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Jennifer UGWA 162 posts

ICIR reporter shortlisted for 2019 Thomson Reuters Young Journalist Award

Jennifer UGWA Sep 21, 2019

THE International Center for Investigative Reporting, (ICIR), reporter, Amos Abba has been shortlisted for the 2019 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award. The award, in its 7th year, enables journalists aged 30 and under, from…
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Emefiele defends cashless policy, says not new in Nigeria

Jennifer UGWA Sep 20, 2019

GODWIN Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the adoption of the cashless policy is in line with the apex bank strategy to eradicate fraudulent activities in the Nigerian banking system. Emefiele explained that the…
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Despite border closure, other measures, inflation dips to 11.02 per cent in August —NBS

Jennifer UGWA Sep 17, 2019

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Tuesday has shown that Nigerian inflation rate has gone down from 11.08 percent in July to 11.02 per cent in August. The NBS Consumer Price Index, (CPI) which measures inflation…
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Buhari appoints Soludo, Salami, Doyin into Economic Advisory Council

Jennifer UGWA Sep 16, 2019

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Monday announced the appointment of former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Charles Soludo and six others as members of his new Economic Advisory Council (EAC). A statement released by Femi Adesina,…
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ECOWAS heads of states pledge $1 billion to combat terrorism in regions

Jennifer UGWA Sep 16, 2019

WEST African leaders have pledged to contribute $1 billion to combat the increasing threat of Islamist militancy in the sub-region. Head of the regional ECOWAS bloc, Jean- Claude Kassi Brou disclosed this during the Extraordinary summit on…
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Buhari to attend ECOWAS counter-terrorism summit in Burkina Faso

Jennifer UGWA Sep 13, 2019

PRESIDENT Mohammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Saturday to attend a one-day Extraordinary Summit on Counter-Terrorism, for Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Head of States in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Femi Adesina,…
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‘Do not do it, you will suffocate me’—shocking recordings from Khashoggi’s last…

Jennifer UGWA Sep 10, 2019

AFTER almost one year, audio recordings of the horrifying conversations between the 15-man Saudi hit squad and their victim, Jamal Khashoggi, Washington Post journalist, has been revealed to the public for the first time by the Turkish…
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Tribunal rules on presidential election petition on Wednesday

Jennifer UGWA Sep 10, 2019

THE Presidential Election Tribunal has announced that it will deliver judgement on Wednesday on the petition filed by Atiku Abubakar, former Vice president and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against the election of…
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Busola Dakolo demands apology, N10m from COZA’s Fatoyinbo

Jennifer UGWA Sep 9, 2019

BUSOLA Dakolo, wife of Nigerian popular musician Timi Dakolo has demanded that the founder and Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, apologise to her and pay N10 million for allegedly defiling her. In…
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India loses contact with spacecraft on moon mission

Jennifer UGWA Sep 7, 2019

INDIA on Saturday said it has lost contact with a spacecraft it was trying to land on the moon, the first of its kind to confirm the presence of water near the lunar south pole. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that…
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African Union reinstates Sudan as member of bloc after three-month suspension

Jennifer UGWA Sep 7, 2019

THE African Union (AU) has lifted its suspension of Sudan's membership in the bloc, putting an end to a three-month ban on the country. The suspension had been in place pending the installation of a civilian-led government after the…
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MTN shares hit three-months high amidst fear of reprisal attacks

Jennifer UGWA Sep 6, 2019

MTN Nigeria shares recorded a three -month leap on Friday after the partial opening of the telecoms offices nationwide after a shutdown due to reprisal attacks on South African owned businesses as a result of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians…
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XENOPHOBIA: Jim Ovia pulls out of World Economic Forum in South Africa

Jennifer UGWA Sep 5, 2019

The Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia,on Thursday, pulled out of the World Economic Forum (WEF) holding in South Africa as part of protest against xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country. Both Ovia…
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Nigeria boycotts World Economic Forum in S’Africa…recalls High Commissioner

Jennifer UGWA Sep 4, 2019

FOLLOWING attacks on Nigerian in South Africa in the past few days, the Nigerian Government has pulled out of the World Economic Forum slated to hold in Cape Town and recalled its High Commissioner to the country. Nigeria's withdrawal…
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Xenophobia: Avoid travelling to high risks, volatile areas FG warns Nigerians in South Africa

Jennifer UGWA Sep 4, 2019

THE Federal Government on Wednesday cautioned Nigerians in South Africa against travelling to high risk and volatile areas until the mob action against Nigerians and other foreign nationals in that country is brought under control.…
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MTN shuts down all outlets in Nigeria…billboards attacked in Abuja

Jennifer UGWA Sep 4, 2019

TELECOM giant, MTN Nigeria on Wednesday announced the closure of all its outlets in the country as a security measure to counter attacks on its employees. Uto Ukpan, Company Secretary MTN, in a statement made available on the website of…
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Nigerians to pay higher visa fee as US retaliates

Jennifer UGWA Aug 27, 2019

The United States Consulate on Tuesday has announced a higher fee for Nigerians applying for the US visa. The consulate said that Nigerians will be required to pay for all applications for nonimmigrant visas in B, F, H1B, I, L, and R visa…
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Police invites Fatonyibo for questioning over rape allegations

Jennifer UGWA Aug 27, 2019

BIODUN Fatoyinbo, General Overseer of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), on Tuesday has been brought in by the police in Abuja for questioning over alleged rape of Busola Dakolo. Dakolo, photographer and wife of musician Timi Dakolo…
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G7 leaders in France approve $251M to support women entrepreneurs in Africa

Jennifer UGWA Aug 26, 2019

EMMANUEL Macron, French President and G7 leaders on Sunday in Biarritz, France approved $251 million in support of the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa initiative to support women entrepreneurs in Africa. The move to begin…
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Beware of fraudulent loan offers on social media, CBN warns investors

Jennifer UGWA Aug 26, 2019

THE Central Bank of Nigeria on Monday has denounced knowledge of calls for loan applications to small and medium- scale business being circulated on social media, says it is fraudulent. Issac Okorafor, Director, Corporate and Communication…
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Buhari to attend TICAD7 in Japan, departs on Sunday

Jennifer UGWA Aug 23, 2019

PRESIDENT Mohammadu Buhari will depart Abuja Sunday for Japan to participate in the seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) holding in Japan. The conference deemed the largest international conference that…
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Dynamic Intelligence exits market, says Nigerian workers ‘extorted’ company

Jennifer UGWA Aug 23, 2019

JENNA Bourgeois, Chairman Dynamic Intelligence has announced that his company is exiting from the Nigerian market with 'immediate effect'. The technology company with operations in the United States, Canada and Africa claimed that…
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Seme border partially closed as security measures against illegal activities, says NCS

Jennifer UGWA Aug 23, 2019

JOSEPH Attah, spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has refuted the claim that seme border has been closed to all forms of business and that security officials have stopped all activities. He said the border was partially…
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Ekweremadu: German police refutes Abike Dabiri’s claim, says protesters were not arrested

Jennifer UGWA Aug 19, 2019

GERMAN police authorities-Landespolizie- in Nürnberg, Germany has disclosed that no arrest has been made in connection with the Saturday attack on Ike Ekwereadu, the former Deputy Senate President, despite the claim of the Chairman and…
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Oyo-Ita submits resignation letter as Head of Service

Jennifer UGWA Aug 19, 2019

WINIFRED Oyo-Ita, the head of service on Monday in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari said she would be retiring from civil service with immediate effect. According to reports, the head of service was being probed over an alleged…
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Anglican priest first scapegoat as Ekiti begins ‘naming and shaming’ of rapists

Jennifer UGWA Aug 16, 2019

THE Ekiti State Ministry of Justice has initiated public naming and shaming of sex offenders in a bid to curb the frequency of rape and sexual harassment in the state, and an Anglican priest is the first casualty. On Twitter, Kayode…
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Nigeria’s inflation rate dips to 11.08 per cent in July-NBS

Jennifer UGWA Aug 16, 2019

THE stat released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics on Friday shows that the consumer price index, (CPI) which measures inflation came down to 11.08 per cent year-on-year in July 2019 at a 0.14 per cent point, lower than 11.22 per cent…
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CBN does not require approval of Buhari to function- Moghalu

Jennifer UGWA Aug 15, 2019

FORMER Central Bank of Nigeria deputy president, Professor Kingsley Moghalu who contested against President Mohammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election has criticised the ban on forex for the importation of food into the country by…
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#FreeAustinTice: Seven years later journalist is still unaccounted for in Syria

Jennifer UGWA Aug 15, 2019

REPORTERS Without Borders have raised another call for the release of Austin Tice an American journalist who was abducted seven years ago in Syria. The former veteran United State Corp before his abduction in Damascus freelanced for…
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Hong Kong cancels 200 flights amid major countrywide protests

Jennifer UGWA Aug 12, 2019

HONG Kong International Airport has cancelled all departing flights on Monday, as thousands of anti-government protesters occupied and caused disruption in 11th week of protests. Passengers have been told not to travel to the airport,…
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New policy to allow women travel without male’s permission in Saudi Arabia

Jennifer UGWA Aug 2, 2019

SAUDI Arabia on Friday published new laws that loosen restrictions, allowing all citizens — women and men alike —above 21 years of age to apply for a passport and travel freely. The new policies bring an end to a long-standing…
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Court orders final forfeiture of plaza worth N150m owed by Kwara State account officer

Jennifer UGWA Aug 1, 2019

A FEDERAL High court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday has ordered the final forfeiture of Asmau Plaza owed by Rasaq Momonu, Controller, finance and Account Kwara State. The property valued at N150 million was supposedly acquired through…
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Nigerian manufacturing sector indicates faster growth in July – CBN

Jennifer UGWA Aug 1, 2019

The manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index, PMI in the month of July stood at 57.6 index points, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed in a new report. Data made available from the “PMI July 2019 Report” published on Wednesday…
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NPC, CSOs inaugurate technical team to combat extortion in birth registration scheme after ICIR…

Jennifer UGWA Jul 29, 2019

THE Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) in collaboration with National Population Commission (NPC) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Owerri, Imo State on Friday inaugurated an Advocacy Technical Team…
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Ghanaian traders shutdown businesses owned by Nigerians, fear economy takeover

Jennifer UGWA Jul 24, 2019

RETAIL businesses owned by Nigerians in Ghana have been shut down by Ghanaian traders who feared Nigeria’s would take over their businesses in Accra. The action is the second time in recent weeks that Nigerian traders at Opera Square have…
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Iran announces arrest of 17 alleged CIA agents, some sentenced to death

Jennifer UGWA Jul 23, 2019

The Iranian government through its Intelligence Ministry on Sunday said they have arrested 17 citizens of the country, and have been sentenced some to death for acting as spies for the United States Central Intelligence Agency amid soaring…
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Poor public engagement, little oversight– Nigeria ranks low on budget transparency

Jennifer UGWA Jul 19, 2019

THE International Budget Partnership (IBP) has ranked Nigeria low for lack of transparency and poor public engagement in the development and implementation of its national budget. In the survey tagged Open Budget Index – the world’s only…
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Insecurity: Buhari calls for more collaborative efforts among Africa’s intelligence community

Jennifer UGWA Jul 18, 2019

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari intelligence community in Africa must work to curb illicit financial flow in the continent as a measure to address security challenges facing Africa. President Buhari spoke on Thursday at the opening session of…
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Ponzi scheme: SEC begins verification of 4,160 investors’ claims in Kano

Jennifer UGWA Jul 16, 2019

THE Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday announced that it has started to verify claims of 4,160 unpaid investors of an illegal investment scheme organised by Dantata Success and Profitable Company in Kano. The commission in a…
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CAN reverses self, pledges support for COZA, Pastor Fatoyinbo

Jennifer UGWA Jul 15, 2019

DESPITE its earlier stance, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has promised the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) and its embattled pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo accused of rape by Busola Dakolo, wife to Nigeria popular artist Timi…
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Nigeria to produce military gears locally

Jennifer UGWA Jul 12, 2019

GODWIN Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank on Thursday under the directives of the presidency revealed that military uniforms among other clothing for government workers would henceforth be produced in Nigeria. The meeting in Abuja…
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Nigeria rakes in over USD $25bn dollars in export value, spends close to $10bn on imports within…

Jennifer UGWA Jul 12, 2019

NIGERIA is considered the largest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product change rate of 1.9 per cent in 2018 and projected to hit 2.1 percent by the International Monetary Fund in 2019, thereby making her a huge potential…
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GT Bank clinches Euromoney best bank award in Africa

Jennifer UGWA Jul 12, 2019

GUARANTY Trust Bank Plc on Wednesday was named the Best Bank in Africa 2019 by Euromoney at its annual Awards for Excellence which held at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London. The Nigerian Bank was also named the Best Bank in Nigeria for a…
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Instagram moves to stop social media bullying using new feature

Jennifer UGWA Jul 10, 2019

INSTAGRAM recently announced the launch of a new feature on its app that would help counter social media bullying. The video and photo sharing platform also owned by Facebook revealed that the company have employed the use of artificial…
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Not even as an unbeliever will my husband rape someone- Omodele Fatoyinbo defends husband

Jennifer UGWA Jun 30, 2019

PROTESTERS stormed the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) headquarters in Abuja on Sunday following the alleged rape of Busola Dakolo by the General Overseer, Abiodun Fatoyinbo, even as the pastors' wife, Omodele defended her husband…
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ETFs sound and viable investment options, says NSE

Jennifer UGWA Jun 27, 2019

THE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the leading market for Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in the West African region, has announced the commencement of a three-day enlightenment campaign to increase investors’ awareness and participation in…
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CBN to recapitalise Nigerian banks, eyes world top 500 in five years

Jennifer UGWA Jun 24, 2019

GODWIN Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, on Monday unveiled the monetary policy roadmap for his 2019-2024 economic plan for the country, promising to recapitalise banks within the next five years to make them contribute…
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Metuh: Jonathan gave me N400m, not Dasuki

Jennifer UGWA Jun 21, 2019

OLISA Metuh, Former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says he received the sum of N400m project fund from former President Goodluck Jonathan and not Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser, as…
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18 arrested as DPR seals 20 illegal fuel stations in Plateau

Jennifer UGWA Jun 21, 2019

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday has sealed off at least 20 illegal fuel stations and had 18 persons arrested for illegal operation. Jerome Agada, Operations Controller of the DPR Jos field…
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Vodacom unit to sell operations in Nigeria and four other African markets

Jennifer UGWA Jun 21, 2019

VODACOM Group on Friday has announced a strategic repositioning of its Vodacom Business Africa(VBA) operation as it set to sell its business units in Nigeria, Zambia, Angola, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire for an undisclosed amount. The Telecom…
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Former Egyptian president was murdered, alleges Turkey president

Jennifer UGWA Jun 20, 2019

RECEP Tayyip Erdogan Turkey’s president has accused Egyptian authorities of murdering former president Mohamed Morsi, who died on Monday after collapsing in court and vowed to see them prosecuted in an international court. Erdogan at an…
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Northern Nigeria best place to do business – World Bank report

Jennifer UGWA Jun 18, 2019

THE four years’ subnational series data on the Doing Business in Nigeria (DBN) 2018 by the World Bank, comparing Business Regulation for Domestic Firms in 36 States and FCT Abuja with 189 Other Economies, has ranked the North West, North…
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Nigeria’s inflation rate increases to 11.40 percent in May – NBS

Jennifer UGWA Jun 17, 2019

THE National Bureau of Statistics' Inflation Report has disclosed that the Consumer Price Index increased to 11.40 per cent in May from 11.37 per cent recorded in April. The report which was released in Abuja on Monday on the NBS official…
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AFDB, Bill Gate release $100 million to advance financial inclusion projects in Africa

Jennifer UGWA Jun 17, 2019

THE Africa Development Bank (AFDB) in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has announced the availability of $100million African Development Financial Inclusion Facility fund. Konstantin Peric the Deputy Director…
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AFDB advocates regional integration to foster investment across Africa

Jennifer UGWA Jun 12, 2019

AKINWUMI Adesina, president of the African Development Bank Group on Wednesday said that free movement of people, especially labour mobility is crucial for promoting investments across the African continent. At the AFDB Annual General…
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African Union suspends Sudan over military crackdown

Jennifer UGWA Jun 6, 2019

THE African Union (AU) has suspended Sudan's membership days after the military launched a brutal crackdown on protesters that killed dozens of people in the country. The AU's Peace and Security Department said in a post on Twitter on…
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Gwarzo: Aggrieved SEC union protests reinstatement of DG, locks headquarters

Jennifer UGWA Jun 3, 2019

THE Security and Exchange Commission has been shut down by its workers’ union to prevent the reinstatement of its suspended Director-General, Mounir Gwarzo who was accused by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences…
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Court remands six over JAMB’s N35million allegedly swallowed by snake

Jennifer UGWA May 31, 2019

Philomena Chieshe and five other officials of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board on Friday were incarcerated by a High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over their involvement in the missing N35m from the sale of JAMB e-cards in Makurdi, Benue…
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Access Bank to redeem $400 million dollars loan before due date

Jennifer UGWA May 30, 2019

Access Bank Plc, Thursday announced the early redemption of $40million subordinated unsecured notes on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Sunday Ekwochi, secretary of the company in a statement said that: “the bank it intends to exercise its…
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JUST IN: EFCC denies arresting Okorocha, wife

Jennifer UGWA May 30, 2019

THE Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday refuted claims that former governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha, wife and other relatives have been arrested in Imo State based on issues bordering on embezzlement. Tony Orilade,…
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Buhari departs for OIC summit in Saudi Arabia

Jennifer UGWA May 30, 2019

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday departed Abuja to attend the Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia few hours after inauguration into the office for a second term. Buhari’s visit follows an…
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Obasanjo, NACCIMA DG, 393 others escape crash aboard Ethiopian Airlines

Jennifer UGWA May 29, 2019

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and 393 others aboard an Ethiopian Airlines plane, escaped crash on Wednesday at Murtala Mohammed International Airport. Obasanjo who was absent from the inauguration ceremony of President Muhammadu…
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Former President Jonathan still recognises May 29 as democracy day

Jennifer UGWA May 29, 2019

FORMER president Goodluck Jonathan has continued to recognise May 29 as democracy day, despite the act of parliament that affirms democracy as June 12 in commemoration of the election considered to be freest and fairest in Nigeria. In his…
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Huawei holds no.2 place smartphone spot after U.S ban, as global phone sales decline

Jennifer UGWA May 29, 2019

DESPITE its absence from the U.S., Huawei retained its ranking as the No. 2 smartphone vendor worldwide and continued to reduce the gap with Samsung research and advisory firm Gartner reported. In a global IT report released on Tuesday by…
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Airtel Africa to float 25% of shares on London Stock Exchange, considers NSE

Jennifer UGWA May 28, 2019

FEW weeks after MTN Nigeria went public on the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Airtel Africa Ltd, a subsidiary of Indian telecoms group Bharti Airtel Ltd, is considering a stock market flotation in London with plans to go public on the Nigeria…
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Birth registration is low in Imo, Rivers, and govt. officials are responsible

Jennifer UGWA May 28, 2019

Only 2.8 million under-five children out of a population of 32 million in Nigeria have birth certificates. According to the law establishing the birth registration scheme in Nigeria, birth registration is free, and any child not…
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EFCC probes MTN listing on NSE

Jennifer UGWA May 27, 2019

MTN Nigeria said its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The telecom giant, which was listed on the Exchange two weeks ago, however, said it had not been accused of…
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UK Prime Minister Theresa May resigns as plans for Brexit fail

Jennifer UGWA May 24, 2019

Theresa May on Friday announced that she was resigning from her position as the United Kingdom Prime minister and quitting as the conservative party leader on June 7. The embattled Prime Minister has faced massive criticism for failing to…
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Facebook bans accounts owned by Israeli firm targeting Nigeria, other African countries

Jennifer UGWA May 17, 2019

About 265 accounts were shut down by Facebook for ‘coordinated inauthentic’ accounts that originated in Isreali focused on Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Angola, Niger and Tunisia along with some activity in the Latin America and Southeast Asia.…
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Dangote refinery awards $368m worth of contracts to local contractors

Jennifer UGWA May 15, 2019

DANGOTE Refinery and Petrochemical on Monday in Lagos announced the award of $368 million to 120 local contractors at the site as part of its contribution to Nigeria content development initiative as it gears up to be Nigeria largest oil…
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US suspends drop box visa applications in Nigeria

Jennifer UGWA May 15, 2019

THE United State embassy on Tuesday announced the indefinite suspension of dropbox process of visa renewals in all its consulates in Nigeria. In a statement made available on its website, the embassy said visa applications would no longer…
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Nigeria listed as the largest arms importer in Sub-Saharan African from 2014-2018 – Report

Jennifer UGWA May 13, 2019

NIGERIA emerged as one of the top five arms importers in sub-Saharan Africa although the report showed a decrease in arms importation in Africa by 45 per cent from 2009- 2103 and 2014-2018. Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2018…
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Digital switch-over scam: NBC boss shared N2.5b among cronies, witness tells court

Jennifer UGWA May 10, 2019

Ishaq Modibbo-Kawu, Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and Lucky Omoluwa, Chairman of Pinnacle Communications Limited, shared out the N2.5 billion seed grant for the Digital Switch-Over programme of the federal…
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Nearly 900 child soldiers freed from armed group in north-east

Jennifer UGWA May 10, 2019

A TOTAL of 894 children, including 106 girls, were released from the ranks of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Maiduguri, north-east Nigeria today says UNICEF. As part of its commitment to end and prevent the recruitment and use of…
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EFCC arrests Naira Marley in connection with cyber fraud

Jennifer UGWA May 10, 2019

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday confirmed the arrest of Nigerian musician Afeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley in Lagos today. Orilade Tony, Spokesperson of EFCC who spoke to The ICIR, confirmed that…
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Pope issues new rule mandating report of sexual abuse in Catholic Church

Jennifer UGWA May 9, 2019

POPE Francis on Thursday issued new global rules for reporting sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, mandating for the first time that all dioceses set up systems for reporting abuse and cover-ups. The new rules require all Catholic…
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CBN offers up to N500 million loans for start-up companies

Jennifer UGWA May 9, 2019

THE Central Bank of Nigeria in collaboration with Bankers’ Committee recently announced that people in the creative and information industry (CIFI) will be granted start-up loans ranging from N3million to N500million. The announcement…
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EU criticises Saudi Arabia over human rights abuse

Jennifer UGWA Mar 7, 2019

For the first time since the setup of the United Nations Forum in 2006, Saudi Arabia has been criticised by 36 countries and 28 members of the European Union on human rights record in the Kingdom. The statement signed by the countries and…
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Election: UK to deny Nigerian who incites violence even on social media visas

Jennifer UGWA Mar 6, 2019

THE United Kingdom High Commission has warned that travel visas to the UK will be denied anyone who incites violence even on social media in the upcoming gubernatorial elections In a statement released on Wednesday, the commission urged…
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How doctors’ negligence, malfunctioning equipment at Asokoro District Hospital led to the…

Jennifer UGWA Mar 2, 2019

WITH a big smile on his face and his baby cradled in his arms, a proud father of a newly-born infant and his wife made their way toward the taxi park at the Asokoro District Hospital in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The…
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Election: U.S, France, Saudi Arabia, others congratulate Buhari, hope for better bilateral relations

Jennifer UGWA Mar 1, 2019

The U. S, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kenya have congratulated Nigeria on its successful presidential election and President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election, as they look forward to a better bilateral relations with Nigeria in the…
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US offers $1million reward for intel on Hamza, Osama Bin Laden’s son

Jennifer UGWA Mar 1, 2019

The US Department of State announced on Thursday says it is offering a reward "of up to $1 million" for information that leads to the capture of Hamza bin Laden, the son of deceased former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in any country. A…
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Nigerians won’t give us a second chance… INEC commissioner

Jennifer UGWA Feb 18, 2019

FESTUS Okoye, a National Commissioner for Independent National Electoral Commission says INEC is ready for the general elections re-scheduled for Saturdays, February 23 and March 9, stressing that the commission won’t fail the second time.…
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UN experts urge Ghana to ensure justice for murdered journalist Hussein-Suale

Jennifer UGWA Feb 18, 2019

United Nations Special Rapporteurs have charged the Ghanaian government with the responsibility of ensuring an independent, prompt and transparent investigation into the killing of journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale. The UN experts represented…
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SERAP to sue FG, National Assembly for election postponement

Jennifer UGWA Feb 18, 2019

THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has indicated that it would sue the Federal Government and the National Assembly for the postponement of the 2019 general elections. Kolawole Oluwadare, the Deputy Director of SERAP in a…
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Vote-buying whistle-blowers will be rewarded…EFCC

Jennifer UGWA Feb 15, 2019

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Friday has promised to reward citizens that provide credible information on illegal activities of vote-buying during the election. The commission urged the general public to contact…
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Poor data, education, healthcare stagnating Africa’s growth… Bill and Melinda Gates

Jennifer UGWA Feb 13, 2019

THE Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, owned by the world's second richest man and his wife, has listed lack of proper data and poor education and health systems as the major factors stagnating economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. This…
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UN condemns suspension of Nigeria’s Chief Justice, says it breaches human rights

Jennifer UGWA Feb 11, 2019

THE United Nations on Monday said that the suspension of Nigeria's most senior judge by President Muhammadu Buhari broke international human rights standards on the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers. In a statement…
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Pope says priests and bishops molest Catholic nuns, admits cases of sexual slavery in church

Jennifer UGWA Feb 6, 2019

POPE Francis for the first time acknowledged that nuns have been sexually abused by priests and bishops in the Catholic Church. The comment which came in a press conference aboard the papal plane on the return flight from the United…
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Exploiting River Niger and Benue will create employment for over 4 million youths, says YG-Consult

Jennifer UGWA Feb 4, 2019

A GROUP of Nigerian professionals, YG-Consult, has made a strong case that Nigeria is missing out huge growth opportunity in agriculture, transportation and electricity generation due to its failure to exploit River Niger and River Benue.…
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I’ll donate my hairs, my wife’s hairs and panties to any Yahoo boy, says Senator Adeyeye

Jennifer UGWA Feb 4, 2019

TO dispel the rumours making the round that Nigerian internet fraudsters, popularly known as "Yahoo boys" steal female underwears to make money, Olusola Adeyeye, Chief Whip of the Senate says he will donate his wife’s panties and hairs…
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How single women with fibroid go through pain and stigma that leave many traumatised for years

Jennifer UGWA Feb 3, 2019

ON first encounter, you might think she was due to have a baby. With a protruding belly as big as that of a nine-month-old pregnant woman, Immema John waddled along the street while neighbours and passers-by would call out to her as ‘Mama…
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Soyinka says Buhari and Atiku worthy of absolute rejection

Jennifer UGWA Jan 31, 2019

NOBEL Laureate Wole Soyinka says he will not be voting for the duo of President Muhammadu Buhari or Abubakar Atiku in the upcoming election as he finds the two candidates "worthy of absolute rejection". Soyinka said this during an…
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US, UK visa threat: Lai Mohammed says APC will win without rigging election

Jennifer UGWA Jan 25, 2019

MINISTER of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says the Federal Government has accepted the statements of the United Kingdom and the United States to restrict visas to defaulters during the 2019 elections. He said the All Progressives…
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UK, US say election defaulters will be denied entry visas

Jennifer UGWA Jan 24, 2019

The United States and the United Kingdom on Thursday said they would take actions against anyone who interferes with the 2019 elections in Nigeria. The two world powers said that there would be consequences, including visa restrictions,…
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New law accords five per cent job space for persons with disability

Jennifer UGWA Jan 24, 2019

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has given assent to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which among other things, will ensure that corporate entities, as well as public institutions, reserve at least…
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Senate confirms Tukur as director of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit

Jennifer UGWA Jan 23, 2019

THE Senate, on Wednesday in Abuja, confirmed Modibbo Hamman Tukur as the director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Tukur will be serving as the first director of the NFIU since the unit was granted independence through…
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Acting IGP dissolves FSARS, sets up special election investigative team

Jennifer UGWA Jan 21, 2019

Mohammed Adamu, the Acting Inspector General of Police, has ordered the immediate disbandment of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Special Investigation Panel (SIP) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) set up by former IGP Ibrahim…
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INEC- APC will not participate in Rivers governorship election unless court rules otherwise

Jennifer UGWA Jan 21, 2019

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not participate in the Rivers State governorship election. Festus Okoye, INEC Commissioner, in a public broadcast on Sunday said the…
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Journalist murder: Suspected Ghana MP leaves country after police invitation

Jennifer UGWA Jan 18, 2019

KENNEDY Agyapong, a member of parliament in Assin Central Accra, Ghana, identified as a suspect in the murder of an investigative journalist, Ahmed Hussein-Suale, has left the country. Ahmed was killed in Madina, Accra on his way home by…
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Police invites Ghana MP over the murder of journalist

Jennifer UGWA Jan 18, 2019

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Ghana Police Service has officially invited Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central over the murder of Ahmed Hussein- Suale, an investigative reporter and the partner of Anas…
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Anas’ partner Hussein-Suale an undercover journalist shot dead

Jennifer UGWA Jan 17, 2019

UNDERCOVER investigator Ahmed Hussein- Suale and a key member of Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye Private Investigations team, yesterday was shot dead by unidentified men on a motorbike. It is reported that Ahmed, while driving home, was shot…
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Kwara bans street campaigns after clash between PDP and APC supporters left many hospitalised

Jennifer UGWA Jan 15, 2019

The Kwara State governor has on Tuesday banned street rallies and campaigns in the state after recent attacks that have left many hospitalised, and properties destroyed. Abdul Fatah Ahmed, Governor of Kwara state in a broadcast on…
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World Bank president resigns, to focus on infrastructural growth in developing countries

Jennifer UGWA Jan 8, 2019

Jim Yong Kim World Bank president on Monday resigned more than three years before the end of his tenure in 2022. Kim, in a report by Al Jazeera, said that he would immediately join a firm and focus on increasing infrastructure in…
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EFCC arrests men with $2.8 million at Enugu airport

Jennifer UGWA Dec 21, 2018

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu Zonal Office, on Friday, intercepted two suspected money launders with the sum $2.8million at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. They were caught with two items of luggage…
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More than 437,000 persons displaced in Cameroon crisis, says UN

Jennifer UGWA Dec 20, 2018

The United Nations has reported that the number of Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria has spiked to more than 437,000 over the past months. And many have resorted to living in bushes and makeshift shelters with no support since October 1,…
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12 years after fire killed 260 people in Abule Egba, inferno again engulfs this area of Lagos

Jennifer UGWA Dec 19, 2018

TWELVE years after at least 260 people were killed and 60 injured in an oil pipeline blast in Abule Egba in Lagos, the area again went up in flames in the early hours of Wednesday Unconfirmed reports put the number of casualties at five –…
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Saudi Arabia rejects resolution on Khashoggi murder, warns against external interference

Jennifer UGWA Dec 17, 2018

SAUDI Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rebuked a resolution passed by the United States Senate condemning Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…
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Army accuses Amnesty International of trying to ‘destablise’ Nigeria with false reports

Jennifer UGWA Dec 17, 2018

THE Nigerian Army has called for the closure of the Amnesty International (AI) offices in Nigeria, alleging that there is credible evidence that the organisation is working hard to 'destabilise' the nation. Sani Usman, the army spokesman…
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How period poverty plagues women in Abuja communities

Jennifer UGWA Dec 16, 2018

According to the Study International, more than 1.2 billion women all over the world do not have access to basic sanitation. Menstrual periods are open secrets but period poverty suffered by many women in Nigeria is shrouded in absolute…
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If I get re-elected, hard work will be rewarded adequately -Buhari

Jennifer UGWA Dec 13, 2018

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated “Together Nigeria’’, a support group for his 2019 election and assured supporters that hard work and loyalty would be adequately rewarded. curiously, the President made a similar promise in 2015…
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Nearly 30 million sick and premature newborns in dire need of treatment every year

Jennifer UGWA Dec 13, 2018

NEARLY 30 million babies are born too soon, too small or become sick every year and need specialized care to survive, according to a new report by a global coalition that includes UNICEF and WHO. “When it comes to babies and their mothers,…
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CDD trains journalists, INEC officials on combating fake news

Jennifer UGWA Dec 12, 2018

Journalists and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have been trained in Abuja to Combat Fake news and misinformation in the 2019 general elections. The two-day fact-checking training, organised by…
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Trump tells OPEC not to slash oil production

Jennifer UGWA Dec 6, 2018

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged OPEC members not to reduce production at their upcoming meeting, saying global oil prices should remain low. Trump’s comment came as members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries…
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US senators: ‘Zero chance’ Saudi Prince not involved in Khashoggi killing

Jennifer UGWA Dec 5, 2018

After a closed-door briefing by CIA Director Gina Haspel on Tuesday, some top US senators have said there is "zero chance" Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) wasn't involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "The…
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UN to investigate Khashoggi death, Saudi-Turkey investigation going nowhere

Jennifer UGWA Dec 5, 2018

Michelle Bachelet, the new United Nations human rights chief has told Al Jazeera it’s time for the UN to investigate Jamal Khashoggi's death - after almost two months of the Saudi and Turkish investigations that remain separate and seem to…
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Israeli spyware ‘Pegasus’ alleged of facilitating Khashoggi’s murder

Jennifer UGWA Dec 4, 2018

NSO, an Israeli spyware company, one of Israel's biggest cybersecurity companies, with a staff of 600, has been ensnared in controversy after allegations that its Pegasus smartphone-snooping technology had allegedly been used by some…
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Khashoggi murder: WhatsApp messages may offer clues to killing

Jennifer UGWA Dec 3, 2018

MORE than 400 private WhatsApp messages sent by Khashoggi last year to a fellow Saudi exile may offer fresh clues to the killing of the dissident journalist. In his conversation with Canada-based activist Omar Abdulaziz - accessed by CNN -…
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Qatar exits OPEC, to focus on clean energy

Jennifer UGWA Dec 3, 2018

QATAR intends to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to focus on its natural-gas development, its energy minister said Monday. The decision comes as the organization is set to meet Thursday to decide on…
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Buhari reduces cost of purchasing JAMB, NECO registration forms by N1500

Jennifer UGWA Nov 28, 2018

President Buhari has approved the reduction in the cost of registration forms for JAMB UTME, NECO, SSCE, and the Basic Education Certificate Examination with effect from January 2019. The announcement was made by the Minister of…
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IPOB: Anambra traders shut down markets, protest colleagues’ arrest

Jennifer UGWA Nov 27, 2018

ANAMBRA traders brought economic activities to a standstill in Nnewi and its environ as they shut down markets in protest of the arrest of some of their members by the police on Saturday. According to media reports, not fewer than eight…
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More than a third of women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence , says UN

Jennifer UGWA Nov 26, 2018

MORE than a third of women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives, according to a joint UN statement issued today to mark the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women.…
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Saudi planned Khashoggi murder 12 days in advance

Jennifer UGWA Nov 23, 2018

Turkish investigators analysing phone calls and the movement of the suspects in Khashoggi's murder have confirmed that the operation to kill the journalist was planned 12 days in advance, Al Jazeera reports. Investigators sifting through…
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Fayose denies ownership of buildings sealed by EFCC in Ekiti State

Jennifer UGWA Nov 22, 2018

AYODELE Fayose, former Governor of Ekiti State, has denied ownership of the properties reportedly sealed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ekiti State, saying that the houses belong to ‘innocent’ individuals in the…
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Buhari appoints new Supreme Court Justice, rejects Institute of Chartered Biochemist bill

Jennifer UGWA Nov 21, 2018

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Musa Abaji as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, as confirmed in a letter he sent to the Senate on Tuesday. Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, read out the letter to members of the house…
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Interpol elects South Korea’s Kim Jong-yang as president

Jennifer UGWA Nov 21, 2018

Interpol has elected Kim Jong-yang of South Korea as its new president, according to the international police body. Jong-yang, who had been serving as acting president, was elected for a two-year term at the body's annual congress in …
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How I plan to tackle corruption in first 100 days, Atiku speaks on blueprint

Jennifer UGWA Nov 19, 2018

THE presidential flag-bearer of the People’s Democratic Party for the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, says he will use his first 100 days in office to combat corruption if elected as president. He stated this in his policy…
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Nigeria lawmaker Faruk refutes claim ‘to deal with’ Tracka official

Jennifer UGWA Nov 12, 2018

ABDULLAHI Faruk, a legislator from Kebbi State has refuted the claim to "deal with" Emmanual Yaro, one of the officials working for Tracka.ng in the state. He told The ICIR that the alarm raised by Tracka.ng on its Twitter handle…
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LSD trains journalists, CSOs on open government partnership

Jennifer UGWA Nov 9, 2018

THE African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (LSD) has brought together journalists and members of the civil society on two-day training on Open Government Partnership (OGP). The training which was held on Wednesday and…
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Saudi Arabia expresses ‘regret and pain’ over Khashoggi killing

Jennifer UGWA Nov 6, 2018

SAUDI Arabia expressed “regret and pain” for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, during a scheduled review session at the UN in Geneva on Monday, while asserting its commitment to achieving the “highest possible standards” in human…
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Ozone layer is healing, new UN report says

Jennifer UGWA Nov 5, 2018

THERE is an ongoing healing of the ozone layer, findings of a new UN-backed report released on Monday has shown. The study, ‘Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2018’, is the latest in a series of reports, released every four years,…
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Security agencies clash with Shiite protesters again despite promise of normalcy

Jennifer UGWA Oct 30, 2018

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has again clashed with security agencies, this time at the Wuse II area of Abuja, thus continuing a four-day violent protest across several parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This…
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Gridlock along Abuja – Keffi expressway as soldiers clash again with Shiite protesters

Jennifer UGWA Oct 29, 2018

ON the heels of the Zuba military- Shitte face-off, the Islamic group is involved in another confrontation with military men along the Abuja - Keffi expressway on Monday. The road was blocked by Shiite protesters, calling for the release…
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REPORT: More than 90 per cent of the world’s children breathe toxic air every day

Jennifer UGWA Oct 29, 2018

THE WHO has reported that every day around 93 per cent of the world’s children under the age of 15 years (1.8 billion children) breathe air that is so polluted it puts their health and development at serious risk. Sadly, many of them die.…
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Khashoggi’s son arrives U.S after months of travel ban

Jennifer UGWA Oct 26, 2018

Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi, son of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi has left Saudi Arabia and arrived in the United States, a close family source revealed to the CNN. Salah, who holds a dual citizenship of the United States and Saudi,…
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Jamal Khashoggi: Turkey’s president wants Saudi suspects to be tried in Istanbul

Jennifer UGWA Oct 23, 2018

RECEP Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish President, rejected Saudi Arabia's explanation that the killing of Khashoggi was an accident resulting from a discussion that went awry, a narrative that had been pushed since September, saying it was a…
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Jamal Khashoggi: Who’s who in alleged Saudi ‘hit squad’

Jennifer UGWA Oct 22, 2018

Turkish media have named 15 Saudi nationals whom Turkish officials suspect were involved in the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist critical of the government who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in the…
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Many election promises of Adeshina Fagbenro and Eunice Atuejide (part 4)

Jennifer UGWA Oct 20, 2018

The 2019 presidential election has produced many candidates vying for the position of the number one citizen in Nigeria. And each of them is full of promises to change the lives of Nigerians within four years. Here are some of their many…
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Jamal Khashoggi died in fight at Istanbul consulate, Saudi state TV claims

Jennifer UGWA Oct 20, 2018

SAUDI Arabia has confirmed the death of missing Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, claiming he died in a fight involving more than a dozen Saudi officials at the country's consulate in Istanbul. The CNN…
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Many election promises of Donald Duke and Tope Fasua (part 3)

Jennifer UGWA Oct 19, 2018

Many presidential promises of Fela Durotoye and Omoyele Sowore (Part 2)

Jennifer UGWA Oct 17, 2018

Many election promises of Obiageli Ezekwesili and Kingsley Moghalu

Jennifer UGWA Oct 16, 2018

Media companies, others withdraw from Saudi conference after journalist’s disappearance

Jennifer UGWA Oct 12, 2018

PROMINENT media companies, top businesses and organisations are pulling out of a high-profile business conference in Saudi Arabia as questions mount over the Kingdom's role in the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi,…
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‘I’d to learn the hard way’: How lack of sex education results in teenage…

Jennifer UGWA Oct 11, 2018

FINDINGS from a survey by The ICIR in a secondary school in the Federal Capital Territory on sex education show that five out of the 20 senior students surveyed, said they first learned about sex from their parents, six from teachers, and…
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Third journalist killed in EU within 12 months – Viktoria Marinova raped and murdered

Jennifer UGWA Oct 10, 2018

THE Bulgarian authorities are investigating the rape and murder of an investigative journalist in the northern city of Ruse, the third journalist to have been killed in the European Union (EU) within a year. CNN reported that the body of…
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Ike Keke former US serviceman promises to fight corruption if elected Nigerian President

Jennifer UGWA Oct 8, 2018

IKE Keke, a retired United States serviceman was elected the presidential flag bearer of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), in the party’s national convention in Abuja on Sunday. The presidential candidate promised that his…
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Finally, Mugabe gives up power after 37 years

Jennifer UGWA Nov 21, 2017

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has voluntarily stepped down after 37 years in office. Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament, made this known when he read the resignation letter to the lawmakers on…
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Gov Okorocha hosts Liberian President Sirleaf

Jennifer UGWA Nov 10, 2017

The Imo State government on Thursday conferred on Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf, president of Liberia the chieftain title of 'Adadioranma’ during her visit to the state Johnson who arrived Imo state via the Owerri International Cargo…
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I wish to run for second term, Buhari should run too- Dave Umahi

Jennifer UGWA Nov 10, 2017

Dave Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, on Thursday in Abuja expressed his desire to contest for a second term as governor and wished to see President Muhammadu Buhari re-contest in 2019. The governor said that any first term governor…
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Sacked UK minister takes own life

Jennifer UGWA Nov 7, 2017

An ex-Welsh Labour minister who faced a party inquiry into allegations about his personal conduct has taken his own life, BBC Wales reports. Carl Sargeant, 49, lost his ministerial job as cabinet secretary for communities and children…
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Deadly viral disease similar to Ebola breaks out in Uganda

Jennifer UGWA Nov 7, 2017

An outbreak of a ‘lethal virus’ - Marburg - clinically similar to Ebola with no known cure has broken out in Uganda, health chiefs have announced. The virus is one of the ‘most deadly’ pathogens in existence as it kills up to 88 per cent…
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