Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government is turning to Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements to bridge a funding gap of about N3 trillion required to complete key road projects across the country. This follows the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop funding under the tax-credit scheme, effective August 1, 2025. The development was disclosed by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during a press briefing in Abuja, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said President Bola Tinubu has directed the ministry to identify alternative funding models to prevent project abandonment. “We are…

By Atoyebi Nike Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek an end to the ongoing war, following talks between Donald Trump’s special envoy and the Kremlin leader in Moscow. The proposal came a day after former U.S. President Trump described discussions between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin as “highly productive.” Despite the diplomatic overture, U.S. officials maintained their commitment to enforcing sanctions on Russia’s trading partners. Zelensky confirmed he spoke by phone with Trump, who reportedly said he could meet Putin “very soon.” According to Zelensky, European leaders…

By Atoyebi Nike Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has presented employment letters to 1,038 successful candidates in agriculture-related fields, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to reviving the sector and reducing unemployment. The distribution ceremony, held at the Government House in Kano, was attended by top government officials, traditional leaders, and beneficiaries from the 44 local government areas. “This administration is committed to restoring the lost glory of agriculture in Kano,” Governor Yusuf said, adding that the new recruits form a vital part of the state’s strategy for food security and economic empowerment. The new agricultural extension workers will be…

By Atoyebi Nike Gombe State is set to host Nigeria’s first federal veterinary hospital under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, marking a major milestone in the country’s livestock development drive. The proposed facility will provide diagnostic, treatment, research, and training services, significantly enhancing animal health and disease control in the region. It will be sited in the state’s new 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone, which already includes an international livestock market, abattoir, tannery, and leather factory. National L-PRES Coordinator, Malam Sanusi Abubakar, announced the development during a technical visit to the state. He confirmed Gombe was selected to…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria has called for urgent reforms to expand financial access for youth and women in agribusiness. Speaking on behalf of the Finance Minister at an AfDB policy dialogue, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite said inclusive finance is key to unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential. She noted that over 70% of Nigerians are under 30, while women make up more than half of the agricultural workforce yet both groups face serious barriers to funding, markets, and training. “It’s not charity, it’s smart economics,” Uzoka-Anite said, emphasizing that supporting these groups boosts productivity and national growth. Key initiatives under the Tinubu administration…

By Atoyebi Nike A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has reinstated a preservation order on 14 properties and N400 million linked to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, overturned an earlier decision by the Federal High Court which had struck out the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) suit based on Bello’s immunity as a sitting governor. The properties include high-value assets such as a hotel apartment at the Burj Khalifa, Dubai. The preservation order was originally granted by Justice Nicholas Oweibo on February 22, 2023, under the…

By Atoyebi Nike The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has congratulated members of the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream II on completing their mandatory one-year national service. In a farewell address, the DG praised the corps members for their hard work, dedication, and contributions to national development, noting that their efforts had not gone unnoticed. “As you step into a new chapter, I urge you to meet life’s challenges with courage and purpose,” he said. “Be the leaders Nigeria truly needs bold, innovative, and committed to positive change.” He also encouraged them to remain proud ambassadors of the…

By Atoyebi Nike Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has demanded a retraction and public apology from the online newspaper People’s Gazette following a report accusing him of abducting the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, and coercing him into resignation. The controversial report, published on August 2, alleged that Olukoyede and the DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi forced Ojulari to resign at a secret meeting in Abuja, acting on the supposed orders of British-Nigerian oil magnate Olatimbo Ayinde, described in the story as a powerful influence in President…

By Atoyebi Nike The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is under renewed scrutiny after temporarily shutting down its result portal due to “technical issues.” The crash follows public outrage over the poor performance in the 2025 WASSCE, where only 38.32% of candidates earned credits in five subjects, including English and Mathematics. Many students and parents, especially on social media, have linked the mass failure in English to logistical lapses during the exams, including late-night sittings and inadequate exam time. Several users shared screenshots showing strong performance in other subjects but failure in English, demanding WAEC review the grading process. Calls…

By Atoyebi Nike Retired police officers under Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have insisted on complete removal from the system, despite new welfare measures announced by President Bola Tinubu aimed at improving their conditions. On Wednesday, President Tinubu directed the immediate rollout of free healthcare for low-income retirees under the CPS and ordered long-delayed pension increases. He also instructed the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Oloworaran, to urgently resolve pension-related challenges affecting the police. “The men and women who served and protected our country deserve to retire with dignity and peace of mind,” Tinubu said, according…