Author: Vincent Osuwo

No fewer than 55 people were killed in a landslide in a remote area of southern Ethiopia on Monday, local authorities said, warning that the death toll could rise. “More than 55 bodies have been found from the landslide,” a statement from the Gofa Zone Communications Affairs Department said, quoting local chief Dagmawi Zerihun, who warned “the death toll could yet increase.”. Dagmawi said the incident occurred at 10 a.m. (0700 GMT) after heavy rains in the remote region. He further stated that the hunt for survivors was “continuing vigorously.” The area has previously experienced such terrible incidents, with at…

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, has called on residents and indigenes not to partake in the nationwide protest. Some groups and residents planned a nationwide demonstration on August 1 in reaction to the country’s economic crisis. However, when speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, the FCT CP asked citizens to avoid the protests. He noted that the police have made tremendous efforts to ensure security in the FCT and that the protest could imperil it. Igweh said, “I want to appeal specifically to the residents, indigenes, and everybody in the FCT. Please, lions, do not destroy their…

The Joint Committee of the House of Representatives, which is conducting a forensic inquiry into the difficulties facing the downstream and midstream petroleum industries, has begun looking into claims of the importation of contaminated Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as fuel, into the country.  The committee’s chairman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, announced this at the panel’s formal inauguration in Abuja on Monday. The investigation team will also examine reports of crude oil theft at local refineries, distribution disruptions, and favouritism in the pro forma invoice regime, among other issues. Briefing reporters at the event, Ugochinyere said, “The committee will conduct a legislative…

A court in the UAE has sentenced 57 Bangladeshis to severe prison terms for holding protest against their own government.  Three anonymous defendants were sentenced to life in prison for “inciting riots in several streets across the UAE on Friday,” while 53 others received 10-year sentences and one was sentenced to 11 years, according to the state-run Wam news agency. It referenced their court-appointed defence lawyer, who argued during Sunday’s trial that the gatherings had no criminal purpose and that the evidence was inadequate. Protests are practically outlawed in the UAE, where foreigners account for about 90% of the population.…

A gunman reportedly opening fire in a nursing home in Croatia on Monday, killing no fewer than five people, state media reported, in a rare instance of gun violence in the Balkan country. According to state television station HRT, an unidentified gunman started fire inside a nursing home in Daruvar, around 130 kilometres (80 miles) east of Zagreb. The gunshot killed at least five people and injured several others, according to HRT. According to the site, the alleged culprit escaped before being apprehended by authorities. Jutarnji List, a Croatian daily, described the alleged shooter as a “war veteran” who killed…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian doctor and artist Fola David on his recent achievement of achieving a new Guinness World Record for the largest painting by an individual. According to reports, during his six-day attempt at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos, David shattered Ravi Soni of India’s previous record of 629.98 square metres and set a new record of 1000 square metres of art. In a post on his Instagram story on Sunday, Tinubu wrote, “Congratulations to Dr. Fola David for completing his attempt at making the world’s largest hand-drawing by an individual, ‘Unity in Diversity.’ “It is a…

Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group, has said that his friend, who previously warned him against investing in Nigeria, is now taunting him for ignoring his advice.  Dangote stated this in an interview with Premium Times on Sunday, just as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority claimed that fuel from Dangote Refinery is of lower quality. “Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began to invest his money abroad. I disagreed with him and urged him to rethink his actions in the interest of his country. “He blamed his action on policy inconsistencies and the…

Aliko Dangote, the President of the Dangote Group, has offered to sell the Dangote refinery to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL. In an exclusive interview with Premium Times on Sunday, the businessman declared his willingness to sell the refinery in response to claims of his monopoly of the industry. He claimed that if the NNPCL takes over the refinery, the claims of monopoly will be nullified. “Let them (NNPCL) buy me out and run the refinery the best way they can. They have labelled me a monopolist. That’s an incorrect and unfair allegation, but it’s OK. If they buy…

Russia announced Monday that its military had shot down 75 Ukrainian drones overnight, with over 50 destroyed over the southern Rostov region.  According to the defence ministry, air defence systems intercepted 47 drones over Rostov, 17 over the Black and Azov seas, and 11 in other locations, including one over Belgorod’s frontier zone. According to regional authorities in the Black Sea town of Tuapse, Krasnodar, debris from a downed drone started a fire in a petrol refinery. “The Kyiv regime once again tried to attack civil infrastructure in Tuapse with drones,” the regional authorities said on Telegram, adding that nearly…

United States President Joe Biden has announced his decision to resign from the presidential run.  Mr. Biden made his choice four months before the country’s 2024 presidential election. Joe Biden’s campaign has come under fire as panic and worry about his election chances spread throughout the Democratic Party. The following are notable situations and people who called for his withdrawal: According to the BBC, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi privately conveyed reservations to Biden about his candidature. Former President Barack Obama, Biden’s former running mate, has reportedly stated that…