Author: Chronicle Editor

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka on Friday revealed that herdsmen have again invaded his home in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. Herdsmen had last year attacked Soyinka’s home while he was away abroad. He had said then that he returned from a trip outside the country only to “find that my home ground had been invaded, and a brand-new “Appian way” sliced through my sanctuary. That ‘motorable’ path was made by the hoofed invaders. Both the improvised entry and exit are now blocked.” Speaking with newsmen on Friday at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, Soyinka said this time…

The Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday said the introduction of the whistle-blower policy by the federal government has led to the recovery of about N17billion by the commission. Mr. Magu made the disclosure while presenting a paper titled “Before Corruption Kills Nigeria”, at the 62nd Award Night of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Abuja. In the paper, which was presented on his behalf by an official of the anti-graft agency, A. Bello, Mr. Magu said, “apart from several other recoveries running into several billions…

Former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin on Friday arrived an Abuja Federal High Court with hundreds of constituents over his suspension from the House. Daily Trust reports that the court had earlier fixed April 28 for hearing on the two suits challenging his suspension after he accused principal officers of the House of budget padding. In one of the suits brought by his lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), Jibrin wants an order of the court nullifying in his ‘illegal suspension for 180 days. Also Ali Bako, Abubakar Musa and Yusuf Mohammed, all members of Kiru/Bebeji…

ambaz The Federal Government has declared Monday, 1 May, 2017 as Public Holiday to commemorate the 2017 Workers Day Celebration. Workers Day celebration varies from country to country but in Nigeria it is celebrated on 1 May every year. The same applies to Ghana, Kenya and other African countries. The Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido on Friday. He congratulated Nigerian Workers for their resilience, hard work and commitment to the…

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Olatokunbo Olopade, on Thursday pardoned 59 inmates of the five prisons in the state. Mrs. Olopade had visited the prisons located at Ibara and Oba in Abeokuta as well as Ilaro, Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode during the tour which started on Wednesday. She said the gesture was aimed at decongesting the prisons. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 15 inmates were released from Oba prisons, 14 in Ilaro, eight in Sagamu, 12 in Ijebu-Ode and 11 in Ibara. Mrs. Olopade said those who regained freedom were imprisoned for various offences ranging from wandering, robbery,…

The Lagos State Government said it would partner with the state governments in the northern part of the country in a bid to stem the influx of beggars into the state and address street begging. The state’s Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said this at the annual ministerial briefing in commemoration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s second year in office. According to her, the menace of street begging and the influx of beggars into Lagos has become a recurring decimal. “The state government is not resting on its oars to ensure that Lagos streets are rid of beggars,…

At least 15 gunmen believed to be Boko Haram fighters were shot dead during a fierce battle with soldiers inside Sambisa forest on Thursday morning, officials said. The gunmen, according to a release sent in from the 7 Division Nigeria Army on Thursday evening, attempted to attack troops’ base inside Sambisa forest. The attack came months after the Nigerian military received global accolades when it announced the final defeat of Boko Haram in the once dreaded Sambisa forest in December last year. To further demonstrate total victory over Boko Haram, the military organised its 2017 Nigeria Army Small Arms (NASA)…

Nigeria’s upper house of parliament aims to pass the government’s 2017 budget next week, Senate leader Ahmed Lawan said on Thursday. Lawan said parliament had wanted to pass the budget in March and April but could not, adding that it was doing everything possible to make up the lost time. “By next week … we should be able to finish our own work and pass the budget to Mr. President to sign,” he told reporters after a meeting with the president. President Muhammadu Buhari, who has faced rising disenchantment over his handling of Nigeria’s economy, presented his record 7.298 trillion…

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday fixed June 19 to deliver judgment in a suit filed by Chief Government Ekpemulopo, alias Tompolo, seeking the enforcement of his rights. Tompolo, who had been declared wanted since Feb. 12, 2016 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is seeking court’s protection against prosecution over an alleged N45.9 billion fraud. Joined as respondents in the suit are the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the EFCC, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff. On Thursday, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun reserved judgment in the suit after…

Authorities in western China are prohibiting parents from naming their children Islamic names in the latest effort to dilute the influence of religion on life in the ethnic Uighur minority heartland. “Muhammad,” ”Jihad” and “Islam” are among at least 29 names now banned in the heavily Muslim region, according to a list distributed by overseas Uighur activists. If a parent chooses one of the barred names, the child will be denied government benefits. The names listed on the government document disseminated by Uighur groups include several related to historic religious or political figures and some place names. “Imam,” ”Hajj,” ”Turknaz,”…