Author: Alade Adisa

Nigeria is set to benefit from three major loan projects totalling $1.65 billion in 2025, courtesy of the global financial institution, the World Bank. According to information obtained from the World Bank’s website, it (World Bank) is set to decide on three major loan projects for Nigeria in 2025, as part of efforts to address critical developmental challenges in the country. The loans, currently in the pipeline, will focus on internally displaced persons, education, and nutrition enhancement. According to reports, the loans are designed to support Nigeria’s social and economic recovery, particularly in vulnerable sectors requiring urgent intervention. The first…

A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member deployed to Kebbi State, Tayachibiyacha Ebal, has tragically passed away after collapsing at the Dakin Gari Orientation Camp.Reports indicate that Ebal suddenly slumped and was immediately rushed to the camp clinic for urgent medical attention. She was later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin-Kebbi for advanced treatment. Despite efforts by medical professionals to revive her, she was pronounced dead. The Kebbi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Muhammad Fingila, confirmed the incident to journalists in Birnin-Kebbi. He described the event as unfortunate and expressed condolences to the deceased’s family on…

A bill seeking to prohibit the use of foreign currency in Nigeria has passed first reading in the Senate. The bill was sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation, Senator Ned Nwoko. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, No. 7, to Prohibit the Use of Foreign Currencies for Remuneration and Other Related Matters,” passed first reading on Monday. Recall that the proposed legislation is aimed at ensuring all payments including salaries and other transactions are done using the local currency, naira. According to Senator…

An explosive device planted close to a residential apartment block in Moscow killed the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, Lt. General Igor Kirillov, early Tuesday, Russia’s Investigative Committee said. Kirillov’s assistant also died in the blast, triggered by the device which was placed in a scooter, officials said. The bomb was triggered remotely, Russian state news agency Tass reported, citing unnamed sources in the emergency services.Russian investigators have opened a case into the two deaths, according to the committee’s spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko. “Investigators, forensic experts and operational services are working at the scene,” she said in…

Former Super Eagles managerJosé Peseiro has congratulated Ademola Lookman on being selected as the 2024 African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Sharing his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Peseiro also praised the Super Eagles for their collective efforts, which contributed to Lookman’s achievement and ensured another Super Eagle succeeded the previous winner. The Portuguese, who led the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, described the award as well-deserved, reflecting Lookman’s importance to Nigerian and African football. Peseiro’s tweet read: “Congratulations @molalookman on…

Nigeria’s 30 universities of agriculture have been empowered to immediately commence mechanized farming with the approval of N30 billion by the federal government. Disclosing this on Tuesday in Abuja while declaring open a retreat organized by the Ministry of Education for pro-chancellors of federal universities, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed specialized universities to focus strictly on their core mandates and cease offering programmes unrelated to their original purpose. The minister stressed the importance of universities of agriculture owning and operating mechanized farming systems. He added that each university would receive N1 billion as a take-off grant for…

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has sealed eight petroleum retail outlets in Warri and environs.The Coordinator in Delta State, Mr Victor Ohwodiasa disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Warri.Ohwodiasa said that retail outlets were shut down on Sunday over offences bordering on under-dispensing, operating without valid licences, poor safety culture and poor housekeeping.He said that the erring petrol stations were located at Ifiekporo, Ughoton, Ubeji, Effurun/Sapele Road and Ovwian community in Udu Local Government Area of the state.The coordinator said that the routine surveillance exercise was part of the regulatory authority’s core mandates of ensuring…

To ensure seamless operation and quality service, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has urged its members across the 774 local governments in the country to initiate ways towards prudent and effective management of their resources.The association made the call in a statement signed by Hon. Hamisu Mohammed, ALGON National Publicity Secretary and members, communique committee, at the end of its 51st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Katsina.”The statement urged members to activate strategies for effective resources management and to remain inspired by the judgment and performance appraisals of their constituents.“The NEC promised to continue strengthening its…

Despite achievements made by South Africa in the past 30 years, it continues to face significant challenges on its journey toward reconciliation, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday.“Our country is still divided by poverty and unemployment,” Ramaphosa said at an event marking National Reconciliation Day.The day is celebrated to foster reconciliation and national unity following the end of apartheid in 1994.“Reconciliation is not a symbolic act,” Ramaphosa said, adding it requires a fundamental transformation of society to create a fair and just nation. ‘DEEP SCARS’“The past may be behind us but we are left with its wounds. We have deep…

Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was killed this morning after a device hidden in a scooter was detonated, according to the Russian TASS news agency, citing Moscow’s investigative committee.The e-scooter, which Data and Forensics team has geolocated to the scene outside a residential building in Moscow, is from KugooKirin.The brand was founded in China but has multiple overseas warehouses across Europe including in Russia. Russia is also one of its main exporting countries, according to the company’s website. UKRAINE CLAIMS IT KILLED KIRILLOV – REPORTSUkraine’s security services (SBU) were responsible for the killing of Igor Kirillov, a source at the…