Blast Naija Media

  Former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, has rejected the judgment of the supreme court that affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu. Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, addressed a press conference in Abuja on Monday. He noted that he will not leave the political arena despite the Supreme Court verdict of October 26, 2023 that affirmed the electoral victory of President Bola Tinubu. “As for me and my party, this phase of work is done. However, I am not going to go away, if you think I am going to go away, forget about it,” the former Vice President said at a press briefing on Monday in the nation’s capital, Abuja. “For as long as I breathe, I will continue to struggle with other Nigerians to deepen our democracy. I will continue to work for the return of political and economical restructuring that the country needs,” he added. Atiku, a former Vice President between 1999 and 2007, have tried to...

The Director-General of the South East Governors Forum,  Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) has  extended her warm congratulations to President Bola Tinubu following the recent affirmation of his electoral victory by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The former Senator conveyed her sincere appreciation of the Supreme Court’s decision, highlighting that it serves as a resounding endorsement of the trust placed in President Tinubu by Nigerian voters in the last presidential election. She emphasized that his leadership as the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is now more steadfast than ever. Furthermore, Senator Ekwunife underscored President Tinubu’s renewed “hope agenda” for a prosperous nation, a vision that resonates with the aspirations of a majority of Nigerians. Senator Ekwunife also expressed the hope of the South East Governors Forum that President Tinubu’s administration would continue to prioritize unity, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence. Sh...

  The Federal Government of Nigeria supports and reiterates call for an immediate durable and sustained humanitarian truce between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza and asks for the opening of humanitarian corridor. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf M. Tuggar, the situation in Gaza is dire and requires immediate attention as a result of the recent uptick in violence. Women, children, and other vulnerable groups are among Innocent civilians that have suffered greatly as a result of the indiscriminate violence and are currently bearing the consequences.  He said parties in the conflict must uphold the fundamental values of human rights and international humanitarian law, which places premium on ensuring civilians' safety and well-being even in times of conflict. The Minister noted that Federal Government of Nigeria is calling on the Israeli Government to grant humanitarian access to the millions of people that have been displaced since the crisis broke. The...

The Lagos State Government has reopened Alaba International Market and some markets in the Trade Fair Complex, all located in Ojo, Lagos, after days of closure for improper waste disposal and other environmental infractions. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the markets were reopened after addressing most of the environmental issues, adding however, that the closure was not politically motivated, but rather a step towards ensuring a clean and healthy environment around the business facilities. He said, “The decision to reopen the markets follows a rigorous assessment and implementation of stringent environmental standards. These standards were set to guarantee that businesses in the state operate in a manner that is not detrimental to the environment and the well-being of people.

  The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the ruling by the Appeal Court that a candidate does not need to get at least 25 per cent of votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be declared as Nigeria’s President.  Justice Inyang Okoro led the panel of justices to determine Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar’s appeal against Bola Tinubu’s victory. While Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP)’s Obi had wanted the victory of Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February 2023 to be nullified on the grounds that he did not get 25 per cent of votes in the FCT, amongst others, the Appeal Court ruled that their petitions were immaterial. Unsatisfied with the judgment, the duo took the matter to the apex court, seeking to overturn Tinubu’s win. However, on Thursday, Justice Okoro corroborated the Appeal Court’s ruling, saying the FCT has no special status.

   The Vanguard Newspaper on October 26, 2023, published an article entitled “Nigeria’s Rejection at the UNHRC” in which it was erroneously reported that Nigeria’s bid to be elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council was rejected while newer African countries were admitted into the Council. The editorial read in parts; “ANOTHER indicator that Nigeria is not exactly smelling of roses on the global stage emerged on October 14, 2023, when we lost out in our bid to secure a seat at the prestigious United Nations Human Rights Council, UNHRC. Nigeria got only three votes, while fellow African nations like Ghana, Malawi, and Cote d’Ivoire amassed 197, 182, and 181 respectively as new members.” The editorial was published in bad faith with several inaccuracies, misrepresenting the context and position of the country.  The fact of the matter is the Mission in New York, is the host of campaigns and elections of Member States to the UN Human Rights Council, though the Human ...

  ...Hold review of 4Ds, four pillars of foreign policy strategy also known as Tinubu Doctrine.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar is working assiduously to achieve the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.  The Ministry’s strategic vision and operations are driven by the 4D foreign policy strategy which is hinged on Democracy, Development, Demography and  Diaspora as pillars for the actualization of sustainable development. These were reviewed and articulated during a policy retreat organized by the Ministry recently in Abuja.  The well attended retreat which held at the Wells Carlton hotel in Abuja, had in attendance, the Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello and Chair House Committee on Foreign Affairs Honorable Abdulmuminu Jibril.  In attendance was also Ambassador Olusola Enikanolaiye the Senior Special Assistant to Pr...

  By Paul Liam The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China's ambitious global infrastructure and economic development program, is leaving its footprint on several continents. In Africa, Nigeria stands as a significant partner in this initiative. The BRI, often referred to as the New Silk Road, offers a transformative vision of connectivity and cooperation between nations. As Nigeria joins hands with China on this journey, the potential for mutual prosperity is immense. Thus, it is of significant importance that the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation which was held in October 2023 in Beijing China coincided with the 52nd anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Peoples Republic of China. The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima led Nigeria’s delegation to the summit accompanied by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republ...

  The Appeal Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed the appeal by Action Alliance, AA party challenging the emergence of the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu in the February 25 th , 2023 election of the House of Representatives for Bende Constituency in Abia State. The Appeal Court judgement of Thursday 19 th October, 2023, proved that the current Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu is the legitimate winner of the election. In the same vein, the Appeal Court has also exonerated Hon. Ifeanyi Chukwuka Igbokwe from the allegation of having filed a petition against the Deputy Speaker at both the Tribunal and the Appeal Court. The court found that the appeal in an academic exercise fell short of the time limit provided by Section 285 of the Constitution for the tribunal to decide on the appeal. The Court of Appeal therefore insisted that it lacked jurisdiction to handle the matter. The Court while taking submissions on Tuesday, 17 th October, ...

The Nigerian Police Force, Zone 13 Command Ukpo, Anambra State has on Saturday 14th of October arrested the Head of Nursing Department Coal City University, Enugu, Mba Alphonsus.  Mba was taken to Emene police station shortly after he was taken into custody before he was moved to Zone 13 Ukpo where he's been detained.  He was arrested on allegation of identity theft and fraud he committed at the school of Post Basic Psychiatry, Enugu when he was the acting Principal.  According to the Police, his real name is mr Gregory Agbo from Nchatancha Nike but he started using WAEC result of his brother inlaw Alphonsus Mba. It is alleged that he has been using that name throughout civil service in Nursing. Same name he used to get job as Head of Department of Nursing at Coal City University, Enugu.  He was also alleged to have parted with Six Million Naira he collected from students when he was the acting Principal School of Post Basic Psychiatry Nursing, Enugu. According to th...

  ...asks IGP, DSS to arrest, prosecute his impersonators  Candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) for Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State in the February 25, 2023 national assembly general elections, Ifeanyi Chukwuka Igbokwe has said he neither approached the Tribunal in Umuahia nor any branch of the court of appeal to contest the victory of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. He said that those shopping for a court judgement against Kalu were impersonating him.  He also exonerated Kalu from a report in Sahara Reporters that the Deputy Speaker was behind the call for the arrest of some leaders of the party. Igbokwe who addressed a press conference in Abuja on Sunday over the issue, a text of which was made available to journalists insisted that he was impersonated and subsequently called on the security agencies to fish out the impersonators and bring them to justice. He said: "Gentlemen of the Press, for purposes of prop...

...unveils PISE project for restoration of  security, peace. ...as Ohanaeze Ndigbo PG calls for unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Friday, said that observance of sit-at-home, unknown gunmen and other social vices are alien and abhorrent to Igboland socially, economically and culturally. He however revealed that his office has unveiled a mechanism that will ultimately end insecurity in the south east and restore normalcy in the economic and social life of Ndigbo. Unveiling the mechanism as Peace In The South East (PISE) project, he said that that soon his office in agreement with all the lawmakers from the region irrespective of the political parties will reach out the State governors and other critical stakeholders for the launch and implementation of the project. He also said that the project will feature a regional security integration and political leadership that will streamline an agenda for the...

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers of several agencies and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in line with his resolve to base Nigeria's economic revival on the foundation of trade expansion through small, medium and large scale industry facilitation in the country: Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) — Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN Industrial Training Fund (ITF) — Afiz Ogun Oluwatoyin National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) — Kamar Bakrin Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) — Olufemi Ogunyemi Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) — Nonye Ayeni Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) — Aisha Rimi Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) — Bamanga Usman Jada Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) — Charles Odii Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) — Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) — Rabiu Olowo Nigeria C...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted the forex ban on 43 items and also promised to intervene in the FX market from “time to time”. The apex bank had in 2015 restricted the items from accessing FX from the I&E window, saying they were “not valid for foreign exchange and could be produced in the country. Items affected include rice, cement, palm kernel, meat and processed meat products, poultry, soap, and cosmetics among others. But in a statement, the bank’s Director of Corporate Communications Isa AbdulMumin said the ban has been lifted. “As part of its responsibility to ensure price stability, the CBN will boost liquidity in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market by interventions from time to time. As market liquidity improves, these CBN interventions will gradually decrease,” the Thursday statement read. "Importers of all the 43 items previously restricted by the 2015 Circular referenced TED/FEMFPC/GEN/O1/010 and its addendums are now allowed to purchase foreign excha...

  Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has flagged off the construction of New Enugu City roads made up of 17km dual carriageway and feeder roads, 40km Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway, and the construction/reconstruction of 71 urban roads in Enugu capital city. These 71 roads as identified in the first phase will be completed between now and December. The funds for these roads have been secured. So, there is no reason the contactors will not complete these roads as and when due. We are not going to entertain any variation, any delay or time overrun because the funds will be provided and we will ensure that we put in place a close monitor to ensure not only that the standards we have agreed are met, but also that the timelines are met strictly. "We are also providing the highest quality of roads. We are all making sure that the roads are well paved. You are not going to have open drainage so that you will have pedestrian parts well paved, you will have streetlights, and r...