Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigeria’s Power Sector Faces Crisis As GenCos Demand Full Debt Settlement. Nigeria’s power sector is facing an escalating financial crisis as electricity generation companies (GenCos) warn of potential shutdowns due to unpaid government debts. Despite promises of intervention, the Federal Government has only paid 19.5 per cent of the N1.9 trillion subsidy debt owed to GenCos, raising concerns over the sustainability of power supply. Mounting Debts And Payment Shortfalls Recent documents from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reveal that the government has paid just N371 billion towards last year’s tariff shortfalls. The shortfall has left GenCos struggling to…

UK Introduces New Visa And Transit Rules For Travellers, Including Nigeria. The United Kingdom has introduced updated visa and transit regulations, with Nigeria among the countries now required to obtain entry and transit visas under the new system. According to the UK Home Office, visas can now be issued in either physical form or as a digital eVisa. Additionally, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has been introduced for eligible countries, replacing visa requirements for some travellers. Under the revised rules, passengers from visa-required countries, including Nigeria, can transit airside through the UK without a visa if they…

Nigeria U-23 Handball Team Secure Convincing Victory Over Azerbaijan. Nigeria’s under-23 handball team delivered an outstanding second-half performance to claim a 29-17 victory over Azerbaijan on Wednesday at the 5th IHF Emerging Nations Championship in Varna, Bulgaria. Following a 31-31 draw against the United States in their opening match, Coach Solomon Yola’s side entered this encounter better prepared. However, they initially struggled to convert their chances, despite taking an early 4-1 lead. The closely contested first half ended 9-8 in favour of Nigeria. Azerbaijan made an aggressive start to the second half, scoring the first goal after the…

Aleshinloye Traders Demand Functional Fire Station After Market Blaze   Traders at Aleshinloye Market in Ibadan have voiced their frustration over the absence of a functional fire station within the market, which houses approximately 2,000 shops. Their concerns were raised following a fire incident on Tuesday that destroyed goods worth millions of naira. The traders, particularly those dealing in plastic materials, attributed the extensive damage to the lack of immediate firefighting intervention. Mr Lukman Balogun, a trader at the market, lamented that the office of the Oyo State Fire Service within the premises was being used for storage rather than…

Sowore Criticises Northern Leaders Over School Closures During Ramadan. Prominent Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly condemned the recent decision by some northern leaders to shut down schools to enable children to observe Ramadan fasting. The policy, currently being enforced in Bauchi, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kano States, has sparked widespread criticism from concerned citizens. Many have expressed concerns over the impact on students’ education, arguing that such a move further disadvantages children in public schools. Weighing in on the issue, Sowore accused the policymakers of hypocrisy, alleging that while they close down public schools, their…

Real Madrid Edge Past Atletico In Dramatic Shootout To Set Up Arsenal Clash. Real Madrid kept their Champions League dreams alive with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid, securing their place in the quarter-finals where they will face Arsenal. After a 2-1 first-leg win for Real, the tie was levelled within just 27 seconds of the second leg when Conor Gallagher struck for Atletico, making history as the first Englishman to score in a Madrid derby. Despite the early goal, neither side could find a winner in normal or extra time, forcing the contest to…

Arsenal Set For Real Madrid Showdown After Overcoming PSV. Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven, setting up a blockbuster clash with reigning champions Real Madrid. Mikel Arteta’s side had effectively sealed progression with a dominant 7-1 first-leg triumph in the Netherlands, allowing the manager to make significant changes to his starting XI for the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium. Despite large sections of empty seats in a subdued atmosphere, the home crowd witnessed a moment of brilliance from Oleksandr Zinchenko, one of three left-backs in the…

Emery Faces PSG In Champions League Quarter-Final As Redemption Beckons. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will have the chance to rewrite history when he faces his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, in the Champions League quarter-finals. This encounter offers the experienced tactician a shot at redemption following one of the most painful moments of his otherwise illustrious European career. Emery masterminded Villa’s smooth passage into the last eight with a dominant 3-0 victory over Club Brugge at Villa Park, sealing a 6-1 aggregate win with minimal fuss. Now, the focus shifts to a highly anticipated clash with PSG, who have…

Wike Condemns Impunity, Says Impeachment Of Fubara Is Constitutional. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the actions of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing them as a demonstration of impunity and disregard for the rule of law. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike asserted that impeachment is not a criminal offence and can be carried out if justified. “Politics is not play. If he has done something to be impeached, let them impeach him. It’s not a criminal offence,” Wike stated, stressing that loyalty should be mutual in governance. He further emphasised that…

Nicola Sturgeon To Step Down As MSP After 25 Years In Scottish Politics. Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that she will stand down as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) and will not seek re-election in next year’s Holyrood election. Sturgeon, who led the Scottish National Party (SNP) for nearly a decade, described her time in parliament as a “privilege beyond words” but said the time was right to “close the book on that chapter and open a new one.” A defining political career   Sturgeon, Scotland’s longest-serving first minister and the first woman to…

President Tinubu Holds Private Meeting With Lagos Assembly Leaders Obasa And Meranda. President Bola Tinubu is currently engaged in a closed-door meeting with key members of the Lagos State House of Assembly at the State House. Among those in attendance are Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, alongside other lawmakers. It was gathered that the legislators arrived in two white buses, with Deputy Speaker Meranda among them, while Speaker Obasa arrived separately a few minutes later. The agenda of the meeting remains undisclosed, but it is expected to focus on legislative matters and governance in Lagos…

Passengers Recall Fear And Chaos During Train Hijacking In Pakistan. Passengers who survived a hijacking on the Jaffar Express in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have described the terrifying ordeal as “doomsday scenes” as armed militants stormed the train on Tuesday. The Balochistan Liberation Army attacked the train, which was carrying over 400 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar, taking a number of them hostage. Several passengers, including the train driver, were reported injured.  Rescue efforts underway   According to military sources, 155 passengers have been freed and 27 militants killed, although these figures remain unverified. Hundreds of troops, along with helicopters and…