Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Renewed violence has erupted in Adamawa State, with fresh attacks reported in Lafiya and Boshikiri villages in Lamurde and Guyuk Local Government Areas, respectively. The incidents, which occurred on Wednesday, resulted in the destruction of homes and have once again highlighted the recurring tensions that often flare up during the farming season in these border communities. In a statement issued Thursday, Adamawa State Police Command described the incidents as acts of “mischief by fire”, confirming that thatched huts were set ablaze by unidentified individuals. Police spokesperson Suleiman Nguroje said the homes of Mrs. Ododumga Kenneth in Lafiya…

By Atoyebi Nike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Usman Zakari, Chief Bailiff of the Gombe State High Court, for allegedly converting N9.82 million from a court-ordered property auction to personal use. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed on Thursday that Zakari was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice M.A. Kereng of the Gombe State High Court on a one-count charge of dishonest conversion. According to the EFCC, Zakari handled the auction of a property tied to judgment enforcement in case GM/329M/2023, which sold for N14 million. However, only N4.18 million was remitted to the judgment creditor, Ahmed Umaru,…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector has attracted over $16 billion in new investments, thanks to reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and fiscal incentives introduced through President Tinubu’s 2024 Executive Orders, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Speaking at the 24th NOG Energy Week in Abuja, NUPRC Chief Executive Engr. Gbenga Komolafe said the PIA has provided the legal foundation, while Tinubu’s orders have enhanced investor appeal by offering competitive incentives, strengthening local content, and reducing project costs. Komolafe noted that initiatives like Project One Million Barrels—which targets 2.5 million barrels/day by…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s 2025 fiscal outlook faces growing uncertainty as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a stark warning, urging the federal government to revise its budget projections or risk deepening economic instability. In its latest Article IV Consultation Report released Wednesday, the IMF cautioned that Nigeria’s fiscal deficit could climb to 4.7% of GDP far above the government’s current target due to declining oil prices, underwhelming oil production, and weak execution of capital expenditure projects. “Absent policy actions, the fiscal deficit in 2025 would exceed budget expectations,” the IMF report warned, noting the need for an urgent…

By Atoyebi Nike The Presidency has issued a blistering rebuke of former appointees under President Muhammadu Buhari who have joined forces in a newly formed ADC-led opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing them of betrayal, personal ambition, and ideological bankruptcy. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Strategy, singled out former ministers Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Abubakar Malami (Justice), Hadi Sirika (Aviation), and Rauf Aregbesola (Interior), who have reportedly aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), now serving as the political vehicle of a rising opposition alliance. In a post on X late Wednesday,…

By Atoyebi Nike Unsafe abortion among young women is becoming a serious problem, especially in developing countries. Many girls between the ages of 15 and 25 face unwanted pregnancies and, with little access to safe and legal abortion services, turn to unsafe methods. This puts their health and future at great risk and creates long-term problems for society. How Common Is It? In Sub-Saharan Africa, young women account for over 40% of unsafe abortions. In cities like Lagos or Kinshasa, about one in four young women in poor communities have an abortion each year. In Nigeria, studies show that abortion…

By Atoyebi Nike The Provost of Harvarde College of Science and Management Studies, Obada, Abeokuta, Dr. Oluwatosin Adebayo, has opposed growing calls for the extension of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to students in private tertiary institutions, arguing that such a move is unnecessary and misdirected. Speaking during a media tour of the school’s facilities on Wednesday, Dr. Adebayo maintained that most parents whose children attend private universities or colleges in Nigeria are financially well-off and unlikely to require public-funded student loans. “The poor people won’t send their children to where they are paying as much as N6 million…

By Atoyebi Nike Despite the British pound experiencing a notable correction in global markets, the Nigerian naira has held its ground in the parallel market, trading consistently at N2,200/£. Analysts say the naira’s muted response reflects its ongoing consolidation phase, underpinned by broader macroeconomic reforms and rising investor confidence. This comes amid fresh political uncertainty in the United Kingdom, where the pound dipped nearly 1 percent in response to fiscal concerns and parliamentary drama surrounding Finance Minister Rachel Reeves. Her emotional appearance and the government’s recent backtrack on welfare reforms stoked fears about Britain’s economic outlook and budget stability. Nevertheless,…

By Atoyebi Nike Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is reportedly unwell and undergoing medical treatment in the United Kingdom, sources close to his family have confirmed. The 82-year-old former leader, who stepped down on 29 May 2023 after completing two terms in office, has been outside the country since April. Initially believed to have travelled for a routine medical check-up, Buhari reportedly became seriously ill shortly after arriving in London. “There are conflicting reports about when exactly he became unwell,” one source was quoted as saying. “Some say he fell ill in Nigeria and was flown out. Others insist he…

By Atoyebi Nike The Labour Party has been thrown into deeper crisis as the Julius Abure-led faction issued a stern 48-hour ultimatum to former presidential candidate Peter Obi, demanding he resign his membership of the party following his public support for the new opposition coalition spearheaded by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The ultimatum, announced in a statement by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, came a day after Obi declared his allegiance to the coalition, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political vehicle ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a strongly worded statement…