Author: straightnewsng.com

Court of Appeal-Calabar, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Minister of Niger Delta Affairs-Senator Godswill Akpabio, Supreme Court, Ogbuagu JSC, All Progressives Congress-APC, Certificate of Return   By J.M Agu Esq. (CIArb) Since the news of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Calabar filtered our political space, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Senator Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and conduct a rerun election in Essien…

The Akwa Ibom State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board is said to be in pains due to poor release of funds to meet its services. The board headed by Cletus Bassey, an Arch-Bishop is alleged to be unable to access funds accrued to it in the yearly approved estimates. Recall that during the 2018 screening exercise of intending pilgrims conducted by the board members in Uyo, Bassey said “Despite prevailing economic recession in the country, Governor Udom Emmanuel has demonstrated his strong passion for God and Akwa Ibom people by sponsoring this year’s pilgrim exercise to Israel.” The chairman added that…

As corruption allegations levelled against some high profile Nigerians appear to be gathering dust in the filing cabinets, a one-time Nigerian presidential aide has castigated the Senate for its alacrity to pass Hate Speech Bill into law. Reacting to the Bill, Reno Omokri queried why “they want to criminalise free speech so innocent Nigerians can die by hanging.” Sponsored by Senator Abdullahi Sabi, the former Senate spokesman, the Bill meant to set up a government agency for the prohibition of hate speeches, passed first reading on Tuesday, November 12. In his Twitter handle, Omokri wrote “Aisha Buhari’s ADC, that stole billions did…

By Akanimo Sampson There will be an annual Awards Ceremony of the Plural Plus Youth Video Festival (PLURAL+) on Wednesday at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have announced. The goal of PLURAL+ is to ensure youth engagement in pressing social issues, both at local and global levels, by making their videos available through a variety of media platforms and distribution networks. Since 2009, UNAOC and IOM annually have invited youth filmmakers from around the world to submit short videos exploring the topics of migration,…

By Akanimo Sampson More than 600 refugees landed in the United States last week, marking the first arrivals of US fiscal year 2020. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) welcomed the refugees who come from a variety of countries. A group of 25 Congolese refugees were the first to arrive the previous Tuesday morning at Washington Dulles International Airport before continuing to their final destinations. Due to ongoing violence, the families fled to neighbouring Rwanda where they remained in limbo for years. Almost half of the refugees resettled in the US in fiscal year 2019 were from the Democratic Republic…

By Akanimo Sampson An additional $61.5 million, not budgeted within the current Humanitarian Response Plan for South Sudan, is needed to support flood-displaced citizens most in need of assistance, and ensure protection of the most vulnerable and avert loss of life. Heavy rains have hit areas that were already facing high humanitarian needs. Across the 32 flooded counties, more than three million people were in need of assistance even before the rains. Sixty-three per cent of the flood-affected counties are classified as facing extreme levels of Acute Malnutrition Phase 4 (critical), mostly impacting children and new mothers. Critical needs include…

Of all the housemates in the just ended Big Brother Naija ‘Pepper Dem,’ two females were the most outstanding for their rivalry and popularity. The two ladies- Mercy and Tacha- have made history of their own. While Mercy turned out to be the first female winner of the show, Tacha, on the other hand, is the first female to be disqualified from the show. Both records created by the duo were at the expense of each other. Tacha got disqualified for her assault on Mercy and many will still argue that Mercy would have had a hard time clinching the…

China’s annual Singles Day online shopping bonanza has brought in a record $31 billion in sales for Alibaba. The country’s biggest e-commerce company topped last year’s record in 16 1/2 hours. The event regularly racks up bigger sales than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. During Singles Day pre-sales, which kicked off three weeks ago, Estée Lauder (EL) raked in a record 1 billion yuan ($143 million) in pre-orders, Alibaba said on Sunday. Alibaba users also pre-ordered 100 million yuan ($14 million) worth of Apple (AAPL) iPhone 11s, the company said. This year’s Singles Day comes as Alibaba’s growth is…

Following the passage of Professor Tamunoemi Sokari David-West, a former petroleum minister, into eternity, President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the bereaved family. David-West, 83, was a consultant virologist of national and international standing is said to have died Monday. Buhari expressed deep sorrow at the passage of his ally and friend, a man he usually called “the indomitable Tam David-West.” David-West served as Commissioner of Education in the old Rivers State, Minister of Petroleum and Energy under the Muhammadu Buhari military regime, and Minister of Mines, Power and Steel under General Ibrahim Babangida regime. The President in a statement…

By Akanimo Sampson The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission for Costa Rica, Roeland De Wilde, says community stabilisation projects are strengthening the social fabric and are essential for socio-economic development of communities in Costa Rica. “The care of common spaces promotes co-existence between migrant residents and their neighbours,” he said. To this end, two parks abandoned to the sale and consumption of drugs and alcohol have been revitalised with colourful murals and a skatepark for children by a project that brought together the local community and migrant population. Located in Los Laureles and July 25 neigbourhoods in San Jose, the…