Punch Newspapers - Latest News
Nigeria needs $3tn to bridge infrastructure gap – Speaker Abbas
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:44:57 +0000
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday, said Nigeria needs to invest about $3tn over the next 30 years to bridge the infrastructure gap. He listed the critical sectors of investment to include road networks, power supply, housing, healthcare, and education, among others. Speaker Abbas stated this at the flag-off ceremony
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Edo records 370% revenue growth in eight years- Govt
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:43:44 +0000
Edo State has recorded a 370 per cent growth in Internally Generated Revenue in the last eight years, with the state’s revenue projected to close at N85 billion by the end of 2024. The Chairman of the Edo State Taskforce on IGR, John Inegbedion, disclosed this during the Q3 2024 EIRS Quarterly Performance Review meeting
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Mbah unveils tractor assembly plant in Enugu
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:40:40 +0000
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Tuesday, flagged off the construction of the Nortra Tractor Assembly Plant and Service Centre, an investment by ODK Group of Denmark, in Enugu City. The governor also commissioned the New-Watson Doors Industry, established by a Chinese firm at Nachi, Enugu State. In unveiling the construction of the Nortra
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I’m better as a Nigerian than in Oodua Republic, says Obasanjo
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:23:42 +0000
A former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday, lamented the state of disunity in the country saying that this is one flaw that has hindered the country from achieving greatness and being the leading light of the entire black race. Obasanjo said that despite the uninspiring situation of things in the country, he
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Sokoto gov pardons 113 inmates
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:06:53 +0000
The Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Tuesday, pardoned no fewer than 113 inmates at the Sokoto Correctional Centre in commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary. Represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Binji, the governor said the pardon was in line with Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal
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Senate to probe NDLEA allegations against Kwara lawmaker
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:03:07 +0000
The Senate on Tuesday set up an ad hoc committee to investigate allegations of drug trafficking against Senator Oyelola Ashiru, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The panel, headed by former Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, is expected to report back within one week. While the Senate did not explicitly state that the NDLEA
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German pizza company caught in cocaine delivery scheme
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:57:11 +0000
German authorities uncovered a drug operation at a pizzeria in Düsseldorf, where customers could discreetly order cocaine by requesting item number 40 on the menu. This particular pizza became a hit, drawing suspicion from food inspectors earlier this year in March. Criminal director Michael Graf von Moltke confirmed to reporters, “That was one of the
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Nobody can revisit Supreme Court ruling on LG Autonomy — AGF
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:55:13 +0000
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has affirmed that no state or individual possesses the authority to overturn the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy. Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday during a media chat, Fagbemi stressed that the apex court’s decision is binding and non-negotiable, and all
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Court sacks Kano electoral commission chair, five others over political ties
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:53:52 +0000
Barely four days before the Kano Local Government Areas election, a Federal High Court in the state has sacked Prof. Sani Malumfashi as the chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission for being a card-carrying member of a political party. The presiding judge, Simon Amobeda gave the ruling on Tuesday, in a matter filed
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PDP crisis: No more conflict in NWC, says Oyinlola panel
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:41:23 +0000
The Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led Reconciliation Committee, set up to resolve the factionalisation of the National Working Committee in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, announced on Tuesday that it has completed its mission. Addressing journalists after a three-hour marathon meeting with the warring parties, Oyinlola disclosed that the differences within the ranks of the NWC have been
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NSCDC seizes 20,000 litres of stolen crude in Abia, arrests five
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:28:05 +0000
In a move against crude oil theft, the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested five suspects and recovered 20,000 liters of crude oil stolen from Abia State. The NSCDC disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, and posted on its Facebook page
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FCCPC seeks transparent prepaid meter replacement process
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:23:45 +0000
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to consumer protection amid rising concerns over the phase-out of Unistar prepaid meters by Ikeja Electric Plc and other electricity distribution companies. This initiative comes in response to numerous complaints from consumers who fear they might face financial burdens during this transition. Ikeja Electric
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Enugu assumes full regulation of electricity market
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:20:46 +0000
The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, on Tuesday, took over full regulatory oversight of the state’s electricity market from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. This significant step towards state-level empowerment in the electricity sector was made possible by the enactment of the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023 and the establishment of the EERC. Speaking during
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IG appoints new AIG for Zone 16 Command
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:18:34 +0000
A new Assistant Inspector General of Police, Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, has been appointed for the Zone 16 Command of the Nigerian Police with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. A statement by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Emonena Gunn, on Tuesday in Yenagoa said the new appointment by the Inspector General of Police, Mr
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FG to probe arms smuggling through Gulf of Guinea – NSA
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:12:30 +0000
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday, said the Federal Government has picked interest in the interrogation of the Gulf of Guinea as a major route for arms trafficking into Nigeria. He noted that several reports had revealed that small and light weapons are smuggled through the maritime sector. Ribadu who was represented by
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Ebonyi police vow to sanction officers in viral extortion video
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:06:31 +0000
The Police Command in Ebonyi has warned its officers and men to steer clear of unprofessional acts and focus on promoting the good image of the Nigeria Police Force. The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, issued the warning in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abakaliki. Ukandu stated that the
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Heavy rainfall threatens food production in Nasarawa
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:00:08 +0000
Farmers in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have expressed concerns that excessive rainfall could damage crops, reduce yields, and aggravate food insecurity across the country. The farmers told newsmen in separate interviews in Nasarawa on Tuesday. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that climate change and variability, which are affecting weather patterns and
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Kano gov to announce new minimum wage next week
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:47:08 +0000
The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of civil servants as he received the highly anticipated report from the state’s advisory committee on the new minimum wage. This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Dawakin Tofa on Tuesday. The committee, led by the
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Sanwo-Olu, CDS to speak on peace, security in Qatar
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:28:42 +0000
Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, are expected to speak at the 18th edition of the Africa Security Watch Award and Conference scheduled for December 10 in Doha, Qatar. The International Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer of Africa Security Watch, Patrick Agbambu, announced this at a briefing in Abuja
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INEC cautions journalists against spreading fake news
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:22:16 +0000
Three weeks before the governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission assured journalists in the state that their safety during the coverage of the election would be guaranteed. The commission also warned journalists against publishing and spreading fake news before and during the election, which is set for November 16. Speaking at
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Address manpower shortage in hospitals, lawmaker urges A’Ibom govt
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:09:10 +0000
The member representing the Ibiono Ibom State constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Moses Essien, has urged the state government to recruit more health workers to address the manpower needs of secondary health facilities in the state. Essien made the call on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of some general hospitals in
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Ondo poll: 55,859 PVCs collected as INEC extends exercise to LGs
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:52:50 +0000
Ahead of the Ondo governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced on Tuesday that 55,859 Permanent Voter Cards were collected in the state over a five-day period, representing 62.2 per cent of the 89,777 available cards. The Ondo governorship election is scheduled for November 16, 2024. The collection exercise, which ran from October 17
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Benue varsity governing council suspends VC, appoints acting
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:47:33 +0000
The Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo in Benue State, has appointed Professor Ediga Bede Agbo as the acting Vice Chancellor, following the suspension of the institution’s pioneer VC, Professor Innocent Ujah. This development was announced in a statement released on Monday by the university’s Coordinator of Information, Publication, and Public
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Reps urge CBN to increase agricultural lending by $3bn
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:47:12 +0000
The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide an additional $3 billion in funding to small-scale farmers through the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending to boost their productivity. This followed the consideration of a motion during Tuesday’s plenary session on “Repositioning the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for
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Russia remains valued ally, friend, says S’Africa
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:43:46 +0000
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Tuesday he considered Moscow a “valued ally” and friend during talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan. Leaders from two dozen countries are expected to visit Russia for the three-day gathering, as Putin seeks to build an alliance of nations aimed at challenging what
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How Bobrisky’s attempt to cross Seme border failed – Witnesses
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:38:12 +0000
More details have emerged on how popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, was arrested at Seme Border on Monday. Witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria that Bobrisky arrived at the departure axis of the border post around 1.30 a.m. on Monday in a black SUV Mercedes Benz. According to the sources, Bobrisky
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Tinubu states commitment to uninterrupted academic calendar
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:35:55 +0000
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday appealed to members of Staff of Nigerian Universities to give peace a chance and avail themselves of the opportunity of negotiations created by his administration. Tinubu said there will no longer be close down of universities across the country. Speaking at the grand finale of the 39th Convocation of the
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Police arrest suspected cultist seeking to buy AK-47 in Delta
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:26:22 +0000
The Delta State Police Command has apprehended a man identified as Amadasu Victor, who admitted to attempting to purchase an AK-47 rifle to become the leader of a notorious cult group, the Vikings Confraternity. The arrest was confirmed in a video posted on Tuesday via X by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Edafe Bright,
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New mpox variant detected in Germany
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:02:47 +0000
An infection with the new mpox variant clade 1b has been detected in Germany for the first time, the Robert Koch Institute health authority said on Tuesday. The infection occurred abroad and was detected last Friday, the institute said, adding that it did not see an increased risk for Germany but was “monitoring the situation
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Unilever records 46% growth, achieves N103.8bn turnover
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:00:55 +0000
Unilever Nigeria Plc has recorded a turnover of N103.8 billion, representing a 46 per cent increase compared to the N71.2 billion turnover recorded in the corresponding period in 2023. Unilever stated that the information was derived from an unaudited interim report for the nine months ending 30th September 2024. A statement released on Tuesday read,