Author: David Great

By Femi Onakanren “Nigerians love book o!” This!!! ???? The above was a comment from one of my friends. He was reflecting on an article about Nigerians being some of the best read nationalities in the world! I actually think it is one of our issues; we have the form without the substance. We have a twisted perception of education (in local parlance ‘books’). I daresay only the Indians surpass us (interesting coincidence that both ethnically and culturally diverse countries were colonized by the British? I think not!). Education is perceived as a ticket to a better life and a…

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has dismissed reports that it spent N18.9 billion on bush clearing during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Reacting to the report, Director of Information, Dr. Joel O. Oruche, said in a statement, that the figures which emanated from the House Public Account Committee, was quoted out of context. Oruche said that the ministry spent on N2.5billion on bush clearing and land preparation of 3,200 hectares in eight states, namely, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Cross River, Kaduna, Kwara, Plateau and Ogun. The statement explained that the other projects executed by the ministry during the…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday in Abuja inaugurated the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Immunisation Coverage Survey (NICS) Report. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) implemented MICS in 1995 aimed at providing data on child mortality, health, nutrition, education, child and social protection, women’s health care and empowerment, water, sanitation and hygiene. While NICS assesses vaccination coverage provided through the health systems. Osinbajo, represented by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, said the survey was a comprehensive household survey also designed to track socio-economic activities as it affects the entire population.…

Generation Companies (GENCOs) and Distribution Companies (DISCos) owe Nigerian banks N836.09bn as crisis continue to rock the power sector following its privatisation in 2014. The debt profile of the power companies was revealed by the Central Bank of Nigeria in June 2022 While power generation firms and independent power producers owed banks N562.19bn, power transmission and distribution firms were indebted to the tune of N273.89bn. Nigeria’s distribution and generation companies were privatised in November 2013 through the Bureau of Public Enterprises, generating about $3.2bn for the federal government. The GENCOs and DISCOs were sold for $1.5bn and $1.7bn. The Nigerian…

The Abuja Electricity Distribution (AEDC) has attributed power interruption experienced across its franchise areas to the ongoing Industrial issues in the sector. The management of AEDC in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the industrial issues were between the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). “We will like to assure our valued customers that all stakeholders are working hard to ensure mutual and amicable settlement and power is restored forthwith. The AEDC, however, thanked its customers for their patient and understanding. The chairman of FCT of NUEE, Godfery Abah, told the…

Manchester United have had a £110m bid rejected by Atletico Madrid for Portugal forward Joao Felix, 22. (AS – in Spanish) Manchester United are interested in signing American forward Christian Pulisic, 28, from Chelsea on a season-long loan. (Times – subscription required) Forward Antony is no longer an option for Manchester United with the 22-year-old Brazil international suggesting he is happy at Ajax, despite being linked with the Premier League club throughout the transfer window. (De Telegraaf – in Dutch, subscription required) United have targeted Everton’s Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, 35, as a potential backup to Spain international David de Gea following the departure of Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest. (Telegraph – subscription required) Everton are considering…

By Seun Bisuga Some of the clear signs of a mentally unstable person are confused thinking, flickering mental focus, and imbalance reasoning. These sum up the characteristics of Rudolf Okonkwo who calls himself “Dr. Damages”. We know that he is obsessed with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo but the extent of his poetic recklessness is only a reflection of a personal midlife crisis-for there can’t be any other reasonable cause for this petulance. Damage’s obsession with the Vice President is becoming an issue of grave concern to everyone including those who are fans of his satire. In his recent…

Most Reverend Oliver Abba has been elected as the new Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, taking over from the outgoing Prelate, Dr Samuel Kanu-Uche. The outgoing Prelate, Samuel Kanu-Uche, made this known during a media briefing on Monday in Abuja. The briefing marked the end of the church’s 48th and 13th Biennial Conference with the theme “Prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ” which was presided over by the outgoing Prelate. Until his election, Abba was the Archbishop of Benue and had been in the service of the church for over 30 years. He would be succeeding Uche…

Senator Iyorchia Ayu, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has not resigned his position, Simon Imobo-Tswana, his special adviser on media and communication, has said. Imobo-Tswam made the clarification in a statement on Monday in Abuja. “We restate, therefore, that the PDP national chairman has not resigned and has no plan of resigning. For clarity and emphasis, he was elected for a tenure of four years. “Sections 45 and 47 of the PDP Constitution are clear on the removal and/or resignation of the National Chairman. “Those who don’t know this should get copies of the party’s Constitution for…

Manchester United are considering a move for Leicester’s Jamie Vardy, 35, but the Foxes are said to be reluctant to allow the English striker to leave. (Athletic via Daily Star) United are also ready to battle Chelsea for Barcelona’s 33-year-old Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (Sun) United boss Erik ten Hag is prepared to allow Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, to leave the club. (Times – subscription required) Sporting’s Portuguese international midfielder Matheus Nunes has agreed to join Wolves for a club record 45m euros (£38m). Liverpool and West Ham had also been linked with the 23-year-old. (Record – in Portuguese) Crystal Palace are prepared to pay £12m for Bristol City’s Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo, with interest for the 22-year-old also…