Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The World Health Organization (WHO) and the TY Danjuma Foundation have signed a US$ 2.26 million grant agreement to strengthen Nigeria’s health care system, with a focus on maternal and child health, primary care, and system resilience in underserved areas. The 10-year agreement was formalized at a ceremony in United Nations House, Abuja, attended by health officials, diplomats, lawmakers, and development partners. Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, and Lt. Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd) signed on behalf of their organizations. Officials said the collaboration aligns with the federal government’s Renewed Hope agenda and supports…

By Atoyebi Nike Chelsea flew out for their Club World Cup campaign today, but transfer activity at home remains a priority—particularly in central defence. With Wesley Fofana still sidelined through injury, uncertainty persists over who will partner Levi Colwill next season. Several defensive targets are no longer viable, including Dean Huijsen, who is undergoing a medical at Real Madrid. As options narrow, interest in Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande appears to be gaining traction. According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, both Chelsea and Arsenal are seriously monitoring the 21-year-old Ivorian, with Crystal Palace also showing interest. Diomande fits Chelsea’s recruitment model—young,…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday deliver his Democracy Day address before a joint session of the National Assembly, replacing the traditional early morning broadcast. The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation confirmed the change, citing scheduling reasons. The shift comes as political figures weigh in on national unity. Former PDP Deputy Chairman, Olabode George, called on Tinubu to reinstate suspended Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as a gesture in line with the spirit of June 12. However, former Ijaw Youth Council leader, Udengs Eradiri, countered, saying Fubara has shown no commitment…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria is commemorating its 2025 Democracy Day with a mix of celebration, solemn reflection, and civic agitation as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to address the nation in a joint session of the National Assembly. Unlike in previous years, there will be no ceremonial parade in the capital, Abuja. This year marks 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria. The date, originally marked on May 29—the day former President Olusegun Obasanjo took office in 1999—was moved to June 12 in 2018 by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, to honor the landmark June 12, 1993…

By Atoyebi Nike Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri CON, has congratulated Nigerians on the celebration of 26 years of unbroken democracy. The Governor called on Nigerians to appreciate the nation’s path to greatness, evident in the developmental strides and wealth creation witnessed across the country. “Today, we celebrate an extraordinary Nigerian journey of 26 years, marked by transformation, growth, and the deepening of democracy,” he said. While regretting that rights and values are under attack, freedoms are being eroded, and civic space is diminishing, he stressed that polarization is intensifying and mistrust is growing. The Governor commended…

By Atoyebi Nike A London-bound Air India flight, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) on Thursday afternoon, plummeting into the Meghani area of the city and igniting a massive fireball. Flight AI171 was carrying 242 individuals — 230 passengers and 12 crew members — when it went down just minutes into its journey to London Gatwick. The aircraft, heavily fueled for the long-haul route, burst into flames upon impact, complicating rescue operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the incident, identifying Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar…

By Atoyebi Nike In a landmark moment for global health governance, the 78th World Health Assembly on May 20, 2025, adopted the Pandemic Agreement, a new international legal framework aimed at preventing a repeat of the inequities witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement was approved by 194 Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) after three years of negotiations. Its adoption was met with resounding applause, symbolizing the power of multilateral cooperation in shaping a more inclusive and effective global response to future pandemics. However, while the agreement represents a major milestone, the most contentious issue—Article 12 on…

By Atoyebi Nike At least 120 Palestinians have been killed and 474 others injured in Israeli airstrikes and shelling across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry on Tuesday. The ministry also confirmed the recovery of three additional bodies from under the rubble of previous attacks. In a sharp escalation, 57 Palestinians seeking aid were reportedly killed by Israeli forces earlier today, with more than 363 wounded, bringing the total casualties at aid distribution centres since the war began to 224 dead and 1,858 injured. The figures underline the worsening humanitarian crisis as…

By Atoyebi Nike The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has struck out two motions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and awarded ₦100,000 in costs to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the first respondent in the suit. A three-member panel led by Justice Hamman Barka ruled on May 21, 2025, that the motions—filed on March 20 and March 25 and marked CV/395/M1/2025 and CV/395/M2/2025—be struck out following Akpabio’s request to withdraw the appeal. The motions sought leave to appeal a Federal High Court decision delivered on March 10, 2025, in a case between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Clerk of the National Assembly, the…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigeria Renaissance Group (NRG), a pro-democracy civil rights organization, has raised an alarm over what it described as a coordinated plot to stage blackmail-driven protests against key officials in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. In a statement released Tuesday, the group claimed intelligence pointed to a manipulated protest campaign, rather than a genuine expression of public dissent. Targets of the alleged smear include: Chief Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Chief George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Ola Olukoyede, EFCC Chairman. According to NRG spokesperson Comrade…