Author: straightnewsng.com

By Akanimo Sampson Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has sparked off a potential national controversy, saying that Nigeria, the supposed giant of Africa, is sliding into darkness. “This is because judges in the country are afraid to function in line with their oath of office,’’ says Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was speaking during a courtesy visit by the National Association of Women Judges, South-South chapter on Tuesday. In a statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, Wike stresses that judges “must’’ always uphold the law. “The problem with Nigeria today is because people…

By Israel Umoh Since the defection of Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio to All Progressives Congress in August 2018, the political configuration of Akwa Ibom State has been significantly altered. The defection has shattered the walls of hitherto unipolar political leadership in the state and has created a gulf in the political algorithm between two persons seen as the political masqueraders of the two major political parties having strong following up to the ward level unlike the rest with shrinking membership. While Akpabio is the gladiator in APC’s train, Udom Emmanuel takes charge of the PDP stronghold. Without equivocation, Emmanuel, the…

The dominant role played by a digital form of communication in promoting and growing businesses in the digital age took a centre stage during the second day of Social Media Week 2020 in Lagos. Speaking on the topic Will Traditional Media survive in the Digital Age? Amaka Nwoko, the Vice President, Sales of Skoleeo Technologies emphasised the important role played by digital technology to the development of the society vis a vis business and harped on the need for governments and individuals in Nigeria to embrace digitalisation. Nwoko expressed the hope that in the next 10 years, digital communication would…

By Akanimo Sampson Residents of oil-polluted communities in Kolo Creek, Bayelsa State, have started to ring an alarm on their health conditions. Angelina Ngeribo, says “there is crude oil on our drinking water source. This is affecting us in many ways.’’ According to her, ‘’there is no way to even bathe in the creek again. Some of those who dared to go in, come out from the creek with oily substances on their bodies. We are suffering as a result of the current condition of the river. “When we are paddling in our canoes, all our hands, our chest, clothes…

By Akanimo Sampson A constitutional lawyer wants the Senate Constitution Review Committee to review all aspects of Nigeria’s federal system by consensus. In a statement issued on Monday, Kayode Ajulo, says a general consensus is crucial for the social harmony, political stability and general well-being of the country. Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on February 6, inaugurated a 56-member constitution review panel. Heading the panel is Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege. It consists of all the eight principal officers, a senator from each of the 36 states and two members from each of the six geo-political zones. According to Ajulo, “the…

By Akanimo Sampson The government of Nigeria will soon come out with a blueprint on how security forces and humanitarian agencies will handle emergencies in the frontline. President Muhammadu Buhari has already approved the constitution of a National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC) to oversee all humanitarian actions in the country. Among other things, the committee is to provide a national vision for humanitarian actions, advise on coordination between the security services and humanitarian actors, settle disputes that may arise from interactions between security services and the humanitarian community. It is also to propose policies that will enhance coordination and seamless…

The Senate, Tuesday, directed its Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions and Finance to investigate non-remittance of taxes on bank deposits and dividends payment due to state governments. The Red chamber also mandated the committees to ensure that all withholding tax revenues on both bank deposits and dividends are recovered while they report back to the plenary within four weeks. A report obtained from The Vanguard said the resolution was the sequel to a motion entitled: “Digitalisation, Automation of Collection and Remittance of Withholding Tax on Bank Deposits and Dividends Payments for Enhanced Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of…

The Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, Monday, terminated the Assumpta/Port Harcourt road contract over the abandonment of the project by the contractor handling it. The governor gave the order while on inspection of the road and instructed the State Ministry of Works to re-award the road project to a competent road contractor to begin work before the raining season. He added that he would set up a task force to look into the road project in order to ascertain the contractors that are serious to deliver their work. This is coming weeks after the governor severally warned the contractors under the…

The Federal Government has called on the people of the region to embrace dialogue in order to address issues giving rise to conflicts, agitations and youth restiveness in the region. Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, who made the remarks during a sensitization on Peace and security enlightenment programme in Ukwa-West Local Government Area, said the region requires relative peace to attain progress. Alasoadura particularly charged the people of Abia State, especially the oil-producing areas to maintain peace and security in their various communities in order to attract development to the state. The Minister of…

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, says the South East has relatively recorded the lowest incidence of security challenges compared to other regions in the country. Umahi stated this Monday when he highlighted the steps being taken by governors in the region to ensure the security of lives and properties of people in the South East. But reacting to Umahi’s claim, Chief Mbazilike Amaechi, elder statesman, disagreed with him, saying that in Nigeria today no place can be said to be secured. Meanwhile, the governor has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T. Y. Buratai to ensure the…