NEWS

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has arrived in Doha, Qatar, to officially begin his new assignment as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Gulf country.Yakubu’s arrival marks a shift from his leadership role at one of Nigeria’s most closely watched institutions to a diplomatic position focused on strengthening bilateral relations, economic cooperation and international partnerships.The former INEC chairman, who left office after completing his tenure last year, was among the ambassadors appointed by President Bola Tinubu during a major diplomatic reshuffle.Upon his arrival at the Qatari capital on Wednesday, Yakubu was received by Ambassador Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department at Qatar’s Minis...

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has described the state as the most peaceful in Nigeria, with the lowest crime rate, attributing the achievement to efforts aimed at sustaining law, order and stability.Diri said this on Thursday at the Second Stakeholders Sensitisation Conference of the Multi-Door Courthouse in Yenagoa, where participants discussed justice reforms and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Bayelsa.Represented by his deputy, Mr Peter Akpe, the governor said that the Multi-Door Courthouse was an important institution that provided alternatives to litigation and strengthened citizens’ access to justice.He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the judiciary and promoting reforms that enhance efficient justice delivery and sustain publ...

Preparations for the Ekiti State governorship election have intensified as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials ahead of Saturday’s poll.The materials were moved from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Ado Ekiti to the 16 local government areas of the state for the governorship election, as well as the accompanying senatorial and House of Representatives by-elections scheduled for June 20, 2026.Electoral officials were seen sorting, arranging and packaging the materials before their dispatch, while security agencies maintained a strong presence at the CBN facility and other strategic locations across the state.The Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, described the...

A final-year student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, simply identified as Timi, has been shot dead during an armed robbery attack on Thursday.The robbers stormed the Konigba area, a section inhabited by students, and operated for several hours without any intervention.Reports indicate that about seven houses were targeted during the attack, including that of the deceased.Witnesses reported that the robbers forcibly entered the houses by breaking doors and gaining access through the roofs. They carted away phones, laptops, money, gas cylinders, and other valuables.The students, however, took to the streets in protest, demanding accountability from the authorities following the tragic killing of the student.They marched to the palace of the Ebumawe of Ago-...

The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s current zero-case status for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) while strengthening the country’s capacity to play a leading role in epidemic preparedness and response across Africa.The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who also serves as Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness, stated this on Thursday at the inauguration of the task force at the State House, Abuja.He said there have been no reported cases of Ebola in the country, adding that government efforts are being intensified to ensure the situation remains unchanged.Gbajabiamila stressed that Nigeria’s strategy is focused on prevention rather than cure, noting that lessons learned from previous outbre...

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced it will not be participating in the forthcoming local government election in the state.The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare, on Thursday in Ibadan.The local government election in the state has been fixed for December 2026, but the APC, in its argument, described the decision to conduct the election as illegal, ill-conceived and self-serving.Sadare said the decision will further worsen the current situation of things at the grassroots level in the state, alleging that Governor Seyi Makinde does not believe in local government autonomy.He alleged that such action means that Makinde is now trying to impose another set of lackeys who would be loyal to him even after lea...

   The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the release of over ₦83 billion under the Anticipatory Action Trust Fund (AATF) to address the recurring challenge of flooding across the country.The fund is expected to support proactive measures, including early warning systems, emergency preparedness, and other flood mitigation initiatives designed to reduce the devastating effects of seasonal flooding.The approval was granted at the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.Addressing State House correspondents shortly after the meeting, the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, said a total of over ₦166 billion had initially been proposed for the Anticipatory Action Trust...

The European Union and a coalition of Civil Society Organisations have launched a Joint Election Observation Hub to provide real-time monitoring of the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election, in a move aimed at strengthening electoral transparency and boosting public confidence in the polls.The initiative, under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, will deploy accredited observers across all local government areas of Ekiti State to monitor the conduct of the election and provide verified, evidence-based reports throughout the electoral process, according to a statement by the EU delegation on Thursday.The coalition comprises Yiaga Africa, the International Press Centre, the Centre for Media and Society, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre and th...