Sir Bartholomew White Ebe, Author at SNOW TV

I Championed Tinubu’s Election Victory in Rivers – Wike

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

Politics

I Championed Tinubu’s Election Victory in Rivers – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he spearheaded the effort that secured President Bola Tinubu’s victory in Rivers State during the 2023 presidential election. Addressing supporters in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday, Wike criticised former backers of ex–Vice President Atiku Abubakar who have now shifted their allegiance to Tinubu. He pointed out that the same individuals failed to secure even 10 percent of the vote for Atiku in Rivers State during the 2023 polls, yet are now positioning themselves as key supporters of Tinubu. Wike cautioned that no one would be allowed to take charge of Tinubu’s political structure in the state. “In 2023, we led the struggle that delivered President Tinubu in Rivers St...

‘She Is Like a Mother to Us’ – Pantami Denies Rumoured Marriage to Aisha Buhari

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

NEWS

‘She Is Like a Mother to Us’ – Pantami Denies Rumoured Marriage to Aisha Buhari

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has dismissed as untrue reports claiming he plans to marry former First Lady, Aisha Buhari. Pantami described the story as false, unfounded, and entirely impossible. The rumour spread widely on social media after an alleged wedding invitation card surfaced online, suggesting that the former minister was set to wed the widow of late President Muhammadu Buhari. However, the invitation card contained no wedding date or any verifiable information. Reacting during an interview with PRNigeria, Pantami said he was shocked by the claim, emphasising that the late President Buhari was a father figure to him. “Aisha Buhari is a mother to us. It is troubling that such a story could be fabricated,” he said.“Pr...

Businesses, Traders Raise Prices Amid New Tax Laws

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

Business

Businesses, Traders Raise Prices Amid New Tax Laws

Some businesses and traders across the country appear to be exploiting Nigeria’s newly implemented tax laws to arbitrarily increase the prices of goods and services, findings by Saturday PUNCH have revealed. Since the tax reforms took effect in January, the Federal Government has repeatedly insisted that the new laws are designed to lower certain tax burdens and stimulate economic growth, without generating immediate revenue increases. However, recent developments suggest that some business owners have begun hiking prices, attributing the increases to the tax reforms. Investigations show that the adjustments are being imposed mainly through Value Added Tax (VAT) charges and general price mark-ups on goods and services. The controversial tax regime came into force on June 26 after ...

UNIOSUN Postgraduate College Appoints Acting Provost

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

NEWS

UNIOSUN Postgraduate College Appoints Acting Provost

The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Clement Adebooye, has approved the appointment of Professor Alamu Oguntola of the Department of Mechanical Engineering as the acting Provost of the Postgraduate College of the institution. The appointment, which took effect on Monday, January 5, 2026, was part of the institution’s ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership and enhance academic excellence across its postgraduate programmes. This was contained in a statement on Friday by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji. Adesoji said the don would bring his 26 years of academic experience and expertise in teaching, research, and university administration to the growth of the college. The statement partly read, “The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebooye...

Rivers Crisis : Wike Overstepping, Should Calm Down – Modibo

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

Politics

Rivers Crisis : Wike Overstepping, Should Calm Down – Modibo

A political affairs analyst, Ibrahim Modibo, has said that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, is overplaying his hands in the politics of Rivers State. Modibo said this on Friday, while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television. While saying that there is no need for him to have an overwhelming influence on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the analyst said Wike needs to calm down. “To me, the trajectory of the problems confronting the Rivers state in particular has to do with conflict of power between two people. These are the major problems. “Based on my studies, based on my understanding of the political system that has confronted Rivers prior to this moment and up to this moment, I can see the hands of the former governor, who seems to b...

FG Allocates ₦7.01 Billion for President Tinubu’s Travel in 2026 Budget

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

NEWS

FG Allocates ₦7.01 Billion for President Tinubu’s Travel in 2026 Budget

The Federal Government has set aside ₦7.01 billion for the travel expenses of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima in the proposed 2026 appropriation bill. According to the budget proposal, ₦6.14 billion is earmarked for President Tinubu’s international travel, while ₦873.88 million is allocated for domestic trips, bringing his total travel budget for the year to ₦7.01 billion. For Vice-President Shettima, the proposal allocates ₦1.73 billion for travel and transportation, including ₦1.31 billion for international trips and ₦417.48 million for domestic travel. In a bid to reduce government spending, President Tinubu had previously cut the number of officials accompanying him on local and international trips by 60 per cent in 2024. Despite this reduction, the to...

Consultant Alleges Discovery of 8,452 Ghost Workers in Osun Payroll

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

NEWS

Consultant Alleges Discovery of 8,452 Ghost Workers in Osun Payroll

A forensic audit firm, SALLY TIBBOT Consulting Limited, has accused the Osun State Government of fraudulently adding 8,452 ghost workers to its payroll, allegedly costing the state ₦13.72 billion annually. The firm’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sa’adat Bakrin-Ottun, made the allegation through her legal counsel, Jiti Ogunye, during a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Lagos on Friday. According to Bakrin-Ottun, the figures emerged from a comprehensive forensic audit and payroll validation exercise commissioned by the Osun State Government, which she said exposed widespread payroll fraud across the state’s civil and public service structures. Attempts to obtain a response from the state government were unsuccessful as of...

13 State Assemblies Add Over ₦1tn to 2026 Budgets

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

NEWS

13 State Assemblies Add Over ₦1tn to 2026 Budgets

At least 13 State Houses of Assembly across Nigeria have collectively added more than ₦1 trillion to their states’ 2026 budgets after reviewing and amending appropriation bills submitted by governors, an analysis by Saturday PUNCH has revealed. The increase emerged from a comparison of the original budget proposals presented by state governors and the final appropriation laws passed by the assemblies, with the differences reflecting legislative insertions and adjustments. This development comes against the backdrop of sustained public pressure to reduce the cost of governance, amid growing fiscal stress, rising debt levels and increasing debt-servicing obligations faced by sub-national governments. Each year, governors present budget proposals—commonly referred to as appropriation...

FA Cup: Four teams qualify for 4th round

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

Sports

FA Cup: Four teams qualify for 4th round

At least four teams have made it into the fourth round of this season’s FA Cup. This follows the conclusion of Friday’s third round ties around the UK. Wrexham qualified via a penalty shoot-out success, after their game with Nottingham Forest ended 3-3. Arthur Okonkwo was the hero for the hosts, saving Omari Hutchinson’s effort. The result means Wrexham have beat a Premier League team in the FA Cup for the first time in 26 years. Oxford United also beat MK Dons 4-3 on penalties after the tie ended 1-1. Port Vale claimed a 1-0 victory over Fleetwood and Wigan won 1-0 at Preston North End. There will be more fixtures on Saturday and Sunday.

Resident Doctors Vow to Go Ahead With Strike Despite Court Injunction

10Jan

By Sir Bartholomew White EbeNo Comments

NEWS

Resident Doctors Vow to Go Ahead With Strike Despite Court Injunction

The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced that it intends to proceed with its planned nationwide strike on January 12, 2026, unless its National Executive Council (NEC) decides otherwise. NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, made the declaration on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. The announcement comes after a National Industrial Court in Abuja issued an interim injunction restraining the association and two of its officials from undertaking any industrial action starting January 12. The injunction, delivered by Justice E. D. Subilim, was issued in the suit NICN/ABJ/06/2026, filed by the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation against NARD, Dr. Suleiman, and Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim. Speaking by phone during...