Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Over 900 former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have officially returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, in what has been described as a major political realignment ahead of future elections. The decampees, numbering 930, were received in a symbolic ceremony held on Monday, where Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Mrs. Augustina Wandahya, welcomed them back into the PDP fold with assurances of full integration and equal treatment. “The PDP remains a party of inclusiveness, fairness, and opportunity,” Governor Fintiri said in a statement delivered at…

By Atoyebi Nike Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has called for a united response from governments and stakeholders worldwide to tackle the mounting threat of sea level rise and coastal erosion, which he says is endangering communities across the Niger Delta. Speaking at the Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit held ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France, the governor stressed the need for a multi-level governance approach to climate challenges. “Bayelsa lies below sea level, and about 70% of its land is covered by rivers, bordering the Atlantic Ocean on three fronts,” Diri said…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has projected widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across the country from Sunday through Tuesday, warning the public to brace for potentially strong winds and hazardous weather. In its latest outlook released Saturday in Abuja, the agency said northern states such as Taraba and Adamawa would experience morning thunderstorms on Sunday, with storms extending into the afternoon in parts of Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Jigawa, Borno, and Bauchi. The North-Central region will wake to a cloudy sky, with thunderstorms expected later in the day across the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, and…

By Atoyebi Nike MTN Nigeria lost N440 billion in 2024, hit hard by currency shocks. But in Q1 2025, it bounced back with N133.6 billion profit after tax. The big driver? Data. In 2024, MTN’s data revenue hit N1.59 trillion, up 49% from the previous year. It made up 47% of total revenue. The trend continued in Q1 2025. Data income was N528.98 billion, now 50% of total revenue. Subscriber numbers tell the story:          47.7 million active data users, up 7%           Data traffic rose 42.9%           Average…

By Atoyebi Nike Chelsea Football Club has confirmed the acquisition of Mamadou Sarr from French top-flight outfit RC Strasbourg, with the promising young defender agreeing to a contract that extends through 2033. The 19-year-old French centre-back enjoyed a breakout season in Ligue 1 during the 2024/25 campaign, making 28 appearances across competitions and playing a crucial part in Strasbourg’s qualification for European football. His contributions were pivotal in the club’s push to secure a UEFA Conference League play-off berth, with 27 of his appearances coming as a starter in the league. Sarr’s reputation was already well established in youth football,…

By Atoyebi Nike Chelsea Football Club will part company with four players at the end of June as their current deals approach expiration, marking the end of their time at Stamford Bridge. Among those leaving is Finnish shot-stopper Lucas Bergstrom, who departs after six years with the club. Bergstrom arrived from Turun Palloseura during the 2018/19 season and progressed through the youth ranks. While primarily involved with the Academy sides, he also featured on the bench for the senior squad multiple times, including during Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League final triumph over Real Betis. Another goalkeeper, Eddie Beach, is also heading…

By Atoyebi Nike Over 1,200 individuals formerly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) have officially joined the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), marking a significant political development in Kano South Senatorial District. The new party loyalists, who hail from Albasu and Sumaila Local Government Areas, were previously affiliated with the Waraka political group led by Senator Kawu Sumaila. Their defection was formally announced during a political meeting held on Sunday, which drew high-ranking figures from the NNPP. The National Leader of the NNPP and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who was present at the event, described…

BY NWADUBA GERALD Tottenham Hotspur have sacked manager Ante Postecoglou just weeks after winning the Europa League in Bilbao. Club chairman Daniel Levy made the decision yesterday in an official statement. Daniel Levy had previously sacked Mauricio Poccettino months after reaching the UEFA Champions League final and Portuguese legendary coach Jose Mourinho six days to a league cup final with Postecoglou being the latest victim of Levy’s sacking spree. Despite winning the UEFA Europa League last month Tottenham had a woeful premier league season finishing just one place above relegation in 17th. In his official statement Postecoglou said “When I…

By Atoyebi Nike Thirty-five Nigerian nationals, including five minors and nine women, have been repatriated from Ireland in a government-led deportation exercise described as the first African-bound charter flight operation of the year. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), which oversaw the removal, confirmed that the children involved were part of family units. The group was flown out of Dublin Airport on the night of Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in a chartered aircraft that later landed in Nigeria after making an unplanned stop to address a medical situation on board. This marks the third deportation operation involving chartered flights since…

By Atoyebi Nike Ijebu-Ode, a historic town in Ogun State, is bracing for a cultural extravaganza as it prepares to host the 2025 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival on June 8. This year’s celebration is projected to draw more than 100 million participants and viewers globally, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of the Yoruba people. Renowned for its regal horse-riding processions, elaborate fashion displays, and deep-rooted traditional homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland, the festival has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most iconic cultural gatherings. Families, cultural age-grade groups (regberegbes), dignitaries, and tourists converge annually to honor the monarch…