Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The European Union (EU), the European Space Agency (ESA), and Nigeria’s NASRDA are joining forces to launch a new satellite-based farming project. The goal is to boost food security and train rural youth in digital agriculture before January 2026. Called Innovative Agriculture or Copernicus, the project will use space data to help farmers improve yields and manage their farms better. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, the EU’s Hugh Briggs said the programme is almost ready. “We are close to inauguration. It may happen by the end of the year, but no later than January 2026,”…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Ministry of Education has officially launched the 2025/2026 Technical Teachers Training Programme (TTTP), a tuition-free one-year Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) designed to equip public secondary school teachers in technical and vocational subjects with modern teaching skills. Announced through the Department of Technology and Science Education in Abuja, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to revitalise Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria and align the education sector with 21st-century industry standards. The application portal will open 8 July 2025 and close 21 July 2025, with eligible applicants required to: Be…

By Atoyebi Nike The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed reports suggesting the introduction of hidden charges under its Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, stressing that enrollment remains free for Nigerians living locally, while those abroad are required to pay only a modest $50 processing fee. In a statement on Monday, Hakama Sidi Ali, acting director of corporate communications, explained that the fee is meant solely to cover the biometric data processing, remote verification, and IT infrastructure costs associated with secure online registration. “Nigerians in the Diaspora previously paid up to $200,” she noted. “The new charge is…

By Atoyebi Nike A fatal road crash along the Kano-Zaria highway has claimed the lives of 21 passengers, leaving three others injured, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kano State. The accident occurred on Sunday morning at Dakatsalle, around 8:23 a.m., and involved a DAF trailer (registration number GWL 422 ZE) and a Toyota Hummer bus (registration number KMC 171 YM). According to a statement issued by FRSC spokesperson Abdullahi Labaran, the crash was caused by a route violation by the Hummer bus driver, which resulted in a head-on collision and a fire outbreak that consumed both…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu has charged the Nigerian Army to act decisively against insurgents, declaring “the time to rise is now,” as troops made significant breakthroughs against terror cells in Niger and Borno states. Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima during the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Kaduna, Tinubu affirmed full support for the military’s mission to safeguard national sovereignty. “You are my confidence, my support, and my prayers,” he said, pledging sustained investment in equipment, intelligence, and welfare. In Niger State, security operatives arrested nine women believed to have been forcibly married to Boko Haram insurgents,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has passed away at the age of 90, marking the end of a brief but symbolic reign as the paramount ruler of one of Yorubaland’s most prestigious traditional thrones. Sources within the Olubadan-In-Council confirmed the monarch’s death in the early hours of Monday, during ongoing celebrations for his 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary. Oba Olakulehin ascended the throne following the death of his predecessor, Oba Lekan Balogun. A palace insider disclosed that while the ruler’s passing has been acknowledged internally, an official announcement from the Oyo State Government is…

By Atoyebi Nike The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made multiple high-profile drug seizures and arrests across Nigeria, intercepting illicit consignments disguised in everyday items and dismantling major trafficking networks. In Lagos, NDLEA operatives recovered 420g of cocaine stuffed into 84 lipsticks bound for the UK, and 280g hidden in a property title document en route to Saudi Arabia, during a routine check at a courier firm on July 3. A notorious drug kingpin, Ajetsibo Emami a.k.a. Warri Kinsman, was arrested in Ikeja on June 28, along with three others, after a bust yielded 414.2kg of “Canadian Loud”…

By Atoyebi Nike Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has announced her intention to return to the Senate on Tuesday, following a Federal High Court ruling ordering her immediate reinstatement. The court declared her suspension unconstitutional and said it denied Kogi Central voters their right to representation. However, the Senate has stated that it will take no action until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the July 4 judgment, according to a statement by Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Chairman, Yemi Adaramodu. “The Senate shall refrain from taking steps that may prejudice its legal position until…

By Atoyebi Nike Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt a more compassionate and selfless approach to leadership, accusing the current administration of being detached from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. Speaking on Sunday, Obi said the presidency demands sacrifice and empathy, not extravagance or fear. He condemned the use of public funds for luxury while millions lack access to basic health care. “I will not use N150 billion to buy a jet when 80 percent of primary healthcare centres are not functioning,” Obi stated. “If I become president, I will…

By Moses Amos Coal City United FC hosted Sporting Supreme FC in a thrilling friendly encounter today, showcasing determination, talent, and sportsmanship. The match ended in favor of the home side, with Coal City United FC securing a 2-1 victory. The atmosphere was electric as both teams put on an impressive display of football. Coal City United took the lead early in the second half, displaying sharp attacking moves and solid coordination. Sporting Supreme FC responded with a late goal of their own, trying to level the score and adding to the intensity of the game. However, in the second…