Author: Kwara Reporters

Troops of the Nigerian Army have recovered 1.2 million litres of stolen crude, destroyed 56 illegal refineries and arrested 17 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta.The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.He said troops also destroyed 88 cooking drums and 20 boats used for the illicit activity in four states, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom, respectively.Danjuma disclosed that the operations which were conducted from November 25 to December 1, 2024, resulted in the deactivation of 56 illegal oil bunkering sanctuaries.Troops also arrested…

Daniel Olukoya, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), has said the current economic challenges confronting the country can only be surmounted with spiritual solutions.Mr Olukoya said Nigeria is facing various problems, aside from the present state of its economic crisis, noting that the only ‘weapon’ to ‘cure’ the challenges is divine intervention.He spoke when he was conferred with an honorary doctoral degree (Doctor of Management) at the 34th and 35th combined convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo state at the weekend.Mr Olukoya said Nigerian political leaders should allow God…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the launch of its newly redesigned website, which will go live on Monday, December 2, 2024. This update, which promises enhanced features and functionality, was developed entirely in-house by the Bank’s technology team.In a statement issued on Sunday, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, Acting Director of Corporate Communications, expressed the Bank’s excitement about the innovation. She noted: “We are pleased to announce that the front-end design and back-end technology were created in-house.”The Bank disclosed that “the new website operates on a contemporary Web API built on Microsoft .NET Core 8, the latest stable release. This…

A 50-year-old Brazil-based Nigerian businessman has been detained by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for allegedly importing 700g of cocaine.The NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.Mr Babafemi said that operatives of the agency on Friday November 29 arrested and detained the suspect at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.He said that the suspect, who had lived in Brazil for 35 years, returned home with the cocaine buried in his stomach.This, he said, was a discovery made following his arrest by NDLEA operatives.Mr Babafemi said that the suspect was arrested at the E-Arrival…

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has replied former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), who said that he (Gowon) pleaded with the late General Sani Abacha not to execute him.Obasanjo was one of those imprisoned by the regime of Abacha over an alleged coup plot to overthrow Abacha.Speaking during the first ever Plateau Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival at 10 Commandments Prayer Altar in Du, Jos South LGA of the state, at the weekend, Gowon said he pleaded with Abacha to spare Obasanjo.Aside from Gowon and Obasanjo, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, former governors, Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye, Boni…

There are strong indications that the planned December 1 strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress may suffer a setback following the declaration by some state chapters of the union that they will not be part of the proposed industrial action.President Bola Tinubu had in July approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for Nigerian workers, including civil servants, and pledged to review the wage every three years.Many states agreed to pay above the N70,000 minimum wage, with Lagos and Rivers states offering the highest pay of N85,000.However, 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory have yet to begin the…

The number of accidents recorded on Third Mainland Bridge since its repair is unprecedented and caused by impatience and indiscipline, the federal controller of works in Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, said.In an interview with journalists on Sunday in Lagos, Ms Keisha urged motorists to exercise caution and discipline on the bridge, especially during the Christmas season, to reduce accidents. “The number of accidents that have been recorded on Third Mainland Bridge since we did this repair is unprecedented, and the cause of these accidents is impatience and lack of discipline. “People just see a well-tended road and want to speed past the…

Swiss cement maker Holcim is set to exit Nigeria over unfavourable economic conditions under the Bola Tinubu administration.The company, which owned an 84 per cent stake in Lafarge Africa (WAPCO.LG), disclosed on Sunday that it has sold its stake to China’s Huaxin Cement for $1 billion, as reported by Reuters.According to Holcim, the deal, projected to be sealed by 2025, is subject to regulatory approvals.The transaction is geared towards streamlining its portfolio by targeting high-growth regions like North America, which will, in 2025, the U.S.The company is said to be focused on sustainable growth in its core markets, higher-margin products…

By Lawal Akanbi Sharafadeen.Raising dust on the legacy of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) reads more like an attempt to erase the remarkable contributions of a man whose vision and leadership shaped Kwara State into what it is today. Critics, especially members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, May continue to cast aspersions but can’t deny the fact that Bukola Saraki laid the groundwork for a thriving Kwara, with his successors, including Abdulfatah Ahmed, building upon that legacy. It is misleading to dismiss this reality merely to elevate the current administration, whose achievements pale in comparison.Take for example the satellite…

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Friday advised bank customers to report any difficulties withdrawing cash from bank branches or Automated Teller Machines to the apex bank from December 1.The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said this during the 2024 annual bankers’ dinner in Lagos organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.He urged customers to make reports through designated phone numbers and email addresses for their respective states.Mr Cardoso noted that guidelines would be distributed widely to raise public awareness.He called for full regulatory compliance by all stakeholders, including mobile money operators and Point of Sale agents to promote…