Months before the Haryana Assembly polls, the BJP replaced its strongman Manohar Lal Khattar as Chief Minister with low-profile OBC leader Nayab Singh Saini, a decision that surprised many. Mr. Saini quickly got to work, with his cabinet taking some important decisions. Mr. Saini won the seat in a bypoll held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in May, defeating Congress nominee Tarlochan Singh. He was the state BJP youth wing's Ambala district general secretary in 2002 and became the district president three years later. He was elected to the Haryana Assembly from Naraingarh constituency in 2014 and to the Lok Sabha from Kurukshetra seat in 2019.

Ngogbehei who is also the Director General of the Labour Party Directorate on Mobilization & Integration, said it is time to sheath the swords and commence the rebuilding process towards 2027. “The recent court judgement is for the good of all and has put to rest the leadership crisis in our party. “Anyone thinking far ahead enough; will most likely do the same thing”, Ngogbehei said in a statement. “The Labour Party under Barrister Abure, H. E Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement needs to work together now in order to rescue the suffering masses from the claws of APC. “Recall that the Obedient and LP Peace and Reconciliation Group is a coming together of Labour Party faithfuls and Obidients”, he stated.

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike, giving the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to pay the five and a half months’ withheld salaries. The ultimatum was part of NAAT’s resolutions at its 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, recently. The letter, titled “Notice of 21-day ultimatum to embark on an industrial action,” was copied to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC). “In March 2024, a sister union was paid four months’ arrears of the withheld salary while NAAT members were not paid. “This prompted the union to embark on a three-day warning strike/protest to demand the payment of the five and a half months’ salaries of NAAT members.

Rather, he has through the dint of hard work, diligence and perseverance achieved enormous greatness in his life. Though from a modest home, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu emerged as a statesman, politician, business tycoon and public philanthropist to be reckoned with in Nigeria and beyond. Some of those political associations included the Nigerian National Congress (NNC), National Congress of Nigeria (NCN), United Nigeria Congress (UNC), United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), National Congress (NC), United Nigerian Peoples Party (UNPP), All Peoples Party (APP), and All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). They include the pioneer Chairman of both Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and Nigerian Investments Promotion Council (NIPC); Chairman of Federal Roads Emergency Agency (FERMA); founding Chairman, Nigerian National Lottery; Chairman, National Productivity Merit Award; Chairman, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos; Chairman, National Sports Development Fund. Iwuanyanwu, until his death, was a well-respected statesman who used his God-given resources to serve the nation.

Kenya’s parliament is poised to vote on Tuesday on the potential impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, highlighting a growing rift within the ruling party. The 59-year-old, who serves as President William Ruto’s deputy, faces accusations from lawmakers of corruption, undermining the government, and engaging in ethnically divisive politics, among other charges. He became deputy president after running alongside Ruto in a tightly contested election in August 2022. These protests, sparked by unpopular tax increases, have escalated political tensions, revealing divisions between the deputy president and his boss. Should Gachagua be removed, he would be the first deputy president to be impeached under Kenya’s 2010 constitution.

English Championship side Norwich and Ligue 1 club Lens are interested in signing Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel next summer, Soccernet.ng reports. And even though Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho just took over in the summer, the Nigerian has kept his starting shirt. And according to Haber Ekspres, Norwich and Lens have shown interest in acquiring his services. The French side have been impressive in the past two seasons and could even qualify for the Champions League. Nonetheless, the summer is still a long way from now, and other top clubs could show interest in signing Osayi-Samuel.

President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, has backed the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports. With three points from three games, the Super Eagles are 5th in a group of six nations, four points behind South Africa, Rwanda, and the Republic of Benin. “I have much confidence we will qualify for the next World Cup in 2026. Everybody knows what is at stake and we are surely going to do our best to support the team. In the meantime, Augustine Eguavoen will lead the team in their two-legged AFCON 2025 clash against Libya.

Ambassador Nma Ahmed, the State Director General of RAMP, disclosed this information during an interactive session with newsmen in his office in Minna, the state capital, last weekend. He noted that this aggressive rural development initiative is unprecedented since the creation of Niger State in 1976. He further explained that rural roads with higher networks and significant agricultural productivity impacts are prioritised for upgrading. A total of 99.24 kilometres of rural roads have been identified for rehabilitation. The Director General reiterated RAMP’s commitment to exploring additional rural roads in the state to enhance the transportation and marketing of agricultural produce.

The other defendants are Mubarak Adepoju, Tunde Badmus (popularly known as Uptown), Adelakun Gideon, Abdul-Rasaq Akinola, Muhammed Yahaya and Abdul-Hakeem Mudathir Kewudirorun. “They were surprised and embarrassed that there was a pending charge against them before the Federal High Court, Lagos before Justice Deinde Dipeolu, before the Charge was reassigned. It is on record that Justice Nicholas Oweibo was the trial Judge over the case,” the group explained. Mukuolu, strangely appeared before Justice Oweibo to take over the charge on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). According to him, the merit of the charge should be left in the hands of the court to decide.

Nigeria’s Flamingos played out a 1-1 draw against Mexico in a friendly match on Monday as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports. The match, held in the Dominican Republic, served as a valuable warm-up ahead of the global tournament set to take place later this month. Nigeria have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand. At the 2022 edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup in India, Nigeria finished in third place, marking a successful run for the Flamingos. This year, they will be hoping to go even further and challenge for the title as they kick off their journey in the Dominican Republic.

Arokodare has been in free-scoring form at Genk this season. The 23-year-old hitman has produced six goals in ten Jupiler League appearances this season. His impressive returns ensures that he sits pretty at the top of the Jupiler Pro League goalacoring charts alongside Tjarron Chery and Daan Heymans. But despite his impressive showing this season, Arokodare was not invited to Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Lybia. I just need to have patience and work harder.”If Arokodare continues with his impressive performances, he could get his time under the sun.

People are silently complaining bitterly about economic hardship facing them. President Tinubu should use his good office to end economic hardship facing Nigerians before the 31st day of December, 2024. The presidency must not allow Nigerians to enter 2025 with economic hardship. President Tinubu should not rest until he puts smiles on the face of Nigerian masses. He needs to do something that could cushion the effect of economic hardship facing Nigerians.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has, through the state Ministry of Education, approved funds as running costs for heads of institutions in the state. “Before now, we are used to hearing stories of illegal collections of fees and so on, occasioned, maybe by pressure on the heads of institutions. Abia State, through its achievements in this regard, has been scheduled as one of the 5 states to benefit from Nigeria’s Solar-for-Health project, an EU-sponsored initiative. The state government will provide counterpart funding to the tune of 30% while the EU will provide 70%”. The Commissioner further disclosed that the state government, through the state Ministry of Works, have completed 124 roads across the state, principally at Aba and Umuahia.

In 2023, a World Health Organization (WHO) report titled “Maternal Mortality: The Urgency of a Systemic and Multisectoral Approach in mitigating maternal deaths in Africa”gave a morbid analysis of the landscape of maternal health and revealed that maternal mortality remains a significant public health issue worldwide. However, the report fails to highlight obesity, which is a significant contributor to maternal mortality. However, the rising prevalence of obesity has been proven to bea critical risk factor for maternal mortality and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study proposes the need for targeted interventions to address obesity as part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to reduce maternal mortality. In the fight against maternal mortality, obesity should not be the Trojan horse that slips through unnoticed.

The Federal Government has launched a new loan program through the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation to provide financial relief to Nigerians facing the impact of recent fuel price hikes. CREDICORP, a Development Finance Institution (DFI), was established to democratise access to consumer credit for Nigeria’s working population. The loans are being offered through participating financial institutions to help households meet urgent needs and ease the burden on their budgets. I can’t thank CREDICORP and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu enough.”This loan program comes at a critical time as Nigerians struggle with soaring fuel costs. “Capital to provide funding and credit guarantees to financial institutions that expand consumer credit access and cultural re-orientation, majorly to educate the public on responsible credit usage and encouraging institutions to improve consumer credit underwriting.