Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday arrived in Bauchi State on a working visit to declare open the state’s maiden investment summit. His aircraft landed at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport at 08:35 GMT, where he was received by Governor Bala Mohammed and members of the State Executive Council. The summit seeks to highlight Bauchi’s vast business potentials across key sectors and attract both local and foreign investors. Among the dignitaries expected at the event are former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, alongside other stakeholders in the economic and investment sectors.
By Atoyebi Nike Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has called on African countries to adopt innovative financing models and technology-driven approaches to unlock the continent’s agricultural potential. Speaking at the Africa Agriculture Dialogue in Abuja, themed “Unlocking Finance for Agricultural Transformation in Africa,” Maiha said the creation of Nigeria’s Livestock Development Ministry under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflects a strategic push to revive a long-neglected sector. “It is a definite statement of Mr. President to get us to have a laser focus on the livestock sector because the potentials are inestimable,” he said, noting that other countries with…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to increase education spending and improve teacher welfare, warning that continued neglect of the profession poses a threat to the country’s future. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the call during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebrations in Abuja. Describing teaching as “the queen of all professions,” he said teachers remain underpaid, undervalued, and poorly treated despite their critical role in nation building. “The paradox is stark: while society heaps praises on teachers, they remain the most neglected and starved profession. Teachers are praised to heaven but…
By Atoyebi Nike Two major university unions the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced a one-day nationwide protest scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025, over unresolved labour issues with the Federal Government. Operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), the unions have directed all branches to hold joint congresses on Wednesday to mobilise members for the protest, which will feature campus marches, placard displays, and press briefings. Their action follows the expiration of several ultimatums and a review meeting on October 6, where the unions assessed…
By Atoyebi Nike Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, as an attempt to conceal another government scandal. Nnaji stepped down on Tuesday following a Premium Times investigation alleging that he submitted forged academic and NYSC certificates during his ministerial screening in 2023. Both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National Youth Service Corps reportedly disowned the credentials. Reacting in a post on X on Wednesday, Atiku criticised the government’s handling of the matter, saying Nnaji should have been dismissed and prosecuted rather than allowed to “quietly…
By Atoyebi Nike BevAgro, an agritech startup, has launched a solar-powered electric vehicle transport system designed to reduce Nigeria’s post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes. Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Lanre Ashaolu, highlighted the urgency of tackling the country’s food loss challenge during the rollout of the company’s electric vehicles, battery-swap hubs, and pay-as-you-go financing model in Abuja last week. He identified poor logistics, high fuel costs, and lack of affordable transport as key factors driving losses. “Nigeria loses more than $7 billion worth of food every year before it reaches consumers,” he said, stressing that sustainable transport can turn…
By Atoyebi Nike The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has again reduced the ex-depot price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), bringing it down from ₦810 per kilogram to ₦760 per kilogram, in a move that is expected to intensify competition and influence domestic gas pricing across Nigeria. At ₦760/kg, Dangote’s LPG is now the most affordable in the local market, compared to Matrix and Ardova depots at ₦920/kg, A.Y.M Shafa and NIPCO at ₦910/kg, and Stockgap Depot, which charges ₦950/kg. The price gap of ₦150 to ₦190 per kilogram highlights the refinery’s strategic push to reshape the market and pressure competitors to…
By Atoyebi Nike A lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Chukwukasi Jideobi, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or publishing the name of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as a presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, also prays the court to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Jonathan from presenting himself to any political party for the purpose of contesting the 2027 presidential election or any future elections. Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, while INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation…
By Atoyebi Nike Kaduna State Government on Monday marked a significant public health achievement with the official closure of the Trachoma Trichiasis Intervention Programme, confirming the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in the state. Speaking at the close-out ceremony in Kaduna, Country Coordinator for Trachoma with Sightsavers, Dr. Teyil Wamyil Mshelia, described the milestone as a “collective victory” made possible through years of collaboration between government agencies, partners, and communities. Mshelia noted that Kaduna holds a special place in Sightsavers’ history as one of the first operational areas over 70 years ago. Between 2017 and 2023, more…
By Atoyebi Nike A National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), May Agbamuche-Mbu, has officially assumed duties as the Acting Chairman of the Commission. This follows the formal handover of responsibilities by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who is proceeding on terminal leave ahead of the completion of his tenure. The announcement was made on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held at the INEC headquarters in Abuja. Agbamuche-Mbu’s appointment ensures continuity in the leadership of the electoral body as it prepares for upcoming political and electoral activities across the country.