Author: Akintayo Adams

Fellow Nigerians, As we enter 2025, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. May you be rich in joy, success, and good health. As the new year dawns, it brings many hopes, aspirations, and prospects for better days. By the grace of God, 2025 will be a year of great promise in which we will fulfill our collective desires. Though 2024 posed numerous challenges to our citizens and households, I am confident that the New Year will bring brighter days. Economic indicators point to a positive and encouraging outlook for our nation. Fuel prices have gradually decreased, and…

President (Asíwájú) Bọ́lá Ahmed Tinúbú – GCFR has been honored as the THISDAY Man of the Year. This recognition comes as a testament to his significant contributions and leadership in Nigeria. Tinúbú’s efforts in steering the country through challenging times and his commitment to national development have been widely acknowledged. The award highlights Tinúbú’s dedication to improving the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and overall governance. His administration has implemented various reforms aimed at fostering growth and stability in Nigeria. Tinúbú’s leadership style, characterized by his ability to unite diverse groups and drive progress, has earned him respect both locally and internationally.…

The naira appreciated against the dollar at both the official and black markets on Tuesday, marking a positive end to 2024. According to recent data, the naira strengthened slightly to ₦1,538.25 per dollar on Tuesday from ₦1,538.55, gaining ₦0.3 against the dollar. In the black market, the naira gained ₦12 to close at ₦1,655 per dollar on Tuesday, up from ₦1,662 the previous day. This marks the final trading day of 2024 as the world transitions into the new year on Wednesday, 2025. Compared to the end of 2023, when the naira was valued at ₦907.11 per dollar, the naira…

The Sèyí Mákindé-led Oyo State Government has paid the 13th month salary to workers. According to Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, the payment was made on December 30. Despite the government spending N77 billion annually on salaries and wages for Oyo workers, this generous payment was still made. Two weeks ago, Governor Makinde had approved an N80,000 minimum wage for government workers after resolving the issue of consequential adjustments with the negotiating council. Starting January 1, 2025, Oyo State will pay a total of N143 billion annually on salaries and wages, reflecting the new minimum wage…

The Bayelsa State Executive Council and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Elizabeth Bidei, has passed away. Mrs. Bidei died on Monday, December 30, 2024, after a battle with breast cancer. A family source revealed that her health deteriorated further after she suffered a stroke and a heart attack. A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, confirmed the news and extended heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Bidei’s family. Governor Douye Diri and the state executive council were also shocked by the news. Mrs. Koku-Obiyai expressed the council’s sympathy to Mrs. Bidei’s widower, Chief Jackson Bidei, and their…

Liverpool have rejected an approach from Real Madrid to sign right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in the January transfer window. The bid was made following the season-ending ACL knee injury to Real Madrid’s star right-back Dani Carvajal in October. Despite the interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool have no intention of parting ways with Alexander-Arnold, whose contract expires this summer. The club remains in talks with Alexander-Arnold about a new contract, and there is optimism that he will extend his stay at Anfield. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised Alexander-Arnold, along with Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, for their focus amidst ongoing…

Nigerian social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has confessed that his recent claim of a ₦180 million theft from his NGO account was fabricated to “teach people a lesson.” In a video posted on his Instagram page, VDM admitted that the story was a deliberate attempt to highlight the dangers of spreading unverified information. According to VDM, the entire incident was staged to demonstrate the widespread lack of scrutiny over media reports. He said, “This whole thing that happened with the ₦180 million, I deliberately did it to show that you people are stup*d. We are…

The Nigerian stock market recorded a significant gain of ₦987 billion, or 0.99 percent, in a single day on Monday. This impressive performance was driven by investors’ interest in MTN Nigeria, BUA Foods, FBN Holdings, and other advanced equities. The market capitalization increased from ₦61.912 trillion to ₦62.899 trillion, while the All-Share Index rose from 102,133.30 to 103,149.35. Market breadth closed positive with 38 gainers and 22 losers. Leading the gainers were Neimeth International Pharmaceutical, Prestige Assurance Company, and Mecure Industries Plc, each rising by 10 percent. On the other hand, PZ led the losers by 10 percent, followed by…

The naira depreciated against the dollar at both the official and parallel foreign exchange markets just 24 hours before the start of 2025. According to FMDQ data, the naira closed at ₦1,538.55 per dollar on Monday, down from ₦1,534 traded on Friday, losing ₦4.55. Similarly, at the black market, the naira dipped marginally to ₦1,662 per dollar on Monday from ₦1,660 traded the previous day. As the year winds down, a recent report by Afrinvest projected that the naira may depreciate further to ₦1,804 per dollar in 2025. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.

Wayne Rooney has been relieved of his duties as manager of Plymouth Argyle after just over seven months in charge. The former Manchester United and England captain took over the Championship club in May 2024, but the team’s poor performance led to his dismissal. Plymouth Argyle is currently at the bottom of the EFL Championship table, having won only four of their 23 games under Rooney’s leadership. The club’s recent defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Coventry City and a 2-0 defeat to Oxford United, contributed to the decision to part ways with Rooney. The club and Rooney mutually agreed…