Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Wilmar International Acquires PZ Cussons’ Stake In PZ Wilmar For $70m. In a significant move within the Nigerian edible oils market, Wilmar International Limited has agreed to purchase PZ Cussons Plc’s 50% equity stake in their joint venture, PZ Wilmar Limited, for a cash consideration of $70 million (£51 million). The announcement, made on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, marks PZ Cussons’ complete exit from the Nigerian palm oil business it co-founded with Wilmar in 2010. PZ Wilmar, a leading player in Nigeria’s sustainable palm oil sector, produces popular household cooking oil brands such as Mamador and Devon King’s. The…

Nigerian Senate Decries Benue Massacre, Signals Robust Action To Tackle Security Crisis. The Nigerian Senate has voiced profound dismay over the worsening security situation across the nation, declaring it is “tired of mourning” in the wake of a horrific massacre in Yelewata, Benue State, where over 200 lives were tragically lost. The statement, issued on 17 June 2025, reflects growing frustration among lawmakers as they grapple with recurrent violence in regions such as Benue, Borno, and Plateau. The attack, which occurred on Friday, 13 June 2025, in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, saw armed assailants, suspected to be linked…

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts In Indonesia, Spewing Ash Cloud 11km High. The Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano in southeastern Indonesia erupted dramatically on Tuesday, 17 June 2025, sending a colossal ash cloud soaring 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) into the sky, according to the country’s volcanology agency. The spectacular eruption, which occurred at 17:35 local time (10:35 BST), prompted authorities to raise the alert level to the highest tier and expand the danger zone to 8 kilometres (5 miles) around the crater, as residents and tourists were urged to steer clear. The 1,584-metre (5,197-foot) volcano, located on Flores Island in East…

Turkish Football Rocked By Disciplinary Board Resignations Amid Leaked WhatsApp Scandal Involving Mourinho’s Fenerbache. In a dramatic turn of events, the President and entire board of Turkey’s Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) have resigned following the emergence of leaked WhatsApp messages that revealed apparent bias against Fenerbahçe and their manager, José Mourinho. The news, first reported by Ajansspor, has sent shockwaves through Turkish football, raising serious questions about the integrity of the sport’s governing body. The leaked messages, which surfaced on 17 June 2025, allegedly showed PFDK members mocking Fenerbahçe and expressing pro-Galatasaray sentiments. One message reportedly stated, “Too…

UK And US Seal Historic Trade Deal At G7 Summit, Slashing Tariffs And Boosting Exports. In a significant boost for transatlantic trade, US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the finalisation of a landmark trade agreement at the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, 16 June 2025. The deal, which builds on negotiations concluded last month, lowers tariffs on key British exports, including cars, steel, aluminium, and aerospace equipment, promising to unlock billions in economic opportunities for both nations. The agreement, hailed as a triumph for post-Brexit Britain, sees the US reducing its tariff on…

Russia Launches Deadly Drone And Missile Assault On Kyiv, Killing At Least 10. In one of the deadliest attacks on the Ukrainian capital in months, Russia unleashed a barrage of over 400 drones and 32 missiles on Kyiv overnight on 17 June 2025, claiming at least 10 lives and injuring 134, according to updated figures from Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko. Initially reported as 14 deaths, Klymenko later clarified that some body parts were mistakenly counted as separate victims, revising the toll to 10. The assault, described as a “brutal strike” by the Kyiv Independent, targeted civilian infrastructure, leaving dozens…

Overhaul NMDPRA, Liquidate NNPC Refineries, Dan Kunle Tells FG. Energy analyst Dan Kunle has called for a radical overhaul of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the liquidation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Company Limited’s (NNPC)’s refineries, citing their inefficiency and corruption. Speaking at an industry conference in Lagos, Kunle argued that the refineries—Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna—are a financial burden, having remained non-functional despite billions spent in maintenance costs. Kunle proposed that privatizing the refineries or repurposing them as storage facilities, while urging the NMDPRA to streamline regulations to attract investment. The NNPC…

FCCPC Summons Air Peace Over ‘Non-Refunds’ For’ Cancelled Flights. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned Air Peace Airlines over complaints of non-refunded payments for cancelled flights, signaling a crackdown on consumer rights violations in Nigeria’s aviation sector. FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, stated that the summons follows investigations into multiple reports of delayed or unprocessed refunds, contravening Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulations. Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading carriers, has faced scrutiny over passenger complaints, with some customers alleging delays of up to six months for refunds. The FCCPC has directed the…

Nigeria Olympic Committee Commences Construction Of Permanent Secretariat In Abuja. The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has broken ground on its permanent secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria, aiming to transform sports administration in the country. Located in the Federal Capital Territory, the facility will house offices, training centres, centers and a sports museum, serving as a hub for athlete development. NOC President Habu Gumel described the project as a milestone for Nigeria’s Olympic movement, noting its role in coordinating international events. Funded through partnerships with government and private sponsors, the secretariat is slated for completion by 2027, with a cost of…

Federal Government To Link Credit Scores To NIN, Introducing New Consequences For Loan Defaulters. In a move to bolster financial accountability, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to link citizens’ credit scores to their National Identification Number (NIN). This initiative, spearheaded by the Nigeria Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), aims to establish a centralised credit bureau, ensuring a robust and traceable credit system across the nation. The policy is set to introduce significant consequences for loan defaulters, including potential difficulties in renewing passports, driver’s licences, or securing housing. Uzoma Nwagba, Managing Director of CREDICORP, revealed the initiative during…

Trump Calls For Iran’s “Complete Surrender” As Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates. US President Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric against Iran, demanding the nation’s “complete surrender” and the total abandonment of its nuclear programme as the ongoing conflict with Israel enters its fifth day. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after departing the G7 summit in Canada early, Trump dismissed calls for a ceasefire, insisting on a definitive resolution to the escalating Middle East crisis. “I have no desire to negotiate with Iran. I expect nothing less than their complete surrender,” Trump declared, as reported by Fox News. He…

Pastor Adefarasin Surrenders To Police Over Gun Incident In Lagos. Pastor Paul Adefarasin, a prominent Nigerian cleric, has voluntarily surrendered to authorities at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja. The pastor is currently under interrogation following the emergence of a viral video that appears to show him brandishing a gun-like object at another motorist while driving. The Lagos State Police Command confirmed that detectives have launched a full investigation into the incident, which has sparked widespread debate on social media. The video, which surfaced online earlier this week, has raised questions about road safety, responsible conduct, and…