Author: Aminu Imam

D’Tigress win AfroBasket 2025, crowned African champions again

Aminu Imam
D’Tigress win

Nigeria’s D’Tigress cemented their dominance in African women’s basketball yesterday night after defeating Mali 78–64 in the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2025 final at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The Nigerian team made history by winning a record-extending fifth consecutive AfroBasket title, showcasing remarkable resilience after trailing in the first quarter (21–26). This triumph extends their incredible 10-year unbeaten run, now standing at 29 consecutive matches without defeat. Led by tournament standout, Amy Okonkwo, who scored a game-high 26 points, D’Tigress regained control in the second…

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El-Rufa’i urges Nigerians to sack APC in 2027

Aminu Imam
El Rufa'i urges

…Says “This is the fight of our lives” Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, calling on Nigerians to unite and vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. El-Rufa’i, who was in Sokoto at the weekend as part of a nationwide grassroots mobilisation tour, warned that another term for the APC would endanger Nigeria’s unity, stability, and future. “The APC is incompetent and clannish. If we allow this government another term, what remains of Nigeria’s…

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Zamfara: Bandits storm village, abduct 23 women

Aminu Imam
Zamfara bandits

Armed bandits have abducted 23 women in Moriki town, Zurmi local government area of Zamfara State, while they were out fetching firewood. According to a report shared yesterday by security analyst Zagazola Makama via X, the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Security sources who spoke to Makama said the victims, all residents of Moriki, were ambushed in the bush on the outskirts of the town and taken to an unknown destination. Following the abduction, troops of ‘Operation Fansan Yanma’, in collaboration with local vigilantes and other security agencies,…

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SERAP gives Niger Gov. 48 hours to reopen Badeggi FM

Aminu Imam
SERAP gives Niger

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), has given Governor Umar Bago, of Niger state, 48 hours to reverse what it described as the “arbitrary and unlawful” shutdown of Badeggi FM 90.1, an independent radio station in Minna, the state capital. In an open letter dated August 2 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation asked the governor to reinstate the station’s licence, withdraw threats to demolish its premises, and stop profiling its owner, Shu’aibu Badeggi. “Your vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations of ‘inciting violence’ against Badeggi…

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Minister urges calm, as Badeggi FM closure stirs controversy 

Aminu Imam
Minister urges calm

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged all parties involved in the recent shutdown of Badeggi FM radio station in Niger State to remain calm.  In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister emphasised the importance of maintaining peace while the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) investigates the matter. The closure of the station was ordered by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago during an expanded Niger State APC Caucus Meeting held in Minna on August 2. The directive, which the Minister was present…

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SDP sues INEC over disqualification of candidates, denies internal crisis

Aminu Imam
SDP sues INEC

The Social Democratic Party, (SDP), has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), challenging what it described as the unlawful disqualification of its candidates from participating in upcoming by-elections across twelve states in Nigeria. In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP accused INEC of overstepping its constitutional mandate by rejecting candidates who emerged from what it insists were validly conducted party primaries. According to Aiyenigba, “The Commission acted against the ruling of the Supreme Court to have…

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Kaduna: Gov. Uba Sani flags-off fertilizer distribution

Aminu Imam
Gov. Sani flags off

…Rolls out major support for 100,000 farmers Governor Uba Sani, of Kaduna State, has officially launched the 2025 Fertilizer Distribution Exercise, disbursing 400 trucks of fertilizer to 100,000 smallholder farmers across the state as part of a broader agricultural transformation agenda. The flag-off ceremony, held at Murtala Square in Kaduna, reflects the state government’s expanding commitment to food security, rural development, and inclusive economic growth. Each of the small-holder farmers will receive two bags of fertilizer free of charge, with the governor noting that Kaduna remains the only state where…

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NNPCL: Presidency denies sack, forceful resignation of GCEO, Ojulari

Aminu Imam
NNPCL Ojulari2

The Presidency has denied a report claiming that President Bola Tinubu has sacked, or directed, Bayo Ojulari to resign as Group Chief Executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL).  An online report published yesterday alleged that Ojulari was detained on Friday and coerced into signing a resignation letter by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, and the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Adeola Ajayi. According to the earlier report, sources within national security circles described the move…

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Nigeria’s debt costs surge 164% – DMO

Aminu Imam
DMO on debt

…as FG spends more on T-Bills, bonds Nigeria’s domestic debt service bill surged by 164 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, driven by sharp increases in interest payments on Treasury Bills and Federal Government bonds, according to data sourced from the Debt Management Office, (DMO). The DMO data revealed that the federal government spent ₦2.6 trillion on domestic debt service between January and March, marking a 65% increase from the previous quarter The rise, according to FBNQuest Merchant Bank, “reflects a recurring seasonal pattern, where debt obligations typically…

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NLC raises concerns over new policy to silence Labour, ‘criminalise’ strike actions

Aminu Imam
NLC raises concerns

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed concerns over the newly adopted National Industrial Relations Policy by the Federal Government.  In a statement issued yesterday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the new policy would make embarking on a strike a criminal issue and silence trade unions. “NLC considers the statement by the Federal Government that the newly adopted National Industrial Relations Policy is aimed at stopping frequent industrial actions, particularly strikes by trade unions, as very reprehensible. “The statement was part of the press release by the Federal Government…

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