New Year Celebration: TORNADOES FC MANAGEMENT GRANTS HOLIDAY TO PLAYERS

• * As Ikon Allah Boys Trash Visiting Enugu Rangers Intn'l FC 1-0

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

The management of Niger Tornadoes Football club of Minna has granted its players a 10-day holiday to celebrate the New Year with their families and loved ones.

New Year: ANYIM URGES NIGERIANS TO STAND STRONG, KEY INTO GOD'S PROMISES

• * Assures That 2022 Offers New Hope, Fresh Opportunities.

By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief)

Top Presidential hopeful, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, on New Year Day, implored all Nigerians not to be fazed by the challenges of the out-gone year 2021 but should strive to approach the New Year 2022 with confidence, renewed hope, and connect to God's promises of a better year and beyond.

New Year: PETER OBI WARNS APC AGAINST FORCING NIGERIA TO ONE PARTY STATE, LEAVING THE COUNTRY TO MERCANTILE POLITICIANS

• * Say Nigerians Should Avoid Incidents That lead To IDP Camps.

By Kingsley Eghagha (Politics Reporter, in Abuja)

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has said that Nigeria politics must not be left in the hands of transactional politicians, saying that the business of Nigeria is far too important to be left to those involved in transactional politics.

NFF CONGRATULATES EGBO IN HISTORIC FEAT WITH EUROPEAN CLUB

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has sent congratulatory messages to former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Ndubuisi Egbo, who has become the first Nigerian and African to lead a European club to a top tier domestic title.

NFIU IDENTIFIES 96 TERRORISM FINANCIERS, 424 ASSOCIATES

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) says it identified 96 financiers of terrorism and 424 associates/supporters of the financiers in Nigeria in 2020 and 2021.

NGE MARKS WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY, SAYS FREEDOM OF PRESS CRUCIAL TO DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERNANCE

• * Requests NASS To Initiate Law Against Abusive, Strategic Lawsuits
• Salutes Journalists Working Under Harsh Economic Conditions

By Chinwendu Agoha (Media & Governance Reporter)

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has reaffirmed that media freedom, freedom of expression and access to public information are crucial to democracy and must be at the heart of Nigerian government’s values and actions.

NGO CANVASSES FAMILY PLANNING FOR ADOLESCENTS IN NASARAWA STATE

By David Wuya, (Nassarawa State Correspondent)

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Novel Association for Youth Advocacy (NAYA), with the support from Population Reference Bureau, on Thursday, commenced advocacy on family planning for Adolescents in Nasarawa state.

NGO HAILS ABIA ELECTRICITY COMMISSION ON GEOMETRIC POWER, REGULATORY EFFICIENCY

* Says Commission Inspires Public Confidence

By Nnanna Kalu (Abia State Correspondent)

By giving a positive public verdict on the facilities and operations of the Geometric Power Ltd, Nigeria’s foremost power integrated group, after a recent visit, the newly established Abia State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERA) has begun its work in a way that inspires public confidence.

NGO TASKS APC GOVT ON INSECURITY

• * Challenges Ruling Party To Expose The Alleged Opposition North-West Gov Sponsoring Banditry Activities.

By Mohammed Munirat Nasir (Zamfara State Correspondent)

Patriots for the Advancement Of Peace and Social Development (PAPS), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has chided the All Progressives Congress (APC) government to accept its failure in the provision of adequate security and stop playing politics with the lives and property of Nigerians.

NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA'S SISTER, NJIDEKA, BAGS MEDICAL AWARD IN MARYLAND

Ngọzi Okonjo-Iweala’s sister, Dr. Njideka Okonjo-Udochi, has been recognized as Maryland’s Family Physician of The Year 2021 in the United States.

NIGER APC CRISIS WORSENS, AS FACTIONAL LEADERS LAY CLAIM TO AUTHENTICITY

By Musa Inuwa (Niger State Correspondent)

The leadership crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State is far from being over as the factions led by Alhaji Jibrin Imam and Alhaji Mohammed Liman, insist that they are the authentic leadership of the party in the state.

NIGER EAST SENATOR, MOHAMMED SANI MUSA, EMPOWERS CONSTITUENT MEMBERS WITH HIJET BUSES, SEWING MACHINES, OTHER ITEMS WORTH MILLIONS OF NAIRA

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, representing Niger-East Senatorial District (Zone B), over the weekend, distributed Hiace and Hijet buses and other empowerment items valued at hundreds of thousands of Naira to constituents.

NIGER GOV SAYS ENDING OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN NOT ACHIEVABLE WITH ARMED BANDIT'S CONTROL OF 7 LGCS

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, on Tuesday in Minna, the state capital, said the implementation of the National Campaign on Out-of School Chil"dren in the state will not be possible if the Armed Bandits, Boko-Haram and ISWAP members hibernating in seven Local Government Areas of the state are not dealt with.

NIGER GOVT TO PARTNER CS-SUNN, OTHER NGOs READY TO KEY INTO GOV BAGO'S ADMINISTRATION

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

The Niger state government has pledged to partner with the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) ready to key into developmental strides of the Governor Umaru Bago led administration.

Niger Guber 2023: APC ASPIRANT AND BLUEPRINT NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER PROMISES INCLUSIVE GOVT

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

Publisher of Blueprint Newspapers and Niger state governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, has commissioned his campaign office in Minna, promising to bring governance closer to the citizenry if given the mandate in 2023.

Niger PDP crisis: DON'T BE INTIMIDATED OUT OF PDP, EX-GOV ALIYU TELLS SUPPORTERS

Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North-Central)

Former Governor of Niger state and factional leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, has appealed to his supporters and disenfranchised members of the party in the last week’s factional Congress to remain calm as the issue is receiving the attention of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja.

NIGER PDP DELEGATE SHOT DEAD BY ARMED BANDITS

• * As Former Commissioner Emerge Party’s Flag bearer

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

The rescheduled delegates of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was almost disrupted for a second time as three delegates who were returning to Mariga in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger state after the aborted gubernatorial primaries of the party in Minna, were reportedly killed by armed bandits.

NIGER STATE ASSEMBLY SUSPENDS LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES OVER ALLEGED UNRESOLVED ISSUES WITH THE EXECUTIVE ARM

• Only 12 Out of 26 APC House Members Secured Party's Return Ticket At The Primary Through Gov Bago's Consensus Deal

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

Sitting by the Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA) on Tuesday came to an abrupt end while all activities therein have been indefinitely suspended over what the legislators termed, "unresolved issues" with the executive arm.

NIGER STATE COMMISSIONER SEEKS SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, SOLICITS SUPPORT FOR SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

Niger State Commissioner Ministry of Youth and Sports development, Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim Gulbin-Boka, has solicited for the support of Sports Associations in the growth and development of sports.

NIGER STATE ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS URGE GOV BAGO TO END YEARS OF EXPLOITATION BY AEDC

By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state has been called upon to end years of exploitations despite poor power supply by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) by exploring alternative sources of power to end epileptic supply slowing down businesses and retarding the growth and development of the state.

The call on the Governor to end years of monopoly by the AEDC is coming days after the company pleaded with customers for the understanding over poor electricity supply being experienced in parts of the state.

The AEDC Chief Business Officer (CBO), Niger state, Engineer Samuel Odekina has told journalists during an interactive session that the company has not been able to meet expected supply due to uncleared debts and the activities of vandals.

Odekina said efforts by the AEDC and the Niger Electricity Distribution Limited (NEDL) to ensure regular electricity supply to customers especially now that the weather is getting hotter and the fear of outbreak of heat borne diseases due to heat wave is yet to yielded desired results .

But as the AEDC struggled without success to absolve the company from blames over epileptic power supply, Mr. Zachariah Aliyu, who has his business with 80 percent dependence on electricity at Fadipe area wants Governor Bago to partner another power distribution company for quality and efficient services delivery.

Aliyu accused the AEDC of always coming up with one excuse and apology for inefficiencies, insisting that Nigerlites are not getting value for monies paid for electricity to run their businesses, especially for people like him.

With the Ramadan and lenten fasting around the corner, Aliyu expressed fears that the situation may further deteriorate and therefore encouraged Governor Bago to break the monopoly by allowing for competition so that the AEDC and any other company serving same purpose will be forced to sit up.

Aliyu whom decry damages to his business due to epileptic power supply said, "I want Governor Bago to consider engaging another power distribution company because this AEDC is no longer living up to expectations in serving electricity needs of the populace".

Aliyu who accused the AEDC of deliberately not willing to supply meter to customers because they wanted crazy billings or estimate bills to continue expressed fears of diseases like meningitis if nothing is done urgently to resolve electricity problems in the state soonest. NNL.