Author: straightnewsng.com

The trial of President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro, over alleged N1.4 billion fraud preferred by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against him will continue on March 23. Usoro who is standing trial on a 10-count charge of the fraud was first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan in December 2018, but the case was re-assigned to Justice Rilwan Aikawa following an application for transfer of the case. He pleaded not guilty to the charge before Hassan and Aikawa, and was granted bail. Trial has since begun before Aikawa. Also in the charge against Usoro is Akwa Ibom…

Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has been appointed the new Emir of Kano by the State Government. Until now, Bayero was the Emir of Bichi, one of the new four emirates carved out of Kano Emirate. He replaces dethroned Muhammadu Sanusi II. Bayero is a graduate of Mass Communication from Bayero University Kano. He was also a former Danmajen Kano, Dan Buran, Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida and Wamban Kano. He was later appointed emir of Bichi after the creation of Karaye, Gaya, Rano and Bichi Emirates by the present administration. Among the reasons stated were alleged insubordination, refusal to attend official…

By Akanimo Sampson The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture’s (IITA) Business Incubation Platform (BIP) has set a new production record for maize in Nigeria. BIP exceeded the previous record through its Youth Out-growers team in an out-growers programme with Nestlé, Nigeria. Maize is one of Africa’s dominant food crops, rich in vitamins A, C, and E, carbohydrates, and essential minerals as well as 9% protein. Africa harvests 29 million hectares, and as the largest producer, Nigeria produced 1.69 tons per hectare in 2019, its highest production rate. However, the Out-growers team has achieved an average of 6 tons/ha, a massive development compared…

By Akanimo Sampson The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has raised concerns about some of the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion. Though WEA commended it for a number of its findings, but in a statement read at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), it strongly disagreed with the report on abortion. Behold the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief’s recently published report to the UNHRC. However, speaking on behalf of more than 20 organisations, WEA raised concerns about some of the report’s suggestions when it comes to conscientious objection in the context of abortion. “WEA, on…

By Akanimo Sampson The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sparked off a potential hot controversy that will shake the polity for a while. The civic group has named some top-ranking ministers and senior-ranking senators as public functionaries in Nigeria receiving jumbo double pay. The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had requested SERAP to furnish it with the names of former governors and ministers that are allegedly collecting and/or have collected double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states. In a letter responding to the request, the group listed the public…

By Akanimo Sampson The leadership crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a turn for the worse as an Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting summoned by the Deputy National Secretary of the party compounds the party’s problems. Some of the APC governors, among them, Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano);  Babagana Zulum (Borno); Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Babajide-Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), are said to be plotting to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari this week in a bid to save Adams Oshiomhole from the political forces after him. The development is coming after Thursday’s court order, Kayode Fayemi, Chairman of…

By Akanimo Sampson Churches are currently setting their sight on profitable business projects in a seeming frantic bid to boost their revenue. The goal is to allocate resources which in turn will strengthen the global body of Christ and Christian values in the society. The International Director of the Business Coalition, Rev. Timo Plutschinski (Germany) says: “We desperately need a ‘Monday Boost,’ a very strong force into finance and the marketplace in order to awake the sleeping giant of Christians who makes use of their professional work in business and investment to build church at last.” This is bursting into…

By Akanimo Sampson The coronavirus pandemic is currently having a heavy toll on global exports, a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says. According to UNCTAD, the slowdown of manufacturing in China due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) is disrupting world trade and could result in a $50 billion decrease in exports across global value chains. According to estimates published by UNCTAD on March 4, in February, the country’s manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI), a critical production index, fell by about 22 points to 37.5, the lowest reading since 2004. Such a drop in output implies a…

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has completely deactivated 2.2 million improperly registered Subscriber Identification Module, SIM, cards across telecommunication networks nationwide. Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who stated this in a statement signed by Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Director, Public Affairs in Abuja, Sunday, said the commission’s efforts in this regard was in line with one of the key agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen security of lives and property of all Nigerians. “We have since initiated the second phase of SIM deactivation based on the Ministerial directive and as of today, we have completely deactivated the…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, said Sunday that 23 suspected cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been identified in Edo, Lagos, Ogun, FCT and Kano states, including the index case in Lagos. This came as four scientists weekend laid claims to have found solutions to coronavirus and Lassa fever, following the promise of N36 million by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to any scientist who is able to find not just a cure but a better way of managing the two diseases. NCDC Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who stated this in Abuja, said as at Saturday, March…