Author: Alade Adisa

A mild drama ensued at the Special Court of Appeal Panel hearing on Thursday, during deliberations over the Rivers political crisis that could potentially lead to the removal of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to FCT minister, Nyesom Wike. The confusion arose when two senior lawyers separately announced their representation for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). J. Y. Musa declared his appearance for the PDP faction led by Umar Damagum, while B. F. Folurunsho countered, stating that he had been officially assigned the case by the party’s National Legal Adviser. Folurunsho asserted that the National…

…Names three others DGs In an appointment that will surprise many, the President, Bola Tinubu has appointed Daniel Bwala as his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications for the State House. The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the announcement on Thursday. In the statement, Onanuga also disclosed the appointment of three new directors-general for key government agencies. Bwala was a very close ally and spokesman of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and was a visible supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 presidential election, which Atiku lost to Tinubu. Bwala made…

Against the backdrop of his relentless attacks on the President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Presidency has said it will no longer trade words with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar. Speaking on Thursday, through the Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, Sunday Dare, the presidency said the focus of the Tinubu’s government was to deliver bring succour to the people. The government, reacting to the recent comments by the former Vice President where he advised President Tinubu to forget about the 2027 permutations and focus on governance,…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali. This result leaves Rwanda with five points from five matches, rendering them unable to surpass Nigeria in the standings, even if they win their upcoming match against the Super Eagles in Uyo. Currently, Nigeria leads Group D with 10 points, followed by Benin with six points, Rwanda with five, and Libya at the bottom with four points. Benin remains in contention for the second qualification spot and will face Nigeria in a crucial…

Just about 24 hours to the Saturday’s governorship poll in Ondo State, three candidates have stepped down for the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ayedatiwa, confirmed on Thursday that Dr. Ajibola Falaye, Hon. Jenyo Ataunko, and Olaide Ibrahim of the Accord Party, the National Rescue Movement, and the African Democratic Congress, respectively have dropped their ambition. Adeniyan said the endorsement came when the three candidates paid a solidarity visit to the governor. Speaking on behalf of the candidate, Dr. Falaye hinged their decision to back…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved fresh external borrowing of $2.2 billion, made up of $1.7 billion and SUKUK financing of $500 million. This approval is to strengthen the country’s finances and enhance economic reforms. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, made this known on Thursday after the Executive Council meeting on Thursday, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, State House. Edun, who stated that he submitted two memos disclosed that the external borrowing approval when finally given by the National Assembly will grant Nigeria access to the international…

Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov does not expect any change in U.S. policy towards Russia or Ukraine under incoming president Donald Trump because all U.S. governments have an interest in weakening Russia. “They feel comfortable when they weaken Russia and its influence,” Lavrov said in an interview with Russian state television. Russia has repeatedly accused the United States of supporting the war in Ukraine mainly to weaken Moscow. “Ultimately, everything that happens can be traced back to the desire to eliminate Russia as a competitor,” Lavrov said.He added that Washington will continue to strive to keep everything under its control.Lavrov…

Subscribers to pay TV services have berated MultiChoice Group for announcing that its Nigerian unit, MultiChoice Nigeria, lost 243,000 subscribers on its Digital Satellite Television (DStv) and GOtv services within six months. The South African-owned pay-TV operator had, in its Interim Financial Results for the period ending Sept. 30 released on Tuesday, announced the loss of 243,000 subscribers on its DStv and GOtv. Reuters on Wednesday reported that MultiChoice had attributed the decline to Nigeria’s high inflation rate, which has exceeded 30 per cent, resulting in rising costs of food, electricity and fuel, thus causing many customers to unsubscribe. The…

The federal government has unveiled a proposed total expenditure of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 budget. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, made this disclosure on Thursday while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu. The proposed budget forms part of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for 2025-2027, in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007. Bagudu noted that the framework is set to be presented to the National Assembly by Friday or Monday, as mandated by law. Key projections in the…

The Nigerian gospel film industry has suffered the loss of a prominent actor in Mount Zion’s popular series Abattoir, Moses Korede Are, popularly known as Baba Gbenro. Fellow gospel actor and producer, Oluwaseun Adejumobi, who shared the news on the Instagram, expressed sadness at the passing of his friend and colleague. Adejumobi wrote, “Heavens’s Gain Again. General Has Gone to rest.” Loved by fans for his role in Abattoir, Baba Gbenro was also a key figure in gospel filmmaking.He founded Calvary Movies Drama Ministry in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, and served as the CEO of Calvary Movies Television, dedicating his career to…