Author: Alade Adisa

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…

*Says 88 terrorists killed, 181 kidnapped victims rescued in one week The Defence headquarters said on Thursday that troops have deployed in strength to provided assistance to the police in ensuring a hitch free off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, slated for 16 Nov 24. Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba while making this known said, “Indeed, troops presence is to ensure security of citizens enabling them to cast their votes without any form of harassment or intimidation, while keeping mischief makers at bay. “The NAF is already engaged in flying sensitive electoral material in support of…

The Governing Council of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, has approved the dismissal of four lecturers of the university for alleged examination misconduct and sexual harassment. The council, under the leadership of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba took the decision during the Second Council meeting held recently at Lokoja. The council appreciated the Management for following the due process in the investigation that followed the allegations of examination misconduct and sexual harassment against the lecturers. It promised not to tolerate any act of unethical conduct in the University. The Council urged the university to quickly process other pending cases of misconduct,…

A Russian military court on Thursday sentenced a woman to eight years in jail for criticising the Ukraine offensive online and calling for the assassination of President Vladimir Putin, state media reported. Moscow has opened hundreds of criminal cases against those who oppose the Ukraine campaign under strict censorship laws ushered in at the start of the conflict. Russia’s second western district military court found Anastasia Berezhinskaya, 43, guilty of spreading “false information”, “discrediting” the armed forces and “justifying terrorism” over a series of posts on Russian social media platform VK. Berezhinskaya, a theatre director, had railed against Russia’s actions…

31-year-old Fola David-Tolaram, a Nigerian doctor and artist, has achieved a groundbreaking feat by creating the world’s largest drawing by an individual. This was announced by Guinness World Records on Thursday via its website. The impressive artwork, measuring 1,004.7 m² (10,814.5 ft²) – roughly the size of 3.8 tennis courts – was created on the pitch at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos and stands as a tribute to Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity.David-Tolaram, who described his creation as a map of Nigeria, showcasing the various cultures, said, “Nigeria is a multi-cultural nation. I wanted to create something that speaks to that…