Author: straightnewsng.com

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted the Bayelsa and Kogi state governorship elections to November 16. The elections were scheduled to hold November 2. INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye, in a statement on Thursday, explained the shift was in response to appeals for rescheduling of the polls. Some stakeholders from Bayelsa state have been vociferous in asking INEC to change the election date claiming it coincides with the state’s annual ‘Thanksgiving Day’ which is backed by law. “After a careful consideration of the appeals, the Commission at its regular weekly meeting held Thursday, May…

The Nigerian Senate, Thursday, passed the Public Holiday Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (HBs 918 & and 1529) to make June 12 Democracy Day in the country. President Muhammadu Buhari had last year immortalised Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the Nigeria’s presidential election held on June 12, 1993. At present, Nigeria’s Democracy Day observed since 1999 is marked May 29 of every year. Already, the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate to amend the Public Holiday Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 to make June 12 Democracy Day. Also, the Presidency, through Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the minister of Information…

Akwa Ibom government has joined the Federal Government in inaugurating a committee to work out modalities for the implementation of N30,000 new National Minimum Wage for workers in the public service of the state. The 14-member committee inaugurated on Thursday has one month to submit its report. The Federal Government inaugurated a committee for the implementation of the  new National Minimum Wage to workers in its employ on Tuesday, May 14, after President Muhammadu Buhari had signed the bill into law on April 18. Mrs. Ekerebong Akpan, Akwa Ibom Head of Civil Service, who inaugurated the committee in her office,…

A young, good-looking gospel singer reportedly committed suicide, but his death is gradually turning to a subject of controversy between Facebook friends and social critics. Michael Arowosaiye who died on Tuesday was said to be a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Abuja, though this has been disputed by another person. A friend of the deceased wrote on his Facebook page, “The incident happened around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Sunnyvale Estate. The deceased allegedly hanged himself with his belt.” VeryNaija wrote of the Facebook of the deceased “Michael Arowosaiye was a music minister…

Ajax were crowned Dutch champions for the 34th time on Wednesday after they cruised to 4-1 win at De Graafschap that completed a domestic double a week after their crushing Champions League exit at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. Goals from Lasse Schoene, Nicolas Tagliafico and Dusan Tadic, who bagged a second half-brace, saw Erik ten Hag’s side win their eighth league match on the bounce and formerly win the title after effectively sealing the deal at the weekend. Ajax came into the final match of the season three points clear of closest rivals PSV Eindhoven with a 14-goal higher…

The Senate, Thursday, confirmed Dr. Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria for another five-year term. Emefiele was screened by the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, on Wednesday during which he was grilled in issues affecting Nigeria’s economy. The screening exercise came after the mandate given by President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, to the committee at the plenary on Tuesday. The committee was given one week to carry out the screening and report back to the Senate. Emefiele, who was appointed as CBN Governor on June 2, 2014, is due to end…

Barring unforeseen circumstances, MTN Nigeria will list 20,354,513,050 at N90 per share on Wednesday, May 16. This followed final approval for listing granted MTN by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday, May 15. However, Dr. Charles Mekwunye, a Lagos-based lawyer, has filed a suit at Federal High Court in Abuja against Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) to stop attempt to list MTN shares on the floor of SEC. When listed at N90 per share, MTN Nigeria shares will emerge the second largest company on the nation’s bourse after Dangote Cement with market capitalisation of N1.83 trillion. Listing on the NSE…

The Akwa Ibom State Government, Wednesday, booted the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Sufficiency over what analysts see as “negligence of duty.” An indigene of Ukpum Okon clan in Ikot Abasi local government area, Dr. Uduak Udo-inyang, was appointed as a Commissioner  by Governor Udom Emmanuel on November 25, 2016. A three-paragraph statement signed by Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, the Secretary to the State Government, which was issued last night, did not state the offence of the commissioner. Accordingly, Governor Udom Emmanuel has directed Professor Nse Essien, the state Commissioner for Science and Technology, to take over the duties of the…

Another Nigerian on Wednesday made history after she was sworn into office as the first black female Civic Mayor of London Borough of Tower Hamlets, United Kingdom (UK). She is Mrs Victoria Obaze from Imo State, who contested three previous councillorship elections in 2010, 2014 as well as 2016 and failed, eventually succeeded in an election conducted on May 5, 2018 in Whitechapel Ward. \ Obaze’s inauguration on Wednesday is the latest in turn of events that have seen Nigerians emerge as Mayors in their area councils of residence in the UK. Recall that Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, and Mrs Kate…

As the 2019 Unified Territory and Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been released, three network providers in Nigeria have ripped off candidates of billions of Naira for using them to check their results. The results for 2019 UTME were released on Saturday, May 11 and more than 1.8 million candidates registered for the examination. Straightnews discovered that Airtel, MTN and Globacom are making away with at least N100 billion from the N50 service charge deducted from the candidates who accessed their 2019 UTME results through their phones via the universal code “55019.” Angered…