Author: Olóyè Gbenga

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has warned that Nigeria’s growing debt burden has exceeded the country’s legal threshold and now poses a serious threat to fiscal sustainability. Speaking at the opening of the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) in Abuja on Monday, the Speaker said the country’s total public debt rose to ₦149.39 trillion (approximately US$97 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, up from ₦121.7 trillion the previous year. Abbas noted that Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio now stands at 52 percent, surpassing the statutory limit…

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has terminated the appointment of Fegho John Umunubo as Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative Economy in the Office of the Vice President. A statement issued on Monday, 8 September 2025, by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, confirmed Umunubo’s disengagement with immediate effect. “Stakeholders and constituents of the digital and creative economy, at home and abroad, as well as the general public are hereby notified that Fegho John Umunubo, who hitherto had served as the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and Creative…

Abuja — The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT), has commenced a seven-day warning strike to protest against poor working conditions, inadequate pay, and a growing infestation of snakes and other reptiles in public hospitals across the city. The strike, which began at 8:00 am on Monday, 8 September 2025, was announced in a communique issued by ARD-FCT President Dr George Ebong and other executive members. The doctors have vowed not to resume work until the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) addresses their demands. Describing the FCT health system as a longstanding systemic failure in urgent need of…

Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on yesterday, Rhodes-Vivour revealed that he consulted Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, before making the switch. “Peter Obi and I are communicating. We are aligned. There is no step I am taking that he is not aware of,” he said, noting that Obi’s representative attended his ADC declaration event on Saturday. Rhodes-Vivour emphasised that his defection aligns with efforts to form a robust opposition coalition. “We have all agreed that the only way for the opposition to have a successful election is through a coalition,” he stated, highlighting the need for…

Veteran journalist and politician Dele Momodu has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that the party has been “placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)” by infiltrators working for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Momodu explained that he left the PDP due to what he described as the complete hijack of the party’s structure by individuals loyal to the ruling APC. “I resigned from the PDP because I saw that we have reached a kind of cul-de-sac, so I’m joining ADC,” Momodu said, referring to the African Democratic…

Veteran Nollywood actor Yemi Solade has spoken candidly about his fallout with a former church and its leadership over what he described as unrealistic religious demands that nearly jeopardised his career. Speaking on a recent episode of the Honest Bunch podcast, the 64-year-old actor recounted a pivotal 2013 incident that led to his complete withdrawal from church attendance, after a pastor asked him to stop accepting film roles that required him to work on Sundays. “I’d been told in the church that I should tell producers not to call me for work on Sundays. And I cursed the pastor,” Solade…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, is set to return to the National Assembly later this month following the expiration of her six-month suspension. Her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, confirmed the development in Abuja. According to Giwa, the senator is currently on vacation in London but has already concluded plans to resume plenary when the Senate reconvenes on 23 September 2025. “Actually, she’s ready to resume her term. She’s in London. Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption,” he said. The lawyer further noted that there is…

Despite last-minute appeals by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has commenced a nationwide strike today, in protest against alleged anti-labour practices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The industrial action threatens to paralyse fuel distribution across the country, with industry insiders warning of imminent fuel scarcity and economic disruption. The union’s president, Comrade Williams Akporeha, confirmed that while the government had reached out to the union and scheduled a conciliatory meeting for today in Abuja, the strike would proceed as planned. “The Federal Government and the NNPC have been in touch with us,…

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has revealed his anxiety every time Victor Osimhen joins Nigeria’s Super Eagles for international fixtures, following the striker’s ankle injury during Nigeria’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory against Rwanda on Saturday. Osimhen, 26, was substituted in the first half of the match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo and replaced by Cyriel Dessers. The injury has cast doubt over his availability for Nigeria’s next crucial qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday. Speaking on Now Spor and quoted by habersarikirmizi, Buruk said: “If there is a problem with Osimhen, we want to send a plane immediately…

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has shed light on why Rwandan players appeared to deliberately target Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen during Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 victory over the Amavubi on Saturday. Osimhen, who plays for Turkish giants Galatasaray, was injured in the first half of the fiercely contested match held at the Uyo Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State. He was subsequently substituted by Cyriel Dessers, leaving fans anxious about his availability for Nigeria’s next game. Earlier, Nigerian coach Eric Chelle expressed doubts over Osimhen’s fitness ahead of Tuesday’s crucial qualifier against South Africa at the Free State Stadium. Reports…