Why I Regret Not Marrying Earlier – Timini Egbuson

Nollywood actor Timimi Egbuson has shared his regret about relationships, saying he regrets not marrying earlier. The 36-year-old movie star said this in a recent podcast interview with content creator Kamsi Nnamani, emphasizing that he values the peace of mind a partner can provide over superficial qualities like looks. While revealing his struggles with relationships, Egbuson acknowledged that despite committing to several in the past, none have panned out. He also shared his regret about not settling down earlier, reflecting that he might have had a 14-year-old child by now if he had married sooner.

After Ningi’s Resignation, New Northern Senators Forum Chairman Emerge

The Northern Senators Forum has appointed Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua as chairman. Yar’Adua’s emergence is sequel to the the resignation of suspended Senator Abdul Ningi. Senator Yar’Adua, represents Katsina central senatorial district and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Also, Senator Tahir Monguno emerged as the spokesperson of the Northern Senators Forum taking over from Senator Ismaila Kawu. Monguno, a seasoned lawmaker representing Borno North Senatorial district. Monguno is tasked with representing the forum’s positions and articulating its stance on key policy matters to the public and stakeholders In his acceptance speech, the new chairman said he is aware of the challenges facing the Northern region which Include: Security, agriculture,education, healthcare, drug abuse and human trafficking. Others are so numerous to mention. “In advancing these noble objectives, I am committed to streamlined activities within the Northem Senators Forum. We shall operate with transparency, accountability, and integrity, upholding the trust placed on us by the electorate. “Our legislative discourse will continue to be characterized by civility, dignity, and adherence to the rule of law as we fulfill our lawmaking, policy-making,and oversight functions”, he added. The forum he also said will in consultation with other distinguished colleagues to preserve the unity and progress of the nation. The Northern Senators Forum, comprising lawmakers representing various constituencies across northern Nigeria, plays a crucial role in shaping legislative priorities and policies affecting the region. The forum serves as a platform for fostering unity, cooperation, and collective decision-making among senators from the northern states.

Customs Intercepts Arms and Military Uniforms at Lagos Port

The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a cache of arms and ammunition allegedly being smuggled into the country by a criminal gang. Among the items intercepted are military camouflage and illicit drugs such as Colorado. The recovered arms include automatic single-barrel rifles and pump-action guns. Though details of the interception are still sketchy, sources report that the arms were discovered during an inspection of imported consignments. It remains unclear if any arrests have been made at this time. This interception follows previous seizures, including 31 arms of various types at Tin-Can and Multi-Purpose Terminals (PTML) ports in Lagos eight months ago. During that seizure, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that two suspects were arrested. But not much has been made public regarding the prosecution of those arrested.

Bayelsa guber: Gov Diri, PDP close defence, fixes April 22 for adoption

The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Thursday, fixed April 22 for parties to adopt their final briefs of argument in the petition the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, filed to challenge the outcome of the governorship poll that held in the state on November 11, 2023. The Justice Adekunle Adeleye-led three-member tribunal okayed the matter for adoption of addresses, after Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Awhrujakpo and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who were cited as respondents in the matter, closed their defence. Each of the respondents produced a witness that testified before the tribunal, even as they tendered several electoral documents in evidence. Governor Diri’s witness, Mr. Gesiye Isowo, identified himself as the Secretary of thw PDP in Bayelsa State. Among exhibits he tendered before the tribunal included his his party membership card and his Permanent Voters Card. Governor Diri, through the witness, also tendered in evidence, the official result of the election as well as the final declaration of the result, which were contained in INEC’s forms EC8D and EC8E. The governor equally tendered INEC’s forms EC8B and EC8C. While being cross examined by counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Sylvester Elema, SAN, the witness told the tribunal that he registered and voted at Unit 9, Ward 10 in Kolokuma/Okpokuma LGA. “There was restriction of movement on the day of the election. I did not go to Nembe, Ogbia and Southern Ijaw because of the restriction, but I had agents in all the polling units. I was in constant touch with my agents in all the LGAs,” he stated. Asked if it was true that the National and State Assembly elections held in the state in February and March 2023, the witness said he was in court only with respect to the governorship election. “I am not INEC. If you ask about my party’s primary, then I should know,” he added. The petitioners had contended that voters registers that were tendered in evidence and marked as Exhibit R1- R19 by the tribunal, which was generated on January 25, 2023, were only used for the National Assembly election and not governorship poll. However, in his evidence, the witness insisted that the registers were used for the governorship poll. He identified his name as No. 179 in the voters register that was used at his polling unit. The petitioners opposed the tendering and admissibility of the register which they said was not furnished to them before hand as directed by the tribunal. On their part, the respondents urged the tribunal to disregard the objection and admit the exhibit as relevant to the case, saying it would help to confirm if the witness actually voted during the election or not. Continuing his testimony under cross examination, the witness, told the tribunal that some of the voters register were not ticked because election did not hold in those areas. Asked if he knew one Commissioner of Police named Tolani Alausa, the witness, said: “My lord, he was a very notorious police commissioner in Bayelsa State.” The witness insisted that INEC discharged its function creditably by conducting the election in compliance with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Electoral Act 2022, adding however that there was wilful resistance of the use of BVAS by the APC and its agents. He told the tribunal that in various Wards in Nembe LGA, no vote was recorded, indicating that election did not hold there. The witness said results of the election that were tendered by the petitioners, were manufactured by the APC. “In fact, looking at the results that were tendered, the writing looked similar, as if it was written by one person. And looking at it closely, it looks like that was the writing of my brother, Dr. Dennis Otiotio.” The statement of the witness irked Mr. Otiotio who not only testified before the tribunal earlier, but also the Chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State and a member of the party’s legal team. According to the witness, contrary to what the petitioners produced before the tribunal, pink copies of results of the election were not given to agents of political parties or security agencies. “Pink copies are only for INEC,” he insisted. He further told the court that voters register for areas where the APC produced election results from, were not ticked and no vote was recorded there. In his own defence, the deputy governor produced a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Bayelsa State, Mr. Gowon Toruyouyei as his witness. The witness said he retired in January and was subpoenaed to appear before this tribunal. While being cross examined, the witness confirmed that the deputy governor is a legal practitioner whose Call to Bar certificate was listed in INEC’s form. Asked if in all his interactions with the 3rd respondent, he could be described as an illiterate, the witness, said: “He could not have been an illiterate. He is very educated. “I will describe him as someone that has the requisite experience and qualification to be elected into any office in the country.” In its own defence, the PDP, brought a former Attorney General of Bayelsa State, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo, as its witness. He maintained that Sylva could not have been validly sponsored for the election by the APC, having already been elected as governor twice. “I worked as the DG of his campaign at one time, so all these facts are within my knowledge,” he added The witness said he was not physically present at Ogbia and Nembe LGAs on the election day, “but virtually, I was there.” Said he served as the State Collation Agent of the PDP during the election and also voted at his polling unit at Southern Ijaw. The witness identified his picture on the voters register. He told the tribunal that those whose names were not ticked on the register, did not vote on the election day. “It is

Top APC chieftain dies

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Alhaji Raufu Salami aka Olowo Adekile is dead. He died on Thursday. The deceased is one of the leaders of APC in Ibadan North East local government area in Oyo South Senatorial District. The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, expressed shock over Salami’s death. Alli said that Salami contributed significantly to the party. He added that his demise has left a void in the political landscape. The chairman, Senate committee on Electoral Matters, further commended late Salami’s leadership, dedication and service to the community and the local government area. The lawmaker prayed that Almighty Allah grant him Al-Jannat Firdaus and his family, the fortitude to bear the loss.

Budget padding: I can’t be Controlled or Silenced – Ningi

After being suspended for three months by the Senate over his allegation that the sum of N3.7 trillion was not tied to any project in the 2024 budget, Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, has insisted that no one can control or silence him from revealing the ‘can of worms’ in the Senate.  The suspended senator also alleged that the Senate is trying to silence or get him arrested for exposing the alleged padding of the 2024 appropriation budget.  Speaking on Arise Tv on Wednesday, Ningi said no one could control the can of worms he had opened. He said: “That is why I said I know this parliament very well, I have come a long way. And that is why we are speaking. Let’s speak. “Have they ever asked me since the beginning of this so-called crisis, where are your findings? Where are the documents? I’m not using my head to come up with figures. “Nobody has talked to me about evidence. Nobody has suggested even listening to me. All they are trying to do is to ensure that ‘how do we make sure that Ningi is silenced or arrested so that he doesn’t do anything?’ “I have opened this can of worms. Neither they nor I will be able to control it.”

Budget Padding Allegation: Senators Finally Reveal Amount They Received 

In the ongoing debate over alleged misallocation of funds for constituency projects, senators have come forward to clarify the amounts they received from the 2024 budget.  Contrary to earlier claims of receiving N500 million each, a Labour Party lawmaker, Senator Tony Nwoye and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe disclosed receiving lower sums. Senator Nwoye, representing Anambra North, stated that he was allocated N250 million for intervention projects, while Senator Abaribe, representing Abia South, confirmed receiving N266 million. These revelations contradict previous assertions made during a heated Senate session, where Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe alleged that some senior senators had been allocated N500 million each. The controversy comes amidst accusations of budget padding, initially raised by suspended Senator Abdul Ningi.  Despite the uproar, Senator Abaribe emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, urging constituents to hold their representatives responsible for the allocated funds.

Senate and House of Representatives to Return to Main Chambers Following Renovation Completion

After a year and a half of conducting plenary sessions in temporary chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives are preparing to relocate to their main Hallowed Chambers next month as renovation work nears completion. Recent progress indicates that the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers are nearing the final stages of completion. Visible Construction Company Nigeria Limited, the firm responsible for the renovation, has already installed state-of-the-art chairs for federal lawmakers and extended sitting terraces. Tajudeen Olanipekun, the Project Engineer at Visible Construction, assured journalists covering the Senate last week that the remaining work is being carried out swiftly with expertise and precision. The goal is to transform the entire ambiance of the Hallowed Chambers and its surroundings, aiming for project delivery next month. This development aligns with a directive from the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal, emphasizing the urgency of the Senate and the House of Representatives returning to their main chambers. During an interactive session with journalists covering the Senate, Akpabio stressed the need for expeditious completion of the renovation works. He noted that the temporary chambers, used since 2022, are not suitable for hosting visitors from outside the country. Journalists covering the Senate conducted on-site assessments of the renovation progress, visiting both Chambers under renovation last Friday. They observed fully transformed, upgraded, and reconfigured hallowed chambers that meet global standards. The renovation project, awarded to Visible Construction Limited by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in March 2021 at a cost of N30 billion, includes critical segments of the National Assembly complex. These segments involve office buildings housing accommodation for Senators and Honourable Members, roof watertightness improvements, enhancements to the cooling system, and the replacement of inoperable lifts throughout the complex.

Intel AI Programme Propels African DeepTech Ecosystem Forward

In a collaborative effort to drive innovation and foster growth of Africa’s DeepTech ecosystem, Intel and AfriLabs celebrated the successful conclusion of the Intel AI Programme for African DeepTech Startups & Ecosystem Stakeholders. Held in Abuja from March 5th to 7th, 2024, the event served as a pivotal platform for stakeholders to explore the transformative potential of DeepTech across the continent. The event, organized by AfriLabs in collaboration with Intel, aimed to propel growth and innovation in Nigeria’s DeepTech ecosystem. Participants from diverse backgrounds including government officials, industry experts, startups, developers, and ecosystem stakeholders convened to explore the challenges, opportunities, and prospects of DeepTech in Africa. The event commenced with opening remarks from esteemed government officials and representatives from Intel and AfriLabs. Dr. Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, Director of Government Affairs Africa and IGA CTO Liaison at Intel set the stage with an insightful presentation on the socio-economic and policy implications of DeepTech in Africa. This was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring high-level representatives from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Intel, and other industry partners, moderated by Jennifer Okeke-Ojiudu, Senior Ecosystem Engagements Manager at AfriLabs. The session provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the DeepTech ecosystem in Africa. Finally, day one culminated with a High-Level Roundtable Discussion on AI Policy, facilitated by Dr. Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo of Intel, engaging the Director-General of the National Centre for Technology Management, other Government Officials and AI Ecosystem Stakeholders. Day two of the event focused on empowering startups, developers, and innovation hubs with the tools and resources needed to thrive in the AI landscape. Highlights included an introduction to the Intel® Liftoff for AI Startups Program, presentations on the Intel Developer Cloud and OneAPI initiative, and valuable lessons learned from industry experts. The day concluded with presentations from leading innovation hubs, further enriching the discourse on DeepTech entrepreneurship and innovation in Nigeria. The final day of the event centered on building vibrant startup communities and fostering collaboration among ecosystem stakeholders. Keynote addresses by notable figures such as Ajibola Odukoya, Chief Operating Officer at AfriLabs, and Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, set the tone for engaging discussions on the role of government in driving innovation in Africa. Presentations from various innovation hubs underscored the importance of community-building and collaboration in nurturing Africa’s burgeoning DeepTech ecosystem. Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, emphasized the importance of collaboration and shared vision in his address: “When I learned of the aims and objectives of this workshop, my enthusiasm for our ecosystem was truly ignited. At NITDA, we firmly believe that no single entity can navigate this landscape alone; collective effort is imperative. Our vision for Nigeria is one of digital empowerment, innovation-driven prosperity, and inclusive economic growth fostered by technology. The global AI race has commenced, and the nation’s leading it will shape the future. Africa, with its abundant talent and youthful population, is poised to play a significant role. In Nigeria, our path is clear: AI is our journey, our goals are defined, and our determination is unwavering.” Reflecting on the event’s success, Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director at AfriLabs, remarked, “This collaboration has provided a platform for meaningful engagement, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration, laying the groundwork for future innovation and growth across Africa.” As the curtains close on the Intel AI Programme for African DeepTech Startups & Ecosystem Stakeholders, the legacy of collaboration, innovation, and empowerment lives on. Looking ahead, the journey continues as Africa’s DeepTech community embarks on a path of growth, resilience, and boundless possibilities.

NANS Reacts As FG Postpones Students Loan For Again 

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has voiced discontent over the federal government’s decision to postpone the implementation of the student loan program.  The initiative, aimed at alleviating the financial burden on indigent students following the announcement of increased tuition fees in federal universities, has faced indefinite delays, as announced by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration on Tuesday. Initially conceived to cushion the impact of tuition hikes, the program’s repeated postponements have left financially disadvantaged students scrambling to find alternative means to cover their educational expenses. In response to this setback, NANS President, Pedro Chibuzo Obi, expressed frustration.  He emphasized the urgent need for dialogue between the union, the fund’s management, and the government to address the challenges obstructing the commencement of the student loan scheme. Obi underscored the importance of ensuring the program’s effectiveness and alignment with the interests of Nigerian students. He highlighted concerns regarding the ongoing academic session, noting that the delay may compromise the scheme’s ability to provide adequate support during this period. He asserted, “The delay is regrettable, but we are committed to facilitating the scheme’s prompt commencement to benefit the Nigerian student community. Despite the current academic session being halfway through, we urge swift action to ensure the program’s rollout without further delay.”