Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has declared that an illegal attempt to seize power is underway, following an unprecedented move by some soldiers who joined anti-government protests in the capital, Antananarivo. The president made the statement on Sunday, stressing that the act defies the nation’s constitution and democratic principles. On Saturday, a group of soldiers based on the outskirts of the capital urged their colleagues to “join forces” and “refuse orders to shoot,” condemning the violent suppression of ongoing youth-led demonstrations. The protests, which have persisted for over two weeks, were triggered by growing anger over electricity and water shortages. The…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Brooklyn Museum in New York has opened an extraordinary new exhibition titled “Monet and Venice,” celebrating Claude Monet’s stunning Venetian paintings more than a century after they were last shown together. The exhibition, which runs from October 11, 2025, to February 1, 2026, reunites 19 of Monet’s rare works from his 1908 visit to Venice one of the most radiant but least explored chapters of his career. According to the Brooklyn Museum, “Monet and Venice” is the first major U.S. exhibition in over 25 years dedicated to the French Impressionist. It features over 100 artworks, books, and artifacts, with…
Former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former Senate President David Mark have paid heartfelt tributes to the late Professor Jonah Elaigwu, describing him as a patriotic scholar whose intellectual legacy greatly influenced Nigeria’s political and academic space. At a night of tributes held in Abuja, the dignitaries celebrated the late scholar’s contributions to governance, federalism, and civil-military relations. Professor Elaigwu, a former member of the Presidential Advisory Council, was remembered as a brilliant academic whose works helped shape public policy and deepen understanding of Nigeria’s federal system. In his tribute delivered by Solomon Asemota (SAN),…
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the National Assembly will not allow itself to be controlled or held hostage by any lawmaker, stressing that discipline and respect for legislative procedures are vital to maintaining the strength of Nigeria’s democracy. Akpabio made this known in a statement issued by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, titled “The Trials and Triumphs of a Resilient Nigeria’s 10th Senate.” He explained that the decision of the Senate to enforce its Standing Orders should not be seen as an attempt to suppress dissenting voices but as a move to safeguard institutional order and uphold the…
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Association of Nigeria (LPGAR) has refuted claims that gas retailers are responsible for the recent surge in cooking gas prices across the country. The association explained that the current price hike is due to supply challenges rather than manipulation by retailers. In a statement released in Lagos, the Chairman of LPGAR under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr Ayobami Olarinoye, said the persistent scarcity and increase in gas prices have caused severe hardship for Nigerian households. He noted that it was important to clarify the role of retailers amid widespread…
Health professionals from Nigeria and the diaspora have called on the Federal Government to urgently implement a national strategy to combat the fast-growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the country. They warned that Nigeria faces a potential health disaster if decisive measures are not taken soon. The appeal was made during the opening of the 7th Annual International Conference of the Nigerian Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists (NAFTRAPH) held in Lagos. Themed “Non-Communicable Diseases in a Post-Pandemic World: Nigeria’s Perspective and How to Mitigate Disease Ramifications,” the three-day event brought together pharmacists, doctors, researchers, and policymakers to assess Nigeria’s…
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has denied reports alleging that it imported finished petrol with high sulphur content into Nigeria, describing the claims as false, malicious, and misleading. In a statement released on Friday, the company clarified that the cargo being referred to was not finished petrol but an intermediate feedstock that would undergo full refining at its facility. According to Dangote Refinery, processing a mix of crude oils and intermediate feedstocks is a common global practice aimed at optimizing both production efficiency and fuel quality. “The cargo in question is an intermediate feedstock, not finished petrol,” the company explained. “It will…
Global markets plunged on Friday after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to unleash a new round of “massive” tariffs on China, reigniting fears of another trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Trump criticized Beijing for what he described as “hostile trade practices,” including China’s new export controls on rare earth materials, which are vital for manufacturing advanced technologies. Speaking to reporters, he said several “major countermeasures” were under consideration and added that he no longer saw the need to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit later this month. The remarks rattled Wall Street, sending major…
A fresh wave of political realignment is sweeping through the opposition as Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Douye Diri of Bayelsa State prepare to officially defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) next week. The anticipated move, confirmed by multiple sources within both parties, is expected to take place on Tuesday, October 14. Governor Mbah’s planned defection follows approval from key PDP stakeholders in Enugu who, according to insiders, have already agreed to move with him. The APC National Working Committee has reportedly dissolved the Enugu State executive and set up…
The Benin Palace has firmly rejected the introduction of the “Iyaloja” title into Edo State’s market system, describing it as strange to Benin customs and an attempt to politicize the traditional market structure. The Palace, through the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), stated that the title is foreign to the Benin Kingdom and could cause unnecessary division and confusion in the state’s market leadership. In a statement signed and authorized by His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the BTC explained that the Benin market system has always operated under the supervision of palace-appointed heads and traditional leaders who report directly to…
Two remaining members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ondo State House of Assembly have officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), leaving the ruling party in full control of the 26-member legislature. The move marks the end of PDP representation in the state assembly. The defectors, Olajide Oguntodu, representing Akure South 1 Constituency and former House Minority Leader, and Oluwatoyin Daodu, representing Akoko South West 1 Constituency and his deputy, announced their resignations during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Olamide Oladiji in Akure. In their resignation letters, both lawmakers cited consultations with family, constituents, and…
Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Abia State have urged Governor Alex Otti to make the budgets of all local government councils publicly available. The groups say that transparency in local government finances is essential for accountability. They stressed that citizens deserve to know how public funds are allocated and spent at the grassroots level. Lack of access to budget information, they noted, weakens public confidence in governance. According to the CSOs, making local government budgets public will help reduce corruption and ensure that resources are properly utilized. They described this move as critical for improving governance across the state. The…