WOODPECKER BLOG

Video: How British Prime Minister Theresa May was received in Lagos August 30, 2018 Agency Report Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State leading the British Prime Minister, Theresa May during her arrival on a courtesy visit to the Governor in Lagos on Wednesday (29/8/18). 04699/29/8/18/Supo Olosunde/BJO/NAN British Prime Minister Theresa May was received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, accompanied by his deputy, among other state officials. Upon her arrival aboard a Royal Air Force aircraft, Ms May and Mr Ambode held a brief meeting at the presidential wing of the airport, discussing trade and business-related issues. In addition to meeting with business leaders, a visit to Salvation Army Headquarters in Lagos, Mrs May also met with some victims of modern day slavery. NAN-TV reports that the prime minister’s visit to Lagos comes barely eight weeks af...

2019: While Kwankwaso declared in Abuja, hundreds gathered in Kano to denounce him August 30, 2018 Nasir Ibrahim Crowd as Rabiu Kwankwaso declaring to run for President In what appears a twist of events for ex-Kano governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, while he launched his presidential campaign in Abuja, hundreds of Kano residents who said they were his supporters declared support for the All Progressive Congress (APC). The residents, mostly from the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycles Owners, Repairers and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Kano State branch, also burnt their red caps (an emblem for Mr Kwankwaso’s supporters) to signify their exit from the senator’s fold. The state governor Umar Ganduje, an estranged protégée of Mr Kwankwaso, leads the APC in Kano. The event, which was held at Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium Kofar Mata, Kano, on Wednesday was anchored by the chairman of APC in Kano, Abdullahi Ab...

Nigeria houses largest population of world’s poorest people – Theresa May August 28, 2018 Kunle Sanni Theresa May and Muhammadu Buhari at 10, Downing Street, London [Photo: Bashir Ahmad] The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, on Tuesday said 87 million Nigerians live on less than $1.90 a day, making the country home to more very poor people than any other nation in the world. The statement is coming a day ahead of her scheduled visit to the Nigeria on Wednesday. The British PM will be hosted by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja. Ms May made her latest statement in South Africa, according to the UK government. According to the statement  published on the UK government website   on Wednesday , at her visit to South Africa in Cape Town, Mrs May said most of the world’s poorest people are Africans. ”For example, much of Nigeria is thriving, with many individuals ...

#AdeosunGate: Presidency distances self from Sagay’s comments August 29, 2018 Oladeinde Olawoyin Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun (Photo Credit: adelove . com ) The Presidency on Tuesday distanced itself from the comments made by Itse Sagay, chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) on allegations of certificate forgery leveled against the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun. Femi Adesina, spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, made the clarification while appearing on Channels Television breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, Tuesday. More than 50 days after the scandal broke out, Mr Adesina also claimed that the Nigerian government is not silent on the allegations. In July, PREMIUM TIMES exposed how Mrs Adeosun skipped the mandatory national service for all Nigerians who graduated from universities or equivale...

Rivers Govt kicks as EFCC probes N117b transactions Posted By: Yusuf Alli, Abuja On: August 27, 2018 In: Featured , News , News Update atsApp Detectives are probing about N117b suspicious transactions by the government of Rivers State in the last three years. The huge cash was intermittently withdrawn over the counter by a state official designated for the purpose, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sources said at the weekend. There were indications that the withdrawals from the state accounts were laundered by some state officials. The state government yesterday described the probe as a “political witch-hunt” and vowed not to be intimidated. Four suspects have been shortlisted for interrogation in connection with the massive withdrawals.  They include an official in charge of Finance and Accounts at the Government House in Port Harcourt and a cashier. The EFCC has detained a bank’s Managing Director (MD), who admitted that N5.2bill...

Imo State LGC Poll of 25/8/2018:We are back to where we were on 7/8/2010. The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission(ISIEC) has announced that  Local Government election will take place on  Saturday, August 25 th . If this election actually holds it then means that  Governor Okorocha has done exactly what his predecessor, Ikedi Ohakim,  did on Saturday, August 7 th , 2010 when he conducted what has often been described as a Kangaroo  Local Government election in  Imo  State. That  Local Government poll was held, in spite of two court injunctions which ordered that the Governor ’s party, Peoples  Democratic Party, should not participate in the poll.The injunctions which were  issued  by Hon Justice  Goddy Anunihu   :” Organizing, conducting, holding or  causing to  be  organized any primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) at any level of the party in I...

Incarcerated Nigerian journalist rejoins family, colleagues August 22, 2018 Agency Report Jones Abiri Related News SPECIAL REPORT: How Buhari's govt detained Nigerian journalist for two years without trial Group demands release of journalist detained by Nigerian govt for two years without trial Journalist Jones Abiri appears in court, moved to Keffi prison Court reviews bail conditions for Nigerian journalist Jones Abiri Amid growing outrage, Nigerian govt arraigns journalists held for two years Bayelsa Journalist, Jones Abiri, standing trial for alleged involvement in militancy, returned to the warm embrace of his wife, children and colleagues on Tuesday in Yenagoa. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Abiri, who was received at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, expressed his optimism of getting justice. Mr. Abiri was arrested by the State Security Servi...

CLOSE SHOTS: How children participated in Katsina North senatorial by-election August 21, 2018 Kemi Busari Children checking pictures of acquaintances on voters' register They were not involved in the actual voting as they were not qualified. But children were a strong part of the Katsina North senatorial by-election which produced Ahmad Babba-Kaita as senator-elect. The district, where President Muhammadu Buhari hails from, became vacant following the death of Mustapha Bukar on April 4. From Daura, the district’s capital, to Kankia, Bindawa, Baure and other towns, children from age two and above made their ways to polling units on their own. They engaged in different activities, economic and political. On the economic side, many were seen at polling areas displaying their wares which mostly were food stuffs, some others hawked from one polling unit to another. PREMIUM TIMES reporter who covered...

Over 100 IPOB women remanded after protest August 21, 2018 Ebuka Onyeji Pro-Biafra protesters [Photo: TodayNG] Related News 60 IPOB members docked, remanded in prison IPOB women protest, demand Nnamdi Kanu’s release Biafra: Arrested Nnamdi Kanu's supporters to be docked Thursday Four persons arraigned for allegedly hacking WAEC website Domestic Violence: Mercy Aigbe’s husband, Lanre Gentry, remanded in Kirikiri prison A magistrate court in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Monday remanded in custody at least 112 women members of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB). The women, who were arraigned on eight counts of charges, were arrested in Owerri by the police on Friday while they protesting and demanding that the federal government produce its leader , Nnamdi Kanu. The women claimed that the security agencies knew the whereabouts of Mr Kanu who has been out of public view since ...