Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria has formally endorsed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), launched by China at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus (SCO+) meeting in Tianjin, placing the country among early supporters of efforts to reshape the global order. The GGI builds on Beijing’s earlier frameworks the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and is designed to promote broader international representation, rule of law, and collective responses to challenges such as climate change, digital inequality, and emerging technologies. In a statement on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said Abuja considered the framework…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian naira strengthened below the N1,500/$ threshold during mid-week trading, marking the second time this year the local currency breached that level in the official market. The exchange rate fluctuated between N1,498/$ and N1,507/$, showing signs of resilience after settling at N1,506/$ earlier in the week. At the parallel market, however, the currency traded slightly weaker, closing at N1,510/$–N1,512/$. Market analysts attribute the rebound to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policy reforms, including measures to stabilize exchange rates, curb speculative trading, and attract foreign capital. The gains have also offered relief to companies listed on…
By Atoyebi Nike Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel on Thursday said he was working to end the political crisis that has shaken the Himalayan nation following violent protests that ousted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli earlier this week. “I am consulting and making every effort to find a way out of the current difficult situation in the country within the constitutional framework,” Paudel said in a statement. He urged citizens to remain patient, stressing that efforts were ongoing to address protesters’ demands. Oli, a 73-year-old four-time prime minister, resigned on Tuesday after days of unrest. His current location remains unknown. Under…
By Atoyebi Nike The European Union’s General Court in Luxembourg has ruled that the European Commission may continue to classify nuclear power and natural gas as climate-friendly investments under the bloc’s sustainable finance framework. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, dismissed Austria’s lawsuit against the EU’s taxonomy regulation, which guides investors by identifying activities consistent with the bloc’s climate and environmental goals. Austria filed the case in 2022, accusing Brussels of “greenwashing” by including gas and nuclear in the sustainable list, arguing that nuclear energy carries severe environmental risks and gas releases harmful carbon emissions. The court upheld the Commission’s assessment,…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian military has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art Armed Forces Museum in Abuja as part of efforts to immortalise its history and honour fallen heroes. The project was unveiled on Wednesday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Defence Headquarters and Empower 54 Africa Initiative. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, described the museum as a landmark initiative that will preserve Nigeria’s military heritage while ensuring that the sacrifices of service members are permanently remembered. “The facility, sitting on 10 acres in the Federal Capital Territory, is expected to be completed…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government says it has invested billions of naira in agricultural development and education across Nigeria’s North-West region. Mukhtar Lawal-Tsagem, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Katsina State Directorate, disclosed this on Tuesday at a sensitisation programme organised by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation. He said wheat farmers in 12 local government areas of Kebbi State benefited from the National Agricultural Growth and Agribusiness Programme (NAGAP), while ginger farmers in Kaduna State received ₦1.6 billion to boost production. According to him, the interventions are designed to strengthen food security and position the North-West…
By Atoyebi Nike The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Agreement with African Holdings Corporation (AHC) to modernize Nigeria’s agriculture through blockchain technology. Signed in Abuja, the deal will create a blockchain-powered registry of AFAN members, ensuring inclusion in the digital economy while enabling traceability of produce. A key feature is the introduction of real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation, which will convert agricultural commodities into digital tradeable tokens. This opens access to global markets, alternative financing, and wealth creation opportunities for millions of farmers. The partnership also includes the launch of community tokens to foster…
By Atoyebi Nike The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Command, has recovered 112 kilograms of cannabis sativa following a road accident at Gadar Tamburawa on the Zaria-Kano expressway. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the interception followed a collision between a Volkswagen Golf car and a truck around 6 a.m. on September 6. He explained that NDLEA operatives rushed to the scene to rescue the occupants of the Golf, removing its windscreen and doors to extricate the driver and passenger. The passenger, who attempted to flee, was immediately apprehended.…
By Bagudu Mohammed Ambassador Dalhatu Abubakar Iya (Prince DH), a man I hold in the highest esteem, recently reached out to me with a special invitation. He wanted me to participate in Crusaders Radio’s 7th anniversary webinar series particularly the session scheduled for Thursday, 11th September 2025, at 7:30 pm on Google Meet. The theme is striking: “The role of media and citizen journalism in promoting citizens’ engagement in Niger State governance, and ways to bridge the gap between citizens and government.” A topic so timely and so relevant, not only for Niger State but for the entire nation. Indeed,…
By Atoyebi Nike Ghana has received its first group of West Africans deported from the United States, under an arrangement allowing removals to third countries, even when deportees have limited ties there. President John Mahama confirmed that 14 people, including several Nigerians and one Gambian, arrived in Accra this week before being assisted to travel on to their countries of origin. “We were approached by the U.S. to accept third-party nationals who were being removed, and we agreed that West African nationals were acceptable,” Mahama said, noting that under ECOWAS protocols, citizens can move freely across borders without visas. The…