Author: David Great

A group of prominent elders in Rivers State, under the banner of the Concerned Elders of Rivers State, has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to tender an unreserved apology for his recent comments against former Governor Peter Odili. Odili, a respected elder statesman and founder of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, was the target of what the elders described as derogatory remarks made by Wike during a church event in Ororgwe. In a statement jointly signed by notable figures, including former Governor Celestine Omehia, Prince Uche Secondus, former Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, former…

Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have intercepted a suspected terrorist courier transporting materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at the entrance to Gubio Local Government Area, Borno State. The operation, described as a significant counter-terrorism success, was disclosed on Thursday by Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Chief Military Information Officer, HQ MNJTF N’djamena, Chad. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Mr. Murktar Alhaji Chari, confessed to delivering the materials to Damasak town in Mobbar Local Government Area for a planned attack on MNJTF troops. According to the statement by…

A Zambian police officer, Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, is under investigation and faces potential arrest and disciplinary action after allegedly releasing 13 detainees from custody on New Year’s Eve. The incident occurred at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka, where Phiri, reportedly “in a state of intoxication,” seized the cell keys from Constable Serah Banda. According to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, Phiri proceeded to unlock the male and female cells, instructing the detainees to leave and “cross over into the new year.” The detainees, who were being held on serious charges such as assault, robbery, and burglary, are now on…

Bundesliga club Hoffenheim have completed the signing of Nigerian striker Gift Orban from French side Lyon for a fee of €9 million ($9.2 million), as confirmed by Lyon on Thursday. The 22-year-old joined Lyon a year ago from Belgian club Gent but struggled to make an impact. He scored five goals in 21 appearances but had not featured in a league match since September. “We wish Gift well in his new adventure,” Lyon stated in their announcement. Hoffenheim expressed enthusiasm for Orban’s arrival, emphasizing his pace and versatility. “In Gift Orban, we have found exactly the fast striker… that we…

The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the arrest of a couple for allegedly raping and beating a 13-year-old girl in their residence in Port Harcourt. The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt on Thursday. NAN reports that the wife was said to have stripped the teenager and inserted pepper into her private part after accusing her of having sexual intercourse with her husband. Iringe-Koko stated that the suspects had been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department for investigation and possible…

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has decorated over 100 newly promoted officers in the Delta State Police Command, urging them to work harder in their new roles. The decoration ceremony, held on Thursday at the Delta State Police Headquarters in Asaba, was performed on behalf of the IGP by the Commissioner of Police for the state, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi. Addressing the officers, Egbetokun said, “We are all smiling and merry as the Command witnessed the decoration of newly promoted officers of the Command today. I want you to remember that the reward for hard work is more work,…

Nigeria will set up a national credit guarantee corporation in May to lend to firms and individuals, President Bola Tinubu announced in an address on Wednesday. Tinubu, who took office in May 2023, campaigned on economic reforms such as increasing credit access to promote economic growth. “To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises. Tinubu said the company would partner with government institutions such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, as well as…

Effingham County, Georgia, is mourning the loss of Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, who died by suicide in his courtroom late Monday night. His body was discovered early Tuesday morning, on what would have been his final day on the bench following his re-election defeat. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Yekel’s death, which has shocked the local community and the legal fraternity. Appointed as a judge in 2022, Yekel had submitted his resignation after losing the election to Judge Melissa M. Calhoun. However, Governor Brian Kemp rejected his resignation, citing respect for…

President Bola Tinubu has underscored the pivotal role of state governors in driving Nigeria’s growth, urging them to prioritize agricultural productivity and local government development as critical pathways to achieving economic prosperity and food security. Speaking at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos during a New Year homage by Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Tinubu in a statement by his special adviser on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga, emphasized the governors’ centrality to Nigeria’s progress. “You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development,” Tinubu said. “The Federal Government accounts for about 30…

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has spoken for the first time since surviving a life-threatening car accident in December that left him hospitalised for over three weeks. The incident occurred on December 7 in Essex when Antonio crashed into a tree during a drive. He was airlifted to a London hospital and underwent surgery the following day to treat a broken leg. The 33-year-old spent Christmas receiving treatment and under observation before being discharged on New Year’s Eve. In a heartfelt statement shared on West Ham’s official website, Michail Antonio reflected on his near-death experience and expressed gratitude for…