Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda will embark on a three-week medical leave abroad starting August 18, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu-Zango, has announced. Radda, in an official statement, said the decision was necessary to safeguard his health and ensure he could continue to serve effectively. “Taking the necessary steps to prioritize my health is essential so I can continue to serve effectively and make the best decisions for our state,” he stated. “I look forward to returning to my duties as soon as I finish my medical check-up.” In his absence, Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal-Jobe…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Two Nigerian national banks have entered secret merger talks as they race to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) tough recapitalisation deadline of March 31, 2026. Sources familiar with the negotiations revealed that the discreet discussions began in the second quarter of 2025, driven by the need to meet the N200 billion capital requirement for national banks without resorting to costly public offers or triggering strict Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure protocols. The talks are focused on aligning board structures, streamlining operations, and ensuring shareholder consensus—moves seen as critical to avoiding regulatory breaches and competitive disadvantages. This covert…
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been thrown into mourning following the death of Ajibola Ibitayo, a Part Two student of the Faculty of Dentistry, who allegedly took his own life after failing an examination for the second time. The tragic incident occurred at his parents’ home in Ejigbo, Osun State, where Ajibola, whose father is a medical doctor, reportedly administered a lethal injection to himself. Confirming the incident, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said the deceased had repeated Part Two last academic session after failing his courses, and the latest examination results showed that…
President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, August 14, embark on a two-nation working visit to Japan and Brazil, with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Tinubu’s first engagement will be in Yokohama, Japan, where he will attend the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) from August 20 to 22. Themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, TICAD9 will focus on Africa’s economic transformation, boosting private investment, promoting innovation, and building a resilient, sustainable society anchored on peace, stability, and human security.…
The Sokoto State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (SOCHEMA) says it is ready and committed to the full implementation of the formal sector programme under the Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Scheme. Director General of SOCHEMA, Yusuf Abu Abdulkarim, disclosed this after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ministry of Finance, Sokoto. The meeting brought together officials of the Ministry of Finance, leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and all their affiliates, as well as SOCHEMA representatives, where final resolutions were reached for the smooth take-off of the programme. Abdulkarim explained that the formal sector programme…
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a transformative national asset, hailing it as a vital step in bridging Nigeria’s fuel supply gap, boosting employment, and restoring confidence in the country’s industrial capacity. Speaking during a tour of the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser Limited plant, the Chairperson of the Lagos State Council of the NLC, Funmi Sessi, led the Council’s Executive members in commending the massive scale and strategic importance of the Dangote Group’s investments. “Today, we have seen the massive Dangote Refinery project, as well as the fertiliser plant. We have also observed…
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in Sokoto State has convened a planning meeting to develop and adapt the State One Health Strategic Plan for 2025–2029. The meeting brought together representatives from non-governmental organizations, environmentalists, medical and animal health practitioners, and other key stakeholders. ALSO READ L-PRES team visits states to tackle livestock challenges The initiative aims to secure political and stakeholder commitment to adopting the One Health approach as a formal multi-sectoral framework for health security in Sokoto State. It also seeks to jointly define the plan’s vision, mission, strategic pillars, thematic objectives, and priority actions. Participants…
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, by N30 per litre. The petrol price cut, which takes effect from August 12, 2025, brings the cost down from N850 to N820 per litre. In a statement issued by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring consistent and uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country. ALSO READ Scientist urges AI-driven crop innovation to transform Nigerian agriculture ALSO READ Nigeria to revive grazing reserves, boost livestock production — Minister ALSO…
The House of Representatives is advancing a significant constitutional amendment to make the Court of Appeal the final arbiter in governorship election disputes—effectively removing the Supreme Court from the appeal process in such cases. Current Legal Framework vs. Proposed AmendmentUnder the existing legal structure, election petitions for governorship positions progress through the Election Petition Tribunals, the Court of Appeal, and finally, the Supreme Court as the ultimate authority. In contrast, petitions related to National and State Assembly elections are conclusively settled by the Court of Appeal. The new bill seeks to extend the existing finality provision of Section 246(3) of…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the constitution of the board members of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), two key agencies under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. In the new appointments, Idris Olorunnimbe has been named Chairman of the NCC, while Dr. Aminu Maida retains his position as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a role he assumed in October 2023 and was confirmed by the Senate in November of the same year. Olorunnimbe, who previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Board and chaired its…