Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, a civil society organization comprised of lawyers, has announced its intention to launch a lawsuit in the Federal High Court challenging the newly approved National Anthem Act, 2024.  The legislation, which was signed into law on Tuesday, reinstalled the former national anthem, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’, which the organization hopes to contest through legal action. The body of lawyers announced their decision on Friday in a statement signed by its secretary, Tonye Jaja, arguing that the law’s enactment failed to meet the necessary constitutional conditions, rendering it invalid. The statement read, “The…

The Lagos State Government said Monday that its ongoing outreach will reach at least 50,000 residents in order to mitigate the effects of economic hardship on Lagosians. The outreach, dubbed ‘Alafia Eko’, began yesterday and will span six health districts, with specified locations for each. The state administration also stated that the second outreach phase will begin on June 6, with each health district hosting four outreach events in the first phase. Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Advisor to the Governor on Health, explained the significance of the programme and stated that each event will target 1,000 citizens, totaling nearly 25,000…

Nigerian activist turned politician, Aisha Yesufu, has berated Yahaya Bello for allegedly hiding like a rat, following the fraud charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC.) The former governor, who seems to have gone into hiding, was accused of stealing over eighty billion naira in funds that belong to Kogi State. Recall that the EFCC failed in its initial bid to arrest the ex-governor at his Abuja residence as the former governor was whisked away by the incumbent and his successor, Usman Ododo. Asking about his whereabouts, Yesufu, in a video shared on her X…

The Nigerian Army responded on Friday to the killing of five troops sent to safeguard people in Abia State.  In a statement to newsmen, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of carrying out the heinous deed yesterday. The Army vowed to respond fiercely to the killing of its personnel at a checkpoint in Abia State. The statement by the Army reads,“Troops of OP UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State were attacked and sadly killed by terrorists of IPOB…

The federal government has obtained a $500 million loan from the World Bank to support power distribution companies (DisCos).  According to a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the loan will bridge financial shortages in the distribution segment, which is regarded as the most troublesome in the business. “This funding supports the Nigerian Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), aimed at improving the financial and technical performance of the DisCos. “The DISREP is designed to enhance the financial and technical operations of the DisCos through capital investment and the financing of key components of their Performance…

Womanifesto, a group of women’s rights organisations, has asked for the immediate release of Chioma Okoli, a woman held since September 2023 for alleged defamation of Erisco Foods Limited. In a statement signed by over 150 organisations, including the Women Advocates and Research Documentation Centre (WARDC), the Purple Woman Foundation, and ActionAid Nigeria, the group criticised Okoli’s ongoing arrest, which has cost her pregnancy and livelihood. The group also criticised Erisco for putting money ahead of Nigerians’ health and well-being and urged the government to investigate the company’s goods and labels. They demanded justice for her as well as an…

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered mobile network operators to perform an independent assessment of their pricing processes in response to escalating subscriber concerns over data depletion.  Reuben Mouka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, issued a statement on Thursday describing the regulation, which seeks to enhance openness and accountability in data usage and billing methods. Furthermore, the NCC is taking steps to simplify pricing plans, which aligns with its overall aim of increasing openness in the telecommunications sector. The NCC also stated that this programme aims to provide consumers with clearer and more understandable pricing options, allowing them…

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf met with the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, in the NSA’s office in Abuja on Thursday. The discussion, which lasted more than an hour, was triggered by recent events in the state, including the dissolution of five emirates by the state House of Assembly, the repeal of the state emirate statute, and the subsequent restoration of Muhammad Sanusi as Emir of Kano. Despite the emirate problem, Sunusi approved Hamisu Sani’s nomination as the new Ward Head for Kofar Mazugal in the state’s Dala Local Government Area on Thursday. The 16th Emir of Kano urged…

No fewer than 29,000 suspects were arrested for offences ranging from kidnapping, rape, murder, gunrunning, and cultism, among others, across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in one year, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, reveals. This was disclosed by the FPRO in a signed statement obtained by the Chronicle NG on Thursday. Adejobi noted that the arrests were part of efforts by the police to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians. The force spokesperson stated that the arrests were part of the police’s efforts to protect the safety and security of Nigerians. Adejobi,…

Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State, awarded N42.5 million to Edo Queens’ players, coaches, and backroom staff on Thursday following the team’s victory in the Nigeria Women’s Football League Super Six Tournament in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.  The 30 players received N1 million each, the technical crew N5 million, the backroom staff N5 million, and the team’s supporters group N2.5 million. With the win, the Queens qualified to represent Nigeria in the CAF Women’s Champions League, Africa’s premier women’s club football league. Elated fans, led by Edo State Governor’s wife, Dr. Betsy Obaseki, joined a motorcade of the victorious Queens from…