Author: Yusuf Lawal

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on hunger, starvation, and poverty in the country. Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker and member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, spoke with newsmen in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Sunday, expressing concern over the prevailing harsh economy and its impact on Nigerians. He noted that many households were struggling to have three square meals due to the high cost of living, and urged the President to tackle the issue urgently to save the masses and provide them…

Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy has stirred up controversy with his remarks on Davido’s marriage. When a fan suggested he follow Davido’s lead and get married, Burna Boy responded, “Baba make I just dey as I dey abeg, u nor see wetin him dey face like dis?” (Let me just be as I am, you don’t see what he’s facing). He further questioned whether Davido’s marriage was a good example, asking, “Shey

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) took a significant step towards launching a single regional currency, the ECO, as Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors gathered in Abuja on Friday. The meeting, endorsed by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, focused on detailed preparations for the currency’s introduction. The ECO is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering economic development within the community, according to Edun. “Nigeria is fully committed to the ECO and its potential to improve economic growth and development in the region,” he stated. The meeting aimed to lay a robust groundwork for a…

In a move to revamp its operations and boost market share, 9mobile has announced the appointment of Obafemi Banigbe as its new Chief Executive Officer. This development is part of the company’s strategic plan to transform its business and reclaim its position in the Nigerian telecom market. Banigbe, a seasoned telecom expert with extensive experience in the African business landscape, succeeds Juergen Peschel, who will continue to support the company as a consultant. The new CEO’s appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the company, which has struggled to regain its footing since its acquisition…

In a historic moment, Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has been officially appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Following an audience with King Charles at Buckingham Palace, Starmer’s appointment was confirmed, marking a new chapter in UK politics. Arriving at the palace alongside his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, the Labour leader was greeted by the King and Queen’s principal private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton. After the meeting, Starmer emerged as the UK’s new Prime Minister, succeeding Rishi Sunak who tendered his resignation earlier. Buckingham Palace released a statement, saying, “The King received in Audience The Right…

The Federal Government has sounded a warning to states and local government areas to prepare for imminent flooding as the rainy season reaches its peak. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, issued the alert at a press conference in Abuja, urging precautionary measures to mitigate potential disasters. According to the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), 148 local government areas across 31 states face significant flood risks. The outlook predicts heightened flood risks from April to November, with the most severe flooding expected between July and September. Utsev emphasized the need for…

India’s microblogging platform, Koo, has announced its plans to shut down services, leaving millions of users in limbo. The platform, which positioned itself as an alternative to Elon Musk’s X, was launched in 2020 and gained popularity in 2021 after several Indian ministers endorsed it. According to the founders, Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka, the decision to shut down was due to a shortage of funding and high technology costs. Despite efforts to secure funding through partnerships with larger internet companies, conglomerates, and media houses, talks failed to yield the desired outcome. “We explored partnerships with multiple larger internet companies,…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and authorized forex dealers to accept old and small denominations of US Dollar bills or face sanctions. In a circular issued on Tuesday, the apex bank expressed dismay over the continued rejection of these notes, despite a previous directive in 2021. According to the circular, signed by the Acting Director of Currency Operations Department, the CBN’s market intelligence revealed that some banks and forex dealers still refuse to accept these notes, which is “unacceptable”. The circular reminded banks of the earlier directive, which explicitly forbade selective acceptance of…

The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ), Edward Asante, has appealed to the ECOWAS Parliament to continue engaging Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their decision to exit the bloc. Asante made the plea in a goodwill message at the opening of the 6th ECOWAS Parliament’s first ordinary session in Abuja on Monday. The three Sahel countries announced their exit from ECOWAS in January after facing sanctions following military takeovers. Asante commended the parliament’s efforts to engage with the countries and urged sustained dialogue to ensure their return to the bloc. He warned that the region’s democratic…

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose’s brother, Issac Fayose, has proposed a solution to the lingering insecurity in the Southeast region. In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, July 1, 2024, Fayose suggested that releasing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), could restore peace in the region. Fayose urged President Bola Tinubu to release Kanu, arrested during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, as a gesture of goodwill. He drew parallels with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s approach to resolving the Niger Delta crisis by awarding contracts to former militant leader Government…