Author: Adisa-Jaji Azeez

Stranded Kwara State students studying in Plateau State are being evacuated back home by the state government in the face of the renewed crisis in the state. According to sources who declined to be identified, fifty-eight (58) students are being returned back to Kwara in four buses with security escorts provided by the government as at the time of filing this report. Recall that the North Central state was plunged into unrest following the recent massacre of over 26 travellers on Saturday. The authorities of the University of Jos have already suspended its ongoing examinations and asked the students to…

The Kwara State Government says the state has been certified by the Debt Management Office (DMO) as being financially healthy to take above N35bn loan. This was contained in an article titled “On Kwara bond and other issues” by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, Rafiu Ajakaye on Thursday. On the bond proposal by the government, Ajakaye stated that they got a parliamentary approval to raise N35bn, but has only raised N27bn at extant 15% market rate. He further disclosed that DMO – the national statutory body that regulates lending by the national and subnational governments…

The probe into the alleged indictment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Abba Kyari, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is still ongoing, a statement the Police Public Relations Officer Frank Mba, on Tuesday, said. He debunked claims that the panel in charge of the probe had submitted its report to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba. He said, “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to inform the general public that the probe into the alleged indictment of DCP Abba Kyari by the FBI, being conducted by the NPF Special Investigation Panel (SIP), is still ongoing. “Members of…

The Kwara House of Assembly has urged on the state government to explore public-private partnership (PPP) option for provision of solar energy to improve the social-economic development of the state. The assembly made the call in its resolution after adopting a Motion on Notice, entitled: ‘Need to Explore Renewable Energy as Alternative Source of Power Generation’. The motion, moved by Mr Abdulganiy Folabi-Salau (APC-Omupo), enjoyed the support of all members at the plenary. Folabi-Salau, in his submission while leading a debate on the motion, expressed displeasure with what he described as huge investment on power sector without any positive impact…

The honourable representing Share/Oke-Ode constituency at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Razaq Owolabi, has denied asking any of the beneficiaries of his empowerment programme to return items he distributed to them. Some online media in the state on Monday reported that the honourable is making moves to reclaim a Mazda Premacy with registration number SHA 786 LB which he presented to one Alhaja Taibat Suleiman at one of his empowerment programmes. The mediums quoted Suleiman as saying that she registered the car in my name after the empowerment but decided to sell it few months ago. However, while giving…

Former Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has said he is not interested in being the president of Nigeria. Sanusi, who is also the Khalifa Tijjaniya in Nigeria, speaking at a dinner the Nigerian Platform put together in commemoration of his 60th birthday, said his next focus is to become a university lecturer after his PhD at the University of London. Sanusi said since he is not prepared for politics, he wouldn’t venture into an unfamiliar terrain. “Two things destroying the country – fear and greed, if you can conquer those, we will make this country a great country,” he said.…

The Kwara South Youth Development Organisation (KWAYORG) has expressed concern over the rising waves of kidnapping and insecurity in Kwara South, saying the situation appears to have gotten to its peak. A statement jointly signed by the group’s president, Barrister Titilope Akogun, and publicity secretary, Saeed Tijjani, said the reported activities of kidnappers in some local governments in the region is becoming worrisome, noting that recent incidents call for serious attention from the government and security agencies. The statement reads partly, “Just few days ago, we learnt about the death of  Ayo Alabi, a set of Titcombe College, year 1976…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and heads of tertiary institutions across the country will hold a policy meeting on August 31 where they will decide the minimum cut-off marks for 2021/2022 admissions. According to the board, decisions will be reached on new cut-off marks and other admission issues at the meeting which will be chaired by Education Minister Adamu Adamu. Last year, JAMB, in collaboration with vice chancellors of universities, Rectors of polytechnics and Provosts The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and heads of tertiary institutions across the country will hold a policy meeting on August 31…

Honourable Kehinde Bayode is the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) Chairman, Ekiti Local Government Area, Kwara State. The Eruku-born politician who is fondly called ‘Mr no, no pay’, speaks with our Correspondent, Kayode Adeoti, on the issue of ghost workers in his council, fraud among many other issues. Excerpts: How would you describe the council when you came on board? As at the time I got to Ekiti Local Government, I met a dead, buried and sealed council. Things were upside down compares to other council. Irepodun was very lively, one will think is a market, but, here, it’s like grave…

By: Arakunrin Bolakale Alighted from a white Hilux Jeep in a short Buba and Sokoto, tainted his eyes with a black shade and disappointed the cheerers who have been waiting in hundreds with drums and sycophantic stories. All sai Pounds! Sai Gomina!! 4+4 is certain!!! didn’t win my Governor’s attention. The Excellency must have arrived at the venue in a disagreeable mood. The hall has no space for an ant, filled to the brim and the enthusiasm in the face of the attendees couldn’t be compared to anything other than a pious man who had never lifted the skirt of…

The kidnappers of Kaduna Baptist students have rejected nine bags of rice as well as other food items offered by the school. The Vice-Principal of the school, Wakili Madugu, on Thursday, disclosed this during an interview on Nigeria Info Abuja 95.1fm. While speaking on the program, Madugu revealed he received a call at 7.30 am on Tuesday shortly after the students had been abducted and were assured of their safety. He said the abductors had demanded food items with which they would feed the students. The vice-principal said, “They said we should bring 10 bags of imported rice, 20 bags…

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, refused to grant Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, former Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, bail on alleged fraud preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. Justice Obiora Egwuatu declined the oral application for bail by counsel to the defendant, P.O Olorunishola, SAN, after the ICPC lawyer, Ebenezer Shogunle, opposed the submission. The former chief executive officer of JAMB is the sole defendant in the suit marked: CR/97/21 bordering on alleged misappropriation of about N900 million. (NAN)

Oba Abdulkadir Adebara, the Oba of Jebba in the Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, and the Serikin Hausawa of the town, Yusuf Gwadabe, have dragged the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, before a Kwara State High Court over the planned installing of a new leader for the Hausa community in the ancient town. In a suit filed before Justice E. B. Mohammad and argued on Thursday, the traditional ruler challenged the emir over the planned installation. The counsel for the plaintiffs, Adekunle Bamidele, said that Yusuf Gwadabe was the recognised Serikin Hausawa of Jebba, having been installed…

Ahmad Lawan, the President of the Nigerian Senate, has defended Nigeria’s borrowing spree, arguing that the Federal Government cannot tax Nigerians any further to fund infrastructure. In the statement by Ahmad Lawan said that Nigeria is currently poor and had no other option but to borrow to finance infrastructure. He, however, affirmed that the legislature would not be frivolous in granting Executive’s requests for loans. The Senate President said these on Thursday in an interview with State House correspondents after meeting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Lawan asserted that requests for loans…

The Universal Basic Education Board has advised contractors handling the construction and renovation of schools projects across the State against the use of substandard materials. The Executive Chairman of Kwara the Board, Professor Shehu Raheem Adaramaja gave the advice during a meeting with the project department and the contractors at the board’s conference room. Adaramaja stated that “the purpose of the project is to provide conducive environment for students and teachers as well as improve the quality of education in the state”. The KWASUBEB boss noted that stakeholders like Universal Basic Education commission and National Space Research and Development Agency…

On behalf of the Sanni Abidjan Family, Okesuna, the family spokesperson, Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani, Sanni has expressed the family’s unalloyed elation on the appointment of Professor Mohammed Akanbi (SAN) as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Malete, describing the appointment as a round peg in a round hole. The family, further thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for finding the erudite Scholar worthy of the sought-after appointment, supplicating to God to gift the newly appointed Vice Chancellor the wisdom and knowledge to catapult the Kwara State owned citadel of learning to an enviable height. The statement read in parts:…

Kwara State Government has promised to continue to support locally made products. The statement was made through the State Commissioner for Finance and Planning, Mrs Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence earlier today. She encouraged Kwarans on vocational training and development. Mrs Oyeyemi while meeting with Musa Abdulgafar Oladapo, a local entrepreneur in shoemaking in her office commended the young and enterprising Oladapo for taking the decision to be self reliant when he could have chosen to depend on government for sustenance. She encouraged him on the need to prioritise entrepreneurship development noting that, government being the highest employer of labour cannot provide…

By Abdulrasheed Akogun It is no longer news that the Governor of Kwara state AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq according to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Mr. Benjamin Fatigun after 5 months in office have refused to avail the ministry his bank details for payment of monthly salary as prescribed by law for all public officials. And that is remarkable. But I wouldn’t want to join the potpourri of discussants debating the propriety or otherwise of the gesture, it is novel in our political history, to have public officials sacrificing their emoluments in light of the scary economic realities of the State…

According Business Day reports which indicates that the shutdown of Nigeria’s land borders aimed at stemming the tides of smuggling of articles of merchandise particularly rice, has economically affected some rice-exporting countries. According to the report, the price of the commodity drastically reduced by a joint 46 percent in less than one month in countries like Thailand and India. President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday, 21st August, 2019 issued a directive for border closure. Between that period and September, the wholesale price of the broken parboiled rice, the species in top exporting countries fell on product glut leading a decline…

Following their scintillating performance at the ongoing #AhlanCup2019, NPFL clubs have reportedly showed interest in Kwara United players. The Harmony Boys have become the cynosure of all eyes with their brilliant soccer artistry. Kwara United’s Tiki Taka approach which was initiated by coach Abdullahi has impressed fans, scouts, teams and coaches in the pre season tournament. Their “Scientific Soccer” has won them several admirers at the Pyramid City of Kano. Joshua Agboola, Abdulsalam Abdulsalam, Dede Moughara, Christopher Nwanze, Henry Ochuba, Charles Eguavoen and Mutiu Oladejo are on the radar of NPFL teams following their excellent performances in Kano. It will…

The Kwara State students under the aegies of National Association of Kwara State Students have chided the state government for not fulfilling campaign promises to students. This was contained in a statement signed by the media aide to the NAKSS President Adisa-Jaji Azeez, Aliu Ahmad Gold and made available to newsmen in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital today. Referencing a report made by PUNCH NEWSPAPER on student bursary, Adisa-Jaji alleged the state government for sidelining the student body. He said, “In reference to a publication of Punch Newspaper dated September 30, 2019, through an article credited the Chief Press Secretary…

Worried by the rising rate of examination malpractice among students in the country, a non-governmental organization (NGO), Zero Tolerance for Social Immoralities Initiative (ZETSI) Africa is set to hold her maiden Examination Malpractice Prevention Summit. The President of ZETSI Africa, Ambassador Razaq Jeje in a statement on Thursday, said the summit which is in collaboration with the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), will hold on 24 October, 2019 in FCT, Abuja. Themed “Tackling Examination Malpractice: The role of stakeholders,” the summit will take place at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja. Jeje said the event will provide a platform…

Inflow of reports reveal that South African authorities are frustrating the repatriation of Nigerians who have completed all the necessary documentations for the first set of airlift from the country. The Nigerian High Commission had readied travel papers for the Nigerians but Immigration has launched a thorough investigation into how the Nigerians gained entrance into the country and started to apprehend them, the official noted. “Our high Commission is having tough time with South African government. They are stopping and arresting Nigerians, saying they should explain how they came into the country,” the official said.

Chairman Salman Shagaya Foundation Alhaji Sheriff Shagaya has rejoiced with the Muslim community on the Eid-ul- Adha festival (Ileya) celebration, enjoining the faithfuls to elevate selflessness and imbibe the acts of sacrifice in the new season. In a Sallah message issued by the Foundation’s Press Secretary, Ibraheem Abdullateef, the philanthropist also called on the good people of Kwara state to extend love to others and prioritise peace and tranquility before during and after the festival. “This season preaches selflessness, sacrifice, fulfilment of pledge, submission to Allah’s will and love with one’s family and neighbours. This doesn’t stop with slaughtering of…

A group, Jugunnu network, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari over the nomination of Sen. Gbemisola Saraki as a minister of the federation, describing her as one of the most outstanding female politicians in the country. According to the group, “Over 2,000 Kwarans that benefitted from her vocations and trades empowerment program, and specifically the sixty young men and women who had received their letters of acceptance from the three senatorial districts, are in turn giving thanks to president Buhari for rewarding the state of harmony through a leader who is of great virtue, diligent and steadfast in the contribution she…

The students of Elekoyangan area of Ilorin Kwara state has today honoured the Chairman and Publisher of THE INFORMANT247, Comr. Salihu Shola Taofeek. While presenting the award, the immediate past president of NAKSS, Comr. Musa Mohammad Mancha commended the numerous contributions of Mr. Shola to the student community. He further reiterate that the media boss is a leader to many and his service can never be overemphasised. He conclusively urged him to continue his service to the state.

An uncle to Elisha Abbo, the senator recently seen in a video assaulting a woman, has been killed by gunmen. Senator Abbo’s nursing stepmother was also abducted during an attack in his home state of Adamawa on Saturday. Police and locals said the attack occurred in Muchalla ward in Mubi North Local Government of Adamawa State. According to Premium Times (PT), the lawmaker’s stepmother gave birth about 11 days ago, family and friends said. According to reports, the incident happened around 1 p.m. One witness who spoke with PT said the gunmen on arriving at the area, “went straight to…

The Nigerian Senate has set up a committee to probe Senator Elias Abbo for allegedly assaulting a woman in Abuja in a sex toy shop. The decision was reached on Wednesday in Abuja. The senator was seen in a video clip published by Premium Times assaulting the lady in a sex toy shop somewhere in Abuja last May for telling him to calm down during a confrontation. The assault has since spasked outrage online. Details later.

Rivers State says it will not be part of the President Muhammadu Buhari-inspired RUGA settlements for herdsmen. In a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Paulinus Nsirim, noted that the state has no land for the implementation of the policy. Nsirim noted that Governor Nyesom Wike had prioritised commercial agriculture and that arable lands in the state would be needed to drive commercial agriculture across the state to create employment for Rivers youths. The government emphasised that it had not approved the establishment of Ruga settlements in Rivers State.

Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, has ordered the removal of Malam Salihu Muhammed, the Chief Imam of Limawa Jumat mosque in Kumbotso Local government Area of the state. Muhammed’s sack is with immediate effect. Muhammed was accused of flouting the monarch’s instructions on moon sighting and the eventual Eid prayer at the end of Ramadan fasting. The Chief Imam was said to have sighted the moon by himself and conducted his own prayer a day after that of the Emir who doubles as both traditional and spiritual head of the Emirates. The Emir lamented that the Imam…