Author: Ayo

Controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, may face fresh criminal charges following allegations that he bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). A panel set up by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to investigate the claims has recommended that Bobrisky face defamation and criminal charges. The panel’s report, obtained by Sunday PUNCH, stated that Bobrisky tarnished the image of the NCoS with false claims of serving his six-month sentence in a private apartment. Bobrisky was accused of bribing EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him. He…

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has made a significant announcement that will impact the lives of workers in the state. As of immediately, the new minimum wage of N70,000 will be implemented, ensuring that no worker takes home less than that amount, with potential increases to N78,000 or N84,000 pending government tabulations. This development comes after a meeting between labor leaders and state government officials at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia on Friday. Demonstrating his commitment to the welfare of pensioners, Soludo also approved a monthly cash award of N10,000 until pension salaries are reviewed. In addition to the…

Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, has put its contentious price increase on hold due to regulatory challenges in Nigeria. Three weeks ago, Starlink raised its monthly subscription by 97% from N38,000 to N75,000, sparking outrage among customers. The installation kit price for new users also increased by 34% from N440,000 to N590,000. In a message to subscribers on Thursday, Starlink explained the decision to suspend the price hike. “Last month, we increased the monthly service price for Starlink in Nigeria to account for inflation, helping us maintain operations and continue delivering reliable service. Today, we are temporarily suspending this…

A tragic helicopter crash occurred on Thursday at 11:22 am near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. The Sikorsky SK76, operated by East Wind Aviation, was en route from Port Harcourt Military Base to the NUIMANTAN oil rig with eight people on board. *Crash Details* – Time of crash: 11:22 am on Thursday – Location: Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean – Helicopter type: Sikorsky SK76 – Operator: East Wind Aviation – Number of people on board: Eight Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the incident and expressed deep concern. “The aircraft, with eight persons on board,…

The National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Mary Alile Idele, has charged the newly appointed Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, to prioritize policies combating gender-based violence and support vulnerable women nationwide. “I urge you to work towards implementing policies that combat gender-based violence and support vulnerable women in the country,” Idele said in a statement, also commending Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s extensive experience and unwavering commitment to women’s issues, making her the ideal candidate for this critical role. *Key Areas of Focus* – _Combating Gender-Based Violence_: Implementing policies to protect women and girls from violence and abuse -…

In a significant development, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has started supplying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) directly to oil marketers, bypassing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). This move is expected to boost fuel supply and efficiency in the country. A senior official at the refinery confirmed that marketers are now allowed to approach the company for direct business transactions on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis. “Marketers are already coming to the refinery to lift PMS. They are lifting directly from the refinery, not through a third party,” the official stated. As major oil marketers import PMS, hundreds of millions of…

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has undergone a significant reshuffle, with five ministers relieved of their duties with immediate effect. The affected ministers include: – *Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye*: Former Minister of Women Affairs – *Lola Ade-John*: Former Minister of Tourism – *Prof Tahir Mamman*: Former Minister of Education – *Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo*: Former Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development – *Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim*: Former Minister of Youth Development This development was confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Wednesday. The President’s decision comes after threatening to sack underperforming ministers, marking a significant…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted a slowdown in Nigeria’s economic growth for 2024, citing disruptions in agriculture and oil production as key factors. The IMF’s Financial Counsellor, Tobias Adrian, noted that Nigeria’s engagement with the global debt market remains vibrant despite high borrowing costs. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook report projects Nigeria’s economy to grow at 2.9% in 2024, a 0.2% decrease from the previous projection in July. This adjustment reflects the IMF’s cautious stance on challenges facing emerging markets, including Nigeria. According to Jean-Marc Natal, Deputy Chief of the IMF’s Research Department, issues in agriculture related…

The Abia State Government has made a significant move to improve the welfare of its workers by announcing the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, effective October 2024. This development was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a press briefing on Tuesday, following the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti. According to Kanu, “The state government is committed to the minimum wage, and within the next few days, payment of the new minimum wage will commence.” He also emphasized that the state is prepared to adjust the national minimum wage benchmark as deemed…

The Nigeria Immigration Service has officially declared social media personality, Okuneye Idris, popularly known as Bobrisky, a person of interest in an ongoing investigation. This development comes after Bobrisky was intercepted by Immigration officers at the Sème border while attempting to flee the country. The controversy surrounding Bobrisky began in April 2024 when he was sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos for naira abuse. Despite being officially incarcerated at Kirikiri Prison, reports emerged that Bobrisky spent only three weeks in the facility before being discreetly moved to a private location. This sparked widespread…