Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has announced a Northwest Joint Border Surveillance Initiative to boost cooperation among neighbouring states and fight banditry and cross-border crime. The announcement came during the graduation of 2,000 Neighbourhood Watch Corps personnel at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano. Governor Yusuf said the initiative will promote coordinated patrols, joint operations, and intelligence sharing to deny criminals safe havens across borders. He urged traditional rulers and security agencies, including the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and Military, to collaborate with the corps to strengthen regional security. Over 400 operational vehicles were unveiled to support the…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Navy has completed the construction of nine boreholes and a healthcare centre in Fungzai Community, Bwai District, Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State. The projects were inaugurated on Tuesday by Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), who was represented by Rear Admiral Naan-Manle Damtong, Chief of Naval Engineering. They form part of the Navy’s Quick Impact Projects (QIP), aimed at promoting civil-military cooperation in the state. Abbas explained that the initiative, originally launched by the immediate past CNS in 2024, honours Rear Admiral Habila Zakaria, an indigene of the community, while also…

By Atoyebi Nike Italian regulators have ordered Meta to allow rival AI chatbots access to its WhatsApp platform, citing concerns that the company may be abusing its dominant market position. The directive comes as both Italy and EU authorities investigate Meta’s rollout of AI services. Meta has integrated its generative AI chatbot, Meta AI, across platforms including Facebook and Instagram, serving billions of users globally. In October, the company introduced new contractual terms for WhatsApp, effective January 15, which Italy’s competition regulator said “completely exclude Meta AI’s competitors from the WhatsApp platform in the AI Chatbot services market.” The European…

By Atoyebi Nike Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured residents that ongoing federal tax reforms will neither harm the poor nor favour the wealthy but instead create a fairer and more efficient system. The governor spoke on Tuesday at the Lagos Tax Reform Summit in Ikeja, ahead of the Tax Act’s implementation scheduled for Thursday, January 1, 2026. Concerns have emerged over allegations that parts of the National Assembly-passed tax laws were altered in the gazetted versions. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the reforms aim to protect small businesses, ensure the wealthy meet their obligations, close revenue leakages, and fairly expand…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria failed to meet its oil revenue targets in the first and second quarters of 2025, the Budget Office of the Federation has reported, highlighting persistent fiscal gaps despite slight year-on-year improvements. According to the Q1 2025 budget implementation report, gross oil revenue stood at N4.55 trillion, falling short of the prorated quarterly projection of N12.76 trillion by N8.21 trillion, or 64.35 percent. The figure, however, was N1.20 trillion (35.82 percent) higher than the N3.35 trillion generated in the same period in 2024. Non-oil revenue in the first quarter totaled N4.71 trillion, representing a 22.18 percent shortfall…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has condemned the arrest and detention of Mrs. Adenike Atanda and her nine-month-old baby by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos. In a statement, IPI Nigeria said Mrs. Atanda was detained for several hours on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Owutu Police Station, Ikorodu, in place of her husband, Mr. Sodeeq Atanda, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism. The institute described the action as an unlawful arrest by proxy, noting that neither Mrs. Atanda nor her child is a journalist, suspect,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Adamawa State Government has commenced the distribution of thousands of bags of parboiled rice to vulnerable and less privileged households across the state’s 21 local government areas ahead of the 2026 Christmas celebration. The exercise was flagged off on Tuesday in Yola by the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Mijinyawa Yayaji, who said the 50kg bags of rice were procured by the local government councils to support residents during the festive season. According to him, a total of 42 trucks conveying the rice have been deployed, with each local government receiving two trucks containing…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has distributed more than 600 bags of rice to its members under its annual Christmas welfare programme aimed at easing economic hardship and promoting unity among journalists. The distribution, which took place in Abuja, marks the second consecutive year the initiative is being implemented under the leadership of the NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike. Addressing members, Ike said the programme reflects the council’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of journalists, particularly amid prevailing economic challenges. She described the initiative as a responsibility rather than a…

By Atoyebi Nike The House of Representatives has endorsed the Automated MATAN Food Security Initiative (AMFSI), describing it as a transformative, technology-driven solution capable of addressing up to 90 per cent of Nigeria’s food security challenges if implemented nationwide. The endorsement was announced at the close of a three-day national forum organized by the MATAN Food Bank Professionals Association of Nigeria, which brought together lawmakers, policy experts, and industry stakeholders to discuss solutions to the country’s growing hunger crisis. Speaking at the event, Hon. Haruna Gowon, who represents Bassa/Dekina Federal Constituency, described food security as a critical national priority requiring…

By Atoyebi Nike The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has reaffirmed NNPC Ltd.’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and responsible energy development in Ogoniland, describing the Federal Government’s renewed engagement as a symbol of hope and a fresh beginning. Ojulari spoke on Monday, December 22, 2025, during a Federal Government delegation’s visit to Ogoniland in Rivers State. He said the engagement reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to rebuilding trust through partnership, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. Acknowledging Ogoniland’s painful history, the NNPC chief stressed that recognizing past grievances is necessary to building…