Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike Residents of Kirawa in Borno State have been forced to cross into Cameroon each night for safety following a deadly Boko Haram attack that left the community without Nigerian military presence. The assault, which occurred on Saturday, claimed the lives of several soldiers and led to the abduction of a schoolgirl. Villagers say they now spend their days in Nigeria but retreat to Cameroonian border towns at night, sleeping in mosques, classrooms, and on streets to avoid further violence. District Head Abdulrahman Abubakar described the situation as unprecedented since the town’s resettlement years ago, urging urgent government…

By Atoyebi Nike Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has expressed sadness over Monday’s tanker explosion on the Zaria-Kano highway, calling the incident “unfortunate” and urging motorists to prioritize safety. The accident occurred around 8:30 a.m. in Dan Magaji, Zaria, when a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker heading to Kano suffered a tyre blowout and rammed into an empty fuel tanker, sparking a fire. According to a statement on Tuesday by Abbas’ media aide, Musa Krishi, Zaria Local Government Chairman, Jamil Muhammad, confirmed there were no fatalities. Four injured persons were taken to hospital for treatment. Muhammad also…

By Atoyebi Nike Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Umar Sani has declared former president Goodluck Jonathan the party’s strongest choice for the 2027 presidential race, claiming he holds the “magic wand” to restore Nigeria’s economy. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Sani argued that Jonathan’s single-term limit, as stipulated by law, would make him a unifying candidate. “He cannot do more than one term by the provisions of the law and the constitution. The only thing remaining for him is to do that one term and go away,” Sani said. He further suggested that the Northern region…

By Atoyebi Nike Ondo State has confirmed 12 cases of mpox across eight local government areas, prompting a targeted vaccination campaign starting August 11. The Director of Disease Control at the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Victor Adefesoye, told stakeholders in Akure on Monday that infected persons, their close contacts, and health workers who treated them will receive two doses of the injectable vaccine. The disease, previously thought to be spread mainly by monkeys, can also be transmitted by other animals, as well as through contact with infected persons and objects. Affected LGAs include Akoko South-West, Akoko North-West, Akoko…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu has approved new appointments in federal universities, including governing council members and principal officers. Chisom Obih joins the Governing Council of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, following the death of a member. Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, former Head of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, will serve on the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, replacing Wahab Owokoniran, now Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Transport, Daura. Tinubu also named Prof. Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology, Tsafe, Zamfara State, alongside Hamisu…

By Atoyebi Nike Katsina State will, for the first time, give full official backing to the global celebration of World Hausa Day, set for August 26. Executive Secretary of the State History and Culture Bureau, Dr. Kabir Ali-Masanawa, said at a Tuesday press briefing that the event will gather participants from 24 countries to honor Hausa history, culture, and heritage. Governor Dikko Radda has pledged personal support to ensure its success. Celebrations will take place at the Emir of Daura’s palace, featuring Hausa music, dance, traditional attire, and culinary displays. “Visitors will see how we prepare and enjoy our dishes…

By Atoyebi Nike A new directive from the National Pension Commission (PenCom) has set off a compliance drive across Nigeria, with companies now requiring Pension Clearance Certificates (PCCs) from vendors and service providers. The policy, issued in May 2025 with a six-month compliance window, mandates Licensed Pension Fund Operators (LPFOs) to ensure that their vendors, parent companies, subsidiaries, and institutional shareholders all hold valid PCCs before entering service or technical agreements. The requirement enforces provisions of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, which compels employers to remit pension contributions within seven working days of salary payment. PenCom’s circular, signed by…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s crude oil production climbed to an average of 1.507 million barrels per day (bpd) in July 2025, beating the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) target for the second month in a row. The figures, disclosed in OPEC’s Monthly Oil Market Report on Tuesday, were based on direct communication with Nigerian authorities. The new output slightly surpassed the 1.505 million bpd recorded in June, keeping Nigeria ahead of Algeria, which pumped 937,000 bpd. OPEC data also showed total production from its member and allied countries (OPEC+) rose by 335,000 bpd in July, with about half…

By Atoyebi Nike The naira weakened slightly against the US dollar in the official market on Monday, closing at ₦1,535.9/$ from ₦1,534.29/$, according to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data. The local currency appreciated marginally against the pound sterling, closing at ₦2,060/£1, and gained ₦3.85 against the euro to trade at ₦1,782.75/€. The parallel market rate held steady at ₦1,560/$. Market analysts expect the naira to benefit from sustained CBN foreign exchange inflows. Meanwhile, the dollar advanced globally ahead of US inflation data, rising 0.30% against the euro to 1.16 and 0.20% against the pound to $1.34. The US Dollar…

By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), has introduced a nationwide plan to enhance soil health, boost agricultural output, and raise farmers’ incomes. Unveiled at a high-level workshop in Abuja, the Nigerian Soil Information System (NSIS) will serve as a digital platform offering detailed soil data to help farmers make informed decisions on crop selection, fertilizer application, and irrigation methods. Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the project will unite government bodies, private sector players, farmers, researchers, and development partners…