Author: Naija Daily News

By Deborah Nnamdi On Friday, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, officially reopened the Independence Bridge in Lagos, which had been closed for maintenance, causing significant public frustration and traffic disruptions throughout the city. During a site visit, Umahi assured the public that permanent repairs on the bridge would begin within the next three weeks. He recognized the bridge’s crucial role in connecting Victoria Island to other major areas of Lagos and apologized for the inconvenience caused by its temporary closure. The reopening follows two days of severe traffic jams, with commuters and drivers voicing their dissatisfaction over the lack…

The GSMA Board of Directors has elected Ralph Mupita as its new Deputy Chair, effective immediately, to serve until the end of 2026. The telecom company announced the appointment in a statement published on its website. “The GSMA Board of Directors has elected Ralph Mupita as Deputy Chair for the remainder of the Board term, until the end of 2026,” the statement read Mupita, who is the Group President and CEO of MTN Group, will assist the Board and Chair in overseeing the strategic direction of the organization. GSMA represents the world’s mobile operators and companies within the broader mobile…

Photo: Bashiru Bayo Ogunlari, GCEO, NNPCL By Douglas Maha, with agency report In a major leadership shakeup, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has named a new eight-member senior management team, signaling a strategic pivot aimed at boosting efficiency and refining its operational direction. Announced in a statement released Friday by company spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, the appointments take immediate effect and reflect a broader effort to streamline the national oil giant’s corporate structure. Leading the new team is Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari. He will be supported by: The leadership changes are part of a wider…

Gov Mutfwang appeals for calm, says suspects arrested By Didimoko A. Didimoko The quiet night of April 2nd turned deadly for residents of several communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State when armed men launched coordinated assaults, leaving at least 52 people dead. As families continue to search for loved ones, the full scale of the devastation is only beginning to emerge. Local leaders, including Farmasum Fuddang of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, confirmed that search teams have recovered over 40 additional bodies in recent days, bringing the previously reported death toll to a staggering 52. Victims…

The Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly for their prompt approval and enactment of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) into law. MOSIEND’s National Secretary, Ambassador Winston C. Amain, described the creation of the SSDC as a significant achievement that highlights the current administration’s dedication to addressing the developmental challenges of the South-South region. The SSDC is designed to promote sustainable development, economic empowerment, and social justice for the Ijaw people and other ethnic groups in the South-South region. Ambassador Amain noted that the…

By Deborah Nnamdi Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Mrs Blessing Adagba, Coordinator of Ngbo Central Development Centre in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi. The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Police Command in Ebonyi, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident on Friday in Abakaliki. Ukanda, who confirmed her abduction, said, “Yes, Adagba was abducted in the Okposhi Eheku community of Ohaukwu Local Government Area.” He said that the abduction occurred in the early hours of Thursday, adding that the police had already launched an investigation. “The Anti-Kidnapping Squad has been deployed to rescue the victim. I believe…

By Deborah Nnamdi Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of the Vice President, has resigned from his position. Presidency sources confirmed that Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), submitted his resignation approximately two weeks ago. Although no specific reason was disclosed, sources indicated that he cited personal grounds in his resignation letter. As of the time of filing this report, it remained unclear whether the presidency had formally accepted his resignation. Appointed in September 2023, Dr. Baba-Ahmed played an active role in representing the presidency at several high-level engagements during…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Supreme Court has overturned the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Abuja that recognized Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). In a unanimous decision on Friday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court ruled that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to declare Abure as the National Chairman of the LP, as it had previously determined that the case concerned the party’s leadership. The court emphasized that leadership matters within a political party are an internal issue outside the jurisdiction of the courts and pointed out that Abure’s tenure had already…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced that an appropriation bill for 2025 is being formulated to address key development priorities in healthcare, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. He further stated that the proposed budget would focus on creating additional employment opportunities for the people of Rivers and advancing the integration of technology into vital aspects of public life. Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas made this disclosure during a meeting with the Rivers State caucus delegation at the National Assembly, led by Dr. Barinada Mpigi, the Senator representing the Rivers South-East District,…

The Rivers State Government has announced the cancellation of all pending procurement and tender processes, citing a Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an Appropriation Law. According to a special announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that carried out tender processes for projects in their offices are mandated to immediately refund such tender fees to the contractors, pending the approval of a spending plan by the state. The announcement stated that the cancellation was a result of the Supreme Court upholding the Appeal Court ruling in Suit…