Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has granted a presidential pardon to activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, who has spent most of the past 12 years in prison. The pardon, announced on Monday, also included five other detainees. Abdel Fattah, 43, became a symbol of opposition and human rights advocacy during Egypt’s 2011 uprising and had faced multiple imprisonments, including a five-year sentence in 2021 for allegedly spreading false news. The decision to pardon him followed appeals from Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights, which cited humanitarian and health concerns. His mother, Laila Soueif, had staged hunger strikes to protest his incarceration,…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The House of Representatives has demanded detailed evidence from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation regarding the N2.4 trillion approved for payment to contractors. The request comes amid complaints from local contractors alleging that they have not received payments for completed projects. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu disclosed the development after a meeting with affected contractors in Abuja, part of the House’s ongoing effort to address grievances over unpaid contract obligations. While the Accountant-General’s office confirmed that N2.4 trillion was approved, it stated that only N160 billion remains unpaid. Kalu commended the government for approving such a substantial amount…
Nigeria’s economy expanded by 4.23% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This represents a notable improvement from the 3.13% growth in Q1 2025 and 3.48% recorded in the same period in 2024. Analysts attribute the growth to a rebound in oil production, a resilient non-oil sector, and updated GDP data that reflects structural changes in the economy. The services sector grew by 3.94%, slightly above the 3.83% recorded in Q2 2024, while the industry sector surged by 7.45%, compared with 3.72% a year earlier. Agriculture also posted positive growth,…
Two civil society organizations, Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN) and Citizens Awareness Against Corruption and Social Vices Initiative (CAACASVI), have urged Nigerians to rally behind the Dangote Refinery, describing it as a transformative project with far-reaching benefits for the country’s energy sector and economy. The groups stressed that the refinery is crucial for Nigeria’s energy independence, as it has the capacity to drastically reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products, stabilize domestic fuel supply, and save significant foreign exchange for the nation. Highlighting the refinery’s potential to drive economic growth, the organizations called on citizens, stakeholders, and policymakers to…
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) have celebrated the iconic Nigerian musician, Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade (KSA), as he clocks 79. In separate tributes on Monday, leaders of both associations praised the juju music legend for his immense contribution to African music and his enduring influence across generations. Pretty Okafor, National President of PMAN, described KSA as “a living legend who has used his works to promote peace and unity.” He added: “He is quite a humble and quiet person, and I wish him the best of…
The ECOWAS Parliament has commenced its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The week-long event, which runs from September 22 to 28, is themed “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance, and Inclusive Development.” As of Monday morning, dignitaries at the venue included the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima; Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin; Senate Leader Ali Ndume; Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, alongside state lawmakers, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders. The session…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s backing for the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, describing the exercise as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s institutions, deepening democracy, and guaranteeing justice for all citizens. Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the National Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in Abuja, Tinubu said the process was a “golden opportunity” to entrench good governance, inclusivity, and sustainable development. “The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It is not static, but a living document that must continually respond to…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled September 29 to hear an application on the dispute surrounding withheld local government funds in Osun State. At the resumed session, the Osun State government argued that with the court’s vacation ending on September 16, the matter should be returned to Osogbo for proper hearing. Lead counsel for the state, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), maintained that the authorization permitting the Attorney General of the Federation to have the case heard in Abuja during vacation had expired with the end of the vacation. Adetunbi further questioned the validity of a letter allegedly issued from…
The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called on families to acquire drug test kits for home use as part of preventive efforts against substance abuse among young people. Speaking at the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Competition in Abuja, Marwa emphasized that early detection is critical to preventing addiction. “Drug abuse robs young people of the bright future that rightfully belongs to them. It is not just an individual tragedy; it is a national loss,” he said. “We must remain close…
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has attributed the state’s selection as host of the 6th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AFSNET) Investment Conference in 2026 to its steady growth and commitment to good governance. Otu described the recognition as a testament to Cross River’s progress in governance, economic expansion, and international reputation. He noted that the conference would bring major economic benefits, including opportunities for trade partnerships, investments, and job creation. “All we are trying to do is to grow the economy, increase productivity, guarantee food and energy security, strengthen security, and reduce unemployment. We are also focused…
Tragedy struck in Otukpo, Benue State, on Monday as gunmen assassinated a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Ejeh Udeh, right in front of his family members. The assailants, who reportedly stormed his residence in Ugboju around midnight, opened fire on him shortly after he returned home. Witnesses said the attackers, riding on a motorcycle, carried out the operation swiftly before fleeing the scene. Family members who were present during the incident were left in shock and helpless as the gunmen executed their mission without resistance. The killing has since thrown the community into mourning and heightened fear…
Air Tanzania has officially launched direct flights between Lagos and Dar es Salaam, a move aimed at boosting connectivity across Africa. The announcement was made in Lagos by the Permanent Secretary of the Tanzanian Ministry of Transport, Professor Godius Kahyararara. Kahyararara explained that the decision to operate direct flights was driven by the need to strengthen intra-African travel. He assured that within a week, significant reforms would be made to the visa system to make travel easier between Nigeria and Tanzania. “We have Nigerians who travel for tourism, and Zanzibar is their most attractive destination. Our research showed they often…