Author: Gbenga Oluranti OLALEYE

A group of protesters arrested at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos, has been released on bail, following a directive from the state’s Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola. The confirmation of their release came from Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement issued on Friday. The protesters were detained on October 2, 2024, during a gathering to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day. They were accused of breaching public peace while demonstrating. The situation escalated when individuals who returned to the park on Wednesday, October 2, were rounded up by police officers. In his statement, Hundeyin noted…

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to enforce the water transportation code. This initiative aims to standardize operations, minimize boat accidents, and foster a more structured environment for potential investors in the sector. In a statement released on Friday by his spokesman, Ismail Omipidan, Oyetola highlighted that night travel and overloading are among the primary causes of boat accidents on Nigeria’s waterways. He stressed the need for collective efforts to combat this issue, urging boat users to strictly adhere to the established transportation code. “I am aware that…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stark warning of an impending indefinite strike due to the Federal Government’s failure to honor a 2009 agreement. This announcement was made by Prof. Timothy Namo, the Bauchi Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, during a press conference held on Friday in Jos. Namo emphasized that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC), which convened from August 17 to August 18, has grown increasingly frustrated with the government’s inaction. Following their discussions, ASUU issued a 21-day ultimatum, which has since expired without any significant response from the government. The union subsequently extended this…

President Bola Tinubu has officially submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly, aiming to enhance Nigeria’s tax system and align it with his administration’s developmental goals. During plenary sessions on Thursday, October 3, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas read the President’s letter detailing the proposed legislation. The initiatives are designed to modernize and streamline Nigeria’s tax framework. The centerpiece of the reform package is the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which seeks to establish a comprehensive fiscal framework for tax regulation across the nation. This bill is expected to provide a…

The General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Lazarus Muoka, has issued a stern warning to controversial social media influencer Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, urging him to cease his negative remarks about the church or face divine consequences. In a recent sermon shared online, Muoka addressed his congregation regarding VeryDarkMan’s criticisms, suggesting that the influencer is experiencing the repercussions of his comments. “VeryDarkMan is learning something today in a hard way,” Muoka stated, implying that the activist’s situation is dire due to his public statements about the church. The warning follows a series of viral social media…

A High Court in Maitama has issued a summons for former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear before the court on October 24 to face serious allegations of fraud involving N110.4 billion. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Bello, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, with a 16-count indictment that includes criminal breach of trust. The charges were filed on September 24, but efforts to serve the documents to Bello have reportedly been unsuccessful, leading the EFCC to request the court’s intervention. During a hearing on Thursday, Justice Maryanne Anenih expressed concern over the…

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a set of fiscal policy and tax reform bills to the Senate in a significant move aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s economic landscape. This announcement marks a critical step in the administration’s efforts to enhance revenue generation and streamline the country’s tax system. The proposed bills, which are expected to address various aspects of Nigeria’s fiscal framework, come when the government seeks to bolster its financial standing and improve economic stability. Details of the specific reforms included in the bills have yet to be fully disclosed. Still, they are anticipated to focus on modernizing tax collection…

In an assessment of Elon Musk’s social media platform X formerly known as Twitter investment firm Fidelity estimates the company’s worth has plummeted by nearly 80% since Musk acquired it for $44 billion in October 2022. Current evaluations place the platform’s value at approximately $9.4 billion. Fidelity disclosed that, as of the end of August, its stake in X was valued at just $4.2 million, reflecting a significant 24% decline from the previous month. This figure marks a staggering 79% drop from the $19.66 million valuation Fidelity assigned to its shares at the time of Musk’s acquisition. Analysts attribute the…

Protests across Nigeria on Independence Day marked a significant decline in participation, with the #FearlessInOctober demonstrations drawing record low numbers in both the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and various states. This reduced turnout occurred in the wake of heavy security measures deployed by law enforcement agencies, which were visibly present to deter potential unrest. The protests, organized by the Take It Back Movement, were in direct response to President Bola Tinubu’s announcement earlier that week regarding a planned 30-day National Youth Conference. The movement’s leaders rejected the initiative, labeling it a “jamboree” intended to reward the President’s supporters and distract…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has allocated a total of 48.6 million barrels of crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over the past ten months, according to recent investigations by Vanguard. Official data revealed a steady stream of deliveries to the refinery, with 3.4 million barrels supplied in December 2023 and 3.5 million barrels in February 2024. Subsequent monthly allocations included 3.3 million barrels in March, April, and May, followed by 5.1 million barrels each in June and July, 4.8 million barrels in August, and 5.6 million barrels in September. Notably, an additional 11.7 million barrels are…