Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a safe country, despite ongoing security challenges in parts of the nation. Speaking during an interview with CNN, Idris addressed concerns about alleged genocidal attacks against Christians, describing such claims as misleading and unrepresentative of Nigeria’s overall security and religious landscape. He explained that both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks from criminal and extremist elements, insisting that it is inaccurate to portray Nigeria as intolerant of religious freedom. “Nigeria is not that bad. Yes, we have seen attacks on some Christians; we have also seen…

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, on Tuesday officially concluded his five-year tenure and handed over the leadership of the Commission to the Federal Commissioner representing Niger State, Muhammad Dattijo. Dattijo will serve as Acting Chairman pending the swearing-in of Aminu Yusuf by President Bola Tinubu. The brief but symbolic handover ceremony, held at the NPC Headquarters in Abuja, was attended by Federal Commissioners, the Director-General, Directors, and staff of the Commission. According to a statement released by the Commission on Wednesday, Kwarra expressed gratitude to his colleagues and subordinates for their support and professionalism during…

The Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has said that the removal of fuel subsidy has ushered in a new era of deregulation, creating vast opportunities for innovation, investment, and digital transformation across the nation’s downstream energy sector. During his Independence Day broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, President Bola Tinubu stated that ending the fuel subsidy was a difficult but essential decision aimed at rescuing the economy and ensuring that Nigeria’s wealth benefits ordinary citizens. Speaking at the OTL Africa Downstream Week 2025 in Lagos on Wednesday, MEMAN Chairman, Mr Huub Stokman, explained that deregulation is driving the adoption…

Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has revealed that the United States of America has revoked his visa, effectively preventing his entry into the country for the foreseeable future. Soyinka made the disclosure during a media parley on Tuesday at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, explaining that he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have warranted the decision. “It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time. I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from…

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed social media reports alleging a promotion scandal within the Nigeria Police Force, describing them as false and aimed at tarnishing the image of the institution. Egbetokun made the clarification on Tuesday in Abuja during the decoration ceremony of 19 newly promoted senior officers, including Deputy Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dan-Kwara, Assistant Inspector General of Police Nkechi Eze, the Force Medical Director, and Commissioner of Police Nandel Gonwalk, among others. Addressing the officers, the IGP said the allegations were “the handiwork of mischief makers” bent on discrediting the Force. “In…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to political parties in Osun State to conduct peaceful, transparent, and law-abiding primaries ahead of the 2026 governorship election. INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the appeal on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Commission’s state office in Osogbo. Dr Agboke said the engagement was part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to ensure that all stakeholders fully understand and comply with the election timetable and legal framework. “We must always continue to engage you on each item on the timetable of the 2026 governorship election…

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…