Author: Samiat Yusuf Moshood

A severe cash shortage in banks has intensified economic hardships for Nigerians, with withdrawal limits ranging from N5,000 to N10,000 for over-the-counter (OTC) and ATM transactions. The House of Representatives has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve the crisis, which has disrupted economic activities. Banks blame the issue on reduced cash supply from the CBN and declining customer deposits. Visits to banks revealed long ATM queues, non-functional machines, and limited OTC cash. Customers expressed frustration over withdrawal limits and high Point of Sale (POS) charges. A bank official confirmed that many customers now prefer giving cash to…

The Federal Government has withdrawn from the foundation-laying ceremony for the proposed Osun State International Airport in Ede, following a request by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The event, initially scheduled for December 13, was postponed at the ministry’s request due to unresolved disputes surrounding the project. The relocation of the airport from Ido-Osun to Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke, has sparked controversy and tension among stakeholders. A state government committee had previously reported that the original site in Ido-Osun did not meet basic aviation standards, prompting the proposed move. This decision has reignited…

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the potential coalition between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, stating it will not pose a threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. Speaking on Tuesday, APC National Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim described the proposed alliance as a “dream gone wrong.” Ibrahim argued that opposition leaders are plagued by internal crises, making their coalition ineffective against the ruling party. Ibrahim’s remarks were in response to recent comments suggesting that the combined votes of Atiku and Obi in the 2023 presidential election—totaling 12 million—could have stopped Tinubu’s…

Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya has taken a bold step towards revolutionizing education in Kwara State and beyond, as his Bill for the establishment of the Federal College of Education, Afon, successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. The legislation seeks to amend the Federal Colleges of Education Act to expand access to quality teacher training, a move Shagaya believes will significantly impact Nigeria’s educational and socio-economic development. “This institution will not only provide advanced teacher training to underserved communities but also stimulate economic growth in Afon and neighboring areas through job creation, infrastructure development, and community engagement,”…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the list of shortlisted candidates eligible to participate in the Zonal General Aptitude Test for its Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) 33/2024 Enlistment Exercise. According to a statement issued on Monday by Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, the aptitude test is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at designated centres across the country. The statement reads: “This is to inform that the list of eligible applicants to attend the Zonal General Aptitude Test for Nigerian Air Force DSSC 33/2024 Enlistment Exercise has been published on the…

The Nigerian Army on Monday marked the beginning of Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede’s tenure as the 24th Chief of Army Staff with a symbolic lowering and hoisting of the command flag at Army Headquarters. Oluyede was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on October 30 in an acting capacity following the death of his predecessor, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. His appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Senate and House of Representatives. In an earlier ceremony on November 1, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, formally handed Oluyede the insignia of office in accordance with the Armed Forces Act. Before his appointment,…

A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted bail to human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi in a defamation case filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola. Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, announced the development on Monday via his X (Twitter) handle. According to Sowore, the court set Farotimi’s bail at N50 million with a surety of the same amount, requiring the provision of landed property as collateral. The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2025. Background Farotimi was arrested in Lagos last Tuesday…

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has taken decisive action to address the plight of state-sponsored students unable to access their academic certificates due to unpaid tuition fees by the previous administration. In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, the governor revealed that he had engaged in critical discussions with the management of Near East University in Cyprus. The meeting focused on resolving the delayed release of certificates for students who graduated between 2015 and 2019, particularly in Medicine and Nursing. Tofa disclosed that the unpaid fees under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje have hindered…

A 17-year-old boy, Emeka Odogwu, was reportedly shot and killed by a police officer in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State. The incident occurred on Saturday night when police officers confronted the teenager after fireworks, commonly referred to as knockouts, were found in his possession. Efforts to arrest the boy were allegedly resisted, and he attempted to flee, prompting one of the officers to open fire. The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that the officer involved has been identified, arrested, and detained. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, assured the…

Ogungbenro Mustapha, a name rapidly gaining recognition in Nigerian football, has reached a significant milestone in his career by joining Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC. This move highlights a journey defined by resilience, talent, and an unrelenting passion for the beautiful game. Hailing from Lagos, Ogungbenro’s football journey began on the streets and local pitches, where his skills and determination quickly set him apart. His talent shone brightly during his time with the University of Ilorin’s football team, the Unilorin Warriors, where he led the team to numerous triumphs and became a household name among fans. Among his achievements,…