Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved major changes in Nigeria’s military hierarchy, appointing new Service Chiefs in what the Presidency described as a move to strengthen the nation’s security architecture. According to a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa. Other appointments include Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. The…

By Atoyebi Nike The outgoing Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Chris Hassan, says he has no regrets about leading the party back to power after years under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking in Jos on Friday during a valedictory briefing, Hassan — who took over party leadership in 2021 — said the PDP administration under Governor Caleb Mutfwang has performed creditably across governance, peacebuilding, and infrastructure. “We have no regrets returning the PDP to power. The current administration is doing well and setting new standards,” he said, while commending the media for their support…

By Atoyebi Nike Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed shock over the use of drones by Boko Haram terrorists to attack troops in Mafa Local Government Area, despite prior intelligence alerts. Zulum, who visited the affected areas on Friday, described the incident as a “frightening development,” warning that the use of armed drones by insurgents poses a grave threat to national security. “Honestly, we had credible intelligence that Mafa would be attacked, and it was duly circulated to all relevant authorities,” the governor said. “This is a serious gap that needs urgent attention from both state and federal security…

By Atoyebi Nike The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has announced the death of its founding President and Council Chairman, Chief David Olorunleke, a revered figure widely regarded as the “Doyen of Taxation” in Nigeria. His passing was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Registrar/Chief Executive of CITN, Afolake Oso, who described Olorunleke as a pioneering leader whose vision and dedication helped shape Nigeria’s modern tax administration. Chief Olorunleke, who served as CITN President between 1985 and 1995, was also a former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Permanent Secretary at the…

By Atoyebi Nike The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of deliberately sidelining him in key party decisions, warning that such exclusionary politics could hasten the collapse of the opposition party. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike expressed frustration over what he described as a deliberate attempt by the PDP governors to shut him out of major consultations despite his years of service and contributions to the party’s growth. “Have I not said it before now that the booby trap you are setting will…

By Atoyebi Nike Benedict Oramah, the outgoing President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has been hailed as “the living AI of our time” for his bold leadership and visionary role in strengthening Africa’s economic resilience. The remark came from Robert Ochola, CEO of Africa Nenda, during the Afreximbank Legacy Conference and Investiture in Cairo, Egypt, where he compared Oramah’s decisive leadership to the precision of artificial intelligence but with “human vision and urgency.” Reflecting on the 2015 economic downturn, Ochola recalled how Oramah’s leadership birthed the Countercyclical Trade Liquidity Facility (COTRALF), which provided foreign exchange liquidity to African banks…

By Atoyebi Nike A Magistrate Court in Kuje Area Council on Friday granted bail to Omoyele Sowore, the detained convener of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. However, moments after stepping out of the courtroom, Sowore was re-arrested by police officers. Authorities confirmed that he is expected to be arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday over a separate offence. Sowore had been arrested on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after meeting with Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He was taken into custody at the FCT Police Command, where he…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has launched a nationwide training programme for epidemiological and veterinary public health officers to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to manage animal health emergencies. The initiative, held in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES)  a World Bank-supported scheme  aims to equip officers with the skills needed to prevent, detect, and respond swiftly to animal disease outbreaks. Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Livestock Development Idi Maiha emphasized the importance of rapid reporting and coordinated response. “What matters most in animal health is…

By Atoyebi Nike Ireland went to the polls on Friday to elect a new president, with left-wing independent Catherine Connolly widely expected to defeat Heather Humphreys of the ruling Fine Gael party in an election criticised for offering voters limited choice. Connolly, 68, a barrister and parliamentarian since 2016, has surged ahead in opinion polls after a campaign that blended political grit with viral media moments, including a popular football-juggling video. Backed by Sinn Féin and other left-leaning parties, she campaigned on social justice, neutrality, and criticism of U.S. and EU policies. Humphreys, 62, a former cabinet minister from Ireland’s…

By Atoyebi Nike The European Union (EU) has announced a new phase of collaboration with Nigeria aimed at strengthening the country’s research and innovation ecosystem, with a focus on digital transformation, climate resilience, and sustainable growth. At the 18th Annual Research Conference of the University of Lagos, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, revealed that Nigerian researchers are now eligible to participate in the EU’s flagship Horizon Europe initiative, a €100 billion research and innovation programme. Mignot said the EU and Nigeria are working to advance a Science, Technology, and Innovation Agreement that will promote joint research,…