Author: Friday Omosola

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has insisted that poverty should have no place in Nigeria, given the nation’s wealth of natural and human resources. Speaking during a dinner held in his honour by the Abia State Government at the Government House in Umuahia yesterday, Obasanjo expressed frustration over the persistent mismanagement of Nigeria’s abundant blessings. “There’s no reason why Nigerians should be living in poverty,” he said. “God has already provided us with everything we need. The problem lies with how we’ve chosen to manage those gifts—not with God.” Obasanjo commended Abia State Governor Alex Otti for his administration’s progressive policies…

The Nigeria Police Force has announced that the training for the 10,000 newly recruited police officers across the country will begin on 12 April. Adejobi Olumuyiwa, the police spokesperson, in a statement, said the nationwide training programme, which will take place in various police colleges and training institutions, is part of the efforts to equip recruits with the skills, discipline, and knowledge necessary for effective policing and public service. Ahead of the resumption, the police held an orientation ceremony on Friday, April 11, for Commandants and Directing Staff of the training institutions. READ ALSO: Ekiti Airport set for operation, says…

The federal government (FG) has dismissed recent claims circulating on social media alleging lopsidedness in federal appointments, reaffirming its commitment to equity, justice, and national unity. In a statement signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) described the claims as ‘unfounded speculations’. OSGF emphasised that all appointments are made per the federal character principle as outlined in Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered). “The government categorically refutes claims of lopsidedness and emphasises its unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness, equity, and…

The Nigerian Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has made a compelling pitch to French investors. He highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, vast market potential, and pro-business environment as part of the government’s push to attract foreign direct investment. Idris addressed over 200 French companies at the Nigeria Business Forum in Paris yesterday, organised by Business France. The event, which brought together key stakeholders from sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare, underscored Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its economic ties with France. Idris praised longstanding French partners in Nigeria, including TotalEnergies, Lafarge, Peugeot, Danone, Alstom, and Schneider…

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has thrown its weight behind the federal government’s renewed commitment to the Naira-for-Crude initiative. PETROAN described it as a policy that could significantly lower petrol prices across the country. Speaking in Abuja, PETROAN’s National PRO, Joseph Obele, welcomed the decision of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to uphold the Naira-for-crude arrangement. Obele called it a forward-thinking approach to revitalising the energy sector. “This move is not only timely but necessary,” Obele said. “By enabling local refineries to purchase crude oil in Naira, we reduce our overdependence on foreign exchange and…

In response to the recent killings of several hunters in Uromi, Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo has announced the establishment of a fact-finding committee by the federal government (FG), in collaboration with the state government, to investigate the incident. Fred Itua, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, disclosed this in a statement, noting that Okpebholo made the announcement yesterday while receiving a high-level delegation from Kano State, led by the Deputy Governor, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, at the Government House in Benin City. According to the governor, President Bola Tinubu is deeply concerned about the events in Uromi and is committed to ensuring…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday advanced its case against former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in a trial-within-trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the admissibility of the defendant’s extra-judicial statements. Mamman, who is being prosecuted in connection with alleged corruption in the Mambilla Power Project, is facing a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering amounting to N33.8 billion. At Thursday’s hearing, EFCC investigator Abubakar Muhammed Kwaido, led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, insisted that Mamman’s statements to the Commission were made voluntarily and without coercion. “At…

The Labour Party (LP) has raised the alarm over what it described as an illegal governorship primary being conducted in Anambra State by some ‘disgruntled members’ of the party. Obiora Ifoh, the party’s National Publicity Secretary warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the public to disregard the exercise. The party reaffirmed that it already concluded its governorship primary in line with electoral guidelines and had submitted the name of its duly elected candidate to INEC. “For the avoidance of doubt, the Labour Party has since concluded its governorship primaries in Anambra State, and the name of the successful…

Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has emphasised that young Africans require meaningful financial support to realise their potential—not tokenistic handouts masquerading as empowerment. Speaking in an interview aired on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’, Adesina described Africa’s youthful population as a valuable demographic dividend that must be converted into tangible economic growth through strategic investment in education, skills, and enterprise. Touching on the growing trend of emigration, popularly referred to in Nigeria as ‘Japa’, the former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture expressed concern over the scale of youth migration. “The ‘Japa’ wave is a massive loss to Africa,”…

The Labour Party (LP) leadership has condemned a meeting convened by former presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti. The party, in a statement by its National Secretary, Farouk Ibrahim, described the meeting as an ‘illegal’ National Executive Council (NEC) gathering aimed at hijacking the party’s structure. LP alleged that Obi and Otti led a group of ‘party outlaws’ to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja, in a bid to pressure the electoral body into taking unconstitutional actions against the current LP leadership. “Their actions today reveal a desperate attempt to hijack the party’s…