Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the detention of journalist and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, describing it as arbitrary and politically motivated. The rights group is demanding his immediate and unconditional release. Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, was detained on Wednesday after he arrived at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to honour a police invitation. The Nigeria Police Force is reportedly investigating him over allegations of “forgery and inciting disturbance,” through its Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit. In a statement posted late Wednesday on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, Amnesty International…
By Atoyebi Nike A surge of chikungunya virus infections has hit southern China, with over 7,000 confirmed cases centred in the Shunde district of Foshan. The outbreak has prompted authorities to enforce strict mosquito-control measures and expand isolation capacity in hospitals. The World Health Organization warned in July that chikungunya risked becoming a global epidemic, citing climate change as a factor driving the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Chinese health officials are now doubling mosquito-proof hospital beds and fining households for allowing stagnant water key mosquito breeding sites. Chikungunya is transmitted through the bites of infected dengue and Asian tiger mosquitoes.…
By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate rollout of free healthcare for low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as part of a broader effort to protect vulnerable Nigerians in retirement. According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu issued the directive following a briefing from the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Omolola Oloworaran, at the State House on Wednesday. The President also ordered the implementation of overdue pension increases and the enforcement of a minimum pension guarantee, offering a vital safety net to…
By Atoyebi Nike The number of people who have died from starvation in Gaza has climbed to 193, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. Officials confirmed five additional hunger-related deaths in the last 24 hours, underscoring the worsening humanitarian crisis triggered by Israel’s ongoing military operations and the blockade of essential supplies. Human rights groups and aid agencies have repeatedly warned of famine-like conditions in parts of Gaza due to the restricted access to food, water, and medical aid. The situation remains dire as international calls grow louder for urgent humanitarian relief and a ceasefire to prevent further civilian suffering.…
By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu has congratulated three Nigerian students for their outstanding victories at the 2025 TeenEagle Global competition in London. Seventeen-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu was named overall best in English language skills, 15-year-old Rukayya Muhammad Fema won best in debate, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli clinched gold in the outstanding talent category. In a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the students’ triumph as evidence of Nigeria’s promising future and the quality of its education system. “These accomplishments are a testament to the quality and potential of Nigeria’s education system,” he said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment…
By Atoyebi Nike The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, has praised President Bola Tinubu for signing the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Bill into law. Now officially the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2025 (NIIRA), the law repeals outdated insurance legislation and introduces a unified legal framework aimed at innovation, regulation, and policyholder protection. Abiru, who led the sponsorship of the bill, described it as one of the most comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s insurance history and key to achieving the government’s $1 trillion economic ambition. He noted that the Act would…
By Atoyebi Nike Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West have declared their support for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, describing him as the “father of the nation.” National Vice Chairman (South-West), Hon. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, made the announcement while presenting the party’s flag to Bolarinwa Oduwole, PDP’s candidate for the upcoming Remo federal constituency bye-election. Ajisafe said it was only fair for the region to back Tinubu, having supported Buhari for eight years. “This goes beyond party lines. It’s natural to support one of our own,” he stated. PDP’s 2023 Ogun governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu,…
By Atoyebi Nike Germany has expanded its visa application network in Africa and the Middle East with the launch of four new German Visa Application Centres (VACs), including two in Nigeria, under a renewed seven-year partnership with visa outsourcing firm VFS Global. The new centres, located in Abuja and Lagos (Nigeria), Yaoundé (Cameroon), and Nicosia (Cyprus), are expected to ease congestion, increase appointment availability, and improve the visa application experience for travellers. Previously, Nigerian applicants had to submit Schengen visa applications directly to the German Consulate in Lagos or the Embassy in Abuja due to the absence of dedicated VACs…
By Atoyebi Nike MTN South Africa has introduced a nationwide biometric identity system using facial and fingerprint recognition to verify customers and reduce telecom fraud. The system, developed in partnership with global biometric firm Vigilate AI, follows a successful pilot in 20% of MTN stores. It now enables faster sign-ups and better fraud prevention, especially against SIM swap scams and identity theft, which cost the industry R5.3 billion in 2024, according to Comric. MTN is the first telco in South Africa to roll out biometric ID verification at scale. “This innovation makes onboarding faster and more secure without sacrificing convenience,”…
By Atoyebi Nike Rice farmers in Ebonyi State are warning of a poor harvest this year due to relentless rainfall and widespread flooding that have submerged large farmlands. Farmers in Izzi and surrounding areas say crops are already turning yellow, with many losing their nursery beds and struggling to transplant. “We may not expect a bountiful harvest this season,” said Emmanuel Nwali, a local farmer. Others, like Aloysius Njoku, fear food prices will surge. “Flooding has wiped out much of our farms. If this continues, rice will become scarce and expensive,” he warned. Ebonyi, a key rice-producing state, is one…