Author: Samson Adeyanju Uwala

Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N142.3 trillion as of September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 5.97 per cent (N8.02tn) compared to N134.3tn in June 2024. The debt, comprising external and domestic obligations, reflects the significant impact of exchange rate depreciation on external borrowings when converted to naira terms. Data from the Debt Management Office showed that external debt in dollar terms increased marginally by 0.29 per cent, from $42.90bn in June to $43.03bn in September. However, in naira terms, external debt surged by 9.22 per cent, rising from N63.07tn to N68.89tn within the quarter. This sharp increase was…

The Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) has apprehended a middle-aged man at a tomb in Kere, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, while he was allegedly attempting to exhume a human skull. This was made known in a statement released by the Commander, So-Safe Corps, Commander (Dr). Soji Ganzallo, through the office of the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Corps, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf. According to the statement, at about 2:35 a.m. on January 21, 2025, officers of the So-Safe Corps on routine patrol observed suspicious activity on a parcel of land behind a…

Team Germany has finally emerged as winners of the 2025 All Stars Women Football Competition. The competition which began on the 6th January, had its way concluded on 18th January, Germany went into the final after a semi final victory against South Africa to book their place in the final and faced Italy. The final which was played on the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium Surulere Lagos had some other games before the final was played. The losers final game was first played between South Africa and France which ended 3-0 in favour of South Africa after which a…

The Christ Apostolic Grammar School Old Students’ Association (CAGSOSA), Iperu Remo, Ogun State will on January 20, set out to celebrate her 65th founder’s anniversary and mega reunion. According to the anniversary Planning Committee, the week-long celebration promises to be an exciting and memorable experience for all attendees. The Committee chaired by Mr. Dayo Akerele, stated that the event will feature a range of activities, including awareness and visitation programs, health talks, free medical examinations, and inter-house sports competitions. In an outline of events as listed by the Committee Chairman, and the General Secretary, Prince Gafar Owokalade, had the events…

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has dismissed claims of an impending increase in petrol prices nationwide. According to IPMAN Chairman, Bashir Salisu Tahir, in an interview with Voice of America (VON), it is market forces that now determine prices since the country now has refineries. He assured the public that the operation of the refineries will contribute to a reduction in fuel prices. Tahir also revealed that none of their members had increased the price of petrol across the country. He said, “The market now determines prices, and there is no truth to the rumors of an…

President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has accepted President Bola Tinubu’s invitation to visit Nigeria this year. Tinubu had invited him on Wednesday during their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement. President Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday as a guest of the UAE President to participate in the Sustainability Week. He delivered Nigeria’s position on climate and other challenges earlier on Wednesday and congratulated the UAE leader for the successful event. During the discussions, the Sheikh…

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance has exonerated the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) of alleged misappropriation of funds in its 2024 budget implementation. In a statement by Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa, on Thursday, said the board was erroneously accused of reckless spending, given the documents submitted to the committee by JAMB. He said the committee, during the budget defence session with the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, alleged that the examination body spent N1.1 billion on meals and N850 million on fumigation, among other things. Sani said the JAMB registrar had made efforts…

Oyo Kingmakers has a issued 30-day ultimatum to Governor Seyi Makinde to reverse the appointment of Prince Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo, in which the failure to do that will result into pursue of legal action. The five prominent Kingmakers, considering their preferred candidate, Prince Lukman Gbadegesin have led to ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of the new Alaafin of Oyo, and this decision was made through their legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kunle Sobaloju. The kingmakers, namely the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Laguna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Akindele; Akinniku of…

A 27-year-old Nigerian mother, Patricia Masithela, tragically lost her life after a brutal attack by a pack of starving dogs in the early hours of Monday morning in Italy. The incident, according to The Mirror, occurred while she was visiting a friend at his abandoned villa in the Lazio region. Neighbours alerted authorities to Patricia’s screams around 3 a.m. Upon arrival, emergency responders found her critically injured with severe bite wounds, lying in a pool of blood. Italian authorities confirmed the dogs were severely malnourished and two were identified as aggressive breeds lacking microchips. Two of the dogs were shot…

Global Rights is appalled by the travesty of justice and calls for an end to the intimidation and continued detention of four journalists: Olurotimi Olawale, Precious Eze Chukwunonso, Roland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, noting that they have unjustly remained “wards” of the Nigerian criminal justice system since September 2024 till date for the “crime” of practicing journalism. This shameful saga is compounded by the fact that their chief persecutor—a major Nigerian commercial bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)- has turned a blind eye to its complicity in the violation of the human rights of these journalists. It seems the bank which…