Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Presidency Issues Apology For Error In Democracy Day Honours List. The Nigerian Presidency has issued a formal apology after mistakenly including two prominent living figures, Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Dr Edwin Madunagu, in the posthumous honours category during President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address. The blunder, which caused widespread confusion, occurred during a televised speech at the National Assembly, where the President announced national honours for pro-democracy activists and national figures for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey. In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency acknowledged the…

Seriake Dickson Criticises Tinubu’s Silence On Rivers State Political Crisis. Former Bayelsa State Governor and serving Senator, Seriake Dickson, has publicly condemned President Bola Tinubu for his silence amid the escalating political crisis in Rivers State. Speaking on Democracy Day, Dickson accused the Tinubu administration of failing to uphold democratic principles, warning that the ongoing turmoil in Rivers State undermines Nigeria’s democratic credentials. In a strongly worded statement, Dickson declared, “We cannot celebrate democracy while suppressing it in Rivers State.” His remarks, made during a press briefing in Abuja, highlighted what he described as a troubling inaction from the…

Tinubu Mocks Opposition’s Woes In Democracy Day Speech. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took a sharp jab at Nigeria’s opposition parties during his Democracy Day address on 12 June 2025, declaring, “It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.” The provocative remark, delivered to a joint session of the National Assembly, targeted the internal crises plaguing parties like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to gain ground through defections. Speaking at the National Assembly in Abuja, Tinubu addressed concerns raised by…

Federal Government Announces Plan To Build Bamboo Smart Homes For Low Income Earners. The Federal Government’s latest announcement to construct affordable “smart houses” using bamboo for low and medium-income earners has sparked a mix of intrigue and scepticism across Nigeria. Unveiled by Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, at a workshop in Abuja on Wednesday, the plan promises eco-friendly, durable homes to address the nation’s chronic housing shortage. But with scant details and a history of ambitious yet unfulfilled projects, many are questioning whether this is a genuine breakthrough or…

Nigerian Civil Service Set To Go Fully Digital By December 2025, FG Announces. The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared that the nation’s civil service will achieve full digitisation by 31 December 2025, marking a significant milestone in its ambitious public sector reform agenda. The announcement, made by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, during a press conference in Abuja, underscores the government’s commitment to modernising administrative processes and enhancing service delivery across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Speaking at the World Press Conference ahead of the 2025 International Civil Service…

U.S., UK, Canada, And Others Urge Nigeria To Reform Cybercrimes Act To Safeguard Free Speech. In a unified call to action, the heads of missions from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, and Norway have congratulated Nigeria on marking 26 years of democratic governance while urging the Federal Government to reform its Cybercrimes Act to protect freedom of expression and foster economic growth. The statement, issued on Democracy Day, highlights concerns over the misuse of the 2015 Cybercrimes Act, which, despite its aim to combat online fraud and cyberattacks, has been increasingly used to suppress dissent and silence critics.…

Air Peace And Senator Oshiomhole Clash Over Disruptive Conduct At Lagos Airport. A heated confrontation at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 (Zulu Hall) in Lagos has sparked a public row between Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the former Edo State Governor and current Edo North Senator. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, has led to accusations of unruly behaviour, extortion, and poor customer service, with both parties trading sharp rebuttals. According to Air Peace, the incident began when Senator Oshiomhole arrived at approximately 06:10 AM for Flight P47120, scheduled to depart Lagos…

Court Advances N27bn Fraud Case Against Ex-Taraba Governor With Key Evidence Admission. As part of the ongoing N27 billion fraud trial of former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has admitted crucial evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The ruling, delivered by Justice Sylvanus Oriji on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the case, which has gripped public attention due to its scale and implications for anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. Ishaku, alongside Bello Yero, a former Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local…

China To Scrap Tariffs On African Imports In Major Trade Boost. In a landmark move to deepen economic ties with Africa, China has announced plans to eliminate tariffs on imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. The decision, unveiled at a China-Africa cooperation meeting in Changsha, Hunan province, on 11 June 2025, comes as African nations face the threat of increased tariffs on their exports to the United States. The zero-tariff policy, set to apply to 100% of tariff lines for products from these countries, expands on a 2024 initiative that granted duty-free access to…

Nigerian Academic Abidemi Babalola Wins Prestigious $300,000 Dan David Prize. Dr Abidemi Babatunde Babalola, a Nigerian research archaeologist based in the United States, has been awarded the 2025 Dan David Prize, the world’s largest financial award for historical scholarship. The $300,000 prize was presented to Dr Babalola at a ceremony in Italy on 28 May 2025, recognising his groundbreaking contributions to the study of West African history and technology. Dr Babalola, an anthropological archaeologist at the British Museum, was honoured for his pioneering research on the indigenous production of glass beads in premodern West Africa, particularly at the historic…

President Tinubu Awards National Honours To Notable Nigerians In Democracy Day Ceremony. In a significant gesture marking Democracy Day 2025, President Bola Tinubu has posthumously conferred the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, recognising her contributions to Nigeria’s political history. The announcement was part of a broader ceremony in which numerous individuals and groups were awarded national honours for their roles in shaping the nation’s democratic journey. The event, held in Abuja, spotlighted a diverse group of Nigerians, both deceased and living, who have influenced the country’s political landscape. Among the posthumous…

Aliko Dangote Retires As Chairman Of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc After 20 Years Of Transformative Leadership. Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has announced his retirement as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, concluding an illustrious 20-year tenure. The retirement, effective 16 June 2025, was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday by the company’s secretary, Temitope Hassan, marking the end of an era for one of Nigeria’s leading sugar producers. Dangote, who assumed the chairmanship in 2005, has been widely credited with steering Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc to its position as a market leader in…