Star News 9ja

  FORMER KOGI STATE GOVERNOR, ALHAJI IBRAHIM IDRIS (IBRO), CELEBRATES HIS 76TH BIRTHDAY TODAY! As we celebrate this great leader, let’s look back at 18 key achievements of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (IBRO) during his time as Governor of Kogi State: 1. Transformed Lokoja City with double-lane roads, streetlights, and beautiful streets all around the capital. 2. Paid WAEC & NECO fees for about 50,000 students every year throughout his tenure, reducing the burden on parents. 3. Built the massive Lokoja Water Works, popularly known as IBRO Water. 4. Supported traditional rulers by giving them cars and paying them well, restoring dignity to the traditional institutions. 5. Prompt payment of civil servants’ salaries, with priority given to staff welfare, promotions, and training. 6. Established the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja to improve healthcare delivery. 7. Carried out a successful screening exercise without stopping anyone’s salary. 8. Provided 300 boreholes across the state to impro...

In a dramatic turn of events, Dr. Paul Chukwuma, who was once viewed as a leading candidate in the highly competitive governorship race within the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Anambra State, has officially stepped away from the party. His resignation, which came just under 24 hours before the scheduled primary elections slated for this Saturday, has sent shockwaves through the party’s ranks and raised numerous questions about the future of the upcoming contest. Dr. Chukwuma, who had been actively campaigning and positioning himself as a serious contender for the gubernatorial ticket, cited a range of undisclosed reasons for his sudden departure. His exit not only leaves a significant void in the APC’s roster of aspirants but also highlights internal dynamics and potential challenges within the party as it moves closer to the crucial primaries. Analysts and political observers note that such last-minute withdrawals, although not unheard of in Nigerian politics, often reflect deep...

  Philip Shaibu Reveals He Never Believed in Obaseki Before Swearing-In Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has disclosed that he never fully believed in former Governor Godwin Obaseki even before they were sworn into office on November 12, 2016. Shaibu made this revelation while reflecting on his political journey and relationship with Obaseki. According to Shaibu, he and other political stakeholders were initially reluctant to support Obaseki’s candidacy in the 2016 gubernatorial election. He stated that it took extensive persuasion from then-Governor Adams Oshiomhole to convince them to back Obaseki, who was relatively unknown in the political sphere at the time. Shaibu further explained that Obaseki lacked both political experience and financial resources to fund his campaign, which made many within the party skeptical about his viability as a candidate. He emphasized that he and his associates played a crucial role in mobilizing resources and political support to ...

Governor Ododo’s Eid-el-Fitr Message: A Call for Unity, Peace, and Progress Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his warm Eid-el-Fitr greetings to all Kogites, emphasizing the values of unity, love, and collective progress. He urged citizens to embrace these principles as they celebrate the completion of Ramadan. In his message, Governor Ododo described Eid-el-Fitr as a time for reflection and gratitude, reminding the people of Kogi that the lessons learned during Ramadan—sacrifice, patience, and compassion—should continue to guide their daily lives. “This celebration is not only a time of joy but also a moment to renew our commitment to peace, love, and mutual understanding,” he stated. “Let us work together, beyond our differences, to build a stronger and more prosperous Kogi State.” The governor reassured the people of his administration’s commitment to development, security, and economic growth. He noted that significant efforts are being made to enhance infr...

  NCSCN Calls for Independent Truth and Reconciliation Committee in Rivers State The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent Truth and Reconciliation Committee to address the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. In a statement, the NCSCN emphasized the need for a neutral body to mediate conflicts, promote dialogue, and restore peace in the state. The council believes that an independent committee will help uncover the root causes of the crisis, foster unity among political stakeholders, and ensure lasting stability. The political situation in Rivers State has raised concerns about governance, security, and development. The NCSCN stressed that resolving these issues through peaceful means is crucial for the well-being of the state and its people. The council also called on all parties involved to cooperate with the proposed committee and prioritize the interests of the citizens above political differences. Th...

Customs Seizes N1 Billion Worth of Contraband, Arrests Suspected Smugglers The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted smuggled goods worth over N1 billion within the past four weeks. Speaking to journalists in Lagos, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, head of the unit, stated that the seized items have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.7 billion. He emphasized that customs officers have intensified border surveillance to curb smuggling activities. According to Oladeji, the ongoing crackdown on economic sabotage aligns with the NCS Key Performance Indicators (KPI), which focus on revenue generation, smuggling suppression, and legitimate trade facilitation. He noted that the agency has recorded significant progress through its "Swift Sting Operations." Over the past month, the unit made 82 interceptions, including: 3,832 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to seven trailer loads), 27 used (Tokunbo) vehicles, 494 jerry cans of ...

  Natasha is Fighting Back Strongly Against Her Recall Effort The recall campaign against Natasha has encountered a significant challenge.  The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of Nigeria has officially stated that the group spearheading the recall process, known as the Kogi Central Political Frontier, is not a registered entity. This revelation raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the petition submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). If the organization behind the recall is not legally recognized, how did INEC proceed with accepting their petition without verifying their registration status? With this development, the validity of the recall process is in question, and it appears that the petition may be fundamentally flawed from the start. Given this situation, legal and political analysts are beginning to scrutinize INEC’s role in the process.  Many are asking whether due diligence was carried out before accepting the petition. If ...