Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Ogun State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Otunba Olufemi Soluade, has issued a strong warning to what he described as “desperate political opportunists and self-serving actors” allegedly working to destabilise the party amid ongoing leadership disputes. The warning comes in the wake of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s formal recognition of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively. INEC’s updated list of party executives, released on Wednesday, 10 September, brought clarity to the party’s national leadership crisis after weeks of internal wrangling. In a statement made available…

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused the Dangote Petroleum Refinery of undermining union activities, resisting workers’ rights to freedom of association, and attempting to weaken the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch through the creation of a rival group. In a statement issued on Friday and signed by NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, the union criticised the Dangote Group’s recent public statements as “falsehoods” designed to mislead the public and weaken the labour movement. The allegations follow a recent shutdown of fuel depots by NUPENG, which protested against the refinery’s refusal…

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reiterated his commitment to enhancing grassroots governance by supporting a bill that seeks to grant full financial and administrative autonomy to all 44 local government councils in the state. The governor’s stance was made public in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, following the 31st Executive Council meeting held at the Government House Annex in Kwankwasiyya City. During the meeting, Governor Yusuf presided over discussions that culminated in the council’s approval to transmit the autonomy bill to the Kano State House of Assembly for further legislative…

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to eradicating malaria, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu declaring that the state “will not rest until malaria becomes history.” The governor made the statement during the Mid-Term Review of the Pathway to Malaria Pre-Elimination in Lagos State, held at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island. The review brought together key national policymakers, international development partners, and private sector stakeholders to assess progress made under the Impact Project and a digital malaria surveillance initiative launched in March. Sanwo-Olu announced that malaria prevalence in Lagos has dropped to around one percent, describing the achievement as a critical…

The Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has said that the often-reported rivalries among prominent Yoruba monarchs are largely caused by their followers and supporters, not by the traditional rulers themselves. He made the remarks on Thursday during a courtesy visit to his Bodija residence in Ibadan by the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, and his wife. Addressing the perceived supremacy contest between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, Oba Ladoja said such tensions are frequently exaggerated or instigated by loyalists who promote conflicting historical narratives. “I have always maintained that neither…

Dangote Refinery has announced a reduction in the retail price of premium motor spirit (PMS) across Nigeria, ahead of the commencement of its direct petrol distribution initiative on Monday, 15 September 2025. In a statement posted on its official X account, the company said the new retail prices would take effect from the launch date of the direct-to-consumer distribution scheme, which was initially scheduled for 15 August 2025. The initiative will see the $20 billion refinery distribute petrol and diesel directly to consumers using its fleet of 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks at zero logistics cost. According to the…

Oyo State will on Friday officially launch its African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) sub-national implementation strategy, becoming the first state in Nigeria to adopt and begin executing the continent-wide trade agreement at the local level. The announcement was made on Thursday by Neo Theodore-Tlhaselo, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on International Trade and AfCFTA, during a press briefing at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan. The AfCFTA, which came into force in January 2021, is the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries, aiming to create a single market across Africa with over 1.4 billion…

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has stated that members of the party are not cowards and cannot be intimidated, despite a recent wave of attacks targeting ADC members in various states. Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior, made the remarks on Thursday following reports of violence against party members in Kaduna, Lagos, and most recently, Ondo State. Speaking during a press briefing, he said:“Just as our Chairman has rightly said, we are not fighting anyone. It is only a coward who would entertain fears. Ignore those saying negative things about us and remain steadfast.…

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced a five-day warning strike set to begin on Friday, 12th September 2025, in a bid to press home their long-standing demands concerning working conditions and welfare. This development was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by Agbor Affiong, the General Secretary of the Association of Resident Doctors under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). According to the statement, the decision to embark on the strike followed a virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NARD, which commenced on Wednesday, 10th September and extended into the early hours of Thursday, 11th…

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to deliver his address at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during the high-level General Debate on Wednesday, 24 September 2025. According to a revised provisional list of speakers obtained from the UN headquarters in New York, President Tinubu will speak on the second day of the event. He is scheduled to address fellow world leaders during the afternoon session at approximately 8:30 pm local time (around 2:30 pm Nigerian time). He will be the 17th speaker on day two of the General Debate. The General Debate brings together…