Author: Our Reporter

A total of 900 candidates of political parties in Akwa Ibom State have been cleared to contest the Saturday December 2, 2017 local government elections in the state. Briefing newsmen Tuesday in Uyo, Aniedi Ikoiwak, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), said candidates in the 12 political parties have been cleared to participate in the elections. Ikoiwak stated, “Let me say here unequivocally that come Saturday, December 2, 2017, AKISIEC is ready to conduct the local government elections that will be generally accepted by the good people of Akwa Ibom State.” The Commission, he said, had deployed…

Akwa Ibom State Police Command Wednesday issued a shoot-at-sight order on anybody with unauthorized arms during December 2 local government elections especially thugs, warning politicians and political office holders in the state to advise their aides accordingly. In addition, the command has deployed a police helicopter for aerial surveillance and 15, 000 policemen to provide security at the December 2, 2017 local government elections in Akwa Ibom State. DSP Bala Elkana, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), while interacting with newsmen in Uyo, said at least two conventional policemen will be within each of the polling unit, the Special Armed…

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is uncomfortable with anti-graft agencies over their inability to properly account for recovered looted public funds and property from corrupt individuals in the country. Speaking at the Strategic Retreat on Tracking the Progress of Anti-corruption Bills in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Saraki described the act as unfortunate as it has become a barrier to retrieving more stolen loot from foreign countries. According to him, “The National Assembly has been strident about the opacity shrouding the management of recovered funds, which in many cases get re-looted by the agencies that investigated and recovered them.” He lamented…

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has given Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to order its officials involved in the scandalous re-instatement of fugitive former Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina to the federal civil service to step aside to allow for probe of their involvement in the saga. The Conference also called for a public enquiry into the scandal to unravel the truth behind the controversial return and reinstatement of the former pension task force boss. A statement by the Secretary-General of the CNPP, Chief Willy Ezugwu, after its consultative meeting with representatives of civil society…

A total of 50 young girls between 12 and 15 years suspected to be victims of human trafficking and illegal migration allegedly ‘packaged’ for export to Saudi Arabia have been intercepted by the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Abuja. Already, the agency has arrested the trafficker suspected to be a prominent Northern businessman based in Kaduna State (name with-held) and he is helping in investigation. Before now, the agency had arrested 39 women suspected to be victims of human trafficking and illegal migration at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport while 11 others were traced to a popular…

A Nigerian woman described as the ‘Most Wanted Human Trafficker’ has been declared wanted for trafficking young girls to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and UAE for sexual exploitation. A statement by the National Agency For The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP),  said, “The woman, Perebi Nicole Otubo is wanted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for human trafficking. It added, “She has been linked to an International Human Trafficking ring that specializes in trafficking young girls from Nigeria to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for sexual exploitation (prostitution)”. NAPTIP further said,…

Friday, December 1 is public holiday in commemoration of the Muslim Eid-El-Maulud celebration, the Federal Government has declared. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Minister of Interior, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government in a statement issued in Abuja Wednesday. The statement was signed by Abubakar Magaji, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, urged Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to use the occasion to pray for peace, progress and unity of the nation. Magaji further urged Nigerians to support the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in its efforts at building a virile nation, and wished Nigerians a happy Eid-El-Maulud…

North Korea says it has successfully tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can reach the whole of continental United States. State television said Pyongyang had achieved its mission of becoming a nuclear state. The Hwasong-15 missile, described as its “most powerful”, was launched in darkness early on Wednesday. It landed in Japanese waters but flew higher than any other missile the North had previously tested. The test, which defied international sanctions imposed over the North’s weapons programme, drew swift international condemnation, with the UN Security Council due to convene an emergency session. South Korea responded by…

Darren Plant Watford boss says he wants to emulate compatriot and Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho. The 40-year-old, Marco Silva is quoted by The Mirror as saying: “Of course, I’d like to emulate him. It is important and a good sign when somebody compares you with a good coach. It is better to be compared with a very good coach than the other way. “For Portugal he is a very important coach with what he did in the last 15 years. It is really important for him and he has also shown the way for other Portuguese coaches. “To reach…

Petrol filling stations in Akwa Ibom State said to be in the habit of adjusting their pump fuel price arbitrarily during the Yuletide stand the risk of closure. Already, petrol stations- Bafil Petroleum, Majudex, Esset Petroleum, Jobayo Investment Nigeria Ltd, Basumoh and Bofan Petroleum, among others- alleged to have violated government approved rate by selling N150 per litre may be sanctioned. However, Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC), Uyo has directed them to revert to N145 per litre or face stiff penalty for non-compliance. In an interview with StraightNews reporter, Margaret Sampson, a pump attendant at Basumoh filling station said the…