Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court for a fast-tracked ruling to uphold tariffs imposed under emergency trade powers, warning that a recent appellate court decision has already weakened U.S. leverage in negotiations. Solicitor General John Sauer, in a petition filed Wednesday, urged the justices to confirm “the full legal standing of the President’s tariffs” as quickly as possible, citing their critical role in ongoing talks with major trading partners. The move follows a 7-4 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which held that President Trump exceeded his authority by…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s efforts to develop an HIV vaccine have slowed following the suspension of U.S. government funding, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has disclosed. Alash’le Abimiku, executive director of the International Centre of Excellence at IHVN, said the withdrawal of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) support under the Trump administration disrupted ongoing trials. “I’m afraid the HIV vaccine research has developed a K-leg because of the funding,” she noted at a press briefing in Abuja. Abimiku explained that Nigerian strains of the virus differ from those in South Africa and Kenya, making local sequencing vital…

By Atoyebi Nike Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has cautioned against portraying Boko Haram attacks as targeting only Christians, warning that such narratives are misleading and dangerous. His statement on Wednesday followed renewed assaults in Ngoshe village, Gwoza Local Government Area, and Mussa community in Askira-Uba, where insurgents killed five Muslim farmers on Saturday and three Christians the next day. Dozens of houses were also reportedly razed. Reacting to claims by an online media platform that only Christians were targeted, Ndume, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, condemned the report, insisting Boko Haram’s violence spares no…

By Atoyebi Nike The Kano State Government has cautioned the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) over moves to establish a parallel Kano Elders Council, warning that the plan would duplicate a structure already created by the state. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the formation of the Kano Elders Advisory Council in January 2024 as a non-partisan platform to provide guidance on governance and development. The state says processes are now underway to institutionalize the council ahead of its official inauguration. In a statement on Wednesday, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya said the advisory body was designed…

By Atoyebi Nike The Chairman of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, has called on the United Nations to strengthen international laws that safeguard journalists, warning that democracy itself is at risk if the media remains exposed to violence and harassment. Speaking in Ilorin, Ahmed described journalists as the “lubricant of democracy,” stressing that no system of governance can succeed without professionals who inform citizens and hold leaders accountable. He condemned the rising global attacks on media practitioners, citing the recent killing of six reporters in Gaza as evidence of the dangers…

By Atoyebi Nike Gold prices soared to fresh highs on Wednesday as Nigeria intensified its clampdown on illegal mining operations in the Federal Capital Territory. Spot gold (XAU/USD) touched $3,535 per ounce in London, surpassing April’s record of $3,500, before stabilizing at $3,530. Futures for December delivery also jumped to $3,600, doubling since early 2023 and up more than 35% this year. The surge coincides with Nigeria’s closure of an illegal mining site in Gwagwalada, following environmental and security concerns. The action, ordered by Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake, came after artisanal miners invaded the area when…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has announced Friday, September 5, 2025, as a public holiday in commemoration of this year’s Eid-ul-Mawlid, the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The declaration was made in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 3, by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The government congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and abroad on the occasion, urging them to uphold the Prophet’s virtues of peace, humility, tolerance, love, and compassion. Ajani further encouraged all Nigerians to use the opportunity to pray for peace,…

By Atoyebi Nike A team of 25 Chinese investors has visited Katsina State to assess opportunities for major agricultural and renewable energy projects valued at more than $700 million. The visit was confirmed by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), A’isha Rimi, who was represented by Director of Strategic Services, Abubakar Yerima. Led by the China Overseas Engineering Group, the delegation expressed interest in a range of ventures, including rice, maize, cassava, and fisheries value chains, as well as a proposed 10,000-head cattle ranch. They are also considering agricultural machinery assembly plants, a solar power facility,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Polaris Capital Limited to launch a nationwide programme that will train, certify, and connect 100,000 construction artisans to job opportunities across Nigeria. The partnership, sealed on September 2, 2025, through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, introduces the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP). The initiative aims to address labour shortages in the construction sector while improving housing quality and standards. Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, said NASAP is designed to modernize the construction workforce by creating employment, enhancing technical capacity, and…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigerian importers are bracing for increased costs this season following the announcement of a $500 peak season surcharge by French shipping giant CMA CGM on cargo destined for Nigeria and other West African ports. In a notice published on its official website, the company disclosed that the new charges would apply to containers shipped from North-East Asia, South-East Asia, China, and Hong Kong & Macau SAR. The surcharge will come into effect on September 15, 2025, and remain in place until further notice. The shipping line clarified that the levy applies specifically to twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs)…