Author: Prince Emmanuel Odunayo Ikusagba

A new report by Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC) has indicated that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry loses as much as $15 billion in investments annually due to the delayed passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), currently before the National Assembly.The bill, which seeks to overhaul the oil and gas industry and offer new fiscal incentives to investors, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, and Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, is set to be passed this month.However, FDC in its latest bi-monthly publication stated that even if the PIB is passed today, the…

States have unveiled strategies to implement the Memorandum of Action (MoA) to ensure financial autonomy for the legislature and judiciary, THISDAY has learnt.The MoA was signed on June 4 by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria(JUSUN), the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria(PASAN), the federal government and the 36 state governors.Under the terms of the MoA, the governors have 45 days to implement the strategies to ensure full financial autonomy for the other two arms of government.With the Judicial Service Commission and the House of Assembly Service Commission already in place in Plateau State, Governor Simon Lalong said on Saturday night…

Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi says he is not aware that Hadiza Bala Usman has been suspended as the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).Mr Amaechi on Monday told ARISE News that the power to suspend Ms Bala Usman rests solely with the Nigerian President.According to him, Bala Usman was asked to step aside for investigations to be carried out on the NPA and not the managing director.While there’s a panel conducting the investigation, the minister says he’s not aware when the panel will conclude their inquiry.

Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has launched the DashMe Foundation to creatively raise $10 million yearly and awareness for indigenous charities that provide direct care to orphans, vulnerable children, disadvantaged youth, and victims of domestic abuse.The foundation, during the launch which was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, committed itself to raise $10 million for local charities within the first year of operations.       

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has approved the appointment of Dr Aminu Gamawa as the new Chief of Staff.The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, announced this in a statement on Monday.Gidado stated that the appointment of Gamawa, who was appointed as the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in 2019, was with immediate effect.He noted that Gamawa hails from Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, and he is a legal practitioner, teacher, policy expert, and public servant.The new Chief of Staff has worked across a wide range of organisations, government agencies, educational institutions,…

 President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his best wishes to the Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Sam Omatseye, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday, Buhari joined members of the Fourth Estate of Realm and the literati in celebrating one of their own. According to the president, Omatseye has distinguished himself in his career and gained recognition nationally and internationally for diligence, excellence and professionalism.The president commended Omatseye, an advocate of good governance, free and independent press, for…

Ace Nigerian Footballer, Mikel Obi, has harped on the need for youth leadership in Nigeria while on courtesy visit to Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Sunday in Abuja. Obi said that it was time for the Youths to come out and take leadership positions across all boards for the betterment of Nigeria. He pledged support for Bello’s political aspirations, adding that youths should be given a chance to get the change Nigerians clamour for.He also lauded Bello for his achievement in Kogi in the areas of security, healthcare, infrastructure, education and agriculture. The soccer star noted that such efforts when…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the commercial operations of the Lagos-Ibadan railway project at the Mobolaji Johnson Railway Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos.Governors including Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State are present at the event.Also, Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka; Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, and several other dignitaries were at the event. Previous Next Previous Next President Buhari described the project as another milestone in the drive of his administration to revitalise the railway system and establish it…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned agitators of disintegration of the country saying that that it will be “almost idiotic” for Nigeria to disintegrate at a time like this when Africa is trying to reintegrate for political, social, and economic development.He insisted that the country is better together for all the ethnic groups in the country to remain together as one indivisible nation with fairness and equity and where all Nigerians will feel proud, rather than for each tribe to go its separate ways.The former Nigerian leader spoke at the luncheon and investiture organised by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyor,…

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has urged Ogbakiri people in Emohua Local Government Area of the State to stop destroying their communities because of misgivings held against each other.The governor gave the charge at the ceremony for the flag-off of reconstruction of Ogbakiri Internal Roads on Saturday.Governor Wike said it was time Ogbakiri people forgave themselves, considered the disadvantage their former celebrated reputation had suffered and resolved to chart a new course.According to him, it is only a united people and community that can speak with one voice, determined their development, and pursue to achieve it concertedly.“Ogbakiri people,…