Reports on climate change, sustainability, and the impact of human activities on the environment.
Protests have erupted across Syria after a Christmas tree was burned in Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town in central Syria. The incident, which occurred on Christmas Eve, has sparked outrage among Christian communities demanding better protection for minorities. Videos circulating online show masked individuals setting the tree on fire, leaving uncertainty about whether their intention…
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has signed the 2025 budget, valued at ₦606.99 billion, into law. The budget, titled “Changing Gears 2.0,” was approved during a ceremony at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia on Monday, just a month after its presentation to the State House of Assembly. Governor Soludo highlighted the budget’s alignment with…
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has distributed food items to women groups in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of its “Renewed Hope Year-End Intervention” aimed at supporting vulnerable families during challenging economic times. Speaking at the program’s launch, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the initiative underscores the government’s…
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed allegations of extrajudicial killings during the #EndBadGovernance protests, as detailed in Amnesty International‘s (AI) recent report. The report, titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests”, claimed that police actions led to at least 24 deaths across six northern states. In a statement, Force Public Relations…
A total of 403 Nigerians, including children, have been successfully repatriated from the Niger Republic through a coordinated humanitarian effort. Speaking at the reception held at the Nigerian Immigration Service Training School in Kano, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Aliyu Tijani, revealed that the…
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed deep concern over the recurring deaths caused by stampedes during palliative distribution across the country. In a statement issued by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN described the pattern as “troubling” and extended condolences to the victims of the latest tragedy, which occurred at the Holy Trinity…
A joint security task force has arrested a private miner and sealed off two mining sites in Kure, Amba community, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Yakubu Kwanta, disclosed this during a raid on the illegal mining site in the area. According to Mr. Kwanta,…
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has expressed sorrow over the recent stampedes in Maitama, Abuja, and Okija, Anambra State, during food distribution events aimed at providing relief during the festive season. In a statement issued on Saturday by her media team, the minister described the tragic incidents as avoidable, noting that while…
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed a thorough investigation into recent stampedes linked to the distribution of palliatives and relief materials across the country during the festive season. The incidents have led to tragic losses in several states. In Ibadan, Oyo State, a children’s funfair on December 18, 2024, turned tragic when a…
Labour Party leader and former presidential candidate Peter Obi has attributed the recent deadly stampedes at rice distribution centers across Nigeria to the harsh economic conditions gripping the nation. The incidents, which claimed numerous lives, occurred in Okija, Anambra State, and a Catholic church in Abuja, where at least 10 people died on Saturday. Just…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended all official engagements in Lagos, including his planned attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta, to mourn victims of the recent stampedes in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State. The incidents, which occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja and a community center in Okija, resulted in multiple…
The newly-appointed Permanent Secretary of the State House, Temitope Fashedemi, has called for unwavering commitment and diligence from staff in their service to the nation. Speaking during the handover ceremony following recent postings of Permanent Secretaries, Fashedemi emphasized the need for staff to remain focused and dedicated to their responsibilities. He pledged to build on…
President Bola Tinubu has approved free train services across the country from December 20, 2024, to January 5, 2025, to ease transportation costs during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing in Abuja. Idris highlighted that the initiative…
The Supreme Court has imposed a fine of N5 million on former presidential candidate Ambrose Owuru for filing frivolous lawsuits against President Bola Tinubu. The court dismissed Owuru’s latest suit, which alleged President Tinubu’s non-qualification for office due to a $460,000 forfeiture in the U.S. related to an alleged drug offense and accusations of being…
Nigeria exported electricity worth N181.62 billion between January and September 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). A quarterly breakdown shows N58.65 billion in exports to Togo, Benin, and Niger Republic during the first quarter, N63.28 billion in the second, and N59.69 billion in the third. These exports continued despite restrictions imposed by…
A fire outbreak on Friday night destroyed the mission house of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Agbara, located at Wisdom Estate, Olorunda Aba, Ibadan, Oyo State, causing damages worth millions of naira. The Oyo State Fire Service confirmed the incident, noting that no lives were lost. According to the General Manager of the Fire Service, Akindele…
A coalition of 93 civil society organizations (CSOs), including Amnesty International Nigeria, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), and Global Rights, has condemned the arrest and detention of activist lawyer Dele Farotimi, calling for his immediate release and a civil resolution to the matter. In a joint statement, the CSOs criticized the treatment of Farotimi, describing his…
The Federal Government has secured a $500 million loan from the World Bank to finance the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) project, aimed at transforming education and healthcare services nationwide. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, disclosed this during a meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Chief…
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to press freedom, despite occasional challenges. Speaking at the 2024 Annual Conference of the International Press Institute (IPI) in Abuja, Idris highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to media freedom and the protection of civic space in the country. Themed “Democracy,…
Senior Pastors of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche and his wife, Dr. Becky Enenche, recently visited Kuje Medium Security Correctional Centre in Abuja, delivering a powerful combination of spiritual inspiration and legal support to inmates. The humanitarian visit aimed to uplift and address critical needs among the incarcerated population. Accompanied by a legal…
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, has underscored the importance of patience, loyalty, and dedication as essential qualities for achieving success in public service. Speaking at a recognition ceremony organized in his honor by the Nzuko Arochukwu cultural group in Abuja, Dr. Orji described public service as…
The Federal Government has released ₦44 billion to the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund account at the Central Bank of Nigeria to ease the backlog of unpaid pension rights for retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme. In a statement issued by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the funds will cover retirees who were verified and…
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, has called for increased participation of women in leadership positions within the Union and beyond. Speaking at a “Thank-You Party” organized by the newly-elected executives of the NUJ Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council in Abuja, Comrade Yahya emphasized the need to foster…
The Kano State Government has alleged federal involvement in the blockade of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s palace by heavily armed security operatives on Friday. The incident unfolded when personnel from the Police and Department of State Services (DSS) barricaded the palace gates, reportedly preventing the Emir from traveling to a traditional event in Bichi Local…
The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) has emphasized the critical role of traditional rulers in driving behavioral change to tackle sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within their communities. At a town hall meeting held at the palace of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom,Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Lagos State RoLAC Project Coordinator, Mrs….
The Federal Government has called on state governments and stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital economy to harness the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to foster economic growth, stimulate innovation, and enhance governance frameworks. Delivering this message at the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in Makurdi, Benue State,…
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have launched a five-day workshop to enhance the understanding of African Customs officers on the rules of origin, a critical aspect of trade facilitation and regulatory compliance across the continent. Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Caroline Niagwan, emphasized the significance of this training in…
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed the 2024 Electricity Bill into law, signaling a major shift in the state’s power landscape. The new legislation aims to enhance energy generation through diverse sources, including renewable energy, while fostering energy efficiency, investment, competition, and innovation in the sector. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Ikeja, Governor…
Civil servants in Nasarawa State have embarked on an indefinite strike following the state government’s failure to implement the N70,000 national minimum wage recently signed into law by the federal government. Led by organized labour unions, workers shut down ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) across the state to press their demands. Chanting solidarity songs, union…
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reported a significant shift in Nigeria’s anti-corruption landscape, with 70% of citizens rejecting bribery attempts in 2023. This was disclosed by ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), during a conference in Kano with Attorneys-General from the North-West zone. A Growing Resistance Against Corruption…
The Twins Alive Foundation, a non-governmental organization, is urging the United Nations and the Nigerian government to designate December 2 as an international day to honor Mary Slessor, the Scottish missionary renowned for ending the practice of killing twins in Nigeria. Foundation founder and twin, Mr. Jude Idiongesit Mbonmkponam, emphasized in an interview with Radio…
