Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Governor Fintiri To Lead PDP’s 2025 National Convention Organising Committee. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as chairman of its 110-member National Convention Organising Committee, tasked with overseeing the party’s elective national convention scheduled for 15 and 16 November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The announcement, made on 18 August 2025 by PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, underscores the party’s commitment to a seamless and transparent event aimed at revitalising its leadership and strengthening its position ahead of future elections. Fintiri, a seasoned politician known for his inclusive leadership style, will be supported…

Xabi Alonso Vows To Let Real Madrid’s Performance Speak As La-Liga Campaign Kicks Off. Real Madrid’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, has pledged to focus on results rather than rhetoric as he prepares to lead the Spanish giants into their 2025-26 LaLiga season opener against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, 19 August 2025. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss, a beloved figure among Madridistas for his trophy-laden playing career, steps into the role with high expectations to revive a team that ended the previous season without a major trophy. Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti after a trophyless 2024-25 campaign,…

US And UK Applaud Nigeria For Arresting Senior Ansaru Terrorist Leaders. The United States and United Kingdom have praised the Nigerian government for the successful arrest of two high-ranking leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, marking a significant milestone in the country’s fight against terrorism. The apprehended individuals, Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri, known as Mallam Mamuda, were captured in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted between May and July 2025, according to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The US Mission in Nigeria issued a statement on its official X account, commending…

India Champions Local Currency Trade Among BRICS Nations. In a bold move to reshape global trade dynamics, India has officially invited BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to conduct trade in local currencies, sidelining the US dollar. The announcement, made on 19 August 2025, marks a significant step towards reducing reliance on the dollar and fostering stronger economic ties among the BRICS bloc, which collectively represents over 40% of the world’s population and a third of global GDP. The initiative stems from India’s strategic push to “derisk” its trade by diversifying currency usage, as articulated by External Affairs…

Lagos State Declares 20 August 2025 A Public Holiday For Isese Day Celebration. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has announced that Wednesday, 20 August 2025, will be a work-free day for all public servants in the state to mark the annual Isese Day celebration. The declaration, aimed at honouring Yoruba culture and traditions, reflects the state government’s ongoing commitment to preserving indigenous heritage and supporting traditional institutions. The announcement was made through a circular issued on Monday, 18 August 2025, by the state’s Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro. Addressed to senior government officials, including the Deputy…

Nigeria Plans Salary Review For Political Office Holders Amid Economic Pressures. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has announced intentions to reassess the salaries of Nigeria’s political office holders, citing current pay as insufficient and outdated given the increasing responsibilities and economic difficulties faced by the nation. The statement, made during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, has sparked widespread discussion about governance costs and economic inequality. RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu revealed that President Bola Tinubu currently earns N1.5 million monthly, while ministers receive less than N1 million—figures unchanged since 2008. “Paying the President of Nigeria…

Alaafin of Oyo Demands Ooni of Ife Reverse Chieftaincy Title Within “48 Hours”. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a stern demand to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title conferred on businessman Dotun Sanusi. In a statement released by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin condemned the Ooni’s action as a direct challenge to his authority. Oba Abimbola asserted that only the Alaafin holds the exclusive right to grant titles encompassing all of Yorubaland, accusing the Ooni of…

“Retired Federal Workers to Earn Additional N32,000 Monthly” – FG Announces Pension Boost. Retired federal workers across Nigeria are set to receive a significant financial uplift, with the Federal Government announcing an additional N32,000 monthly pension for those under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). This increase, funded by a N758 billion bond approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to clear longstanding pension arrears and align benefits with the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024. The initiative, confirmed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), will provide a baseline payment for retirees in sectors such as education, health, security, and…

“Single Mothers Cannot Raise Proper Men” – Jim Iyke Sparks Debate. Nollywood star Jim Iyke has stirred widespread controversy with his bold claim that “single mothers cannot raise proper men” without a male figure present. The actor’s remarks, made during a recent public appearance, have sparked intense discussions across Nigeria and beyond, with opinions sharply divided on the role of single mothers in raising boys. Iyke, a prominent figure in African cinema, argued that boys need a male influence to develop into “proper men.” He stated, “I know women will insult me for saying the truth, but I’ll still say…

Smart DNA Report Reveals One In Four Nigerian Men Not Biological Fathers. A new report from Smart DNA, Nigeria’s leading DNA testing centre, has uncovered a significant social issue, revealing that 25% of Nigerian men who undergo paternity testing are not the biological fathers of the children in question. The findings, part of the 2025 Annual DNA Testing Report covering July 2024 to June 2025, highlight a persistent challenge to family trust, particularly in urban areas like Lagos. The report indicates a slight decrease from the 27% paternity exclusion rate recorded in 2024, yet the figure remains striking, with…

Nigerian Government Launches Cash Transfer Scheme to Boost School Attendance. The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, the Basic Education Transformation Agenda (BETA), aimed at tackling the country’s out-of-school children crisis through conditional cash transfers to mothers. Announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in Abuja, this reform package seeks to enhance school enrolment and improve educational outcomes across the nation. The cash transfer programme, a cornerstone of BETA, is designed to incentivise mothers to ensure their children attend Ascertain the child’s school attendance to receive the funds. This initiative is part of a…

US Embassy Introduces Mandatory Social Media Disclosure For Nigerian Visa Applicants. The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced a new requirement for visa applicants, mandating the disclosure of all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years. This directive, effective immediately, aims to enhance national security by incorporating digital footprints into the visa vetting process, as outlined in a statement posted on the Mission’s official X account on 18 August 2025. Visa applicants must now list all social media handles from platforms used within the specified period on the DS-160 visa application form, a standard…