Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Global crude oil prices fell sharply on Tuesday, dropping more than 3% following the announcement of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, signaling a potential end to nearly two weeks of military confrontation in the Middle East. As of 11:30 a.m. local time, Brent Crude traded at $69.11 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped to $66.55, both slipping below the psychological $70 mark. The decline came as geopolitical tensions eased after US B-2 bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, prompting a strategic recalibration. The ceasefire, announced by US President…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Senate has again extended the implementation timeline of the capital component of the 2024 national budget, shifting the deadline from June 30 to December 31, 2025. This marks the second extension granted for the ₦28.7 trillion budget’s capital expenditure. The resolution followed the amendment and expeditious passage of the appropriation bill during Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. The bill passed through its first, second, and third readings without delay and was considered by the Senate Committee on Supply. Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, led the…

By Atoyebi Nike Tensions remain high despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran, after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that two missiles were fired toward northern Israel early Tuesday morning. Iran, however, has denied any involvement. According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, reports of a post-truce missile launch by Tehran are “false,” with officials insisting the government has not conducted any attacks since the ceasefire took effect. Meanwhile, the IDF said air raid sirens were triggered across parts of northern Israel and that both missiles were intercepted successfully, with no casualties or property damage reported. The military has…

By Atoyebi Nike In a bid to address rising insecurity and socio-economic marginalization, the Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization (FUDECO) in partnership with SPARC has trained and empowered over 250 pastoralist women across Nasarawa State through a wide-ranging skills acquisition programme. The initiative, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and UK Aid, focuses on providing women with practical skills such as making bags, soaps, shoes, yogurt, and perfumes—alongside start-up capital and platforms to market their products. Speaking during a stakeholders engagement event in Lafia, FUDECO State Chairman, Muhammad Habib Hussaini, said the intervention follows extensive research on the…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu has declined to sign the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2025, citing constitutional and policy concerns that could undermine government structures and set an “unsustainable precedent.” The decision was conveyed in a letter read by House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during Tuesday’s resumed plenary session of the House of Representatives. While acknowledging the bill’s good intentions, Tinubu pointed to multiple areas of concern, including provisions on funding structures for National Assembly agencies, taxation of national entities, public service remuneration, and criteria relating to age and years of service. “These provisions, if enacted,…

By Atoyebi Nike U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised both Israel and Iran for violating the ceasefire agreement but expressed stronger disapproval toward Israel’s actions, urging an immediate halt to airstrikes. “I’m really unhappy with Israel,” Trump said in a statement on Monday. “Stop dropping bombs. Bring your pilots home, now!” The remarks mark a notable shift in tone from the White House, which had previously maintained firm support for Israel throughout the conflict. Trump’s comments come as international pressure mounts on both sides to de-escalate hostilities and honor ceasefire commitments. While acknowledging that Iran also breached the ceasefire, Trump’s…

By  Atoyebi Nike The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has pledged full support for the upcoming nationwide Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, calling on Nigerians to rally behind the initiative to protect the nation’s children. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the traditional ruler stressed the urgent need for collective action, noting that measles and rubella remain real threats to children’s lives but are preventable through vaccination. “This campaign is not just another government event, it’s a national call to protect our future,” he said, endorsing the campaign led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). Scheduled for October 2025,…

By Atoyebi Nike A senior U.S. official has accused Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek of actively supporting Beijing’s military and intelligence operations, while also attempting to bypass American export controls by using shell companies in Southeast Asia to acquire restricted semiconductors. Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the official said DeepSeek’s cooperation with Chinese security forces “goes far beyond open-source contributions” and includes direct support to military and surveillance programs. “We understand that DeepSeek has willingly provided and will likely continue to provide support to China’s military and intelligence operations,” the official stated. The revelation marks the first public…

By Atoyebi Nike The House of Representatives has directed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to stop collecting the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) levy by June 30, 2025, declaring the charge illegal and unsupported by any existing law. The directive was issued by Leke Abejide, Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, during the NCS’s 2024 budget performance review and 2025 budget defense session in Abuja. He insisted that the only lawful revenue collection for the Service is the 4% Free-On-Board (FOB) charge, as outlined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. “The CISS levy is not backed…

By Atoyebi Nike Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil led a rally in New York City following his release from U.S. immigration detention, vowing to intensify protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and the United States’ role in supporting it. Speaking to a crowd of demonstrators, Khalil condemned what he described as Israel’s “genocide in Gaza” and called for global solidarity with Palestinians. His arrest had drawn widespread attention from human rights groups and pro-Palestinian advocates, many of whom claimed it was politically motivated. “We will not be silenced. We will not stop,” Khalil said during…