NIGERIAN NOTCH

Hamas has released two more hostages, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Monday. "We facilitated the release of 2 more hostages, transporting them out of  #Gaza  this evening,'' the  ICRC tweeted . "Our role as a neutral intermediary makes this work possible & we are ready to facilitate any future release." The news came as the U.S. is urging Israel to delay its ground invasion of Gaza to encourage continued negotiations that could free dozens of dual-citizenship captives, according to American and Israeli officials. The newly freed hostages, both Israeli women, went out through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, where television footage showed them getting ushered into ambulances. Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 79, were abducted along with their husbands from the Nir Oz kibbutz. Their husbands were not released. In a call Monday evening with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden welcomed the release of the two wo

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, reiterated his dedication to upholding the Imo State Charter of Equity during a visit by the Imo State Elders Council to the Government House Chambers. Governor Uzodimma assured the Elders Council that he views the Charter of Equity as a pragmatic and achievable framework, and he pledged to utilize the full extent of government resources to protect its integrity. He stressed that implementing the document requires a joint effort and called upon the Elders Council and the citizens of Imo State to provide their united support. According to the Governor, "The Imo State Charter of Equity is realistic and assures you that as the Governor of Imo State, I will use all Government's machinery to defend the document". He, however, stated that the implementation of the document is a collective responsibility and therefore urged the Elders Council and the entire good people of Imo State for their collective support. He praised th

How did Nigeria end up owing P&ID nearly $11 billion? What deal was made and who was involved? By Chigozie Igbo Jr In January 2017, an independent London tribunal found that Nigeria was liable for $6.6 billion in damages against Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) after it failed to deliver on terms agreed in a 2010 gas facility contract. Three years later, and prompted by P&ID looking for enforcement of the ruling, a United Kingdom (U.K.) court ruled that Nigeria’s state-owned assets could be seized if the country refused to settle its bill, which had risen to $9.6 billion because of accrued interest. Nigeria was granted the right to appeal but asked to pay $200 million in the meantime. The judgement caused a stir in Nigeria, given that the sum is over 20% of both the country’s reserves and the value of its annual exports. Amid this, the government essentially accused international parties of trying to scam the country while the Economic and Financial Cri

The Nzuko Ndi Owere, in recognition of the significant achievements of Governor Uzodimma's Shared Prosperity administration, has officially endorsed His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma for his re-election. Governor Uzodimma expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from the people of Owere Zone and their contributions to the development of Imo State. The Governor emphasized that this endorsement symbolizes a commitment to advancing the "Next Level of Shared Prosperity" and building a stronger and more prosperous Imo State for all its residents. He extended his heartfelt appreciation to the people of Owerri and emphasized the importance of unity in working together for the betterment of the state. At the event, Prince Lemmy Akakem lauded the Governor's remarkable achievements, which have transformed Owerri Zone and the entire state. Prince Alex Mbata highlighted the Governor's achievements in Owerri Zone, including infrastructure improvements, he

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, has denied reports of assassination attempts on his life by gunmen in military uniforms as claimed by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo. Reports have it that the Commissioner had earlier on Sunday issued a statement on behalf of the Kogi State Government alerting the public to failed assassination attempts on the life of the State governor while on transit from Lokoja to Abuja for official engagements. Fanwo had claimed that the attackers, who were dressed in military uniforms, waylaid the governor’s convoy and started shooting sporadically at his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy. Fanwo noted that Governor Bello was attacked at three different points on the Lokoja-Abuja highway, the last being around Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at about 4.20pm on Sunday evening. He added that it took the swift intervention of the security personnel attached to the governor to foil the “

By Kamen Chuks Ogbonna  The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District ,Dr Ifeanyi Ubah CON,  is known for going to where the terrain is tough to squeeze out political capital and trigger development for not just his Senatorial District but for Ndi Igbo in general.  In recent times,  Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah CON has championed the fight for the restoration of security to the entire southeast region.  This he set about  , in various ways, one of which was creating a model security architecture using Nnewi for the pilot scheme in order to showcase his belief that a secured Southeast region is possible where there is political will, and the capacity to deliver. Today, Nnewi has emerged the safest city in the entire southeast region with the last new yam festival in the town, witnessing an unprecedented turnout and mass return from the people . Senator Ubah went on to travel to Germany (a country hitherto dreaded by the Igbo political class as a result of the notori

The Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Head, Transparency International (Nigeria), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said available evidence points to the fact that the Nigerian government is not keen on fighting corruption in the country. According to Rafsanjani: “First and foremost, let us be clear: this government doesn’t appear to be committed to combating corruption. All the existing legal instruments designed to aid the fight against corruption are either suspended, diluted, or completely disregarded. For example, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Public Procurement Laws. Regrettably, we have not witnessed the enforcement of these legal frameworks by this government. “Similarly, the manner in which the Executive arm of the government interferes in the activities of the anti-corruption agencies is a significant reason the fight against corruption seems ineffective, particularly in cases involving politica

..... Deploy staff throughout Anambra The MD of Bigly Oil and Gas services, High Chief Chimeze Nwankwo one of the authorised revenue collectors and partners of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, has promised to help increase the revenue base of the state. He made this known while fielding questions from our correspondent in his office at Onitsha recently.  Giving insight into their operations, Chief Nwankwo said that first that his company is not the only AIRS partner or authorised revenue collector in the state. He stressed that there are other companies in the state while his company is in charge of haulage.  "We are primarily in charge of revenue on haulage. As a responsible partner of the AIRS, before the commencement of our primary task, we recruited, trained our personnel and educated them on the rules of engagement" He said that the company's drive is geared towards ensuring that heavy and articulated vehicles in the state pay the stipulated tax to G

The Senate president, Godswill Akpabio has restated the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to work towards economic reforms that will bring more revenue to the national coffers to ensure the survival of the country.  Senator Akpabio made the pledge at the opening of a two day-retreat for Senators of the 10th National Assembly on Fiscal policy and Tax reforms, held at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State  While urging the Senators to follow the dreams of their forebears in the development of the country, Akpabio expressed their commitment to an economy of double-digit GDP growth, greater food security and one with a strengthened manufacturing base, as well as an active digital economy where young people will have ample space to fulfill their dreams and aspirations. He charged his colleagues to work together in ensuring that the expectations and hopes of the people who voted them into office are not betrayed even as he explained that they will try

The solicitors of Capital Oil and Gas has come out with what actually happened between the company and AMCON this in  view of giving the public insight on what actually transpired.  Below is an excerpt from Capital Oil and Gas Solicitors We remain Solicitors to Capital Oil and Gas and Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, and in that capacity, we wish to he as follows: 1. The dispute that culminated in several court cases and the criminal charge filed against Capital Oil and Gas and Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah arose from commercial transactions with various banks in whose stead AMCON acted upon acquisition of the facilities. In 2013, the parties entered into a consent judgment which unfortunately became subject of various litigations by AMCON and Capital Oil and Gas at various times. Some of these cases were won by AMCON and some were won by Capital Oil and Gas.  During the pendency of these cases and appeals, several efforts were made toward the resolution of the dispute resultin