Author: Gbenga Oluranti Olaleye

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has stated that young people in Nigeria and across 51 other African nations do not require handouts in the name of empowerment programmes, but rather access to capital to transform their ideas into sustainable wealth. Speaking during an exclusive interview aired on Sunrise Daily, a morning programme on Channels Television, on Thursday, April 10, Dr Adesina described the ongoing emigration trend among Nigerian youth — commonly referred to as the “japa” syndrome — as a significant loss to the country. “Young people don’t need freebies; they don’t need people…

Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has extended warm birthday wishes to fellow industrialist, Aliko Dangote, describing him as “the greatest entrepreneur to have come out of Africa.” Otedola shared the tribute via his social media platform on Thursday, commemorating Dangote’s birthday with a message filled with admiration and respect for the renowned business magnate. “Happy Birthday to my dear brother, the greatest entrepreneur to have come out of Africa …” Otedola wrote, celebrating Dangote’s impact on the continent’s economic and industrial growth. The post quickly attracted attention across social media, with numerous followers and admirers also sending birthday wishes and…

Controversial media personality, Kemi Olunloyo, has publicly renounced her family name and distanced herself from the family of her late father, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, former Governor of Oyo State. Dr Olunloyo, a respected mathematician and politician, passed away on Sunday, 6 April, at the age of 89. In a series of posts and videos shared on her Facebook and TikTok accounts, Ms Olunloyo stated that she no longer considers herself part of the Olunloyo family and would not be accepting condolences over her father’s death. “I am uploading video statements on my father’s death on TikTok. I am not…

As part of efforts to develop solutions to protect customers’ rights, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a 12-month window for subscribers to reclaim unused airtime on deactivated lines. The NCC announced the proposal, titled ‘Draft Guidance on Unutilised and Unclaimed Recharges,’ during a virtual stakeholder engagement forum in Abuja on Tuesday, April 8. The NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), Dr Aminu Maida, said the initiative is part of efforts to ensure a balance between consumer rights and operational realities in the telecommunications sector. Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, noted that…

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo and her daughter, Priscilla have paid a visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to personally invite him to Priscilla’s upcoming wedding to her fiancé, Juma Jux.  The visit, which was shared on Iyabo Ojo’s Instagram page, shows Priscilla respectfully kneeling as she presents the monarch with an invitation. The Ooni’s endorsement of the wedding is seen as a significant blessing for the couple, with Iyabo Ojo expressing her gratitude and excitement. She wrote, “When the Revered Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, @ooniadimulaife the Royal father of the day, lends his…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant increase in personal remittance inflows, which rose to $20.93 billion in 2024, reflecting an 8.9 per cent year-on-year growth. This is part of the country’s broader financial performance, as the CBN also reported a balance of payments surplus of $6.83 billion for the 2024 financial year. In a statement released on Wednesday, April 9, the CBN attributed the improvement to a combination of macroeconomic reforms, stronger trade performance, and renewed investor confidence. The statement, signed by Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali, the CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, highlighted the resilience of…

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party during the 2023 general election, has expressed deep concern over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria, warning that the country is on the brink of collapse. Obi made these comments during his address to party members at the ongoing National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. In his speech, Obi underscored the severity of the nation’s challenges, pointing to alarming economic indicators that reflect a steady decline in the living standards of ordinary Nigerians. “Do not fear anybody. Those who were afraid yesterday didn’t do any better,” Obi said,…

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has begun efforts to ensure that Nigerians detained in police stations across the country receive prompt legal assistance and that their families are quickly informed of their whereabouts. Speaking at a recent event in Kano, Falana revealed that he has initiated discussions with the Attorney General of the Federation to establish legal aid desks in all police stations across the country. The announcement was made during the Capacity Building and Workshop on Training of Prosecutors on the Effective Administration of Criminal Justice, which was organised by Kurwa Hussaini in collaboration with the State…

The Nigerian government has indicated that it may review its 2025 budget of N54.99 trillion in response to recent tariff actions by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, which have caused turmoil in global trade. Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, made the announcement during a press conference at the inaugural Corporate Governance Forum in Abuja, organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated. According to Edun, the country’s economic management team, which includes key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, will assess the evolving situation and propose strategies to mitigate the risks and adapt to the…

The Julius Abure-led National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party (LP) has accused Governor Alex Otti of Abia State of engaging in anti-party activities, alleging that he is attempting to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 governorship elections. The party claims that Otti plans to weaken the LP before defecting to another party to contest the upcoming elections. These allegations were raised during a NEC meeting held on Monday at the party’s Secretariat in Abuja. A statement issued after the meeting, signed by Abure and the National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, accused Governor Otti of violating the party’s…