Author: Olukayode Oke

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that expansion and diversification of involvement in international trade and global value chain by African countries is pivotal for wealth creation, generation of employment, poverty reduction as well as the growth of African economies. Buhari, who stated this in a keynote address at the opening of the 9th African Shippers’ Day held in Lagos, said the global economy is a source of growth that African economies cannot afford to ignore. He noted that while African exports of goods and services have seen their growth in the past decade, the volumes have remained low at just…

A civil society group, Peoples’ Advocates has expressed worry over the SBM Intelligence report ranking Osun as top State with highest political violence in Nigeria. This was contained in a statement signed by its Chairman, Bayo Alade while assessing some new policies of Governor Ademola Adeleke-led government. SBM Intelligence, a research organisation, in its recent report, ranked Osun as the State with the highest number of cases of election related violence in 2022. According to the report, a total of five people were killed in 11 politically motivated violent attacks in Osun. SBM stated that election related violence included the attack…

The FCT Police Command has denied reports making the rounds that an Uber driver who had an altercation with another colleague over parking space and got shot, is dead. Spokesperson of the Police Command, DSP Josephine Adeh in a statement said the Uber driver who was evacuated to a hospital in Garki from the scene of the incident is responding to treatment. The statement reads, “The news in circulation that armed robbers killed an Uber driver in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been found to lack basic facts. Hence, the need to disabuse the minds…

Dr. Edak Okwong, a Neuropsychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Calabar, has disclosed that one out of every five Nigerian has experienced depression, adding that women are twice more vulnerable. Okwong gave the explanation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Calabar. NAN reports that depression, which may be classified as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how a person thinks and behaves and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Patients may also…

The Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi on Monday said replacing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor Godwin Emefiele will not address the level of fiscal rascality fueling inflation and other economic woes. He made this disclosure while speaking at the Chatham House in London. He stated that Nigeria’s exchange rate challenge will not go away if Emefiele is removed. Peter Obi has backed Emefiele amid rising inflation, chaotic foreign exchange regime, high interest rate, among other glaring economic challenges. “People are talking about the Central Bank Governor, first let me assure you that the CBN governor will maintain his…

China’s population shrank last year for the first time in more than six decades, official data showed Tuesday, as the world’s most populous country faces a looming demographic crisis. The nation of 1.4 billion has seen birth rates plunge to record lows as its workforce ages, in a rapid decline that analysts warn could stymie economic growth and pile pressure on strained public coffers. The mainland Chinese population stood at around 1,411,750,000 at the end of 2022, Beijing’s National Bureau of Statistics reported, a decrease of 850,000 from the end of the previous year. The number of births was 9.56…

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has insisted he will not resign from the position. Klopp’s men are struggling for form this season and have already lost six times in the Premier League. The Reds were only beaten four times in 63 matches in all competitions last season Liverpool are also 10 points off Champions League places and their poor run of form have seen calls for Klopp to either resign or be sacked. But the German, speaking ahead of a FA Cup replay against Wolves on Tuesday, said: “I will be here for as long as I am wanted. If no…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will on Monday depart Abuja for Monrovia, the Liberian capital, to attend the ‘Emerging Young Leaders Forum’, where he is the special guest of honour. This is according to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, titled ‘Osinbajo features today in Monrovia at emerging young leaders’ forum.’ Osinbajo’s one-day visit is at the invitation of his Liberian counterpart, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, who is marking her 60th birthday January 17. At the forum tagged ‘Conversation with the Vice President and Young People’, Osinbajo and other West African…

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) has quietly declared Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele wanted. Falana who was a guest on a Channels TV programme said Emefiele was declared wanted over terrorism financing allegations. He lamented that such action can only happen in a ‘banana republic’. I can say without any fear that Mr Godwin Emefiele is not in Nigeria, but he has been quietly declared wanted by state Security Services. This can only happen in a Banana republic where the CBN Governor would be accused of a…

Festus Keyamo, the spokesperson for the presidential campaign council of the All Progressives Congress standard bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the inflation rate under the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is not the highest in the history of the country. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who appeared on Arise TV morning show on Monday, was responding to questions about what Buhari’s legacy Tinubu would build on in terms of economy and security, among others, if elected president in the forthcoming elections. Keyamo claimed that inflation rate was highest under the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, with the presidential…

Tottenham Hotspur striker, Richarlison, has issued an apology to Arsenal star, Gabriel Martinelli after a spat with his Brazil teammate during the north London derby on Sunday. Tottenham fell to Arsenal by 2-0 following an own-goal from Hugo Lloris and a goal from Martin Odegaard. During the match, Richarlison was also involved in a verbal altercation with Martinelli in the second half as he accused the Arsenal forward of diving. Speaking about the run-in with Martinelli after the match, Richarlison told ESPN Brasil: “It was a foul there that the referee ended up giving, we were close to the move,…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), on Monday opened the portal for 2023 recruitment. The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), announced the start of the process. The board invited applications from suitably qualified candidates for full-time appointments to fill vacancies. The positions are Superintendent Of Immigration (SI) CONPASS 11 (Medical Doctors), Deputy Superintendent Of Immigration (DSI), CONPASS 10 (Pharmacists), Assistant Superintendent Of Immigration II (ASI II), CONPASS 08. Others are Inspector Of Immigration (II) CONPASS 07 (Nursing), Assistant Inspector Of Immigration (All), General Duty, CONPASS 06. The rest include Immigration Assistant III (IA III) CONPASS 03 General…