Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigeria’s Debt Servicing Drops By Half, Says CBN. Nigeria’s debt servicing costs have fallen significantly, dropping from $540 million in January to $276 million in February, according to figures released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The reduction comes amid the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to restructure the country’s debt portfolio, enhance dollar liquidity, and ease pressure on the foreign exchange market. IMF Gives Positive Rating but Warns Against Excessive Borrowing   Despite concerns over Nigeria’s rising debt, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a positive rating, stating that the country’s debt levels have not yet reached…

Absence Of Former Taraba Governor Ishaku Stalls Trial In Abuja Court The trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, was stalled on Monday due to his absence in an Abuja High Court. Ishaku is facing a 15-count charge alongside a former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero. The charges, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), include criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the alleged conversion of public funds amounting to ₦27 billion. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, while Yero was present in…

Peruvian Fisherman Rescued After 95 Days Adrift In The Pacific. A Peruvian fisherman who survived 95 days lost at sea by eating turtles, birds, and cockroaches has been rescued and reunited with his family. Maximo Napa Castro, 61, set off on 7 December for what was meant to be a two-week fishing trip from the coastal town of Marcona, southern Peru. However, just ten days into his journey, a storm blew his boat off course, leaving him adrift with dwindling supplies. Despite extensive search efforts by his family and Peru’s maritime patrols, he remained lost at sea for over…

Lagos Government Responds To NYSC Member’s Comments On The City. The Lagos State Government has criticised a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, for her remarks describing Lagos as “smelling.” Responding to her comments, the Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adesina, stated that despite her criticism, Uguamaye has been seen enjoying the city’s nightlife, as evident from her TikTok videos. Adesina attributed challenges in maintaining the city’s cleanliness to the large influx of people arriving in Lagos daily, placing significant pressure on its infrastructure. He…

Former Lagos PDP Candidate JANDOR Defects To APC. Dr Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as JANDOR, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing his commitment to the progress of Lagos State. Speaking at a press briefing, JANDOR explained that his decision was motivated by his belief in unity among progressives as a crucial step towards achieving the collective aspirations of the people. He emphasised that his initial move to the PDP for the 2023 gubernatorial election was driven by a sincere desire to serve Lagosians. However, he now sees the…

EU Reaffirms Commitment To Strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Ecosystem. The European Union has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation, recognising its potential to revitalise the economy and create employment opportunities for young people. Through its Global Gateway Strategy, the EU is spearheading digital investments in Nigeria with a dedicated Digital Package worth €820 million. This initiative focuses on building robust digital and governance infrastructure, developing digital skills, and fostering job creation. Speaking at the Omniverse Summit in Lagos, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, emphasised the significance of collaboration in driving Africa’s digital future. He…

CAN And PFN Reaffirm Commitment To Defending Christian Rights In Nigeria. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have reiterated their commitment to defending the rights of Christians across the country, emphasising their role in promoting religious freedom and social justice. Both organisations have faced criticism in recent times, with some accusing them of not doing enough to advocate for Christians facing persecution. These concerns intensified following the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the death sentence for Sunday Jackson, a young Christian from Adamawa, on 7 March 2025. A human rights organisation has…

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Wins Best Woman Of The Year At Independent Awards 2024. Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been honoured as Best Woman of the Year at the Independent Awards 2024, dedicating the accolade to Nigerian women and youth for their contributions to national development. Speaking at the awards gala in Lagos on Saturday, Tinubu, a former senator for Lagos Central, expressed her gratitude through her representative, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. She described Nigerian women and youth as the country’s unsung heroes, acknowledging their relentless efforts in fostering…

Barcelona Stage Stunning Comeback To Move Top Of La Liga. Barcelona produced a dramatic late turnaround to defeat Atlético Madrid 4-2 and move top of La Liga, scoring twice in stoppage time to seal a remarkable victory.  Atletico Take Early Control The visitors arrived at the Wanda Metropolitano knowing a win would send them above Real Madrid on goal difference, while Atlético could have leapfrogged Barcelona into second place with a victory. Atlético appeared to be on course for the perfect response to their midweek Champions League exit to Real Madrid, as they took a 2-0 lead with 20…

Montpellier Vs Saint-Étienne Abandoned After Crowd Trouble. The Ligue 1 clash between relegation rivals Montpellier and Saint-Étienne was abandoned after home fans threw flares onto the pitch, leading to a fire in the stands at the Stade de la Mosson. Match Halted Amid Fan Unrest   Montpellier were trailing 2-0 when the match was halted in the 62nd minute, moments after Saint-Étienne striker Lucas Stassin scored his second goal of the game. Referee François Letexier initially paused play for three minutes when flares were thrown onto the pitch, but the situation escalated as smoke and flames became visible in the…

Mikel Merino Fires Arsenal To Victory Over Chelsea. Mikel Merino’s first-half goal proved decisive as Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Chelsea, cutting the gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool to 12 points. Both sides entered the match without their first-choice strikers, with Arsenal’s Kai Havertz sidelined for the season due to a hamstring injury and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson also unavailable. The Blues were further weakened by the absence of Cole Palmer, their standout performer this season, making this their first match without him since last April’s 5-0 defeat to Arsenal. Arsenal started strongly, with Leandro Trossard, Gabriel…

Nigerian Youth Corps Member Faces Threats For Speaking Out On Economic Hardship. A young member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ushie Rita Uguamaye, known widely as Raye, has sparked a nationwide conversation after alleging that she faced intimidation from NYSC officials for voicing her struggles with Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions. The incident, which unfolded over the weekend, has raised serious questions about freedom of expression and the priorities of authorities in the West African nation. Raye, a corps member serving in Lagos, took to TikTok on Saturday to share an emotional video highlighting the harsh realities she…