Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Bauchi Governor Appoints Chinese National As Economic Adviser. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has announced the appointment of Mr. Li Zhensheng, a Chinese national, as the state’s Economic Adviser, marking a bold step towards enhancing international cooperation and economic growth. The appointment was revealed on Thursday, 14 August 2025, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bauchi State Government and the China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre in Bauchi. Governor Mohammed described the partnership as a transformative move to position Bauchi as a hub for global collaboration. The MoU aims to foster investment and development…

Veteran Nollywood Actor Segun Remi, Known As Chief Kanran, Passes Away. The Nigerian film industry is in mourning following the death of veteran actor Segun Remi, popularly known as Chief Kanran, who passed away on Friday morning, 15 August 2025. The beloved thespian, celebrated for his distinctive style and commanding presence, was a household name in the Yoruba film industry, leaving an indelible mark on stage and screen. Chief Kanran, whose real name was Olusegun Akinremi, reportedly died at the age of 62, according to close family sources, though some reports initially suggested he was 72. Naija News reported…

Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Falls To 21.8%, Signalling Economic Relief. Nigeria’s headline inflation rate has decreased to 21.88% in July 2025, down from 22.22% in June, marking the fourth consecutive month of disinflation this year. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced the positive development in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, released on 15 August 2025, offering a glimmer of hope for the nation’s economy amid persistent price pressures. The NBS reported a year-on-year decline of 11.52% compared to July 2024’s rate of 33.40%, attributing the drop to a slowdown in the rate of price increases for goods…

Floods Devastate Communities In Yobe State, Nigeria. Severe flooding has struck multiple communities across Yobe State, Nigeria, causing widespread disruption and distress. Heavy downpours have submerged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, including parts of the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu, making access to the facility challenging for residents. The floods, reported on 15 August 2025, have displaced numerous families, with Potiskum among the hardest-hit areas. The Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been actively assessing the damage, with preliminary reports indicating significant destruction across several local government areas. Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed immediate assistance…

Lagos State Government Closes Dowen College Over Waste Disposal Violations. Dowen College in Lekki Phase 1 has been sealed by the Lagos State Government due to improper waste disposal practices, as announced by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on 13 August 2025. The closure follows the discovery of waste materials linked to the school being disposed of in violation of environmental regulations. The enforcement action was prompted by a viral video showing a man, reportedly associated with Dowen College, admitting to flouting waste management rules. Operatives from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, in collaboration…

PDP Launches 44-Member Zoning Committee, Calls For Wike’s Full Commitment. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has established a 44-member zoning committee to shape its strategy for the upcoming national convention on 15-16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State, as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. The committee, inaugurated on 14 August 2025 at the party’s Abuja headquarters, is tasked with allocating key national offices across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and advising on the zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket. Chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, with Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal as vice-chairman and Plateau State Governor Caleb…

Dangote Refinery Begins Nationwide Fuel Distribution With Free Shipping. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced a groundbreaking initiative to distribute petrol and diesel directly to retailers across Nigeria, effective today, with the added benefit of free shipping. This move is set to transform the country’s fuel supply chain, aiming to stabilise pump prices and ease distribution bottlenecks for retailers and consumers alike. The refinery, Africa’s largest single-train facility located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, has introduced this programme to ensure a steady and affordable fuel supply nationwide. By absorbing transportation costs, Dangote Refinery seeks to reduce financial pressures on retailers,…

Senegal Introduces Reciprocal E-Visa Policy In Bold Move For Fairness. Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced a transformative new e-visa policy, requiring travellers from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, and China to pay visa fees before entering Senegal. This policy, rooted in the principle of reciprocity, marks a significant step towards asserting Senegal’s sovereignty and demanding equitable treatment in global travel protocols. Unveiled during a major economic policy briefing, the initiative is part of the “Senegal 2050” strategic vision, championed by President Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The government estimates that the…

President Tinubu Appoints Rotimi Pedro As New NTA Director-General In Major Leadership Overhaul. President Bola Tinubu has appointed Rotimi Pedro as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), marking a significant restructuring of the state broadcaster’s leadership. The announcement, made earlier today, signals the administration’s intent to revitalise the nation’s premier television network and enhance its role in shaping public discourse. Rotimi Pedro, a seasoned media professional with extensive experience in broadcasting and management, is expected to bring fresh vision to the NTA. His appointment follows a comprehensive review of the organisation’s operations, aimed at improving efficiency,…

African Union Backs Campaign To Redraw World Map With Accurate African Scale. The African Union (AU) has endorsed a transformative campaign to replace the 16th-century Mercator map, which significantly distorts Africa’s true size, with the Equal Earth projection. Announced on 14 August 2025, the initiative, led by advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, seeks to ensure that governments, schools, and international organisations adopt maps that accurately reflect the continent’s vast scale and global significance. The Mercator projection, designed by cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569 for maritime navigation, inflates the size of landmasses near the poles, such…

US Doubles Reward To $50M For Capture Of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. Washington, DC – The United States has escalated its pursuit of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, doubling the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million (£37.2 million), up from $25 million set in January 2025. The announcement, made by US Attorney General Pam Bondi on 7 August 2025, accuses Maduro of being a major narco-trafficker, allegedly collaborating with criminal syndicates to flood the US with fentanyl-laced cocaine. In a video statement posted on X, Bondi described Maduro as “one of the world’s largest narco-traffickers and a…

NELFUND Outlines Plan To Recover Student Loans Two Years After NYSC. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has detailed a robust strategy to recover interest-free student loans, ensuring sustainable financing for higher education, as announced by its Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr, on 13 August 2025. The repayment process, designed to be flexible and fair, will commence two years after beneficiaries complete their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, supporting President Bola Tinubu’s vision of accessible education for all Nigerian students. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Sawyerr explained that NELFUND, established under the Student Loans (Access to Higher…