Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Herodium: King Herod’s Magnificent Palace Unearthed In Judean Desert. In the heart of the Judean Desert, near the historic city of Bethlehem in Israel, lies Herodium, an archaeological marvel that stands as a testament to the grandeur and ambition of King Herod the Great. Known as one of antiquity’s most visionary builders, Herod’s legacy is vividly preserved in this extraordinary site, which continues to enthral historians, archaeologists, and visitors from across the globe. Constructed between 23 and 15 BCE, Herodium is far more than a mere relic; it is a window into an era of opulence, innovation, and architectural brilliance…

Lagos Loses N19.52 Billion In Property To Fire Disasters In 2024, Says State Government. The Lagos State Government has revealed that property worth an estimated N19.52 billion was destroyed in fire incidents across the state in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced fire safety measures. The announcement, made by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, underscores the devastating impact of fire outbreaks on the state’s economic and social fabric. Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Ikeja on Monday to mark the first anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, Oyerinde disclosed that…

Atiku, Obi, And El-Rufai Unite Under ADC To Challenge Tinubu In 2027 Nigerian Election. In a significant development for Nigeria’s political landscape, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Nasir El-Rufai of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have concluded months of discussions to form a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election, according to a source cited by Bloomberg. This strategic alliance aims to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in what promises to be a fiercely…

Nigeria Ranks 146th In Global GDP Per Capita, World Bank Reports. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has been ranked 146th out of 191 countries in terms of GDP per capita, according to the latest data from the World Bank. The ranking, highlighted in a recent report, underscores the economic challenges facing the country despite its position as the continent’s largest economy. The World Bank estimates Nigeria’s GDP per capita at approximately $6,207 (PPP, current international dollars) for 2023, reflecting the total value of goods and services produced divided by the population of over 230 million. This places Nigeria significantly…

DSS Denies Involvement In Nnamdi Kanu’s Controversial Arrest In Kenya. The Department of State Services (DSS) has categorically denied any role in the contentious arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Kenya in 2021. The agency, Nigeria’s secret police, clarified during a Federal High Court hearing in Abuja that its operations are strictly confined to Nigeria’s territorial borders, dismissing allegations of involvement in Kanu’s extradition. The statement came during the cross-examination of a prosecution witness, identified only as “BBB” for security reasons, in Kanu’s ongoing terrorism and treasonable felony trial. The…

Nigeria’s Beach Handball: A Sport On The Brink, Starved Of Funding And Vision. In Nigeria, a nation blessed with a sprawling coastline and a passion for sports, beach handball—a dynamic, sand-based variant of the traditional game—should be thriving. Yet, this Olympic sport, governed by the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) since at least 2003, teeters on the edge of obscurity. The promise of international glory, youth development, and socio-economic impact is being choked by a chronic lack of funding and what some call a “lackadaisical attitude” from those tasked with its growth. If urgent action isn’t taken, beach handball risks…

Spurs End 17-Year Drought With Europa League Glory: Tottenham Triumph Over Manchester United In Bilbao!. In a heart-stopping UEFA Europa League final at the electric San Mamés Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur etched their name into history with a gritty 1-0 victory over Manchester United, ending a 17-year wait for silverware. Brennan Johnson’s first-half strike, a deft finish from Pape Sarr’s pinpoint cross, proved the difference in a tense all-English showdown, securing Spurs’ third Europa League title and a coveted spot in the 2025-26 Champions League. A Night to Remember The 49,924 fans packed into Bilbao’s iconic stadium witnessed a…

Federal Government Launches Nationwide Monitoring To Boost Secondary School Education Quality In Nigeria. As part of process towards enhancing the quality of education across Nigeria, the Federal Government has officially launched a nationwide monitoring initiative for secondary schools. The programme, inaugurated on Monday at the Federal Government College (FGC) in Malali, Kaduna, aims to assess and elevate educational standards in senior secondary institutions, ensuring students receive a high-quality learning experience. The National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) is spearheading this ambitious 2025 Quality Assurance Monitoring and Evaluation exercise. Dr Iyela Ajayi, the Executive Secretary of the NSSEC, announced that…

Unverified Reports Of Coup Attempt In Ivory Coast Spark Concern. Rumours of a possible coup attempt in Ivory Coast have surfaced, prompting widespread concern and speculation across the West African nation. Unverified reports on social media platform X formerly Twitter claim that a coup is underway, with allegations of significant unrest, including protests, government buildings set ablaze, and disruptions to internet and media services. However, no verified outlets, including BBC, Reuters, or Al Jazeera, have confirmed these claims as of 21 May 2025. According to posts circulating on X, the alleged coup began on 19-20 May 2025, with some…

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi Proposes Relocation Of Old Communities Near Abuja Airport. Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, has stirred controversy with a proposal in the Nigerian Senate to relocate communities near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. During a plenary session on 14 May 2025, aired live by NASSTV, the Deputy Chief Whip argued that the sight of old houses and informal settlements when landing at the airport portrays a negative image of Nigeria to international visitors. The proposal, however, faced strong opposition from Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other senators, igniting a broader discussion about urban development…

Nigerian Billionaire Aliko Dangote Named In TIME100 World’s Most Influential Philanthropists List For 2025. Nigerian billionaire and business magnate Aliko Dangote has been named among the world’s most influential philanthropists in TIME Magazine’s inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy List for 2025, released on Tuesday. As the only Nigerian honouree, Dangote joins global icons such as Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Melinda French Gates in the prestigious “Titans” category, recognised for his transformative contributions to social impact across Africa. Dangote, Africa’s richest man with a net worth of £18.8 billion (approximately $23.9 billion), built his fortune through the Dangote Group,…

Senate Advances Bill To Streamline Asset Recovery, Stripping EFCC And ICPC Of Management Powers. The Nigerian Senate has passed the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Amendment Bill 2025 for its second reading on Tuesday, 20 May 2025. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Idiat Adebule (APC, Lagos West), seeks to strip the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other anti-graft agencies of their authority to manage assets recovered from unlawful activities, proposing instead the creation of a centralised, independent agency to oversee the process. The bill aims to…