Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

CBN Directive: Major Nigerian Banks Face Dividend Suspension Until 2028, Says Renaissance Capital. A new report by Renaissance Capital (Rencap), a leading investment bank focused on emerging markets, has revealed that several of Nigeria’s top banks, including Access Holdings, First Bank Holdings (FirstHoldco), Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and Fidelity Bank, may be barred from paying dividends until 2028 due to a recent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive. The policy, aimed at strengthening the financial resilience of banks under regulatory forbearance, has sparked significant concern among investors and market analysts. On…

APC Ward Secretary Abdullahi Balla Dies After Collapsing In Gwargwada, Abuja. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gwargwada Ward, Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is mourning the sudden loss of its ward secretary, Abdullahi Balla, who tragically passed away after collapsing on his way home from his farm. The incident, which occurred last week, has sent shockwaves through the local community and the APC. According to Ibrahim Bala, the deceased’s brother, Abdullahi appeared healthy earlier in the day and had gone to the farm with two younger siblings. The incident took place around 5:23 PM…

Lagos Halts Planning Approvals Along Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road To Ensure Sustainable Development. The Lagos State Government has announced an immediate suspension of all planning approvals for properties along the corridor of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, a major infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity across Nigeria’s coastal region. The decision, revealed on Monday by Dr Oluyinka Olumide, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, is intended to align the ambitious highway project with the state’s long-term urban development goals. In a statement issued in Alausa, Ikeja, Dr Olumide explained that the suspension is a proactive measure to address the…

Oil Marketers Voice Concerns Over Job Losses Amid Dangote Refinery’s New Distribution Strategy. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised alarm over potential job losses and business closures following Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s announcement of a new nationwide fuel distribution plan. The initiative, set to commence on 15 August 2025, aims to transform Nigeria’s fuel supply chain but has sparked fears of a monopolistic market structure that could threaten thousands of livelihoods in the downstream petroleum sector. Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, revealed on 15 June…

Armed Herders Who Enter Benue Without Cattle Responsible For Fresh Attacks, Says Benue Governor. Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has attributed the recent surge in deadly attacks to armed herders entering the state without cattle, describing them as orchestrators of violence rather than traditional pastoralists. Speaking to news men in Markudi , Alia alleged that some attacks are politically motivated, with unnamed Abuja-based politicians sponsoring the perpetrators to destabilise his administration. The governor’s claims have sparked controversy, particularly his assertion of a report implicating high-profile individuals. His spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, clarified that the focus was on the Sankera axis…

FG’s Failure To Stop Benue Killings May Push People To Self-Help, Says David Mark. Former Senate President David Mark has issued a stark warning that the Federal Government’s inability to curb the ongoing killings in Benue State risks pushing communities towards self-defence measures. Speaking amid public outrage over the deaths of over 200 people in recent attacks, Mark condemned the violence and called for unity to prevent ethnic profiling or reprisals. His remarks, underscore growing frustration with the government’s response to the crisis. The attacks, largely attributed to suspected armed herders, have devastated communities in the Sankera axis and Guma…

Tinubu Dispatches SGF, NSA, Others Ahead Of Visit To Benue, Wednesday. President Bola Tinubu has deployed a high-powered delegation, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to Benue State in preparation for his visit scheduled for Wednesday. The move comes in response to a wave of deadly attacks attributed to suspected armed herders, which have claimed over 200 lives in recent weeks across the state. The delegation’s mission is to assess the security situation and coordinate with local authorities to restore calm. The violence, concentrated…

Just-In: Police Inspector Fatally Shot By 10-Year-Old Son In Tragic Anambra Accident. The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of Inspector Okolie Amechi, who was accidentally shot by his 10-year-old son in Awka, the state capital, on Sunday, 15 June 2025. The incident, described as a heart-wrenching accident, has left the local police force and community in mourning. According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. at Polaris Bank, located along Zik Avenue in Awka, where Inspector Amechi was on duty. The officer’s three sons had visited…

36,000 Delegates Expected As FG Unveils Registration Portal For Youth Confab. The Federal Government has launched an online registration portal for the 2025 National Youth Conference, anticipating the participation of 36,000 delegates from across Nigeria. The initiative, reported by National Accord Newspaper, aims to engage young Nigerians in addressing critical issues such as unemployment, education, and security. President Bola Tinubu has described the conference as a cornerstone of his administration’s youth empowerment strategy. The portal, accessible via a dedicated government website, is open to Nigerians aged 15–35, with applications expected to reflect the country’s diverse regions and demographics. Minister…

Inspector General Of Police Arrives In Benue, Assigns Additional Specialized Units To Halt Violence. MAKURDI, 17 June 2025 – Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun arrived in Benue State on Monday to oversee efforts to quell the escalating violence that has claimed over 100 lives in recent attacks, notably in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area. Accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Egbetokun deployed additional specialised units, including tactical squads and aerial surveillance helicopters, to flashpoints across the state. During a courtesy visit to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Egbetokun condemned the attacks as “senseless and an act of…

Emefiele Arraigned Over 753 Abuja Duplexes, Granted N2bn Bail. Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele was arraigned on Monday before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of acquiring 753 duplexes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Emefiele with abuse of office and money laundering, alleging the properties, valued at billions of naira, were acquired through illicit means during his tenure. Justice Maryann Anenih granted Emefiele bail of N2 billion with two sureties in like sum, ordering him to deposit his international passport with the court. The…

 Judge Rejects Prosecutor’s Request To Order Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Arrest. Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti, Uduaghan for her absence at an arraignment on charges of cyber-bullying and defamation. The prosecution, led by David Kaswe, alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan made defamatory statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahya Bello during a 3 April television interview. The court declined the warrant after learning that the charge was served on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Johnson Usman…