Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has stated that Nigeria’s recent military intervention in Benin Republic and the successful rescue of 100 abducted students in Niger State underscore President Bola Tinubu’s firm commitment to defending democracy and strengthening national security. Speaking to Arise News on Monday, Onanuga said Nigeria’s swift and coordinated response to last week’s attempted coup in Benin was carried out at the direct request of the Beninese government. “What happened on Sunday and what happened today only showed that this government is committed to protecting democracy, not just in Nigeria, but…

The Kogi State Government has announced that security operatives successfully intercepted a group of underage children trafficked into the state, in what is suspected to be an attempt to recruit minors for banditry training. The disclosure was made on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo. According to the statement, at around 1500 hours on 5 December 2025, vigilant officers of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yagba Area Command, in collaboration with other security agencies in Isanlu, intercepted a truck carrying 21 children aged between six and 17 years. The operation followed credible…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that a total of 2,685,725 new voters have so far been registered nationwide through the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, combining both online and physical enrolments. The latest figures, released on Monday via the commission’s official X handle, show that 1,576,137 applicants completed the online pre-registration process, while an additional 1,109,588 finalised their registration through in-person capture. According to the update, Osun State continues to top the national CVR chart, recording 208,357 registrations. It is followed by Kano with 159,669, Sokoto with 152,650, Imo with 145,561, Borno with 123,835, Lagos with…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on local and international investors to take advantage of the expanding economic opportunities in the state, citing Lagos’ rising ease of doing business ranking and major improvements in its investment climate. Sanwo-Olu made the appeal on Tuesday during the inauguration of TY Logistics Park, FZE—an ultra-modern warehousing and trade complex developed by TY Holdings and situated in Alaro City, within the Lekki Free Zone. The facility, spanning 29,000 square metres, is expected to serve as a major boost to Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain infrastructure. According to a statement posted on the Lagos…

The Federal Government has directed ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to carry over 70 per cent of their 2025 capital allocations into the 2026 fiscal year, as part of efforts to prioritise the completion of ongoing projects and manage spending pressures arising from weak revenues. The directive is contained in the 2026 Abridged Budget Call Circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and circulated to ministers, service chiefs, agency heads and senior officials in Abuja. The circular, obtained by New Daily Prime, states that preparations for the 2026 budget will not accommodate new capital projects and…

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that over $185 million and N14.9 billion have so far been released to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) from the Frontier Exploration Fund, countering recent reports alleging that the regulator withheld the money. The Commission’s Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, clarified the development in a statement issued on Monday, stressing that all approved funds had been duly disbursed to the national oil company in line with statutory provisions. Akinkuotu explained that the fund—created under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)—is not held by the NUPRC, but is…

President Bola Tinubu on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to strengthen democratic institutions, describing the effort as essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and promoting stability across the West African sub-region. Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, spoke in Abuja at the 28th anniversary of the death of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, themed “The Union We Hope to Become.” Paying tribute to the late soldier and statesman, the President said Yar’Adua embodied conviction, humility, patriotism and a deep commitment to national service above personal interest. He noted that the memorial offered…

United States Congressman Riley Moore has expressed deep concern over rising terrorism and continued killings in parts of Nigeria, saying that while progress has been made, “much work still remains.” Moore made the remarks in a statement posted on X on Monday following a meeting with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja. According to the congressman, discussions centred on escalating terrorist activities in the North-East and the persistent violence in the Middle Belt—issues he described as a major priority for US President Donald Trump and himself. “There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully…

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has predicted that the country will not only overcome its economic challenges but will rise to the point of lending money to other nations, declaring that “great prosperity lies ahead.” She made the remark on Sunday in Ile-Ife, Osun State, shortly after she was conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua. The event formed part of activities marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The ceremony drew an array of political leaders, royal fathers and dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; wife of…

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has urged Yoruba communities across the South-West to heighten their vigilance as insecurity intensifies across northern and central Nigeria, warning that recent attacks pose an increasing danger to the region. The warning was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, following the monarch’s address at the weekend celebration of Ode-Omu Day in Osun State. Nigeria has in recent weeks witnessed a spike in terrorist and bandit attacks, particularly in northern states where killings, mass abductions and violent raids have surged. Fresh incidents in Kwara and Kogi States,…