Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu and suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, are both expected back in Nigeria today (Tuesday) ahead of Rivers State’s return to democratic rule on Thursday, September 18. Tinubu, who cut short his vacation in France, will resume official duties in Abuja immediately, according to his media aide, Bayo Onanuga. While abroad, the President held a private luncheon with French President Emmanuel Macron, where both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and agreed to deepen cooperation in key sectors. Fubara is also due back from London, with his reinstatement scheduled for Thursday. His return comes as Vice…

By Atoyebi Nike The United States Mission in Nigeria has addressed growing concerns over its non-refundable visa fees, stressing that the charges align with global standards and cover application processing costs regardless of approval. In a statement on its X handle on Tuesday, the embassy assured Nigerians that all visa applications are “reviewed thoroughly and fairly,” even though fees cannot be refunded or transferred. “To achieve the best results, applicants should carefully prepare their applications,” the Mission advised, while also publishing guidelines to reduce risks of visa denial, revocation, or cancellation. The Mission urged applicants to book interviews in their…

By Atoyebi Nike Israel has launched a full-scale ground assault on Gaza City, its largest urban centre, as the war against Hamas entered what officials described as its “main phase.” The offensive began before dawn on Tuesday, shortly after visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington’s support for Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas. “Last night, we transitioned into the next phase… forces have expanded ground activity into Hamas’s main stronghold in Gaza, which is Gaza City,” a senior Israeli military official told reporters, estimating that 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas fighters were still operating in the area. Defence Minister…

By Atoyebi Nike Energy expert Dan Kunle has defended the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, describing it as a transformative project that has reshaped Nigeria’s energy sector despite criticisms from petroleum marketers and unions. Speaking on Tuesday, Kunle praised the refinery’s achievements, including one year of petrol production and the rollout of 10,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for nationwide fuel distribution. He criticised petroleum unions and marketers for failing to invest in domestic refining, accusing them of preferring imports and negotiations that left the country dependent on foreign supply. “In the last two years, we have been talking, talking, talking.…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria records $10 billion in post-harvest losses every year due to poor storage, weak infrastructure, limited processing capacity, and climate change impacts, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has disclosed. Speaking on Monday, September 15, 2025, during the inauguration of the Green Legacy Rural Community Agriculture and Infrastructure Network (G.R.A.I.N) Pulse Centre in Kangire community, Birnin-Kudu LGA, Jigawa State, the Minister said the challenge undermines the country’s food security and economic growth. Kyari noted that agriculture contributes about 24% of Nigeria’s GDP, with smallholder farmers producing nearly 70% of the nation’s food supply.…

By Atoyebi Nike The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the low turnout in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Enugu State, where only 1,801 people have registered in the last 15 days. Chief Rex Achumie, Head of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC Enugu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that the figure falls far below expectations, noting that the state typically records about 25,000 fresh registrations within the same period. According to him, the exercise, which began with online registration on August 18 and in-person registration on August 28, has been…

By Atoyebi Nike The Yobe State Government has rolled out a major intervention for pastoralists, distributing livestock feed and modern equipment under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES). State Coordinator of L-PRES, Adama Madaki, said the initiative tackles key challenges facing pastoralists, including water scarcity and limited pasture. She disclosed that 70 solar-powered boreholes with watering points have been installed across the state, alongside the distribution of more than 700 crop residue crushers and choppers to pastoralist groups in all 17 local government areas. Madaki explained that the equipment will help reduce wastage of crop residues and ensure…

By Atoyebi Nike President of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has urged African nations to prioritise food security and agricultural self-sufficiency, citing the continent’s vast untapped potential in farming. Speaking during a visit by officials of the AfricaRice Centre to his Lagos office, Dangote described agriculture as a cornerstone for sustainable development. He said Africa has the land and resources to transform its food systems, but achieving this requires the right policies, investment, and modern farming technologies. “Africa has the land and resources to thrive in agriculture,” Dangote said. “By investing in this sector, we can tackle many of…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has suspended the 4% Free on Board (FOB) levy recently introduced on imported goods by the Nigeria Customs Service. The suspension, announced in a letter signed by R. O. Omachi, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties at the Ministry of Finance, takes effect immediately. Authorities said the move followed consultations with stakeholders and trade experts who raised concerns that the levy could increase clearing costs, push up prices, and undermine competitiveness. The Ministry noted that the decision would enable a comprehensive review of the policy’s framework to ensure any future measures are fair, efficient, and supportive…

By Atoyebi NikeThe Dangote Group has accused powerful oil import cartels of working through labour unions and industry associations to frustrate the operations of its $20 billion refinery, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s quest for energy independence. In a statement on Monday, the company criticised the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) for rejecting its recent price reductions in petrol. “It is regrettable that NUPENG has allowed itself to be weaponised by powerful oil import cartels that have consistently benefitted from Nigeria’s dependence on imported…