlawful activities of illegal miners, trapped at least 15 itinerant mine workers. Thirteen have been recovered, tragically with no survivors. Efforts are on to recover the remaining two still trapped,” the statement read. Alake described the incident as both avoidable and unfortunate,…