Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Ademola Lookman has joined Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Atlético Madrid’s Alexander Sørloth in a rare statistical club, the only three players to register four goal contributions in a single half during the 2024–25 season across Europe’s top five leagues. The Nigeria international was electric during Atalanta’s 6-1 rout of Hellas Verona on October 26, netting twice and providing two assists all before halftime. It was the highlight of a stunning season in which the 27-year-old scored 20 goals and added 7 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions. According to StatMuse, only Palmer who scored all four…

By Atoyebi Nike Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralized 10 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in a fresh offensive near the southern Lake Chad region of Borno State, close to the Nigeria-Cameroon border. This was disclosed in a statement issued Tuesday by Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai. The successful assault, conducted between Rann and Gamboru Ngala, targeted known terrorist hideouts around Manawaji. According to the Army, the troops engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, leading to their elimination and the recovery of a cache of weapons, including anti-aircraft…

By Atoyebi Nike Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has declared a state of emergency on the Minna General Hospital, citing its age, poor condition, and inability to meet the healthcare needs of the state’s growing population. The announcement followed an unscheduled inspection of the hospital by the governor, who described its facilities as outdated and overstretched, noting that parts of the hospital, including a bench at the eye centre, remained unchanged since his childhood. “We must be honest with ourselves the General Hospital Minna, in its present condition, can no longer serve its purpose. It is overstretched, outdated, and…

By Atoyebi Nike The Edo State Government has entered into a strategic partnership with the German Embassy aimed at scaling up food production, promoting large-scale agricultural processing, and attracting foreign investment to the state’s agribusiness sector. The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting in Benin City between Golden Ugbodu, Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security to Governor Monday Okpebholo, and Johannes Lehne, Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy. Ugbodu said the collaboration aligns with the governor’s vision of ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural development across the state. “We plan to leverage Germany’s expertise, especially in…

By Atoyebi Nike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of Emmanuel Ayodele Areola for hawking Naira notes totaling over N1 million, in violation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act. Areola was convicted by Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, June 27, 2025, after pleading guilty to a one-count charge of illegally trading N1,061,500 in N200 and N500 denominations. According to the charge, the defendant was found hawking the currency with identifiable serial numbers on November 8, 2024, an offence that contravenes Section 21(4) of the CBN…

By Atoyebi Nike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has marked a key milestone in the development of its New Academy in Giri, Abuja, with the commissioning of a newly completed access road to the site. Speaking at the event on Monday, June 30, 2025, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, represented by Secretary to the Commission, Mohammed Hammajoda, described the road as critical infrastructure that will accelerate the take-off of the Academy. “With this road now in place, work will resume fully on the development of the New EFCC Academy, envisioned as a Centre of Excellence…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been honored with Saint Lucia’s highest national award, the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), during his official visit to the Caribbean nation aimed at strengthening diplomatic and development relations. The government of Saint Lucia made the announcement via an official statement, saying the award was conferred by the Governor General in recognition of Tinubu’s leadership and his efforts to deepen Africa-Caribbean ties. “The Government of Saint Lucia is pleased to announce that the Governor General has conferred the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia…

By Atoyebi Nike Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of petrol from N880 to N840 per litre, with immediate effect from June 30, 2025. This follows a drop in global oil prices after the Israel-Iran ceasefire pushed Brent crude to $67.61 per barrel. Marketers with direct supply deals, like MRS Oil & Gas and Ardova, are expected to lower pump prices below N900. In addition, Dangote Group announced a free fuel distribution initiative starting August 15, using 4,000 new CNG-powered trucks. The ₦720 billion project is projected to save over ₦1.07 trillion annually and benefit 42 million MSMEs…

By Atoyebi Nike The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has officially launched a new Artificial Intelligence-powered business registration portal, marking a significant leap in Nigeria’s drive to simplify company incorporation and enhance ease of doing business. Unveiled by CAC Registrar-General/CEO, Hussaini Magaji (SAN), during the Commission’s 2025 Stakeholders Forum in Port Harcourt, the AI-driven platform is designed to reduce registration time to under 30 minutes, from application to certificate delivery. Describing the development as a “game-changer”, Magaji said the platform represents a total overhaul of the commission’s Company Registration Portal (CRP), with AI integrated into every stage of the registration process…

By Atoyebi Nike The Defense Headquarters has confirmed the death of notorious terrorist leader Yellow Danbokolo during a military operation in Zamfara State, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against banditry in the northwest. Danbokolo died from gunshot wounds sustained during a fierce engagement with troops of Operation FASAN YAMA, supported by Hybrid Forces, Air Components, and other security agencies, according to a statement released Tuesday by Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defense Media Operations. The intelligence-led mission, conducted last week, targeted known terrorist enclaves. During the encounter, several insurgents were neutralized, including Danbokolo, who had long terrorized…