Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

NGF Launches Investopedia To Boost Investment Across Nigeria’s States. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has unveiled Investopedia, a transformative platform designed to attract investment to Nigeria’s 36 states by showcasing their economic potential. The initiative, announced by Tanko Abdullahi, NGF’s Director of Media and Strategic Communications, will be officially launched on Tuesday, 19 August 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja, marking a pivotal step towards bridging the gap between Nigeria’s untapped opportunities and global capital. Investopedia, a biennial publication available in both print and digital formats, will highlight priority projects across sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure,…

Federal Government Captures Kuje Prison Break Masterminds And Top Al-Qaeda Leaders. The Federal Government of Nigeria has achieved a major breakthrough in its fight against terrorism, announcing the arrest of two senior leaders of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansaru group, identified as key masterminds behind the 2022 Kuje prison break. National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu revealed the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, 16 August 2025, hailing the operation as a significant blow to the terrorist organisation. The suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, alias Mallam Mamuda, were apprehended…

Federal Ministry Clarifies No Sale Rights Granted For 753 EFCC-Seized Houses. The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has issued a firm statement to dispel rumours surrounding the sale of 753 housing units seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The properties, linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, have not been authorised for sale, and no company or consultant has been appointed to manage their disposal, the ministry confirmed. In a statement released on Saturday, 16 August 2025, Badamasi Haiba, the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, addressed concerns raised…

Nigerian Army Opens Special Forces School In Nasarawa To Strengthen National Security. The Nigerian Army has taken a significant step towards enhancing its operational capabilities with the establishment of a Special Forces School in Doma, Nasarawa State. The new facility, situated within the premises of the 4 Special Forces Command, was inaugurated with the foundation-laying ceremony led by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s efforts to combat evolving security challenges. The school, relocated from Buni Yadi in Yobe State, is designed to serve as a premier training hub for the…

Tinubu Champions Rebranded NSITF To Bolster Social Security For Nigerian Workers. President Bola Tinubu has thrown his weight behind the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), commending its transformative efforts under the leadership of Managing Director Olúwaseun Faleye to enhance social security and workplace safety for Nigerian workers. The endorsement, hailed as a milestone for the nation’s labour force, was announced during a retreat for the National Assembly Joint Committees on Labour, Employment, and Productivity in Lagos on 4 August 2025. The Federal Government’s support comes as the NSITF, revitalised since Faleye’s appointment in July 2024, showcases a robust…

FIRS Partners With 16 Tech Firms To Drive E-Invoicing Adoption In Nigeria. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced a significant step forward in modernising Nigeria’s tax system by unveiling 16 technology companies tasked with assisting taxpayers in adopting its e-invoicing platform before the 1 November 2025 deadline. The initiative, part of the FIRS’s broader digital transformation strategy, aims to enhance tax compliance, streamline processes, and boost transparency across business transactions. The announcement was made during a two-day workshop in Lagos, where Mike Adoga, Acting Director of Tax Automation at FIRS, introduced the certified service providers. These…

Northern White Rhino Functionally Extinct, Two Females Remain. The northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) was declared functionally extinct following the death of the last male, Sudan, on March 19, 2018, at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Only two females, Najin, 35, and her daughter Fatu, 24, survive, both unable to reproduce naturally due to health issues, making population recovery through natural means impossible. Once widespread across Uganda, Chad, Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the subspecies numbered over 2,000 in the 1960s. Poaching for their horns, fueled by demand for unproven medicinal…

Trump And Putin Meet In Alaska To Discuss Ukraine Conflict, No Ceasefire Agreement Reached. Anchorage, Alaska – On Friday, August 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, for a high-stakes summit aimed at addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting, which lasted over two and a half hours, marked the first in-person encounter between the two leaders since 2019 and was described as a “listening exercise” by the White House, with discussions focused on achieving a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Despite claims of progress, no ceasefire or formal…

Nigeria Set For $60 Billion High-Speed Rail And Gas Revolution. De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, in partnership with China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited, has secured $60 billion in funding to launch a transformative high-speed rail and gas development project in Nigeria. The companies presented proof of funds to Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in Abuja on 12 August 2025, marking a significant step towards modernising Nigeria’s transport and energy sectors. Samuel Uko, Chief Executive Officer of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, announced that the financing, sourced from the Asian Development Investment Bank, will support the first…

Fresh FM Ibadan Rallies Community Support After Devastating Fire. Fresh FM, the popular radio station owned by renowned gospel musician Yinka Ayefele, was struck by a severe fire at its headquarters in the Challenge area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on the evening of 15 August 2025. Despite the significant damage, the station’s management and community response highlight a story of resilience and solidarity, with no loss of life reported, offering hope for recovery. The blaze, which began around 7:30 pm, ravaged critical facilities, including the studios of Fresh 105.9 FM and Blast 98.3 FM, the newsroom, transmitter, and server…

Ghana Government Fines MultiChoice GH¢10,000 Daily In Push For Affordable DStv Subscriptions. The Ghanaian government has taken a bold step to ensure transparency and affordability in the pay-TV sector, imposing a daily fine of GH¢10,000 on MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, for failing to provide critical pricing information as required under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA). The penalty, effective from 15 August 2025, was announced by Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, during a meeting with DStv representatives, signalling a commitment to protect Ghanaian consumers. The National Communications Authority (NCA) initially requested detailed data on 4 August…

NNPCL Targets $4.5 Billion Savings In Oil Production Costs By Year-End. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has launched a bold initiative to cut oil production costs by $3 billion this year, with a goal of reaching $4.5 billion by December 2025. Partnering with international oil companies (IOCs) and local producers, NNPCL aims to streamline operations and boost the competitiveness of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos on 14 August 2025, NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, represented by Executive Vice President for…