Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its collaboration with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to combat corruption, cybercrime, illicit financial flows, and other organized crimes. UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheick Ousman Toure, made this known during a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja on Tuesday. He said the UN agency has adopted a new five-year strategic partnership model for Nigeria, moving away from ad-hoc interventions. “UNODC is shifting toward long-term collaboration, and Nigeria remains a key player, especially in implementing international frameworks like…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has cautioned Nigerian travellers that their U.S. visas can be revoked even after arrival if they violate American immigration laws, import/export regulations, or misrepresent their travel intent. In a statement issued by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the agency highlighted growing concerns from the U.S. government over visa misuse by Nigerians. He stressed that vetting does not end at the point of entry, as U.S. authorities continue to monitor visa holders throughout their stay. “Nigerians are urged to note that security vetting for visa applicants does not end upon…
By Atoyebi Nike A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced an Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman Mohad also known as Mohammed A. Bello to death for the ritual killing of Lawal Hafsoh Yetunde, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education. Justice Hannah Ajayi delivered the judgment on Thursday, condemning Mohad to death following his conviction for the murder which occurred on February 10, 2025. Hafsoh was last seen attending a naming ceremony before receiving a call and mysteriously vanishing. Her disappearance prompted a police investigation, which led to Mohad’s arrest through phone call records. The First…
By Atoyebi Nike The House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has launched an investigation into a viral video showing Nigerian workers stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR), allegedly abandoned by a Nigerian businessman linked to a Chinese firm. The committee’s chairman, Jaafaru Yakubu, described the incident as unfortunate and assured Nigerians of a thorough probe to ensure accountability. In the video, the workers claimed their passports were seized, their wages unpaid, and they were left in harsh conditions in a remote part of CAR. Yakubu clarified that the accused businessman, Abdulrauf Ademola, has no ties to the…
By Atoyebi Nike The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its ban on open grazing, warning that violators will face arrest, prosecution, and up to three years in prison, along with the permanent seizure of their cattle. The renewed enforcement comes amid growing complaints about traffic disruptions, destruction of farmland, and rising clashes between farmers and herders across the state. In a statement released on Monday, the government declared that the Anti-Open Grazing Law remains fully in effect and will be strictly enforced. Herders were urged to embrace ranching and other modern livestock methods. “Any herder caught flouting the law will…
By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension for the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, keeping him in office until August 2026. Adeniyi was initially scheduled to conclude his tenure in August 2025. The extension, announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is intended to allow him to consolidate key reforms and modernisation efforts within the Customs Service. The Presidency said the move would help advance the ongoing implementation of the National Single Window Project and support Nigeria’s obligations under the African Continental Free Trade…
By Atoyebi Nike Once Nigeria’s most talked-about reality show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) is gradually losing the national attention it once commanded. From massive social media engagement and intense fan participation to dwindling viewership and public fatigue, the show’s recent editions reflect a sharp decline in relevance. BBNaija gained popularity for its drama, romance, evictions, and big cash prizes. It created instant celebrities, influenced fashion and music trends, and served as a distraction from national issues. During its peak, millions tuned in daily, and conversations around housemates dominated radio, TV, and online spaces. However, in recent seasons, interest has waned.…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian government has launched a 10-year Strategic Action Plan (2026-2035) to revamp the country’s agricultural sector, with a strong focus on youth innovation and private sector collaboration. Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the UN Food Systems Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, described the initiative as part of Nigeria’s implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration. The plan aims to improve food and nutrition security across Africa. “Our future depends on how we empower our youth,” Shettima said, urging investment in young agri-entrepreneurs to drive innovation and resilience in food systems. To…
By Atoyebi Nike Lagos was awash with celebration on Wednesday as the Super Falcons took to the streets in a victory parade to mark their triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Fresh from receiving national honours from President Bola Tinubu, including the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), the players were greeted by a jubilant crowd at the airport and along key roads as they proudly showcased the WAFCON trophy. The parade, which turned major parts of the city into a carnival, served as both a celebration of victory and an appreciation tour for…
By Atoyebi Nike The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has ranked Nigeria as the second most affected country by cholera in West and Central Africa, with 3,109 suspected cases and 86 deaths recorded across 34 states by the end of June 2025. UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, disclosed this on Wednesday, describing Nigeria’s cholera outbreak as endemic and a growing crisis for children in the region. He warned that nearly 80,000 children are currently at high risk as the rainy season, flooding, and widespread displacement increase the threat of transmission. “Cholera remains endemic in Nigeria,…