By VICTORIA OJUGBANA, LAGOS Director, Centre for International Advanced Professional Studies (CIAPS), Lagos, Prof. Anthony Kila; an associate professor in the Department of Defence and Security Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, as well as a former Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, Prof. Sharkdam Wapmuk, among other international relations experts in Nigeria, told Daily Independent that the nation should not expect to benefit much from the emergence of Liz Truss as the Prime Minister of Britain. In his view, Prof. Kila said that it will be wrong for Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora “to expect a special or particular benefit from Truss’ priemiership in London.” According to him: “I think it will be wrong for Nigerians to expect a special kind of benefit from Liz Truss’ premiership in Britain. Generally, there is a continuum in government, which is even stronger in Foreign Affairs, contrary to what people think.” Prof. K

By JOY ANIGBOGU, LAGOS Five state publicity secretaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have declared their support for the national chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, stressing that they dissociate themselves from  calls for the resignation of the former Senate President.  The party's state spokespersons in Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos States in a press conference on Saturday, held in the Lagos State secretariat passed a vote of confidence on Dr. Ayu   even as they dissociate themselves from the position of of the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on the call for Ayu's resignation. While addressing journalists on behalf of the Spokespersons, Kennedy Peretei, the state Publicity Secretary of Ondo State, said, "We wish to affirm our faithfulness to the PDP constitution which clearly stipulates procedure for leadership election and removal. As the only political party that has not changed name or logo since its establishment in 1998, the party cannot

By Gbenga Faturoti, Osogbo. Osun State Government and it's counterpart in Oyo State are set to flag off the Reconstruction of much 85Km Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan road. It would be recalled that the two states, in the interest of their people and other road users, had few months ago agreed to jointly rehabilitate and reconstruct Iwo Road interchange to Ogunremako Junction-Lalupon, down to Iwo-Osogbo road. This hint, it was learnt, was contained in a letter written to the Oyo state ministry of works by its Osun counterpart, revealing that the Gboyega Oyetola administration had concluded procurement processes and award of the project has been approved by its state executive council for the 55.54km Osogbo-Iwo Papa to Oyo State boundary road. Like Osun, Oyo will be concluding approval of its own at its next state executive council meeting after which the two states would choose a convenient date this month of September to flag off the project. The road is a major link between the neighbouring S

By EgbemaVoice, JOY ANIGBOGU, LAGOS In a bid to promote a culture of peace and violence-free election ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the Goodluck Jonathan  Foundation (GJF) is set to host key political stakeholders and democratic actors for a one-day peace conference. The event tagged:   “Nation-building; the role of elections in a  multi-ethnic context” is scheduled for  Tuesday, September 20, 2022, in Abuja. A statement by the Foundation's Executive Director, Ms. Ann Iyonu, notes that the 2022 Peace Conference, which is in its second edition, will examine the trends and threats to a peaceful election and build a multi-stakeholder consensus toward a peaceful general election. According to Iyonu, Amb Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), will present the keynote address while Governor Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi State,  Bishop Hassan Kukah,  Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh Regional Director

By: INNOCENT OWEH ABUJA  President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to depart Abuja, Sunday, September 18, for New York, United States to attend the annual meeting of world leaders, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77).  A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, confirmed  the information, noting that the theme for the 77th session which opened on Tuesday, September 13 is: “A watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges.”  Key topics of discussion at the UNGA this year include; the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, climate action, ending the COVID-19 pandemic, and a special Transforming Education Summit.  President Buhari will take his turn to deliver the National Statement on the second day of the General Debates on Wednesday, September 21.    Aside his statement, the President will also participate in High Level meetings and side events including the Nigeria International Economic Partnership Forum (NIEPF), convened by Nigeria

By: Idongesit Ashameri, Uyo  A 4-Storey building   on Imam Street, behind Zenith Bank, Aka Road, Uyo  collapsed Saturday evening with workers trapped.   All Critical rescue and security agencies(Police,DSS, Fire Service) have arrived the location with technical support from some construction Companies (JuliusBerger and Amitek).  An update by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong indicates that Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Bassey Okon and other Government officials are at the scene.  "Four persons rescued and taken to the Hospital. Rescue operations still ongoing to rescue more". The statement assured. Meanwhile an unconfirmed report has it that some of the trapped victims were still talking on phone with relatives while the rescue operations were ongoing.

By EJIKEME OMENAZU, LAGOS As Nigerians await the official flag off of political campaigns, the Eastern Union (EU), a socio-political orgaisation for the people of the Old Eastern Region, has warned Nigerians, especially the youths, to think beyond 2023 before making their choices of who will become the next president and others who will occupy different positions in the new political dispensation.  Hon. Charles Anike, National President of Eastern Union (EU), in a statement released from his Abuja head office on Saturday, said there are basic questions Nigerians must ask themselves before taking positions and throwing their weights behind any candidate and subsequently casting votes for such politicians during the elections. He stressed that one of such pertinent questions is, after the 2023 elections, what is next for the country and the people’s future, adding that there is the need for Nigerians to vote for a presidential candidate and political party that can turn the nation around

By EJIKEME OMENAZU LAGOS Nycil Ltd, Philiphmo, Clinix Healthcare Ltd, Amelon Uniform Company,Healthy Child Nigeria Ltd, Hegai and Esther Cosmetics and other leading brands emerged winners at the just-concluded maiden edition of the National Brand Innovators Awards (NIBA) held at the Sheraton hotels and Towers penultimate Friday. Other organisations that bagged awards included NIF Technical Company, De Koolar, Wellness hmo, Gosslink Engineering Ltd Ashaka Security Limited and Sacral Industries Limited. The award was in the health, cosmetics, construction and manufacturing sectors of the economy. The NBIA was organised  by the Allied Integrated Promotion and Management Limited, a Lagos-based promotion outfit. In a chat with journalists, the Secretary of the Organising Committee, Mr Obinna Ndukwe, described the event as a huge success. He said the NBIA was organised to celebrate top leading brands that had distinguished themselves in their various industries in the Nigerian competitive ma

By EJIKEME OMENAZU, LAGOS The anti-corruption crusaders and activists from the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) visited the Coker/Aguda local government area of Lagos to find out how the area has been faring in its campaign for graft-free governance in the state. The visitation, which was to the Coker/Aguda C-GATE Unit, according to the CACOL Chairman, Comrade Debo Adeniran, was to find out the extent the group’s efforts had sunk in at the area. Adeniran, who was represented by CACOL’s Director of Administration and Programme, Tola Oresanwo, noted that the C-GATE units were formed to shift the paradigm of corruption fighting from the elites to the grassroots people who, he stressed, were the ones that had been suffering the effects of corruption most. He commended the executives and members of the units for their commitments and efforts geared toward developing their community. The CACOL chief told them that what the organisation required of them was to hold their

By Kazeem Awojoodu, Ibadan The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula  Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has on Friday, September 16 2022 at  Ile-Ife, Osun state, unveiled an iconic retail outlet branded OjajaMore, a viable food-chain retail store  dealing in groceries and other consumables. Ooni according to press statement signed by his media aide, Otuba Moses Olafare while explaining the initiative at the commissioning ceremony held at the premises of the retail store located at the KM 10, Ife/Ibadan express way in Ile-Ife today, stated that the establishment of OjajaMore is in fulfillment of his agelong aspiration to redesign retail activities that will be gainfully driven by the Nigerian youths with a view to creating an enduring legacy for Africa in the global space.  "Today, I am exceptionally fulfilled to unveil the OJAJAMORE, one of the profound and timeless initiatives that I envisioned for the modernization of Ile-Ife, Osun State, and other Nigerian cities."

JOY ANIGBOGU, LAGOS  Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran also called Jandor, Lagos State governordhop candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year's election, on Saturday visited the homes of AbdulLateet Kolapo and Osinachi Ndukwe, two of the victims, whose vehicles were seized for violating traffic laws, and auctioned by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). The governorship candidate assured them and other Lagosians of hope, which he promised his government was bringing if elected into office in 2023. However, the PDP standard bearer reiterated the fact that his visit does not suggest that he was supporting individuals to break laws, stresding that he was not opposed to having traffic law and regulations in place or encouraging anybody driving against traffic, but said what he was against is any law that takes away people's means of livelihood, and leaving them and all their dependant helpless and hopeless. AbdulLateet and Osinachi were among the

North West   22.67 million South West   18. 3 million South South  15. 2 million North Central 14.1 million North East      12.8 million  South East    11.49 million TOTAL.       96.2 million Source: INEC Nigeria PVC Registrants By States Abia : 2,202,242; Adamawa : 2,234,550; Akwa Ibom : 2,447,438; Anambra : 2,761,467; Bauchi : 2,801,512; Bayelsa :1,367,834; Benue : 2,667,902; Borno : 2,564,197; Cross River: 1,894,640; Delta : 3,386,791; Ebonyi : 1,861,443; Edo : 2,576,474. Ekiti : 1,034,811. Enugu : 1,944,016. FCT :  1,344,856. Imo : 2,272,293. Gombe : 1,394,393. Jigawa : 2,272,293. Kaduna : 4,411,723. Kano : 6,026,850. Taraba : 2,088,260. Sokoto : 2,233,575. Rivers : 3,689,197. Plateau : 2,840,094. Oyo : 3,330,336. Osun : 2,043,107. Ondo : 2,047,598. Ogun : 2,720,422. Nasarawa : 2,759,943. Lagos : 7,155,920. Kwara : 1,736,858. Kogi : 2,009,229; Kebbi : 2,076,798; Katsina : 3,570,740. Yobe : 1,518,327. Zamfara : 1,955,777 This will go along way in guiding us through our  grassroot mo

By EgbemaVoice, Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday, said the huge investment being made by his administration in the health sector was to improve healthcare delivery and reduce medical tourism in the country.  Okowa who is the Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), disclosed this in an interview with journalists shortly after inspecting facilities at the Advanced Diagnostic Medical Centre and Mother and Child Hospital, Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state.  He said that the twin medical facilities would, on completion, reduce medical tourism as it would provide first-class medical services to people who would have sought medical treatment abroad.  While saying that the Mother and Child Hospital would take care of every illness concerning women and children, the Governor said the Advanced Diagnostic Medical Center would take care of all manner of investigative procedures in radiology and other laboratory ana

By Toby Moses, A youth group under the aegis of 4 Million Youths for Tinubu Movement, has promised to embark on a massive campaign to sell the candidature of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The movement said the youths and the electorate would be mobilised to ensure Tinubu’s electoral success in the 2023 presidential poll. According to the convener of the Group, Hon. Tope Adefemiwa, in a statement signed by him, he described the support the movement was giving to the APC candidate as a tsunami of a support for Asiwaju inubu presidential campaign. According to Adefemiwa, the Movement is a formidable support group and it is the biggest in the history of the nation’s electioneering process. According to him, the APC presidential candidate is getting that support because of his democratic nature and he is regarded as a core democrat, a nationalist, and a builder of men and youths. “His ideology which strongly believes in the vision and aspir

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has fixed September 19 to deliver ruling on the suit filed by the Federal Government against the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on September 20. Meanwhile, ASUU has given a glimmer of hope that the dispute may be resolved at a scheduled stakeholders meeting with members of the House of Representatives. Counsel to the association, Mr Femi Falana has informed the court that ASUU will be meeting stakeholders in the House of Representative on September 20 to ensure that the matter is resolved. Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige had on behalf of the Federal Government filed the suit before the court to resolve the issue of the ongoing strike by ASUU. Specifically, the suit is seeking the order of court directing ASUU to call off its seven months strike. When the case was called yesterday, counsel to the Federal Government, Mr J.U.K Igwe (SAN), informed the court he has filed two motion

By  Tunde Ajaja, The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it is making preparations for around 95 million voters in next years’ general elections, but warns that the increasing level of insecurity in some parts of the country poses a threat to the polls. The Chairman, INEC, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, said this in Lagos on Friday at a forum with members of the Nigeria Guild of Editors. He stated, “For the 2023 general elections, INEC is making preparations for approximately 95 million voters. Yes, we have 84 million voters now; we have registered 12 million newly. None of the fresh registrants has been added to the register. We are cleaning up the register. “A few days ago, some people said they discovered so many fictitious names on the register. When I heard that, I asked myself: ‘Which register?’ We have not even compiled it. We are cleaning up the data; so, how come that someone already knows the register, which is supposed to be compiled by the commission? It is a very seri

NCDC website To date, 264,617 cases have been confirmed, 257,880 cases have been discharged and 3,155 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The 167 new cases are reported from 10 States-Edo (84), Lagos (55), Rivers (11), Kano (5), Cross River (4), Adamawa (3), Delta (2), Ekiti (1), FCT (1) and Kaduna (1). A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 2, continues to coordinate the national response activities.

By EgbemaVoice, Governor of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday said rising hunger and poverty in the country was caused by poor management of the nation’s economy by ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).  He stated this at an empowerment programme for the people of Ika Federal Constituency by the Member  representing the constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr Victor Nwokolo, at Boji-Boji Owa, Ika North East Local Government Area.  The Governor who was in company with the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and PDP Governorship Candidate in the state, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori and State Chairman of  PDP, Chief Kingsley Esiso, commended Nwokolo for his gesture in giving hope to the hopeless, describing the event as "empowerment programme with a difference"  He said that Nigeria was troubled because people were hungry and out of job due to mismanagement of the nation’s econom

By EgbemaVoice, The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two teachers identified as Blessing Omowera and Sola Kalejaye for allegedly using human parts for ritual purpose. According to the police, the duo allegedly collected the fingernails and blood of the pupils of Heritage Nursery and Primary School, Ondo town, Ondo State. While Omowera works at the nursery and primary school, Kalajaye, is said to be a teacher in a secondary school in the town. It was gathered that when one of the pupils got home, she informed her father what the teacher did to her in the school, and the parents reported the matter at the Ondo Area Command, Ondo. The victims are both three-year-old. The Police Public Relations Officer for the state police command, Mr. Femi Joseph, explained that Omowera called the two pupils and cut their fingernails under the pretence of cleaning them up. The PPRO also said as the suspect was cutting the finger nails of the pupils, she intentionally cut the hands of th

By EgbemaVoice, The  little boy who was posted in EgbemaVoice WhatsApp groups who gave his name as Layefa was took to Ovwian Community town hall yesterday morning 16th September 2022, by a good samaritan who saw him wandering along the road of ovwian, Anyone with a useful information of how to locate the parents/guardians of this child should reach us at ovwian community town hall or call this number - 08026470413. Thank you!