Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Six Athletes Disqualified From National Sports Festival Over Doping Violations. The 22nd National Sports Festival, currently underway in Ogun State, has been rocked by the disqualification of six athletes due to anti-doping violations, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed. In a press statement released on Tuesday, Dr Kehinde Ajayi, the NSC’s Director of Press, announced that the decision follows the commission’s steadfast commitment to maintaining a doping-free environment in Nigerian sports. The move aligns with global best practices and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, reinforcing Nigeria’s dedication to clean competition. The disqualified athletes, barred from competing for medals…

Cyclists Set To Compete For Gold At 2024 Gateway Games. The 22nd National Sports Festival, also known as the 2024 Gateway Games, is set to witness an exciting competition in cycling as athletes from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory converge to chase gold medals. The event, which begins on Tuesday, May 20, 2024, promises to be an exhilarating display of speed and endurance. According to Bashir Mohammed, Technical Director of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN), 17 events will be contested over nine days, with three events taking place on the first…

Obi Rules Out Vice-Presidential Role, Set To Declare Presidential Ambition Ahead Of 2027. Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reportedly ruled out the possibility of serving as a running mate in the 2027 presidential election. Sources close to Obi revealed that he is determined to contest as a presidential candidate, rather than a vice president. The development comes as talks between Obi’s camp and Atiku Abubakar’s team have reportedly broken down. A recent meeting in London between key figures from both sides ended without agreement, with Obi expected to make a public declaration within the week. …

TUC Protests At Finance Ministry Over Unpaid Allowances. Members of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have taken to the streets, picketing the Federal Ministry of Finance over unpaid allowance arrears and other emoluments. The protesters, clad in red T-shirts, have effectively shut down the ministry’s operations by locking the gates and preventing vehicles from entering or exiting the premises. Although the protesters have not spoken to the media, the placards on display suggest that the issues at hand are allowance arrears and other outstanding emoluments. According to sources, the workers are owed a substantial amount, reportedly N1.2…

Check Out Top Universities Where Student Loan Applications Is Very High In Nigeria. In recent years, the Nigerian government has intensified efforts to improve access to higher education through initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This scheme aims to provide financial support to students, enabling them to pursue tertiary education without the burden of immediate financial constraints. A recent dataset released by Statisense, detailing the number of applicants for student loans by institution, offers valuable insights into the demand for such funding across Nigeria. This article delves into the data, exploring the regional and institutional distribution of applicants,…

Nigerian Stands Tall In English Test Showdown, Celebrates Linguistic Brilliance. In an inspiring display of linguistic talent, Ifedayo Johnson, a Nigerian based in the UK, went head-to-head with British X user Angantýr (@BasedNorthmathr) in a viral English proficiency challenge that captivated over 5,000 online viewers. The friendly competition, held in separate X Spaces on Sunday, showcased the remarkable skills of both participants, turning a spirited debate into a celebration of language and unity. Johnson, originally from Oyo State, Nigeria, delivered an impressive performance, scoring 79 on the EFSET quiz, just four points behind Angantýr’s commendable 83. The close contest…

CBN Reaffirms Strength Of Nigeria’s Banking Sector, Urges Public To Ignore Sensational Claims. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a robust assurance of the stability and resilience of the nation’s banking sector, describing it as “safe and sound” in response to recent misleading reports circulating in the media and on social platforms. In a statement released by Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, Acting Director of Corporate Communications, the CBN addressed concerns sparked by unauthorised publications questioning the operations of a regulated financial institution. The apex bank categorically dismissed these claims as misleading, reaffirming that Nigeria’s banking sector remains…

Fidelity Bank Seeks Clarity On Supreme Court Ruling, Reaffirms Financial Strength. Fidelity Bank Plc has moved to address concerns arising from a recent Supreme Court judgement involving a legacy transaction between the defunct FSB International Bank and Sagecom Concepts Limited, asserting its robust financial position and dismissing claims of insolvency as misleading and malicious. In a statement released on Monday, Meksley Nwagboh, Fidelity Bank’s Divisional Head of Brand and Communications, clarified that the legal matter stems from a 2002 credit facility of USD 3 million extended by FSB International Bank to G. Cappa Plc, secured by a mortgage on…

Nigerian Court To Rule On NIBSS’s Exclusive Control Of BVN Database. The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled 26 May to hear a significant case brought by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and others, as NIBSS seeks to affirm its statutory authority to manage the Bank Verification Number (BVN) database. The BVN, a unique identifier that verifies individual bank accounts across Nigeria’s banking sector, is integral to financial operations and linked to the National Identification Number (NIN). Both are critical for accessing services such as banking, mobile phone usage,…

Human Rights Lawyer Agbakoba Vows To Defy Proposed Compulsory Voting Law. Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, has fiercely criticised a proposed bill that would make voting mandatory in Nigeria, declaring he would rather face imprisonment than comply with such a law. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, 19 May 2025, Agbakoba condemned the National Assembly’s attempt to enforce compulsory voting, arguing it fails to address the root causes of voter apathy in the country. “Look at the ridiculous one in the National Assembly about voting being compulsory. If that bill were…

Tottenham And Manchester United Set For Epic All-English Europa League Final Showdown– All You Need To Know. The stage is set for a thrilling all-English clash as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United prepare to face off in the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League final at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao tomorrow, May 21. With both clubs enduring challenging Premier League campaigns—United sitting 16th and Spurs 17th—this high-stakes encounter offers a chance to salvage their seasons with a coveted European trophy and automatic qualification for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. The Europa League, which began as the UEFA Cup in 1971…

Millions Of Nigerians Face Acute Food Shortages Amid Economic Hardship– Report. A new report has revealed that no fewer than 31.8 million Nigerians experienced acute food shortages in 2024, the highest number in Africa and one of the largest globally. The Global Report on Food Crises, released by the Global Network Against Food Crises in collaboration with UNICEF and the Food Security Information Network, attributes this surge to persistent conflict, economic shocks, and extreme weather events. Food Insecurity on the Rise The report shows that an additional 6.9 million Nigerians were pushed into acute food insecurity during the year,…