Author: Damilola

Former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not endorsed any aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State. Adelabu, who resigned from his ministerial position earlier in the week, said the decision was taken to comply with electoral regulations and allow him to focus fully on his governorship ambition. He expressed appreciation to the president for the opportunity to serve, noting that his appointment allowed him to contribute to reforms in Nigeria’s power sector. Adelabu explained that his decision was driven by his desire to…

The government of Ghana has summoned South Africa’s envoy following a series of reported xenophobic incidents targeting foreign nationals, including Ghanaians. According to officials, one of the incidents involved a Ghanaian legal resident in KwaZulu-Natal who was allegedly confronted and told to return home and “fix his country.” South Africa, widely regarded as the continent’s most industrialised economy, has long attracted migrants from across Africa. However, with unemployment exceeding 30%, the country has experienced recurring waves of anti-migrant sentiment, protests, and occasional violence. Recent videos circulating online appear to show Ghanaians being harassed, raising fresh concerns about the safety of…

The Government of Norway has announced plans to introduce legislation that would ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, placing responsibility for enforcement on technology companies. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Friday that the bill, expected later this year, is aimed at protecting children’s well-being in an increasingly digital world. “We are introducing this legislation because we want a childhood where children get to be children. Play, friendships, and everyday life must not be taken over by algorithms and screens,” he said. “This is an important measure to safeguard children’s digital lives.” Under…

Meta is planning to reduce its workforce by about 10% as it intensifies investment in artificial intelligence and seeks greater efficiency from its remaining staff. According to a source cited by AFP, the company is expected to lay off roughly 8,000 employees, while leaving several thousand roles unfilled in the coming month. The move reflects a broader strategy by co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to prioritise the development of “superintelligence” amid fierce competition in the AI space. Meta is currently competing with major players such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI in what is shaping up as a costly race…

President Bola Tinubu has declined requests by Senate leaders seeking automatic return tickets for lawmakers ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that state governors retain control over candidate selection within the ruling party. The decision followed a closed-door meeting between Tinubu and the extended Senate leadership at the Presidential Villa, where lawmakers reportedly pushed for assurances. However, the President maintained that governors remain the party’s leaders at the state level. A source familiar with the meeting said, “The meeting was to plead for automatic tickets for senators, but President Tinubu insisted that the governor of each state has influence over…

The Nigerian Naira is holding within a tight range against the United States Dollar across both official and parallel markets, reflecting sustained demand pressures and cautious sentiment among market participants. At the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) official trading window, the naira is currently trading between ₦1,350 and ₦1,355 per dollar, in line with recent sessions where it hovered around ₦1,351.59/$ and ₦1,350.74/$. The relative stability is linked to the managed float framework maintained by the Central Bank of Nigeria, alongside periodic interventions to stabilise liquidity. In contrast, the parallel market continues to reflect stronger demand for foreign currency outside…

The Nigerian Senate has directed its Committee on Health to investigate reports of new COVID-19 cases following conflicting accounts from health authorities and officials in Cross River State. The directive was issued during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who tasked the committee—chaired by Ipalibo Banigo—to verify the claims and submit its findings by next Tuesday. The move comes amid reports suggesting that 10 new COVID-19 cases had been recorded in the state. However, the state government has denied the figure, insisting that only one confirmed case exists. Both the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the…

Both chambers of the UK parliament have approved legislation that will prevent anyone aged 17 and under from ever legally purchasing cigarettes, marking a significant shift in public health policy. The proposed law, known as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, targets individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, effectively ensuring that future generations are permanently barred from buying tobacco products. UK Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, described the development as a landmark step in tackling smoking-related harm. He said the move represents a “historic moment for the nation’s health” and would help deliver the “first smoke-free generation, protected from a…

President Bola Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to approve a $516,333,007 external loan to finance key segments of the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway project. The request, conveyed in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was read during plenary on Thursday. Tinubu explained that the facility, expected to be sourced through a syndicated arrangement led by Deutsche Bank, will be used to fund sections 1, 1A, and 1B of the highway, covering approximately 120 kilometres. He also urged lawmakers to incorporate the proposed borrowing into the federal government’s existing borrowing plan already approved by the legislature. Describing the project as a…

President Donald Trump has declared that the United States has taken full control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global route for crude oil shipments, amid ongoing tensions involving Iran. The waterway has remained at the centre of geopolitical strain since the outbreak of hostilities between Iran and the US/Israel alliance earlier this year. Iran’s earlier blockade significantly disrupted global oil supply, triggering price surges and prompting countries to adopt strict energy-saving measures. Although a ceasefire initially led Tehran to reopen the strait for commercial use, that decision was reversed within a day. Iranian authorities accused Washington of “piracy”…