Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

“They Have Spent $18bn On Those Refineries And They Are Still Not Working” – Dangote. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has expressed deep scepticism about the future of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, declaring that despite an $18 billion investment, they remain non-functional. Speaking on Thursday while hosting members of the Global CEO Africa programme from Lagos Business School at his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lekki, Lagos, Dangote questioned whether the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC)-managed facilities would ever operate effectively. He highlighted the inefficiencies of the NNPC refineries, noting that when…

IPOB Rejects Soludo’s Claim Linking Igbo Youths To Kidnapping, Warns Of Danger To South-East. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, for alleging that 99.9% of kidnappers and criminals in the South-East are Igbo youths. In a statement issued on Thursday, IPOB described the governor’s remarks as “inflammatory, baseless, and dangerous,” warning that they could endanger the lives of innocent Igbo youths and incite targeted attacks across the region. The group’s response follows Soludo’s comments during a town hall meeting with Anambra indigenes in the United States, held at the Metro Points…

Senate Demands Answers From NNPCL Over ₦210 Trillion Financial Discrepancies. The Nigerian Senate has escalated its probe into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), issuing a 10-day ultimatum for the state-owned oil giant to explain discrepancies exceeding ₦210 trillion in its audited financial statements from 2017 to 2023. The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, led by Senator Aliyu Wadada, voiced alarm over the findings during investigative hearings, underscoring concerns about transparency and accountability within the NNPCL. At a recent session in the National Assembly, lawmakers expressed dismay at what they termed “staggering” irregularities in the company’s financial records.…

Caster Semenya Secures Landmark Victory In Human Rights Battle Against World Athletics. South African athlete Caster Semenya has achieved a significant legal triumph at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which ruled that World Athletics discriminated against her through regulations that barred her from competing unless she medically lowered her natural testosterone levels. The decision, handed down on 10 July 2025, marks a pivotal moment in Semenya’s ongoing fight for fairness and dignity in sport, though it does not immediately overturn the restrictions that have kept her from racing since 2019. Semenya, a celebrated two-time Olympic gold…

Noni Madueke Set For Arsenal Move As Clubs Agree £50m Deal. In a significant transfer development, Arsenal have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign winger Noni Madueke for a reported £50m package, including add-ons. The 23-year-old England international, who has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract with the Gunners, is poised to complete his move across London, subject to a medical, marking a major coup for Mikel Arteta’s side. Madueke, who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven for £28.5m in January 2023, has made 91 appearances for the Blues, scoring 20 goals and providing nine assists. During the…

Historic £1m Transfer Marks Milestone For Women’s Football As Arsenal Sign Olivia Smith From Liverpool. In a groundbreaking moment for women’s football, Arsenal Women have secured the signature of Canadian star Olivia Smith from Liverpool for a world-record transfer fee of £1m. The 20-year-old forward, who has dazzled in the Women’s Super League (WSL), becomes the first women’s player to break the seven-figure barrier, eclipsing the previous record of £900,000 set by Chelsea for US defender Naomi Girma earlier this year. Smith, who joined Liverpool from Portuguese side Sporting CP for a club-record £210,000 just 12 months ago, made…

Super Falcons Secure Quarter-Final Spot With Late Victory Over Botswana At WAFCON 2024. Nigeria’s Super Falcons clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botswana in their second Group B match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), securing their place in the quarter-finals. The match, held at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco, on Thursday, 10 July 2025, saw substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo score the decisive goal in the 89th minute, ensuring Nigeria’s second win of the tournament. The Super Falcons, aiming for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, entered the game with confidence after a commanding 3-0 win…

Nigeria Stands Firm Against US Pressure To Accept Venezuelan Deportees, Says Foreign Minister. Nigeria has firmly rejected pressure from the Donald Trump administration to accept Venezuelan deportees, including prisoners, from the United States, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar. The announcement, made during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on 10 July 2025, underscores Nigeria’s resolve to prioritise its domestic challenges over external demands. Tuggar revealed that the US has been urging several African nations, including Nigeria, to take in Venezuelan nationals, some of whom are former inmates. “The US is mounting considerable pressure on African countries…

Vice President Shettima Challenges Tinubu Over Fubara’s Suspension. Vice President Kashim Shettima publicly contradicted President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, asserting that the president lacks the constitutional authority to remove an elected governor. Speaking at a book launch in Abuja, Shettima declared that “no president has the power to remove an elected councillor, let alone a governor,” igniting fresh debate over the legality of Tinubu’s actions. Tinubu had announced Fubara’s six-month suspension, alongside his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly, in a nationwide broadcast on 18 March 2025. Citing prolonged…

NITDA Launches National Cybersecurity Conference To Tackle Nigeria’s Skill Gap. On Wednesday, 9 July 2025, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), kicked off the inaugural National Cybersecurity Conference (NCSC 2025) in Abuja. The two-day event, themed “Building a Resilient Digital Future,” aims to address Nigeria’s critical cybersecurity workforce shortage and bolster the nation’s digital defences. NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Abdullahi, revealed that Nigeria faces a staggering 90.6% cybersecurity workforce gap, with only 25,760 professionals available to serve a population exceeding 220 million. To meet global standards, the country…

Senate President Akpabio Replaces Senator Natasha As Committee Chair. On Thursday, 10 July 2025, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the removal of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The decision, revealed during a plenary session in Abuja, saw Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East, appointed as her successor, effective immediately. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Kogi Central, has faced a turbulent period in the Senate. This marks the second time she has been stripped of a committee leadership role. Initially, she chaired the…

“There Is No Force On Earth That Can Stop China From Reclaiming Taiwan,” Declares Xi Jinping. Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed China’s unyielding determination to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, delivering a forceful statement during a recent address. His bold declaration has reignited global focus on the sensitive issue of cross-strait relations, raising concerns about potential escalation in an already tense region. The remarks come against a backdrop of heightened activity in the Taiwan Strait, where military manoeuvres and sharp diplomatic exchanges have become increasingly frequent. Xi’s comments align with his earlier statements, such as those in his…