Mauritania’s foreign minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug has held a session at the G7 foreign ministers where discussions that include Russia’s war in Ukraine and surging tensions in the Middle East are ongoing. The talks which began wednesday on the Italian resort island of Capri are also geared towards strengthening the G-7 partnership with the AU, a matter that Rome has been discussing in depth with Washington. As EU leaders discuss stepping up sanctions against Iran, the AU’s position has been unclear regarding the debate on whether Israel should retaliate, de-escalate or if Iran was wrong or right in launching missiles…
Author: Editor Francis
As the pivotal National Executive Committee (NEC), meeting of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), convenes today, a maelstrom of uncertainty swirls amidst a fierce power struggle among key stakeholders vying for control of the party’s trajectory ahead of the 2027 general elections. The crux of the matter lies in the battle for dominance within the party, with influential figures manoeuvring to seize the helm and consolidate their positions. Unlike previous showdowns primarily between factions aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Now, governors elected under the PDP…
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has warned Nigerians against obstructing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from carrying out its lawful duty . Mr Fagbemi’s warning is contained in a statement in Abuja. The immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has continued to obstruct efforts by the commission’s officials to arrest him on matters bordering on corruption allegations. The statement noted, “This is a matter of very grave concern, it is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to…
The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has revealed that a total sum of N7,314,129,314,386.08 ($17.9 billion) accrued into the Federation Account between July and December 2023, a significant increase from the N5,244,037,636,561.60 ($12.8 billion) realized in the first half of the year. In a press statement, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello Shehu attributed the increase to improved revenue generation and remittances by various government agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which remitted N874,645,145,704.30 ($2.1 billion) in the second half of the year, compared to zero remittance in the first half. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning to involve the military in enforcing an arrest order against former Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello. This action comes after the EFCC’s efforts to execute the order were allegedly obstructed by Bello’s successor, Usman Ododo. During proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, EFCC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), accused Ododo of hindering Bello’s arrest by sheltering him in his residence, citing immunity concerns. Pinheiro emphasized that immunity does not extend to a person’s residence and threatened to enlist military support to execute the court’s order. Pinheiro further…
Heavy rains and flooding have wrought havoc across East Africa, claiming lives and displacing thousands of people in Kenya and Tanzania. In Kakola Ombaka, Kenya, residents like Juliana Atieno Ochieng and Duncan Onyango recount the tragic toll of the floods on their lives. Ochieng, who lost her leg due to an injury sustained during the 2019 floods, remains immobilized by the waters that continue to inundate her home. Onyango has suffered substantial livestock and property losses, with his house destroyed five times by the relentless floods. Assistant Chief Augustine Neto Awich reports that 646 households have been displaced in Kakola…
Two German-Russian men were arrested in Bavaria on suspicion of spying for Russia and planning blasts and arson attacks to undermine Berlin’s military support for Ukraine, German prosecutors said Thursday. The pair, identified only as Dieter S. and Alexander J., were arrested in the city of Bayreuth in southeastern Germany on Wednesday, federal prosecutors said in a statement. The main accused, Dieter S., is alleged to have scouted potential targets for attacks, “including facilities of the US armed forces” stationed in Germany. Police officers also searched both men’s residences and workplaces on Wednesday. They are suspected of “having been active…
In response to the persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s power grid, the Federal Government has taken a decisive step by deploying innovative technology aimed at detecting and responding to sudden drops or dips in power generation across the country. Announced by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Wednesday, the new Generation Dip/Loss Detection System marks a significant advancement in TCN’s grid management capabilities. This development comes on the heels of Nigeria’s sixth power grid collapse of 2024, which occurred on Monday. Electricity generation plummeted from 2,583.77 megawatts to a mere 64.7MW before restoration later in the day. While TCN initially…
In a meeting with leaders of the Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s unity and security on Wednesday. He promised severe consequences for those who challenge the nation’s sovereignty and security, emphasising that his administration had made significant strides in combating banditry and kidnapping through intensified campaigns aided by intelligence gathering. The president’s declaration follows recent events where Yoruba Nation agitators, adorned in military attire and armed with weapons, attempted to raise the Yoruba Nation flag at the Oyo State Government Secretariat. These agitators advocate for the secession of the Yoruba people from Nigeria,…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 20 as the decisive date for addressing separate applications requesting the reinstatement of bail for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Additionally, the court will consider a plea for Kanu’s transfer from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to another facility. Justice Binta Nyako initially granted bail to Kanu on health grounds on April 25, 2017. However, Kanu fled the country following a military raid on his residence. He was subsequently re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and repatriated to Nigeria, where…
In an address at the ongoing International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso clarified the recent decline in the nation’s foreign reserves. Contrary to widespread speculation, Cardoso emphasised that the depletion was primarily attributed to settling debts owed to international creditors, rather than being utilized to shore up the naira’s value. Concerns had mounted among Nigerians as the country’s foreign exchange reserves witnessed a significant downturn, plummeting by approximately $2.16 billion over a span of 29 days, despite concerted efforts to stabilise the national currency. Data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians against obstructing its operatives while they are carrying out their lawful duties. This cautionary statement follows an incident where security aides linked to former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, reportedly impeded EFCC agents from effecting an arrest at his Abuja residence. According to Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, obstructing officers of the commission during the execution of their lawful duties constitutes a criminal offence. Oyewale underscored that offenders could face a minimum jail term of five years, citing relevant provisions of the law.…