Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to boosting food security, driving economic diversification, and empowering women and youth through strategic agricultural investments. Speaking during a visit to the 1,300-hectare Jangwa Rice Farm in Ayarkeke, Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Kyari said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to transform the agricultural sector to meet rising food demands and reduce imports. He said achieving self-sufficiency requires coordinated efforts between the federal and state governments, alongside private sector investment, to strengthen the country’s food production systems.“Young…
By Atoyebi Nike Ibom Air has denied responsibility for the release of a viral video showing a passenger in a state of indecent exposure during an altercation aboard one of its flights. The airline’s Group Manager for Marketing and Communications, Aniekan Essienette, told TVC News on Monday that while the incident happened on one of their aircraft, the footage was not shared by any Ibom Air staff. Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo had earlier ordered sanctions against any employee found to have leaked the video, stressing that while filming for legal evidence was acceptable, making such footage public was “totally…
By Atoyebi Nike Sixteen inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, in the early hours of Tuesday after breaching the facility’s security and overpowering officers on duty. According to a statement from Nigerian Correctional Service spokesperson Umar Abubakar, five officers were injured during the breakout, with two in serious condition and receiving treatment at a government hospital. Seven of the escapees have been recaptured, while security agencies are intensifying efforts to locate the remaining nine. Controller General of Corrections Sylvester Nwakuche visited the facility after the incident and ordered a full investigation to determine how…
By Atoyebi Nike Elon Musk, owner of X and creator of the Grok AI chatbot, has accused Apple of antitrust violations, alleging its App Store ranking system unfairly favors OpenAI’s ChatGPT over competing AI products. In a post on X Tuesday, Musk said Apple’s practices make it “impossible” for any AI company other than OpenAI to reach the No. 1 spot in the iPhone maker’s app store. “Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store, which is an unequivocal antitrust violation. xAI will take immediate…
By Atoyebi Nike Human rights activist Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen has called for the immediate release of Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre after an in-flight altercation, warning that the criminal charges against her “will not see the light of day.” In a statement on Tuesday, Agberen urged Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Festus Keyamo (SAN) to intervene and ensure Emmanson’s release while also providing her with necessary assistance. He accused the airline and its staff of unprofessional conduct and criticized what he described as Nigeria’s “selective justice” system. “It has been the habit of the…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal Government has finalized its updated National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) 2025, with a renewed focus on strengthening coordination among security agencies and deepening community involvement in the fight against terrorism. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the final validation session for the revised document, Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), said the framework reaffirms Nigeria’s “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approach to countering threats. He explained that the strategy balances prevention with response, placing resilience, inclusivity, and community engagement at the core of the country’s security architecture. The review process, which began…
By Atoyebi Nike The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Israel to urgently allow the stockpiling of medicines and medical supplies in Gaza, warning of a “catastrophic” health crisis ahead of Israel’s planned takeover of Gaza City. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative in the Palestinian territories, said on Tuesday that 52 per cent of essential medicines are out of stock and aid entry remains severely restricted. “We want to stock up… but it’s not happening yet, or it’s happening at a way too low a pace,” Peeperkorn told reporters from Jerusalem. The appeal follows Israel’s announcement that its military will…
By Atoyebi Nike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to N189 billion. According to EFCC insiders who requested anonymity, Tambuwal was taken into custody at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, August 11, 2025. The withdrawals are suspected to violate the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022. The 59-year-old politician, who arrived at the EFCC offices around 11:30 a.m., was still being interrogated by investigators as of Monday evening. Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives (2011–2015), served as…
By Atoyebi Nike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue and a First Bank staff over the alleged diversion of N1.23 billion in public funds. The defendants, Nura Lawal, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Mamman, Abubakar Saidu, Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi, and Adam Alhassan Albashir, appeared before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. They face seven counts bordering on conspiracy and conversion of funds. According to the EFCC, the money, which came from the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the…
By Atoyebi Nike Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of turning Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies into political tools aimed at weakening the opposition. In a statement on Tuesday via his verified Facebook page, Atiku said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been “objectified” to pressure political opponents into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His remarks follow Monday’s detention of former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal over alleged financial misconduct and the EFCC’s invitation to former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha on separate corruption allegations. Atiku argued that Tambuwal’s detention was politically motivated,…