Author: bibncollar

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has estimated a loss of 855,629 metric tonnes of food to the 2024 floods. This figure according to the FAO represents an amount equivalent to feed 8.5 million Nigerians for the period of six-months. FAO assistant country representative, Salisu Mohammed at an event to mark the 2024 World Food Day in Abuja yesterday, outlined climate-related crises, inflation, insecurity and economic situation as the key factors that have taken a toll on agricultural productivity and farmers’ livelihoods. The theme of this year, “The Right to Foods for a better life and…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a N2 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Mr Lucky Okodeh, a former Caretaker Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, till November 28. Mr Lucky Okodeh had sued the Nigerian Army for allegedly publishing his photograph among those wanted in connection to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama in Delta. Okodeh, in the suit filed before Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court, Abuja by his lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, prayed the court to award a N2 billion in damages against the respondents for alleged violation…

The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) has taken a new turn as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has now recognised Julius Abure as the national Chairman of the party. This was communicated by the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran- Anthony, through a letter addressed to Barrister Abure and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim. In the letter, both individuals were invited them to the fourth consultative meeting with the political parties, on Thursday in Abuja. It would be recalled that on October 8, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja declared that the 2024 Labour Party national convention…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that court judgments on political cases and senior lawyers in Nigeria have turned the country’s democracy upside down. Speaking to a gathering of legal professionals in Abuja on Thursday during a celebration for senior lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome’s 67th birthday, the former President expressed his worry that Nigeria is uniquely grappling with a miscarriage of justice within its democratic framework compared to other countries in Africa and beyond. He highlighted a specific Supreme Court ruling that he believed undermined democracy and gradually eroded political parties, urging the court to reconsider its decision. Jonathan criticised…

The United States government has asked a District Court, Northern District of Georgia to approve the forfeiture of approximately $14million in assets from Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, following a recent superseding indictment. The indictment outlined serious allegations of fraud and money laundering against Onyema and his associate, Ejiroghene Eghagha, who is the Chief of Administration and Finance at Air Peace. The indictment includes multiple counts against the defendants: Count One alleges conspiracy to commit bank fraud, while Counts Two through Four detailed instances of bank fraud. Count Five pertains to conspiracy to commit credit…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has said that for land to be allocated to any agency or institution, there must be an agreement with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, through the Land Department, that the institution is ready to build within a specific time. Wike stated this when he received a delegation from the University Basic Education Commission, UBEC, led by the Executive Secretary, Hamid Bobboyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Thursday. He was responding to a request for land allocation by the Executive Secretary of UBEC to enable the commission…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the governorship election in Anambra State will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja during the fourth regular consultative meeting with political parties. He stated, “While we prepare for the Ondo State governorship election, we remain mindful of our responsibilities regarding upcoming elections and electoral activities.” Yakubu explained that Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates the Commission to issue election notices no later than 360 days before the election date. “The last governorship election in Anambra…

Members of the Labour Party, LP, are in a jubilant mood following the invitation of the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to attend a consultative meeting with other political parties.   In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, in Abuja, on Thursday, the party hailed the electoral management body for obeying the Court Order recognizing Abure as the authentic chairman. Ifoh said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has finally obeyed the court order compelling it to recognize the Barrister Julius Abure leadership of the Labour…

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) says rate hikes alone will not curb inflation without first resolving the challenges in the real sector. President, LCCI, Mr Gabriel Idahosa, made this known at its quarterly State of the Economy news conference on Thursday in Lagos. Idahosa said the real sector had demonstrated the capacity to create more jobs, manufacture products for consumption and export, and form the economy’s industrial base. He noted that while high interest rates attracted Foreign Portfolio Investments, and local investors to treasury bills and bonds, the development was drying up funds away from the private…

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for second reading a bill seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), to provide for independent candidacy. The bill, titled “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB1630) (Independent Candidates),” is sponsored by Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., who represents the Ekiti North 1 (lkole/Oye) Federal Constituency. This crucial legislation, which is a legacy bill from previous assemblies, was reintroduced for consideration following its first reading on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Speaking on the bill, Rep. Akin Rotimi emphasised the importance of expanding…