Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that 20 states may face severe flash floods in July. States listed include Lagos, Sokoto, Benue, Kaduna, Edo, and Yobe. The agency attributed the risk to increased rainfall. NiMet urged residents in vulnerable areas to relocate. It also advised them to clear drainage systems and prepare emergency kits. The warning came after major floods hit Ondo State over the weekend. The flood damaged homes in Owo, Okitipupa, Ilaje, and Ese Odo local government areas. A resident of Okitipupa, Mr. Joshua Jemiloni, said the flooding came from erosion and the overflowing…
By Atoyebi Nike Prof. Sami Ayodele, a botany expert at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has called on the Federal Government to invest in mushroom farming. He said the sector could earn the country over ₦1 trillion each year. Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Ayodele described mushroom cultivation as a goldmine. He said it remains underdeveloped despite its health and economic value. “Nigeria has many edible and medicinal mushroom species,” he said. “But the sector lacks investment and awareness.” According to him, mushroom farming can raise Nigeria’s GDP and boost export income. “It has the potential…
By Atoyebi Nike President Donald Trump has pledged to send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine, a move that has provoked sharp criticism from Moscow amid fresh Russian advances in Ukraine’s embattled central region. Speaking from the White House on Monday, Trump stated, “We’re going to have to send more defensive weapons primarily,” referencing intensified Russian strikes. “They’re getting hit very, very hard,” he added, while expressing dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Axios, Trump has promised to immediately send 10 U.S.-made Patriot missile systems to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses, which are under strain following some of the largest…
By Atoyebi Nike The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi, says security conditions in parts of northern Nigeria have improved, allowing farmers to return to lands they had long abandoned due to insurgency and communal violence. Speaking during a recent briefing, Sabi highlighted progress in previously volatile regions, including Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, where local markets have reopened after more than a decade of closure. He said dry season farming has resumed in many areas, thanks to renewed security tactics directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “This is a testament to the resilience…
By Atoyebi Nike The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised alarms over the absence of a robust social safety net in Nigeria, warning that the ongoing economic reforms may deepen hardship for millions of citizens without targeted support for the most vulnerable. In an article published Monday on its website, the IMF noted that although key reforms introduced since 2023 have helped stabilize some macroeconomic indicators, widespread poverty and food insecurity persist. The reforms include liberalising the foreign exchange market, halting central bank deficit financing, and removing fuel subsidies. The IMF’s Nigeria Mission Chief, Axel Schimmelpfennig, and Resident Representative, Christian…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has officially set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into all tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa announced the policy during the 2025 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja on Tuesday. Declaring the age limit “official and non-negotiable,” Alausa warned institutions to adhere strictly to the new guideline, stressing that any admission carried out outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) will be deemed illegal. He also issued a strong warning to institutional heads involved in admission malpractice, stating that offenders would face…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has dismissed widespread reports suggesting that Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam has begun releasing water, describing them as false and misleading. Minister Joseph Utsev made the clarification in a statement on Wednesday after speaking directly with the dam’s manager, Ahmad Bivoung. According to Utsev, the dam’s water level currently stands at just 2.06 metres, far below the discharge threshold. “There has been no release of water from the Lagdo Dam,” he confirmed, urging the public to disregard rumours and remain calm. He emphasized that the ministry remains in close communication with…
By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his administration’s decision to remove fuel subsidies, describing it as a painful but necessary move that is now enabling the government to invest in critical infrastructure, expand social safety nets, and implement targeted economic reforms. Speaking Monday at the opening of the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance in Abuja organized by the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly Tinubu, represented by Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the N4 trillion spent on fuel subsidies in 2022 alone exceeded the country’s capital expenditure and largely…
By Atoyebi Nike The iconic FIFA Club World Cup trophy made a high-profile stop at Trump Tower in New York’s Manhattan on Monday, as part of its global tour leading up to the final match slated for July 13 at MetLife Stadium. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, joined by Eric Trump and Brazilian football legend Ronaldo, unveiled the trophy during a ceremony, officially marking the opening of a FIFA office at the prestigious location. The trophy will be on public display from July 8 to July 12 at the Trump Tower Atrium on 725 5th Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00…
By Atoyebi Nike At least 24 Palestinians were killed today as Israeli air and ground forces intensified strikes across Gaza, including attacks on civilians reportedly seeking humanitarian aid. The fresh wave of bombardment hit multiple locations, further worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Eyewitnesses reported chaos near aid distribution points, where some of the casualties occurred. “People had gathered for food and supplies when the missiles struck,” said a resident in central Gaza, adding that the area had no visible military presence at the time. The strikes come amid ongoing Israeli military operations following renewed hostilities with…