Kukuruku News

  By Nkoyo Etim  Pope  Emeritus Benedict xvi dies this morning Saturday December 31st at age 95 years More details shortly...

By Nkoyo Etim  Senate President Ahmed Lawan said this on Friday after a visit to the President in his office.  He told State House Correspondents that he briefed the Nigerian leader on the passage of the Appropriation Bill, the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill and the Finance Bill, and general elections among other issues of national interest. He noted that the National Assembly looks forward to the presidential assent on the first work day of the New Year. Lawan explained that the delay in the passage of the bill was owing to some anomalies in the figures presented to NASS. In the last four years, this would be the first appropriation bill to be assented to by the President after the New Year.

  Terseer Jackson  President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) has reappointed the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye for a second tenure of five years. According to the press statement by the  Director (Public Affairs) Jimoh Abubakar, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha (CFR) conveyed the approval of the President to Prof. Adeyeye whose tenure renewal took effect from 1st December, 2022.   The Director-General’s reappointment came closely on the heels of her track record of monumental achievements and successes in the last five years especially the attainment of World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level 3. Prof. Adeyeye who officially assumed duty on (Friday) was received by some staff at the Corporate Headquarters in Abuja. She will be unfolding her plans for the second tenure after the holidays.  

  By Nkoyo Etim Brazil legend and three times world cup winner, Edson Arantes do Nascimento popularly known as Pele has died after years of suffering from colon cancer at the age of 82. Pele was born on 23rd October, 1940 in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil and died, Today, 29th of December, 2022 in Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil. He started playing for Santos at age 15 and for the Brazilian national team at age 16. Pele, who is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labelled “the greatest” by FIFA, was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th century. Pelé is the joint-top goalscorer for Brazil with 77 goals in 92 games. At club level he is Santos’ all-time top goalscorer with 643 goals in 659 appearances. During Santos’ golden age, he led the club to the 1962 and 1963 Copa Libertadores, and the 1962 and 1963 Intercontinental Cup. Pele had married three times and he’s survived of seven children which are: Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, Sandra Regin

  Terseer Jackson Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has pledged the support of the FCT Administration in the discharge of its responsibility of securing the Territory when he received the new FCT Police Commissioner, Dr Idris Abubakar Sadiq who paid a courtesy visit to the Minister on Thursday.   In a press statement by the Chief press secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, the Minister said that the new CP was coming to the FCT with immense experience in policing and also some experience in the FCT Command having begun his career in the police force in the FCT. He expressed optimism that the new CP will build upon the successes of his predecessors saying that all of them had contributed immensely in building the FCT Command to what it is today. Earlier in his remarks, CP Idris Abubakar Sadiq commended the FCT Minister for all the support the FCT Administration had rendered to the FCT Police Command and revealed that the command will evolve new strategies to further secure the nation’s capital. He also

  By Nkoyo Etim  President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday commissioned a number of projects carried out by the Yahaya Bello administration in Kogi State. Some of the projects included a state of the art modern hospital located at Okene Local Government area of the state amongst others. Kukuruku  News gathered  that a bomb blast had occured in the palace of the Ohinoyi who is the traditional ruler of the area before the presidents arrival for the commissioning. See more photos from the commissioning below:

  By Nkoyo Etim  Amid pomp and pageantry, the annual Carnival Calabar, the largest street party in Africa, was Wednesday flagged off in the Cross River state capital. The theme of this year's edition of the fiesta which attracted dignitaries across the country, including President Muhammadu Buhari's daughter, Zara and former Borno state Governor, Senator Amodu Sherrif,  is "Agro-industrialization". Speaking while flagging off the carnival, the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade described it as "Africa's flagship tourism event" Said the governor: "The presence of the daughter of our President and my friend Amodu Sheriff shows that indeed we are one Nigeria. Today is the day we are flagging off the carnival Calabar, the main carnival proper.This carnival is Africa's flagship tourism event. "I like to welcome everybody, who has come here for this ceremony. It is significant because this is my last outing; significant because the President has

  By Nkoyo Etim  Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade Wednesday morning visited the Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar to empathize with victims of the Bikers parade accident and pay their hospital bills. The Governor also visited Bogobiri, the scene of the accident, to commiserate with the Hausa/Fulani community led by Seriki Garuba Lawan. Speaking at the Navy hospital, Ayade described the incident as a sad learning curve that will never be allowed to happen again. The governor commended the management of the hospital "for responding promptly even when the government was yet to make a deposit" According to him "we are here at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital Calabar to show governments concern to victims of the Bikers' parade car accident. We are here to take the bills and show compassion. "What happened was a learning curve, it speaks to the fact that all road barricades for the carnival must be respected. "This is the first time we have had

  By Nkoyo Etim  The Senate has passed 2022 Supplementary Budget of N819.5 billion. President Muhammadu Buhari sought the passage of supplementary budget to be financed through additional domestic borrowing. The supplementary budget is to address food security following devastating floods across the country, as well as Damages to road infrastructure and water sector. The supplementary budget is to be funded by additional borrowing and will increase the budget deficit to 8.17 trillion naira. The Senate committee on Finance recommended that the Senate approved the supplementary budget. The supplementary budget is for the ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, FCT and Works. A breakdown of the Supplementary Budget shows that the Ministry of Agriculture is to get N69 billion, Ministry of Water Resources N15.5 billion, FCT N30 billion and Ministry of Works and Housing N704 billion.

 By Our Reporter  Labour Party has announced Akin Osuntokun, former Presidential aide as the new Director-General (DG) of its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). Osuntokun succeeds Doyin Okupe who  recently resigned as the director-general of  Labour Party campaign council for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Kukuruku News had earlier reported that Okupe resigned after Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court in Abuja on December 19, 2022 found him guilty of receiving over N200 million cash from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, ruling that his action violated the Money Laundering Act. The court held that Okupe was guilty in counts 34, 35, 36, and 59 and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine. Okupe, a former aide to Ex President Goodluck Jonathan opted to pay a fine of N13m in order to avoid 2years jail term. Until recently, Osuntokun was the Zonal Coordinator (South) of the campaign council. A former Managing Director

  Terseer Jackson 27/12/2022 The Commissioner of Police CP Sadiq Idris Abubakar , has directed the Division of jurisdiction and all other Investigative and intelligence assets of the Command to exert their full weight on the case to unravel the situation that surround his death and bring perpetrators to book. According to the press release by the Fct Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh,  the Command received the case of Usman Hammed who was reported to have left home around 7:00hrs on 25/12/2022 and did not return home.  Usman was later discovered around 14:00hrs by a search party organized by the Karmo Divisional Police Headquarters upon the receipt of the information, with visible bodily injuries.   Usman was confirmed dead by medical personnel on the crime scene with the investigating team who arrived the scene to remove the corps for autopsy test .  As at press time the police are on the trail of the perpetrators of the crime and have called on the general public to

  By Nkoyo Etim  Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade has expressed sadness over the ugly incident where an errant motorist ploughed into a crowd that thronged the Carnival route to watch the bikers parade. A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Barrister Christian Ita said Governor Ayade is devasted by the incident and has directed security agencies to apprehend the motorist who is on the run. While sympathising with the victims of the accident and their families, the governor, according to the statement, ordered an immediate investigation to unravel how the motorist was able to get through security barricades to have access to the routes which were closed to the public.  Ita said the Governor directed the immediate discontinuation of the Bikers parade in honour of the victims of the accident. Governor Ayade while promising to ensure the culprit is arrested and brought to book,  however, sued for calm.

By Nkoyo Etim  As at the time of filing this report, it was impossible to know the exact number of person's believed to have lost their lives at the Tuesday's Biker's Carnival in Calabar the capital city of Cross River State as video evidence shows several mangled bodies and survivors being taken away by volunteers. Still in shock at the enormity of the carnage that hit the bogobiri, Calabar axis of the carnival route. Eyewitnesses account says a vehicle may have over spun, losing control and running Into the heavy line of spectators watching the event causing grave bodily harm to survivors More to follow... Watch video below.

  By Our Reporter  The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has advised Pilots and Airline Operators to exercise caution over hazardous weather in dry season. This warning was contained in an Advisory Circular initiated by the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS) addressed to all Pilots and Airline Operators and signed by the Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu. The Advisory circular is sequel to the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) which reported that cessation of rainfall and weather associated with Dry Season in Nigeria from late December 2022 to March/April 2023. Hence, this AC is intended to alert pilots about nature of weather associated with dry season in Nigeria ranging from light/moderate to severe dust haze and sometimes early morning fog which can sometimes reduce the horizontal visibility to below the aerodrome operating minima. According to the agency, with the issuance of this circular, Advisory Circ

  By Nkoyo Etim  The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the quick prosecution of the killer cop who shot dead one of its own barrister Bolanle Raheem. Raheem was killed by a trigger happy cop attached to the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah area of Lagos State on Christmas day. While condemning the gruesome killing of its member, the Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the NBA, Ikechukwu Uwanna said he has been in touch with the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi who “assured us that the investigation and prosecution of the killer of Mrs. Raheem will be swift”. Uwanna said, “The NBA President, Mr. Y. C. Maikyau SAN, and his Exco have also been monitoring the situation to ensure that the matter is given all the serious attention it deserves,” Uwanna said in a statement, and added that the victim’s body had been deposited at the morgue. “Members of our NBA Lagos Branch Human Rights Committee led by Mrs. Tam George have met with the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, and will meet with th

  By Kunle Awoniyi  As we draw close to 2023 general election,the chairman of yoruba kingdom in federal capital territory Oba Musbau Adeyemi has advised the yoruba community in fct to go and get their PVC and ensure peaceful election. Oba Musbau made this statement during Christmas celebration and installation of new Oba Victor Bolarin in Zhidu village around Lugbe axis in Abuja. During the celebration Oba Victor Bolarin Oyewole the newly installed king of yoruba in Zhidu community said the youth and all residents in fct should get their PVC and ensure they vote the right person as president and representatives. He emphasised that we are all looking for a great nigeria and in one accord nigeria will achieve it's goal come 2023. He further advised the youths to get engaged in different working activities as he also call for government assistances to enable the youths not to be idle.

By Nkoyo Etim  The 2022 edition of the Calabar Cultural Parade, a major component of Carnival Calabar has been described as a potpourri of Nigerian culture. Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade represented by his Deputy, Professor Ivara Esu made the remark while flagging off the 4 kilometre long cultural parade at the popular Millennium Park in Calabar, the capital city. He expressed delight that the Carnival Calabar brand has continued to grow in leaps and bounds despite the two years COVID-19 setback. According to Ayade, "I especially welcome the States that have come to participate with us in this year's cultural carnival. This is the last carnival we will be hosting as an administration and we are delighted to have continued with this flagship event. "In the past, we have had more states than there are today. But, to have 14 states today shows that indeed Cross River State has become a brand, which other states chose to come and celebrate peacefully the end

  By Kunle  Awoniyi  The chairman of KUJE area council Hon Abdulahi Sabo has denied the sack of all 2018 employee of Local Education Authority(LEA) in the council numbering about one thousand and three staff. Hon Sabo speaking with journalist at the council secretariat after the letter of the alleged sack reached the journalist said it was suspension and not sack. Sabo narrates through his personal secretary who also bears same name with the chairman said since 2019 that the chairman took over the affairs of the council he has been managing the staff because the space available for such employment was just ninety as against the one thousand and thrity staff employed by his predecessor thinking he would return to office as the chairman of KUJE area council. He further narrates that the suspension is meant to create vacuum for proper screening of staff as some of them are not qualified or have certificate to back up their appointment. Sabo also noted that managing them since 2019 is to a

  Terseer Jackson 25/12/2022 The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on behalf of the FCT Administration and residents of the FCT, expressed his appreciation to the President for his support to the FCT Administration over the years. In press statement by the Chief press  secretary, Anthony Ogunleye in the paid Christmas visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, leading a delegation of senior civil servants,  political, traditional, religious, security and community leaders on the visit, Bello said that the support of Mr President for the FCT was not surprising because constitutionally, as the Governor General of the Federal Capital Territory, the President was also the head of the Federal Capital Territory Administration. The visit the Minister also said was significant  because it is the last time the Christmas homage will be paid to President Buhari as his tenure will come to an end over the next 5 months. President Buhari in his remarks thanked the FCT dele

  Terseer Jackson 24/12/2022 The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, CP Sadiq Idris Abubakar  felicitates with residents of the FCT as families and friends gather around for the Christmas and new year celebrations, and urged all and sundry to embrace love and peace which are the core essence of the season and shun all form of violence. The media statement by the Fct police public relations officer DSP Josephine Adeh, said the CP has equally banned the sales and use of all kinds of Fireworks, Fire-crackers, and Knockouts in the FCT.  The statement also that, the Sadiq  as part of his proactive move has  ordered the Police to sustain the relative peace in the FCT, and adequately contain crimes and criminality, particularly ones peculiar to the end of the year and the Christmas and New Year festivities.  To this end, the CP has deployed both covert and overt security apparatus to ensure residents of the FCT enjoy the Yuletide season in a relatively calm

  By Nkoyo Etim Shell oil company asked to  pay 15 million  euros ($15.9 million) to communities in  Nigeria that were affected by multiple oil  pipeline leaks in the Niger Delta, the oil giant on friday said in a joint statement with the  Dutch division of Friends of the Earth, the compensation is  as a  result of a Dutch court case brought by Friends of the Earth, in which Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary last year was found to be responsible for the oil spills and was ordered to pay for damages to farmers. However,  Kukuruku News  gathered that the Niger Delta pollution has continued despite years of promises by successive governments in Nigeria to clean it up. In 2016 President Muhammadu Buhari launched an ambitious clean-up operation in Ogoniland. The work is ongoing but residents say little progress has been made. Continued oil spills from the activities of multinationals have also cast doubt on the impact of the clean-up exercise. “Things are getting worse by the day,” Celestine Akpo

By Nkoyo Etim As ordered by the Rivers government, the campaign office of Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, has been sealed up in the state.   The office, located in Port Harcourt, the state capital, was sealed on friday, through the directives of the state government following a court order. Kelvin Ebiri, Wike’s spokesperson, confirmed the development to newsmen, saying a state executive order in place prohibits the location of campaign offices in residential areas. “The Rivers state government approached a court which ordered that the place should be sealed up,” Ebiri said. “The Rivers state executive order 22 prohibits the location of a political campaign office in a residential area. It was the court that ordered the place to be sealed up