Author: Akintayo Adams

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has expressed worries over the high rate of children living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Nigeria. According to the Council, about 160,000 children were living with HIV in Nigeria, with only 45,000 receiving treatment. The council, therefore, urged the government and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS among children in the country. CCN President, Most Rev. David Onuoha, made the call at the closing ceremony of the HIV intervention programme implemented in collaboration with the World Council of Churches, WCC, in Abuja. “Our mission is to identify…

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to keep growing their own foods. He so urged the nation to control population growth. The former President who expressed satisfaction that a considerable number of Nigerians have embraced farming once again made this known while speaking to journalists at the Kofor Arewa Eid prayer in Katsina on Sunday. “The need for greater discussion and awareness about this problem, (uncontrolled population growth) as well as a need to invest more in education and health. “Let us grow our own food. We have shown that we can do it. This is not the time…

Food inflation in Nigeria soared to 40.66 per cent in May. This was as the cost of food rose from 25.25 per cent in June 2023 to 40.66 per cent in May 2024, reflecting a steady rise in the cost of living. This is contained in the latest Consumer Price Index and Inflation report released by the National Bureau of Statistics. A breakdown of the data revealed that food commodity prices rose steadily from 25.25% in June to 26.98% in July, 29.34% in August, 30.64% in September, 31.52% in October, 32.84% in November, and 33.93% by the end of December…

Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State has advised residents of the state, especially rural dwellers, to be on the lookout for land grabbers in their respective communities. Makinde sounded the warning during the funeral and thanksgiving service in honour of late Elizabeth Areola Abeo Oke, mother of National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke. He said the ongoing infrastructural projects embarked upon by his administration in rural areas might lead to “invasion” by land grabbers. He, however, promised that his administration would continue to prioritise infrastructure development to enhance growth and productivity in the state. He…

The Presidency has described the ₦250,000 minimum wage demand by Organised Labour as “unsustainable”. This was according to the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who described the Organized Labour as selfish for wanting Nigeria’s resources to be of benefit to only their members who are not more than 10 per cent of the entire population. “That is why we keep telling labour to be realistic because the government cannot use all its resources to pay workers. They have other things to do. The workers we are even talking about are not up to…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has pledged to provide a style of leadership that prioritizes the welfare of the people. He further reiterated that his administration would operate with the fear of God to make the people of Rivers State proud. He made these remarks during a baby dedication service for the family of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wordu at the Royal House of Grace International Church in Rumueme Community, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, on Sunday. “For us, by the special grace of God, He has placed us, today, to watch over the affairs, not to control, but to…

The Presidency has responded to a report published in the New York Times criticizing the Nigerian economy as facing the worst trajectory in a very long time. The report was titled, ‘Nigeria Confronts Its Worst Economic Crisis in a Generation’, and was published on June 11. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday reacted to the report credited to Ruth Maclean and Ismail Auwal’s, and he claimed the story reflected the typical predetermined, reductionist, derogatory and denigrating way foreign media establishments reported African countries for several decades. The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy…

No fewer than eight Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the deadliest single incident involving its troops since October 7 happened on Saturday. According to the IDF, preliminary findings suggested an armored vehicle carrying soldiers as part of a convoy was hit by an explosion at around 5:15 a.m. local time during an operation targeting “terrorist infrastructure” in northern Tal al-Sultan. The attack was disclosed by IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari in a press conference. Hagari said, “According to the information we have at this point, one of the engineering vehicles in the convoy…

The Bassirou Diomaye Faye-led Government of Senegal has unveiled measures to reduce the price of rice, oil, bread, and other basic items. This is part of its efforts to address cost-of-living concerns amid high unemployment and inflation. It is also a fulfilment of Faye’s promise during the campaign to address high living costs in the West African nation that heavily relies on imports. The government announced in a press conference that the price of a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of the most popular type of rice will drop by 40 CFA ($0.065, 0.061 euros), and a baguette will be 15 CFA…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ayodeji Gbeleyi as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). This is coming after the dismissal of Mr. Mamman Ahmadu, who was ordered by Tinubu to resign from office as the Director-General. Gbeleyi’s appointment was announced in a statement by Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Saturday. The statement described Gbeleyi as a renowned financial expert and award-winning chartered accountant. He is said to have over 30 years of post-qualification experience in diverse sectors, including manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), investment & commercial banking, project finance, telecommunications, infrastructure, and public administration.…