Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Global Press Freedom Under Siege: Journalists Face Rising Dangers. The world is witnessing a concerning decline in democracy and press freedom, with authoritarian leaders on the rise and journalists facing unprecedented threats. According to Reporters Without Borders, the global political barometer has declined by 7.6 points this year, highlighting governments’ failure to protect journalists and enable the destruction of truth. The spread of disinformation, particularly during elections, has become a significant concern. In dictatorships and autocracies, new technologies are being used to block, distort, and drown out dissent, leading to violence and manipulation of public debate. Journalists are navigating…

Meta Threatens To Suspend Facebook And Instagram In Nigeria Over £220m Fines. In a dramatic escalation of tensions with Nigerian authorities, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has warned it may suspend its social media platforms in Nigeria following fines totalling over £220 million and what it describes as “unrealistic” regulatory demands. The threat comes after a federal high court in Abuja upheld penalties imposed by three Nigerian agencies in 2023. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) slapped Meta with a £165 million fine for alleged anti-competitive practices. The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria…

Venice: The Floating City Built On A Forest Of Wooden Piles. For over 1,500 years, Venice has captivated the world as a city that defies the odds, rising improbably from the waters of the Venetian lagoon. Unlike cities anchored on bedrock or concrete, this UNESCO World Heritage Site rests on millions of wooden piles driven deep into the seafloor—a feat of engineering that continues to astonish historians and architects alike. Since its founding in 421 A.D., Venice has stood as a testament to human ingenuity. Fleeing barbarian invasions that ravaged mainland Italy, early settlers sought refuge in the lagoon’s…

New River Basin Authorities Inaugurated To Boost Food Security And Water Management. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has charged the newly appointed Governing Boards and Executive Management teams of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) to prioritize food security, accountability, and sustainable water resources management. The minister made the call during a two-day inauguration and retreat ceremony in Abuja. Utsev congratulated the appointees on their selection by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the appointments demonstrate the administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s water and agricultural sectors. He emphasized the importance of mutual…

Ooni of Ife Pays Historic Visit To Former President Goodluck Jonathan. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that he was honoured to host the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ọjájá II, at his home in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The royal visit, which reflects the enduring unity and mutual respect between their people, underscores the importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. In a statement, Jonathan expressed his gratitude to the Ooni and his entourage for the visit, describing the royal gifts received as symbols of Nigeria’s rich heritage and culture.…

Nigerian Influencer VeryDarkMan Arrested By Police In Abuja. Popular Nigerian social media personality and influencer Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been arrested by the Nigerian police in Abuja. The arrest follows his public criticism of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) over alleged unauthorised transactions from his mother’s account. According to his lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, VDM was apprehended by officers of the Nigeria Police Force at Area 3 in Abuja. Adeyanju described the arrest as “absolutely unacceptable,” stating that demanding accountability is not a crime. The lawyer revealed that VDM was arrested along with a friend,…

Lagos BRT Driver Sentenced To Death For Rape And Murder Of Fashion Designer. A Lagos High Court has convicted and sentenced to death Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, for the rape and murder of 22-year-old fashion designer Bamise Ayanwola. Justice Serifat Sonaike delivered the judgment, stating that the prosecution had successfully proved the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court heard that Miss Ayanwola went missing on February 26 after boarding a BRT bus with registration number 240257 at Chevron Bus-Stop, heading to Oshodi. The defendant was found guilty of raping and murdering the young woman,…

Insecurity: Civilians Bear Brunt Of Nigeria’s Security Crisis. A recent report by SBM Intelligence has highlighted the alarming state of insecurity in Nigeria, with civilians accounting for the majority of fatalities nationwide. According to the report, 892 civilians lost their lives in violent incidents, making them the most affected group. The report also revealed that bandits were responsible for a significant number of fatalities, with 462 reported deaths. Boko Haram members accounted for 234 deaths, while 136 security personnel, including NSCDC officers, police, and soldiers, lost their lives in the line of duty. Borno state emerged as the…

Trump Plans To Rename World War Commemoration Days On May 8 And November 11 As “Victory Day”. US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to rename May 8 and November 11 as “Victory Day” to commemorate the Allied victories in World War II and World War I, respectively. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared that May 8 would be recognised as Victory Day for World War II and November 11 as Victory Day for World War I. Trump claimed that the United States played a pivotal role in both wars, stating that the country…

Abia Governor Alex Otti Rejects Defection Rumors, Affirms Strong Ties With President Tinubu. Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has firmly dismissed speculations that he plans to leave the Labour Party (LP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that he enjoys a close relationship with President Bola Tinubu without needing to switch parties. In an exclusive interview with Arise Television on Friday, Otti addressed recent political defections in neighboring Delta State, where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and several Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers joined the APC to “connect Delta to Aso Rock.” Otti, responding to…

Flag Football Secures National Spotlight At Gateway Games Ogun 2024. In a moment for Nigerian sport, the Nigeria Flag Football Federation (NFFF) has secured official approval from the National Sports Commission to demonstrate flag football at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games Ogun 2024”, taking place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from 16 to 30 May. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough for the fast-growing sport, which will now feature at Nigeria’s premier multi-sport event for the first time. The approval, confirmed by Mrs Thecla Opara—Director (NSFPS) and Secretary of the Main Organising Committee—signals a formal recognition of…

Nigerians Poorer Today Than In 1960, Warns AfDB President Adesina. Nigerians are now earning less than they did at the time of independence in 1960, according to a stark warning from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Speaking at the 20th anniversary dinner of Chapel Hill Denham in Lagos on Thursday, Adesina revealed that Nigeria’s GDP per capita has plummeted to $824, a significant drop from the $1,847 recorded 64 years ago. Adesina described Nigeria’s economic decline as far graver than commonly recognised, urging an immediate and radical restructuring of the nation’s economic framework to…