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Spokesperson of House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has clarified that the move by the House to legalise the use of Indian hemp in the country is not to encourage smoking among the populace but for industrial and pharmaceutical reasons, as well as for the purpose of boosting production of over 50 products. Describing Indian hemp as one of the products needed across the world, the Bende federal constituency representative said if legalised, the agricultural produce can help in production paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, beverages, personal care products, fuel among others. Speaking on Tuesday on a radio programme, Ben Kalu…

Hundreds of air passengers including Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Tuesday escaped flight mishap when a plane conveying the passengers developed fault few minutes after taken off. The Max Air aircraft departed Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, at about 2pm Tuesday for Abuja, when the unfortunate incident occurred. The THE WHISPERER learnt that the aircraft earlier scheduled for 1 pm was delayed for few hours before taken off, perhaps to enable the airliner fix a supposed technical issue. A palace source on entourage of the Emir of Kano, who confirmed the narrow escape, told The Guardian on telephone…

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened a nationwide shutdown over the faceoff between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Kaduna State government. Labour had declared a five-day warning strike over some policies of Governor Nasir El-Rufai, especially the sacking of 4,000 workers. In a statement, the National President of the NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, said the union which is one of the 46 bodies affiliated with the NLC, is observing the Kaduna situation closely. He said if the attacks on protesters continue, NUPENG would withdraw its services nationwide. “The Leadership of the Union is…

The Nigeria Immigration Service has ordered the suspension of processing of new passport applications in all passport offices nationwide. The directive, which took effect on May 17, was disclosed in a statement signed by the Deputy Comptroller General, AB Yarima. The statement described the suspension as a necessary step to ease the preparation for the commencement of a new passport regime. “This directive, which comes into effect from today, May 17, 2021, has become necessary to allow enough time to clear all backlog of applications sequel to the commencement of the new passport regime on June 1, 2021,” said the…

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, urged the Senate to approve a new external loan of N2,343,387,942,848.00, about $6.183billion, for the Federal Government to finance the 2021 budget deficit. Senate President Ahmad Lawan read Mr Buhari’s letter of request on the floor of the Senate at plenary. Details later…

Twenty-three governors have keyed into the call for restructuring, following yesterday’s decision by governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Six PDP governors from the North, have joined the clamour by the 17 governors from the South who also canvassed a national dialogue and decentralisation of police at last week’s Asaba meeting. The PDP governors are Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Dairus Ishaku (Taraba), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Balla Mohammed (Bauchi) and Bello Mattawale (Zamfara). At different fora, Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Bello Masari (Katsina) and Babagana Zulum (Borno) had reiterated their clamour…

Comrade Ayuba Wabba, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has been declared wanted, according to Malam Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State. Wabba was last seen publicly in Kaduna where he led members of NLC on a protest against policies of El-Rufai’s administration. NLC had led members of affiliate unions on a protest that crippled economic activities in Kaduna. Banks, hospital, train station, airport were shut while the state was plunged into darkness as electricity workers also joined the mass action. In a tweet on Tuesday, the Kaduna governor said NLC leaders had been declared wanted for economic sabotage…

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, met with members of his cabinet in Aba on Monday to deliberate on additional measures needed to ensure protection of lives and property in the state following recent attacks on police stations by yet to be identified hoodlums. Briefing newsmen after the meeting which was attended by the Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, and other members of the state executive council, the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, stated that the state government was set to organize a security roundtable involving key stakeholders in the state to review the prevailing situation…

Security operatives have arrested a dismissed army lance corporal allegedly responsible for training and recruiting people into the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the outlawed pro-Biafra group, IPOB. According to PREMIUM TIMES, He was arrested a few days after a top commander of the group, Awurum Eze, was arrested in Aba, Abia State. The group is alleged to have been responsible for killings of security agents and destruction of public properties in the South-east and South-south zones. They have, however, denied the allegations. According to sources, the 32 years old dismissed soldier, whose name was given as…

Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia state,  Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has responded to reports circulating in the media that Senator representing Abia South Senatorial zone , Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe incited members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to attack his countryhome Igbere,  Abia State Opera news recently reported that a member of the IPOB,  Chukwuma Obidike revealed how Senator Abaribe reached out to some members of the IPOB, urging them to attack Senator Kalu's countryhome. The report quoted Abaribe to have stated that the attack would send a good  signal to other stakeholders from…