Author: straightnewsng.com

The Federal Government has approved the first phase of Ibom Deep seaport in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom put at $2.016 billion. The first phase of the seaport is expected to generate no fewer than 300,000 jobs, the state Commissioner for Economic Development and Deep Seaport, Akan Okon has said. The total cost of the project pegged at $4.6 billion would be built on Private-Public Partnership arrangement. It would not only address the unemployment problem in the state, but would rake huge revenues into the coffers of the federal and state governments. Okon who spoke with Vanguard commended the federal government for…

The late Prof. Habu Galadima, the Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru Jos has been described as an intellectual colossus who stood tall in the field of scholarship and knowledge. Aged 58, Galadima died Sunday, December 20 after a brief illness. In a condolence message signed by Garba Shehu, his spokesman, President Muhammadu Buhari who stated this expressed sadness over the untimely demise of Galadima. Buhari  said “Galadima was an eloquent and remarkable intellectual whose contributions to scholarship were vast and remarkable, and Nigeria will continue to remember him for these contributions,” the President said while…

Irresistible Leicester City punished Tottenham for committing obvious tactical blunders, thus dimming the team’s title hopes in the Premier League. Jose Mourihno’s Tottenham suffered a second significant dent in as many games as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Leicester City. Looking to bounce back from the disappointment of conceding late in a 2-1 defeat to leaders Liverpool in midweek, Spurs instead saw a lacklustre performance deservedly punished. A Jamie Vardy penalty put Leicester in front on the stroke of half-time before an own goal from Toby Alderweireld put the Foxes firmly in command. Tottenham’s failure to find a way…

Following a new wave of COVID-19, six new deaths were recorded in the country from the pandemic on Saturday, according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Also, the country recorded 920 new confirmed cases from 17 states including Federal Capital Territory. Of the number, Lagos State still leads with 308 new infections, trailed by FCT and Kaduna State with 207 and 179 cases respectively. In its Twitter, NCDC wrote “On the 19th of December 2020, 920 new confirmed cases and 6 deaths were recorded in Nigeria. “The 920 new cases are reported from 18 states- Lagos (308), FCT (207), Kaduna…

Liverpool ended a three-month wait for an away wins in the Premier League in record fashion with a 7-0 bashing of Crystal Palace Saturday to move six points clear at the top of the table. Mohamed Salah made sure he had the final say after being dropped from the starting lineup on Saturday, scoring twice after coming off the bench. The Premier League’s top scorer was unusually benched – by coincidence or not – hours after an interview was published in which he flirted with a move to Spain and grumbled about not captaining the English champions. After coming off…

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents, Friday, December 18, allegedly kidnapped 35 commuters along Damaturu-Maiduguri Road. The Cable reported that the insurgents appeared in military uniforms, mounted a roadblock on the highway with five Hilux vans before attacking a large convoy of commuters near Garin Kuturu in Jakana at about 5 p.m. and taking them away. A military source told the publication “The passengers first sighted a burning fire, but they thought it was bush burning, not knowing that they had already ambushed a Dangote’s truck driver and set it ablaze. “But while they were approaching the scene, they sighted the insurgents…

Issuance of National Identification Number (NIN) is said to be free Nigerians as the cost of the registration is being borne by the Federal Government. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, said this following complaints from some applicants who alleged that they were being asked to pay for the service. Though Technical Assistant on Information Technology to the minister, Dr Femi Adeluyi, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, most Nigerians still pay between N500 and N1,000 for what some operators of the scheme called ‘incidentals’ to be registered. “The National Identity Number…

Pressure mounted on Mikel Arteta as Arsenal slumped to their seventh successive Premier League game without a win. The Gunners find themselves scrapping at the wrong end of the Premier League table as they were beaten 2-1 by Everton on Saturday. Rob Holding’s own goal and Yerry Mina’s header were enough for Carlo Ancelotti’s side while Nicolas Pepe converted from the spot for the visitors. Everton took the lead in the 22nd minute from their first piece of quality delivery. Alex Iwobi’s cross picked out Dominic Calvert-Lewin and his glancing header, which appeared to be going wide, went in off…

Some Nigerians have called for the withdrawal of policemen from the residence of Seun Kuti, the popular Nigerian Afrobeat musician. Leading the call is Kemi Olunloyo, the acclaimed international journalist, who tweeted “Nigerian Police should WITHDRAW the siege on @RealSeunKuti’s residence. As a Community Activist DON’T REPEAT 1978. I was the 13yo who ended up in a hospital bed Mrs Funmilayo Kuti died in. Olunloyo who is also a Doctor of Pharmacy and social activist further tweeted “My 8yo brother still paralyzed at 50yo. The Nigerian govt needs to leave Kuti family ALONE.” She is not alone. Amarachukwu Chibueze Umendiego @AUmendiego…

Akwa Ibom Government says it is concerned at the rate people are being swindled by fraudsters over inadequate information in the acquisition of land. Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Lands and Natural Resources, Arc. Ime Ekpo, who stated this during a press conference in Uyo, warned land speculators in the state to beware of fraudsters by obtaining government’s approval before they purchase any land. “We manage lands effectively for the state government. We hold the registration of lands and there is no land in the state that is not registered, and we issue Certificate of Occupancy to rightful land owners. “So, many…