Author: Gbenga Olaleye

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate requesting the confirmation of the newly appointed service chiefs. The letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was read during Tuesday’s plenary session in Abuja. The nominees include Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye. READ ALSO: Oyebanji hails Tinubu for appointing Ekiti’s Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff In the correspondence, President Tinubu urged the Senate to give the…

The Ondo State Government has approved the construction and rehabilitation of 101 kilometres of roads as part of efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps and boost economic development across the state. The Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye, announced the approval on Tuesday in Akure while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, which was presided over by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Olawoye explained that the projects comprise 66.4 kilometres of new roads and 34.6 kilometres of rehabilitation and reconstruction, bringing the total to 101 kilometres. He said the works would ease vehicular movement, promote…

The Bayelsa State government has entered into a new partnership with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Beijing to advance infrastructure, agricultural and aquaculture development, as well as mass housing for civil servants and low-income earners. According to a statement on Monday, Governor Douye Diri signed the agreement on behalf of the state, while CCECC President, Mr Chen Sichang, signed for the company. Governor Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said the latest deal follows a similar MoU signed on 14 October 2025 with Dubai-based Jampur Group in Abuja for the…

Human rights activist and public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has cautioned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) risks suffering the same political downfall that ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 16-year dominance in Nigeria. In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday morning, Shehu accused the APC of displaying arrogance and injustice, warning that “power built on oppression cannot endure.” “Whatever goes up must surely come down. Just as PDP rose and fell after its years of pride and betrayal, APC is now walking the same path,” he wrote. Shehu recalled a 2008 statement by…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced an extension of the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Anambra State, following widespread appeals from citizens and stakeholders for additional time. In a statement issued on Monday night by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, the commission confirmed that the exercise, initially set to conclude on Sunday, 26 October, will now continue from Wednesday, 29 October, to Sunday, 2 November 2025. “The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved the extension of the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards in Anambra State,” Eta-Messi stated. “The decision was…

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to focus on its internal challenges instead of dragging the PDP into its ongoing leadership disputes. In a statement issued on Monday in Osogbo, the PDP’s Director of Media, Hezekiah Oladele Bamiji, described the APC’s recent allegations as “a baseless rant from a disorganised opposition drowning in its own crisis.” He added that the ruling party in Osun remained committed to governance and service delivery, and would not be distracted by political noise. Bamiji accused the APC of attempting to cover up its…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released a total of $1.259 billion to oil sector players for the importation of petroleum products and related items in the first quarter of 2025, New Daily Prime reports. The disbursement comes amid ongoing insistence by petroleum marketers to continue importing fuel, despite the availability of locally refined petrol from the Dangote Refinery. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) shows that marketers imported 69 per cent of the 21 billion litres of petrol consumed in Nigeria between August 2024 and 10 October 2025. Between January and March 2025,…

Popular Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has announced Akwa Ibom State as the first location for his live music concert in Nigeria after 14 years on stage, citing the state’s outstanding infrastructure and facilities. Speaking at a pre-concert reception hosted by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, and Senate President Godwill Akpabio in Uyo on Sunday, Davido described Akwa Ibom as a model state for hosting major events. “Everything about Akwa Ibom State is beautiful,” he said, adding that if all Nigerian states possessed similar facilities, he would be comfortable touring the entire…

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally abandoned his plan to call witnesses in his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism-related charges, asserting that no legitimate case exists against him. Kanu had initially informed the court of his intention to summon witnesses in his defence by submitting a formal written request for witness summons. However, during proceedings on Monday, he stated that after reviewing the case file, he found no substantive charges and concluded that he had been subjected to an unfair trial. “I see no reason to present a defence as no valid charges have…

Paul Biya, 92, who has served as President of Cameroon since 1982, has been declared the winner of the country’s latest presidential election, securing an eighth consecutive term and extending his leadership until 2032. Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, defied widespread calls to step down and faced criticism for appearing at only one campaign rally, where he told voters, “the best is still to come.” With this victory, Biya could reach 50 years in power, ruling Cameroon into his late 90s. The Constitutional Council announced that Biya won with 53.66% of the vote, defeating runner-up Issa Tchrioma…