Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto has resigned following public outrage over remarks suggesting he never buys rice due to receiving large amounts from supporters, a comment many saw as insensitive amid rising food prices. Eto made the controversial statement during a Sunday seminar of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), saying, “I’ve never bought rice myself because my supporters donate so much to me that I can practically sell it.” The remark sparked swift backlash across the country, where rice prices have nearly doubled since April 2024. On Wednesday, Eto told reporters he had submitted his resignation…
By Atoyebi Nike Suspected bandits have killed several people in fresh attacks on Guma and Gwer West Local Government Areas of Benue State. Among the victims was Hon. James Akase, a former PDP ward chairman. Among those reportedly killed is Hon. James Akase, the immediate past PDP Ward Chairman from Tse-Defam, Mba’akov Vengav, Avihijime Council Ward in Gwer West. Local sources confirmed that the attacks occurred on Monday, May 19, 2025, targeting several rural settlements. Villages affected include Tse Ikpe Ago, located along the Yogbo-Gyungu Aze road in Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward, and Tse Kologa in Mbagune, Nyiev Council Ward. A…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Customs Service’s anti-smuggling efforts have scored a significant victory as the Adamawa and Taraba States Command seized smuggled goods valued at over ₦104.4 million in Adamawa State. During a briefing in Yola on Tuesday, Comptroller Garba Bashir, head of the command, said the operations align with the national security, energy security, and economic growth goals of the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu administration. “In the past four weeks, the command seized goods valued at ₦104,456,550,” Bashir announced. The seized items include: 36,835 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), packed in 1,219 jerry cans and 24 drums…
By Atoyebi Nike The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to support the revival of Nigeria’s local textile industry by facilitating the provision of soft loans to operators through the Bank of Industry (BOI). The call followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Mr. Garba Muhammad, a lawmaker from Jigawa State, during Tuesday’s plenary session. Mr. Muhammad highlighted the critical role the textile industry plays in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, noting that over 180 textile mills currently operate across the country, employing nearly 450,000 people annually. He emphasized that revitalizing the sector would significantly boost employment, diversify…
By Atoyebi Nike Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast becoming an integral part of modern education, transforming how students access knowledge, solve problems, and interact with academic content. From smart tutoring systems to AI-powered research assistants, the technology promises efficiency, convenience, and customization like never before. But beneath the surface of these advancements lies a growing concern — one that particularly affects students in hands-on, practical disciplines like engineering, medicine, pharmacy, law, architecture, and the applied sciences. While AI brings undeniable benefits, its unchecked use could, in the near future, undermine the very skills these students need to succeed in the…
By Atoyebi Nike Tragedy struck the Alakia area of Ibadan, Oyo State, Tuesday morning when a student sitting for the ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams was fatally shot by a stray bullet allegedly fired by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force. The victim, whose identity is being withheld pending official confirmation, was reportedly on his way to his examination centre in his father’s car when the incident occurred. Eyewitnesses say the police were in pursuit of a Hilux vehicle when they opened fire in the busy area. One of the bullets allegedly struck the student, who was seated…
By Atoyebi Nike Economic analyst and Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, has raised doubts about the credibility of Nigeria’s inflation data, citing inconsistencies in the latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). According to the NBS, Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined slightly to 23.71% in April 2025, down from 24.23% in March. However, Rewane expressed skepticism, pointing to significant regional discrepancies—particularly between food-producing and food-consuming states. “The NBS data shows some food-producing states recording very high inflation, while major consuming states report much lower rates,” he said. He highlighted that Benue recorded an inflation…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian film industry continues to make impressive strides, with cinema revenues in the first quarter of 2025 reaching an exceptional ₦3.48 billion, according to figures released by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN). The earnings, recorded between 1 January and 31 March, mark a 54.7% increase on the ₦2.25 billion generated in the same period of 2024.Compared to the first quarter of 2023, the 2025 figures represent a staggering 132% rise, reflecting Nollywood’s growing cultural and commercial influence, as well as the increasing demand for cinema experiences across the country. Notably, Q1 2024 also witnessed…
By Atoyebi Nike The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruq Umar Faruq, has dethroned Iliya Mantau, the Village Head of Mantau in Yarmaulu, Baure Local Government Area, following serious allegations of kidnapping and rape involving a woman in the community. The action comes after months of public outrage and a recent youth-led protest in Yarmaulu, where locals accused the village head and others of abducting a woman, Zulaihatu, and her child, collecting a ₦20 million ransom, and allegedly raping the woman. The Emir announced the decision on Monday, citing the Emirate’s zero tolerance for abuse of power and injustice. “This Emirate…
By Atoyebi Nike Former Governor of Jigawa State and ex-National Secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sule Lamido, has disclosed that he asked General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) to resign during the June 12, 1993 political crisis. The revelation is contained in Chapter 7 of his autobiography, Being True to Myself, launched on May 13. The chapter is titled “June 12 Consumes IBB.” Lamido said the meeting happened at the Presidential Villa, following a call summoning him early in the morning to see the Head of State. He was contacted by Col. Bamalli and then directly ordered by Babangida…