Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Pascal Dozie, Visionary Founder Of Diamond Bank, Passes Away At 85. In a significant loss to Nigeria’s business community, Pascal Gabriel Dozie, the revered founder of the now-defunct Diamond Bank Plc and a titan of the nation’s banking and telecommunications sectors, has passed away at the age of 85. The news was confirmed by his family in a heartfelt statement released earlier today, Tuesday, 8 April 2025, just a day before what would have been his 86th birthday. Dozie’s death marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s financial landscape, where he left an indelible mark as a pioneering…

Arsenal And Real Madrid Set For Epic Champions League Quarter-Final Showdown. Football fans around the globe are buzzing with excitement as Arsenal FC and Real Madrid CF prepare to lock horns in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, a blockbuster clash kicking off tonight at the Emirates Stadium. The first leg of this highly anticipated tie promises to deliver a thrilling spectacle between two of Europe’s footballing giants, blending Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta with Real Madrid’s storied pedigree as 15-time champions of the competition. The Road to the Quarter-Finals Arsenal secured their place in the last eight with a commanding…

APC Governors Visit Buhari In Kaduna, Reaffirm Party Unity And Commitment To Good Governance. Former President Muhammadu Buhari received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) at his residence in Kaduna on Monday, as governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) paid a solidarity visit to honour the party elder statesman. Led by the PGF Chairman and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, the governors described their visit as a show of unity and strength within the APC, emphasising the party’s continued stability and dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking to journalists after a closed-door…

Rabies Alert in Adamawa As Dog Bite Cases Surge: Authorities Launch Urgent Control Measures. A wave of fear has swept through parts of Adamawa State following a sharp increase in dog bites, raising concerns over a possible rabies outbreak across several communities. Health officials have issued a public health warning, citing a rise in aggressive and unprovoked attacks by dogs and cats in areas such as Lainde, Kofare, Yolde Pate, and Haying Gada. Dr Bartholomew Nyalas, Director of Veterinary Services and Epidemiologist at the State Ministry of Livestock and Aquaculture, confirmed that three people lost their lives last…

Zelensky Confirms Ukrainian Troop Operations Inside Russia’s Belgorod Region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has, for the first time, publicly confirmed that Ukrainian forces are conducting military operations within Russia’s Belgorod region, marking a significant development in the ongoing war. In a video address on Monday, Zelensky stated: “We continue to carry out active operations in the border areas on enemy territory, and that is absolutely just – war must return to where it came from.” His remarks also included reference to Russia’s neighbouring Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces still maintain a small foothold following last year’s major offensive.…

African Leaders Push For Energy Independence Amid Heavy Crude Exports And Infrastructure Challenges. More than 75 per cent of the 1.9 billion barrels of crude oil produced in Nigeria and other African countries in 2024—amounting to 1.4 billion barrels—was exported to Europe and other continents, raising concerns over neglected local refineries and worsening energy poverty across the continent. Despite being rich in oil resources, Africa spent around $30 billion importing petroleum products last year. However, in a notable development, Nigeria recorded an 11 per cent drop in demand for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), credited to the deregulation of the…

Falana Urges Action to End Killings, Afenifere Backs Security Reform And Restructuring. Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to halt the continued killings and abductions of unarmed citizens across Nigeria, particularly in Benue and Plateau states. He described the persistent violence as both unacceptable and preventable. Falana, who chairs the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), made the appeal in a statement, expressing concern over the repeated attacks by armed herders and gunmen targeting vulnerable communities. While condemning the violence, he commended the prompt response of…

South Korea Sets June 3 For Presidential Election Following Yoon’s Removal. South Korea will head to the polls on 3 June for a snap presidential election, following the historic removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. Acting President Han Duck-soo announced the date on Tuesday, just days after the Constitutional Court upheld Yoon’s impeachment. Yoon was ousted after parliament voted in December to impeach him over his controversial declaration of martial law—an unprecedented move that sent shockwaves across the country and sparked a period of political instability. In his address to the nation, Acting President Han expressed…

UK Welcomes First Baby Born From Donated Womb In Groundbreaking Medical Milestone. In a historic medical breakthrough, a baby girl has become the first child in the United Kingdom to be born to a mother with a transplanted womb. The infant, named Amy, arrived safely in February, marking a moment of joy and celebration for her parents and the medical community. Her mother, Grace Davidson, 36, was born without a functioning uterus and had long believed motherhood might never be possible. But in 2023, her life changed when she received a womb donated by her sister in the UK’s…

2025 Hajj: Saudi Visa Suspension Causes Stir, But Official Pilgrimage Unaffected. Confusion has spread among prospective Nigerian pilgrims following Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to suspend the issuance of short-term visas to nationals of 14 countries, including Nigeria, ahead of the 2025 Hajj. However, authorities have clarified that the directive does not impact those travelling under the official Hajj programme. The Saudi government announced that from 13 April 2025, it would temporarily halt the issuance of short-term business, tourist, and family visit visas to citizens of Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, India, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Indonesia, Pakistan, and…

Youths Rally Nationwide Under #TakeItBack Movement Amid Heavy Police Presence. Youths across Nigeria, under the banner of the #TakeItBack Movement, held peaceful protests in several states yesterday despite earlier warnings from the police. The demonstrations, staged to draw attention to pressing national issues, highlighted concerns over the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, growing economic hardship, and the political crisis in Rivers State. Protesters, recognisable by their orange berets and placards bearing slogans like “Stop the repression” and “Let us breathe”, were met with significant police presence in major cities. Law enforcement authorities had previously cautioned against the protest,…

Nigeria’s AutoCNG Initiative Attracts Over $491 Million In Investments And Creates Thousands Of Jobs– Says FG. The Nigerian Presidency has revealed that the Automobile Compressed Natural Gas (AutoCNG) initiative has attracted more than $491 million in investments over the past year, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation. Speaking during a “Meet the Press” session at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, the Programme Director and CEO of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI), Michael Oluwagbemi, said the programme had created over 9,000 direct jobs and 75,000 indirect employment opportunities across Nigeria.…