Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has begun a nationwide campaign to rally support for a coalition against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. National Chairman Ralph Nwosu announced the effort during a press briefing in Abuja. He said the goal is to deepen grassroots support and strengthen alliances across the country. This comes after key opposition figures met in March 2025. The gathering included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Together, they pledged to form a united front against the ruling party. Reports later named ADC…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday commissioned the AFAM II 180-megawatt (MW) power plant, the latest and largest facility developed by First Independent Power Limited (FIPL), aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national grid and boosting electricity supply. The virtual inauguration was conducted from Lagos, while the power station is located in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State. The project adds a major boost to the country’s generation capacity, which has long struggled with inconsistencies and shortfalls. AFAM II comprises two phases and operates on gas turbine technology, capable of generating 180MW of electricity. It is expected to…

By Atoyebi Nike The Niger State Government has suspended all public Sallah celebrations, including the traditional Hawan Bariki and Durbar processions, in the wake of the recent flood disaster in Mokwa. The decision was announced Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, who said the move was made out of respect for the victims of the flood, which has been described as one of the worst to hit the area in decades. Several lives were lost in the incident, with homes and livelihoods washed away, prompting a state-wide period of mourning. Governor Umaru Bago called on…

By Atoyebi Nike Aid distribution centres across Gaza remained shut on Tuesday after the Israeli military declared roads leading to them “combat zones,” halting relief efforts and triggering concerns about civilian access to food and medical supplies. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an aid group backed by Israel and the U.S., confirmed the closures, attributing them to internal “efficiency and update procedures.” However, critics say the move lacks transparency and comes at a perilous time. Tensions surged further after local authorities linked to Hamas reported the deaths of at least 27 Palestinians, allegedly shot by Israeli forces near one of…

By Atoyebi Nike A nationwide protest is being planned for June 12 by the Take It Back Movement, aimed at drawing attention to rising insecurity, public hardship, and growing attacks on civil freedoms across Nigeria. The group’s National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the country is experiencing unchecked violence, especially in the Middle Belt. He pointed to widespread killings and displacement in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna. According to him, whole communities have been destroyed, and the government has failed to respond adequately. Sanyaolu claimed that rather than protect its citizens, the state appears indifferent or in denial. “This is no…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed commercial banks to begin deducting USSD transaction charges directly from customers’ mobile airtime, ending the practice of debiting bank accounts for the service. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued this directive to all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), ending years of conflict between banks and telecom operators. The United Bank for Africa (UBA) notified customers of the change via email on Tuesday. According to UBA, the new billing model will deduct ₦6.98 per 120 seconds for each USSD session. The charges will be applied by the user’s mobile network operator. Customers will…

By Atoyebi Nike Pension assets in Nigeria rose to N23.3 trillion in March 2025. This marks a 0.3% increase month-on-month and 18% growth year-on-year. The data was released by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). The rise was driven by Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds. Their value increased by N128 billion in March. FGN bonds now make up 59.1% of total pension assets, up from 58.7% the month before. Corporate debt also added around N20 billion. It now stands at N2.3 trillion and makes up 10.1% of total assets. The large share of FGN bonds reflects regulatory rules. These rules…

By Atoyebi Nike Ganye, a serene town in Adamawa State, came alive on Saturday, May 31, 2025, as thousands celebrated 25 years of leadership by His Royal Highness, Dr. Umaru Adamu Sanda, the Gangwari Ganye. The silver jubilee drew dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond, including delegations from Cameroon and Rivers State. The celebration took place at the palace grounds, highlighting Ganye’s growing cultural influence. A key moment was the bestowal of the honorary title “Gangpaan”—Shield of the Chamba Race—on retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma. The respected statesman used the occasion to call for unity, loyalty, and patriotism among Nigerians.…

By Atoyebi Nike The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, has dismissed claims that water released from Kainji and Jebba Dams triggered the recent flooding that claimed lives in Mokwa, Niger State. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Utsev said the incident was due to intense rainfall and poor urban planning, not dam operations. “Our investigations confirm there were no discharges from either dam,” he said, adding that both Kainji and Jebba remain structurally safe. Utsev sympathized with affected communities, noting that the disaster was worsened by construction activities that blocked a seasonal tributary of…

By Atoyebi Nike The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has warned residents against building on floodplains and drainage paths. Speaking on Tuesday, Wahab said climate change poses a serious threat and urged citizens to cooperate with government efforts. “Floodplains and wetlands are not places we can afford to live. Climate change is real,” he said. Wahab said the state is preparing for heavy rainfall but citizens must support enforcement by removing illegal structures. “People politicized our early actions. I was called names, but today the results show we prevented disaster,” he added. The commissioner recalled…