Ocean News

The US Trade and Development Agency has awarded Zenith Bank Plc a training grant to support the bank’s adoption of Microsoft Azure, a hyperscale cloud platform. The USTDA’s announcement on its website on Monday emphasised the grant’s role in strengthening the bank’s institutional capabilities. However, the agency did not disclose the specific amount of the grant. The switch to Azure is expected to increase the bank’s data processing and storage capacity, enabling it to expand its digital banking services while improving transaction speed, security, and reliability. The Director of USTDA, Enoh Ebong, stated, “This grant demonstrates USTDA’s commitment to supporting the deployment of cutting-edge U.S. digital infrastructure in partner countries like Nigeria. “Our training grants are an effective tool for strengthening U.S. competitiveness in the global market for highly sensitive digital infrastructure solutions. Zenith’s procurement will provide its customers with trusted technology tha...

Ademola Owolabi Justice S.I. Sonaike of the Lagos High Court, TBS has adjourned the arraignment of two lawyers, Ademola Owolabi, the managing partner of Ademola Adetokunbo & Co., and Adebayo Akeju, who is a partner in a law firm called Adon Partners, Lagos, as well as a real estate developer, Alex Ochonogor, to November 28. Ochonogor is the owner and managing director of Bluecrest Homes Limited, where Owolabi is also the company secretary. The adjournment followed the absence of the suspects and their counsel in court on Monday, when the matter was called before justice Sonaike. The suspects are facing a five count charge of conspiracy to commit forgery, forgery, and willful damage to property pressed against them by the Lagos State government in suit marked LD/23611C/2024. When the matter was called, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Lagos ministry of Justice, Dr Babajide Martins announced his appearance. He told the court that the AG directed him to call a meeting o...

The Kogi State Vigilante Service has arrested two suspected kidnappers in Dekina Local Government Area of the state. Abocho The suspects identified as Umoru Garuba and Salifu Ademu, were apprehended in the Ibobo area of Abocho at 2pm on October 21, 2024. Villagers raised the alarm upon spotting the suspects, prompting a swift response from the Kogi State Vigilante Service, who were on patrol in the vicinity. The vigilante team successfully detained the suspects, who subsequently confessed to their involvement in the crime. Following their arrest, the suspects were handed over to the Quick Response Unit (QRU) in Anyigba for further investigation and prosecution. The spokesperson of the service, S.O Saka, who confirmed the arrest on Tuesday said authorities are continuing to investigate the matter to ensure justice is served and to enhance community safety.  “Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he said.

Former US President and current Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump has accused Democrats without evidence of trying to cheat in the 2024 election. Trump, who constantly talks about the result of the 2020 election he lost, has repeatedly tried to sow doubt about the integrity of the 2024 election and made claims without evidence that Democrats are trying to cheat. Trump continues to peddle claims and conspiracy theories about widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election despite multiple courts throwing away his court cases. On Monday, October 21, he alleged voter fraud would happen in California. “We have some of the biggest crowds you’ve ever seen. I was in California. I’d love to have God to come down and be the vote counter just for one day and see how well we do in California,” Trump said of the solidly blue state. “Did you ever hear the expression that the vote counter is far more important than the candidate and unfortunately we can’t let that happen. We’ve gotta take it...

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has announced the construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District of Abuja, asserting that the initiative will significantly boost the performance of judicial officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Speaking on Monday at the flag-off ceremony of the project, Justice Kekere-Ekun described it as a significant milestone in the government’s continuous efforts to enhance the welfare of judicial officers in the FCT. “Beyond the courtroom, a supportive and conducive living environment is essential to their ability to focus on the heavy responsibility entrusted to them,” she stated. Justice Kekere-Ekun emphasized the importance of a peaceful living environment for judges, noting, “Judicial officers require peace of mind, security and comfort in their residences to fully dedicate themselves to the rigorous task of interpreting and applying the law.” She further elaborated on the necessity of the project, stati...

Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stated on Monday that a recent proposal by a United Nations envoy to partition the disputed territory of Western Sahara is “unacceptable,” referencing the kingdom’s past rejections of similar plans. During a closed session of the UN Security Council last week, Western Sahara envoy Staffan de Mistura suggested dividing the territory between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front to resolve the longstanding conflict. Bourita noted that de Mistura had made a similar proposal during his visit to Morocco in April, which was met with rejection from the kingdom. “Morocco has not and will not even accept hearing the proposal, because it contradicts the kingdom and Moroccans’ principled position that the Sahara is Moroccan,” Bourita asserted during a press conference in the capital, Rabat. Western Sahara is largely controlled by Morocco, yet the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, has been advocating for independence since before Spain’s wi...

  The Nigerian Naira on Monday evening, October 21 appreciated to N1,715 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,725 per dollar last weekend but depreciated to N1,603.16 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM. According to Data from FMDQ, the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,603.16 per dollar from N1,600.78 per dollar last week Friday, indicating N2.38 depreciation for the naira. Also, the volume of dollars traded in the official market grew by 2.4 per cent to $359.22 million from $350.72 million traded last weekend making the margin between the parallel market and the NAFEM rate narrow to N111.84 per dollar from N124.22 per dollar as at last week Friday.

Owolabi Again, the two lawyers and a businessman charged with conspiracy to commit forgery and willful damage to property in suit marked LD/23611C/2024 before Justice S.I Sonaike of the Lagos High Court, TBS, have failed to appear for arraignment.   The two lawyers, Ademola Owolabi, the managing partner of Ademola Adetokunbo & Co., and Adebayo Akeju, who is a partner in a law firm called Adon Partners, Lagos, as well as a real estate developer, Alex Ochonogor, are facing the charge pressed against them by the Department of Public Prosecution of the Lagos State ministry of Justice.    Ochonogor is the owner and managing director of Bluecrest Homes Limited, where Owolabi is also the company secretary.   As a result of their consistent absence and the intervention of the state attorney general, Lawal Pedro (SAN), the court has adjourned the matter to October 21, 2024 to enable the suspects explore restorative Justice. The suspects were billed to be arraigned April 8...

  Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, March 11, 2024 adjourned the alleged N4.8 billion fraud brought against a businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto, till April 15, 2024. The case, which was initially before Justice I.O. Ijelu, of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, suffered several adjournments due to the absence of the defendant to take his plea with respect to the 10-count charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He was charged alongside his companies, Ibeto Energy Development Company and Odoh Holdings Ltd. Justice Ijelu had on November 3, 2023 declared Ibeto wanted, based on an application moved by counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN. He also issued a bench warrant for his arrest. However, when the case came up on January 29, 2024, the court informed all parties involved that the case file had been returned to the Chief Judge of the State High Court. Thereafter, the case file was re-ass...

Justice K.N. Ogbonnaya of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Zuba has fixed commencement of hearing of a N201,000,000( Two Hundred and One Million) alleged fraud involving four Abuja company executives and their company for May 6, 2024. The defendants, Harry Ositadinma Samuel, Ayodele Raymond, Gowon Usman Egbunu, Alhaji Nuhu Amanabo and Beligetto Holding Company Limited were arraigned on February 29, 2024 on two-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretense. Count one reads, “that you Harry Ositadinma Samuel Group Chairman of Beligetto Holding Company Limited, Ayodele Raymond, Managing Director of Beligetto Holding Company Limited, Gowon Usman Egbunu, Alhaji Nuhu Amanabo, Beligetto Holding Company Limited and others (At Large) sometime in the year 2020 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspire among yourselves to commit an offence to wit; obtaining properties by false pretense, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) and ...

Ondo Speaker, Olamide Oladiji is facing controversy for reportedly claiming that 18 lawmakers support Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s All Progressives Congress ticket bid in the upcoming November governorship election. Oladiji made this assertion during Governor Aiyedatiwa’s declaration of intent, sparking discussions on the validity of his claim. The Speaker said, “18 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have agreed to support Aiyedatiwa. Even those who are not in the APC are with us in this struggle, and by the grace of God, we will arrive at the promised land.” Thirteen lawmakers, however, in a statement, distanced themselves from Speaker Olajidi’s claims that they have endorsed Governor Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate. The 13 lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence on Speaker Olajidi and said his declaration was untrue, misleading, un-parliamentary and ridiculous. They said no resolution was passed by the Assembly endorsing Aiyedatiwa. The statement reads, “The House of Ass...

  Ex-British Council Director, Roberts Former British Council Director in Abuja, David Roberts, has said Nigeria’s economy which posted a GDP growth of 3.46% in Quarter 4, is anything but m£ssy.  Speaking in a statement, he said: “I lived and worked in Nigeria for many years as a British diplomat and one of the issues that most disturbed me was the sustenance of the fuel subsidy regime. Why would a country with a severe infrastructural deficit invest more money on a wasteful expenditure such as cheap petrol, instead of building schools, hospitals, dams and a national railway system? It is evident that it had to go. We joined the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in saying as much to the Nigerian government. And at long last, it is gone. And everything we said that would happen after it goes is happening. Nigeria’s GDP is growing at 3.46 per cent while Europe is on the edge of recession. Her stock market just crossed 100,000 basis points, overtaking Argentina’s as ...

Olakiitan Adetutu Communications Limited, a subsidiary of Gbolahan Adetayo Media Network, the brain behind the prestigious Yoruba Movie Gist Awards, has finally unveiled the much anxiously awaited nominees list for the 2023 Yoruba Movie Gist Awards. The biggest award ceremony in the Yoruba movie industry, is set up to reward hardwork and diligence among both the onscreen and off-screen movers and shakers of Nollywood, and its scheduled to hold in December 10th amidst pomp and pageantry. The nomination list for this year edition is here and you can start  voting your favourite nominees by sending the name of the person and the category to yorubamoviegistawards@gmail.com or yorubamoviegist@gmail.com. Eg: Best Actor 2023, Gbolahan Adetayo, send it to yorubamoviegistawards@gmail.com. for more details, please call our editor on 07033430851. The voting exercise will close by December 5th 2023. BEST ACTOR 2023 Lateef Adedimeji Ibrahim Yekini Itele Ayo Olaiya Jide Awobona Rotimi Salami BES...

By Kingsley Amaechi, Abia State. The presiding Pastor of the World Conqueror Ministry, Monday Nwajiri has raised alarm over alleged plot by member of his kinsmen to kidnap and take his life over some of his landed properties in his hometown. The Lagos based clergyman and native of Mba in Abia State called on Nigerians, especially the Inspector General of Police and other relevant security agencies to come to his aid. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of his own relatives, who are supposed to be his own people, Nwajiri said even though he does not understand their sudden hate and jealousy, he is still trying to figure out why they wish and wants him dead at all cost, despite destroying his properties. Speaking exclusively to journalists in Lagos, Monday Nwajiri said he had not only reported the case at the community police station, but he has also take a step further to drag his kinsmen to the state police headquarters, in his words; even though the police have asked all parties to main...

In celebration of Nigeria's sixty third Independence Day celebrations, a groundbreaking documentary exploring the diasporic impact of Nigeria's reputation has just been unveiled. “Perception: The Nigerian Narrative is an epoch piece created and directed by Oluyinka Davids, "Perception: The Nigerian Narrative". The thought-provoking feature-length documentary is aimed to challenge and enrich global perceptions about Nigeria and its Diaspora community. The documentary takes viewers on an intimate journey to dissect both the positive and negative stereotypes that have shaped Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage. "Perception: The Nigerian Narrative" unveils the multi-faceted reputation of Nigeria through a series of candid interviews with Nigerians living abroad. The documentary delves into the various stereotypes that have dented Nigeria's image, such as corruption and fraud, while also highlighting the resilience, creativity, and invaluable contributio...

In a landmark ruling, the Abuja High Court has dissolved the parallel executive committees (EXCOs) of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. The court declared that the EXCOs responsible for nominating Siminialayi Fubara as the party's governorship candidate, in the primary were not the authentic EXCOs recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The case, with suit number W/6084, was brought before the court by Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo and Chief Abiye Davies, who represented the genuine state executive committee members of the Rivers PDP. The defendants named in the case were the PDP, along with Amb. Desmond Akawor and Dr. Benibo George, who were part of the parallel EXCOs falsely presenting themselves as the legitimate representatives, and INEC. The court's decision has now raised doubts about the legitimacy of Siminialayi Fubara's candidacy and his subsequent victory in the March 18 governorship election. The entire process that led ...

Enugu born film maker and writer, Mr. Nnaemeka Eze, popularly known as  Nani Boi has through his Nani Boi  Production established a record breaking epic film village in Enugu community for the Making of his latest African Epic Cultural genre movie, KING MABUTU hosting over one hundred (100) casts, including a Nollywood Veteran Actor, Pete Edochie and a host of others. The must watch legendary and archetypal epic movie; KING MABUTU, written and produced by Nani Boi is set to wow all lovers of history and African Stories dated back to pre-colonial era. KING MABUTU is ambivalent in it's interpretation of the past, presenting a source of African cultural richness and a nightmare of a tyrannical kingdom. The movie KING MABUTU which was directed by Edward Uka and sponsored by Brewstarz Films. To watch it on your phone, simply download SHIEN TV app from playstore or apple store. Search for KING MABUTU in the app and watch easily without subscription. Thanks to Nani Boi Production for...

Ahead of the inauguration of the 8th House of Assembly in Osun State next month, intense politicking has continued to take centre stage in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) controlled state. There is a scramble within the party for the office of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly.    While some are routing for newly elected members of the House to bid for the office, other chieftains of the party are insisting on ranking legislators in the House to be the next Speaker. Those backing the latter contend that leadership of a state House of Assembly demands experience and understanding of the rules and practices of the House which will only be taught to new members at inauguration. Hence, ranking members who have the required experience should be considered for the position. There are only four ranking members in the about-to-be-inaugurated Assembly. At the moment, sources say the battle for the Speakership in the state is locked between Prince Tajudeen Adeyemi, a l...

Jide Kosoko, Saidi Balogun Others To Make Guest Appearance The year 2023 has been a great and very busy year for some Nigerian Celebrities. For 2022 winner of Mr. Nigeria International, Ajewole Odunayo Emmanuel, it is a year to give more to a society that has contributed to his success, personality and development. Tomorrow the 27th of April 2023, the city of Lagos will witness the official unveiling of a new NGO,  Making-A-Difference Initiative by the Ondo State born model. Speaking at a press conference organized in Lagos, Ajewole who is also known as Emray said the event is his way of appreciating well-wishers, friends, families, colleagues, business partners and the general public for their love and support over the years, he also gives insight as to what to expect at the event; “Ladies and gentle of the press, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to this media briefing”. “As you are aware, I will be officially unveiling my NGO, Making-A-Different Initiative to the world on the 27th...

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has slammed a fine of N5 million on Channels Television for breaking the broadcasting law during an interview with the Vice-Presidential candidate of Labour party, Datti Baba-Ahmed. The sanction was communicated to the Chief Executive Officer of the television station in a letter titled “Broadcast of an Inciting Interview, A Sanction”, and signed by Balarabe Ilelah, the commission’s Director-General. It read in part ‘’The NBC monitored the broadcast of a live interview of the running mate of the Labour Party Vice presidential candidate, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed, by the anchor of Politics Today, Seun Okibaloye, on Wednesday, March 22. Dr Baba-Ahmed said it will be unconstitutional to swear in an elected president on May 29, 2023, because of election irregularities,”  The NCC chairman stated that the interview was volatile and capable of inciting public disorder and therefore violated some sections of the broadcasting code. This, according to him...