Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has given the Federal Government a fresh 24-hour deadline to meet its outstanding demands or face an indefinite strike. The decision followed a six-hour virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council on Wednesday, after the expiration of its earlier 10-day ultimatum. NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said doctors acknowledged government assurances but insisted on immediate payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, five months’ salary arrears from the 25-35 per cent CONMESS review, and other backlogs. The doctors are also demanding settlement of the 2024 accoutrement allowance arrears,…

By Atoyebi Nike A French parliamentary commission has recommended banning social media use for children under 15 and imposing a nighttime curfew for users aged 15 to 18. The panel, launched in March after lawsuits against TikTok, said the move would protect minors from harmful online content. Lawmaker Laure Miller, who presented the report on Thursday, said the measure would send “a clear signal” to parents and children that social media is not harmless. The recommendations follow testimonies from families whose children died by suicide after exposure to self-harm content on TikTok. One mother, Geraldine, told AFP she only discovered…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to address the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) on Wednesday, September 24, at the UN headquarters in New York. According to a revised provisional list of speakers, Tinubu will deliver his remarks during the afternoon session, around 8:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. Nigerian time), making him the 17th speaker on day two of the high-level General Debate. The Nigerian leader will join a lineup of 195 world leaders, including 98 heads of state, 44 heads of government, five vice presidents, four deputy prime ministers,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Government of Germany, on Wednesday launched the €18.3 million EU-VACE TARED Project, a four-year programme designed to transform the country’s agricultural sector through climate-smart practices, value chain development, and job creation. The initiative, formally titled Agriculture Value Chain Facility  Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development, will focus on four critical value chains  cocoa, dairy, tomatoes, and ginger. Running from October 2024 to September 2028, the project will be implemented by the German agency GIZ, alongside Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Budget and National…

By Atoyebi Nike The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has cautioned political actors against early campaigns, warning that such activities violate the Electoral Act 2022 and threaten Nigeria’s democratic process. Speaking at a roundtable on campaign regulation in Abuja on Wednesday, Yakubu said political parties and their supporters were engaging in outdoor adverts, rallies, and media campaigns well before the legally approved period. He cited Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, which bars campaigns earlier than 150 days before election day, adding that premature campaigns compromise INEC’s ability to monitor campaign spending. Yakubu noted…

By Atoyebi Nike Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, on Wednesday visited the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. Kyari arrived at the commission’s office around 2:15 p.m. following an invitation to clarify financial and technical issues related to his tenure. The EFCC had earlier placed him on its watch list in connection with an ongoing investigation into the $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance project. In a related development, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered a temporary freeze on four bank accounts linked to Kyari…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria has joined the global community in marking World Suicide Prevention Day 2025, with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare urging citizens to protect lives, show empathy, and reduce stigma around mental illness. In a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, the Ministry reminded Nigerians that “your life matters, and hope is real,” calling on communities to check on friends, listen without judgment, and seek professional help when needed. The annual observance, first established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health…

By Atoyebi Nike The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has restated its commitment to intensify the fight against human trafficking and related crimes across the region. This pledge was made at the 17th Annual Review Meeting (ARM) of the Regional Network of National Focal Institutions Against Trafficking in Persons Plus (RNNI-TIP+), held in Lagos from September 1 to 5, 2025. The meeting was organised by the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs in collaboration with Member States, civil society organisations, and international partners. Delegates assessed progress recorded in 2024 and outlined strategies for 2026, with discussions…

By Atoyebi Nike The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday formally recognised the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This recognition follows internal restructuring within the party, which produced a new slate of national officers to reposition the ADC ahead of future political contests. INEC’s endorsement confirmed David Mark as National Chairman, with former Osun State governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. Other officers include Dr. Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Professor Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor as National Legal Adviser. With the commission’s nod, the new leadership is expected…

By Atoyebi Nike The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced plans to recruit and deploy about 800 water marshals nationwide by December as part of efforts to enhance safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, NIWA Managing Director Bola Oyebamiji said the recruitment drive would help curb recurring boat accidents, enforce life jacket use, and monitor unauthorised loading points. According to Oyebamiji, the new marshals will also sensitise passengers and operators on safe navigation practices. “We currently have between 350 and 450 water marshals. Our goal is to raise the number to…