Senator Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State By Mandy Park —Facility to boost research, jobs, and Cross River’s oil palm potential Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has approved the release of N355.31 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art Administrative and Laboratory Complex for the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, NIFOR, outstation at Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area. The approval was granted at the State Executive Council meeting following a memorandum presented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo. The project includes modern laboratories,…
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Sokoto approves N1.76bn for 1,000 motorcycles to boost security
Photo: Sokoto Governor, Ahmed Aliyu By Mandy Park The Sokoto State Government has approved N1.759bn for the procurement of 1,000 Bajaj motorcycles for distribution to security agencies to strengthen the fight against banditry and improve security operations across the state. The approval was one of the resolutions reached at the sixth regular meeting of the Sokoto State Executive Council for 2026, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Idris Muhammad Gobir. According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa on Thursday, the motorcycles would complement…
Read More7 Arraigned For Alleged Attack On Cops
My Mandy Park The police in Lagos State Tuesday arraigned seven men before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged attack on policemen and stealing of property valued at about N9.8 million. The suspects are Aregbesola Ibrahim, 23; Usman Aliko, 39; Dada Oketayo, 37; Nurudeen Alimi, 28; Ojo Tofik, 46; Okunola Paul, 24; and Adeboye Adewale, 46. They are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault and stealing. Josephine Ikhayere, Police prosecutor, told the court that the alleged offences occurred on August 3, at about 10:30 p.m. Ikhayere alleged that…
Read MoreTobacco Act Amendment Bill Is Damaging To Nigeria, Africa Centre Warns NASS
By Mandy Park The Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) has urged the National Assembly to urgently reconsider the proposed amendments to Nigeria’s National Tobacco Control Act 2015, saying the so-called “Tobacco Harm Reduction” provisions sought to be inserted in the Act endanger the country’s hard-fought tobacco control gains. In a statement seen by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA),on Sunday, August 9, 2026, ATIM backed the Nigerian tobacco control community’s rejection of the proposed changes, warning that the proposals could weaken the country’s tobacco…
Read MoreSt. Kizito Kuje CMO EXCO Hosts Football Team After Lugbe Deanery Tournament
By: Ndidi Johnson Demonstrating that true sportsmanship transcends final trophies, the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) Executive Committee of St. Kizito Catholic Church, Kuje, Abuja, hosted a special appreciation reception for the Parish CMO football squad following their memorable outing in the 2026 Lugbe Deanery CMO Football Tournament. The St. Kizito CMO team delivered an outstanding performance during the tournament’s preliminary rounds. They topped their group with composed, determined displays of skill and talent to advance to the Round of 16. However, despite their impressive momentum and tactical execution, the team…
Read MoreOzurumba Family Announces Burial of 80-Year-Old Madam Leticia, Celebrates Life of Faith and Service
Photo: Late Madam Leticia By: Mandy Park The family of the late Mr. Phillip Ezemonyuo Ozurumba of Umuebo, Obodo, in Amaigbo Autonomous Community, Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State, has announced the burial arrangements for late, Mrs. Leticia Nwaobaku Ozurumba, who died at the age of 80. The family, in a statement signed by Deacon Emeka Chamberline Ozurumba, son of the deceased, described her death as a peaceful transition to glory, expressing gratitude to God Almighty for the life she lived and her impact on the family and community.…
Read MoreTobacco Control: Over 80 CSOs reject amendment bill
By: Mandy Park The Nigerian tobacco-control community has rejected a bill seeking to amend the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) 2015, describing it as a catastrophic reversal of public-health gains and a wicked attack on young people and future generations. In a joint statement issued yesterday, the coalition declared that the bill must not advance, regardless of its current administrative stage and success through the National Assembly. It called on the relevant legislative committees to withdraw the bill immediately, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent should the text…
Read MoreHarbottle College Celebrates Graduation Ceremony
Photo: Master Solomon Kanu and mother at the occasion By: Mandy Park Joy and excitement filled the atmosphere at Harbottle College, Ikorodu, Lagos, on Friday 24 July as their outgoing students were celebrated with a graduation ceremony. The classes that graduated were: KG 2, Primary 5, JSS 3 and SS 3 Master Solomon Kanu, one of the school’s outstanding students, graduated from the Senior Secondary School SS3 at the institution’s graduation ceremony. The colourful event brought together parents, teachers, friends, alumni and well-wishers to celebrate the graduating students, marking the…
Read MorePolice Insist Ajiran Murders Trial Must Proceed, Ask VeryDarkMan to Submit Evidence Through Due Proces
By: Mandy Park The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reiterated that the criminal trial arising from the Ajiran murders should be allowed to proceed without interference from media campaigns or public pressure, urging social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to present any evidence against the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, through established legal channels. The Force made its position known in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani…
Read MoreMakinde carpets EFCC over Osun account freeze
PHOTO Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde By Mandy Park Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its directive freezing the Osun State Government’s bank account, describing the action as an abuse of power and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions. The anti-graft agency had directed First Bank Plc to place a Post No Debit (PND) restriction on the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling of N11 billion ecological and intervention funds.…
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