Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The Government of Ghana has issued a stern warning to MultiChoice Ghana, demanding a 30% reduction in DStv subscription prices by August 7 or face the suspension of its broadcasting license. The ultimatum comes amid growing public anger over recent price hikes, with officials accusing the pay-TV provider of charging Ghanaian customers significantly more than viewers in other African countries—despite the strengthening of the local currency, the cedi. In April, MultiChoice raised DStv package prices by 15%, a move the government now deems “unjustified.” Member of Parliament Samuel Nartey George, a vocal critic of the pricing model,…

By Atoyebi Nike Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has dismissed allegations that northern Nigeria is being sidelined under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that northerners occupy several top government positions. “You can’t talk about marginalization when the Minister of Defence, National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, and heads of Civil Defence and Immigration are northerners,” he told journalists after meeting with the President. He also highlighted key ministries like Agriculture and Health, both led by northerners, adding, “The record speaks for itself.” Sani stressed that northern Nigeria’s challenges—especially in education and security are historical and require collective action…

By Atoyebi Nike The Tinubu Media Force (TMF) has urged state governors to take immediate action to address rising food prices and deepen investments in education, healthcare, and skills training. Speaking after a strategic meeting in Lagos, TMF National Coordinator, Gbenga Abiola, said state governments must align with President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda, which emphasizes human capital, food security, and affordable public services. “Governors need to invest in their people. Education, healthcare, and skills are the foundation for long-term prosperity,” Abiola said. He highlighted the urgent need to combat inflation and hunger by creating food hubs at the regional, state,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has urged African nations to focus on creating bankable energy ventures that can attract needed investment and support a sustainable energy future. Ojulari made the appeal on Monday during the opening of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council’s 2025 Annual International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos. According to him, Africa must not only compete for international capital but must also present compelling, investment-ready energy projects. He emphasized the need for cooperation among governments and industry players to build a sector…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Naira started the week at ₦1,560 per dollar in the parallel market, following rising demand from travelers preparing for the summer holiday season. Currency dealers said the uptick in demand by end-users is driving fluctuations, although the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policies have helped keep the exchange rate relatively stable in recent months. On Friday, the Naira closed at ₦1,533.7/$, dropping slightly by 19 kobo. Official CBN data pegged the rate at ₦1,533.5/$. Midweek trading showed further pressure, with the Naira trading at ₦1,534.5/$ on Wednesday, slightly weaker than Tuesday’s rate of ₦1,533.18/$. Foreign…

By Atoyebi Nike The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a $1.35 billion financing deal with Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) to support the continued operations of its massive petroleum refinery and petrochemical complex. Announced via a statement on the bank’s website on Sunday, the deal forms part of a broader $4 billion syndicated loan arrangement for DIL, Africa’s largest industrial group. Afreximbank acted as the lead arranger and contributed the largest share of the funding. The money will be used to refinance previous capital spent on building the Dangote Refinery, which has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, making…

By Atoyebi Nike Eight OPEC+ members including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, and the UAE will raise crude oil production by a combined 547,000 barrels per day starting September 2025, in response to improved global economic conditions and stronger oil demand. The decision, made during a virtual meeting on Sunday, continues the gradual rollback of 2.2 million bpd in voluntary production cuts introduced in 2023. The phase-out, which began in April 2025, was agreed upon in December 2024 to ensure market balance and price stability. The alliance noted that this planned increase could be paused or reversed if market conditions deteriorate.…

By Atoyebi Nike A baby boy born in Ohio on July 26 has captured global attention  not for his size or cry, but because he came from an embryo frozen 30 years ago. Thaddeus Daniel Pierce was born to Lindsey and Tim Pierce through embryo adoption. The embryo had been frozen since May 1994, making Thaddeus one of the longest-frozen embryos to result in a live birth. “We didn’t know they froze embryos that long ago,” Lindsey said. “We’re just grateful to have him.” The embryo came from Lydia Archerd, who used IVF in the ‘90s and had one daughter.…

By Atoyebi Nike A coalition of professionals, civil society actors, and religious leaders from Benue State has called on the international community to intervene in what it describes as ongoing “ethnic cleansing and strategic displacement” in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday in Makurdi, the group, led by innovation strategist Gideon Inyom, urged the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union to provide emergency asylum and protective status to victims of escalating violence in Benue. The group cited data from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), reporting that over 2 million people have been…

By Atoyebi Nike Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, on their triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship. In a statement released Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the governor praised the team’s remarkable 78–64 win over Mali in Sunday’s final in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. He commended their unity, resilience, and winning spirit. Governor Sanwo-Olu described the win as another proud moment for Nigeria, highlighting that the Rena Wakama-led squad has now clinched the AfroBasket title a record seven times—five of those consecutively. “Congratulations to D’Tigress for…