News

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to shut down the Akanu Ibiam International Airport due to security reasons.   Speaking in Lagos at a stakeholders forum on Friday, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika explained that the airport will be degraded for international operations, because the runway length is not ideal for such operations.   According to him, the market, television masts and free trade zone needs to be relocated for the airport to be fit for safe flights.

A court in Kenya has ordered former President Daniel arap Moi to pay 1.06bn shillings ($10.5m; £8.2m) in compensation to a widow for illegally seizing her land.   President Moi transferred to himself 53 acres of land belonging to widow Susan Cheburet Chelugui, the judge ruled. The land was illegally grabbed 36 years ago but only transferred to Mr Moi’s name in 2007.   Chelugui’s husband Noah Chelugui was a local chief during Mr Moi’s rule. The former president, who remains Kenya’s longest-serving leader, was accused by Ms Chelugui and her son David Chelugui of transferring their family land into his name two years …

The Federal Government has increased the monthly allowance of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to 30,000. Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference where she added that the total sum of N649.434 billion was verified by the ministry as the outstanding balance to be refunded to the state governments.” She, however, noted that the Federal Government is still working out modalities before the implementation of the new allowance for corps members. She said, “The other aspect that should be clear is that there is an increase for the NYSC …

Troops of 22 Brigade, Operation LAFIYA DOLE have rescued 29 women and 25 children from Boko Haram terrorists in Borno state.   A statement from the Nigerian Army says the troops in collaboration with local vigilantes on the 11th of May 2019, effectively cleared Ma’allasuwa and Yaga – Munye villages in Borno State. No encounter with Boko Haram terrorists was made as they ran away before troops’ arrival leaving behind 54 suspected kidnapped victims. Out of the number, 29 are grown up women and 25 are children of various ages and sex. They have all been rescued.   Similarly, at …

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the integrity of its Governor, Godwin Emefiele remains unassailable. The apex bank in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor said that the use of selective wire-taped conversations of its management, to malign Emefiele’s character and integrity will not stand.   Okoroafor in the statement denied that the conversation which was released by an online news platform was about a fraudulent transaction. “The purported audio recording of selective conversations amongst the Governor, Deputy Governor and some Senior Officials. Contrary to the headline-grabbing narrative that the discussion was about a fraudulent …

President Muhammadu Buhari has told graduands at Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, that a university degree won’t necessarily usher them into an El Dorado. He warned that a university degree is not a meal ticket, saying that, rather, a degree or diploma would only assist the holder to grapple with challenges of life, one of which, he noted, is youth unemployment. Buhari stated this on Friday at the 13th Convocation ceremony for the conferment of higher degrees, postgraduate diplomas and honorary degrees at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State. While saying that his administration would address youth unemployment …

A human trafficking victim has narrated how she avoided being raped by her employer when she was working as a maid in Oman.   Oyinlola Solanke, 25, who was rescued by the Erelu Eyinade Foundation, is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University but left the country in search of greener pastures and she fell into the wrong hands.   While in the Arab country of Oman, Oyinlola said she had to lock herself up in a bathroom for weeks and slept there to avoid being sexually assaulted by her boss who was always demanding sex from her.   She said her …

Once again, Nigerians are groaning in darkness after the national electricity grid suffered a major failure on Wednesday, seizing power supply to homes across the country.   The collapse has seen Nigeria’s electricity output dwindle to a meagre 230 megawatts or less as against the 4,032 megawatts national average that was generated a day before on May 7.   At least two power generation engineers who spoke with Premium Times said the faults were still being traced as of Thursday afternoon, and power situation might not return to normal for another 72 hours.   The National Control Centre acknowledged the crisis …

The Nigerian Army has denied reports that it is pre-maturely retiring officers that are of the Christian faith and come from a certain part of the country.   Read the statement from the Nigerian Army below; The Defence Headquarters has noted with dismay a mischievous and systematic campaign of calumny against the government through spurious and unfounded allegations of lopsided recruitment, postings, appointments and retirements of military personnel by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). Specifically, by an obscure online blog owned by one Sola Kuti which he christened “SK Blog.” The blogger without recourse to any effort of finding …

On Friday night, a military charter plane carrying 143 people skidded off the runway and plunged into a river in Florida.   The Miami Air Boeing 737 plane was returning from Guantanamo Bay when it ended up in St. Johns River after a botched landing, which occurred shortly after 9.30pm.   The plane was however not fully submerged in the water, and all passengers were evacuated safely with only a few people treated for minor injuries.   Jacksonville Mayor, Lenny Curry shared updates on the situation as it unfolded on Twitter and also revealed that the White House has called to offer its assistance.   …