Author: Alade Adisa

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) has shed light on the rationale behind the creation of states during his tenure, emphasizing that the move was intended to ease regional tensions and address fears of northern domination. Gowon, who served as Nigeria’s leader from 1966 to 1975 made this known during a visit by the Senator Ibrahim Shekarau-led League of Northern Democrats (LND) at the Yakubu Gowon Centre in Abuja. He highlighted the importance of unity and urged Northern elites to build consensus around issues that promote national interest and cohesion. According to him, “May I thank you sincerely,…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Jami’u Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters, with effect from November 14, 2024. Jami’u Abiola is a son of late business mogul and aclaimed winner of the 1992 presidential elections, Chief M.K.O Abiola. The announcement was made in a statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The appointment aligns with the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Act 2008, as amended. Before this role, Jami’u Abiola served as…

Upon his return from France where he is currently on a three-day state visit, some sources have said that President Bola Tinubu will transmit names of ambassadors-designate to the Senate for screening and confirmation. The sources said the list comprises nominees who will serve as Nigeria’s ambassadors and high commissioners to various countries and multilateral organizations. According to government officials with knowledge of the developments, the names of the nominees would be transmitted in early December. The development comes 14 months after 83 ambassadors were recalled in September 2023. Nigeria has 109 missions, 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11…

President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, have arrived in Paris, the French capital for a three-day state visit aimed at bolstering Nigeria-France ties. The president arrived France on Wednesday evening. A presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga in a statement said President Tinubu landed at Orly Airport around 5:10 p.m., where he received a ceremonial welcome, complete with full military honours from the French Republican Guard. The visit, which underscores the importance of diplomatic and economic cooperation between both nations, will feature high-level discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and engagements with business leaders to foster bilateral partnerships in various sectors.…

After reports from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Responsibility Commission (RMAFC) “alleging that the NNPC (now Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited) withheld N8.48 trillion as claimed subsidies for petrol,” the House of Representatives on Wednesday asked its committees on Finance, Petroleum (Upstream and Downstream) to investigate the allegations. The lawmakers further stated that “the investigation will address the NEITI report stating that NNPC (now NNPCL) failed to remit $2bn (N3.6trn) in taxes to the Federal Government.” The committees were further directed to verify the total cumulative amount of unremitted revenue (under-recovery) from the sale of petrol by the NNPC…

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ahmed Abdulaziz, has confirmed that the government spent N8.8 billion for the repair and restoration of transmission towers that were vandalized across various regions of the country in 2024. Abdulaziz disclosed this at the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting in Abuja. Also, in a statement he signed on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, said the government is yet to achieve prosecution of arrested vandals as they were released on bail by the Nigerian…

The trial of self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland for alleged terrorism-related activities, is scheduled to begin in May 2025, according to Finnish authorities. Confirming this, a Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, said the district court had set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to present possible charges against Ekpa. The Finnish government had last week announced the arrest of Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing. Finnish police confirmed that Ekpa, allegedly used social…

The United Kingdom (UK) has unveiled its largest Visa Application Centre in Africa, located in Ikeja, Lagos. The opening of the new centre on Wednesday marks a significant step in enhancing visa application services for Nigerians travelling to the UK. A statement by the British High Commission in Lagos disclosed the development on Wednesday. With additional centres in Abuja and Victoria Island, Lagos, now operational since November 19, the facility in Ikeja is designed to streamline visa submissions and offer applicants a seamless experience. The British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, attended the launch in Ikeja, emphasizing the importance of…

Faustine Ndugulile, director-elect of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Africa, is dead.Ndugulile, a 55-year-old lawmaker and medical doctor, reportedly died on Wednesday morning in India while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness.Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, expressed shock over the passing of the organisation’s top official and condoled with Ndugulile’s family.“Shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the sudden passing of Faustine Ndugulile, WHO Africa Regional Director-elect,” he wrote on X.“My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and the parliament and people of Tanzania.”Matshidiso Moeti, the current WHO regional director for Africa, also sent her condolences.“I’m deeply saddened and…

Bode George, a former deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, will face repercussions for insulting former President Olusegun Obasanjo. BACKGROUNDObasanjo, speaking at the Chinua Achebe leadership forum at Yale University in the US on November 16, said the 2023 general election was a “travesty”.The former president said Nigeria’s failing state status is evident due to “widespread corruption, poor leadership, and immorality,” causing insecurity and underdevelopment.He described the situation in Nigeria as chaotic under the “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan” reigns.“Emilokan” is a term popularised during President Bola Tinubu’s election campaign, when he…