Category Archives: News

Nasarawa governor swears in new SSG

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Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has tasked Mr Labaran Magaji ,the newly appointed  Secretary to the State Government(SSG), to do his best in the service of the state.

The governor gave the charge during the swearing-in of the  new SSG in Lafia on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)reports that Magaji is a former Nasarawa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

Sule expressed confidence in the new SSG  to help drive his administration’s development blueprint.

He described the office of the SSG as the engine room and cornerstone of government’s activities.

According to him,any occupant of such office is expected to have extensive knowledge of the various components of governance.

“As you are aware, Dr Labaran Magaji is a legal luminary, a reputable technocrat with global experience, and an unassuming politician who served the state and Nigeria in various capacities.

“His contributions to our administration and  Project Nasarawa is actually legendary.

Read Also: JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu presents N3tr budget for 2025

” I am convinced that with his antecedents, loyalty and proven performance of excellence; he will be able to confidently serve this administration as SSG,” Sule said.

He appreciated the former SSG,Mr

Aliyu Ubandoma ,and former executive council members for their contributions and commitment to the state.

In his remarks, Magaji pledged  loyalty to the governor and the government of Nasarawa State.

” Your Excellency, we understand the enormity of  the task before us. This is the most critical moment of your administration.

“This is what we call the legacy period, we are ready, willing to settle down and hit the ground running to ensure that your dream of leaving Nasarawa State better than you met it is achieved,” he said.

(NAN)

Trump signs order banning all trans athletes from women’s events

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Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning all transgender athletes from competing in girl’s and women’s sports.

Trump’s order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” aims to grant federal agencies the ability to review funding to high schools, universities and grassroot sporting events. “With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over,” Trump said at the signing ceremony at the East Room of the White House.

He was surrounded by girls as well as lawmakers and female athletes who were supportive of the ban, including swimmer Riley Gaines. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the order “upholds the promise of Title IX” and will require “immediate action, including enforcement actions, against schools and athletic associations” that do not allow single-sex sports or single-sex locker rooms for women.

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programmes that receive federal funding. Trump added: “If you let men take over women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated for violations of Title IX and risk your federal funding.”

Read Also: Donald Trump to be sworn in as US president today

He added the order would cover the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and would deny visas for transgender athletes hoping to take part in the games. White House officials have said the move is popular with Americans and argued the order would ensure “fairness” in women’s sports.

According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 69 per cent of respondents believe transgender athletes should be able to play on teams that match the gender they were assigned to at birth. Only 29 per cent of respondents said transgender athletes should be able to play on teams that match their gender identity.

Enforcing the order will be a priority for the Education Department as it works to penalise schools that allow transgender athletes to compete. The department has already opened an inquiry into public schools in Denver, Colorado, that replaced a girl’s bathroom with an all-gender one despite leaving another exclusive to boys.

But Human Rights Campaign, a US-based LGBTQ advocacy group, president Kelley Robinson said the order “exposes young people to harassment and discrimination.” She added the order would also result in “emboldening people to question the gender of kids who don’t fit a narrow view of how they’re supposed to dress or look.”

According to a 2022 Williams Institute study, only 1.6 million people (or 0.6 per cent) of people in the US aged 13 and over identify as transgender. This also includes 1.4 per cent of youth aged between 13 and 17.

The executive order is one of several signed by Trump since he took office last month. Many of his orders have been challenged in the courts.

Newsnow

Trump signs order withdrawing US from UN bodies

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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order withdrawing Washington from a number of United Nations bodies, including its Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and setting up a broader review of US funding for the multilateral organization.

The executive order said it withdrew Washington from UNHRC and the main UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), and would review involvement in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The moves were made in protest against what White House staff secretary Will Scharf described as “anti-American bias” at the UN agencies.

The 47 members of the UN Human Rights Council are elected by the General Assembly to three-year terms, with the United States ending its latest term on December 31. It currently has observer status at the body.

Tuesday’s order would appear to end all US participation in the council’s activities, which include reviews of countries’ human rights records and specific allegations of rights abuses.

“More generally, the executive order calls for review of American involvement and funding in the UN in light of the wild disparities and levels of funding among different countries,” said Scharf.

Trump highlighted the “tremendous potential” of the UN but said it is “not being well run.”

Read Also: ‘Trump plans large immigration raid in Chicago on Tuesday’

“It should be funded by everybody, but we’re disproportionate, as we always seem to be,” he said.

Trump has long railed against Washington’s levels of funding of multilateral bodies, calling for other countries to increase their contributions, notably at military alliance NATO.

UNRWA is the chief aid agency for Palestinians, with many of the 1.9 million people displaced by the war in Gaza dependent on its deliveries for survival.

Under Trump, Washington has backed a move by Israel to ban the agency, after the US ally accused UNRWA of spreading hate material.

US funding of UNRWA was halted in January 2024 by the administration of then-president Joe Biden after Israel accused 12 of its employees of involvement in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

A series of probes found some “neutrality related issues” at UNRWA, but found no evidence for Israel’s chief allegations, and most other donors that had similarly suspended funding resumed their financial support.

Earlier in his latest term, Trump also withdrew from the Paris climate accord and began withdrawing from the World Health Organization, of which it is the largest donor.

Each of the withdrawals has been a repeat of the Republican billionaire’s first term in office, which ended in 2021.

AFP

Ibadan teacher bags 2-year jail term for stealing €20, phone

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A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Mapo in Ibadan has sentenced a teacher, Adebayo Osayemi, to two years imprisonment for stealing his employer’s phone and money, totaling N237,000.

Delivering judgment, the Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Latunji, stated that she convicted and sentenced Osayemi based on evidences tendered against him by the police as well as his guilty plea.

“Osayemi is hereby, sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour, without any option of fine,” Latunji said.

Read Also: Alleged cybercrime: Court grants Speed Darlington to N20m bail 

Earlier, the police prosecution, Insp Oluseye Akinola, had told the court that the convict committed the offence on Jan. 13, at No.3, Church St., Behind Fagbemi filling station, Orita-Challenge, Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to the prosecution, Osayemi, carefully monitored the movement of one Funmilayo Adesinmi, the complainant and proprietress of Montesseri Gofas Nursery and Primary School Ibadan, before strolling into her office to strike.

He further said that Adesinmi told the police investigator that she briefly left her office to buy food stuff from a nearby market, leaving three children behind in the school when the convict entered the office.

Akinola stated that Adesinmi’s daughter had seen Osayemi moving in and they discovered that €20, equivalent to N35,000 and a Techno Smart 4 phone she left on her desk, valued at N95,000, had disappeared.

The prosecutor also said that the convict, before his arrest, transferred N82,000 and N25,000 from Adesinmi’s Money Point and First bank accounts to his Opay and UBA accounts, respectively.

He stated that the offence contravened the provision of Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II Law of Oyo State 2000. 

(NAN) 

NAHCON announces fare for 2025 hajj

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 The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has fixed N8.7 million as the Hajj fare for the intending pilgrims from Southern States and N8.3 million for those  from Borno and Adamawa Zone.

The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, made this known in a statement by its Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Mrs Fatima Usara, on Monday in Abuja.

Usman also said that intending pilgrims from the Northern Zone would pay N8.4 million as Hajj fare for the 2025 pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The NAHCON boss described the hajj fare as a product of extensive collaboration with all the stakeholders.

He appreciated the support of the Presidency and the Forum of Executive Secretaries of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions.

” The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), under the leadership of its Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, is pleased to announce the hajj fare for the 2025 season.

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” The fare was announced sequel to the approval from the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

” The 2025 Hajj fare for Borno and Adamawa zone’s intending pilgrims is N8.33 million.

” Similarly, the cost of the 2025 Hajj for intending pilgrims from the Southern states is N8. 78 million, while intending pilgrims from the Northern zone will pay N8. 46 million..”

He said the leadership of NAHCON, in collaboration with representative of the Presidency, Malam Ameen Amshi, Special Assistant to the President, Special Duties, did their best to maintain the hajj fare within the same range as previously charged.

” This modest effort on the fare was reached after extensive consultations to ensure inclusivity in this important decision-making process.

” For further details and breakdown of the fare, please visit the NAHCON website on nahcon.gov.ng or through States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards. ”

The chairman urged prospective pilgrims to take note of the timelines and the Saudi guidelines, while emphasising the importance of early payment and timely registration to avoid last-minute inconveniences.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that intending pilgrims who benefited from the Federal Government’s N90 billion Hajj intervention across the zones paid N6.8 million as fare for the 2024 Hajj.

However, intending pilgrims who paid their Hajj fare after the subsidy from Borno and Adamawa zone paid N8.2million.

Similarly, those from the North zone paid N8.2 million while intending pilgrims from the Southern zone paid N8.4 million as fare for the 2024 Hajj.

(NAN) 

Donald Trump to be sworn in as US president today

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Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as president of the United States in Washington on Monday, returning to the White House for a second term four years after his initial re-election bid ended in defeat.

Trump, a Republican, will replace outgoing President Joe Biden in the top U.S. political office at noon (1900 GMT), two and a half months after defeating outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential election.

Biden had defeated Trump in 2020, but stepped aside as the Democratic candidate mid-campaign in July amid intense concerns about his age and mental fitness.

Trump, who has long refused to acknowledge his defeat in the 2020 election, ultimately stayed away from Biden’s swearing-in ceremony in January 2021, breaking with tradition.

Earlier that month, Trump’s insistence that he won and that his “victory” was stolen from him led to the storming of the Capitol in Washington, the seat of the U.S. Congress, by his supporters.

Read Also: ‘Trump plans large immigration raid in Chicago on Tuesday’

Biden, on the other hand, is set to attend the ceremony as per tradition.

In the morning, Trump is scheduled to attend a service at St. John’s Church in Washington.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the Bidens are then set to receive the Trumps for tea at the White House.

The inauguration was originally meant to take place outside on the west side of the Capitol as usual, but was relocated indoors as Washington was experiencing stuck in sub-zero temperatures.

After taking the oath of office, Trump will deliver his inaugural speech as the 47th President of the United States of America.

(dpa/NAN) 

BREAKING: Alleged N12.3bn fraud: Otudeko’s counsel protests in court

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Counsel to the Chairman of the Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, charged with N12.3 billion fraud, on Monday appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos in protest of the charge.

Mr Bode Olanipekun (SAN) told the court that he was protesting  because the charge had not been served on Otudeko and two others charged along with him.

Olanipekun is the council to the three defendants.

Read Also: Alleged cybercrime: Court grants Speed Darlington to N20m bail 

The 13-count charge was  preferred by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Otudeko, a former Managing Director of First Bank Plc., Olabisi Onasanya; and a former board member of Honeywell, Soji Akintayo.

They were charged alongside a firm, Anchorage Leisure Ltd.

EFCC alleged that the defendants obtained the sum under false pretences.

Details shortly…

Heavy security as Ondo LG election commences

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The local government LG election in Ondo State, on Saturday, commenced with heavy security presence across the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that personnel of the Nigeria police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were observed at polling centres and strategic places.

As early as 7:00a.m., security personnel were seen at strategic points on major roads across the state, including the front of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Akure, and on the Airport Road in Akure North LGA.

Read Also: Lagos Assembly names new principal officers

Also at Agbogbo roundabout, Fiwasaye/Mobil junction and in front of the A Division, Nigeria Police, on Oba Adesida Road, teams of security personnel were seen enforcing the restriction of movement order as they turned back vehicles and persons who were not on essential duties.

In Okitipupa and environs, personnel of security agencies were also seen on major roads as well as at some polling units.

NAN, however, reports that some residents went about their businesses as some youths were seen at the Ijapo Housing Estate field playing soccer as well as at Ward 10 Unit, Odo-Ikoyi in Akure South LGA.

Commercial activities were also noticed in some areas of the state, as some shop owners and food vendors opened for business.

(NAN)

Prices of food commodities crash in Kaduna 

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Seventeen days into  2025, it has ushered in a bit of hope as the prices of some food items have nosedived  in Kaduna State.

Checks by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that the prices of grains and other staple food items were steadily coming down in markets across the state, against the skyrocketed prices in 2024.

Further checks by NAN Correspondents in Kaduna showed that the prices of food items like rice, beans, yams, garri and noodles had been reduced even though not much.

At the Sheikh Abubakar GumiMarket, Kaduna’s central market, a 50kg bag of foreign rice, which was sold for about N125,000-130,000 before was now being sold for between N120,000 and N123,000.

Also, yams, which were in some weeks in 2024  sold for N7,000 per tuber and N28,000 for a set of five, now sells from N5000  to N6,000 and  N2,500 of medium ones by those who sell on bonanza

A local measure of eight cups of beans which was initially selling for between N3,000 to N3,500, now costs N2,500, while a measure of garri, previously being sold for between N1,400 and N1,500 now costs N1,200.

Read Also: Food prices rose in October – NBS

A carton of Indomie noodles previously sold at N7,700 now sells at  N7,500.

Some consumers, who spoke to NAN in separate interviews said they hoped that the prices of food items would continue to crash.

Hafsat Muhammad said she now buys a local measure of rice at N2,100 against its initial price of N2,400, adding that a local measure of  corn which cost N1200 before  now goes for N900.

Similarly, Hajiya Ummi Shuaibu, a business woman, said she bought bags of maize immediately after the harvest to resell  after some months but her plans changed since the prices of food items began to come down.

” I was expecting the prices to go up like last year but they  didn’t ; so I have to bring out my stock in order not to run on a loss.

” A bag of corn that used to be N60,000 is now around N50,000 to N55,000, that is why I must sell it off as soon as possible, “she said.

(NAN)

Nigeria ranks 5th in countries with cheapest Petrol in Africa

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The retail price of Premium Motor Spirit, (Petrol), increased to between N1030 and N1,150 per litre on Friday, January 17, following a hike by Dangote Refinery and ex-depot prices of the product.

Dangote Refinery had announced a fresh ex-depot price hike from N899 per litre to N955 per litre through an email sent to customers .

The email confirmed the new price regime, noting that marketers buying between two million and 4.99 million litres would now buy at N955/litre, while five million litres and above would buy at N950/litre.

This represents a N55 or 6.17 percent petrol price increase from N899.50/litre announced as a holiday discount for Nigerians last December.

Dangote Refinery’s petrol price increase had sparked different degrees of retail price adjustment across filling stations.

However, Nigeria is still one of the countries with the cheapest fuel in Africa, according to GlobalPetrolPrices.com.

Here are the top 10 African countries with the cheapest fuel at the start of 2025.

1. Libya

Libya remains the leader in the African fuel price rankings, with a litre of fuel costing $0.030. This low price is largely due to the country’s rich oil reserves, which make up a significant portion of its economy.

2. Angola

Angola follows closely with a price of $0.328 per litre. As one of Africa’s top oil producers, Angola has a large share of the global oil market.

The country’s reliance on oil exports helps maintain relatively low domestic fuel prices, providing an economic advantage for its citizens.

Read Also: Petrol price rises to N1,150 per litre after Dangote Refinery’s hike

3. Egypt

Egypt is another country where fuel remains affordable, priced at $0.336 per litre. The country has seen substantial investment in its oil and gas sector in recent years, and the government provides subsidies to maintain lower fuel prices for the public.

4. Algeria

Fuel in Algeria costs $0.339 per litre. The country’s vast oil and gas resources contribute to these low prices, and the government continues to subsidise fuel costs, which helps support local economic stability.

5. Sudan

Sudan’s fuel price is $0.700 per litre, which is still quite low compared to global standards. While Sudan faces economic challenges, it benefits from domestic oil production, though it has struggled with fluctuations in oil output and the impact of external factors on fuel prices.

6. Nigeria

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, offers fuel at $0.769 per litre. Despite being one of the continent’s top oil exporters, the country’s fuel prices are impacted by fluctuating global oil prices, governmental policies, and the local economy. While the price is relatively low by international standards, it reflects the challenges Nigeria faces in balancing domestic supply and demand.

7. Tunisia

In Tunisia, fuel is priced at $0.794 per litre. The country has limited domestic oil production but benefits from access to regional markets and government subsidies that help control fuel prices. However, economic pressures mean that prices may fluctuate over time.

8. Ethiopia

Ethiopia, with a price of $0.805 per litre, ranks eighth on this list. While the country is not a major oil producer, it imports most of its fuel, but government efforts to stabilise prices help keep costs low for consumers.

9. Liberia

Liberia’s fuel price is $0.829 per litre. The country relies on imports to meet its fuel needs, and while domestic production is limited, low prices are maintained through government policy and external trade agreements.

10. Gabon

Gabon, with a price of $0.944 per litre, rounds out the top 10. As an oil producer with significant reserves, Gabon benefits from relatively low fuel costs compared to other countries on the continent. However, fuel prices are still higher than those in nations with larger oil production capacities.