Author: Friday Omosola

Vice President Kashim Shettima has outlined Nigeria’s strategy for leading Africa’s growth by focusing on education, innovation, and smart agriculture. Speaking at the Financial Times Global Risk Roundtable during the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Shettima emphasised that these investments are crucial for addressing both global and domestic challenges. The Vice President acknowledged the pivotal role of African youth in driving the continent’s transformation. He pointed out that while crises abound, they also present opportunities for nations to rebuild stronger. He quoted a Chinese proverb, stating, “The word for crisis in Chinese is ‘Wei Ji’. Wei stands for…

A Federal High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja on Thursday granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to amend the charges against former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, over the alleged fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Power Project contract. Presiding over the case, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled in favor of the EFCC’s application to amend the charges and ordered Agunloye to take his plea.  The former minister is facing a seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and the fraudulent handling of the Mambilla Power Project contract. The EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, had earlier, on July…

On Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials apprehended 308 migrants across the country. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that President Donald Trump, in the early stages of his 2024 presidential campaign, promised to focus on reducing legal migration and deporting individuals living in the U.S. without legal status. During his inauguration on Monday, Trump signed several executive actions related to border policy. Some of the orders include “realigning” the Refugee Admission Programme, designating cartels as foreign terrorist organisations, declaring a national emergency at the southern border, and ending the automatic citizenship of children born in the U.S.…

The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the total fare of ₦8,784,085.59 for intending pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the state.  Board Secretary Saheed Onipede made this announcement in a statement on Monday, following the fare announcement by Abdullahi Usman, the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).  The Board urged intending pilgrims who have already paid the initial deposit of ₦8.5 million to pay the remaining balance of ₦284,085.59. Those who have obtained the intention form but have yet to pay the initial deposit are encouraged…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed support for the recent court ruling that nullified the party’s congresses in Rivers State.  A delegation from the NWC visited Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday night to share their stance on the ruling. This group included the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. During the visit, NWC National Treasurer Ahmed Mohammed reaffirmed Governor Fubara as the party leader in Rivers State. READ ALSO: Rivers crisis: Fight Wike back, Adeyanju tells Fubara He stated that their visit was part of an…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined world leaders at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) to advocate for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to boost Africa’s economy to $29 trillion by 2050. Speaking at the ‘Forum Friends of AfCFTA: Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa,’ Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to spearheading the AfCFTA initiative, emphasising its transformative potential for digital trade and economic integration across the continent.   Highlighting the importance of Africa’s demographic and digital strengths, the Vice President stated, “By 2050, Nigeria’s population will surpass that of the…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has signed two transformative bills into law, heralding significant advancements in the State’s judiciary and oil sector governance. Fred Itua, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, announced the development in a statement on Wednesday.  He revealed that the first bill extends the retirement age for magistrates in the State from 60 to 65 years. This legislative measure is aimed at enhancing the judiciary’s efficiency and leveraging the experience of seasoned magistrates to improve the administration of justice. READ ALSO: Okpebholo begins remodelling of Edo schools The governor also signed into law a second bill that expands…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned five individuals—Benjamin Okoye, Moughalu David Arinze, Okey Okeke, Ekene Mgbeokwere, and Eboh Thaddeus—before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly tampering with a property subject to interim forfeiture. The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement today on its official X page.  The one-count charge alleged that the defendants, along with Ilongwo Angela, who is currently at large, unlawfully dealt with a forfeited property located at Plot 165C, Block 12, Diamond Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, in July 2024, contrary to Section 32(1) of the EFCC…

Students of the University of Ibadan (UI) staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday over an 82-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The blackout, which has severely disrupted academic activities, stems from debts owed to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). UCH serves as the teaching hospital for UI’s medical students, and the prolonged lack of electricity has caused significant challenges. Speaking, the President of the UI Student Union Government (SUG), Comrade Bolaji Aweda, condemned the situation, describing it as unacceptable. READ ALSO: We remain steadfast in improving Nigerians’ lives – Shettima “This blackout has persisted for…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Kayode Opeifa as the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation. The appointment, announced via a statement on the Corporation’s X page on Wednesday, has been widely praised for its strategic importance. Opeifa, a seasoned transportation expert and former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, boasts a distinguished career marked by impactful reforms. As Commissioner, he introduced policies that significantly improved public transport and traffic management in Lagos, one of Africa’s busiest cities. READ ALSO: We remain steadfast in improving Nigerians’ lives – Shettima His contributions helped ease congestion and laid a strong foundation for the…