Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a pan-African NGO, has urged stricter enforcement of existing laws and greater government commitment to safeguarding Nigerians’ data and digital rights. The organisation’s Executive Director, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, made the call on Thursday in Abuja while presenting a report on the state of digital rights and inclusion in Nigeria. Sesan expressed concern that despite the enactment of the Data Protection Act of 2023, enforcement has remained weak, leaving citizens’ personal data exposed. He noted that for three consecutive years, sensitive information — including National Identification Numbers (NINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and even details of high-profile political…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Tension has continued to mount in Rivers State as uncertainty surrounds the whereabouts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is yet to officially resume duties following the lifting of the six-month emergency rule in the state. Former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, disclosed that he spoke with Fubara before the emergency order was lifted. According to Wike, the governor assured him that he would return to office the following morning. “I spoke with him yesterday, and he told me he would be back today. Whether he has resumed or not, I can’t say,” Wike…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reaffirmed its opposition to the subsidy request by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), describing the call for an annual ₦1.505 trillion subsidy as both unfair and unsustainable. In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, and published in several national dailies, the refinery explained that DAPPMAN’s demand stems from its insistence on a ₦75 per litre adjustment for coastal logistics and pumping expenses. Dangote argued that this effectively amounts to pushing the refinery to absorb costs and transfer them to Nigerian consumers. “Marketers are demanding that we discount ₦70…
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says all refunds from the 2025 Hajj have been fully settled, dismissing reports of delays in preparations for the 2026 exercise. In a statement on Tuesday, NAHCON spokesperson Shafii Mohammed said 19 states that requested reconciliation had been paid, while refunds from earlier years were also cleared except for states yet to initiate the process. “With these matters resolved, NAHCON is now focused on the 2026 Hajj,” he said. The commission urged state Muslim pilgrims’ boards and licensed tour operators to ensure early remittance of fares, stressing that timely payment is crucial to…
Dr. Nwamaka Okafor, a Nigerian postdoctoral researcher at Argonne National Laboratory in the U.S., has urged the Federal Government to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to transform agriculture and boost food security. Speaking at the ongoing Heidelberg Laureate Forum in Germany, Okafor said deploying smart and automated systems in farming would help Nigeria move from a consumption-driven economy to a production-focused one. Her project, “Empowering Agriculture through IoT, AI and Citizen Science”, funded by the Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation and the Klaus Schirra Stiftung, centred on designing AI-enabled IoT devices for monitoring crop conditions in…
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has debunked allegations that his company is attempting to monopolize the downstream oil sector, as the Dangote Group rolled out 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks in Lagos. Speaking at the official launch, Dangote said the group has invested over ₦2 trillion in trucks and logistics to ease fuel transportation and improve energy efficiency across Nigeria. He explained that the introduction of CNG trucks was not designed to edge out independent marketers but to stabilize the energy supply chain, reduce costs, and provide reliable alternatives to petrol and diesel. “We are not here to take…
A member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Abdussamad Dasuki has commiserated with his constituents affected by recent banditry attacks in Kuchi and Jabo districts of Sokoto State. Dasuki, who visited the victims on Monday at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Kuchi (Kebbe LGA) and Jabo (Tambuwal LGA), provided immediate relief materials, including assorted food items and other essentials. Represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Attahiru Danmadi, the lawmaker assured the victims of his commitment to ensuring adequate measures are taken to safeguard their lives and restore normalcy. “We are here today to see things for ourselves, and I want…
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has approved a major redeployment of senior officers across the country, including a new Corps Secretary, four Assistant Corps Marshals (ACM), and several Sector Commanders. In a statement issued on Sunday, FRSC spokesperson, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the postings are part of efforts to reinvigorate the agency’s operations and strengthen its commitment to road safety management nationwide. At the national headquarters in Abuja, ACM G. Ntukidem, formerly ACM Personnel, has been appointed as the new Corps Secretary. Also, ACM J.W. Toby moves from Policy Research and…
The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA) has issued a public alert notifying communities and farmers downstream of Goronyo Dam of an increased release of water following heavy inflows and rising water levels. In a statement signed by Abubakar Bagudu, Technical Adviser to the Managing Director, on Saturday, the agency explained that the decision was taken to safeguard the structural integrity of the dam and prevent large-scale disaster. According to SRRBDA, the inflow surge was triggered by the recent breach of Kankiya Dam in Katsina State, coupled with significant rainfall recorded in the catchment areas. This development pushed Goronyo…
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has explained why it cleared the co-pilot of Air Peace after a runway excursion incident, despite the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report that raised concerns about the flight crew. The incident occurred on June 13 at the Port Harcourt International Airport when an Air Peace aircraft touched down unusually far down the runway — about 2,264 metres from the threshold, well beyond the designated touchdown zone — and eventually came to a stop 209 metres into the clearway. Following the incident, the NSIB carried out medical tests on blood samples of the crew…