Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Niger State Assembly Orders Probe Into Uncompleted Minna General Hospital Project. The Niger State House of Assembly has directed its Committee on Works and Infrastructure to investigate the stalled construction of the General Hospital Minna building project, aiming to address the facility’s worsening infrastructure crisis. The decision followed a motion tabled by Hon. Pharm. Nasir Umar, the representative for Paikoro Constituency, during a plenary session chaired by Speaker Barr. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji. The motion highlighted the urgent need to complete the project, which was initiated under the administration of former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to ease pressure on the…

Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Gifted Nord A9 SUV After Friendly Match With CEO. Nigerian chess prodigy and Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya has been presented with a brand-new Nord A9 SUV by Nord Motion, a leading indigenous automaker, following a spirited chess match with the company’s CEO, Oluwatobi Ajayi. The friendly showdown, which took place at Nord’s headquarters, showcased Onakoya’s strategic brilliance, further cementing his reputation as a national treasure. In a gesture of appreciation, Nord Motion gifted the chess master the sleek Nord A9, a symbol of Nigerian innovation and craftsmanship. Onakoya, visibly moved by the…

President Tinubu Arrives In Anambra To Commission Landmark Projects. President Bola Tinubu touched down at Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, on Wednesday, marking the start of an official visit to Anambra State. The Nigerian leader, dressed in vibrant Akwete Igbo fabric and a matching red cap, arrived aboard a Nigerian Air Force Airbus at 12:17 pm to a warm reception. Governor Chukwuma Soludo, alongside his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, members of the State House of Assembly, and other top dignitaries, welcomed the president at the airport. The national anthem rang out, followed by gun salutes from personnel of the Nigerian…

Federal High Court In Abuja Dismisses MultiChoice Nigeria’s Suit Against FCCPC Over DStv, GOtv Price Hike. In a significant ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit brought by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited challenging the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) regarding recent increases in subscription fees for DStv and GOtv services. The judgement, delivered on Thursday by Justice James Omotoso, marks a victory for the FCCPC, which had contested the price hikes implemented by MultiChoice, a leading provider of satellite television services in Nigeria. The court’s decision upholds the regulatory body’s authority to scrutinise pricing…

Nigeria’s Top Five Oil Firms Post Impressive 2024 Revenues As Aradel Holdings Leads The Pack. Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has delivered an exceptional financial performance in 2024, with five leading companies recording strong year-on-year growth across key financial metrics. Aradel Holdings emerged as the standout performer, topping the revenue chart with ₦581 billion and delivering staggering profit growth that underlines the industry’s resilience amid evolving market dynamics. Aradel Holdings: Sector Leader by Revenue and Profit Under the leadership of CEO Adegbite Falade—who earned ₦2.43 billion in compensation—Aradel Holdings posted a remarkable 162.7% year-on-year revenue growth. The firm’s operating…

Jonathan Warns Against Covert One-Party System In Nigeria. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned against the covert establishment of a one-party system in Nigeria, warning that such a move could destabilise the nation’s fragile democracy. Speaking at a memorial lecture in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, Jonathan emphasised the dangers of political manipulation aimed at sidelining opposition parties. Jonathan noted that while countries like Tanzania have successfully implemented a one-party system, it was properly planned and executed. However, Nigeria’s complex ethnic, religious, and political landscape necessitates a more inclusive political framework. “If we must, as…

Putin’s Three-Day Truce With Ukraine Takes Effect Amid Skepticism. A three-day truce declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin took effect today, aimed at coinciding with Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations. The Kremlin hopes this gesture will test Ukraine’s readiness for peace, but Kyiv has dismissed the move as mere theatrics. Despite the truce, exchanges of aerial attacks between Moscow and Kyiv continued just hours before the ceasefire was set to begin. Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod airport was temporarily closed due to Ukrainian drone strikes, while Russian attacks on Ukraine resulted in at least two fatalities. Background of the Conflict Russia’s…

Court Admits Tapes Of Nnamdi Kanu’s Incendiary Broadcasts. A Federal High Court has admitted into evidence tapes of broadcasts made by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in which he allegedly called for the killings of President Bola Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The tapes were played in court during the testimony of a Department of State Services (DSS) official, who stated that Kanu confirmed making the broadcasts. In one of the recordings, Kanu announced a N100 million bounty for Wike’s head and called for the burning…

Columbia University To Lay Off Nearly 180 Staff Members After Loss Of Federal Funding. Columbia University has announced that it will be laying off almost 180 staff members following the revocation of $400 million in federal funding. The decision comes after President Donald Trump’s administration cut off funding in response to the university’s handling of student protests against the war in Gaza. The layoffs represent approximately 20% of employees whose roles were supported by the terminated federal grants. According to the university, the decision was made after careful consideration of its financial resources and their impact on its staff.…

Digital Divide Persists In Africa, Rural Areas Worst Hit. A recent report has highlighted the significant digital divide in Africa, with rural areas being in the worst shape. Despite progress in digital adoption, millions of people in the region lack access to the internet, with 14% of the access gap attributed to the absence of telecom infrastructure. Key Findings – 38% of Africa’s population used the internet in 2024, up from 25% in 2018, but still the lowest regional rate globally. – 70% of the population is covered by 4G or 5G, but 14% are without access, while 16%…

Nigerian House Of Representatives Launches Probe Into N200 Billion CBN Loan For National Mass Metering Programme. The House of Representatives has announced a thorough investigation into the disbursement and utilisation of a N200 billion loan provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP). The initiative, aimed at providing free electricity meters to Nigerian consumers, is under scrutiny to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. Rep. Uchenna Okonkwo (LP-Anambra), Chairman of the 19-member investigative committee, revealed the probe in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja. The committee, recently…

Nigeria Bolsters Defence Efforts Against Insurgency, Strengthens Regional Security. In a significant step towards enhancing national and regional security, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, has outlined robust measures to combat insurgency and bolster stability in the Lake Chad and Sahel regions. Speaking at a Ministerial Briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Badaru highlighted Nigeria’s progress in weakening terrorist groups and adapting to evolving regional dynamics. The Lake Chad Basin, spanning Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, remains a hotspot for jihadist activities, with groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) exploiting local grievances and state…