Author: Yusuf Lawal

The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has announced October 9, 2024, as the date for the conduct of local government elections in the state. According to the Chairman of PLASIEC, Plangji Cishak, the elections will hold across the 17 local government areas of the state, which are currently being managed by Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen. Cishak made the announcement on Wednesday during a meeting with leaders of political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Jos, the state capital. The election is expected to mark a significant milestone in the state’s political calendar, with various political parties and stakeholders expected…

Drake, the renowned Canadian hip-hop artist, has placed a staggering $300,000 bet (approximately N465 million) on Canada’s soccer team to emerge victorious against Argentina in the 2024 Copa América semifinal. If Canada secures a win, Drake stands to gain a whopping $2.88 million. Drake took to social media to share news of his bold wager, posting a message accompanied by a Canadian flag emoji: “This could get Messi.” Canada’s journey to the semifinals has been a remarkable achievement, with the team surpassing expectations under Coach Jesse Marsch. This marks Canada’s inaugural appearance in the prestigious tournament, with the team seeking…

The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has cautioned tertiary institutions, particularly universities, against admitting underage students, describing it as “illegal” and “irregular.” Oloyede made this assertion at the seventh biennial conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, themed “Effective University Governance: Role of Stakeholders.” Oloyede recounted a recent incident where a 15-year-old student applied for postgraduate studies in a European country, prompting questions about the validity of their graduation from a Nigerian university. He emphasized the need for accountability, data protection, and integrity in the education system, urging state-owned…

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has turned down ex-Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello’s request to transfer his N80.2bn fraud trial from Abuja to Kogi State. In a letter dated July 2, the CJ agreed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the trial should proceed in Abuja, citing the commission’s argument that the alleged fraud was partly committed in both Abuja and Lokoja. Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), had applied for the transfer on June 10, but the CJ rejected the application, stating that the case should be tried in Abuja, where…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the federal government a two-week ultimatum to meet its demands, failing which the union may embark on strike. ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Monday. According to Osodeke, the union had agreed with the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, to meet again in two weeks to assess the progress made on their demands. “We will meet to see the progress the government has made and determine our next line of action if they fail to implement the agreements reached,” he said. The demands include…

Lagos State is at the epicenter of a significant cholera outbreak in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The state recorded 104 new cases out of 113 reported cases nationwide in the last week, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.1%. The NCDC data revealed that Lagos State alone reported 533 suspected cholera cases in the last month, contributing significantly to the country’s total of 576 cases. Other affected states include Ogun, Rivers, Katsina, Oyo, Abia, Bayelsa, and Sokoto. The outbreak has resulted in 32 deaths across the country, with a CFR of…

Nigerian football fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has debunked rumors of his retirement from international football. Musa, who did not feature in any of Nigeria’s matches at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, clarified that he has only taken a break from the national team. “I only took a little break from the national team. But I didn’t exit the team,” Musa explained in a chat with reporters after a friendly match he organized. The winger, who last started a game for the national team in 2021, has been without a club…

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on hunger, starvation, and poverty in the country. Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker and member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, spoke with newsmen in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Sunday, expressing concern over the prevailing harsh economy and its impact on Nigerians. He noted that many households were struggling to have three square meals due to the high cost of living, and urged the President to tackle the issue urgently to save the masses and provide them…

Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy has stirred up controversy with his remarks on Davido’s marriage. When a fan suggested he follow Davido’s lead and get married, Burna Boy responded, “Baba make I just dey as I dey abeg, u nor see wetin him dey face like dis?” (Let me just be as I am, you don’t see what he’s facing). He further questioned whether Davido’s marriage was a good example, asking, “Shey

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) took a significant step towards launching a single regional currency, the ECO, as Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors gathered in Abuja on Friday. The meeting, endorsed by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, focused on detailed preparations for the currency’s introduction. The ECO is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering economic development within the community, according to Edun. “Nigeria is fully committed to the ECO and its potential to improve economic growth and development in the region,” he stated. The meeting aimed to lay a robust groundwork for a…