Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has criticised the Federal Government’s late attempt to stop its planned warning strike, describing the intervention as “a little too late.” ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, made this known on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, accusing the government of failing to act on its demands in good time. Piwuna said the union gave the government three weeks to address outstanding issues after a meeting in Sokoto but received no communication during the period. He noted that it was only two working days before the strike…

By Atoyebi Nike The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Northern Support Group has thrown its weight behind former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election under the party’s banner, describing him as the only leader capable of restoring unity and redeeming the PDP. The endorsement was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the group’s 8th meeting held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, on Wednesday and Thursday. The statement was jointly signed by the Northern Coordinator, Yusuf Abubakar, and the North-West Zonal Secretary, Adamu Narayi. The group, which comprises PDP loyalists and support networks from across the…

By Atoyebi Nike Activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has fixed October 20 for a peaceful protest march to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Sowore made the announcement on Thursday via his X handle, describing the planned march to Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, as “historic.” He assured that the demonstration would be conducted peacefully and within the law. “We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 am,”…

By Bagudu Mohammed When news broke that Lieutenant Haruna Samson, a doctor and army officer had been killed in a domestic dispute with his wife at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Akwa Ibom, the nation sighed in disbelief. On social media, someone wrote a grim piece of advice: “Stay away from your spouse’s phone. Don’t go looking for what your heart may not survive. Just pray and live in peace.” Dark humour, yes but also a mirror of our collective reality. The once-sarcastic phrase “Something must kill a Nigerian” has quietly become prophecy. The United Nations’ World Population Prospects ranks Nigeria lowest…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has directed all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to submit reconciled reports of unutilised Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocations within the next 30 days. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, gave the order on Thursday during a meeting with heads of institutions in Abuja. He said the ministry is facing challenges caused by allocations that remain unused due to administrative bottlenecks. “Institutions must submit reconciled reports of all unutilised funds within 30 days, which will be jointly verified. Unused funds may be redirected to priority projects, and carrying them over without strong justification will…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria has officially validated the Just Transition Guidelines and Action Plan (JT-GAP), marking a historic step toward building an inclusive, low-carbon, and climate-resilient future. The validation ceremony, held from October 6 to 7 at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre in Abuja, was organised by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). The framework, developed by the Centre for Climate Change and Development at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, with support from the ILO, UNDP, and UNIDO, provides a clear roadmap for a fair energy transition. Technical sessions reviewed the draft document, featuring experts from…

By Atoyebi Nike The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, has officially commenced full orthopaedic services, marking a major boost to healthcare delivery in Nigeria’s North Central zone. Medical Director, Dr. Icha Inalegwu Onche, made this known during a press briefing on Wednesday in Jos. He outlined the hospital’s journey, noting the establishment law signed in 2021, his appointment in 2023, and confirmation as substantive Medical Director in 2024. Onche revealed that the hospital currently has 736 registered patients, with 150 awaiting surgery. He said the facility is fully staffed and equipped to offer trauma care, joint replacement, spine surgery, prosthetics, paediatric…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has pledged to accompany Governor Bala Mohammed anywhere in the world to attract investments for Bauchi State. Obasanjo made the pledge while commissioning the newly built Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre (ICC) during the Bauchi Investment Summit on Wednesday. He described the centre as a world-class facility capable of turning Bauchi into a major hub for tourism, conferences, and economic activities. “With what we have, we can show the world that we are part and parcel of global development,” Obasanjo said, adding that the state must leverage the facility to…

By Atoyebi Nike Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has urged political, traditional, and religious leaders from the South-East to take concrete action towards securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Sowore, in a social media post on Wednesday, said he was ready to lead a peaceful march to Aso Rock Villa and challenged leaders including Governors Chukwuma Soludo and Alex Otti, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Peter Obi to join the demonstration. He said the march would be conducted legally and peacefully to demand justice and end…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has commenced the final phase of negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other tertiary education unions to resolve outstanding issues and prevent further strikes. Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced this in Abuja during a meeting of the Technical Working Group on Conditions of Service. He said the group was finalising a counteroffer that would be submitted to the unions through the Allied General United Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Negotiations Committee. Alausa noted that the negotiations align with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to keep students in school and avoid…