Author: Akintayo Adams

13 newly sworn-in state governors collectively borrowed a total sum of ₦226.8bn from domestic and external financiers within their first six months in office, DMO has revealed. 16 state governors also increased the debt profile of their states by ₦509.3bn with domestic and external debt of ₦243.95bn and $298.5m (₦265.37bn), respectively, according to findings by one of Nigerian national dailies, the PUNCH. The external debt was calculated based on the exchange rate of ₦889/$ used by the Debt Management Office in its latest report that was published on its website. The domestic and external debts were as of December 30…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on leaders across levels in the country to be selfless and consider the positions which they occupy as an opportunity to serve the people. The elder statesman stated this on Saturday during a courtesy visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital where he said leadership is an opportunity and privilege. Speaking, he said, “The situation in Nigeria is hard, unfortunately so, but there is no bad situation that can’t be good but the question is when and how? All we should be saying to those…

Talks aimed at brokering a truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip will resume in Cairo on Sunday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the green light for fresh negotiations. “An Egyptian security source confirmed to Al-Qahera News the resumption of negotiations on a truce between Israel and Hamas in the Egyptian capital Cairo tomorrow,” an anchor for the channel, which is close to the country’s intelligence services, said in a broadcast on Saturday. Egypt, Qatar and key Israeli ally the United States have mediated previous rounds of negotiations, but a common ground wasn’t found. The mediators…

King Charles III has made a significant public appearance since his cancer diagnosis last month, attending the Easter Mattins church service in Windsor on Sunday. The Monarch appeared to be in good spirits as he arrived by car to St. George’s Chapel alongside his wife, Queen Camilla, for the event. The Prince and Princess of Wales did not attend, as Catherine continues her cancer treatment. The King’s attendance will be seen as a move to reassure the public after the shock news that the Princess of Wales also has cancer. The Easter service comes just over a week after Kate…

According to data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the country now produces crude oil from over 246 fields across the country and operates 188 production stations. The document from the agency which revealed the data read thus: “Since 1956, the Nigerian upstream oil and gas landscape has grown with the development and installation of several oil and gas facilities. “With over 246 producing fields, 2,777 producing strings, 188 production stations/platforms, four gas terminals, five land terminals, 11 FSOs (Floating Storage and Offloading Units), 18 FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading), and several other facilities at various…

Oluwafemi Idris, a self-proclaimed ‘Islamic Cleric’ has been apprehended by the Ondo State Police Command for unlawful possession of human parts. Speaking, the State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo said the Police acted on an intel from a reliable source in the first month of the year that Idris popularly known as ‘Alfa’ in his domain kept human parts in his house and intends to use it for ritual purposes. Human parts including hands, three kidneys ,three hearts, spine and tongue were found in his possession when his house was ransacked by the men of the Police Force, according to…

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Saturday, called on traditional rulers in the state to continue to work for peace, security and unity in their respective Kingdoms to ensure rapid growth and development of the state. He spoke through the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hazmat at the presentation of staff of office to the new Olofin of Ado-Odo, Oba Olusola Osolo. He stressed the need for the royal fathers who are the closest to the grassroots to always pursue peace in their communities as no meaningful development could take place in an environment…

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks to take place in Doha and Cairo, a statement from his office said Friday. This is coming days after the negotiations appeared to have broken down. Since the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday demanding an “immediate ceasefire”, Hamas and Israel have tackled one another for their failure to strike a deal. However, Qatar said Tuesday that talks between Hamas and Israel on a Gaza truce and hostage release haven’t broken down, but the warring sides and mediators have offered little information since. Netanyahu’s…

The National Examinations Council have finalized plans to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examinations (Internal) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This followed the earlier certification of some international examination centres in Togo, Benin Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Niger and the Republic of Gabon. This was made known by the board in a statement after the successful accreditation of the Nigeria International School, Jeddah, by a NECO delegation led by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, and the Registrar of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi. “The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sununu, in his address, enjoined the staff…

American Danielle Collins defeated fourth seed Elena Rybakina in straight sets to win the Miami Open – the first WTA 1,000 title of her career. Collins, who earlier revealed her plans to retire at the end of the 2024 season, beat Kazakhstan’s tar, Rybakina 7-5 6-3 to clinch a third career title, and her first in 3 years. “I’ve worked so hard and it’s taken me a little bit longer than a lot of players on tour,” said Collins, playing in her home state of Florida. “Having a whole stadium on my side was something so special. It’s been hard…