The bell news

  As the Accord Party navigates these legal challenges, all eyes will be on the suit's final determination, which could have lasting implications for the party's future. The Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Prof. Chris Imumolen as the National Chairman of the Accord Party. This decision follows an ex-parte order granted by Hon. Justice  M.M. Adamu  on Friday, August 30, significantly impacting the ongoing leadership tussle within the party. The court's order also restrains the defendants from presenting themselves as the National Executive Committee of the Accord Party. Additionally, the ruling prohibits the defendants from holding any state or local government congresses until the substantive suit is resolved. This ensures that Prof IMUMOLEN remains at the helm of the party's affairs at least temporarily. Prof. Imumolen's legal victory is a critical step in solidifying his leadership. His cou...

  The Campaign for Equal Rights and Opportunities for all Nigerians, CERON, has condemned the plan of the Federal Government to restrain Nigerian children below 18 years from registering for WAEC, NECO and JAMB examinations saying the policy belongs to the archives. Recall that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman had recently on national television allegedly said the Federal Government had directed WAEC, which conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and NECO, which oversees the Senior School Certificate Examination to enforce the 18-year age requirement for candidates wishing to write the exams from next year. The Executive Secretary of CERON, Mr. Francis Odiir in a statement weekend in Makurdi described the policy as “strange and unthinkable because it will retard the growth of education in the country.” Odiir pointed out that the “policy is not in tune with what is obtainable across the globe where governments take deliberate steps to encourage s...

  The International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) says it is resolutely committed to addressing the plight of missing persons and will continue to show solidarity with their families. It also vowed to step up advocacy for the rights of the disappeared, as well as efforts to search for missing persons and obtain answers. Mrs Fatima Ibrahim, the Deputy Head of ICRC Mubi, Adamawa, expressed the commitment at the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Disappeared (IDoD), on Friday in Yola. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that IDoD is commemorated annually on Aug. 30 to draw attention to the fate of missing individuals imprisoned at places and under poor conditions unknown to their relatives. Ibrahim, who was represented by the Field Officer Family Links ICRC, Precious Yaro, said the day allowed the organisation to stand in solidarity with those affected by armed conflict and to commemorate their missing relatives. She however said several people continued to get missi...

              On Friday, the Students’ Union of the University of Ibadan (UI) rejected the school fees increment approved by the institution's governing council. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that to show their disapproval, the students staged an overnight protest from 10:20 pm to 2 am. The President of the union,  Bolaji Aweda ; Vice-President,  Bolutife Aboderin , and Secretary,  Daniel Elemide  in a statement, rejected the new fees. “We reject the decision made by the council. We are embarking on a boycott of classes until our demands are fulfilled. “We demand a reversal of the increase. The students demand that the school fees portal should be shut down within 24 hours until our demands were met,”  they said. The union leaders urged students to use social media platforms to mobilise others on the #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES until their demands are met. NAN reports that the governing council of the university o...

                               "I’m starting a prison reform foundation for the illegally detained," Following his release from prison for allegedly defaming Davido, Nigerian singer Dammy Krane has tendered a heartfelt apology to his fans and Nigerians. The singer took to X on August 30, 2024, expressing regret for his actions and outlining his plans for moving forward. He wrote , "I am sorry about everything, to my fans (I hope I still have fans lol). To my fans, if I still have, I am sorry. Moving on, expect good music from me and music only #lovealwaysleads." The musician extended his apology to Nigerians, acknowledged the high expectations placed on him and admitted his mistakes He wrote,  "I want to apologize to Nigerians for the negative energy I have put up on the media before   today. I know a lot was expected of me but I messed up. I wish I could take back the hand of time, but only God ca...

 August 30th, 2024 The House of Representatives has written to the Canadian government asking it to investigate and prosecute Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian residing in the country, for making threatening comments against fellow Nigerians of Yoruba and Bini extractions. In a video clip that started trending on X.com on Tuesday, a woman’s voice was heard making anti-Yoruba comments during a virtual meeting on TikTok. The woman, who claimed to be a resident of Ontario, Canada, vowed to take poisonous substances to her workplace and harm any Yoruba or Benin person she came across, claiming her comments were in response to the “hate” against the Igbo. She also dismissed the possibility of arrest, citing her Canadian citizenship as protection, stating that Canada’s legal system was unlike Nigeria’s where arrests could be made without questioning. She said: “Somebody just sends me a message, say them arrest me, say them wan deport me, with passport? I be Canada Pikin. See am now, ...

               Fireboy  recently released his fourth album  'adedamola' . August 29th, 2024 On his self-titled fourth album, Fireboy features Nigerian music legend Lagbaja, Grammy-nominated Afrobeat star Seun Kuti, Grammy winner Jon Baptiste, and sensational hitmaker Lojay. In an interview with Apple Music Africa Now, Fireboy talks about his new album and the experience of collaborating with Lagbaja  and Seun Kuti. According to the award-winning star, he couldn't see Lagbaja's face as he wore his famous mask all through the recording session of their collaboration   'Back & Forth' . Fireboy also shared he wanted to collaborate with legends in Nigeria music to add a touch of nostalgia and depth to the album. "That’s a special record, right there. It means a lot to me getting a legend like Lagbaja on that record, in [the] time that we are in now. One major theme around the album is nostalgia—there’s this nostalgic feeling whe...

  August 29th,2024. Ochogwu Sunday President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Beijing, China, on Thursday for an official visit. A statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said Tinubu would have a brief layover in the United Arab Emirates. “In China, the President will meet with President Xi Jinping and hold meetings with Chinese business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. “President Tinubu will be accompanied by senior government officials on the trip,” said Ngelale.

  The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero has vowed that the union would not be deterred by any distraction from any quarters, insisting that the struggle for the good welfare of Nigerian workers continues. Ajaero spoke on Thursday after he returned from the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT office located at Guzape in Abuja where he was questioned following allegations of terrorism financing and other related offences. The NLC president was accompanied back to the Labour House by the Deputy Lead Counsel, Maxwell Opara from the Falana & Falana’s Chambers and some other lawyers. Addressing journalists, Ajaero stated that the union is set to struggle for the implications of the N70,000 minimum wage recently agreed upon by the federal government. He said, “What is important is the circumstances that took me to that place and whatever it is we are out to continue the struggle. We have gotten minimum wage which has not been implemented so we have to press ...

Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu 28th August, 2024 By  Daniel Adaji The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled the zero draft of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan. The policy aims to address the pressing challenges within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and set the nation on a path toward a robust, sustainable, and inclusive power sector. Speaking at the presentation event on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, described the policy as “critical in our nation’s journey toward achieving a robust, sustainable, and inclusive power sector that meets the aspirations of all Nigerians.” The NIEP-SIP is a comprehensive policy document that outlines strategic interventions across the entire electricity value chain, from generation and transmission to distribution and off-grid segments. The minister emphasised that the policy is the product of extensive consultations with industry experts, key stakeholders, and devel...

A’ Ibom First Lady rehabilitates widow who fed kids with poultry feeds 28th August 2024             By  Patrick Odey       Wife of the Akwa Ibom State governor, Mrs Patience Umo Eno, has rehabilitated Grace Emmanuel, the 22-year-old widow who fed her four kids with chicken and fish feeds from the poultry farm she works, in Eket local council of the state. A daughter of the farm owner, Praise Uzoma, posted the incident on Instagram, which generated sympathy and support from the public including the First Lady who responded by initially giving the young widow N500,000 for upkeep. The Press Secretary to the wife of the governor, Mrs Uduak Ekong, disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Tuesday. Ekong stated that Grace has been provided with furnished accommodation with kitchen utensils, and food stuffs for three months, adding that plans were underway to train her on skills and business managem...