Author: straightnewsng.com

Nigeria and Benin have agreed to set up a joint committee to combat smuggling, President Muhammadu Buhari announced Wednesday. Buhari stated this when he hosted President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Also to be consulted in the workings of the committee is Niger Republic, which is believed to be a transit point in the concentric circle of smuggling of commodities, particularly rice, into Nigeria. A statement by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said, “We have succeeded in cutting the importation of rice into the country by…

Senate President, Mr. Bukola Saraki, Wednesday gave reasons why he did not honour the invitation by the Police. In a letter to the police on his invitation written on Tuesday, Saraki, through Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, noted that all the issues and questions raised in the police invitation were answered, stressing that the letter was written and dispatched to the police on Tuesday. He said after answering all the questions raised by the police in his letter, he did not believe there was any further need for him to go to the police personally. The Senate leader…

The Debt Management Office (DMO), Wednesday, called for privatisation of some Federal Government’s viable enterprises and listing them as quoted companies on The Nigerian Stock Exchange to raise fresh funds to supplement its revenue for capital investments. The enterprises include Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Nigerian Commodities Exchange, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, National Stadia and Nigerian Security and Minting Company (NSPMC). The DMO’s suggestion contained in its 2017 Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA), explained that “Hence, the need for Government to sustain the on-going efforts aimed at reforming, restructuring and repositioning some of these enterprises for privatization or commercialization. ‘’Aside saving…

At last, Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue state, Wednesday, defected from All Progressives Congress, APC to People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Ortom had since been expected to dump APC, following an ‘alleged red’ card given to him by an APC stakeholder in his state. He has presented a resignation letter letter to stakeholders in Makurdi and announced that he had presented letter to ward chairman earlier. The Governor defected with 13 local government chairmen. Terver Akase, Governor Ortom’s spokesperson confirmed the story. “Yes, he has defected’.’ Recall that 15 APC Senators and over 37 house of Representatives members, Tuesday defected…

A 72-year-old man from Umuoma village Uli, Ihiala local government area of Anambra State, has been arrested by the police for allegedly manufacturing and repairing assorted guns for criminals. However, Obi Benjamin, the Septuagenarian denied the allegation, saying he only repairs guns for the hunters of which he is a member. The police also arrested one Okwudili John from Delta State said to be impersonating Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for the purpose of duping people. They were among 20 suspects paraded by the state police command in Awka yesterday over alleged armed robbery, cultism and other criminal activities. Mr.…

No fewer than 431 premises of pharmacies and patent medicine in Imo State were sealed by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN for varying noticeable offences. Mrs. Anthonia O. Aruya, the PCN’s Director, Inspection and Monitoring, who stated this during a press conference in Owerri, expressed shock at the way many people go into sale of medicines without following due process. “No fewer than 431 premises were sealed, comprising 45 pharmacies and 386 patent medicine stores”, Aruya said. According to the PCN Director, “13 premises were given compliance directives for various offences, ranging from improper handling of of controlled substances,…

France’s World Cup star Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are among key players shortlisted by FIFA, the world football governing body, for the Best Men’s Player award nominees for the 2017-2018 season. The 19-year-old Mbappe displayed a string of impressive performances in France’s World Cup-winning campaign, becoming only the second teenager after Brazil’s Pele to score in a World Cup. The 31-year-old Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club, Barcelona and has a record-tying five Ballon d’Or awards. Messi has the second-most goals scored (100) of all-time in…

The Reformed All Progressives Congress, R-APC, which recently pulled out of the mainstream ruling party, has hailed the lawmakers who defected Tuesday, saying the move will ‘’redirect the compass for better politics.” The spokesperson of the R-APC, Kassim Afegbua, who made the known in a statement Tuesday, said, “We salute our gallant lawmakers for their bold decision to exit from this colony of maximum rulers called the APC and helping to redirect the compass for better political engagements and sustenance of our hard-earned democracy. “We salute Bukola Saraki, the President of the Senate, for his bravery, courage and boldness in…

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said Tuesday that those accusing him of not inaugurating the Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, because he was awarding contracts were ignorant of the Procurement Act. Ngige said neither him as a minister nor the Board has the right to award contracts. The Minister’s response is coming on the heels of the threat by the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to expel him or any other minister that failed to carry out his directive from the party. The bone of contention between the…

President Muhammadu Buhari said Tuesday that the defection of some All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the National Assembly to opposition parties political will not in any way harm his aspirations or that of the party. Buhari also said he harboured no grievances against the senators and members of the House of Representatives who have dumped the APC. He further stated that he was committed to the tenets of democracy and freedom of choices and that he was willing to work with members of the National Assembly for the good of the country, irrespective of their political affiliations. The President in…