Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €100 million ($116.4 million) loan to strengthen sustainable agriculture in Morocco, with a focus on women and young farmers. The bank said the financing, announced Monday, aims to enhance food security and climate resilience, especially among smallholder farmers vulnerable to environmental shocks. “Women who have the ambition to undertake and succeed in agriculture are our priority,” said Achraf Tarsim, AfDB’s country manager in Morocco. The programme will back women-led and youth-driven farming ventures, part of a broader €15 billion investment by AfDB in Morocco since the 1970s. The bank…
By Atoyebi Nike Medical experts at International SOS have raised concerns over the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in African workplaces, describing it as a silent but growing threat to workforce productivity and business continuity across the continent. In a statement released on Sunday titled “The Hidden Health Crisis Threatening Africa’s Workforce and Business Continuity,” the organization noted that chronic conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are increasingly affecting working-age populations, often going undetected until they cause serious health complications. “NCDs are responsible for a staggering 32 per cent loss in productivity across Africa,” the statement said.…
By Atoyebi Nike The Chairman of Kudan Local Government Area in Kaduna State, Dauda Abba, has proposed that couples seeking to marry must show proof of enrollment in the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) scheme. Speaking at the Kudan Secretariat during the launch of the informal sector enrollment campaign, Abba said the move would boost participation in the health programme while improving access to affordable healthcare for residents. “Making KADCHMA enrollment a requirement for marriage will increase awareness and uptake of the scheme,” Abba said, adding that he would forward an executive order to the LGA legislature to…
By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s power generation companies (Gencos) have raised fresh concerns over the sector’s looming collapse, revealing that a fresh N1.2 trillion debt in the first half of 2025 has pushed their total unpaid invoices to N5.2 trillion. Dr Joy Ogaji, CEO of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), said on Monday that the Gencos’ years of patriotic service were no longer enough to sustain operations without urgent government intervention. “Patriotism alone cannot keep the machines running or the lights on,” she said during a press briefing, stressing that there is no functional payment structure in place to…
By Sani Danaudi Mohammed “Verily, verily, I say unto you, all is vanity,” echoes the timeless wisdom. As we reflect on the life and legacy of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose passing has left a profound sense of loss and nostalgia among Nigerians, we are reminded that everything on earth is indeed fleeting. The pomp and pageantry that accompanied his burial in Daura, with visitors from far and wide paying their respects, served as a poignant reminder of the transience of human greatness. Despite his towering achievements and contributions to Nigeria’s development, Buhari’s demise underscores the impermanence of all earthly…
By Atoyebi Nike The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee (FPTRC), Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that only three per cent of Nigeria’s informal sector operators are capable of paying taxes. Speaking at PwC’s Executive Summit on Nigeria’s Tax Reform in Lagos, Oyedele said the recently introduced tax reforms have legally exempted the bottom 97 per cent from taxation to allow them room to grow. “Let them breathe,” he said. “When they grow, they will have the capacity to pay.” He warned, however, that tax evaders disguising as small businesses would be identified and penalized. Oyedele…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has inaugurated a Technical Working Group on Climate Change to integrate climate considerations into Nigeria’s livestock sector. At the ceremony held Thursday in Abuja, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ijeoma Akujobi, described the move as timely and urged the group to explore global carbon markets and climate finance opportunities. The group, initially 14 members, now includes Special Adviser Richard Mark and communications expert Muna Racheal. Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed, who spoke for the group, said the team aims to roll out an action plan and communications strategy, supported by development partners like…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has warned it will begin a nationwide strike on Thursday, July 25, if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands. NMA President, Professor Bala Audu, said the action follows a 21-day ultimatum issued on July 2. At the center of the dispute is a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which the association says undermines existing agreements on allowances for medical and dental professionals. Audu further disclosed that although the NMA has held meetings with senior government officials, including the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof.…
By Atoyebi Nike The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for warning Nigeria about alleged Gulenist terrorists in the country. In a statement on Monday, MURIC’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said Turkish-linked groups in Nigeria are peaceful and focused on education and charity, not terrorism. “Erdogan is raising false alarms,” Akintola said. “Nigeria is not under Turkiye’s control and should not be used to target opposition figures abroad.” He urged the Nigerian government to ignore what he described as “baseless claims,” adding that Erdogan’s actions reflect fear and repression of dissent in his own country.
By Atoyebi Nike Farmers in conflict-hit communities across North East Nigeria are facing worsening hunger, loss of farmland, and displacement, as food insecurity tightens its grip on the region. In a statement issued on Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross revealed that more than 3.7 million people in the region are food insecure. Many of them are small-scale farmers who can no longer safely access their lands due to ongoing violence and displacement. Modu Umar, a community leader in Dikwa, shared the growing desperation among residents. “Right now, we face severe food shortages. Some families are forced to…