Author: Damilola Olufemi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has signalled its readiness to permit eligible Nigerians without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote in the 2027 general elections. However, it maintains that such a change must be supported by amendments to existing electoral laws. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, said on Wednesday that the commission is keen on leveraging technology to expand voter access. Nonetheless, he emphasised that any deviation from the current PVC-only system requires legislative backing. This development aligns with comments made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral…

Jude, the elder brother of musicians Peter and Paul Okoye, and his company, Northside Music Limited, are facing a seven-count charge before Justice A. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Lagos State GovHIVhihhiernment has reported that more than 135,000 residents are currently living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), underscoring the ongoing public health challenges in Nigeria’s most populous state. This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, during a media briefing held to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office. According to Abayomi, 135,224 people in the state are living with HIV. He said the government is intensifying awareness and intervention efforts by involving over 100 religious leaders as HIV and AIDS ambassadors. The aim is to reduce stigma…

The Nigeria Customs Service has revealed that rice was the most frequently seized commodity in the first quarter of 2025, with 159 cases involving 135,474 bags valued at ₦939 million. Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja on the service’s first-quarter activities. His remarks were contained in a speech shared with our correspondent. “Rice remained the most prevalent seized commodity, with 159 cases involving 135,474 bags valued at ₦939m. Petroleum products followed with 61 seizures totalling 65,819 litres valued at ₦43m,” Adeniyi said. Aside from Rice, other seized products He noted that beyond rice…

On Thursday, April 17, 2025, Nigeria’s unofficial currency market continued to experience fluctuations in the value of the naira, largely influenced by a strong appetite for U.S. dollars and limited access through formal financial channels. Current Street Market Rates: Buy: ₦1,610 to $1 Sell: ₦1,620 to $1 These figures come from local exchange dealers and may shift slightly depending on the location and size of the transaction. For the most accurate and timely updates, sources such as Aboki Forex, Investors King, or the Central Bank of Nigeria provide useful benchmarks. What is the Dollar-Naira worth in Nigeria’s parallel market today?…

Millions of WhatsApp users in Nigeria and across the globe may soon lose access to the messaging platform as Meta, the app’s parent company, prepares to phase out support for older smartphones. Starting May 5, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer function on certain outdated devices that fail to meet the app’s latest security and performance requirements. The update affects both individual users and small businesses that rely on WhatsApp Business for communication. Meta explained that the decision is part of its ongoing efforts to enhance data security, maintain app stability, and align with the evolving capabilities of modern operating systems.…

The decision by governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shun a proposed opposition coalition has drawn sharp criticism from the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is leading the effort to unite opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general election. Atiku’s coalition has accused the PDP governors of acting as spoilers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and sabotaging attempts to rebuild a credible opposition. The coalition also alleged that the governors are usurping party structures and weakening internal democracy within the PDP. The criticism follows a resolution by the PDP Governors’ Forum…

The Nigeria Police Force has condemned the actions of officers captured in a viral video receiving money from a Chinese national, describing their conduct as unprofessional and unethical. The incident, which triggered widespread outrage on social media, led the Force Headquarters to promptly identify the officers involved and initiate disciplinary proceedings. In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police reaffirmed their commitment to professionalism and public trust. “The Nigeria Police Force has taken cognisance of a disturbing video making rounds in the media space, showing police officers receiving money from…

As of Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Nigeria’s black market exchange rate for the dollar to naira continues to show significant volatility. This ongoing instability is fueled by a persistent demand for foreign currency and a limited supply within official financial channels. Black market dollar-to-naira rates These figures are sourced from currency traders and may vary slightly depending on location and transaction volume. For up-to-date rates, platforms like Aboki Forex, Investors King, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are commonly referenced. How much is a dollar to Naira today in the black market? A common question among Nigerians: “How much…

Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-finals for only the third time in the club’s history, sealing the feat with a 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and a dominant 5-1 aggregate scoreline. After their 3-0 triumph in the first leg, the Gunners extended their lead in the 65th minute thanks to a delightful chipped finish from Bukayo Saka. But just two minutes later, Vinicius Junior capitalized on a lapse from William Saliba to pull one back for the hosts. Gabriel Martinelli then made sure of the result with a stoppage-time goal to end any Madrid hopes of…