Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Barr. Julius Abure Leads Labour Party Protest Against INEC Exclusion. On Wednesday, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), Labour Party (LP) candidates, and supporters, led by Barr. Julius Abure, staged a peaceful protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja. The demonstration was in response to INEC’s decision to exclude LP candidates from the bye-elections scheduled for 16 August 2025 across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 12 other states. The protesters, arriving as early as 11:00 AM, expressed their frustration through songs, dances, and placards bearing messages such as “INEC, who is using you against…

Cooking Gas Prices In Nigeria Surge, NBS Reports. The cost of cooking gas in Nigeria has seen a sharp increase in June 2025, placing additional strain on households across the country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) rose by 33.52% year-on-year, reaching ₦21,010.56, up from ₦15,736.27 in June 2024. Similarly, the price for refilling a 5kg cylinder increased by 19.49% to ₦8,323.95, compared to ₦6,966.03 in the same period last year. The NBS report highlights significant regional and state-level variations in prices. For…

Hon. Leke Abejide Rejects ADC Coalition, Affirms National Leadership. Hon. Leke Abejide, a prominent figure and National Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has categorically dismissed any involvement in a coalition with other political parties, asserting his position as the party’s undisputed leader. The statement comes amid reports of a purported coalition and an alleged suspension of Abejide by a faction of the ADC’s Kogi State Working Committee, led by Kingsley Ogga, whose leadership Abejide contests. Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, described the coalition as “dead on arrival” and challenged the legitimacy…

Bayelsa Police Officer Honoured For Rejecting $17,000 Bribe. Superintendent of Police Sentome Obi has been celebrated as a beacon of integrity after rejecting a $17,000 bribe offered by a suspected criminal in Bayelsa State. The officer, a native of the state and head of the Financial and Cybercrime Unit at Zone 16 Command in Yenagoa, was recognised for his principled stand during a state executive council meeting on 23 July 2025. Governor Douye Diri, in a ceremony at Government House, Yenagoa, praised Obi for his gallantry and devotion to duty, stating that his actions brought pride to both…

Just-In: Tragic Helicopter Crash Claims Lives Of Two Ministers. A devastating helicopter crash in Ghana’s southern Ashanti region has resulted in the deaths of two senior government ministers and six others, the government confirmed on Wednesday. The incident, described as a “national tragedy” by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, has plunged the nation into mourning. The victims included Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science, and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. Three other government officials and three air force crew members also perished in the crash. The military helicopter, which had taken off from Accra at 09:12…

Nigeria Boosts Innovation With a N4.2 Billion Grant For 158 University Research Projects. The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a N4.2 billion grant to fund 158 research projects across universities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing innovation and academic excellence. President Bola Tinubu authorised the disbursement of N4,249,626,817.69 under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) National Research Fund (NRF) 2024 Grant Cycle, following a rigorous selection process by the TETFund National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC). Abdulmumin Oniyangi, TETFund’s Director of Public Affairs, announced the approval in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja. The funding…

Nigeria Poised To Become A Global AI Powerhouse, Says Microsoft. Nigeria is on the cusp of becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), according to Microsoft, with its vibrant tech ecosystem and youthful population driving the nation’s potential to transform from a consumer to a producer of cutting-edge AI technologies. The announcement, made by Abideen Yusuf, General Manager of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, highlights the country’s proactive strategies and growing infrastructure as key catalysts for this ambitious trajectory. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Yusuf noted that AI could contribute over $15 trillion to the global…

Nigeria’s Capital Inflows Surge By 67% To $5.64 Billion In Q1 2025, Boosted By Portfolio Investments. Nigeria has recorded a remarkable 67.12% increase in capital importation, reaching $5.64 billion in the first quarter of 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The figure, detailed in the NBS’s “Nigeria Capital Importation Q1 2025” report, marks a significant rise from the $3.38 billion recorded in the same period of 2024. Additionally, it reflects a 10.86% increase from the $5.09 billion reported in the final quarter of 2024, signalling growing investor confidence in the nation’s economy. The surge…

Governor Sanwo-Olu Mourns Passing Of Dr. Doyin Abiola, Trailblazing Nigerian Journalist. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Dr. Doyin Abiola, a pioneering journalist and the first woman to serve as managing director and publisher of Nigeria’s National Concord newspapers. Dr. Abiola, who was also the widow of Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, passed away on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, at 9:15 p.m. after a period of illness. She was 82. In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media…

Everton Secure Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall In £29m Deal From Chelsea. Everton have bolstered their midfield with the signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £29 million. The 26-year-old midfielder joins the Toffees for an initial fee of £25 million, with an additional £4 million in potential add-ons, as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The move marks a significant step in Everton’s squad rebuild under manager David Moyes as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season. Dewsbury-Hall, who arrived at Chelsea from Leicester City in 2024 for £30 million, struggled to secure a regular…

Nigeria And China To Unlock £1.5 Billion In Maritime Investment. The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the People’s Republic of China, is set to unlock £1.5 billion (approximately $2 billion) in maritime investments under the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) strategy. Announced on 5 August 2025, this landmark initiative aims to revolutionise Nigeria’s maritime sector, enhancing infrastructure, boosting trade, and creating thousands of jobs across the country. The NCSP, led by Director-General Joseph Tegbe, is spearheading efforts to modernise Nigeria’s maritime industry, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The investments will focus on upgrading…

Dangote Group Named Premier Partner For Intra-African Trade Fair 2025. Dangote Group, one of Africa’s foremost industrial conglomerates, has been announced as the Official Premier Partner for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), set to take place in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 to 10 September 2025. The announcement, made on 5 August 2025, underscores the group’s pivotal role in advancing intra-African trade and economic integration, aligning with the continent’s vision for sustainable growth. Founded in 1978 by Aliko Dangote, the group operates across 10 African countries with over 18 subsidiaries in sectors including cement, fertilisers, petrochemicals, refined petroleum,…