Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Lagos Government Begins Demolition Of Illegal Shops Under High-Tension Cables At Adamo Market Ikorodu. The Lagos State Government has begun the demolition of illegal shops constructed directly beneath high-tension power lines at Adamo Market in Ikorodu, in a move aimed at safeguarding public safety and upholding environmental laws. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab. He explained that the action aligns with the state’s ongoing commitment to enforcing the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. According to the commissioner, the illegal structures pose significant…

Outrage As Tinubu Government Defends N10bn Solar Power Project For Presidential Villa. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of a ₦10 billion solar power project for the Presidential Villa, describing the initiative as a damning indictment of Nigeria’s failing electricity sector. The announcement has ignited widespread debate, with HURIWA accusing the government of mismanaging priorities and admitting, albeit indirectly, to the chronic dysfunction within the national grid. Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, argued that shifting the Villa to solar energy underscores the “gross…

Colombian President Rejects Drug Addiction Claims Amid Political Feud With Ex-Minister. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has firmly denied fresh accusations of drug addiction made by his former ally and ex-foreign minister, Alvaro Leyva, who in an open letter claimed the president disappeared for two days during a state visit to Paris in 2023. Leyva, aged 82, alleged that the Paris incident offered him first-hand confirmation of Petro’s supposed drug use, calling it an “embarrassing moment” during his tenure as minister. However, he failed to provide specific evidence or further details to support the claim. Responding on social media…

World Bank Projects Rise In Nigerian Poverty By 2027 Amid Economic Fragility. A new report by the World Bank has projected that poverty in Nigeria will rise by 3.6 percentage points between 2022 and 2027, further deepening concerns over economic hardship in Africa’s most populous nation. The projection was revealed in the World Bank’s latest *Africa Pulse* report, released during the ongoing Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, D.C., USA. The report paints a sobering picture of poverty trends in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo identified…

Defection Sparks PDP Disappointment As Damagum Calls 2027 ‘APC Vs Nigerians’ Showdown. Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagum, has expressed deep disappointment over the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and key political figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a betrayal of the party’s magnanimity. Speaking on Tuesday during the presentation of the Certificate of Return to the PDP’s Anambra governorship candidate, Chief Ezenwafor Jude, Damagum lamented what he called a shocking realignment by Delta stakeholders, stating that the party had given the state unwavering support…

Could The Catholic Church Be Ready For Its First Black Pope? Spotlight Turns To Cardinal Peter Turkson. The Catholic world is abuzz with speculation following the death of Pope Francis, as attention shifts to who will be chosen to lead the Church into its next chapter. Among the prominent names being discussed is Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, a respected figure whose candidacy could make history as the Church’s first Black pope in over 1,500 years. Cardinal Turkson, who made headlines in 2010 by declaring that both he and the Church were not ready for a Black pope, now finds…

Jamie Vardy Set To Leave Leicester City After 13 Glorious Years. Leicester City have confirmed that legendary striker Jamie Vardy will leave the club at the end of the 2024/25 season, bringing an extraordinary 13-year spell at King Power Stadium to an emotional close. The 38-year-old forward, who joined the Foxes from Fleetwood Town for £1 million in 2012, is set to make his final appearance at King Power Stadium on Sunday 18 May against Ipswich Town. The match is expected to be a heartfelt occasion as fans prepare to bid farewell to a player widely considered the greatest…

PenCom Recovers ₦1.58 Billion From Defaulting Employers As Pension Reforms Advance. The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has recovered ₦1.58 billion from defaulting employers through intensified enforcement efforts, marking a significant step forward in strengthening Nigeria’s pension system. The Director General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, made this announcement yesterday in Kano during the First Run 2025 Consultative Forum for States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Oloworaran revealed that state remittances under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have shown notable improvement, with more states adopting the scheme. She also reported that total pension assets under management had exceeded ₦23…

Tinubu Calls For Action On Poverty And Education As ECOWAS Celebrates 50 Years. In a powerful address marking the Golden Jubilee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged leaders of the regional bloc to prioritise the fight against poverty, unemployment, and the need for greater investment in education, innovation, and skill acquisition. His call comes at a crucial time as the organisation reflects on its 50 years of achievements and challenges. Speaking from Accra, Ghana, during the official launch of ECOWAS’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister…

AC Milan Triumphs Over Inter To Reach Coppa Italia Final. AC Milan secured a commanding 3–0 victory over city rivals Inter Milan on Wednesday night, earning a place in the Coppa Italia final with a 4–1 aggregate win. Luka Jović was the standout performer, netting twice, while Tijjani Reijnders added a third to seal the Rossoneri’s progression. The match, held at San Siro, saw Milan take control after a goalless draw in the first leg. Jović opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a precise header and doubled the lead shortly after the interval, capitalising on a corner.…

Arsenal Held To Frustrating 2-2 Draw By Determined Crystal Palace. Arsenal were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, as a disciplined Crystal Palace side denied them all three points in a closely contested Premier League encounter. Fresh from a resounding 4-0 victory over Ipswich on Sunday, the Gunners came into the match brimming with confidence. However, Mikel Arteta’s men found Palace a far sterner challenge, as the visitors remained organised and capitalised on key moments. Bukayo Saka, who picked up a knock in the win over Ipswich, started from the…

Edun Leads Nigeria’s Delegation To IMF Spring Meetings In Washington. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is currently leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings in Washington D.C. The meetings, held from April 21 to April 26, bring together delegations from 190 countries to discuss key global economic issues and strengthen international financial stability. Accompanying Edun at the meetings are Chief Executive Officers of various financial institutions, representatives from the private sector, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and other important stakeholders. The discussions aim to foster a more…