Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi NikeThe Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that ongoing diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States is yielding positive results following recent tensions between the two governments. The statement comes after US President Donald Trump alleged last month that Christianity in Nigeria faced an “existential threat” from radical Islamist groups, claiming “thousands of Christians are being killed” and labeling Nigeria a “country of particular concern.” Trump also directed the Pentagon to explore “possible military measures” against terrorist groups in Nigeria, comments that were swiftly dismissed by President Bola Tinubu and drew concern from…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has intensified efforts to curb insecurity and promote development across Nigeria’s regions through enhanced community engagement, officials said on Monday in Abuja. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Dr. Abiodun Essiet, briefed State House correspondents alongside counterparts from the North-West, South-East, and South-West zones. She identified historical mistrust, land-grabbing, banditry, and illegal mining as major triggers of violence in the North-Central region. Essiet disclosed that community peace structures have been established in 121 local government areas, including 32 in Niger, 21 in Kogi, and 23 in Benue States. Deployment across…

By Atoyebi Nike The University of Ibadan (UI) has produced 448 first-class graduates out of 5,900 students for the 2024/2025 academic session, Vice Chancellor Professor Kayode Adebowale announced on Tuesday. Speaking on the first day of the convocation ceremony for Arts, Science, Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Public Health, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Adebowale praised the graduands for their discipline, hard work, and perseverance. He highlighted UI’s commitment to preparing students to tackle global challenges with competence, character, and creativity. The Vice Chancellor also noted the university’s Postgraduate College, the largest in Africa, and the newly established Faculty of Computing,…

By Atoyebi Nike Supporters of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Abdullahi Ramat, staged a protest at the National Assembly on Tuesday, urging the Senate to finalize his confirmation. The demonstrators, including civil society groups and rights activists, marched around the parliamentary complex, chanting slogans and displaying placards such as “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees to be Harassed” and “Ramat Represents Reform in Power Sector.” The protest follows last month’s Senate decision to defer Ramat’s confirmation despite his approval by the Senate Committee on Power, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. Ahmed Suleiman,…

By Atoyebi Nike Dangote Fertilizer Limited (DFL) has signed a strategic agreement with Thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology (UFT) to license its advanced UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for four new urea granulation units in Nigeria. According to a statement, the agreement includes the technology license, a comprehensive Process Design Package (PDP), and proprietary equipment such as granulators and scrubbers. Each unit will have a daily capacity of 4,235 metric tons, raising DFL’s total daily production to 16,940 metric tons and boosting annual urea output from 2.65 million tons to over 8 million tons. The new units, located in Lekki beside…

By Atoyebi Nike The Alternative Bank says it will introduce a new agricultural product before the end of the year to deepen support for women and young people in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector. Executive Director for the South-South region, Korede Adeniyi, announced the plan at the Agricultural Summit Africa in Abuja, noting that the initiative aligns with the bank’s mission to drive inclusive, sustainable growth in agriculture. Adeniyi said the bank’s non-interest, risk-sharing model gives farmers notably women and youth access to affordable financing and improved financial literacy. “We don’t call what we do loans. Our goal is to work with…

By Atoyebi Nike COP30 opened on Monday in Belém, Brazil, with world leaders and climate negotiators calling for urgent action to turn years of promises into real cuts in global emissions. Thousands of delegates are meeting in the Amazonian city home to the world’s largest rainforest to push countries to strengthen their national climate plans and mobilize the $1.3 trillion a year needed for global climate action. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the planet is on track to temporarily breach the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement, saying, “This is no longer the time for negotiations. It is…

By Atoyebi Nike The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and the National Apex of Cashew Farmers, Processors, and Marketing Cooperative have challenged the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security’s claim that rising local production is responsible for the recent decline in food prices. Both groups warned that the price relief may be temporary unless the Federal Government provides meaningful support to farmers facing mounting costs and structural challenges. AFAN President Kabir Ibrahim acknowledged the current drop in prices but said multiple factors, including seasonal harvest cycles, last year’s zero-tariff food imports, and weakened consumer purchasing power  are responsible for…

By Atoyebi Nike The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced a nationwide ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small bottles below 200 millilitres, effective December 2025. NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in Abuja, explaining that the move is part of efforts to curb mounting public health concerns linked to the misuse of cheap and portable alcoholic drinks. Adeyeye said the easy accessibility and affordability of high-alcohol sachet drinks have led to widespread consumption among minors, commercial drivers, and other vulnerable groups, contributing to addiction,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal High Court in Abuja has again halted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 National Convention scheduled for November 15-16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing any outcome from the planned convention where new national officers were expected to be elected. The order followed an application filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who alleged that he was unlawfully denied the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form, preventing him from contesting…