Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Senator Ahmad Lawan, former President of the Ninth Senate, has congratulated 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu from Yobe State for winning the global award for English language skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London. In a statement on Tuesday, Senator Lawan described Nafisa’s feat as a shining example of the incredible potential within Nigeria’s youth. “Your triumph is not just a personal victory, it is a beacon of inspiration for young minds across Nigeria and beyond,” he said. Lawan commended the Yobe State Government under Governor Mai Mala Buni for prioritising education and creating opportunities for…

By Atoyebi Nike Governor Babagana Zulum has launched the distribution of 75 trucks of subsidised fertiliser and free farming inputs to smallholder and vulnerable farmers across Borno’s 27 local councils ahead of the 2025 wet season. Flagged off at the state-owned Fertilizer Blending Company in Maiduguri, the initiative targets returnees, women, youth, and farmers in conflict-affected areas. Fertilisers will be sold at 50% of the market price under a policy linked to Borno’s 25-Year Development Plan. Governor Zulum said the fertilizers come in two forms: Wet Blend for insecure areas (to curb misuse) and Dry Blend for stable zones. “Affordable…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has secured a $25.35 million concessional loan from the Kuwait Fund to support Kaduna State’s efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children. Part of a $62.8 million financing deal involving global partners, the funds will go into the Reaching Out-of-School Children programme, which aims to enroll over 100,000 children, build 102 climate-resilient schools, and rehabilitate 170 existing ones. Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s focus on accountability and impact in social investment. Kaduna Governor Uba Sani confirmed the state has paid its $1 million counterpart fund…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigerian oil held firm near $73 following three sessions of decline, even with global supply issues brewing over Russian crude. US President Donald Trump’s threats to punish India for its deals with Moscow stirred concerns, further gripping the oil sector. Brent dropped below $69, while West Texas Intermediate hovered close to $66 per barrel. Trump’s warning included intent to hike import fees on goods from India, citing its Russian oil ties. This came just before his set deadline for Russia to cease fire in the Ukraine conflict. News reports noted that Steve Witkoff, US envoy, would visit…

By Atoyebi Nike Two lost their lives, with over ten suffering wounds, following Russian fire on a resort zone in mid-Ukraine on Wednesday, per reports from local offices. Crew members from emergency units worked to put out huge fires inside one-level dwellings, where lifeless bodies and the hurt were seen over the bloodied floor. Four young ones were hurt, within twelve total victims, the region’s governor confirmed. “This hit holds zero logic in conflict terms. It’s just pure evil to inject fear,” Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky noted on his site. Energy supply to hundreds got cut in other zones hit…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s media industry has lost a pioneer. Dr. Doyin Abiola, the first Nigerian woman to become editor-in-chief of a national daily, has died at the age of 82. Her passing was confirmed on Wednesday by Jamiu Abiola, one of the sons of her late husband, Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. “Yes, she passed away last night,” Jamiu said in a phone call. Dr. Abiola made history as the trailblazing managing director and editor-in-chief of the National Concord newspaper. Her career in journalism spanned over three decades, during which…

By Atoyebi Nike Political momentum is building across Nigeria as parties gear up for crucial by-elections scheduled for August 16. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the polls to fill vacant seats in both the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly. The elections will take place in Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts, along with Ovia South West/Ovia South East in Edo, Babura/Garki in Jigawa, Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna, Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North in Ogun, and the Ibadan North Federal Constituency in Oyo State. In Edo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) have stepped up their…

By Atoyebi Nike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, has arraigned two individuals, Nathaniel Makama Zabrang and Husain Umar Bawa, before Justice M.J. Zubairu of the Kaduna State High Court over alleged internet fraud and impersonation. The suspects are facing separate charges of obtaining money under false pretence, following investigations that linked them to online fraud schemes targeting foreign victims. According to the EFCC, Zabrang allegedly posed as “Alicia Smith,” an American citizen, on Instagram between January and June 2025. He reportedly defrauded several unsuspecting victims of a total sum of ₦10,019,028. His charge states that…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria has recorded 155 deaths from Lassa fever between January 1 and July 20, 2025, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The updated Case Fatality Rate (CFR) now stands at 18.9%, surpassing the 17.1% figure reported during the same period in 2024. As of epidemiological Week 29, the NCDC reported 6,640 suspected cases and 822 confirmed infections spanning 105 Local Government Areas across 21 states. The disease, caused by the Lassa virus, remains a significant public health concern, especially in regions with poor sanitation and high rodent activity. The World Health Organisation…

By Atoyebi Nike The Kano State Commissioner for Transportation, Alhaji Ibrahim Namadi, has officially stepped down from office following an investigation that linked him to the controversial bail of an alleged drug trafficker, Sulaiman Danwawu. His resignation was announced Wednesday through a statement issued by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House. Namadi, in the statement, said his decision was driven by public interest and the need to safeguard the integrity of the administration, especially given the sensitive nature of the allegations. “As a member of a government that has always prioritized…