Author: Vincent Osuwo

President Volodymyr Zelensky presented on Monday a draft bill that would allow foreigners battling Russia in his country to get Ukrainian citizenship. At the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, thousands of foreigners rushed to assist in repelling Moscow’s forces, which were attempting to seize control of the country and depose Ukraine’s leadership. “Foreign volunteers who took up arms to defend Ukraine, all those who fight for Ukraine’s freedom as if it were their homeland, And Ukraine will become such for them,” Zelensky said in a post on social media. Zelensky made the disclosure at the unveiling new proposed legislation…

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, has asked Nigerians to deepen their prayers to combat the country’s insecurity. Mrs. Tinubu stated that prayers can help Nigeria overcome the kidnapping crisis that the country is now experiencing. Mrs. Tinubu declared this on Monday in a statement issued on her official X account in response to the release of the Al-Kadriyar family’s five abducted sisters. She said, “I rejoice with the Al-Kadriyar family, friends, and Nigerians in general for the safe return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters. “Prayer works and I want to thank all Nigerians, especially mothers, for praying for the safe…

The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed that Mohamed Salah will return to Liverpool after the Africa Cup of Nations group games to receive treatment for his muscular injury. Salah limped off during Egypt’s 2-2 tie with Ghana on Thursday and will miss their final Group B match against Cape Verde on Monday, as well as the last 16 and quarterfinals, provided the record seven-time Afcon champions go that far. In a statement on Sunday, the Egyptian FA said, “After additional examinations were conducted on Mohamed Salah during the last hours, and after communication between the national team’s medical staff and…

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday nullified the N800 billion 2024 budget signed into law by the Rivers State Governor, Similanayi Fubara. In December, the governor presented a N800 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill to a group of the state House of Assembly, which included four lawmakers. Fubara signed the budget into law after lawmakers approved it. The Rivers Assembly fractured as 27 legislators loyal to ex-governor Nyesom Wike attempted to impeach Fubara. The presiding judge, James Omotosho, ruled that all actions taken by the four legislators were invalid. The court also recognized Martin Amaewhule as the state…

President Bola Tinubu has felicitated Reno Omokri, author and influencer, on his 50th birthday, which is marked on January 22, 2024. In a statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, on Monday, Tinubu noted commended the political commentator for his dutifulness in providing constructive opinions on national issues, regardless of his political disposition. Omokri, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, was the Special Assistant on Digital Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2011 to 2015. The president also wishes him “many more years in good health as he continues to contribute his…

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Lagos state governorship election, has condemned in totality the ban imposed by the state government on the use of styrofoam and other single-use plastics. In a statement published on his verified X handle on Monday, Gbadebo noted that the ban ”lacks consideration for the significant investments made by manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers of these products, potentially causing severe economic implications.” While berating the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-olu’s-led administration for allegedly failing to “accommodate stakeholder engagement,” Gbadebo noted that the ban on the products will lead to the loss of jobs…

Femi Falana, SAN, Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), has called for an end to what he described as ”scandalous pensions” for some former governors in Nigeria. Falana, in a statement on Sunday, opined that while some state governors voted themselves large pension payments and allowances, they failed to pay their former workers’ pensions and gratuities during their time in office. According to the human rights activist, Nigeria cannot afford to give scandalous pensions to ex-governors when workers are due arrears on meager pensions. The statement reads,Many state governors voted themselves humongous pension payments and allowances.…

The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has partnered with Pan Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre to train youths in employability and entrepreneurship skills. During a press briefing over the weekend, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, the Lagos state Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, stated that the course, which is set to begin in the first quarter of this year, aims to train 10,000 participants in 24 months. He stated that the program would incorporate “online-sponsored and physical community learning” formats. He added that “the application for the training program would be opened to all youth in the 20 local…

Family members of Najeebah Al-Kadriyar have stated that they paid a ransom to bandits for the release of five of the six girls, who were among 23 people kidnapped on January 2, 2023, in the Bwari district of the Federal Capital Territory. The bandits killed four people last week, while the remaining 19 were released on Saturday night. In an exclusive chat with our journalist on Sunday, Abbas and Sherifdeen Al-Kadriyar, Najeebah’s uncles, denied assertions from FCT police and Nigerian Army sources that the girls and other victims were rescued through their collaborative efforts. Abbas Al-Kadriyar, who picked up the…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced on Sunday that its special units successfully intercepted large consignments of cocaine and Colorado, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in containerized household items and vehicles imported from Durban, South Africa, and Canada at Lagos’ Tincan Seaport. According to a statement signed by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the interceptions occurred between Thursday, January 18th, and Friday, January 19th, 2024. He said, “Following coordinated intelligence and months of tracking of the containers by three special units of NDLEA, the illicit drugs, along with arms, ammunition, and sundry military effects, were seized during joint…