Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Abia Governor Alex Otti Rejects Defection Rumors, Affirms Strong Ties With President Tinubu. Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has firmly dismissed speculations that he plans to leave the Labour Party (LP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that he enjoys a close relationship with President Bola Tinubu without needing to switch parties. In an exclusive interview with Arise Television on Friday, Otti addressed recent political defections in neighboring Delta State, where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and several Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers joined the APC to “connect Delta to Aso Rock.” Otti, responding to…

Flag Football Secures National Spotlight At Gateway Games Ogun 2024. In a moment for Nigerian sport, the Nigeria Flag Football Federation (NFFF) has secured official approval from the National Sports Commission to demonstrate flag football at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games Ogun 2024”, taking place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from 16 to 30 May. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough for the fast-growing sport, which will now feature at Nigeria’s premier multi-sport event for the first time. The approval, confirmed by Mrs Thecla Opara—Director (NSFPS) and Secretary of the Main Organising Committee—signals a formal recognition of…

Nigerians Poorer Today Than In 1960, Warns AfDB President Adesina. Nigerians are now earning less than they did at the time of independence in 1960, according to a stark warning from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Speaking at the 20th anniversary dinner of Chapel Hill Denham in Lagos on Thursday, Adesina revealed that Nigeria’s GDP per capita has plummeted to $824, a significant drop from the $1,847 recorded 64 years ago. Adesina described Nigeria’s economic decline as far graver than commonly recognised, urging an immediate and radical restructuring of the nation’s economic framework to…

NELFUND Denounces False Allegations, Reaffirms Zero Tolerance For Corruption. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a strong rebuttal to what it describes as “inaccurate, misleading, and dangerously speculative” reports suggesting misappropriation and mismanagement of funds under its student loan scheme. In an official statement, NELFUND expressed deep concern over the recent wave of unverified claims circulating in the public domain, stating that such reports are not only false but also undermine public trust and threaten the credibility of a vital national programme still in its early stages. The agency, which officially launched its student loan application…

NANS President Alleges Kidnapping And Bribery Attempt By Seyi Tinubu. The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has made shocking allegations against Seyi Tinubu, son of President Tinubu, claiming he was kidnapped, assaulted, and pressured to accept a bribe of 100 million Naira. The accusations, which have sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, stem from an alleged meeting in Lagos where the bribe was reportedly offered to secure the NANS president’s support for the presidency. According to the NANS president, the incident occurred after he rejected the substantial sum, leading to his abduction and assault. The…

Chelsea Cruises Past Djurgarden In Conference League Semi-Final. Chelsea has taken a significant step towards reaching the UEFA Conference League final with a commanding 4-1 victory over Swedish side Djurgarden in the semi-final first leg. The win, which saw Nicolas Jackson score a brace, puts Chelsea in a strong position ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge. The match, played at the 3Arena in Stockholm, saw Chelsea dominate proceedings from the outset. Jadon Sancho opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a clinical finish, capitalizing on a brilliant pass from Enzo Fernandez. Noni Madueke doubled the lead…

Manchester United And Tottenham Take Giant Leaps Towards Europa League Final. Manchester United and Tottenham have taken significant strides towards reaching the Europa League final with convincing wins in the semi-final first legs. United thrashed Athletic Bilbao 3-0 on the road, while Tottenham edged out Bodo/Glimt 3-1 at home. According to statisticians Opta, United have a 97% chance of reaching the final, with Tottenham close behind at 91%. This sets up a potential all-English final, which would be a rare occurrence in major European competitions. If both teams progress, it would guarantee six English teams in next season’s…

Federal Government Halts Work On Sagamu-Iperu Road Over Quality Concerns. The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling the 12km Sagamu-Iperu Road project to halt work on the road. The directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, during an inspection tour of road projects in Lagos and Ogun states. Umahi expressed displeasure at the quality and speed of work on the road, citing concerns over the stone base and the need for improved machinery. He has given the contractor a seven-day ultimatum to remedy the situation and remove the stone base. The Minister also…

President Tinubu To Embark On Two-Day Visit To Katsina State. President Bola Tinubu will embark on a two-day official visit to Katsina State on Friday, May 2, where he will assess the security situation, commission key infrastructure projects, and attend a social function. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will meet with key stakeholders in the state to evaluate the security challenges affecting the region. The President’s visit aims to address the security concerns and find solutions to the challenges faced by the state. During his…

Rivers State NLC Faction Boycotts May Day Celebration Over Suspended Governor. Members of the Rivers State faction of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) boycotted the annual May Day Celebration in Port Harcourt, instead converging on the NLC Secretariat to demand the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy. The union members, led by State NLC Chairman Alex Agwanwor, cited the absence of a democratic governor in the state as the reason for their boycott. Agwanwor appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his office to reinstate the democratically elected Governor and Deputy Governor. Carrying placards,…

Former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa Visits Ex-President Buhari In London. Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in London on Wednesday. The purpose of the visit remains undisclosed. Interestingly, Bawa celebrated his 45th birthday on the same day as his visit to Buhari. During his tenure as EFCC Chairman, which spanned from February 2021 to June 2023, Bawa made history as the youngest person to hold the position at the age of 41. He was also notable for being the first non-police officer to head…

EFCC Tracks CBEX Funds To Four Countries, Warns Full Recovery May Be ‘Practically Impossible’. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that funds linked to the collapsed Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) scheme have been traced to at least four countries, raising serious concerns about the possibility of fully compensating victims. The announcement was made by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, 30 April 2025. Speaking on the programme, Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC has made significant progress in its investigation, including blocking and freezing several accounts linked to the…