Author: Akintayo Adams

The United Nations reported on Friday that more than 3,600 people have been killed in Haiti this year due to escalating gang violence. The country, already the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, is facing severe turmoil, with gangs taking control of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and overwhelming both the security and healthcare systems. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) revealed that about 600,000 people were displaced in the first half of 2024, while 1,280 were injured in the violence, including women and children. Additionally, 893 individuals, including 25 children, were kidnapped for ransom as gangs vied for control in the power…

The Naira made a notable recovery, gaining ₦126.64 against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market within 48 hours. FMDQ data revealed that by Friday, the Naira appreciated to ₦1540.78 per dollar, up from ₦1667.42 on Wednesday. This increase reflects a significant boost in value within just two days. On a week-on-week basis, the Naira showed a slight appreciation, trading at ₦1540.78 on Friday compared to ₦1541.52 the previous week. The improvement is attributed to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention, which included selling foreign currency to eligible Bureau De Change (BDC) operators at ₦1590 per dollar on…

A devastating flood in Kebbi State has claimed the lives of 29 people and destroyed 329,000 homes, displacing thousands of residents. The flood has also submerged 858,000 hectares of farmland, wiping out critical crops such as rice, millet, sorghum, and beans, sparking fears of an impending food crisis in the region. At a press briefing on Friday, Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Birnin Kebbi, described the government’s efforts to manage the aftermath of the disaster, stating that the scope of the damage has overwhelmed local resources. He emphasized the need for federal assistance, as the state’s resources…

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over have arrested Former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku over a ₦27 billion fraud. Ishaku, who completed his tenure as governor in 2023 after eight years in office, was taken into custody at his Abuja residence in the early hours of Friday. According to sources within the EFCC, Ishaku remains in custody as of Friday night. The commission has reportedly filed at least 15 charges against the former governor, with plans to arraign him in court soon. A source within the EFCC indicated that the agency had been investigating Ishaku since…

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has assured Nigerians that there will be no delays in the collection of passports, revealing that over 80,000 passport booklets are currently available for issuance. Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Tunji-Ojo emphasized that passport reserves have not fallen below 50,000 in recent times, and the backlog of pending passports has been cleared. He added that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is up to date with payments to its service providers for passport printing and supply. He announced that Nigerians living abroad, particularly in the United States, Canada, and the United…

AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca has explained Samuel Chukwueze’s recent struggles at the club, attributing it to the player’s need to adapt to the fast-paced nature of Serie A. Despite a promising pre-season, where the Nigerian winger impressed by scoring against Real Madrid and providing two assists against Manchester City, Chukwueze has been unable to carry that form into the regular season. Fonseca highlighted that while Chukwueze showed potential during pre-season, he needs to improve his decision-making in a league where time and space are limited. He stated, “Chukwueze had a very good pre-season; I think he just needs to…

Nigeria has announced a new partnership with Mastercard aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and financial inclusion for one million African farmers across Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania. The initiative, supported by the African Development Bank, seeks to provide farmers with improved yields and access to essential digital financial services. The agreement was finalized during a meeting between Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima and Mastercard executives at the ongoing 79th UN General Assembly in New York. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, revealed the details in a statement titled ‘UNGA79: Nigeria, Mastercard Partner to Support…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recent Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has expressed dissatisfaction with the election results and plans to challenge the outcome in court. During an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, Ighodalo claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the help of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stole his mandate. Ighodalo finished second in the election, securing 247,274 votes, while the APC’s candidate, Monday Okpebholo, was declared the winner with 291,667 votes. The Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata, garnered 22,763 votes. Ighodalo pointed to several irregularities, including the failure to…

The Federal Government has pledged to hold accountable all individuals implicated in the bribery allegations involving Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this commitment during a press briefing marking his first year in office. He assured that no one involved in the corruption scandal within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) will escape justice. This follows the minister’s earlier directive for a thorough investigation into claims that Bobrisky, sentenced to prison earlier this year, did not serve his jail term within a correctional facility. In response to the allegations, the Civil Defence, Correctional,…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his address to the UN General Assembly, asserted that Israel has the capability to reach any location across the Middle East as tensions rise with Hezbollah. His comments came amid growing international calls for a ceasefire in the escalating conflict. Earlier, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile and drone strike against Israel, though it was successfully intercepted without causing injuries. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have vowed to continue their attacks until Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon cease. The ongoing conflict has also led to a surge in casualties, with Lebanon’s health…