Author: Friday Omosola

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has declared a state of emergency on public schools across the state, citing their deplorable conditions as unacceptable. During an inspection tour of some schools in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor Local Government Areas of Edo South Senatorial District, the governor expressed deep concern over the dilapidated state of facilities in urban schools, emphasising that Edo children deserve a better learning environment. “I feel very bad about the situation of the schools I inspected today. Look at the type of schools our children are attending; it is not acceptable at all,” Governor Okpebholo stated. He reaffirmed his…

In a landmark move to enhance air connectivity between Nigeria and Canada, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Canadian authorities. The agreement was finalised today at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Keyamo clarified that the agreement is a code-share arrangement, rather than a full bilateral agreement. Under this arrangement, multiple airlines can market and sell seats on flights operated by another airline, allowing passengers to book flights under different airline codes. He also stated that Nigeria will designate airline operators…

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information Strategy, has criticised Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, over his claim that democracy in Nigeria has collapsed. Speaking at the 60th birthday colloquium of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja on Monday, Obi expressed concerns about Nigeria’s democratic progress since 1999, stating that recent developments had reversed previous gains. He likened Nigeria’s democratic growth to a building project, suggesting that while past administrations had laid a foundation and attempted to construct higher levels, the current leadership had dismantled those efforts,…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former President Goodluck Jonathan on being awarded the 2025 Sunhak Peace Founders’ Award. Tinubu, in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, said the recognition showed the contributions of the former president to peacebuilding and democracy. The former Lagos State governor commended Jonathan for his unwavering advocacy for peace, unity, and democratic values, noting that his efforts have earned him global recognition.   The President described Jonathan’s selection for the prestigious award as a testament to his bold initiatives in conflict resolution and governance reforms, particularly in Africa. READ ALSO: Ondo:…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has appointed Prof. Ibibia Worika, a distinguished legal expert and administrator, as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). In a statement, the Sole Administrator emphasised that Prof. Worika’s selection followed a meticulous vetting process, during which his extensive experience in law, governance, and public policy made him the ideal candidate for the role. Meanwhile, in a separate development, Iyingi Brown has been appointed as the Acting Head of Service following the resignation of George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service. Brown, previously the Permanent Secretary for Welfare…

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with the skills needed to compete on the global stage. Speaking at the official launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) in Abuja, the President described the initiative as a bold response to unemployment, poverty, and other socio-economic challenges hindering national progress. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria, with a median age of 17 years and projected to become the third most populous country by 2050, must prioritize youth development to secure its future. “The success of a nation is guaranteed when its children…

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has charged Nigerian students to uphold integrity in all aspects of their lives, emphasising that it is a crucial foundation for the country’s development. Olukoyede gave this charge at a re-sensitization and reorientation program for members of the Integrity Club at Anglican Girls Grammar School, Apo, Abuja. Represented by the Head of EFCC Radio, Deputy Commander of the EFCC (DCE) Nwanyinma Okeanu, he highlighted the significance of the Integrity Club in schools, stressing that students are the future of Nigeria, and their choices today will shape the nation’s…

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has finalised plans to deploy a digital payment platform to streamline the collection of taxes and other government-related payments. The initiative follows a strategic partnership between the state government through the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) and BBA Consult Ltd., a consulting firm specializing in digital financial solutions. Speaking after a demonstration meeting with BBA Consult at the Governor’s Office in Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve revenue collection. He emphasised that the new platform would not only enhance the ease of tax payments for individuals and businesses…

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable city, dismissing claims circulating on social media that the state has an unpleasant odour. In a statement released yesterday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized that Lagos is undergoing a transformation driven by strategic environmental initiatives. “Lagos is not smelling; it is evolving towards sustainable waste processing, modernized landfill management, cleaner waterways, and structured sanitation systems,” Wahab stated. “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to building a resilient and livable city.” The commissioner highlighted several steps taken by the…

The Federal Government (FG), in partnership with Africa Plus Partners, has launched the 125km Benin–Asaba Expressway Project in Edo State. The project, a dual-carriage, solar-lit superhighway, is fully financed by private investors under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, described the initiative as a major breakthrough in infrastructure financing. He emphasised that the project is backed by private capital and does not depend on direct federal funding. “What you see on the front page of the pamphlet will be delivered—because the cash is there,”…