A 56-year-old woman poisoned five other Vietnamese tourists with cyanide served in cups before drinking the poison herself in a luxury hotel in Thailand.
The bodies of three men and three women were discovered on Tuesday evening by staff in a suite of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok’s city Centre.
The first inspection of the scene revealed no traces of violence and robbery was quickly ruled out.
The spokesman for Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Bureau, Noppasil Poonsawas, said at a press conference on Wednesday that one of the six tourists, two of whom also held the United States passports, was behind the deaths.
He said: “We would like to confirm that one of the six dead caused this incident using cyanide.
“We are confident one of the six conducted the crime.”
Meanwhile, the relatives of the dead confirmed to journalists that there had been a dispute over money.
The post Vietnamese tourist kills five, self in Thai hotel appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Vietnamese tourist kills five, self in Thai hotel
NNPP founder, Kwankwaso clash over logo, constitution changes
The Founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission for assenting to the change in the NNPP logo and colour as well as the amendment of the party constitution.
Aniebonam also accused the National Leader of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and his camp of disobeying the court order by holding a national convention and hoodwinking INEC officials to grace the event.
The NNPP founder expressed his anger at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
While lamenting that many concerned Nigerians and stakeholders have blamed him for welcoming Kwankwaso and his loyalists into the party, Aniebonam disclosed that all he ever wanted was to ensure they create a platform that would result in a better Nigeria.
He, however, warned that the recent amendment of the constitution and change in logo, colour and flag are null and void as he is still in possession of the certificate that was used to register the party.
“I founded this party in 2001 with the aim of creating a space and choice for ordinary Nigerians. But it is no longer representing its name. All I wanted was a better Nigeria which Kwankwaso and the rest have frustrated. I am the founder and the chairman of the board of trustees of the party. It is also written in the constitution that I am a life member of the board. That means you cannot wake up tomorrow and say you have sacked me.
“But this Kwankwaso and his unemployed characters seem to be going about saying they have sacked the founder. Don’t you think something is wrong with them? Secondly, their penchant for disobeying the law and disrespecting court orders is unbelievable. You don’t have to be a lawyer to know that once a matter is before the court, everybody must remain in its original position pending the determination of the suit.
“Why are we then hearing that Kwankwaso has held a convention when the matter is in court? Yet, he and INEC were duly served. Why should INEC also attend that particular convention? That is nonsense. Again, why should INEC go to the extent of also approving the change in logo, flag and colour of the party?
“Here is the question: If you go to a bank to open a company account, won’t you be asked for relevant documents and the CAC certificate? The NNPP registration certificate is still in my possession. As of the time INEC approved the amending of the constitution and changing of the logo, didn’t it request the original certificate? What exactly is wrong with INEC? All I can say is that the chairman of INEC should improve on his supervision in the commission he is managing,” he stated.
The camp of Kwankwaso has, however, disagreed with the position of the founder.
Reacting via an exclusive phone chat, the National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, said Aniebonam’s claim was a falsehood.
While reiterating that INEC has not erred in the execution of its duties, Johnson insisted that the founder and his factional team remained expelled.
He said, “Aniebonam lied. Let him produce any court order that said there should be a status quo. There was a court summon. Expectedly, we turned up in court just like INEC, and their motion was struck out. The court also ruled that they were no longer members.”
When reminded that the NNPP constitution does not recognise the expulsion of its founder and a life member, Johnson kicked.
“You can only remain a life member if you are of good behaviour. It does not mean that you are above the Constitution. Go and look at the case of APGA involving Victor Umeh and others all the way to the Supreme Court. They removed their so-called founder, and the apex court upheld it.
“No one is above the constitution. The bottom line is that Aniebonam is out of the party and INEC has followed constitutional procedures.”
Babcock alumni partner EASS to launch online fundraising platform
Babcock University Alumni Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Education Advancement Support Services to strengthen alumni engagement and boost fundraising efforts.
The collaboration aims to create an online platform called Konnect, specifically designed to connect with Babcock alumni and donors around the world.
This was disclosed in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the MoU outlines EASS’ responsibilities in developing and managing Konnect, which include implementing and programming the platform, importing relevant data, customising and branding the user interface, and managing BUAA’s administrative portal, among others.
At the MoU signing ceremony, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ademola Tayo, was said to have expressed his confidence in the partnership, as he emphasised the importance of prioritising alumni outreach before initiating fundraising activities.
The statement read, “He, however, said it was important that the company first reach out to the alumni before they engage them for anything whatsoever.
“Professor Tayo explained that EASS would leverage the alumni to scout for the funds for which they would earn their percentage.
“If you do it well, you will get much, and if you do little, you will also get little, he advised.”
The National President of BUAA, Dr. Adeoti Tayo, was also said to have seen the MoU as a strategic step towards financial sustainability.
Adeoti was quoted as saying, “It is one thing for the alumni to receive from the university, another thing for the alumni to give back to the university.
“We want to add value to our alma mater by shifting the burden of funding from the institution to the alumni, as commonly done in developed countries.”
The Chief Executive Officer, EASS, Tunde Ijiyemi, also assured them that the company would employ its online platform, Konnect, which aids in easy fundraising, campaigns, and tools to engage alumni and other donors to get donations to support the Alumni operational activities, mission, and vision.
“We have just entered into a partnership with Babcock Alumni to engage her alumni wherever they are anywhere in the world,” he said.
Adamawa constitutes LG election petition tribunal, appeal panel
Adamawa State has constituted a petition tribunal and an appeal panel to treat petitions that may arise from the local government election that took place in the state last Saturday.
The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission, ADSIEC, had on Saturday, July 13, conducted elections that produced chairmen and councilors for the 21 local government areas of the state.
The state Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahaman swore in the chairmen and members of the petition tribunal and appeal panel at the state High Court, Yola, on Wednesday.
In her remark, the CJ explained that the formation and inauguration of the tribunal and panel is in tandem with sections 53 and 58 of the Adamawa State Electoral Law, 2002, which empowers her as the chief judge to carry out the task.
She charged members of the tribunal and panel to work with the fear of God and ensure quick disposition of matters that may come before them.
Speaking on behalf of the members, President of the Appeal Panel, Justice Samuel Kyanson pledged the committees’ resolve to live up to its responsibilities.
The time frame for the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal is three months while that of the Appeal Panel is two months.
The election Petition Tribunal consist of Daniel John as Chairman; Sa’adatu Umar Babayi and Ahijo Idris Ateeq (retired) are members while Lawan Musa serves as the secretary and Zainab Buba, assistant secretary.
The Appeal Panel includes Justice Samuel Kyanson as President, with Justice Abbas Hobon as member.
Adamawa constitutes LG election petition tribunal, appeal panel
Student loan: Southern universities sceptical as North leads applications
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Dr. Akintunde Sawyerr, says students of higher institutions based in Nigeria’s south are not applying for loans because they doubt its viability.
Sawyerr said this when he briefed State House correspondents after the launch of the disbursement of loans to applicants by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
He noted that more students from the north have applied for the loans owing to better coordination by tertiary institutions in the region.
“In the southern part of the country, there’s growing awareness and interest. There’s been a lot of scepticism, and I think the most sceptical parts of the country are in the South; they question everything: is it true? Is it real? Is it a scam?
“And I think what you witnessed today with us actually starting this disbursement programme is to say that ‘this is not NO FUND. This is NELFUND.’
“The zones with the highest, I can say to you that institutions in the north of the country have been very proactive at supporting and helping their students and providing their data to us,” Sawyerr said.
He assured Nigerians that the early scepticism will dissipate as more loans are disbursed.
“So, that’s where the leaning is currently. But that (high adoption in the north) is to be expected because they seem very well organised in terms of networking in the northern part of the country.
“So, I think we’ll see the scepticism that you can find mainly in the southern part begin to disappear when we start paying out,” he added.
Nonetheless, Sawyerr said the FUND is playing its part to raise awareness in the South so students in the region will embrace the scheme when disbursements begin.
He also revealed that more university students have applied for loans than students of polytechnics and colleges of education.
He stated: “We’re trying to ensure that people know this is not a trick, it’s not a game. Mr President has backed this with cash, and we’re going to disburse that cash.
“In terms of the three levels of institutions, the universities are the ones with the highest demand for the loans, then I think it’s followed by the polytechnics and then the teacher training colleges and I think it’s probably going to remain that way, the bias is going to remain that way.”
Students of private institutions were excluded from the scheme because they charge more expensive school fees, said Sawyerr, adding that if the government-funded private university students, it would be unable to meet the expectations of the initiative.
He also affirmed that the loan scheme would have a positive impact on many lives in the country, saying: “The effect of providing this opportunity for the most needy Nigerians, most capable Nigerians in many ways, and the people who probably will look after us, or whose decisions will impact on us in our old age cannot be underestimated.
“These are the most important people in the country that we’re trying to affect.
“So, I want to give all the praise and all the recognition to the president, His Excellency Bola Tinubu, for having the vision and the courage to do what he has just done. I’m sure you’ve all heard that fortune favours the brave and this courageous move will bring fortune not just to him but to the entire nation.”
Also speaking briefing journalists was the national president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Lucky Imonife, who affirmed that the loans are accessible to all students irrespective of background.
“Nigerian students are happy that the dream has come true. It was once a dream, it has become an act and today is the presidential launch and disbursement.
“We are very proud of this. We, as Nigerian students, will call it a new dawn in the education sector.
“Whatever background you belong to, you can assess the loan. Once you apply, you will get it, irrespective of your status, your age and your class,” said Imonife.
In April 2024, President Tinubu signed into law the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2024.
In an explainer issued earlier, the Presidency said the new law replaces the repealed Student Loan Act, 2023, which, it said, had some challenges bordering on governance and management, purpose of the loans, eligibility criteria for applicants, method of application, repayment provisions and loan recovery.
The Act seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
Kanu sees doctor after health concerns, complex conditions diagnosed
Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel for the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has provided an update on the health condition of the detained IPOB leader.
According Online reports that Ejimakor disclosed in a tweet on X.com on Tuesday that Kanu was ill and exhibiting shortness of breath and low blood pressure, among others, but was denied access to a physician by the Department of State Services.
In another post on X.com on Wednesday, Ejimakor stated that the DSS has allowed Kanu to meet with a physician, and the doctor’s report diagnosed “complex medical conditions.”
He added that the doctor’s report requires that the IPOB leader be taken to the hospital for a detailed diagnosis.
His post read, “Today, DSS finally allowed MAZI NNAMDI KANU’s physician to see him.
“The doctor’s preliminary report presented complex medical conditions that require that #MNK be taken to a hospital for a more detailed diagnosis.
“This will follow a report that will be sent to DG-DSS by the doctor.”
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.
Contact: [email protected]
Gunmen abduct Navy personnel, 7 others in Akwa Ibom
Gunmen on Monday abducted a naval rating and seven others in the Ibaka local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
The spokesman for the state police command, Timfon John, confirmed the abduction to journalists on Tuesday in Eket.
She said the victims were abducted at the Classic Point Hotel, Ibaka, where they went for relaxation.
READ ALSO: Gunmen kidnap two journalists, family members in Kaduna
The spokesperson said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, led a team of police officers to the community shortly after he was briefed on the incident.
John said: “The Commissioner of Police has already led a team of security personnel to the community.
“I can assure you that with that visit by the Commissioner of Police and other strategic approaches being taken, normalcy will return.”
The post Gunmen abduct Navy personnel, 7 others in Akwa Ibom appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Tinubu to Alake: Issue mining licenses to investors ready to add value to locally sourced minerals
Bent on boosting revenue from the mining sector, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to restrict mining licenses to only those willing to add value to minerals sourced locally.
The move, according to the President, is to open up economic opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire skills and contribute to the overall development of the country.
The directive was handed down to the minister on Wednesday during the opening session of the African Natural Resources & Energy Investment Summit, 2024, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that his administration is focused on creating an enabling business environment to attract investment that encourages ‘value addition’ on solid minerals before they are exported.
“We recognize there are losses incurred from exporting crude mineral commodities and we have the understanding that it is time to change this narrative.
Believing that doing so, we aim to ensure that our teeming youth are actively engaged in economic activities, acquiring skills and contributing to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.
“To this end, the Ministry will only issue mining licenses if they are tied to local value addition,” the President said.
He asserted that his administration’s goal in the solid minerals sector is “to make Nigeria a leader in critical metals”.
Tinubu also noted the contributions of stakeholders in the establishment of the African Minerals Strategy Group with Nigeria as the first chairman of the initiative.
“We aim to set new standards in the mining industry and ensure that Africa gets an equitable slice of supplying the world with critical metals.
“In our transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems, we also recognize the pivotal role that natural gas plays. Natural gas is a transition fuel that will fundamentally restructure our nation’s economy,” the President added.
Tinubu to Alake: Issue mining licenses to investors ready to add value to locally sourced minerals
Katsina lawmakers stage a walkout over phone ban at meeting with gov
There was a mild drama on Wednesday at the Katsina State Government House when the House of Assembly members protested against Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s order banning the use of mobile phones at the venue of a joint meeting with the governor.
The lawmakers claimed that the governor allegedly instructed the security personnel manning the entrance to the venue of the meeting to ensure that all the lawmakers submit their mobile phones before entering the Katsina Government House.
The joint meeting which was scheduled to be held at 11 am was delayed for about two hours following the protests and walkout staged by the lawmakers.
Security operatives attached to the Government House while carrying out the directive prevented the members and journalists from entering the meeting venue with their phones as ordered by the governor.
The situation prompted the lawmakers to stage a walkout at the meeting venue.
Radda had called for a joint meeting with the members of the Executive Council, State Assembly, and the 34 local government chairmen at the Council Chamber to discuss the recent Supreme Court’s verdict on Local Government autonomy and the signing of the 2024 supplementary budget.
Our correspondent who was at the venue observed that the members pleaded with security operatives to go in with their phones but this request was turned down.
The situation also degenerated into a walkout of the venue after the House of Assembly’s Speaker, Nasir Daura’s intervention fell on deaf ears.
“This is embarrassing. Even after much persuasion and pleadings, the security people still did not allow us access to the meeting venue with our phone,” one of the aggrieved lawmakers told The According.
Other lawmakers said they considered the directive and action as offensive and an infringement on their rights.
“As you can see, in anger, we had to call the speaker out of the venue to join us in the protest.
“We told him, ‘You better come out of there and meet us at the complex immediately. Luckily, the Speaker too left the building,” another lawmaker said.
However, it was not clear on whose intervention the members later went to the venue after two hours where Daura, thereafter, presented the 2024 supplementary budget to the governor for his assent.
While presenting the supplementary budget, the speaker assured Radda that the Assembly would support the policies of the government for development to thrive.
“We are here to present the 2024 supplementary budget for Katsina State as passed by the honourable House. The House of Assembly is ever ready to support your policies. Thank you,” the Daura stated.
Radda, after signing the supplementary budget into law, announced the figure of N27, 399,967, 890. and his desire to embark on a 30-day leave from official duties, saying, “I want to thank the House for the passage of the supplementary budget. You are always supportive of this government and prompt in addressing the challenges affecting the State. We thank you very much.
“The adjusted figure of the budget is an inflow sum of N27, 399,967, 890. And the total budget we have for the state including the supplementary budget is in the sum of N481, 78, 830,120 that has just been signed. I also want to seize this opportunity to inform you that I will be leaving for my vacation tomorrow, Thursday, 18 July 2024, and hope to return back to Katsina on the 18th of August, 2024.
“I transmitted power to the Deputy Governor to act as an acting governor for this period of 30 days. I have sent the letter to the State Assembly, which was approved as provided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The acting governor, I wish you well for these 30 days while in office,” Radda stated.
Tinubu govt has mismanaged Nigeria’s economy – PDP Governors
Governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has again lashes out at the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government over its management of the country’s economy.
The governors, who made the observation in a statement they issued after their meeting in Enugu, said they identified with the Nigerians masses over the current hardship in the country.
The meeting, under the aegis of the PDP Governors Forum, had in attendance Gov. Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State, Chairman, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State, Vice Chairman, Gov. Peter N. Mba (Host), Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State, Gov. Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom State, Gov. Douye Diri, Bayelsa State, Member, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, Edo State, Gov. Seyi Makinde, Oyo State, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau State, Gov. Agbu Kefas, Taraba State and Gov. Dauda Lawal, Zamfara State
The governors also frowned at the protracted minimum wage negotiation, urging that the issue be resolved as soon as possible in consideration of the various levels of government.
According to the communiqué, “The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues that border on our critical national interest, the state of our party particularly the forthcoming congress, the unprecedented hardship faced by majority of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the APC-led Federal Government, the minimum wage negotiations, and the recurring issue of inter-governmental relations with special reference to local government autonomy and funding.
“Following exhaustive discussions and consultations, the meeting resolved as follows: In the spirit of the founding fathers of our great party who adopted internal democracy as the fundamental principle on which our party was built, the congresses leading to the election of party leaders, at the various tiers, must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair and in strict compliance with the constitution of the party.
“To ensure the successful conduct of the congresses across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.”
On the off season elections in Edo and Ondo, the forum admonished all the parties to the elections “to ensure that campaigns are issues-based, violence-free and in strict compliance with the provisions of the electoral act.
“Urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and unimpeachable elections as any act of bias will be totally resisted.
“Urges Mr. President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process.
“The Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led Federal Government.
“The minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted. In the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of majority of our people, the Forum resolves as follows:
“That Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands the total support of the Forum
“While the Forum fully supports Labour’s demand, agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the local government, sub-national and federal government.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately, the collapse of the economy.”
The governors also took a stand on the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy, declaring that they believed in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people as provided for in the constitution.
“Will continue to support the autonomy of the Local Governments as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Forum holds the Supreme Court in the highest esteem, and is committed to obedience to court orders. However, the Forum urges that implementation of the court decision must be done in a manner that does not create a trust deficit between the federal governments and sub-national governments while also ensuring that the system does not suffer,” they further stated.
Tinubu govt has mismanaged Nigeria’s economy – PDP Governors
