Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike Nigerian Bonny Light crude climbed to $70 per barrel on Monday as Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian oil facilities heightened supply concerns and expectations of a U.S. rate cut lifted demand outlook. Brent rose to $68, while WTI gained to $63.81. Nigeria’s production averaged 1.5 million barrels per day in July, surpassing its OPEC+ quota for the second straight month. Demand from India, which bought two million barrels for September and October, also supported prices. Analysts say competition may intensify as the $20bn Dangote Refinery, now sourcing all its feedstock locally, reshapes Nigeria’s oil market. While prices…
By Atoyebi Nike The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a modern leather processing and manufacturing hub in Mushin, a project aimed at transforming Nigeria’s hides and skins into high-value products while generating thousands of jobs. The hub, formally opened on Saturday by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is expected to directly employ 10,000 people and support more than 150,000 artisans across the state, according to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Sanwo-Olu disclosed that 70 percent of the jobs have been reserved for women and young people, underscoring Lagos State’s drive for inclusive growth. The facility will produce shoes, bags, belts, and…
By Atoyebi Nike The Lamido of Adamawa, His Royal Highness Dr. Mustapha Barkindo, has approved 2,000 hectares of land for a modern agricultural hub aimed at transforming food production in the Northeast. The Adamawa State Agricultural Hub, valued at $80 million, will be implemented under the ACReSAL initiative by Business Development Managers Consultancy Services (BDMCs) in partnership with the Adamawa Emirate Council and the state government. According to BDMCs’ Vice Chairman, Chief Peter Olayinka, the project—funded by American investors with Chinese technical support will generate at least 10,000 jobs and expand into Osun and Delta states. The hub will focus…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a three-day weather outlook warning of persistent thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rains across the country, with high risks of flooding in parts of the northern region. The forecast, released on Saturday by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office, covers Sunday, August 24, to Tuesday, August 26, 2025. On Sunday, August 24, thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Taraba, and Kaduna in the morning, extending to Kano, Katsina, and other northern states by evening. The central states of Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi,…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed plans by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase salaries for political office holders, describing the proposal as “insensitive, unjust, and inequitable.” In a statement issued on Sunday, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero said the planned upward review would worsen the gap between politicians and civil servants, most of whom remain under wage freezes despite rising living costs. “We are outraged by the decision of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to embark on a comprehensive upward review of the remuneration packages of political…
By Atoyebi Nike US health regulators have suspended the license of Ixchiq, a French-made vaccine against the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, following reports of serious side effects, the drugmaker Valneva announced on Monday. Ixchiq, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023, is one of only two vaccines authorized against chikungunya. The suspension, effective immediately, follows four new cases of severe adverse reactions, three involving patients aged between 70 and 82. Valneva said it remains committed to providing global access to the vaccine despite the setback. “As we determine potential next steps, and as the clear threat of…
By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday arrived in Brasília to begin a state visit focused on strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic ties with Brazil. He was received at the Brasília Air Base by senior Brazilian officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte and Ambassador Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete, Brazil’s ambassador to Nigeria. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, also welcomed the President. According to the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the official welcome ceremony, complete with full military honours, will be held at the Planalto Palace. Tinubu will then meet…
By Atoyebi Nike The United States has confirmed its first human case of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that feeds on living tissue, in a Maryland resident who had recently returned from El Salvador, where an outbreak is spreading. According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the patient began showing symptoms shortly after returning and was diagnosed on August 4, 2025. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the case on August 24. “Screwworm larvae literally eat living tissue, which can cause serious and potentially life-threatening infections if not treated promptly,” CDC…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has expressed concern over increasing cases of kidnapping across the state, warning that the situation is becoming alarming. Speaker of the House, Dr. Danladi Jatau, issued the warning on Wednesday in Lafia after a motion of public importance was raised by Solomon Akwashiki, representing Lafia Central Constituency. Jatau urged the state government and security agencies to enforce the anti-kidnapping law passed by the Assembly, strengthen security across communities, and encourage residents to report suspicious activities. “We must not allow Nasarawa to become a kidnapping den,” the Speaker said. Lawmakers, including Daniel…
By Atoyebi Nike The Kano State Government has introduced a ‘safe corridor’ initiative to grant amnesty to repentant thugs as part of efforts to curb political thuggery and youth restiveness. Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, announced the programme on Wednesday at the state police headquarters, revealing that 718 youths had already been profiled, while 960 more awaited police validation. He said the scheme, championed by Governor Abba Yusuf, would subject participants to drug tests, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society. “Some of these youths were lured into thuggery by politicians. This government will not allow it to continue,”…