JTownGist

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Friday, announced the temporary suspension of the controversial $300 helicopter landing fee. The decision came after the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, rejected the fee, insisting that it was commercially injurious. A statement by the spokesman of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi, said a committee has been charged to look into the issues raised by concerned stakeholders and submit a report before the end of June. The statement reads, “Following a meeting with the AON executive on the issue bordering on Helicopter landing levies collection at Aerodromes, Helipads, Air Strips, etc, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has temporarily suspended the enforcement granted Messers NAEBI Dynamic Concept Ltd, by the Federal Government, as consultants to collect such levies. “The suspension is with effect from 30th May, 2024. This, the Minister said, is a ...

Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker, Robin van Persie has been appointed the new head coach of Heerenveen. This is the first managerial job for the 40-year-old.  Van Persie retired from football in 2019, following a spell with his boyhood club Feyenoord. He has spent this season in charge of the Dutch side’s Under-18s, before taking the role at Heerenveen. “I would like to continue my development and the role of head coach fits in perfectly with that goal. “I am therefore pleased with the opportunity that Heerenveen offers me. “Heerenveen is a very nice Eredivisie club with a rich tradition and loyal supporters,” Van Persie said.

Governor Sim Fubara on Friday cautioned residents of the Rivers State against demarketing the state. Fubara said demarketing the state would scare investors away, hence residents will have themselves to blame. He spoke while receiving a delegation of leaders and members of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, who were on a solidarity walk to the Government House in Port Harcourt. Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Fubara promised that the social contract between his administration and Rivers people would remain an unbroken bond to drive governance. He said: “If we join to demarket our state, we will have ourselves to blame. When we demarket Port Harcourt, demarket Rivers State and all the good people that want to bring in their money to invest here begin to run away, remember that it is our own future that we are destroying.  “Do you want the future of your children to be destroyed? The time to rebuild is now. And we ha...

It is recalls that the former emir returned to Kano after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf deposed him, a development that has led to some controversies. The report of the Juma’at at the Nassarawa Palace comes after the State Police Command calm tension in kano, clarifying that the dethroned Emir, will not lead the Juma’at prayer at the Kano Central Mosque as previously speculated.  Speculation about Bayero and the reinstated Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, leading prayers at the same mosque had stirred palpable tension in the city, raising fears of potential clashes between supporters of the two leaders. However, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, dismissed these report as false in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. Gumel confirmed that Emir Muhammad Sanusi II led the Jummah prayers at the Central Mosque, maintaining the tradition as the recognized Emir of Kano.  He urged the public to disregard any reports claiming otherwise and a...

A statement signed by Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, said: “The government and people of Nigeria condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the onslaught on defenceless civilians currently being witnessed in Gaza in the course of the Israel-Palestine conflict.” He said the latest deadly attacks on the Rafah Displacement Camps in Southern Gaza on Sunday the 26th, which killed about 45 people, mostly women and children, represents an unfortunate addition to the list of strikes on soft civilian targets with devastating effects which have now characterised the crisis. “As it stands, the Rafah attacks, just like the bombing of the Al Shifa Hospital in early April, the serial bombing of schools, particularly in Khan Younis, the March 2024 bombing of the Firas Market and the Nuseirat Refugee Camp Market; the drone attacks on the World Central Kitchen aid staff in April, indicates a most regrettable affront on humanity, which must be denou...

A policeman in Bayelsa State has killed a driver identified as Benalayefa Bako Asiayei, over his alleged refusal to give N200 bribe.  The incident happened along Azikoro road in Yenagoa, the state capital.  Death of the driver has attracted condemnation from the public and human rights groups. The trigger-happy cop, who is attached to the police special patrol team in the state Operation Doo Akpo’ is yet to be identified as at the time of filling the report. The late Asiayei, who is said to be 40 year-old and father of three was an electrician who used his car for commercial purposes in the evening to get additional income for his family needs.

Vincent Kompany was officially presented as Bayern Munich’s new coach on Thursday, insisting he did not share the football world’s surprise at his appointment. Bayern’s decision to take a gamble on the 38-year-old former Manchester City defender took many people by surprise because his first foray into managing in the Premier League ended with the relegation of his Burnley side two weeks ago. But Kompany said: “I think the aspect of being surprised is because you assume it is the only club that called and you only assume it because I am a private person. “Maybe I was surprised by the first call but it wasn’t from Bayern Munich” he told the press conference, speaking in a mixture of German and English. Kompany replaces Thomas Tuchel after failed attempts by Bayern to lure Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann and Austria’s Ralf Rangnick to one of the biggest jobs in the game.  And he set out a clear vision of how he wants to shape his new tea...

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that his administration inherited 34 uncompleted projects, valued at over N225.279billion spread across 13 local government areas of the State.  The Governor also disclosed that under his watch, the Rivers State Government has awarded nine new road projects, valued at N534.332billion. This is even as he described as vicious and existential in nature, the political crisis that was waged against his administration, barely three months after take off on May 29, 2023. The Governor, however, said that the worst was over because his administration has successfully defended the rights and privileges to govern the State and advance its progress in liberty and freedom without compromise. Governor Fubara said these while presenting an Account of Stewardship and Scorecard to mark One Year Anniversary of his administration at Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. The Governor said: “We s...

Chelsea women appointed Lyon manager Sonia Bompastor as the club’s new head coach on a four-year deal on Wednesday. The 43-year-old succeeds Emma Hayes, who led the Blues to 14 major trophies during a 12-year spell in charge. Bompastor has enjoyed similar success in France, leading Lyon to seven trophies over the past three seasons. “I will give my all to this new project to meet the ambitions of the club, the staff and the players,” said Bompastor in a club statement. “I hope to live up to Emma’s legacy and continue the work that has been done in recent years. Let the adventure begin.” Hayes, who has taken over as coach of the USA women’s national team, signed off in style as Chelsea claimed a fifth consecutive English title on the final day of the season earlier this month. Bompastor fell short of a fairytale ending at Lyon as they lost last weekend’s Champions League final 2-0 to Barcelona. 

Fire on Wednesday gutted several wooden shanties at the Tejuosho Market, Yaba area of Lagos State and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. Fortunately, at the time of filing this report, there was no loss of life recorded and no injury sustained. The fire, according to reports, broke out at the market located along Tejuosho Canal, comprising shops and residences, at about 12:30 pm.

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, said that the apex bank has not revoked the licenses of Moniepoint, Opay, and other fintech banks operating in Nigeria. Cardoso disclosed this in a communiqué from Tuesday’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja. He noted that CBN is not against fintechs.  His reaction comes weeks after the bank restricted them over allegations of accounts being used for illicit foreign exchange transactions. Cardoso stressed the need for CBN to strengthen financial regulations to check against leakages. “CBN is not against fintechs and has not revoked the license of any fintech organization. However, he stressed the need to strengthen regulation in the sector to check against leakages”, he said. He added, “It’s our responsibility to ensure it (the banking system) remains sound, safe, and fit for purpose.”

A  Benue State High Court has restrained the Benue State Government from probing the administration of the former Governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom.  It is recalls that the Benue State Government recently set up a commission of inquiry into the funds (income and expenditure) of Benue State Government from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, to probe the immediate past administration of former Governor Ortom in the state.  The order stopped the panel from sitting, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice filed by former Governor Samuel Ortom. Justice T. T. Asua gave the order while ruling on a motion ex-parte seeking leave of the court to issue the prerogative writ of prohibition on the Benue State income and expenditure commission of inquiry from sitting or taking any action in respect of the terms of reference, paragraph 3(a)-(o), listed in the Benue State of Nigeria Gazette No. 17, Vol. 49 of February 27, 2024, by the Governor of Benue ...

President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill despite the opposition from Nigerians. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio announced this on Wednesday during a joint session of the National Assembly. He also announced that the president will not address the House but only flag off the new anthem.  Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said the president cancelled the address because June 12 is the official Democracy Day.

President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the National Assembly Complex as part of his itinerary to commemorate the 25 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria. Tinubu’s motorcade arrived at the National Assembly at about 11:57am and he’s yet to enter the chamber. Shortly after the president’s arrival, the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, alongside the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, entered the chamber. Mr Akpabio announced that the President would not address the chamber but only listen to the Old National Anthem. He urged the lawmakers to download the new anthem. However, the President, thereafter, made a brief speech to the lawmakers.  This is coming amid confusion from the Presidency over conflicting statements of Tinubu addressing a joint session of the National Assembly. On Monday, the National Assembly had announced that it would hold a special joint session on Wednesday to mark the 25th anniversary of democracy in Nigeria.

Albanian football agent, Serxhio Mezi, has revealed that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will be joining French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain this summer. Osimhen will leave Napoli at the end of the season. The Nigeria international has been linked with PSG, Chelsea and Arsenal.  Speaking recently on 1 Football Club, a radio program hosted by Luca Cerchione broadcast on 1 Station Radio, Mezi said in quotes relayed by Casa Napoli: “The Nigerian [Osimhen] will leave [Napoli], he will join Paris Saint-Germain.” He added, “I know that Napoli are interested in Albion Rrahmani, who plays in Albania. “Furthermore, contacts are registered for Broja. Much, however, will depend on the choice of the player, who would like to land in a big club. Broja was contacted by the director of the Azzurri.

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has told Leicester City fans they will miss him when he leaves the club in the summer transfer window.  Speculations about the former Manchester City star joining Aston Villa in the summer are high. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa targets him as a backup striker to Ollie Watkins. Aston Villa have maintained a long-term interest in Iheanacho, whom they attempted to sign four years ago but a move did not happen. Iheanacho was spotted wearing a t-shirt with the inscription “We’ve got HISTORY. When I’m gone, you gonna miss me” after the club’s final game of the season against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The Organised Labour has declined  a fresh minimum wage proposal by the Nigerian Government. reports has it that the Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, rejected the offer of the Federal Government to pay N60,000 as new minimum wage,. It was also gathered that labour had shifted grounds from its N497,000 proposal to N494,000.  A prominent member of the Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers revealed that the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector side of the talks proposed a N60,000 monthly minimum wage as against the N57,000 they tabled last week when the committee resumed negotiations. It is also recalls that the government had initially proposed N48,000 and N54,000, which were also rejected by Organised Labour. However, Labour had also presented N615,000 as the new minimum wage but saw reasons to drop their demand from to N497,000 last week and...

A Kano State High Court has restrained the Police, the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigerian military from removing  the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. The Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu-led court gave the ruling in reaction to a case filed by the emir alongside the four kingmakers of Kano: Madakin Kano Yusuf Nabahani; Makaman Kano Ibrahim Sarki Abdullahi; Sarkin Bai Mansur Adnan and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta Bello Tuta. Justice Aliyu also refrained the security agencies from arresting or harassing Sanusi and his kingmakers.  Ruling, Justice Aliyu held “that an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents either by themselves, their agents, privies, representative, and assigns from further harassing, intimidating, inviting, arresting and or invading the personal or official residence of the Applicants (Gidan Rumfa), his servants and or any of the Kano Emirate kingmakers of doing such acts that would be capable of int...

Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala has won the best goal for the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2023/24 season.  Oshoala netted a stunning bicycle kick in Barcelona’s 5-0 win over Benfica in their opening group game en route to the Catalans claiming the Champions League for the second consecutive season. With the Blaugrana already 4-0 up, Jonatan Giráldez sent the reigning Women’s African Footballer of The Year and she wasted no time in making her mark in the game, scoring the last goal of the encounter in style – her only goal of the competition. She thereafter made a mid-season move to American side, Bay FC. “The top 10 goals of the 2023/24 UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign have been selected by UEFA’s Technical Observer panel, with Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala taking the prize for Goal of the Season thanks to her stunning bicycle kick for Barcelona against Benfica on Matchday 1,” UEFA wrote on their website. “Also for Barça, midfielder Aitana Bonmatí took second ...

The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim has announced the formal withdrawal of a lawsuit filed to seek nullification of the primary election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. From the April 20 primary election, Aiyedatiwa emerged as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the forthcoming election in Ondo State. The situation didn’t go well with the senator which made him approach a Federal High Court in Abuja, citing irregularities.  enhancing internal democracy within our party. “Based on his assurances and leadership, I have decided to withdraw the case to support his efforts to pave a new way forward for our party,” he said. The senator also noted Aiyedatiwa’s effort and urged the general public to see the withdrawn suit as a gift to mark Tinubu’s one year in office. These were disclosed in the statement titled, “Presidential intervention and notice of withdrawal suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/588/2024.” He acknowledged...

Israel has called on those it described as “nations of the civilised world” to refuse to stand against any International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued against its leaders. JTOWNGIST reported that Karim Khan, who is the chief prosecutor of the ICC had announced on Monday that his office had applied to a pre-trial panel for arrest warrants for three senior Hamas officials. He also said that the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his defence minister, Yoav Gallant would be arrested for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Hamas attack of 7 October and the ensuing seven-month-old war in Gaza. The announcement was met with outrage by Israeli officials, the public, and the country’s allies. In an official reaction on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Israeli government, Tal Heinrich, said, “We call on the nations of the civilised, free world – nations who despise terrorists and anyone who supports them – to stand by Israel. You should outright cond...

Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos has backed Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior to win the Ballon d’Or this year. HOME NEWS POLITICS METRO SPORT ENTERTAINMENT OPINION EDUCATION HEALTH INTERVIEW DAILY POST GHANA CONNECT WITH US     Daily Post Nigeria SPORT ‘It’s natural for him to win’ — Roberto Carlos on favourite player for Ballon d’Or Published   on   May 27, 2024 By   Don Silas Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos has backed Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior to win the Ballon d’Or this year. According to Carlos, the media and fans tried to destroy Vinicius during his early days at Real Madrid, which has made the Brazil international even stronger. Speaking to the media at a recent event, Carlos said via TheMadridZone, that it would be natural for Vinicius to win the top individual prestigious award. “They tried to destroy Vini when he was young and that made him stronger,” the former defender said of Vinicius. “There are other great players, but we need...

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has hailed the decision of the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which upheld his election as the duly elected Governor of the state. In an interview with journalists, Ododo dedicated the victory at the tribunal to the people of the state. He noted that the tribunal victory further affirmed his conviction that God alone gives power to whomever He wishes at any point in life, adding that the ruling of the tribunal is a call for more dedication to the service of the people of Kogi State. SEARCH Daily Post Nigeria NEWS Gov Ododo dedicates tribunal victory to Kogi people Published   on   May 28, 2024 By   John Akinfehinwa Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has hailed the decision of the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which upheld his election as the duly elected Governor of the state. In an interview with journalists, Ododo dedicated the victory at the tribunal to the people of the state. He not...

An Enugu State High Court presided over by Justice C.I Nwobodo has threatened to jail the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kanayo Uzuegbu, for alleged contempt of court. A Form Order 48, dated May 23, 2024, sighted by DAILY POST, is consequent upon alleged disobedience to an order of court. It was filed by one Mrs Theresa Nnulika Chuba through her Attorney, Mr. Oboli Fred Esq. The Enugu State Commissioner of Police is expected to obey the directive of the court in respect to orders contained in suit No. E/879/2022 and E/301/2024, else he will be guilty of contempt of court. JTOWNGIST learnt that the case in dispute is a land matter, where the court gave judgement in favour of the plaintiff. However, dissatisfied by the court judgement, some individuals allegedly engaged the police to stop the execution of the court’s ruling.  This has now resulted in the contempt proceeding aimed at stopping the police from further harassing and intimidating the plaintiffs in the...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says President Bola Tinubu’s policies on fuel subsidy removal and exchange rates have adversely affected the Nigerian economy. Obasanjo spoke via a statement issued by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Sunday to assess the performance of the current government in the past one year. He said the effects of the policies which he said were “wrongly implemented are pushing foreign investors away from Nigeria”. He argued that “the present administration has not found the right way to handle the economy to engender confidence and trust for investors to start trooping in”. Obasanjo continued: “Today, the government has taken three decisions, two of which are necessary but wrongly implemented and have led to the impoverization of the economy and of Nigerians. These are removal of subsidy, closing the gap between the black market and official rates of exchange and the third is dealing with a military coup in Niger Republic. “The way forward is pr...

Sanusi rode on a royal horse and gesticulated at the crowd who responded with: “You’re the only Emir we know.” He also met with some district heads, council members, vigilantes, women groups and well-wishers who were at the palace to pay homage. The development happened as a large group of young protesters marched through the streets of Kano and Gaya, expressing their discontent with the deposition of Bayero. The demonstrators, carrying placards with messages such as “Abba Kabir Yusuf, Obey Court Order” and “Aminu is still our Emir,” lit bonfires and sang anti-government slogans. However, the protest remained peaceful, with police officers refraining from dispersing the crowd. The protesters had gathered after a special prayer session and continued their demonstration along major roads, including the road near the government house. The protests were sparked by the repeal of the Kano Emirates Council Law by the Kano State House of Assembly last Thursday.  The law, initia...

Orjinze had ingested 111 wraps of cocaine, which he excreted after days of observation in the agency’s custody following his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement.  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old france-bound ‘businessman’, Emmanuel Okechuku Orjinze for drug trafficking. Babafemi said, “Okechukwu who also claims he is a professional footballer in Europe was arrested on Tuesday 21st May during the outward clearance of Air France flight AF 878 from Abuja to Paris, France. “After a body scan confirmed he ingested illicit drugs, he was taken into custody where he excreted a total of 111 pellets of cocaine that weighed 1.603 kilograms over a period of three days. The suspect claimed he does business in the maritime sector while still scouting for any European football club to engage him.”

  The incident happened in the Papa Ajao area of Mushin on Sunday afternoon during the prayer time (Zuhr prayer) and resulted in casualties and injuries. Many worshippers are feared dead while several persons are believed to be trapped in the rubble after a mosque collapsed in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. However, multiple videos seen by SaharaReporters show how some bodies were being recovered from the collapsed building. The number of casualties could not be ascertained when filing this report. No official statement has been issued by any relevant agency about the incident. Building collapse is common in Lagos State and many of them are tragic. At least 61 buildings collapsed across Nigerian states in 2022. Lagos State tops the list with a record of 20 incidents, according to the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) report.

The Plateau State Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency has said it cleared drains and removed illegal structures built on waterways on Jos-Bukuru metropolis to forestall flooding. The Director General, PEPSA, Samuel Dapiya, said this during an interview on Sunday in Jos. Mr Dapiya explained that the demolition of illegal structures along the waterways was done in collaboration with the Jos Metropolitan Development Board to ensure the free flow of water to prevent flooding resulting from blocked channels. He said the effort was also aimed at ensuring that drains in the metropolis were de-silted and cleared of waste that often caused avoidable diseases and illnesses. He said the agency covered a 115 road distance in the exercise. The DG noted that apart from averting floods, the initiative would also help in tackling health challenges posed by blocked drains. “The blocked drains do not only prevent the free flow of water, but are breeding sites for vectors and roden...