News

BREAKING: Allied People’s Movement (APM) Closes Case At Election Court

Published

3 years ago

June 21, 2023

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After calling just one witness at the Presidential Election Petition Court, the Allied People’s Movement (APM) has officially closed its case, while the Court has therefore fixed 14 July for adoption of the written addresses of all parties, after hearing the petition which faults the mode of nomination of then Vice Presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, with the use of a placeholder.

The APM through its lawyer, Gideon Idiagbonya, had informed the Court that its initial plan to begin and end its case in one day was being hampered by INEC’s delay in supplying all documents it requested and therefore sought an extension.

APM had issued its summons on INEC just two days ago to make documents available, an action which the Court frowned at, as the APM’s petition was filed since March 20.

The Court therefore reminded the APM that based on the pre-hearing schedule, it has only a day to end its case, ruling out an extension.

As such, APM conceded and closed its case.

INEC in opening its case tendered in evidence APC’s letter of withdrawal of Shettima’s candidacy dated 6th July one which also has the schedule for conduct of fresh Senatorial primaries.

And the Court therefore fixed 14 July for adoption of final addresses of all parties in the petition.

News

FG approves 6-month maternity leave for female lecturers without pay

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.

Published

3 hours ago

January 16, 2026

OCHEFA

13 Views

Photo: Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa (right), and Minister of State for Education

The Federal Government has announced that qualified female academic staff shall be entitled to a maternity Leave of six months as provided in the subsisting Public Service Rules,” Section 3.4(vii) reads.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.

He clarified that the Section 3.4 of the agreement, which focuses on ‘Non-salary conditions of service’, makes provision for six-month maternity leave as a fringe benefit.

Alausa described the agreement as a historic turning point that symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence and a firm commitment to uninterrupted academic calendars in Nigerian universities.

Alausa emphasised that the agreement reflects the resolve of President Bola Tinubu to prioritise education as the foundation of national development, noting that it marked the first time a sitting president took full ownership of the long-standing challenges confronting the university system.

News

Insurgency: Trump allocates N587bn to US Africa Command for military operations in Nigeria, others

The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The funds were approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance.

Published

3 hours ago

January 16, 2026

OCHEFA

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The United States plans to spend N587 billion ($413.046 million) on counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026 amid worsening security conditions across West Africa.

The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The funds were approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance.

The security budget for the US Africa Command comes against the backdrop of the Christmas Day attacks on terrorists’ hideouts in Sokoto State by the Donald Trump administration.

On Tuesday, AFRICOM delivered a consignment of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security operations across the country.