Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s inflation rate eased further in August 2025, dropping to 20.12% from 21.88% in July, according to figures released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The report showed that on a month-to-month basis, headline inflation stood at 0.74%, reflecting a slower pace of price increases compared to the previous month. Urban inflation fell to 19.75% year-on-year, down sharply from 34.58% in August 2024, while rural inflation dropped to 20.28% from 29.95% within the same period. Food inflation slowed significantly to 21.87% in August, compared with 37.52% a year earlier. NBS attributed the decline to…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned hearing in a suit challenging the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to improper service of court papers. Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the matter, ruled that the plaintiff failed to serve Senator David Mark, former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, and Chief Ralph Nwosu individually as required by law. He explained that substituted service would require a fresh court order. Earlier, plaintiff’s counsel Michael Agber claimed all five defendants had been served, but Justice Nwite, after checking the court file, found no proof…

By Atoyebi Nike The Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Monday visited victims of recent attacks in 11 communities of Qua’an Pan Local Government Area and delivered additional relief supplies to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Executive Secretary Sunday Abdu, who led the delegation, said the intervention followed Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s directive to bring immediate succour to those affected. He condemned the assaults, describing them as “heinous and calamitous,” and prayed for peace in the troubled region. Abdu noted that more than 6,000 displaced people are currently sheltered in camps at Kwa, Doemak, and Ba’ap, with the majority being women,…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigerian crude prices stayed largely steady but remained below the $70 mark as investors tracked the impact of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries and export hubs. Bonny Light and Brass River were last quoted under $68 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed to $67.3 and US West Texas Intermediate rose to $62.8. The strikes targeted Russia’s Primorsk terminal, which loads about one million barrels daily, and the Kirishinefteorgsintez refinery, one of the country’s largest. Ukraine confirmed responsibility for the attacks, while Moscow pledged to sustain output despite disruptions. In Washington, President Donald Trump renewed threats of…

By Atoyebi Nike Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory began an indefinite strike on Monday, September 15, 2025, over unpaid salaries, stalled promotions, and poor hospital conditions. The President of the Association of Resident Doctors, FCT Administration (ARD-FCTA), Dr George Ebong, announced the action at a press briefing in Abuja. The doctors had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum on August 28 and staged a warning strike on September 8, but the government failed to respond. Ebong said the congress of doctors reviewed negotiations and agreed to down tools after officials ignored all key demands. He listed the demands to…

By Atoyebi Nike The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has asked the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) to clear its outstanding electricity debt of N949.88 million as of August, or risk disconnection. In a statement on Monday, KEDCO’s Head of Corporate Communications, Sani Bala, said the hospital must also pay its August bill of N108.95 million in full within 10 working days. Bala expressed concern over non-payment for electricity consumed at the hospital’s residential complex, stressing the strain on the company’s operations. He noted that KEDCO had earlier warned of cutting supply to staff quarters and non-essential areas due to…

By Atoyebi Nike The Dangote Group has dismissed allegations by the Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) that it sells petrol to foreign traders at cheaper rates than to local buyers. DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, claimed members bought Dangote petrol from international traders in Lomé, Togo, at prices lower than those offered locally. But Dangote, in a statement on Monday, described the claim as “misleading,” noting that petrol sells at about N1,826 per litre in Togo, double Nigeria’s pump price of N865. The refinery accused some marketers of round-tripping buying Nigerian-produced petrol through Togo and re-importing…

By Atoyebi Nike World record holder Tobi Amusan delivered Nigeria’s first medal at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, claiming silver in the women’s 100m hurdles with a time of 12.29 seconds. After a slow start, Amusan surged late but was narrowly beaten by Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who struck gold in a national record of 12.24s. Grace Stark of the United States clinched bronze in 12.34s, while Olympic champion Masai Russell (USA) finished fourth in 12.44s. Other finalists included Pia Skrzyszowska (Poland) and Devynne Charlton (Bahamas), both clocking seasonal bests of 12.49s, Danielle Williams (Jamaica) in 12.53s, and Nadine Visser…

By Atoyebi Nike Oracle’s stock fell nearly 5% on Thursday, cooling after a historic 35.9% surge the previous day that pushed its value to $933 billion and briefly placed it near the trillion-dollar threshold. Co-founder Larry Ellison’s wealth rose to about $387.6 billion, narrowing the gap with Elon Musk, who tops Forbes’ global billionaire list at $437.5 billion. The rally was fueled by multi-billion-dollar cloud contracts, including a $300 billion deal with OpenAI for computing power, one of the largest in history. Despite the pullback, Oracle’s stock has nearly doubled this year, making it one of the best performers in…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a woman for allegedly abandoning her newborn baby in a bush near a primary school on AA Koto Street, Akwanga Local Government Area. The infant, wrapped in a piece of cloth, was discovered alive by residents on Wednesday, who quickly alerted the police. Police spokesperson SP Ramhan Nansel confirmed the arrest in Lafia on Thursday, saying the Commissioner of Police had directed the case to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Lafia, for full investigation and prosecution. “The mother of the baby has been identified and arrested.…