HOOOGENEWS

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Otokito, who was released by his kidnappers on Monday, said he never thought of seeing his kids again after he was released by his abductors on Monday. Narrating his ordeal, he said he was thought he was going to die in the hands of his assailants and expressing his appreciation to the Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and security agencies for rescuing him alive. Otokito was freed five days after he was kidnapped by purported crude oil theives on the 20th of January 2022 at his residence in Otuokpoti, Ogbia Local Government Area of the state. The State Commissioner of Police,  Police, Ben Okolo, and the State Director of State Security Services, Mohammed Abdullahi,  presented Otokito to the State Governor, Diri on Monday evening at the Government House, Yenagoa. The State Commissioner of Industry T rade and Investment sustained various degrees of injuries with swollen...

Civil Society Organisations under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Groups on Monday storm the National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress in Abuja in separate rallies demanding the zoning of the 2023 presidential tickets to the South. The Group appealed that for sustainable peace, national unity and the strengthens democracy, both parties should endeavour to zone the presidential ticket to the South. The CCSG President, Bassey Williams argued that Nigeria presidential seat has always been rotatory between the South and the North for stability in the country.  “We are convinced that power should naturally rotate between the Northern and Southern region of the country. We also believe that it is by the avowed commitment to this arrangement that we can stop the current ethnographic-religious division being experienced in the country. “Our visit today is to lend our voice in support of the call for power shift to the southern part of Ni...

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced the commencement of 2022/2023 registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and the Direct Entry examination. The board made this known in its weekly bulletin released by its Director of Public Relations, Dr Fabian Benjamin, and made available to The PUNCH in Abuja said the registration exercise will commence by February 12, 2022. The bulletin stated that Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) and Direct Entry Examination (DE) registration will commence starts 12th of February, 2022 and ends on the 19th of March, 2022 while UTME  examinations hold on the 20th to 30th of April, 2022.  Mock examination to hold on the 20th of April, 2022.

Angry youths have set ablaze Noble Kids Comprehensive College in Kwanar Dakata community in Nassarawa local Government Area of Kano State where Hanifa Abubakar was buried.  It is gathered that the youths storm the school premises early Monday morning and set ablaze, purportedly in protest of the killing of the five years old Hanifa Abubakar.  Hanifa Abubakar was abducted, killed and buried late last year and Adulmalik Mohamed Tanko, her teacher was said to among those involved. The abductors demanded 6 million naira ramson only to kill the five years after receiving the money.

Super Eagles Interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen has said that the Super Eagles crashed out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations due to bad officiating.  Eguavoen said this Sunday in a post match press conference in Garoua, Cameroon. He added that the Super Eagles did not deserve to lose to the Tunisian, adding that the players should put the disappointment behind them and make sure they qualify for the World Cup in Qatar taking place later this year. “We tried to come back after the Tunisia goal, and we chased the game. But then we got a red card. “It was clear that the officiating wasn’t fair,” the coach said ”I have told the players to pick up and ensure they qualify Nigeria for the World Cup,” Eguavoen said. He however pointed out that it was always very difficult when you play against a tactical side like Tunisia, especially when the officiating was not fair. “I won’t criticise the referee because they are masters of the game, but Alex Iwobi’s red card wasn’t fair. The foul wasn’t ...

Some members in the House of Representatives and some Senators have disclosed that the amended constitution will be ready and passed to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), February.  The lawmakers made the disclosure in an interview with journalists in Ibadan on Saturday on the sidelines of the South-West town hall meeting between legislators and their constituents organised by Daria Media and supported by the MacArthur Foundation.  Senator representing Ekiti North,Olubunmi Adetumbi, Senator Tolu Odebiyi, Ogun West, Senator Kola Balogun, Oyo South, Mr Bamidele Salam, who represents the Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State; Isiaka Ibrahim, who represents the Ifo/ Ewekoro Federal Constituency of Ogun State; and Babajide Obanikoro, who represents the Eti Osa Federal Constituency of Lagos State, participated at the town hall meeting.  “The constitution will be amended before the end of this 9th National Assembly. I want to ...

Dapo Apara,  former Managing Director of Alpha Beta Consulting, Bola Tinubu,  the All Progressives Congress leader  and the current Managing Director of the company, Akin Doherty, have begun discussions on a possible out-of-court settlement following allegations that Tinubu ordered the transfer of over N20bn from Alpha Beta to some private business accounts. Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN),  lawyer to the plaintiff, said this before the High Court of Lagos State sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Tuesday. Adegboruwa informed the court that the order made on November 2, 2021, for substituted service of all court processes on Tinubu had been complied with by the court bailiff. Adegboruwa stated that the bailiff served Tinubu on November 24, 2021, at his No. 26 Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, address through the courier service of DHL, adding that an affidavit of service had been filed by the bailiff to confirm this position. The court looked through its records and confirmed ...

Mai Mala Buni All Progressives Congress have decided to zone the chairmanship of the party to the North Central  while   the National Secretary position of the APC goes  to the South-East as revealed by a top Chieftain in the party. He further revealed that the office of the deputy national chairman is expected to go to the South-South, adding that the party will be alternating other positions in the plan February national convention.  The APC chieftain further disclosed that positions mounted by the Southerners in the National Working Committee of the party will be going to the Northerners, vice versa. “Discussions are ongoing. So far, we have agreed that the North-Central will take the national chairmanship position while the South-South will take the national deputy chairman (South) and then the South-East will get the national secretary position. “Also, the plan is that all positions that the North occupied in the last NWC will now be occupied by the South. ...

Emeka Jeremiah, a hawker on the street of Ajah area of Lagos State would have thought of giving stipends to inmates  who were being transported to prison in a Nigerian Correctional Service van, as a gesture of sympathy or goodwill but he never knew he was caught on camera on the very act and his life changed for good. Popular socialite and CEO of Cubana Group, Obi Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, on Saturday, in an interview with radio talk show host, Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, disclosed his intention to sponor Emeka Jeremiah through tertiary education in any institution of his choice and also establish him. Speaking during a live Instagram interview, Obi Cubana said, “Love should be shown in our actions and not just in our words. I want to meet the young boy who despite being a hawker, gave N100 notes to people in a prison van and was not even aware that he was been filmed by a concerned passerby who was driving on the same road. “Anyone who knows hi...

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in a report published on its website, has revealed that a total of 2,927 males involved in road traffic crashes in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021 died in the process. The NBS made the disclosure in a publication on its official website, which state statistics on road accidents in the last quarter of 2020 and the first two quarters of 2021. According to the Bureau, in the fourth quarter of 2020, road crashes rose to 3,313 from 3,066 in the previous quarter, which it said represents a growth rate of 8.06 per cent. NBS noted that there was a declined in growth to -0.36 per cent in the first quarter of 2021 when total road crashes stood at 3,301 and further declined by 3.51 per cent, recording 3,185 in the second quarter of 2021. The Agency said the observed trend was a clear indication of improved road safety, adding that in each of the quarters under review, serious cases of road crashes stood top, compared to fatal and minor...

Nigeria trashed Sudan 3-1 in Garoua on Saturday to record a perfect start to AFCON 2021 and to stay top of Group D, ensuring progress to the knockout phase with a second successive victory. A three minutes goal from Samuel Chukwueze provided a positive start and Taiwo Awoniyi netted the second on the stroke of half-time. It took a dazzling Moses Simon just 30 seconds of the second half to add a third, but Sudan pulled a goal back with a fortuitous penalty, converted by Walieldin Khedr with 20 minutes left. Nigeria now have six points from their opening two games, after beating Egypt on Tuesday, while Sudan have one point. Chukwueze had an easy tap-in in the third minute after being set up by Simon at the end of a long throw-in. Captain William Troost Ekong had a close effort from a free kick well saved with Awoniyi hitting the rebound against the bar as Nigeria came close to a second midway through the first half. It was the same pair who helped Nigeria extend t...

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has given a 48-hour to the 23 local government chairmen to provide a comprehensive list of illegal refineries and their operators within their local government.  Wike gave the order at a meeting with the council chairmen and heads of the Nigerian  Army, Nigerian Air force,  Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police, the Directorate of State Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at Government House on Friday. He challenged the council chairmen to prove they have  no hands in the noxious business that had continued to threaten the health of Rivers people and the economy of the nation.  This was contained in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, made available to journalists in Port Harcourt.  “I will pay N2m for each one. And I am going to fight against this. Our people are dying and we owe our people the responsibility to protect them, to save them from death they never caused. “So, yo...

Socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest has been appointed aide on Social Media to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma. Cubana Chief Priest said he received his letter of appointment on Friday as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Media Influence and Social Events Management. The socialite, who owned clubs across the country, share his joy with his fans on his verified Instagram page on Friday, where he posed with his appointment letter. Cubana Chief Priest wrote:  “I just picked up my letter of appointment as Special Adviser To His Excellency @he_hopeuzodimma on Social Media Influence and Social Events Management. “I have an instruction from His Excellency @he_hopeuzodimma to make over 1,000 Imo youths get super successful like me from the Almighty social media which made me in just one year. “It’s so easy for me to do and I will do just that through christ who strengthens me. Amen. “May God give me the grace, wisdom, energy and guts to t...

The Forum of the four apex socio-cultural organisations in the South-West, South-South, South-East and the Middle Belt of Nigeria has vowed that political parties in the forthcoming 2023 presidential elections that field northern candidates will not enjoy their support.  Afenifere (South West), Ohanaeze Ndigbo (South-East), Pan Niger Delta Forum (South-South) and the Middle Belt Forum (Middle Belt) made the declaration in a communique made available to newsmen at the end of its meeting signed by the leaders. Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Middle Belt Forum, and PANDEF agreed on the country’s indissolubility and the need for restructuring. They maintained that power must shift to the Southern region after the eight-year regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in May 2023. “Arising therefrom, the meeting resolved as follows: “That the extant Constitution and Structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and lopsided, accordingly, Forum restates its demand for the fundamental...

George Obiozor    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation,  Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo has revealed its readiness to present a candidate from the South-East  region to contest in the 2023 presidential elections. This comes as several aspirants including Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dav Umahi, Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator and former governor of Abia State, Orji Ozor Kalu, former Senate President, Ayim Puis Ayim, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingley Moghalu, among others, have declared intentions to run for the exalted seat in the forthcoming presidential elections  Prof. George Obiozor, the leader of socio-cultural, appearing on Politics Today, a Channel Television current affairs programme on Thursday noted that it will be fair for power to be rotational between the North and the South, adding that South-East deserve the chance to lead the country for the first time in the history of Nigeria.  “Definitely, the idea of the President of N...

Boko Haram terrorists have abducted unknown nunber of mobile Policemen at the police training school at the hometown of  Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman Senate Committee on Army, limankara Gwoza local government area of Borno State Information revealed that the insurgents attacked the mobile police training school at about 8:22pm Thursday  the 13 of January in the night with gun trucks and shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping the mobile Police instructors. The training school which locate twenty-five kilometers from Gwoza town, a border town between Borno and Madagali LGA of Adamawa State has been experiencing wave terrorists attacks in recent time. Seven days ago, terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Nigerian Army base in Gwoza in which they were successfully repelled by men of the Nigerian army. Two days ago, Senate committee on Army led by Senator Ali Ndume paid a working visit to the theater command operation, Hadin Kai, in the area.

The students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko in Ondo State are to pay the sum of 20,000 naira and swear to an oath as school prepares to reopen  This was stated by the management of the institution through a circular signed by the institution's Registrar, Olugbenga Arajulu. The development comes as the students had protested planned policy of management to stop students who did not complete their fees from sitting for their 2020/2021 session first semester examinations from November, 2022. As a result of the protest, the school was shut down indefinitely. The circular also stated that  all students are required to pay the N20,000 as reparations for damaged school property during the protest.  It further stated that all students must swear to an oath of good behaviour before a Commissioner of Oath before resumption on January 30th, 2022.  “All outstanding school fees up to the 1st Semester 2020/2021 Academic Session must be paid by all students before res...

Obi Cubana   The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Thursday question a popular socialite and the Chief Executive Officer of Cubana Group,  Obi Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, for his alleged connection to illegal narcotic business, report the Punch.  It was gathered that Cubana was question for over five hours by the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at it Abuja Headquarters before socialite was granted bail and asked to return at a later date.  Suspicious payments was allegedly reported to be made to the account of popular socialite, Obi Cubana by three different convicted drug dealers from Malaysia, Nigeria and India, this pront the Operatives of NDLEA and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have widened the investigations into Cubana and his business network based on the premise that he may be involved in the drug business. “We have been able to establish three of such payments. One of the persons that paid money into his account w...

Abubakar Bello, Plateau State Governor  Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State, has described as barbaric the recent attacks on farmers by terrorists in the state. In a press statement made available to newsmen, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Berje, Bello described the attacks as inhuman adding that those behind the attack will be fished out. He described  as worrisome the attacks on farmers when they go to harvest their farm produce. “The worrisome part of the security challenges is the inability of the farmers to harvest their farm produce which may likely trigger food scarcity in the state. “We are worried by the nefarious activities of these terrorists, desperation has been noticed amongst them as a result of the onslaught of security agents which has made them to target unsuspecting rural inhabitants. “It is now time that full-fledged war should be declared on these unscrupulous elements since they have been proscribed as terrorists. We cannot just allow these ...

Nigeria Civil Defense Corps has shortlisted 5,000 names of successful of candidates in 2019 recruitment exercise.  Mrs Aisha Rufai, Secretary of Board who made the disclosure Thursday, at the Civil Defense Headquarters said applicants should proceed to the application portal,  http://cdfipb.careers from 7th of January, 2022. Rufai noted that only shortlisted candidates will be able to access the portal,  adding that the documentation exercise would commence from January 31. “Applicants should check for their names, documentation location, guidelines for documentation exercise and print out their invitation slip without which they will not be allowed to participate in the exercise,” Rufai said. Commandant-General, NSCDC , Dr Ahmed Audi stated that the recruitment was specifically for 2019 recruitment exercise, adding that successful candidates will be invited for training after the documentation exercise. Audi disclosed that a total of 1,477,042 applicants applied in 2019 ...

The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu has been heavily criticised by Nigerians after making first post on the microblogging site. Shehu in a twit after the 222 days ban was suspended by the Federal Government, said Nigeria gained immeasurably from the ban when Nigerians tackled him. He posted “Welcome back – Let me join fellow countrymen and women in welcoming the resolution of the impasse between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Twitter Inc., leading to the laying of a “foundation for a mutually beneficial future with endless possibilities. “I join the leaders of government in appreciating all Nigerians, “especially the vibrant Nigerian youths who have borne with the long wait to resolve this impasse,” and as the government statement clearly says, the gains made from this shared national sacrifice are immeasurable. “We hope that this is appreciated by all. The nation comes first. Once again, welcome back!” R...

Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria has said youths from the south do not to want to be enlisted into Nigeria Police Force due how the police force is structured to favour some part of the country over the others. HURIWA said this after the Force revealed that out of the 81,005 applications received nationwide in the ongoing police recruitment as of January 7, 2022, 1,404 applications – less than 2 per cent of the total applications – were received from the five states in the South-East The rights group, in a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the current state of the Force is skewed to favour Muslims. Civil Advocacy Association urged the National Assembly to quickly rediscover its parliamentary independence, political will and will to serve Nigeria, and amend relevant sections of the extant constitution to make room for comprehensive police reforms including the creation of state police. HURIWA told the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force ...

The Governor of Borno State,  Babagana Zulum said that Borno state needs collaborative efforts of all security agents in the country to crush the Islamic State’s West Africa Province terrorists. This is as he disclosed that two local government in the state are under the control of the terrorist group.  Zulum said that as Boko Haram terrorists surrender more ISWAP terrorists became sophisticated, deadly and continue to increase in number. The Governor made this known while briefing Senate Committee on the Army led by Ali Ndume at the State Government House. The Borno State Governor expressed grave concern about how sophisticated, educated, armed and brutal ISWAP terrorists are more than Boko Haram and that as such, their operations were becoming more pronounced around the southern and extreme northern parts of Borno State. “It is an early warning for us as a government to understand the working system of ISWAP. We need to check them, chase them out while at their early stage, ...

Chelsea beat London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 courtesy to Antonio Rudiger's first-half goal to complete an resounding 3-0 aggregate triumph in the Carabao Cup semifinal on Wednesday. Leading 2-0 from last week's one-sided first leg at Stamford Bridge, defender Rudiger gave Tottenham a mountain to climb when he bundled home from Mason Mount's corner in the 18th minute. Tottenham battled hard in search of a route back into the tie but it was not to be their night as two penalties awarded either side of halftime by Andre Mariner were both overturned after VAR interventions. To make things worst, Harry Kane also had a goal ruled out for offside after yet another VAR check. Chelsea, who face Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, eased off in the second half but were comfortable enough and will try to win the League Cup for a sixth time in the final against Liverpool or Arsenal. Liverpool host Arsenal in the first leg of their ...

Federal Government of Nigeria has lifted suspension on microblogging site, Twitter after the it was suspended seven months ago.  The lifting of the suspension was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement and Director-General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. The statement reads  “The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12am tonight, 13 th  January 2022. The approval was given following a memo written to the President by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim,” the statement added. “In the Memo, the Minister updates and requests the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.”

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu Senator Orji Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate has said pressure is mounting for him to declare his intention to run 2023 presidential election and also to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari as done by the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, recently.  Hooogenews reported that the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu Monday at a briefing with State House Correspondents said he has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intentions to run for the 2023 presidential elections Barely 24hours after, Dave Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, briefing State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, disclosed that he has informed the President of his interest to run for presidential election in 2023. Orji Kalu, a Former Governor of Abia State said he is waiting to see if the All Progressive Congress will zone the Presidency to the South, adding that...

Don Jazzy   Top music producer, and Chief Executive Officer of Mavins Records, Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy has said that "men should go and learn how to toast a woman" The music executive stated this on his verified Instagram handle, saying that a lot of women have all the money men normally use as tools to get their attention.  Don Jazzy who many has trounced for remaining a bachelor on social media, had reportedly informed his fans through a throwback post that he had once being divorced when he was much younger, and that he is now taking his time. The Dorobuchi crooner became a household name when he formed the MoHits Records with another popular music star, D’banj. Don Jazzy has previously worked with Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage, Dr. Sid and Ice Prince.

Chief Ernest Shonekan   Former Interim Government Leader, Chief Ernest Shonekan who succeeded the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, has died. Shonekan died Tuesday 11 January, at a hospital in Lagos. The news of his passing as confirmed by the Ogun State Government said the dead of the Elder State man is a huge lost to his family, Ogun State, and Nigeria at large. Shonekan was the interim head of the Nigerian Government between August 26, 1993, and November 17, 1993. He was ousted in a coup led by late General Sani Abacha. Shonekan was a British-trained lawyer, industrialist, and former Chief Executive of the United African Company of Nigeria Plc (UAC) before he was appointed as Interim President of Nigeria by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1993. He was born on May 9, 1936, in Lagos into the family of an Abeokuta-born civil servant. He was educated at CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College. He received a law degree from the University of London and was called to the bar. He later a...