Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has said the world is entering an unsettling phase in global security, marked by what he described as “a new era of nuclear weapons.” His comments follow the United States’ recent declaration that it intends to begin fresh nuclear weapons tests. Speaking in Helsinki on Monday, Stubb said the long-held principles that guided nuclear deterrence and strategic balance among major powers were now shifting. According to him, the importance of nuclear arms in global geopolitics has been growing in ways not seen in decades. His remarks came days after US President Donald Trump…

By Atoyebi Nike In a strong endorsement of Nigeria’s reform trajectory and improving investor confidence, the World Bank and the Bank of Industry (BoI) have unveiled a new development finance framework aimed at accelerating job creation, unlocking private capital, and strengthening financial inclusion across the country. The initiative was announced at the second edition of the BoI Development Lecture Series held in Abuja, themed “Development Finance Imperatives: Rethinking Nigeria’s Path Forward.” The event drew senior policymakers, development finance leaders, and private sector stakeholders. World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Matthew Verghis, said the country is at a turning point,…

By Atoyebi Nike A new economic review by Quartus Economics has advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to introduce higher-value currency notes such as ₦10,000 and ₦20,000, arguing that it would improve the naira’s usability and reduce the cost of cash transactions. In its report titled “Is Africa’s Eagle Stuck or Soaring Back to Life?”, the firm said the steady depreciation of the naira had rendered the ₦1,000 note  currently the highest denomination  almost worthless in terms of purchasing power. “To make the naira portable again, Nigeria can introduce higher-value bills, e.g., ₦10,000 or ₦20,000 notes, or redenominate the…

By Atoyebi NikeTension has spread across Ogbadibo and Okpokwu Local Government Areas of Benue State following the death of a 54-year-old woman from Lassa fever at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. The woman, a native of Ogbadibo LGA, reportedly died on Sunday after laboratory tests confirmed she had contracted the disease. Her remains were initially deposited in a private morgue in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA, before some community youths allegedly seized the body during burial. Benue State Commissioner for Health, Dr Paul Ogwuche, confirmed the incident, saying he led a delegation of health officials and security personnel to the…

By Atoyebi Nike Tanzania has descended into chaos following President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s virtually uncontested re-election, as violence spread across major cities on election day. Police stations were torched in Dar es Salaam, polling stations attacked, and protesters tore down images of the president. A diplomatic source said at least 30 people were feared dead, though verification remains impossible due to a nationwide internet blackout and restrictions on international calls. Foreign journalists were barred from entering the country for the polls, while local media under heavy government control have not updated their reports since Wednesday. Schools and government offices were…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has begun activities to mark its 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of service in shaping and regulating Nigeria’s electricity supply industry. Established on October 31, 2005, under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), now replaced by the Electricity Act 2023, NERC has overseen major reforms  from the unbundling and privatisation of the power sector to the creation of a competitive electricity market. NERC Vice Chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, described the anniversary as a reaffirmation of the Commission’s mandate to protect consumers, promote investment, and ensure fair competition. He said NERC…

By Atoyebi Nike Major General Waidi Shaibu has officially taken command of the Nigerian Army as its 25th Chief of Army Staff, pledging to uphold discipline, unity, and professionalism while addressing the country’s evolving security challenges. Speaking during the handing and taking-over ceremony at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, Shaibu vowed to consolidate ongoing reforms and enhance inter-agency cooperation to improve operational efficiency. “I will do everything to advance the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a professional, innovative, formidable force  agile, adaptable, and combat-resilient,” he stated. Shaibu assured troops across various theatres of operation of his commitment to their…

By Atoyebi Nike AfDB Approves $6 Million Grant to Strengthen Africa’s Disaster PreparednessGrant to support African Risk Capacity in proactive disaster management and risk financing The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $6 million grant to the African Risk Capacity (ARC) to enhance disaster preparedness and risk financing across the continent for the 2025-2026 period. Approved on October 29, 2025, under the Bank’s African Disaster Risk Financing Initiative (ADRiFi), the funding will enable ARC to strengthen national capacities in disaster risk assessment, early warning systems, and contingency planning across member countries. According to the AfDB, the project seeks to…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu on Thursday decorated the newly appointed Service Chiefs with their ranks, charging them to act decisively against emerging security threats across the country. The ceremony, held at the State House in Abuja, marked what the President described as a “renewed effort” to guarantee national peace and security. The new military chiefs include General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff; Air Marshal Kevin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff; Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff; and Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence. Addressing…

By Atoyebi Nike At least six people, including a police officer, lost their lives on Wednesday night in a fiery multiple-truck collision on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The crash, which occurred around 11 p.m., involved five vehicles, including a fuel tanker and a container-laden trailer, which burst into flames after impact. Eyewitnesses said one of the trucks plunged into the river below the bridge, while another spilled cartons of biscuits across the highway, causing chaos and complete traffic paralysis. “The head of the truck was severed and plunged into the river,” one witness recounted. The Lagos…