Author: Akintayo Adams

The latest edition of the All African Games ended amidst fanfare with winners counting their gains and losers left to reflect on what might have been. The tournament held in Ghana had 53 out of 54 African countries participating in the games. Cape Verde wasn’t represented. The game was initially marked for an August 2023 exhibition of what Africa possesses but a failure to complete facilities on time and issues over marketing revenue on the part of the organizers caused the postponment till March 2024. The host nation didn’t perform as many expected but still managed to finish in sixth…

On Saturday, The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla urged Nigerians to pray for the country’s peace, unity and progress amid current challenges. He said this at an Iftar (breaking of fasting) programme organised by the Nigerian Navy Islamic Directorate, in the spirit Ramadan in Abuja. Although the country is passing through difficult challenges in areas of economy and security, he said with prayers God intervention is what is needed. “The nation is facing daunting challenges particularly from the security and economic aspects of our nationhood. And in addition to working hard to overcome these challenges, we believe…

Along old Gariki Road, Okigwe in Imo State on Saturday, two policemen lost their lives after gunmen laid ambush and attack while on duty. According to reports, the evil doers threw dynamite on the officers’ patrol vehicle and engaged them in a gunfight that lasted till they gave up the ghost. They are suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Speaking, Henry Okoye, the state’s police spokesperson said, “The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, 23/03/2024 while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road Okigwe by the…

A Pan-African organization, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), has bemoaned the fact that millions of people in Africa and Nigeria in particular lack access to drinkable water. 400 million people in Africa and 110 million in Nigeria are currently deprived of the basic right to safe drinkable water — a development described as unjust by the organization. This was revealed at Our Water Our Right Coalition’s (OWORAC) press conference to mark World Water Day 2024 by CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi who blamed the situation on commercialisation of water supply by state governments across the Federation. “In Nigeria…

President Bola Tinubu may announce the new minimum wage on May 1 in commemoration of the International Labour Day, according to findings by one of Nigerian national dailies, The PUNCH. It was gathered that all hands are currently on deck to ensure all negotiations regarding the new wage were sorted before the date. “By next week, the minimum wage committee will meet again. It’s a continuous meeting. That is a meeting where all the reports from the zonal public hearings will be collated and reported, and then, you know, that will also give the committee the direction to work with,”…

According to data released by the Debt Management Office, DMO, on Friday in Abuja, Nigeria’s public debt stock as at Dec. 31, 2023 stood at ₦97. 341 trillion which is equivalent to $108.229 billion. The data released revealed that the amount comprised domestic and external debt stocks of the Federal Government, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and all the States of the Federation. Compared to the figure at Sept. 30, 2023, there was an increase of ₦9.43 trillion over the period. The increase was in no small part due to new domestic borrowing by the Federal Government to part –…

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has come out to dispel rumors being circulated of a corps member posted to Amotekun Corps for the one-year mandatory programme. This was contained in a statement on Saturday by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, NYSC Oyo State, Ms Christy Olatoye, who said Amotekun was not at any time on the list of employers on the NYSC database. “The attention of the NYSC Oyo State has been drawn to a story trending on the social media of a Corps member posted to Amotekun Corps. “I want to set the record straight that…

On Friday, the Naira appreciated slightly against the Dollar, trading at ₦1431.49/$1. According to Data released by the official trading platform of the FMDQ, the Naira strengthened by ₦21.79 or 1.5 per cent, compared to Thursday’s rate of ₦1,453.28 against the dollar. The total turnover, however, decreased to $199.71 million on Friday, down from $288.47 million recorded by the close of trading on Thursday. It was more good news at the Investor’s and Exporters (I&E) window as the Naira traded between ₦1,468 and ₦1,301 against the dollar. “The recent overhaul and increased intervention in the FX market have bolstered confidence…

During a surprise visit to one of the Ramadan feeding program centres at Municipal Local Government Area, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State was left stunned by the manner in which the exercise is being implemented. He made known his dissatisfaction with the kind of food being cooked and packaged for the beneficiaries as opposed to the one approved by the government. “Look at this nonsense, who gave you materials to cook? Don’t let me come back and see this repeat itself. I couldn’t sleep because of the news I have been getting about this exercise,” he uttered as…

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said that the National Assembly approach on the issue of state police is not helping state governors. Speaking during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, he stated that the issue of state police requires a bill that should be transmitted to the National Assembly and not the National Security Advisor or National Economic Council. “I did not submit any memorandum to state police because my position is very clear. This is not because of arrogance. But I don’t think the approach will take us anywhere. You are asking states to submit a memorandum…