Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike As the world marks Teachers’ Day, Nigeria’s education sector faces deep structural challenges. Balarabe Rufa’i, National Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has urged governments at all levels to prioritize teacher welfare and educational reforms, describing teachers as “the backbone of the nation’s future.” Rufa’i, a former teacher at Government Secondary School, Warure, recalled teaching over 200 students daily, many without proper learning materials. “Many shared one textbook, some wrote on scraps of paper but they came with dreams bigger than their circumstances,” he said. He criticized the appointment of unqualified teachers for political rewards,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project with European Investment Bank financing (NEWMAP-EIB), a €175 million initiative aimed at tackling erosion, land degradation, and flooding across 23 states. Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, who unveiled the project in Abuja, described it as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s climate resilience efforts. He said the programme would restore degraded land, safeguard farmlands and infrastructure, improve food security, and strengthen community participation in climate adaptation. “The initiative reaffirms Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to sustainable land and water resources management as well as climate resilience and…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has resumed the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) after weeks of intensive inspections, safety checks, and staff retraining. Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, joined passengers on the inaugural trip and reaffirmed his commitment to positioning the NRC as a world-class, passenger-friendly service provider. He said the safe resumption reflected the administration’s investment in modern rail infrastructure. “The first train departed Idu Station in Abuja, stopped at Kubwa, and successfully arrived at Rigasa Station in Kaduna. A return trip was also conducted the same day, signaling full restoration of services,” he stated. Opeifa pledged…

By Atoyebi Nike Netflix shares dropped 2.34% on Wednesday after billionaire Elon Musk urged subscribers to cancel their accounts, reigniting debate over the platform’s content policies and diversity strategy. Musk, who runs Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X, posted multiple messages saying “Cancel Netflix” and claimed doing so was “for the health of your kids.” He said he had also ended his own subscription. The controversy followed backlash against Dead End: Paranormal Park, an animated series featuring LGBTQ characters. Its creator, Hamish Steele, came under fire after referring to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead in September,…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s oil and gas production fell sharply during a nationwide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which ended Wednesday after government-brokered talks with Dangote Refinery. The strike, which began September 28, followed the dismissal of workers at the refinery, Africa’s largest crude processor. In a September 29 letter, NNPC Ltd CEO Bayo Ojulari warned of “significant revenue losses” and systemic risks to energy supply, security, and the wider economy. Ojulari said production deferments reached about 283,000 barrels per day of oil, 1.7 bscfd of gas, and over 1,200 MW of…

By Atoyebi Nike The Presidency has outlined what it described as major improvements in Nigeria’s economy following reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, in a post on X Thursday, said the economy, which was “at a breaking point” before May 2023, is now recording measurable progress across critical sectors. He cited reforms in trade, foreign reserves, taxation, debt service, subsidy removal, budget deficit, and public financial management. According to him, Nigeria has moved from a trade deficit to a surplus, while foreign reserves have risen to over…

By Atoyebi Nike The Association of Provosts of Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing Sciences has called on the Federal Government to exempt health institutions from the recently announced seven-year suspension on establishing new polytechnics and allied institutions. In a communiqué issued after its 2025 Quadrennial Conference in Abuja, and released on Thursday by its PRO, Dr. Nuhu Anyegwu, the association warned that the ban would deepen the nation’s healthcare crisis. “The ban will create an intergenerational gap of at least seven years in terms of shortage of health and medical manpower in various communities in Nigeria,” the provosts said.…

By Atoyebi Nike The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has clarified that it did not sign the communiqué that formally ended its nationwide strike against the Dangote Refinery. The union, which began its strike on Sunday over the alleged illegal dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers and their replacement with over 2,000 Indian employees, suspended the industrial action on Wednesday following federal government intervention. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo said the communiqué was not an agreement, but merely a statement issued by the Minister of Labour and Employment,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Niger State Government has issued an urgent warning to residents living along the River Niger and River Kaduna to relocate to safer areas, following the release of water from major hydroelectric dams in the state. The alert, issued Thursday by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), comes as the Kainji, Shiroro, Zungeru, and Jebba dams discharge thousands of gallons of water per minute, raising the risk of river overflow and widespread flooding. NSEMA Director-General Abdullahi Baba-Arah advised communities to avoid riverbanks during the peak rainy season and relocate to safer grounds identified by the state.…

By Atoyebi Nike Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has relieved all commissioners and other public office holders in his administration, following a recent Supreme Court judgment affecting their appointments. The decision takes immediate effect, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi. Governor Fubara used a valedictory session with his cabinet during Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary at Government House, Port Harcourt, to express gratitude for their contributions over the past two years. “The governor highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Independence and called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr. President to build a…