NewsReports

…as Makinde reiterates commitment to provide enabling environment for technological innovations The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has declared the federal government’s commitment to utilising technology as a key driver of economic growth and a solution to youth unemployment. He made this known yesterday while delivering a keynote address at the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence …

The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, has officially adopted the Instructions to the Chief Registrar and Practice Directions 2025, aimed at enhancing efficiency and procedural integrity. According to a statement yesterday, these updates reinforce the court’s commitment to providing effective access to justice for the citizens of the ECOWAS region. The statement said the adoption of these updated guidelines stems …

Again, some lawmakers in the Nigerian National Assembly have set up a bribery scheme targeting federal universities and other tertiary institutions in the country. PREMIUM TIMES can report that lawmakers are using intimidation and threats to force the heads of universities to pay N8 million each to approve their allocations in the 2025 budgets. This newspaper’s investigation revealed that the …

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit. It will take place on Monday and Tuesday. A statement issued on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), informed that the Summit, hosted by the government of Tanzania in collaboration with …

The United States has ceased issuing passports with a gender-neutral “X” option, the State Department said, following President Donald Trump’s order limiting government recognition of transgender identity. The move rolls back the option first introduced under former president Joe Biden’s administration and leaves an unknown number of people awaiting further guidance on the fate of their pending applications and already …

Bartholomew Okoudo is the Conference of Non-governmental Organisations president in Edo State, South-south Nigeria. He speaks with PREMIUM TIMES about his expectations of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration in Edo. PT: What is your expectation of the new government? OKOUDO: He (Governor Okpebholo) should improve on the achievements of his predecessor. He should improve on the ones that are people-oriented and …

Edo State has recorded 56 Lassa fever cases and eight deaths between 30 December 2024 and January 2025, says the state Commissioner for Health, Cyril Oshiomhole. Mr Oshiomhole disclosed this on Friday in Benin while speaking of Lassa fever in the state. “The 2025 epidemic year began on 30 December 2024. Since then, 336 suspected cases have been reported, with …

Retired military generals are allegedly behind illegal mining activities in Nigeria, according to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior. Oshiomhole made the assertion during the submission of the 2025 budget report by Senator Sampson Ekong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, before the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He expressed concerns that the illegal …

The rising issue of insecurity and purported fears of plots to burn down the building housing the tribunal may have been responsible for the relocation of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal from Benin City to Abuja where it would resume sitting on Tuesday. Though this reason was not adduced in the terse statement by the Secretary of the …

By Eben Enasco The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, CFR, has taken a strong stance against the misuse of Benin customs and traditions, specifically banning the indiscriminate use of Coral Beads, Headgear worn by Queens, and the symbol of authority known as EBEN. The Osuma of Benin, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere, represented the Benin Monarch on behalf of the Benin Traditional …