Author: Timilehin David

While the rage on the woeful performances of Nigerian students in the just concluded 2025 UTME is still on, a 15-year-old student of Icons Comprehensive College, Ijapo Estate, Akure, Ondo State, Olumide Afolabi, has dazzled the nation with his sterling aggregate score of 370.  The breakdown of Afolabi’s scores are as follows: Mathematics- 98, Physics- 98, Chemistry- 94, Use of English- 80. This excellent performance is coming on the heels of the abysmal performances of candidates in the examination following a stunning statistics churned out by the exam body. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had earlier in the…

The President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote, yesterday visited the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in an apparent move to mend the strained relationship between both companies during the leadership of the erstwhile Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mele Kyari. In a message on its X handle, the national oil company stated that during the meeting, discussions centred on “promoting mutually beneficial partnerships and fostering healthy competition between the two companies towards ensuring the nation’s energy security and advancing shared prosperity for Nigerians.” Under the erstwhile leadership, the relationship between both companies was mostly…

A Nigerian Catholic priest, Reverend Father Chinenye Oluoma, has criticised the indiscriminate use of ‘holy ghost fire’ in prayers, especially during exorcisms of demons, labelling it a practice of anti-christs. According to him, people who indulge in such practice are bereft of the spirit of Christ but are rather under the influence of the spirit of the antichrist. The cleric conveyed his censure through a viral video video posted on his verified Facebook page on Thursday. According to him, the use of ‘holy ghost fire’ during deliverance sessions is unbiblical as there was no single recorded instance of such use…

Plans are underway to replace Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Yakubu, who has served two terms, will complete his tenure in November.  Investigations reveal that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is yet to be fully involved in the selection process, key figures within and outside the Aso Rock Presidential Villa have already begun strategizing. These individuals, who are known allies of the President, are working to influence the appointment of Yakubu’s successor.  Leading this effort is said to be a former South-South governor, a member of…

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, has ordered the immediate suspension of all political appointees and government officials in the state. A statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief of Staff to the Administrator confirmed that this action was taken under the directive of President Bola Tinubu. The suspension affects key government figures, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, commissioners, board members, heads of agencies, and officials of commissions and parastatals. Also included are Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants. All suspended officials have been directed to hand over their responsibilities…

In fulfilment of its promise to pay members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) a sum of ₦77,000 as monthly allowance, the Federal Government has commenced the payment today. This development was confirmed by several corps members who are serving on the scheme. Earlier in the week, the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, regretted the non-payment of the promised allowance six months after its announcement, blaming its non-payment on administrative bureaucracies. The minister however promised that the payment of the new allowance will commence by the end of March; he even promised that outgoing corps members will receive…

Four bills seeking the creation of additional states across the country have passed second reading in the House of Representatives. The House also passed 38 other bills seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and provide various amendments in the ongoing Constitution amendment exercise by the 10th Assembly. The 42 bills categorised under various headings to reflect their focus, were passed after their presentation for second reading at the Plenary on Wednesday by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvre, and seconded by the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda. The four proposed bills…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has, on Wednesday, taken Nigerians by surprise as he expressed uncertainty about his 2027 presidential ambition. Atiku, who has contested for the presidency six times, made the remark in a yet-to-be-aired interview for a television show, Untold Stories, with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie. His remarks came a few days after he announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders aiming to oust the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC government. When asked if he would run for the presidency in the next election, Atiku said, “I don’t know because there has to be, first of…

Nigeria’s former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has pointed accusing finger at Senate President Godswill Akpabio for being irremediably corrupt and notorious for harassing women. The former vice president’s remark is coming on the heels of the sexual harassment indictments levelled against Akpabio and the National Assembly’s approval of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Speaking in an interview, Atiku said: “Not only is he corrupt, but he is also in the habit of abusing women. “I was not surprised that the…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the petition demanding the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for lack of compliance with the exant rules guiding the process. In a press release issued after its weekly meeting on Tuesday, INEC averred that while it had received six bags of documents purportedly containing signatures of over half of the 474,554 registered voters in Kogi Central, the petitioners failed to provide necessary contact details as required by the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, 2024. According to the Commission, the covering letter submitted alongside the petition…