CrossFire Interrogator

The Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, has urged principals to resuscitate relevant school clubs and societies to keep the mind of students away from vices. The minister gave the advice on Thursday in Abuja at a programme to sensitise parents, teachers, students and other stakeholders to the need to shun vices in schools. At the programme tagged “Kick out vices in secondary schools’’ the minister said the resuscitation of  school clubs – Drama, agric, press, literary and debating society among others –  would help to occupy the students with useful thoughts. He said the move would create an environment that empowers students to make positive choices and resist the allure of vices that threaten to derail their potentials. Sununu also directed all school managements to increase their surveillance on vices in schools most especially in the era of social media. “Vices in so many different guises have eaten deep into the fabric of our society especially amongst students in secon

The Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF), a non-governmental organisation is closing out on its 'GOAL Project', implemented 14 years after with sponsorship from the Standard Chartered Bank in 2010. At the close out ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Secretary, YEF, Iwalola Akin-Jimoh said the project empowered youths through strategic partnership and programmes in health, livelihoods, sports, education and leadership. Akin-Jimoh said the essence was to move the project to the next level and hand over to the stakeholders to carry on using existing structures. "In its 14 years of existence in Nigeria, running simultaneously in three cities; Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja, the Goal Project has touched the lives of 168,946 girls across public schools.

  The Ughelli Rovers Football Club has been elevated the the Nationwide League One (NLO), capping an illustrious history and reaffirming the Club's commitment to excellence in Nigerian football, according to a press release signed by the Club's Media Director, Mr. Andrew Alibor on February 27, 2024. "Ughelli Rovers Football Club is thrilled to announce its well-deserved induction to the Nationwide League One (NLO), a significant achievement that marks a new chapter in the club's illustrious history and reaffirms its commitment to excellence in Nigerian football. "In the groundbreaking announcement, the Chairman and Founder, Oke Umurhohwo, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to every member of the club and the entire fans who toiled tirelessly to achieve such feat with him in the shortest time of its establishment. "We are incredibly proud of our induction to the Nationwide League One. This achievement is the result of the collective effort and unwavering com

Tragedy struck in Ile-Ife, Osun State when an Assistant Priest, Lekan Ogundipe killed the Presiding Priest of Celestial Church of Christ at Omitoto area, Evangelist Moris Fadehan inside the church and burnt his corpse on the altar. It was gathered that the incident occurred on Monday evening after the presiding priest resumed for prayer. Ogundipe was said to have ambushed him with bell, knives and nails, stabbing him repeatedly. It was learnt that an unresolved case of physical assault by the Assistant Priest on a prophetess simply identified as Mummy Ewa last Wednesday caused a rift between the duo.   The owner of the church, Pa Olafare in a video obtained on Tuesday explained: “The deceased had reported to me that he was to disengage Lekan (suspect) as his assistant over many unlawful acts. “Most recent of it include the assault on a prophetess in the church last week Wednesday and I agreed with him, but he added that he will take the decision after consulting with the elders. “But w

The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-school Education (NCAOOSE) has engaged other education agencies in streamlining overlapping roles towards addressing out-of-school children in the country. The Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr Sha’aban Sharada was speaking when a delegation from UNICEF paid a visit to the commission in Abuja on Tuesday. According to Sharada, the Minister of Education has called on us on the need for coordination and collaborative action to address critical issues of out-of-school children. “The directive underscores our commitment to avoid duplication of efforts and ensuring synergy among agencies involved in tackling the out-of-school issues. “For too long, the lack of reliable data and potential overlap in mandates among various agencies within the ministry have hindered our collective efforts. “This meeting marks a significant step towards addressing this challenges and fostering synergy amongst us. “Moreover, where there is overlap in our col

The Federal Government has declared support for the annual National Sewing Championship in order to upscale artisan skills. The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at  the presentation of the 2024 edition of the championship. The Minister said Nigeria was blessed with a lot of talents and there was the urgent need to encourage them to increase their horizons. He said skill development was among the eight- point agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu and it is aimed at encouraging artisans to stand on their own and be employer of labour Sununu commended Ladi Memorial Foundation (LMF), the organiser of the championship,  for catching children young and bringing out their talents and making them self reliant. He enjoined the foundation to continue to inculcate skills in the young ones while also promising to integrate basic academic knowledge in the skills. Mrs Rosemary Osikoye, the Executive Director of the foundation, said  the

   ...assures sustained measures to ease suffering, hardship The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has empathised with people of the State and Nigerians over the incessant rise in prices of goods and services and overall cost of living in the Country, which has inflicted pain and suffering on the people, reassuring that his government will continue to provide measures to ease the hardship faced by the people of the State. Obaseki spoke when he received members of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other concerned Nigerians who were on a peaceful protest, at the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State capital, to register their displeasure over the high cost of living occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government. Obaseki who was represented by the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, in company of the Special Adviser to the Governor on

  The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of the United Kingdom has appointed the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris J. Maiyaki, into its International Advisory Committee (IAC). Maiyaki’s appointment, which was conveyed in a letter by the Director of International and Professional Services of the QAA for Higher Education in the UK, Eduardo Ramos, is in recognition of his wealth of experience at the NUC as well as achievements recorded since his assumption of office as Acting Executive Secretary, including the approval of guidelines on Transnational Education (TNE) in Nigeria and Quality Assurance, in line with the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS). The appointment comes on the heels of NUC’s licensing of two new private Universities and facilitation of the establishment of the first four Private Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Universities in Nigeria, aimed at resolving the challenges of equity and access to university educat

Stakeholders in the health sector have advocated for a comprehensive  review of reproductive health curriculum in Nigerian Universities to include prevention and treatment.  A renowned Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Benin, Friday Okonofua, disclosed this at the opening of a two-day workshop on reproductive health curriculum review on Monday in Abuja. Okonofua said that the current curriculum focused majorly on treatment, a reason he said was responsible for high maternal deaths in country.  He said there was the need to train medical students on how to prevent conditions that would lead to maternal death, hence the call for a comprehensive reproductive health education that focuse on preventive rather than curative practice.  Okonofua, who led the African Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Health at UNIBEN, said the meeting was convened "because of the issues related to reproductive health which is the signs of reproduction that governs population, p

The National Examination Council (NECO) has announced the release of the 2023 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) external candidates results. The Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi made the announcement at a news conference in Minna on Monday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Wushishi also unveiled an e-posting Automated Annual Posting Calendar, a software to address the myriad of problems associated with posting of the council’s staff for out-of-station assignments. He disclosed that a total of 74,950 candidates registered for the examination with 39,213 male representing 52.31 per cent and 35,737 female, representing 47.68 per cent. The Registrar said that of the total number that registered, 74,342 candidates sat for the examinations with 38,867 male, representing 52.28 per cent and 35,475 female, representing 47.71. “The number of candidates that sat for English Language is 73,124 out of which 55,272, representing 75.59 per cent got Credi

Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has flagged off the distribution of palliatives for victims of the 2022 flood disaster in communities across the 25 local government areas of Delta State. A press statement signed by Mr. Pius Ughakpoteni, NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs on 25th February, 2024 stated that , while s peaking during the presentation ceremony at the Sapele Athletic Club in Sapele, Delta State, the Representative of Delta State on the NDDC Governing Board, Rt.Hon. Monday Igbuya, said that although the flood occurred in 2022, the victims were still suffering the aftermath of the disaster. Igbuya noted that the NDDC Governing Board, led by Mr. Chiedu Ebie, found it necessary to implement the decision to distribute previously approved palliative items to communities across Delta State. This,he said was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda to cushion the effects of the 2022 flood disaster in the state, considering the current economic diffi

The former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, has lauded the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for the achievements of the Commission under his stewardship. A press statement signed by Mr. Pius Ughakpoteni on February, 25, 2024 and made available to Crossfire Reports said that,  Senator Dickson, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, spoke at Ayakoro community, Ogbuku’s home town in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, during the 2024 edition of the community's annual cultural festival, the Eyal Obeyin. He noted that the developmental footprints recorded by Ogbuku in the community speak volumes of the benefits of having a son who knows what to do and urged states in the Niger Delta region to partner the NDDC to fast track the development of the oil-rich region. Dickson said he was impressed with the performance of the NDDC under the leadership of Ogbuku, noting that the Managing Director and his t

The family of a 46-year-old Kenyan who died three days after landing in Canada is coming to terms with her demise with detectives investigating her death. Reports indicate that prior to her death, Delphine Ngigi spent hours in the cold while seeking shelter at Mississauga Refugee Camp. Canadian-based media house, CBC News, reported that the widow arrived at the camp in Dundas Street on Saturday, February 17 seeking asylum but was turned back as the facility was full. After waiting in the cold for several hours, she was eventually allowed into the building and given a place to sleep, saving her from the cold weather. Ngigi collapsed the next day while showering at the shelter after her health deteriorated and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

The Presidency yesterday evening, Saturday, February 24, 2024 cleared the air on the purported snubbing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Government of Qatar. It dismissed the reports, explaining that the meeting in question is a private initiative and has nothing with the Nigerian leader’s State Visit to Qatar. A statement on the issue by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, reads: “We are aware of a leaked diplomatic correspondence between the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar between 2 and 3 March, 2024. “The leaked diplomatic paper by mischief makers about an investment forum is not in any way a snub on President Tinubu by the Qatari government. “The Note Verbale is about a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum to be held on the margins of President Bola Tinubu's State Visit. “The event is being put together by the Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has called for the suspension of economic sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea by ECOWAS. A press statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) on February 24, 2024 quoted President Bola Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the organization, while speaking at the Extra-ordinary Summit of ECOWAS in Abuja on Saturday as saying that: “Everything we did was in hopes of persuading our brothers that there existed a better path, a path that would lead to genuine improvement of their people’s welfare through democratic good governance. And this was a path each of our nations had solemnly agreed with one another pursuant to formal regional treaty and protocol. “However, the sanctions that we contemplated might help lead our brothers to the negotiating table have become a harsh stumbling block. In my mind and heart, that which is hurtful yet ineffective serves no

  BY KEN ROBINSON 25-02-2024 Late Boma Erekosima, “Countryman” as he was fondly called, was a colossus broadcaster, journalist, ace comedian, and prime voice-over artist. Many would remember him for his rib-cracking jokes on radio, at social events, and his audio tapes. More for the flagship "News in Pidgin English" on Radio Rivers at 11.00am and 6:30pm, Monday to Friday, with his usual introduction: "Country people, na the thing wey dey happen for this we country I wan tell una so. The person una dey hear him voice na Boma Erekosima". But, I remember him for something more significant and personal. We were colleagues at Radio Rivers 2, 99.1 FM, Port Harcourt; the second FM radio station to be launched in Nigeria, on May 2, 1981. It was a Saturday morning, sometime in November 1989, around 7.05am, we had joined the Radio Nigeria Network Service for the Network News at 7.00am, and the studio area was usually scanty at that time, as most of the morning shift crew had

The Africa Network Campaign on Education For All (ANCEFA) has secured a grant from Open Society Foundations through the Open Societies in West Africa (OSIWA) to implement a regional educational project. The Policy Advisor, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Mrs Odinakachi Ahanonu said this at a capacity building workshop for CSACEFA members in Abuja on Thursday. Ahanonu said that the project would be implemented over a two – year period. She said that the project was themed, “Securing Education Transformation Agenda in Africa’s Regional and Sub-Regional Policy Spaces through Vibrant Civil Society Engagement in Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDGs4)and Africa Union’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa”. According to her, ANCEFA is implementing the project with national coalitions from 12 countries. Ahanonu said that CSACEFA Nigeria was one of the implementing partners at the national level. “The essence of the training is to strengthen the capacity of

The Federal Government has approved the establishment of two new private universities – Lighthouse University, Evbuobanosa, Edo state and African School of Economics, FCT. The approval brings the number of private universities to 149 and a total number of universities in the country to 274. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman presented provisional licences to the two universities in Abuja on Thursday. Speaking at the event, the Minister said the two institutions were approved by President Bola Tinubu at the Dec. 13, 2023 Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. Mamman charged the proprietors of the universities to prioritise skills and entrepreneurship which, according to him, were the current thinking of the government. He said substantive licences would be issued to the universities after a three-year probation and only if they met the requirements of quality assurance. The minister, therefore, warned that the provisional licences mi

  Asue Ighodalo, believed to be Governor Godwin Obaseki's    anointed candidate , this Thursday evening, February 22, 2024, won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Edo Primary Election to emerge as the party’s candidate for September 2024 governorship election in the state. Ighodalo, a lawyer and financial expert, won a total of 577 votes, while all his challengers who did not withdraw from the race scored zero votes. Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, who boycotted the exercise for a parallel congress which he won, garnered one vote. Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, the Chief returning Officer of the primary election observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Ighodalo the winner of the exercise and the party’s candidate for the September ballot. Ighodalo, a lawyer and financial expert, won a total of 577 votes, while all his challengers who did not withdraw from the race scored zero votes.

  The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa has vowed that the military will go after persons advocating coup d’ ‘etat in the country. Describing such individuals as enemies of Nigeria, Musa said the law would surely catch up with them. Musa insisted that the Armed Forces was on top of its game and would continue to defend and protect democracy in the country. The CDS spoke shortly after he inaugurated the main entrance of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Officers Transit Accommodation, at the Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. While acknowledging that the country was going through some challenges, he berated persons calling for a coup saying it would never happen. Credit: NEWS EXPRESS.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, at a valedictory session on Wednesday, formally dissolved the state executive council following the expiration of his first term on February 14, 2024. The dissolution came one  week after he was sworn in for a second term.  Governor Diri made the pronouncement during the 128th session of the council in Government House, Yenagoa. The governor in a statement by his interim Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, congratulated the former cabinet members for their dedication to duty, sacrifice and selfless contributions in delivering his mandate and in development of the state. He also commended them for their resilience, solidarity and faith, which he said served as inspiration to the government in surmounting challenges and in positively impacting the lives of people of the state. He said: "Together, we have seen the fruits of our labour. We have worked to uplift communities, addressed issues and brought about meaningful change in ou

•••VOWS TO INTENSIFY CAMPAIGN AGAINST CRUDE OIL THEFT The Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, has won the 2023 Sun Newspaper (Courage in Leadership) Award. The Sun Newspaper Limited said that the Tantita Chairman won the award because of his effective execution of the oil pipeline contract awarded to his company by the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited. The organizers of the 21st edition of the Sun Awards which held at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday night said that Tompolo has shown demonstrable commitment in the fight against the theft of the nation’s crude oil resources. In a short video released at the venue, the  company said that since the contract was awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited, the company has put up a sterling performance recording major breakthroughs in the fight against oil theft. The Sun said that Tantita has not only shown dedication in fighting the "viru

An indigene of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Aondona Andrew Adure, was crushed to death outside Eagle Square, Abuja, on Saturday. His younger brother, Mathias Adure, who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat, said the deceased had closed from work and was trying to cross to the other lane when the sad development occurred. He said Aondona, who was in his 50s, left behind his wife, without a child. According to Mathias, the woman who killed his elder brother ran to the police who were on duty nearby to report the incident, adding that the police had since taken custody of the car. He said, “It’s a black day for me. As I speak, my mother is in the mortuary in Benue. Now, by elder brother has joined her. It’s actually a trying time for me. What is more painful is that he died without having a child. “One of his colleagues in the same company who also left office saw a crowd around the Eagle Square and decided to take a walk, on reaching there; it was my brother that he s