Author: Editor Francis

At the International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD), held in Ireland in May, Nigerian-German writer Olumide Popoola and literary agent Bibi Bakare-Yusuf discussed the past, present and future of Nigerian and, more broadly, African writing. “There’s a renewed energy and excitement, and I want that to continue across the African literary landscape,” says Bakare-Yusuf, founder of Cassava Republic Press. The publishing house was founded in 2006, with its headquarters in the Nigerian capital of Abuja. Since then it has been at the forefront of promoting Nigerian writing to Nigerian, African and global audiences and now also has offices in the United…

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 On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Lagos issued an interim forfeiture order for $1,426,175.14 associated with former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. Justice Ayokunle Faji directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, giving any interested parties 14 days to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. The court’s decision followed an ex parte application (FHC/L/CS/232/2024) presented by EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari-Bala. The EFCC argued that the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities…

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 The Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure workers in the state receive a living wage. This appeal was made by the party’s Lagos State publicity secretary, Mrs. Olubunmi Odesanya, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday. As Governor Sanwo-Olu marks the first anniversary of his second tenure, Odesanya urges him to address the socio-economic challenges facing residents. She emphasised that many Lagosians, including workers, are struggling to meet their daily needs. Odesanya appealed to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to consider the plight of workers…

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The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has appealed to organised labour to exercise consideration and patriotism in their demands during the ongoing negotiations for a new national minimum wage. This appeal was made in a statement issued by Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, on Wednesday. Onyejeocha emphasised that the Federal Government has consistently worked towards ensuring a fair and realistic wage for Nigerian workers. She urged labour groups to acknowledge that the nation’s economy is still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic challenges. “We appeal…

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Global unemployment is set to fall slightly this year, a United Nations agency said Wednesday, reversing its previous prediction of a rise while warning of “slow progress” on tackling inequalities. The International Labour Organization expects a global unemployment rate of 4.9 percent in 2024 after originally forecasting unemployment would rise to 5.2 percent this year from five percent in 2023. In a report, the Geneva-based UN agency forecasts that the rate will stay at 4.9 percent in 2025. However, the ILO cautioned that “inequalities in labour markets persist, with women in low-income countries particularly affected.” The report found that 183…

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President Bola Tinubu has officially signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, reinstating the country’s old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” This move marks a significant shift from the current anthem, “Arise O Compatriots.” The bill, which quickly passed through both the Senate and the House of Representatives, received final assent from the President on Wednesday. Further details on the implementation and transition process are expected to be released soon.

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Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a legal action filed by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim challenging the candidature of Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State. The lawsuit, which contested the conduct of the primary election that selected Aiyedatiwa for the upcoming gubernatorial election, was struck out following a sudden withdrawal by Senator Ibrahim. Previously, on May 14, Justice Ekwo had ordered the APC, Aiyedatiwa, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to file their defence against the suit seeking Aiyedatiwa’s removal as…

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Adamawa State is set to enhance its educational infrastructure with the construction of three comprehensive technical colleges, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri announced during his fifth anniversary state-wide broadcast on Wednesday. Governor Fintiri highlighted that the new colleges aim to increase school enrollment among school-age citizens and focus on skills acquisition, science, and technology. “We are paying special attention to skill acquisition as well as science and technology. In this regard, I am happy to announce that we have commenced the process for the construction of three new comprehensive technical schools,” Fintiri stated. The governor detailed that each of the state’s senatorial…

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidies and harmonise foreign exchange rates, despite Obasanjo’s criticism of certain policies. Responding to Obasanjo’s recent remarks, the APC acknowledged that the necessary yet tough policies implemented by the Tinubu administration would have immediate, harsh effects but emphasised that steps are being taken to mitigate these impacts. Obasanjo, in a statement on Sunday, noted that while some of Tinubu’s policies were essential, they had been poorly executed, resulting in adverse effects on the Nigerian economy. He specifically pointed out that…

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 Superintendent of Police (SP) Oni Dickson has officially taken over as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Ojokoro/Ijaiye Police Station Divisional Headquarters. He succeeds Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Victor Olotin, who has been transferred to the Mushin Area G Command. In his address to the community, SP Dickson emphasised the importance of cooperation between residents and the police to effectively combat crime. He issued a stern warning to miscreants, hoodlums, and other criminals to either leave the area or embrace peace. Dickson made it clear that anyone caught engaging in criminal activities would face the full wrath of…

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Omar Alieu Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, emphasised the importance of unity among member states as a crucial factor in addressing insecurity in the sub-region. Touray made this statement in his address commemorating the 49th anniversary of ECOWAS, themed “Strengthening Regional Unity, Peace, and Security.” Touray highlighted that this year’s theme was carefully selected to reflect the current challenges facing the region and to remind the community of the essential need to maintain regional unity and peace. He stressed that these objectives were central to the vision of ECOWAS’s Founding Fathers and remain…

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