News & Announcements

On Thursday, the Supreme Court denied an appeal submitted by Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, a former minister of state for education.

Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party both sought to be disqualified in the appeal.

When the former minister withdrew his claim after learning that it had been submitted outside of the legal deadline and was therefore statute barred, Judge Inyang Okoro dismissed the appeal.

On the same grounds that his lawsuit lacked substance, he had previously lost in the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, promised Nigerians on Wednesday that he would fulfill his campaign promises.

Because being the country’s next president was a dream he had spent his entire life perfecting, Tinubu claimed he could not afford to waste the opportunity.

This was stated by Tinubu in a statement titled “My 71st Birthday Message to Nigerians,” who turned 71 on Wednesday.

He emphasized that his readiness for the task ahead would be demonstrated by his swearing-in ceremony in two months.

The statement read,  “Dear Nigerians, I thank all of you who have expressed your goodwill towards me on the occasion of my 71st birthday. I received your kind words with great pleasure and was profoundly touched by the depth of your care and support. Above all, I thank God Almighty for the life He has given me, for all the opportunities and doors He has opened to me along the way.

“This year in particular, I see this day as one of deep reflection. The spiritual meaning and significance of the holy month of Ramadan matter to me much more than the celebration of any individual milestone. Yet, this is my first birthday as the President-elect. A few weeks back, Nigerians gave me the honour of a lifetime. In exactly two months, on the 29th of May my term in office will begin. It is a rare privilege indeed, and one that I do not take lightly and shall not squander.

“With such a privilege already granted to me, I will not go so far as to suggest I am due any birthday presents this year. I have already been given the greatest gift. A chance to lead and fulfil destiny. An opportunity to champion your aspirations and to bring about the Nigeria of your dreams.

“I will, instead, use this day as an opportunity to reiterate my commitment to the great and important task of rebuilding our nation and renewing the hope of the Nigerian people. I campaigned hard and made important promises.

“ Those promises were not mere words professed glibly or cynically to win support. They represent a bond that binds me to the task of creating a better Nigeria for the benefit of every Nigerian, whether you voted for me or not. I have prepared for this moment all my life, I will not fail. Henceforth, may growth, hope, peace and compassion stand proudly and ring loudly throughout the land. May we find the right way and the good courage to turn our beloved country into a strong, just and prosperous home for all. May Almighty God bless all Nigerians.”

In order to improve service delivery, the federal government of Nigeria on Wednesday started an online registration process for medical laboratories.

At a meeting in Abuja with stakeholders and the agency’s automation consultants, which was organized by Prof. Effiong Akpan of the University of Calabar, Dr. Tosan Erhabor, the Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, made this information public.

He urged all parties involved to take use of the great potential presented by the new framework to improve service delivery.

According to Erhabor, the registration would increase service delivery speed, efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and data collection and administration.

According to him, the meeting’s goal was to provide participants the chance to observe directly and perhaps criticize the continuing digitalization of the medical laboratory registration procedure.

“This is the latest in the series of council processes to be moved from the manual to the digital platform.

“In spite of our meagre resources, the council has successfully transformed other processes including Licensure, Examination, Indexing, Accreditation Service, and External Quality Assurance and now the registration of medical laboratories,” he said.

Erhabor encouraged owners of medical laboratories to keep collaborating with the council to improve service delivery.

He stated that owners would no longer be required to travel to the council’s headquarters in Abuja in order to easily register their laboratories from their preferred locations.

“I am pleased to note that automation has raised our profile among stakeholders, and we must commend the consultants for a job well done,” he said.

In response, Akpan praised the council administration for converting previously manual processes to the digital environment in order to improve service delivery despite the ongoing economic difficulties.

“My team and I are proud to be associated with the council and we encourage other agencies should emulate you in this respect,” he said.

Akpan underlined his certainty that the stakeholders will be pleased with the council’s work as well.

According to The News Agency of Nigeria, the federal government vowed to close down unregistered medical laboratories throughout the nation in September 2022.

The council was cautioned not to waver or take a break from carrying out its statutory obligations.

The Department of State Services, DSS, formally acknowledged yesterday that the plot to install an interim government to rig the outcome of the just-concluded general elections was real after months of rumors to that effect.

Dr. Peter Afunanya, a spokesman for the DSS, revealed this in a statement. He said the agency had named some of the plot’s key participants but withheld the identities of the masterminds.

According to the agency, the interim government’s planners have already held several meetings where they have discussed a variety of options for carrying out their plan, such as organizing endless protests in different Nigerian cities, obtaining a warrant to declare a state of emergency, or obtaining a court injunction to prevent the inauguration of the executive and legislative branches at the federal and state levels.

The statement read,  “The DSS considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.

“The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace loving Nigerians. This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country.

“The planners, in their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, among others, to sponsor endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency. Another is to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels.

“The DSS supports the President and Commander-in-Chief in his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover and will assiduously work in this direction. 

”It also supports the Presidential Transition Council and such other related bodies in the states. It will collaborate with them and sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless inaugurations on May 29, 2023.

“Consequently, the DSS strongly warns those organising to thwart democracy in the country to desist from their devious schemes and orchestrations

“Stakeholders, notably judicial authorities, media and the civil society, are enjoined to be watchful and cautious to avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation.

“While its monitoring continues, the DSS will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against these misguided elements to frustrate their obnoxious intentions.” 

Contacted for his reaction yesterday, office of the President-elect simply said ”no comment.

Awana Gaidam, a bomb maker for Boko Haram, is said to have died after stepping on an improvised explosive device he had created.

He was alleged to have set the IED in Borno State that killed him for the Nigerian army. Gaidam was alleged to have carried out numerous IED strikes along busy Borno routes before his demise.

According to Zagazola Makama, Awana placed the IEDs in his camp’s strategic locations within the Sambisa jungle to stave off troop attacks.

Gaidam’s vehicle stepped on the IED along Njumia and Arra in the Sambisa forest on Monday, a source told the Lake Chad-area newspaper Zagazola Makama. Gaidam was blown to pieces.

“Since 2022, Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province have carried out more than 90 indiscriminate attacks in the North-East using Improvised Explosive Devices.

“The insurgents resorted to the use of IEDs as a result of the increased and sustained pressure by the joint efforts of the Nigerian Army, Air Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai with support of the combined troops of the Multination Joint Task Force, Niger, Cameroon and Chad in the Lake Chad sub-region.

“Therefore, the killing of Awana represents a serious blow to the operational capability of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, terrorists group,” the publication said.

The U.S. Department of State has announced a 15% increase in application costs for some types of nonimmigrant visas, including travel visas.

It stated that the cost of Border Crossing Cards for Mexico nationals 15 years of age and older, B-1/B-2 visiting visas, and student and exchange visitor visas will rise from $160 to $185.

The cost of several nonimmigrant visas (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) for temporary employees will also rise from $190 to $205.

In the meantime, the charge for treaty traders, investors, and speciality vocation (E category) applicants will rise from $205 to $315.

The Federal Register published these increases on March 28, 2023, and they will take effect on May 30, 2023.

The US Department said in a statement on Wednesday, “NIV fees are set based on the actual cost of providing NIV services and are determined after conducting a study of the cost of these services.

“The Department uses an Activity-Based Costing methodology to calculate, annually, the cost of providing consular services, including visa services. The fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014.

“Other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors.

“Visas for work and tourism are essential to President Biden’s foreign policy, and we recognize the critical role international travel plays in the U.S. economy.” 

Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, a popular singer, has been given 72 hours to report to the nearest police station or face arrest by Friday, according to the Ogun State Police Command.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state’s police public relations officer, confirmed the situation in a statement that our correspondent was able to get on Wednesday.

Mr. Oyeyemi claimed that Portable had been warned to report to the police or face being detained.

He further stated that Portable’s father had agreed to take his son to the station after pleading on his behalf.

According to reports, two recordings of the singer swearing at several officers of the Force in Ogun state went viral on Tuesday.

In the video, He alleged that an online scammer had visited his bar and called the police to have him and his staff members arrested “for no reason.”

Oyeyemi, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police, clarified that the police decided to arrest Portable after five invitations were issued to him directly and another through his father, but he refused to show up for any of them.

He added that the Zazu singer’s invitation came as a result of a petition from a young studio owner who alleged that Portable and his helpers thrashed him into a stupor and closed his studio.

According Oyeyemi , “On receiving the petition, an invitation letter was sent to him five times but he refused to appear at the police station. Again, an invitation letter was sent to him through his father; he still did not come to the station.

“The police did not want a breakdown of law and order so his arrest was to be effected on Tuesday and now he started with all series of videos, saying all sorts of things. His father has been begging but we have told him that if he (Portable) refuses to turn himself in between now and Friday, he will be arrested.”

According to reports, Portable’s father escorted him to the police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, in 2022 after the singer declined to comply with a police summons regarding an alleged assault on a DJ in the state’s Sango region.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described President-elect Bola Tinubu as a “visionary, consistent, loyal and enigmatic master strategist” whose democratic credentials are scholarly materials for study in political economy.

He said Nigeria was blessed to have Tinubu as next democratically elected president from May 29, given his intellect, development-focused and detribalised disposition towards governance.

Sanwo-Olu expressed this in a message congratulating the President-elect on the occasion of his 71st birthday, according to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile.

The governor words were, “At 71, Asiwaju has attained the age, that what matters most is the legacy to bequeath to people after him and God has blessed him with a great opportunity to take the mantle of leadership of Nigeria, and chart the right path of progress for the people of Nigeria.

“Asiwaju Tinubu has donated the greater part of his adult life for service to humanity, Lagos State and Nigeria. His many contributions to democracy and good governance have helped the political and democratic trajectory of Nigeria since 1999. It is also on record that he stood firmly on the side of the Nigerian people, even at the risk of losing his life and personal belongings during the dark days of the military junta.

“He fought tirelessly with other progressives and pro-democracy activists during the annulment of the June 12 struggle to end the military interregnum and enthrone democracy, which we all enjoy today.”

The governor continued by saying that Tinubu’s election as president-elect was a reward for his toil and achievements to the nation due to his political sagacity, bravery, and cunning.

Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has praised Rauf Aregbesola for his accomplishments as interior minister.

Adeleke asserts that Aregbesola is welcome in Osun State and that the residents there adore him.

He continued by saying he was finishing up tasks left unfinished by Aregbesola’s administration.

At the opening of the Ilesa Passport Front Office and Production Center of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Ilesa, Osun State, on Tuesday, Adeleke gave a speech.

Adeleke words were, “No matter the party you are, if you are a progressive, you are a progressive, if you are doing what the people want. When he (Aregbesola) was governor, he loved the people and the people loved him. All the projects Ogbeni left, it was abandoned for years. I promised the people during my campaign that I was going to continue the projects, that is what I am doing.

“As a civilised person, no matter the party you are, you will always love progress. That is what I will always continue to ensure that all developmental projects are continued. As a federal minister from the state, we are proud of your achievements and we will continue to be proud of you.

“Mr Minister, I am assuring you that this is your state, nobody can chase you away. This is your state, you are welcome at anytime. Even, you can come around to the Government House. When I complete all of the structures I am currently working on at the Government House, I will personally invite you to inaugurate it.”

Aregbesola previously indicated that the increase in passport applications necessitated the opening of more passport front offices across the nation.

In order to handle the enormous number of people asking for passports and keep the wait time before data capture to a minimal minimum, he claimed that numerous such centers would still be required.

“Our target is to reduce the waiting period for biometric data capture to not more than one week, after application. The Passport Front Office we are commissioning today is one of the ways we are responding to increased demand for passport, especially to reduce the waiting time for biometric data capture.

 “We have opened this front office in Alimosho, Katsina, Zaria, Daura and in several Nigerian missions abroad in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, where the enhanced passport is being rolled out,” Aregbesola said.

The Federal Government guaranteed that the transfer of power from President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to President-elect Bola Tinubu will take place peacefully and smoothly on Tuesday.

This occurred at the same time as the administration claimed to have finished renovating the offices of the President and Vice President-elect.

Boss Mustapha, the Chairman of the Transition Committee, emphasised to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja that legal action would not prevent the hand-over ceremony from taking place.

He said, “The committee has been active and the refurbishment of offices for the President and Vice-President elect has been completed.

“The facility at the Defence House is ready. Security personnel of the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Police Force have also been deployed to the President and Vice-President elect.

“Protocol officers have also been assigned to both the President-elect and Vice-President-elect from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Intelligence Agency.

“The transition process is on course and all efforts are being made to ensure that it is smooth. On May 29, there would be a peaceful formal transfer of power to the new President.”

Mustapha pointed out that it was the security subcommittee’s job to make sure the handover wasn’t interrupted.

He said, “All litigation, whether resolved or not, will not in any way stop the process.  The President is not spending a day extra in office.  The security committee has the responsibility to ensure that nothing happens to truncate the transition process. Nigerians are very law-abiding people.

“Whoever has lost an election, there are provided avenues for those people to make whatever legal inquiry they want to make but the process would continue unabated.  We would not create another constitutional crisis. On May 29, the hand-over will take place.”

As part of the transition, Mustapha added that the FG delegation to the World Bank’s Spring conference would include four members of the President-staff. elect’s

Nonetheless, he disclosed that the president-elect had named Wale Edun and Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu to the transition committee.