Author: Naija Daily News

By Deborah Nnamdi The Federal Government has approved N80 billion for the infrastructure upgrade of 100 Unity Schools, also known as Federal Government Colleges, across Nigeria. This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, during an unscheduled inspection visit to Federal Government College, Kano, on Friday. Prof. Ahmad said the visit aimed to assess the state of infrastructure, school leadership, and student welfare. She also highlighted the importance of evaluating the overall teaching and learning environment to ensure effective service delivery. She emphasized that such engagements help strengthen collaboration between policymakers and school management in…

Photo: Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo State The Baale of Yale Camp in Bolorunduro, Idanre Local Government Area, Ojo Olomolekulo, has been arraigned before an Akure Magistrate Court over charges of assault and illegal land transactions. According to court proceedings, Baale Olomolekulo, along with two alleged accomplices—Isaac Oloyede and Kehinde Tope—was accused of flogging and inflicting bodily harm on two residents, Iyabo Ajibade and Thompson Owoyemi, on December 15, 2024. The attack reportedly followed the victims’ refusal to pay what they described as an illegal toll fee demanded at a makeshift checkpoint operated by the traditional leader and his associates.…

Gov. Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Joint Committee of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and National Council of Traditional Rulers (NCTR), has pledged the Forum’s support for the establishment of the council. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Uzodimma addressed journalists following the Forum’s meeting on the proposed bill to establish the NCTR.. He affirmed the NGF’s commitment to ensuring the bill’s passage, which is currently before the National Assembly. “With the bill now at second reading in the Senate, this meeting offers a timely platform to refine our collective stance,” he said. He stressed the need for the bill’s provisions…

In a breakthrough against rural banditry, troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), in collaboration with Operation SAFE HAVEN, have killed two armed bandits and recovered 1,000 rustled cattle in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The success of the operation followed a credible intelligence report indicating that a group of armed bandits—riding about 30 motorcycles—had crossed from Plateau State into Taraba and launched a cattle rustling attack on a Fulani settlement near Jebjeb Village. According to Captain Oni Olubodunde, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, troops from the…

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 489 drug outlets across 14 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State over widespread unethical practices by patent medicine dealers and vendors. The four-day enforcement operation, which included officials from Abuja, Abia, Cross River, and other states, targeted illegal and unregistered premises to sanitise drug distribution in the state. Addressing the press at the PCN Zonal Office in Uyo, head of the enforcement team, Dr. Suleiman Chiroma, said the action was necessary to combat drug counterfeiting, quackery, and unauthorized sales. “Out of 725 premises visited—212 pharmacies and 513 patent medicine shops—489 were…

By Gabriel Efe The recent announcement by the Lagos State Government to introduce a monthly and quarterly rent payment system is, at face value, a welcome development. After all, it is an open secret that most working-class Nigerians are suffocated by the burden of annual, sometimes even two-year, rent demands. The idea of breaking rent into more manageable chunks sounds progressive, empathetic, and perhaps overdue. But beyond the press statements and policy intentions lies a more complicated story. One that raises the question: is this truly sustainable, or are we just tinkering with imported ideas without building the systems to…

…Convicts, vessel fined $4.3m, Nigeria accomplices to face trial By Didimoko A. Didimoko with agency report The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of 10 Thai sailors and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, for smuggling 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa Seaport in Lagos. Investigation by our reporter showed that the street value of a gram of cocaine is up to $150, and the 33.9kg of the illicit drug could sell for up to $5 million, depending on the location. Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos delivered the judgment,…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Ondo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a two-month-old baby in Ode-Irele, located in the Irele Local Government Area of the state. According to information obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Monday at Gbeleju Quarters in the town. Reports indicate that the baby’s mother (name withheld) briefly left the new born in the care of a two-year-old sibling while she stepped out to purchase a few items from a nearby shop. Upon her return, the baby was missing, and the toddler…

By Deborah Nnamdi Panic spread through the Agulu and Nanka communities in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State on Thursday following the fatal shooting of a lawyer and his client by unidentified gunmen shortly after a court appearance. Eyewitnesses said the victims were ambushed and killed without resistance at a boundary point between Nanka and Agulu, along the Amawbia-Agulu-Nanka-Ekwulobia-Uga-Akokwa Road. The lawyer had earlier appeared in court with his client, but both were trailed and attacked soon after leaving the court premises. According to sources, the case being handled was of significant importance. One eyewitness recounted that the assailants…

By Deborah Nnamdi A High Court sitting in Benin, on Thursday remanded a 56-year old man, Festus Ugo, in a correctional centre over alleged rape of a 13-year old girl. Ugo, whose address was not given, is charged with rape. The Prosecutor, I.E Ekibade, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 8, at Upper Mission Road, New Benin, in the Benin Judicial Division. Ekibade said that the offence contravened Sections 4(1) and Section 5(1) of the Edo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibited) Law, 2021. The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional…