Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the establishment of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division under its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Department as part of ongoing reforms to improve Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections. The commission announced the initiative on Thursday, following its weekly meeting in Abuja, where it discussed the growing significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in elections both domestically and globally. In a statement signed by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the commission said the AI Division would play a…

By Atoyebi Nike Less than two days after the close of the Taraba International Investment Summit (Taravest) in Jalingo, suspected herdsmen attacked Munga Lalau and Munga Doso villages in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, killing four villagers and leaving several others injured. While residents allege over 30 deaths, the Taraba State Police Command confirmed four fatalities. The attacks, which occurred on Friday, caused hundreds of residents to flee their homes out of fear of further violence. Just days earlier, Governor Agbu Kefas had convened a security meeting, urging warring factions to lay down arms and allow displaced persons to return to…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has confirmed that the Port Harcourt Refining Company will shut down for maintenance starting Saturday, May 24, 2025. This aligns with earlier reports that the refinery would pause operations. In a statement on Saturday, the company said the move is part of a scheduled safety and sustainability check. Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, said the company is working with regulators to carry out the exercise properly. “We are working with all relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, to ensure the process is efficient…

By Atoyebi Nike Goodluck Akinlawon, a student of the University of Ibadan, has emerged the overall winner of the 2025 Amnesty International Nigeria Inter-Varsity Debate, held in Abuja. Akinlawon secured first place in the final round, outperforming participants from 15 other universities across Nigeria. Odebala Odemena of Baze University, Abuja, finished as first runner-up, while Alexander Boroh of the University of Benin placed third. Themed “Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change,” this year’s edition brought together students from all six geopolitical zones, fostering critical discussion on human rights and social justice. It marked the third iteration of the annual debate competition organized…

By Atoyebi Nike A squad of home-based Super Eagles players and technical staff has departed Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, en route to London for their upcoming Unity Cup clash against long-time rivals Ghana. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, where the local players will link up with their foreign-based teammates. Head coach Eric Chelle, in his effort to build squad depth ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, has included several Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) stars. The traveling team features captain Ahmed Musa, Ifeanyi Oyebuchi, Papa Daniel, Nduka…

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,…