Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The legal representatives of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have confirmed receipt of a formal court summons from the Federal Government over alleged defamatory remarks made during a televised interview, promising to present a robust defence based on facts and statutory provisions. The suit, filed on May 16, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court and marked CR/297/25, alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan made statements on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on April 3, 2025, which could harm the reputation of a public official, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code. In a statement released…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s economic landscape through coordinated policy reforms, following a high-level session of the Economic Management Team (EMT) held in Abuja. Chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, the meeting focused on aligning trade, investment, and infrastructure strategies to enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness and improve investor confidence. A key highlight of the meeting was a presentation by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who outlined her Ministry’s strategic priorities. These include improving investor retention, fast-tracking export diversification,…

By Atoyebi Nike The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has issued a new directive prohibiting Pension Fund Operators from conducting business with vendors or service providers that fail to comply with pension remittance obligations. The commission said the move is part of broader efforts to enforce compliance with the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and to expand its coverage across both public and private sectors. Under the new policy, all Licensed Pension Fund Operators (LPFOs)—which include Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs)—must now ensure that any vendor or service provider they engage presents a valid Pension Clearance Certificate (PCC)…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu has submitted a revised Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the Senate, proposing an expenditure of ₦1.48 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year. The budget was transmitted through an official letter read during plenary on Thursday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The development comes in the wake of a Supreme Court decision that voided the earlier budget passed under the administration of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Following that verdict and the existing political situation in the state, President Tinubu invoked constitutional provisions to re-present the budget for Senate consideration. Rivers State has been under…

By Atoyebi Nike More than 110,000 Nigerians have received free eye treatment through the “Eye Can See” programme, an initiative of the Seplat Energy/NNPC Exploration and Production Limited Joint Venture, according to figures released at the conclusion of the programme’s 13th edition in Benin City, Edo State. Speaking on behalf of the company, Chioma Afe, Director of External Affairs and Social Performance at Seplat Energy, disclosed the milestone on Thursday. She was represented by Esther, Senior Manager of Corporate Social Investment and Social Performance. Afe said a total of 110,634 eye treatments have been carried out since the programme’s inception,…

By Atoyebi Nike The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent warning that Gaza’s health system is on the brink of total collapse, as intensified Israeli military operations continue to devastate medical infrastructure and restrict humanitarian access. In a statement released Thursday, WHO revealed that only 19 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain operational, and most of these are functioning at minimal capacity amid acute shortages of medical supplies, fuel, food, clean water, and staff. At least 94% of hospitals across the territory have sustained damage or been destroyed. “Every hospital forced out of service is a lifeline cut off…

By Atoyebi Nike Students of Government Day Junior Secondary School, Lugeere, were recently given a timely lesson on personal hygiene, courtesy of members of the Education and ICT Community Development Service (CDS) group of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The sensitisation programme, held with a focus on Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) students, aimed to raise awareness on hygiene practices essential during puberty and adolescence. The event featured separate sessions for male and female students to encourage openness and ensure discussions were tailored to their respective experiences. Leading the female session, Corps Member Khadijat spoke on body odor and…

By Atoyebi Nike The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has introduced a nationwide reduction in petrol prices, providing some relief to consumers amid sustained concerns over the rising cost of fuel. In an official announcement made via its X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, the refinery disclosed that petrol will now retail between N875 and N905 per litre, depending on location. The adjustment is effective immediately and applies to all partner fuel marketing companies across the country. Under the revised pricing framework, motorists in Lagos will now pay N875 per litre, a drop from the previous N890. Prices in the South-West have…

By Atoyebi Nike Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have jointly affirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stand unopposed as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections. The announcement was made during the APC National Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. The event, which carried the theme “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey So Far,” brought together party stalwarts from across the country, including top federal and state government officials. Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma, moved the motion for…

By Atoyebi Nike A small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood in southern California in the early hours of Thursday morning, igniting multiple vehicles and damaging several homes, according to authorities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a Cessna 550 aircraft went down at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time, in a street near the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego. Footage from the scene showed charred remnants of vehicles, with rows of cars reduced to blackened shells and at least one house suffering significant structural damage. Debris from the crash was strewn across the street, and emergency crews responded…