CrossFire Interrogator

An NGO, Sir David Osunde Foundation, has empowered no fewer than 1,500 persons with disabilities (PWDs) to cushion the effects of the current economic challenges. Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the foundation, Mr Ikem Uchegbulam, said this in Abuja, ahead of the 32nd special Easter Monday National Celebration, in honour of PWDs. Uchegbulam said that the beneficiaries were selected from different parts of the country, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity or social status, with the aim of improving their wellbeing. According to him, the beneficiaries have been severely impacted by the triple burdens of economic hardship, political instability and security challenges. He said that many of them were struggling to have one square meal per day while majority of them had felt isolated and abandoned. “The foundation looks deeply into empowerment. We have mobility support which ranges from wheel chair, recorder, clutches, guide aid and other assisting devices. “Also, we are lookin

  Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said offering palliatives was not the lasting solution to the economic hardship in the country. Senator Diri made the remark when he spoke during the Easter Sunday service at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church in his community, Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state. The governor said even though he was not against palliatives, he was more concerned with putting in place the right structures and systems to address the economic challenges.  He said his administration was initiating policies and programmes that would bring about long-term empowerment to people of the state rather than short-term palliatives. According to him, the government was tackling manpower shortage and the skills challenge by establishing technical colleges in the eight local government areas, embarking on skills acquisition programmes, building roads to connect the hinterlands as well as other infrastructure that would bring socio-economic empo

  Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has felicitated with people of the state, Nigerians and particularly Christians on the Easter celebrations, imploring them to renew hope in the advancement of the state and the country at large. Speaking during the Easter Cantata service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri expressed the optimism that Nigeria will emerge stronger from the current economic and security challenges. His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a statement on Saturday, quoted him as saying the situation of Nigeria was redeemable and that the signs were beginning to manifest. Drawing from the example of Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for mankind, Governor Diri urged citizens to also sacrifice in order for Bayelsa and Nigeria to move forward. He recalled the efforts and sacrifices of the founding fathers of Bayelsa and called for all hands to be on deck to make the state greater.  He advised the current crop of leade

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, to bring to bear his wealth of experience and knowledge in order to achieve his administration's goals. Senator Diri gave the charge on Thursday shortly after Prof. Ayawei was sworn in as the 14th SSG inside the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Yenagoa. Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Mrs Ayibatari Mirin-Johnson, administred the oaths of office and allegiance on the new SSG. The governor noted that after careful consideration and extensive consultations, he found Ayawei qualified and suited for the crucial role, stating that his appointment was not merely based on the necessity of the position but on his distinguished credentials. According to the governor, "with Prof. Ayawei's background as a former legislator, financial manager, accomplishment in the academia and political clout, l have no doubt that you wi

  The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, says  11 more states are to benefit from the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE). The AGILE, is a World Bank assisted project towards improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls. Mamman made this known when he received representatives of the project in his office in Abuja on Thursday. He said that the project had benefitted millions of students with life skills and digital skills. NAN reports that Recall Agile was initially implemented in seven states of Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Plateau in 2022 aimed at empowering girls in secondary schools. The additional 11 states to join the project are Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara. Mamman called on state governments to complement the intervention of the bank at raising the educational bar of students in the country. “The project is to provide suitable environment in terms

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Maman, on Tuesday sought collaboration with the Swedish Government on using technology to improve education in the country, especially in early child education. The minister made the request when the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englund, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. The minister said that there were many Swedish ICT-based companies in Nigeria and would want their expertise utilised in the education sector. “Right from primary school, we want our children to be exposed to technology and skills so that they can grow with it and also develop critical thinking capabilities for future skills. “So, we will be leveraging your expertise and experience in our plans to integrate technology and skills into our schools curriculum,” he said. He commented on the Swedish Education First programme in Nigeria, which supported the use of indigenous languages in the learning process, scholarships to Nigerian students as well as their peaceful ho

Medical Rehabilitation Registration Therapist Board of Nigeria (MRTB) has sought a strong partnership with the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) on  regulation as well as manpower development of health professionals for the ageing.  The Registrar, MRTB, Prof. Rufai Yusuf Ahmad, sought the collaboration when he led his team on a courtesy visit to the Director General, National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC )in Abuja on Tuesday . Ahmad said that the primary mandate of the Board is regulation of training and practice of Medical Rehabilitation professionals. While receiving from the Centre a ten-year Strategic Roadmap on Ageing and National Plan for Action on Ageing, Ahmad  said he looked forward to an actionable and implementable plan of activities with the centre for positive service delivery to senior citizens in Nigeria. Responding, the Director General of the Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro who appreciated the visit said the visit was not only timely but also strategic because there were

The Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights, CASER, and promoter of Food Avail, Bar Frank Tietie at a press briefing today, Tuesday, March 26th 2024 at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja on enhancing increased cultivation of Tela Maize and BT Cowpea, both genetically modified (GM) foods for Nigeria's National Food Security threw his weight and that of his organization behind the National Biosafety Management Agency and the cultivation of Genetically Modified foods. In a signed press release by Bar Tietie, he said CASER was using the opportunity to dispel the false and unfounded narratives driven by uninformed and economically jobbing groups about genetically modified (GM)  foods which are products of  biotechnology products.  "We maintain our support for the Nigerian government which began its GM research programme since 1987 and we are grateful to be reaping its benefits today.  "We maintain our support for the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA)

  The Federal Government Girls College, Benin (FGGB) has emerged overall winner of the 2023 National Senior Secondary Schools’ Debate Competition. This remarkable achievement came after fierce competition from schools across the six geo-political zones of the country. The grand finale of the competition was organised by the Senior Secondary Education Department, Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja on Tuesday. The topic debated on was “Democracy has done more harm than good to the nation”. The students of FGGB Benin impressed the judges with their outstanding performances, securing the overall first position, while Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba and Federal Government College, Potiskum, secured the second and third position respectively. The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said the competition was aimed at igniting the student’s quest of academic excellence and the growth of critical thinking abilities. Sununu, represented by his Special Adviser on Proj

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, performed the opening ceremony of a new restaurant, Pounded Yam and Co, built by an ex-militant, Boma Jackrich, Alias Egberi Papa, in Jabi, Abuja on Tuesday. The restaurant is expected to create job opportunity for some of our teeming youth population. Details shortly.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said the high cost of construction materials will not deter his administration’s commitment to development of the state. The governor also said ongoing projects were a priority of the government and assured that cost variations will not affect them. His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as stating this during an unscheduled inspection visit to both the Nembe-Brass and the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road projects. Speaking on the Nembe-Brass road, Governor Diri said: “The question of whether or not my administration will continue with this project due to the high cost of materials does not arise because when it comes to development in the state, nothing will stop us. "Development cannot be arrested as a result of high cost of materials. The contractors will come up with the cost variation and the Ministry of Works will look at it, evaluate and assess it and agree on the amount due to variation. So, we will surely an

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the appointment of Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei as Secretary to the State Government (SSG). He also named Dr. Peter Pereotubo Akpe as the Chief of Staff (CoS), Government House. A press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, also stated that Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS), Government House while Alabrah retained his position as CPS from the governor’s first tenure. The governor’s spokesman stated that the appointments take immediate effect. Until this new appointment, Nimibofa Ayawei, a Professor of Analytical Chemistry, technocrat, public servant and university teacher was Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue, a position he has occupied since 2016. The former member of the state House of Assembly started his working career at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment before his appointment as member of the State Scholarship Board in 2

  By Chris Osa Nehikhare Nigeria is currently facing the worst cost of living crisis in decades, with inflation on the rise and the burden on households and businesses soaring heavily. The trigger is the “Subsidy is Gone” declaration which ushered in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration on May 29, 2023. This shot up the cost of petrol with a spill-over effect on other goods and services including food, cooking gas, and transportation, among others. While several States still grapple, contemplating their next moves, Governor Godwin Obaseki has taken proactive measures, implementing policies and strategies to reduce the pains and ameliorate the sufferings that Edo people face due to the current realities, in furtherance of the government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of residents of the State. At the onset, when it became clear that Nigeria’s economy was going to take a beating, months before it became apparent to many that Nigeria’s economy was heading south,

A Yoruba Group, O’Odua Integrity Network (OIN) has expressed disbelief and shock on the statement attributed to former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju on the savage murder of 16 military personnel at Okuama, Ugheli South Local Government Area of Delta. The retired General had tried to create a curious link between private security oil surveillance contractors and the dastardly murder of innocent soldiers by the youths of Okuama. The OIN expressed deep reservations on why the General’s statement corroborates the unpatriotic narrative being peddled by oil barons and their paid agents who are troubled by the gains of the campaign against oil theft in the country. The Group in a  statement signed by Chief Adewale Adeosun (President) and Mr. Ige Kilanko ( Secretary), stated that the savagery perpetrated against the safety and security of Nigeria is unheard of in the history of the Niger Delta agitation. The group urged Nigerians to discountenance the retired Ar

...Donates Relief Materials The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, says that it will deploy modern technology to tackle the erosion scourge in Sangana community, in Brass local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This follows the recent devastating ocean surge in the community. A press statement signed by Mr. Pius Ughakpoteni, NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs on 24, March, 2024 said that while s peaking during an inspection of the eroded shoreline, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the intervention of the Commission was a response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for urgent action to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.   He described President Tinubu as a caring leader who had the interest of the people at heart, hence his call to action in the wake of what was considered to be one of the worst ecological disasters in the Niger Delta region. Ogbuku, who was accompanied by the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, visited the co

  An Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Harun Eze, has charged Muslim faithfuls to always give zakat to ease the current economic hardship facing the citizenry. Eze was speaking at an Annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the Afemai Islamic Movement (AIM) from Edo North, in Abuja on Sunday . The theme of the lecture was “The Role of a Muslim in mitigating the current socioeconomic situation in Nigeria”. The Sheikh pointed out key factors  leading to the economic challenges as unemployment, corruption, poverty and inflation. According to him, “the strategic way to curb the situation is our firm hold to the belief that Allah is our sustainer and also constant recitation of the holy Qur’an, Patience and kindness.” He urged Muslims to always give out charity/zakat to the poor needy as it would go a long way to reduce hunger in the country. “We must also engage in seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness as we may not know how we offend Allah. “Allah has promised that in every hardship comes ease and seeki

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will be extending the 2024 Direct Entry (DE) registration by two weeks to enable all candidates desirous of DE registration to do so. The Board made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday by its Public Communication Advisor (PCA), Dr Fabian Benjamin. Recall that the Board commenced the 2024 Direct Entry on Wednesday, 28th February, 2024, and was to have concluded it on Thursday, 28th March, 2024, but on subsequent consideration, has now extended the exercise by two weeks from Wednesday, 28th March, 2024, consequently bringing the registration to a close on Thursday, 11th April, 2024. Benjamin said the extension became necessary following the challenges faced by candidates in going  through  some of the security screening measures put in place to arrest the rampant and embarrassing cases of fake A’level certificates being paraded by some DE candidates.  "The Board apologises for the inconv

The Afri-mission and Evangelism Network (AMEN) has partnered with the Capital City Knowledge International School Abuja to establish a missionary club in the school for moral rebranding. The President of AMEN, Evangelist Oscar Amaechina at the inauguration of the Young Missionaries Club (YMC) in  Abuja on Friday, said the club was conceptualised to bring young Christians together to be used as instruments in the end time. Amaechina said the club would nurture the students in the fear of our Lord, train and shape them to be missional and as well carve a niche for them to excel in their academic pursuit and other endeavours.  "The objective of this club is to raise you into young adults who will make the world a better place. "With God on our side, we will raise among you missionary doctors, missionary nurses, missionary lawyers, missionary engineers, missionary teachers, missionary pharmacists, missionary pastors, missionary civil servants, missionary pilots, missionary musici

The Ijaw Patriotic League has dismissed desperate attempts by some people to link the heinous murder of 16 military personnel at Okuama to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) as ridiculous and laughable. The National Coordinator of the IPL, Jasper Eritei, said in a statement on Friday that those behind the recent campaign against Tompolo are oil thieves and their cohorts who did not get the pipeline contract of the NNPCL. The IPL said that Tantita Security Services Limited should not relent in the pursuit of oil thieves in the Niger Delta region as clearly specified in the mandate given to it by Mr. President. Eritei said that the security services in the country are aware of the details of what transpired and those who carried out the grave assault on Nigeria, the nation’s Armed Forces and the citizens. The IPL said that those struggling wildly and ludicrously to link the abominable murder of the 16 members of the Armed Forces are only exposing their desperate attempt to subver

The Federal Government and the United States of America (USA) have expressed interest in enhancing educational and cultural ties between both nations, reaffirming their commitment to mutual understanding, cooperation, and progress. This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday by the Director, Press in the ministry, Mrs Folashade Boriowo. This is as she said that both countries made the commitment when a delegation from the United States of America, led by the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Lee Satterfield paid a visit to the ministry. Speaking during the visit, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Lee Satterfield, expressed her deep appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education.  Satterfield reiterated the purpose of the visit, emphasising the intention to foster collaboration in the fields of education and culture, particularl

A professor Emeritus of education at the University of Windsor, Canada, Benedicta Egbo has said that one of the major challenges stifling needed development in the country is a lack of patriotism, adding that corruption comes secondary to the country’s challenges. Egbo was speaking at the annual lecture and book launch, organised in her honour, themed: “Reclaiming Nigeria’s Future: Strategic Frameworks for Achieving Transformative Change, on Thursday in Abuja. She, however, expressed optimism that if the right steps and action were taken, Nigeria would begin to experience positive growth. “Nigeria’s future generations deserve decent futures. This requires a starting point, critical reflection, and deep introspection on our part so that collectively, we can engender the transformative change we all desire and hope for this gathering. “This August gathering is also premised on the belief that our social economic and socio-political challenges are not intractable. They can be changed beca

The Ijaw Youths Network on Friday faulted a former Minister of Communication, Maj Gen Tajudeen Olarenwaju, on the grisly murder of 16 personnel of the Nigerian Army by Okuama youths on March 14, 2024 over land dispute. In reacting to the killings which shocked the entire country, the retired general fought hard to create a non existent link between this crime against humanity and the collaborative protection of the nation’s oil pipeline between private security outfits, the military and security agencies. The Ijaw Youth Network said that Gen Olarenwaju’s claim that it is unsafe for non state actors to protect oil installations in the country at this critical time is curious and wrong. The IYN in a statement by its Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, said the general’s statement only reechoed the same misguided and false narrative being peddled by frustrated oil thieves and their cohorts who did not get the pipeline contract of the NNPCL. The group said that the

A Bill for the amendment of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act, to increase its funding from the consolidated revenue from 2 per cent to 4 per cent has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives. The Chairman House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Hon. Bako Useni stated this on Thursday during the committee’s oversight function at the Digital Resource Center built by UBEC in Abuja. The centre was built for the training of teachers on digital education in Nigeria. Useni said the 10th Assembly saw the need to increase financial resources to the basic education sub-sector for its set objectives to be further met. He added that the amendment bill sponsored by Hon. Muktar Shagaya to increase revenue accruing to  UBEC from 2 per cent to 4 per cent was necessary. “The amendment bill which passed the second reading on Wednesday when concluded will make UBEC stronger. “Since UBEC was established in 2004 to date, a lot has been achieved. However, the Hou