Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Cricket Takes Centre Stage In Ogun As NCF Upgrades Facilities. The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has upgraded the turf wicket at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to host cricket matches. NCF President, Uyi Akpata, revealed that the federation is committed to ensuring that cricket facilities in Nigeria meet international standards. According to Akpata, the upgrade is part of the NCF’s efforts to accelerate the growth and development of cricket in Nigeria. The federation has been working to deliver four new facilities, including the one at the MKO Abiola Stadium, to provide a sustainable platform for the sport.…

Champions League Semifinal Showdown: Inter Milan And Barcelona Set For Thrilling Decider. The battle for a spot in the Champions League final between Inter Milan and Barcelona reaches its climax today, with the two giants set to clash in the second leg of their semifinal tie. Last week’s encounter at the Camp Nou ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, setting the stage for a nail-biting conclusion. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, the youngest goal scorer in Champions League semifinal history, will be a key figure for the Catalan side. The 17-year-old’s inspired performance in the first leg, including a goal and…

Babcock University Denies Involvement In Student’s Disappearance, Threatens Legal Action. Babcock University has refuted allegations of negligence and complicity in the disappearance of one of its students, Oladipupo Siwajuola. The university claims that Siwajuola left the school unlawfully, without following established protocols or obtaining proper clearance from authorities. In a statement, the university’s Director of Communication and Public Relations, Joshua Suleiman, criticized Siwajuola’s mother for taking to social media to sensationalize the matter and accuse the institution and its students of negligence. Suleiman emphasized that the university takes the safety and well-being of its students seriously and has robust protocols…

Prophet Discharged And Acquitted By Magistrate’s Court In Ogun. A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abeokuta has discharged and acquitted Prophet Godwin Ojerinde, a cleric, over a criminal allegation of indecent assault levelled against him by his female tenant, Mrs Motunrayo Saheed. The defendant was arraigned before Her Worship O.M. Somefun on March 25, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecution’s case relied solely on the testimony of Mrs Saheed, who alleged that the defendant physically assaulted and stripped her in her apartment. However, the prosecution failed to tender documentary evidence or call other witnesses to corroborate…

Low Uptake Of Student Loan Scheme In South-East And South-South Regions — Says NELFUND. The National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has expressed concern over the low number of student loan applications from the South-East and South-South regions. As of May 4, 2025, the South-East Country region had 27,098 applications, while the South-South region had 37,180 applications. In contrast, the North-West region had the highest number of applicants, with 157,831 students, followed by the North-East with 127,058 applicants. Skepticism about the Scheme The low uptake of the student loan scheme in the South-East and South-South regions has been attributed to…

NIPOST To Go Cashless: A Step Towards Modernisation. The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has announced a significant shift in its operations, as it prepares to transition to a fully cashless system. Starting July 1, 2025, all NIPOST counters nationwide will no longer accept cash payments for their services. Instead, customers will be required to use approved electronic channels for all transactions. *Modernising NIPOST* This move is part of NIPOST’s ongoing reforms, themed “Change of Renewed Hope Berths at NIPOST Shores,” aimed at transforming the institution into a modern entity focused on innovation and digital advancement. The reforms are…

Federal Government Approves Bill To Establish National Cocoa Management Board. The Federal Executive Council (FEC), led by President Bola Tinubu, has approved a proposed legislation to create the National Cocoa Management Board (NCMB). The board will oversee the regulation of the cocoa industry, with the aim of fostering economic growth and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global cocoa market. Boosting Cocoa Production The NCMB will be responsible for restoring and enhancing cocoa plantations, approving and regulating market regulations, and offering low-interest loans to cocoa farmers. The board’s establishment is expected to boost the livelihoods of cocoa farmers, encourage strong…

Cross River Government To Review Safety Measures At Obudu Ranch Resort. The Cross River State Government has announced plans to review safety measures at the Obudu Ranch Resort following a fatal crash near the Ikwette community bottom hill. The accident, which occurred on Saturday, claimed four lives and left nine injured. A vehicle carrying 13 passengers, including seminarians from the Enugu Catholic Diocese, was involved in the tragic incident, with preliminary reports suggesting brake failure may have contributed to the crash. Government’s Response Governor Bassey Otu confirmed the plan to review safety measures in a statement on Sunday, expressing…

Tinubu Unveils “Nigeria First Policy” To Boost Local Industry. In a bold move to bolster Nigeria’s economy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the “Nigeria First Policy,” a sweeping initiative aimed at prioritising local industries in all government procurement activities. The policy, revealed on Sunday, seeks to curb reliance on foreign goods and services, promote homegrown solutions, and enhance domestic manufacturing capacity. Under the new directive, Nigerian industries will take precedence in procurement processes across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). President Tinubu emphasised that contractors will no longer act as intermediaries for foreign products while local factories remain…

Civil Society Groups Demand Resignation Of Senate President Akpabio Over Electoral Fraud Ruling. A coalition of 56 prominent Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria has called for the immediate resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio following a Court of Appeal ruling that upheld the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban for electoral fraud in the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial election. The appellate court in Calabar last Wednesday affirmed a three-year prison sentence for Professor Ogban, the returning officer who was found guilty of falsifying election results to secure victory for Akpabio, then a candidate for the All-Progressives Congress (APC).…

Kano NLC Endorses Governor Yusuf For Second Term, Hails Worker-Friendly Reforms. The Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for a second term, lauding his administration’s “unprecedented commitment” to the welfare of workers and pensioners. The endorsement was announced by NLC State Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, during the 2025 International Workers’ Day celebrations at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano. Addressing a vibrant crowd, Comrade Inuwa praised Governor Yusuf as a trailblazer, noting that he was the first Nigerian governor to implement the new N71,000 minimum wage. “This bold…

Presidency Challenges AfDB President’s Claims On Nigeria’s Economic Decline. The Nigerian Presidency has strongly refuted remarks by African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina, who claimed that Nigerians are economically worse off today than in 1960. The rebuttal, delivered by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, branded Adesina’s statements as “substantive lies” unsupported by verified data. Speaking at the 20th anniversary dinner of investment firm Chapel Hill Denham in Lagos last week, Adesina suggested Nigeria’s GDP per capita had plummeted from $1,847 in 1960 to $824 today, implying a significant decline in living standards.…