Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike Liverpool forward and Portuguese international Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain, local authorities confirmed early Wednesday. The 28-year-old footballer was travelling with his brother, Andre Silva, who also died at the scene. The accident occurred near Valladolid in northern Spain, where police say the vehicle Jota was driving veered off the road due to a tyre blowout while attempting to overtake another car. The vehicle reportedly struck a roadside barrier before overturning. Jota’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the global football community. Only weeks ago, he married his long-time partner. The couple…
By Atoyebi Nike Stakeholders in Bauchi South Senatorial District have urged the National Assembly to assign formal constitutional responsibilities to traditional rulers, approve the creation of new local government areas, and consider the formation of a new state from the current Bauchi territory as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process. These appeals were made during a one-day town hall meeting convened by Senator Shehu Buba Umar in partnership with the Bauchi South Zonal Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The forum was part of a broader effort to engage communities in the review of the 1999 Constitution…
By Atoyebi Nike A political tremor shook the nation’s capital Wednesday as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, ex-Senate President David Mark, and a host of political heavyweights officially adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the united platform to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027. What started as hushed alliances in backrooms and hotel lobbies exploded into the public arena at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. The event marked the official unveiling of the coalition’s new political home a move critics say could realign Nigeria’s fractured opposition. “This is no ordinary coalition,” said David…
By Atoyebi Nike Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are often excluded. With over 1.3 million IDPs displaced by conflict and other crises, these populations are frequently left out of essential public health interventions. Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer, with about 604,127 women diagnosed in 2020 alone. Cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer among Nigerian women. In 2022, more than 13,500 women were diagnosed, with over 7,000 deaths from the disease. So, the consequences of exclusion of IDPs and other underserved populations range from higher rates of preventable cancers among displaced women and girls, increased healthcare costs…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA) have agreed to deepen their cooperation to confront the growing impact of climate change on river basin hydrology and water resource management. At a strategic meeting held at NiMet headquarters in Abuja, Professor Charles Anosike, Director-General of NiMet, emphasized that shifting rainfall and temperature patterns are intensifying the risks of floods and droughts, threatening food production, infrastructure, and livelihoods across Nigeria. “The linkage between climate and river basin systems is undeniable,” Anosike stated. “Weather patterns affect water flow and availability, while the landscape of…
By Atoyebi Nike Chelsea FC have officially announced the signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion, securing the services of the Brazilian forward on a contract that runs until 2033. The 23-year-old, who joins ahead of Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final clash with Palmeiras, said he’s eager to contribute to the club’s winning culture. “Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history,” said Pedro. “When you’re a Chelsea player, you must think one thing , win.” Joao Pedro arrives at Stamford Bridge after a standout season with Brighton, where he netted 19 goals across…
By Atoyebi Nike Prominent opposition politicians including ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, have arrived at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for a media conference of the emerging opposition coalition. Other key political figures sighted at the venue include a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Dino Melaye; a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung; publisher and PDP chieftain, Dele Momodu; Senators Gabriel Suswam and Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party; and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka…
By Atoyebi Nike Gombe State has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading reformist states, ranking fourth nationwide with a score of 80.6% in the latest Digital Maturity in Tax Administration Index, a national evaluation of the digital capacity of all 36 states and the FCT. The announcement was made during a high-level Validation Workshop on Digital Public Infrastructure and Revenue Intelligence Index Tools, hosted by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in Abuja on Wednesday. The index assessed key indicators such as digital taxpayer onboarding, integration with national ID and payment systems, compliance…
By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu says data has become Nigeria’s new oil, calling it vital for governance and global relevance. He ordered all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to capture, secure, and share data in ways that serve the public. He gave the directive at the 2025 International Civil Service Conference in Abuja. The event also marked the launch of Galaxy Backbone’s 1Government Cloud Academy, set up to train civil servants in digital skills. “Data grows more valuable the more we refine and use it,” Tinubu said. “We must publish verified data and share it globally to boost Nigeria’s…
By Atoyebi Nike At least 43 Palestinians have been killed in a new wave of Israeli air and artillery strikes across the Gaza Strip, with many of the victims reportedly sheltering in tents or seeking aid when the attacks occurred. Local sources and health officials said the dead include civilians displaced by previous fighting, raising further alarm over the safety of makeshift encampments and humanitarian zones. Footage and eyewitness accounts describe scenes of panic and devastation, as strikes hit areas believed to be sheltering people awaiting food and medical assistance. The attacks come amid an escalating crisis in Gaza, where…