Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

New Pope Elected As White Smoke Rises Over Vatican. VATICAN CITY –Jubilation filled St Peter’s Square on Thursday as white smoke poured from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, heralding the successful election of a new pope. The 133 cardinals, gathered in a secretive conclave, chose a successor to Pope Francis on the second day of voting, marking a pivotal moment for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. The telltale plumes of white smoke, a centuries-old signal of a papal election, prompted cheers and applause from the crowds amassed in Vatican City. The identity of the new pontiff remains…

President Tinubu Approves Appointment Of Usoro Akpabio As SSDC Managing Director. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Miss Usoro Akpabio as the Managing Director of the South South Development Commission (SSDC). This appointment is expected to further drive regional development in the South-South region, aligning with President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s growth and progress. Akpabio’s appointment comes as part of the President’s efforts to fill key positions in various government agencies and commissions. Her experience and expertise are expected to contribute significantly to the development of the South-South region. Key Details of the Appointment -…

President Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation For Development Commission Appointees. President Bola Tinubu has submitted a request to the Senate for the confirmation of appointees to the South West, North Central, and South South Development Commissions. This move is part of President Tinubu’s efforts to fill key positions in various government agencies and commissions, following his signing into law of the South-West Development Commission and South-South Development Commission bills. Appointees by Commission – North Central Development Commission – Chairman: Cosmas Akiyir – Managing Director: Cyril Yeltsin – 17 other appointees – South West Development Commission – Chairman: Senator…

Nigeria Partners With Google To Empower Youth Through Digital Transformation. The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, has announced a strategic partnership with Google to empower Nigerian youth and expand their access to global and local opportunities through digital transformation. This collaboration aims to create meaningful impact for the country’s youth population. Key Partnership Pillars The partnership is built on five key pillars: – Building Digital Infrastructure: Creating technology infrastructure to support government, businesses, and individuals in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation, with a focus on strong AI and tech infrastructure. – Human Capacity…

Three Katsina Lawmakers Defect From PDP To APC. Three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors are: – Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, representing Mashi and Dutsi federal constituency – Hon. Aliyu Iliyasu Ruma, representing Batsari, Safana, and Danmusa federal constituency – Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai, representing Bakori and Danja federal constituency The announcement was made during a plenary session of the House of Representatives, where Speaker Abbas Tajudeen read out their letters of defection. The lawmakers cited lingering internal crisis…

Niger State Assembly Orders Probe Into Uncompleted Minna General Hospital Project. The Niger State House of Assembly has directed its Committee on Works and Infrastructure to investigate the stalled construction of the General Hospital Minna building project, aiming to address the facility’s worsening infrastructure crisis. The decision followed a motion tabled by Hon. Pharm. Nasir Umar, the representative for Paikoro Constituency, during a plenary session chaired by Speaker Barr. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji. The motion highlighted the urgent need to complete the project, which was initiated under the administration of former Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to ease pressure on the…

Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Gifted Nord A9 SUV After Friendly Match With CEO. Nigerian chess prodigy and Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya has been presented with a brand-new Nord A9 SUV by Nord Motion, a leading indigenous automaker, following a spirited chess match with the company’s CEO, Oluwatobi Ajayi. The friendly showdown, which took place at Nord’s headquarters, showcased Onakoya’s strategic brilliance, further cementing his reputation as a national treasure. In a gesture of appreciation, Nord Motion gifted the chess master the sleek Nord A9, a symbol of Nigerian innovation and craftsmanship. Onakoya, visibly moved by the…

President Tinubu Arrives In Anambra To Commission Landmark Projects. President Bola Tinubu touched down at Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, on Wednesday, marking the start of an official visit to Anambra State. The Nigerian leader, dressed in vibrant Akwete Igbo fabric and a matching red cap, arrived aboard a Nigerian Air Force Airbus at 12:17 pm to a warm reception. Governor Chukwuma Soludo, alongside his deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim, members of the State House of Assembly, and other top dignitaries, welcomed the president at the airport. The national anthem rang out, followed by gun salutes from personnel of the Nigerian…

Federal High Court In Abuja Dismisses MultiChoice Nigeria’s Suit Against FCCPC Over DStv, GOtv Price Hike. In a significant ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit brought by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited challenging the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) regarding recent increases in subscription fees for DStv and GOtv services. The judgement, delivered on Thursday by Justice James Omotoso, marks a victory for the FCCPC, which had contested the price hikes implemented by MultiChoice, a leading provider of satellite television services in Nigeria. The court’s decision upholds the regulatory body’s authority to scrutinise pricing…

Nigeria’s Top Five Oil Firms Post Impressive 2024 Revenues As Aradel Holdings Leads The Pack. Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has delivered an exceptional financial performance in 2024, with five leading companies recording strong year-on-year growth across key financial metrics. Aradel Holdings emerged as the standout performer, topping the revenue chart with ₦581 billion and delivering staggering profit growth that underlines the industry’s resilience amid evolving market dynamics. Aradel Holdings: Sector Leader by Revenue and Profit Under the leadership of CEO Adegbite Falade—who earned ₦2.43 billion in compensation—Aradel Holdings posted a remarkable 162.7% year-on-year revenue growth. The firm’s operating…

Jonathan Warns Against Covert One-Party System In Nigeria. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned against the covert establishment of a one-party system in Nigeria, warning that such a move could destabilise the nation’s fragile democracy. Speaking at a memorial lecture in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, Jonathan emphasised the dangers of political manipulation aimed at sidelining opposition parties. Jonathan noted that while countries like Tanzania have successfully implemented a one-party system, it was properly planned and executed. However, Nigeria’s complex ethnic, religious, and political landscape necessitates a more inclusive political framework. “If we must, as…

Putin’s Three-Day Truce With Ukraine Takes Effect Amid Skepticism. A three-day truce declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin took effect today, aimed at coinciding with Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations. The Kremlin hopes this gesture will test Ukraine’s readiness for peace, but Kyiv has dismissed the move as mere theatrics. Despite the truce, exchanges of aerial attacks between Moscow and Kyiv continued just hours before the ceasefire was set to begin. Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod airport was temporarily closed due to Ukrainian drone strikes, while Russian attacks on Ukraine resulted in at least two fatalities. Background of the Conflict Russia’s…