Author: Alade Adisa

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, led the Federal Republic of Nigeria in signing two transformative agreements with the French Government and its development agency, AFD (Agence Française de Développement). These agreements, collectively valued at over €300 million, are set to strengthen key sectors of Nigeria’s economy and drive sustainable development. Strategic Focus Areas The Letter of Intent, co-signed by Mr. Edun and France’s Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry, Mr. Antoine Armand, underscores a shared commitment to strategic investments in: Speaking at the signing ceremony, HM Edun remarked: “This partnership goes beyond financial…

Troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with local vigilantes, successfully repelled an attempted attack by Boko Haram terrorists on Sabon Fagi community in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack, which occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m., resulted in a fierce gun battle that left four insurgents dead, including a notorious Boko Haram commander identified as Abu Shekau. The troops recovered weapons from the insurgents after engaging them with superior firepower, forcing others to flee and securing a decisive victory for the security forces. Abu Shekau, a staunch…

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has warned U.S. President-elect Donald Trump of dire economic consequences for both countries from tariffs and suggested possible retaliation following his threat of 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Retaliation from Mexico”One tariff will follow another in response and so on, until we put our common businesses at risk,” Sheinbaum said in a letter to Trump, which she read aloud in a press conference, warning that tariffs would cause inflation and job losses in both countries. Why Trump wants to impose tariffsTrump justified the imposition of new tariffs as a way to make the southern neighbor…

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that his Nigerian counterpart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on a mission to transform Nigeria like he did when he was governor of Lagos State. Tinubu, his wife, Oluremi and some top government officials and people from the business world have been in France on a state visit since Wednesday. The French leader spoke at a dinner in Paris on Thursday. Special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Macron him as saying , ”Tinubu conquered military rule and took your liberty. He will do for Nigeria what he did…

French energy major TotalEnergies SE may greenlight a $750 million gas project in Nigeria next year, potentially signaling that the African nation’s efforts to revive investment in its hydrocarbon production are making progress. Earlier this year, the French company approved an investment of about $500 million in a joint venture with state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to develop the Ubeta onshore field. That project with output of 300 million cubic feet per day will boost supply to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas plant.

Following updates from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has confirmed that petrol from the Port Harcourt refinery will be sold at N1,030 per litre. PETROAN’s spokesperson, Joseph Obele, announced the pricing in a statement on Thursday night. Obele emphasized that the refinery is operational and that the NNPCL had officially communicated the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the association. “The NNPC Retail Ltd has officially announced the PMS price at the Port Harcourt refinery as N1,030 per litre,” Obele stated. This announcement comes amid ongoing discussions…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is currently in France, accompanying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on a series of high-level diplomatic engagements. The delegation also includes governors Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and key ministers including David Umahi. The visit, which aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and France involves discussions on economic cooperation, security, and investment opportunities. President Tinubu and his team, which included big businessmen like Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu and Jim Ovia had engaged with French President Emmanuel Macron and business leaders. Observers anticipate that these engagements will bolster…

Renowned investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo has been detained by the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. His arrest, which occurred three days ago, was confirmed on Friday by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). Sources suggest Soyombo’s detention may be linked to his recent exposé on corruption and smuggling activities involving the Nigerian Customs Service. The FIJ has condemned his arrest, calling it a threat to press freedom and demanding his immediate release. Soyombo, celebrated for his fearless reporting on corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations, has faced numerous threats throughout his career. His arrest…

World Trade Organization chief, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was reappointed Friday for a second term, in the shadow of the coming return of Donald Trump and his disdain for international trade rules. Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the first African to head the WTO, was the only candidate in the race, and had been all but assured a second term. The organization’s 166 members “today agreed to give incumbent Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala a second term as director-general,” the WTO said in a statement. The 70-year-old Nigerian’s reappointment was approved by consensus during a special meeting of the organisation’s General Council, held behind closed…

A Nigerian doctor convicted of rape and sexual assault has been acquitted by the appeal court. Femi Olaleye, a Lagos-based doctor, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the high court on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration of his wife’s 16-year-old niece. However, the Court of Appeal on Friday discharged and acquitted him. The appellant was freed after challenging his conviction and life imprisonment sentence. Mr Olaleye, the medical director of Optimal Cancer Care, was arraigned in 2022 by the Lagos State Government at the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, in Ikeja, Lagos.…