Author: New Daily Prime

Construction on the $1.96 billion Kano-Maradi rail project has resumed, despite challenges arising from the strained diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Niger. The rail project, set to connect Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states in Nigeria with Maradi in Niger, is progressing, with work already completed in some areas. However, it has been marred by unresolved compensation issues for thousands of displaced persons. The project, initially approved by Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council in September 2020, is largely financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and is expected to be completed by 2026. The railway line will pass through 122 communities in…

Nigeria-eligible defender Michael Kayode is on the verge of joining Premier League side Brentford from Fiorentina, with negotiations reportedly at their final stages. This comes after transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the impending move on Tuesday via X, stating that the deal is close, with key details being finalised between the two clubs. The 20-year-old full-back’s exclusion from Fiorentina’s squad for their recent Serie A match against Torino raised further speculation about his exit from the Italian side. Reports from Violanews suggest that Brentford is looking to secure Kayode on a paid loan deal, with an option to make the…

Borussia Dortmund has parted ways with head coach Nuri Sahin following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Bologna in the Champions League on Tuesday. The club announced on Wednesday that they had “lost faith” in the young manager after a series of poor results. Tuesday’s loss marked Dortmund’s fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions, adding to the pressure on Sahin, who had previously led the team to the Champions League final last season. The club’s management cited the team’s recent struggles as a key factor in the decision to terminate Sahin’s contract. As Dortmund aims to regroup and return to form,…

Operatives of the South-West security outfit, Amotekun Corps, have made significant strides in curbing crime, rescuing a 19-year-old girl from a rape attempt in Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State, and apprehending 21 suspects in Ondo State for various criminal activities. Abiodun Adeleye, the Head of Communications for the Ekiti Amotekun Corps, revealed in a statement on Wednesday that the teenage survivor was rescued by operatives on Tuesday from a 25-year-old suspect, Ojo Adewunmi, who had locked her inside a building with the intent to assault her. The victim, who had been screaming for help, was saved when the Amotekun team arrived…

During a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, called for Africa’s inclusion as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He also advocated for Nigeria to represent the continent on the global stage, citing the exclusion of African nations despite the fact that 60% of UNSC resolutions address African issues. Tuggar’s remarks, delivered during the “Africa’s Momentum” session, were supported by a statement from his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, who noted that Tuggar’s advocacy came alongside critiques of policies like the UN’s Deforestation Law,…

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has hailed 2024 as a pivotal year for the agency, marking significant strides despite various challenges faced. In a heartfelt New Year message to staff, Oyebamiji emphasised the agency’s resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to its mission and vision. The message, entitled ‘A Message of Hope and Commitment for the New Year 2025,’ was shared with The PUNCH on Sunday. In it, Oyebamiji reflected on the agency’s achievements over the past year, acknowledging that while obstacles were encountered, NIWA demonstrated exceptional adaptability and unity. “The year 2024…

Trump’s politics are entirely unconventional. He operates without restraint, saying what he wants to say in the manner he chooses Oftentimes, our positions on political issues are strong and uncompromising, especially when rooted in ideological principles tied to our identity, faith, or cultural upbringing. This is particularly true when these beliefs are viewed as essential to human life and existence. In Africa, particularly Nigeria, the factors shaping presidential choices are influenced by the unique challenges of a developing nation. These include assessing candidates’ abilities to address issues such as economic management, infrastructural development, and their track records in leadership. For…

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi made a significant move to ease the financial burden on kidney patients by reducing the cost of kidney dialysis by 70%. In a press release issued on Wednesday, January 22, the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Usman Koli, disclosed that the price for one dialysis session was slashed from ₦40,000 to ₦12,000. This price reduction was introduced as part of the hospital’s efforts to address the financial challenges faced by patients suffering from kidney-related ailments. Koli further explained that the initiative was in line with the hospital’s mission of providing…

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), is set to hold its 3rd convocation on Saturday, marking the graduation of 3,567 students, including 120 with First Class honours. Vice-Chancellor, Prof Babatunde Kehinde, disclosed this during a media briefing on Wednesday, January 22. The breakdown of the graduating students shows that 1,626 students completed their programmes with Second Class Upper, while 1,624 earned Second Class Lower, and 164 finished with Third Class. Additionally, 33 students are graduates of Veterinary Medicine. The convocation will also feature 30 Postgraduate Diplomas, 274 Master’s degrees, and 136 PhDs. Prof Kehinde highlighted the university’s academic expansion,…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 143 confirmed cases of Lassa fever, with 22 deaths, between December 30, 2024, and January 12, 2025. The cases were spread across seven states and 32 local government areas, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 15.4%. The states affected include Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Gombe, where the majority of the fatalities occurred. According to the NCDC’s Lassa fever situation report, the deaths were as follows: six in Ondo, five in Edo, two in Bauchi, six in Taraba, two in Ebonyi, and one in Gombe. Lassa fever,…