Author: straightnewsng.com

The United Nations “strongly condemns the abduction and attack” of Dapchi school girls in Yobe State by Boko Haram fighters. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, UN, in a statement by Stephane Dujarric, his spokesperson, said he was gravely concerned over the situation of the school girls and their abduction. Guterres, therefore, called for the immediate and unconditional release of all the missing girls and for their safe return to their families. The UN chief urged the federal government to swiftly bring those responsible for the dastardly act to justice. He reiterated the solidarity and support of the UN…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced dates for general elections in the country for the next 36 years, starting from 2019 to 2055. Prof. Mamood Yakubu, Chairman of the commission, made the announcement at a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja. Yakubu said “In 2019, the dates are February 16 and March 2; in 2023, the dates are February 18 and March 4. “In 2027, the dates are February 20 and March 6; in 2031, it is February15 and March 1. “In 2035, it is February 17 and March 3; in 2039, it is February19…

The Senate Wednesday expressed shock on the issuance of Temporary Voters Card, TVC, to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State last week by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Consequently, it has begun a probe into allegations of double registration leveled against the governor. The upper chamber has mandated its Committee on, INEC, to immediately carry out a holistic investigation and submit report at plenary for its consideration within two weeks. Resolutions of the Senate Monday were sequel to a point of Order by Senator Mohammed Hassan, PDP, Yobe South. Senator Hassan, who came under Order 43 of the Senate Standing…

A high ranking officer of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Wednesday flayed the extension of the tenure of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun led National Working Committee, NWC for another 12 months even as he condemned the APC for discriminating against elements of the New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP who helped to form the party. Timi Frank, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party who is estranged from the mainstream of the NWC said the party has proved to the world that it does not respect even its own laid-down rules and guidelines. Chief Odigie-Oyegun, however, was quick to…

Anambra State government says it is targeting to increase yield from the current 345,000 metric tons to 600,000 metric tons this year as a way of augmenting the introduction of new irrigation technology in rice production in the eight local government areas of the state where the crop. Chief Willie Obiano, the state governor, who spoke during the inspection of the multi-million naira Centre Pivot Irrigation System at Egwe Agwa Ogbakuba in Ogbaru local government area, said the state would become net exporter of rice once the target was met as its local demand would have been surpassed. According to Obiano,…

Tragedy has struck in Edem Akai village, Etim Ekpo local government area of Akwa Ibom State today (Wednesday evening) as some suspected hoodlums set ablaze an 18-seater bus belonging to AKTC. The bus was said to be returning from Aba in Abia State when the hoodlums who pursued their victim to no avail decided to vent anger on the oncoming bus with 18 passengers. According to an eye witness account in the area, “the hoodlums had gone to kidnap one Udoma, a provision store dealer in the area and the man bolted through the backdoor. Speaking with Straightnews, one Moses…

Torrents of congratulation in the social media are being showered on a Nigerian student who was honoured for breaking again the existing academic record at the Imperial College, London. Christiana Esio Udoh, 26, the Akwa Ibom mmatang (oyibo) was Monday, February 26, honoured by the college with the enviable Dudley Newitt Prize for Experimental Excellence. Udoh had, since the first six months of enrolling for a Ph.D in Chemical Engineering, exuded exceptional academic feat which attracted a complete scholarship from the school. The award was officially announced during the Dudley Newitt Lecture at the university campus, London. Reacting to the…

Since the inception of the persisting civil rule in 1999, the reform programmes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) beginning with the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo to that of the home boy, Goodluck Jonathan and those of the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari do not appear to be responsive to the plight of the oil-bearing communities of the Niger Delta. The Nigerian state tends to define energy security primarily as promoting the expansion of oil production in the Niger Delta region.  While this tends to further increase the country’s dependence on oil,…

The Federal Government has set up a12-member committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the recent abduction of 110 students in Yobe State by Boko Haram fighters. The committee was convened by the National Security Adviser, NSA, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, retd. Lai Mohammed, the information minister, who stated this Tuesday, said the committee, to be chaired by a military officer of the rank of Major General, comprises one senior Provost each from the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force; representatives of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA; Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA; Nigeria Police Force, NPF; Department of State…

The ex-governor of Anambra State Monday in London proffered two conditions needed for Nigeria to overcome its economic difficulties and for Africa to develop. Speaking to newsmen after the high-level discussions at the British House of Commons, Mr. Peter Obi mentioned the conditions include huge investment in education and skill acquisition as well as meaningful support for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). “Nigeria must focus on investing in education and skill acquisition in order to turn round its economy, and drastically reduce the levels of youth unemployment,” Obi He revolutionised the education sector in Anambra during his days as Governor,…