Category: Fact Check
Shehu Sani Criticises Enugu State’s New Mortuary Tax
Kehinde Fajobi Former Senator Shehu Sani has criticised the Enugu State government for imposing a mortuary tax, stating that it “means people can no longer rest in peace.” Sani expressed his disapproval in a post on the X platform (@ShehuSani) on Sunday. The controversy arose after the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) introduced a…
Rivers 2024 LGt Elections: Councillorship Candidates Pledge Not to Contest Results in Court
The Coalition of Councillorship Candidates for the 2024 local government elections in Rivers State has announced that they will not challenge the results of the elections held on October 5 in court, despite their outcomes not being favorable. Akwu Chilegide Jonathan, Chairman of the Forum and Accord Party Councillorship Candidate for Ward 1 in Emohua…
Ademola Lookman Named Atalanta’s Player of the Month for September
Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman, has been named Atalanta’s Player of the Month (POTM) for September following a series of standout performances. The dynamic forward played a pivotal role in helping his side secure vital points throughout the month, contributing both goals and assists. Lookman, who joined the Italian club last three seasons, has continued to…
Tensions Rise as Obio/Akpor Council Erases Wike’s Legacy, Renames Secretariat After Senator Obi Wali
In a bold political move, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chijioke Ihunwo, has removed the name of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike from the council secretariat’s administrative block. The facility has now been renamed after Senator Dr. Obi Wali, a revered figure in the state. This decision, announced via Ihunwo’s X account…
Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema Faces New Charges for Allegedly Obstructing U.S. Fraud Investigation
Allen Onyema, CEO of Nigeria’s largest airline, Air Peace, is now facing additional obstruction of justice charges as part of an escalating investigation into an alleged multi-million-dollar bank fraud and money laundering scheme. The latest development, unveiled in a superseding indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, accuses Onyema…
Chief David West on the Need for Unity and Leadership Reform in the Niger Delta
Chief David West, a community leader from Buguma in Akukutoru LGA, Rivers State, and Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization, Bayelsa State branch, discusses the ongoing challenges in the Niger Delta. In this interview with Gifted Markson, he emphasizes the devastating impact of pollution, widespread poverty in the region, and the urgent need for unity…
Gunmen Kill Ogun APC Councillorship Candidate in Abeokuta
Kehinde Fajobi A councilorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adeyinka Adeleke, was killed by gunmen on Saturday afternoon in the Jide Jones area of Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State. Adeleke, the APC candidate for Ward 15 in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for November 16, was attacked by assailants who…
Nigerian-British Man Sentenced 7 Years in U.S. for Multimillion-Dollar Email Fraud
Kehinde Fajobi Oludayo Adeagbo, a 45-year-old Nigerian-British national, has been sentenced to seven years in a U.S. prison for his role in a business email compromise (BEC) scheme that targeted companies, government bodies, and institutions, stealing millions of dollars. According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Adeagbo conspired with others in cyber-enabled…
Enugu Defends ₦40 Per Day Mortuary Tax, Aims to Discourage Long Mortuary Stays
Kehinde Fajobi The Enugu State Government has clarified that the state’s mortuary tax, which has been in place for years, is not intended to generate revenue but to discourage prolonged storage of corpses in mortuaries. The Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), Emmanuel Nnamani, addressed the public’s concerns over a recent…
Sam Omorodion Opens Up on Emotional Struggles Before Joining FC Porto: ‘I Spent Many Nights Crying’
Nigerian footballer Sam Omorodion has revealed the emotional toll of his time at Atlético Madrid before his eventual transfer to FC Porto. In an interview with Marca, the young forward recounted how his situation at the Spanish club pushed him to his limits, sharing the struggles he and his family endured during the difficult period.…
Kylian Mbappé Prioritizes Ballon d’Or 2025 Over National Team Appearances: Reports
According to Foot Mercato, Kylian Mbappé has communicated to the French national team that he wants to limit his appearances to only the most important matches. The Paris Saint-Germain star’s decision comes as he sets his sights on winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or and aims to minimize injury risks along the way. Mbappé, who has…
Peter Obi Urges Tinubu to Reverse Fuel Price Hike, Calls Increase ‘Insensitive’
Kehinde Fajobi Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the recent hike in fuel prices, describing the increase as both “insensitive” and detrimental to the country’s economic stability. Obi expressed his concerns in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, following the Nigerian National Petroleum…
Matawalle Condemns Amaechi’s Call for Protests, Warns Against Incitement
Kehinde Fajobi The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has criticised former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, for urging Nigerians to protest over the current economic hardship in the country. Matawalle described Amaechi’s statements as reckless and a potential threat to national stability. In a statement issued by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of…
FG Faces ₦380bn Electricity Subsidy Obligation in Q2 2024 as Tariffs Remain Unchanged
Kehinde Fajobi The Federal Government incurred an electricity subsidy obligation of ₦380.06 billion in the second quarter of 2024, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This represents a 40% drop from the ₦633.3 billion recorded in the first quarter of the year. In its quarterly report released on Friday, NERC explained that the…
FG Empowers 25,500 Youths, Women in Niger Delta
Kehinde Fajobi The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is empowering over 25,500 youths and women in agricultural entrepreneurship across Niger Delta states through the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises (LIFE-ND) project. The initiative, funded by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), aims to foster self-reliance and sustainability among participants in the agricultural sector.…
House Proposes Bill to Establish Bola Ahmed Tinubu University of Nigerian Languages
Kehinde Fajobi The House of Representatives has taken the first step towards creating the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages with the passage of a bill for its first reading on Thursday. The bill, co-sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and eight other lawmakers, seeks to establish a federal institution focused on promoting…
Gasperini Champions Ademola Lookman for Ballon d’Or: ‘His Magic Won Us Europa League’
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has thrown his support behind Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, citing his crucial role in the team’s success. Speaking to Sky Sports, Gasperini made it clear who his top choice for the coveted award would be. “My personal Ballon d’Or vote would go to Ademola…
Sam Dede on Youth Mobilization, the Niger Delta Struggle, and the Role of Film in Social Change
Veteran Nollywood actor, director, and academic, Sam Dede, speaks passionately about the need for youth mobilization in the Niger Delta. In this insightful interview during the recent First News 4th Annual Public Lecture in Port Harcourt, Dede discusses the alarming lack of awareness and consciousness among young people in the region, the critical role of…
Wrath of the Gods: Ikwerre Chiefs Invoke Justice After Rivers LG Buildings Burn
Following the chaos that unfolded on Monday after the local government chairmen elections in Rivers State, several local government council buildings were set ablaze. The violence broke out after the swearing-in of the election winners by the Rivers State government. Among the affected areas was the Ikwerre Local Government Secretariat in Isiokpo, where the building…
Gateway Inland Dry Port ‘ll Create 20,000 Jobs for SMEs, Boost Economic Growth —Oyetola
Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, on Friday, said that the new Gateway Inland Dry Port (GIDP) located at Kajola, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, would create jobs for over 20,000 employment seekers and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises(SMEs) and boost economic growth of the country. Oyetola…