Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched targeted aerial missions in Borno State, eliminating extremists and demolishing strategic supply centers in two major insurgent zones. The operation, executed under the military’s Operation HADIN KAI framework, took place on June 5 and 6 in remote parts of the Lake Chad axis, specifically within Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia communities. These areas have long served as operational grounds for violent extremist factions. Acting on surveillance findings, NAF combat jets struck critical installations reportedly used for stockpiling weapons and coordinating operations. The strikes reportedly disrupted planned attacks and neutralized multiple hostile…
By Atoyebi Nike With less than 300 days remaining before the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) deadline for commercial banks to meet new capital requirements, Nigeria’s financial sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The directive, which mandates a significant increase in capital thresholds, is shaping up to be the most far-reaching reform in the industry in over a decade. Banks are now confronting a moment of reckoning—either scale up quickly or risk losing relevance in an increasingly competitive financial system. The new capital structure, introduced in 2024, demands that banks with international authorization hold a minimum capital of N500 billion.…
By Atoyebi Nike A coalition of professionals affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticized the reported defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a serious misstep that has eroded his public image and weakened his political standing. In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, the Protem National Coordinator of the Conference of Professionals in PDP (CP-PDP), Barrister Obinna Nwachukwu, described the governor’s decision as regrettable and damaging, particularly given the values he was once seen to represent. “Governor Eno began his tenure with a…
By Atoyebi Nike Health professionals and policy leaders have called for expanded financial commitment to maternal and child health services during a stakeholder dialogue and policy workshop focused on primary healthcare (PHC) financing in Nigeria. The event, hosted by Development Governance International (DGI) Consult with support from UNICEF, took place in Abuja and brought together stakeholders from government and civil society. Dr. Gafar Alawode, Chief Executive Officer of DGI Consult, said the event aimed to share findings from a detailed public health spending review and rally stakeholders around evidence-driven recommendations. He stressed the importance of prioritizing strategic investments at the…
By Ibrahim Babangida Lawal Today, we gather our thoughts and summon words to honour the memory of a colossus whose existence was indelibly inscribed upon the intellectual, political, and diplomatic annals of our nation — Professor Jibrin Aminu. He was not merely a scholar; he was a custodian of wisdom, a paragon of civic virtue, and an unwavering patriot whose fidelity to Nigeria’s progress was as profound as it was enduring. Born in the serene environs of Song, Adamawa State, in August 1939, Professor Aminu’s trajectory from modest beginnings to the apex of national service exemplifies the quintessential Nigerian dream…
By Atoyebi Nike Frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians around the world face mounting threats from a devastating fungus, climate change, habitat loss—and road mortality. Among these, roads pose a uniquely immediate danger by cutting through critical migration corridors, allowing vehicles to crush millions of animals each year. Now, a new, first-of-its-kind study offers powerful evidence that a simple intervention—wildlife underpass tunnels—can dramatically reduce these amphibian deaths and help preserve ecosystems. In research spanning more than a decade, scientists and citizens from the University of Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the local community assessed the effectiveness of two…
By Atoyebi Nike Muslims worldwide observed Eid-el-Kabir on Friday, June 6, 2025, with early morning congregational prayers followed by animal sacrifices in homes and communities. Dressed in vibrant garments, worshippers gathered at various prayer grounds before returning home for the symbolic slaughter of rams, goats, cows, or camels. The occasion, known for love, unity, and generosity, also saw participation from non-Muslims in the communal feasts, where fried meat dishes were widely shared across neighborhoods. The festival coincided with the conclusion of the Hajj in Mecca, where over 1.5 million pilgrims performed rituals including prayers at Mount Arafat and the symbolic…
By Atoyebi Nike Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, has died at the age of 89 on Eid-el-Kabir day in Abuja. He served as CJN from 1995 to 2006, capping a legal career that spanned over three decades. Born in Zaria on June 12, 1936, Uwais studied law in London and joined the Nigerian Bar in 1964. He began as a State Counsel in Northern Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice and rose through the ranks to become Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in 1971. He held judicial appointments across several regions before joining the Supreme Court in 1979, becoming…
By Atoyebi Nike Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine early Friday, killing at least three and injuring 49, according to President Zelensky. The strikes hit Kyiv, Lutsk, and Ternopil, damaging homes, schools, and transit lines. Zelensky urged world leaders to pressure Moscow, warning inaction enables continued bloodshed. Kyiv saw heavy shelling, forcing civilians into shelters. Air defenses engaged dozens of drones. Authorities reported 400 drones and 40 missiles were used. Lutsk and Ternopil also suffered major damage, with multiple injuries. Russia’s defense ministry claimed the attack was retaliation for recent Ukrainian strikes on airbases, including the…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has raised concerns before the Senate, alleging that certain elements within the Nigeria Police Force are undermining its efforts to halt unauthorised mining operations in Nasarawa State. In a formal complaint submitted to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the Commander of the Corps’ Mining Marshals, John Onoja Attah, claimed that operatives from the police’s intelligence unit have interfered with ongoing enforcement actions and, in some cases, supported individuals engaged in illegal excavation activities. Attah detailed that the disruption intensified following the apprehension of one Ali…