Author: Vera

The Lagos State Government on Friday re-arraigned alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, and two others over the attempted kidnap of the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo. Point News247 reports that Evans was re-arraigned alongside Joseph Emeka, and Udeme Upong following the November 26 death of their co-defendant, Chiemeka Arinze, 45, while in the custody of the Correctional Services. The death certificate issued by the Ajeromi General Hospital, Ajegunle, Lagos State, indicated that the deceased who was suffering from complicated Advanced HIV died as a result of cardiopulmonary arrest. During Friday’s proceeding; the state…

A former Nigerian Minister of Labour and Productivity, Hussaini Zanwa Akwanga, is dead. Point News247 reports that the former minister died on Friday at his home town of Akwanga, the headquarters of Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State at the age of 77 after a protracted illness. The elder statesman, who was a professional teacher, was made a minister by President Olusegun Obasanjo in the year 2003, but was later sacked by the President during a cabinet reshuffle. In 2017, he was kidnapped on his farm in Kurmin Tagwaye village, near Akwanga, but was released two days later after…

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Customs and Excise has lamented pressure from constituents over the ongoing recruitment by the Nigeria Customs Service. Point News247 reports that theChairman of the committee, Leke Abejide, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Friday, explained that the NCS is only filling vacancies in the Service and not increasing its personnel base. Abejide said, “I consider it necessary to address this press conference to let Nigerians know that what the Nigeria Customs Service is doing is not full recruitment but to fill the gaps of cadres not filled in the last recruitment process. “They have…

The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Akure Zone, Prof. Olufayo Olu-Olu, has said that members of the union would sustain any action they embark until the Federal Government meets their demands. Point News247 reports that Olu-Olu, who said that ASUU had on different occasions since they signed agreement, carried on trusting that the Federal Government would do the needful, said, “This we have done severally to the detriment of the system and our members. We are now better guided and careful not to allow this to happen”. Olu-Olu spoke in Ado Ekiti at a press conference addressed by the…

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Ministry of Finance to release the withheld Salaries Of Resident Doctors. Point News247 reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to release withheld salaries of resident doctors for the month of September and October 2021. The Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, disclosed this to State House correspondents after a meeting with Buhari on Thursday. He noted that the wages, which were seized on the premise of the no-work, no pay-rule following strikes embarked upon by the Joint Health Workers Union. Ngige noted that the salaries have been approved…

The National Judicial Council (NJC), on Thursday, came down hard on three judges from courts of concurrent jurisdiction. Point News247 reports that a statement issued by the Director of Information, NJC, Soji Oye, in Abuja, revealed that the judges were said to have granted conflicting ex parte orders in matters with the same parties and subject matters. As a result, they were barred from promotion to the higher Bench for a period ranging from two to five years whenever they were due for such promotion. Even though there was no written petition, allegations of corruption or impropriety against the judges,…

Point News247 reports that a major air mishap was averted on Wednesday as a Max Air jet, which landed on runway 18L of the Lagos airport, almost rammed into a malfunctioning car that was being tested on the runway. Investigations by The PUNCH revealed that a Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria’s Civil Department van had developed a fault, and officials were forced to invite an auto technician from outside the airport to fix it. Unconfirmed sources told the newspaper that the FAAN workers resorted to fetching a technician from the city because the agency’s department meant to cater to such…

The United Kingdom (UK) government has lifted the pause on processing visitor visas in all countries previously on the red list, including Nigeria. Point News247 reports that the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) announced this in a statement on Wednesday. The government said it lifted the pause due to the removal of Nigeria and other countries from red list restrictions over the Omicron COVID-19 variant. “From 4:00 am on 15th December, all countries currently on the red list will be removed. In line with the lifting of red list restrictions, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) will lift the pause on…

The Fred Majemite Campaign Organization has rejected the report of the Screening Committee which disqualified him from running for the 2023 Delta State governorship race. Point News247 reports that the campaign organization insists that the report of the Screening Committee set up by DC-23, which was presented Wednesday, does not represent the wishes of the majority of Delta Central and Deltans in general. The group maintained that Barrister Fred Majemite is the most qualified candidate, faulting the Screening Committee for coming up with this “script called report which does not reflect public expectations”. The rejection was contained in a statement…

Despite taking double vaccine doses, South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for COVID-19. Point News247 reports that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for mild Covid-19 symptoms after testing positive. The presidency disclosed this in a statement. Ramaphosa, who is fully vaccinated, recently returned from a trip to West Africa. He tested negative for Covid-19 upon his return to Johannesburg on December 8. The President is now in self-isolation in Cape Town. The statement noted that Ramaphosa has delegated all responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza for the next week. Ramaphosa “started feeling unwell after leaving…