Author: Akintayo Adams

Israel launched strikes on military targets in Iran early Saturday, citing a response to a recent missile attack from Tehran. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated it met its objectives and warned Iran against retaliation. Iranian state media reported several hours of explosions across Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces, with Iran’s military claiming that air defenses intercepted some attacks, resulting in limited damage. This escalation occurs amidst heightened Israel-Iran tensions, especially following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, supported by Iran-backed Hezbollah. Regional and global concerns are mounting as Israel continues military operations against Hezbollah and in Gaza. Get instant…

Nigeria’s Dangote refinery, Africa’s largest, has shipped its first seaborne petrol cargo, transporting around 500,000 barrels to Lagos. As the refinery’s crucial Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracker (RFCC) unit continues ramping up, this 650,000-barrel-per-day plant is expected to reshape West Africa’s fuel market by reducing dependency on European imports. The refinery had initially used trucks for gasoline distribution before this first sea shipment, which marks a significant milestone in its operational growth and its potential impact on Nigeria’s crude oil market. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan reflected on the emotional challenges he faced after losing the 2015 election to Muhammadu Buhari. Jonathan, the first sitting Nigerian president to lose a re-election bid, said he felt isolated, as if the “whole world was against” him. He was speaking at the 1st Raymond Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, organised by the management of Daar Communications in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. He credited the late Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications, for offering words of encouragement and helping him find resilience through the transition. He said, “It is not easy to lose…

Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has announced a new minimum wage of ₦80,000 for state workers, effective November 2024. He assured that the state could sustain this increase due to progress in agriculture and initiatives like civil service farms aimed at boosting productivity. Bago confirmed that the minimum wage applies to both state and local government workers. Niger State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Idrees Lafene, expressed delight at the announcement, noting it surpassed the union’s expectations and placed Niger among the leading states implementing wage improvements. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.

Nigerian airline Air Peace has announced a significant 100% increase in ticket prices for all domestic routes, effective November 1, 2024. This fare hike will double travel costs during the peak holiday season, raising one-way fares, such as the Lagos-Abuja route, from ₦143,000 to ₦286,000. The adjustment is expected to impact many Nigerians who prefer air travel for safety reasons, especially given the increased cost of road transport due to recent petrol price hikes under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Passengers are advised to contact travel agents for assistance. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo criticized current leadership, including President Bola Tinubu, for lacking detailed plans before taking office. In an interview with News Central Television, Obasanjo expressed frustration with leaders who make announcements without studying issues in depth. He questioned the effectiveness of three-point plans that are vague and ungrounded, suggesting leaders should deeply understand and thoughtfully address challenges. Emphasizing the importance of governance, “What do you say of a Nigerian president who came to office without a plan and woke up and just said, ‘Three-point plan’? What are the three points, and what are they going to achieve?…

The Joint Health Sectors Union (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have declared a seven-day warning strike starting from October 25, 2024. This decision follows ongoing issues with the federal government’s handling of critical demands, despite multiple meetings and assurances. Key grievances include immediate implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment, payment of 25% CONHESS review arrears from June – December 2023, nine months of unpaid salaries for regulatory agency workers, and reinstating funding for the Environmental Health Regulatory Council. JOHESU has also requested the reconstitution of boards for Federal Health Institutions and an upward…

Three journalists were killed and three others injured in an Israeli airstrike on their accommodation in Hasbaya, southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed the incident, which has been condemned by Minister of Information Ziad Makary as an “assassination” and a “war crime.” He claimed the strike was a premeditated act, as 18 journalists from seven media outlets were present at the location. The attack has intensified concerns over the escalating violence along the Israel-Lebanon border. He said, “The Israeli enemy waited for the journalists to rest at night in order to betray them in their sleep, and during…

Senator Dino Melaye has threatened to sell his Tesla if Elon Musk continues to “harass” U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, ahead of the November 5 presidential election. Melaye’s comments come in light of Musk’s significant financial support for Donald Trump and criticism of Harris. The Nigerian politician expressed his frustration on social media, stating he would encourage others to follow suit if Musk doesn’t cease his behavior, emphasizing that the U.S. should uphold its democratic values . “If Elon Musk will not stop harassing Kamala H. I will sell my Tesla and advise my friends to do the same. America should…

President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar met at the National Mosque in Abuja, on Friday. Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the duo who went head to head in last year’s election met at the wedding of Senator Danjuma Goje’s daughter. “President Tinubu meets old friend Atiku Abubakar at the National Mosque. It was at the Jumat and wedding of the daughter of Senator Danjuma Goje. Photo Taiwo Okanlawon,” Onanuga tweeted with photos. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.