Author: straightnewsng.com

For the first time, the House of Representatives, Wednesday, suspended its plenary to allow Muslim members went for their prayers. The house presided over by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives proceeded on the prayer after swearing in new members who won Saturday’s re-run elections in some states. Our reporter learned that the House stood down its proceedings in the Order paper to enable the members to go for prayers only to return after some time to continue with the day’s business. “This is in breach of the standing rules and procedure guiding conduct of the House,”…

By Akanimo Sampson More than three months after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a forensic audit of the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from 2001 to 2019, the management of the interventionist agency does not appear to be on the same page with the president on the issue. A concerned civic group in the oil and gas region is currently alleging that the management of the commission does not allow the forensic audit ordered by President Buhari to be carried out. Instead of honouring the presidential order, NDDC is rather embarking on project verification, and not a forensic…

By Akanimo Sampson A seeming protracted Oil War has left no fewer than 33 people dead, an uncertain number of children missing, and 4,000 citizens displaced in a South Sudan community that is near Abyei town. Aid workers in the troubled area say the 33 people killed include women and children, and an unknown number wounded during an attack in Kolom, that is nine kilometres from Abyei town the previous Wednesday. Humanitarian agencies are also claiming that an unknown number of children were abducted during the bloody incident. Abyei town is, however, a north-south border town currently in the Abyei Area that…

Senate, Tuesday, acknowledged receipt of a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari seeking recognition of the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) until the forensic audit on its accounts is completed. The letter was read by President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and centres on the committee constituted by the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio. This came two months after the Senate approved the President’s request to confirm a 16-man board to oversee operations of the commission

Coronavirus has sent jitters to Asia and the rest of the world killing at least132 people and almost 6,000 cases have been confirmed in mainland China, as the Wuhan Coronavirus spreads across like wildfire. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds. In humans, the viruses cause respiratory infections which are typically mild including the common cold but rarer forms like SARS and MERS can be lethal. The first suspected cases of the virus were reported at the end of last year on 31 December 2019 in Wuhan, but it has since been confirmed in…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Akwa Ibom Command arrested 385 suspects, comprising 343 males and 42 females in 2019. The State Commander of NDLEA, Mr Mohammed Sokoto, who stated this Tuesday in a press statement signed by him and made available to newsmen in Uyo, said the command secured 24 convictions and seized 525.274kg of drugs during the period. On drug demand deduction, the command rehabilitated and counselled 225 clients and people who use drugs, adding that 16 drug dependent persons were successfully rehabilitated including two medical students. “Analysis of threat indicates that cannabis sativa is the most…

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Monday, said “We have had a series of engagements before but the escalation now has made it mandatory that we have to have a definite position as a government because we just cannot play politics with security issues.” Speaking the near-collapse of security apparatus in the country, he admitted that “Apparently, the system is not working effectively and efficiently and we have to do something.” Lawan who made the remark at a news conference held in Abuja while briefing journalists on what Nigerians should expect from the Senate as it resumes on Tuesday…

By Akanimo Sampson Prospects for a brighter future for coffee and cocoa farmers are currently not appearing positive. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), a UN agency dealing with trade, investment and development issues has warned that they stand little chance of improving their lot in the mainstream profit-hungry business world that is controlled by powerful multinationals. Many coffee and cocoa farmers earn a pittance even as these products generate huge profits in global markets. For instance, coffee farmers earn only 0.4% of the price consumers pay for a latte or cappuccino. The situation for cocoa farmers…

By Akanimo Sampson Contractors handling projects for the Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development (FMARD) have come under the hammer of the ministry for allegedly delivering poorly executed jobs implemented with sub-standard materials. The mandate of the ministry is to ensure food security in crop, livestock and fisheries, stimulate agricultural employment and services, promote the production and supply of raw materials to agro industries, provide markets for the products of the industrial sector, generate foreign exchange and aid rural socio-economic development. Prior to Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the agricultural sector served the purpose of growing and exporting cash crop…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected results of Saturday’s re-run election in Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, where its officials were abducted and forced to compromise the processes. The commission stated this in a statement issued by Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) on Tuesday in Abuja. The Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency and Essien Udim State Constituency were won by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the re-run election after candidates of All Progressives Congress, APC had…