Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike The Kaduna State Government has launched the Girl Effect Oya Campaign, a major health initiative aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer and malnutrition. The campaign, unveiled on Wednesday at the Gusau Institute, Kaduna, targets girls aged 9 to 14 and aims to deepen awareness and early prevention across communities. Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe represented by Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Salisu called the campaign a “call to action” to safeguard girls’ health. She highlighted that over 754,304 girls have already been vaccinated against the Human…
By Atoyebi Nike A tragic plane crash in Russia’s Far East claimed the lives of all 49 people aboard, officials confirmed Thursday. The Antonov-24 aircraft, operated by Angara Airlines, was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda when it vanished from radar. According to Amur regional governor Vassily Orlov, the aircraft carried 43 passengers including five children and six crew members. A rescue helicopter later located the plane’s burning fuselage on a mountainside roughly 10 miles from Tynda. “There were no signs of survivors from above,” local rescuers reported. The Amur region’s civil defense agency has deployed 25 responders and five…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says its planned industrial action is unlikely to proceed following ongoing talks with key federal ministries over contentious policy changes. The association had issued a 21-day ultimatum on July 2, demanding the withdrawal of a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which revised allowances for medical and dental officers without mutual agreement. The ultimatum expires on July 23. Speaking on Wednesday, NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, confirmed that deliberations had begun with the Ministries of Health, Labour, Finance, and other relevant government bodies, and that the process so far…
By Atoyebi Nike Africa’s richest man and Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday in what is seen as a strategic push for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Dangote, whose refinery project in Lagos is nearing completion and expanding from 650,000 to 700,000 barrels per day, has recently raised concerns about rent-seeking practices stalling private investment in oil refining. He warned that without strong political will, large-scale refinery projects may vanish from Africa’s future. The brief meeting, lasting about 30 minutes, underscores the growing pressure on the federal government…
By Atoyebi Nike A Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out the EFCC’s 13-count charge against Honeywell Group Chairman, Oba Otudeko, and others, following confirmation that all parties, including First Bank Plc, reached a full settlement. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ruled in favour of discontinuation after EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) cited Section 180 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, noting the Attorney General’s decision to end the case in the public interest. In a statement, Honeywell Group welcomed the ruling, saying it reaffirms Otudeko’s integrity and confirms the matter was a commercial dispute, not criminal wrongdoing. “At no…
By Atoyebi Nike The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday increased its Senate membership from 66 to 70 following the defection of four senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing the ruling party closer to securing a two-thirds majority in the upper chamber. The four defectors Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South) announced their switch to the APC in letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which were read during plenary. The lawmakers cited persistent internal crises within the PDP, including fictionalization and leadership…
By Atoyebi Nike The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has expressed its commitment to working closely with national exam bodies such as the National Examination Council (NECO), the West African Examination Council (WAEC), and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria. Chairman of the Committee, Oboku Oforji (PDP, Bayelsa), made the pledge on Tuesday during an oversight visit to selected schools in Abuja to monitor the conduct of ongoing NECO examinations across the country. “We are here to see what NECO is doing. NECO is very…
By Atoyebi Nike The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), has launched a School Gardening and Young Farmers Club initiative in secondary schools across the state to improve education, nutrition, and environmental awareness among students. Speaking during the inauguration at Government Girls College, Bauchi, on Monday, the Commissioner for Education, Muhammad Rimin-Zayam, said the project is designed to reduce school dropout rates and help girls acquire vital life and agricultural skills. The programme will initially be implemented in six schools. “This initiative is not just about farming; it’s about empowering young…
By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria has the potential to produce more than 4 million tonnes of green ammonia each year by 2060 if it commits to strategic investment and policy reforms, according to the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL). The projection was made by WASCAL’s Executive Director, Prof. Emmanuel Ramde, at the Nigeria4H2 Project Results Workshop held in Abuja. The project, carried out in collaboration with institutions including the Federal University of Technology Akure, Afe Babalola University, and the Federal University of Technology Minna, focused on exploring Nigeria’s potential to use green hydrogen—especially…
By Atoyebi Nike A prosecution witness, Sulaiman Kwalla, on Tuesday told the Federal High Court sitting in Jos how Bishop Katung Jonas, alongside Okewole Dayo, manipulated religious influence and media broadcasts to defraud thousands of investors in the Covenant Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society. Testifying before Justice Sharon T. Ishaya, Kwalla said he and his wife were convinced to invest ₦300,000 based on promises made during Bishop Katung’s church sermons and TV adverts. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the bishop and Dayo, chairman and secretary of the cooperative respectively, on a 23-count charge bordering on obtaining ₦178.8…