Author: Amina Mohammed

The World Bank has announced the appointment of Mathew Verghis as its new Country Director for Nigeria, effective July 1, 2025. Verghis takes over from Dr. Ndiame Diop, who has assumed a new role within the institution. A statement from the World Bank on Friday described Verghis as an Indian national who brings more than 20 years of experience in economic policy and development, having joined the World Bank in 1999.” Over the course of his career, he has worked in senior leadership roles spanning Africa, East Asia, Europe, and Central Asia. His most recent position was Regional Practice Director…

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed has stated why Peter Obi should be the presidential candidate of the newly formed African Democratic Congress coalition (ADC). Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, noted that the latter should not be ADC’s vice presidential candidate because of his performance in the poll. While appearing on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that the coalition’s presidential ticket is between the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Obi. While putting the others in consideration, he stressed that Obi should not be anyone’s deputy in the…

Microsoft has announced it is cutting approximately 9,000 jobs worldwide in its second major layoff of 2025, aimed at reducing costs and streamlining operations. The layoffs, representing about 4% of its global workforce, will affect multiple departments, regions, and levels of seniority. As of June 2024, Microsoft employed 228,000 workers. A company spokesperson stated that the cuts are part of broader organisational changes to simplify internal processes and reduce management layers. “We continue to implement organisational changes necessary to best position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace,” the spokesperson said. The layoffs, first reported by Bloomberg,…

Former presidential candidates on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi among other heavyweight political chieftains formally met in Abuja for the signing of the formal takeover of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the coalition of the opposition political party. Others who were in attendance included Rotimi Amaechi, John James Akpanudoedehe, Senator Tony Nwoye, Solomon Dalung,  Dino Melaye, Aminu Tambuwal, Liyel Imoke, Abubakar Malami, Mallam Nasir El-rufai, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, Uche Secondus, and Emeka Ihedioha among many others. Also in attendance included the outgoing…

Rauf Aregbesola, the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has stated that the party’s organisational structure and ethics will be modelled after international best practices. Aregbesola stated that the ADC will examine and implement what works for political parties in South Africa, Sweden, Chile, and Kenya. He revealed this during his acceptance speech at the gathering of the National Opposition Coalition Group. The group had met yesterday at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, where it adopted ADC as its official political party. During the meeting, Aregbesola emerged as the party’s Interim National Secretary. Speaking, the former Interior Minister…

FirstBank has launched an advanced facial biometric technology on its mobile banking application- FirstMobile, along with other features in a bid to provide customers with a seamless, secure, and efficient digital banking experience. Asides from facial recognition sign-up and activation, the upgrade also incudes virtual credit cards for secure online shopping, instant credit card activation, flexible salary advances with 3-month repayment options as well as general improvements and bug fixes. The new facial biometric feature enables users to activate or register on FirstBank’s mobile app- FirstMobile securely, using facial verification. The feature also includes an advanced anti-spoof detection, to enhance…

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Sunday night, led a high-powered delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the funeral of prominent business mogul and elder statesman, Aminu Alhassan Dantata. Dantata died on Friday night in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In line with his final wishes, his family have secured approval from the Saudi Arabian authorities to bury him in Madina. A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Monday, said the delegation departed from Malam Aminu Kano International Airport. The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Umar…

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has declared controversial entertainer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, wanted, over allegations bordering on rape, cyberbullying and cyberstalking. NAPTIP, in a statement on Friday, said the development followed Speed Darlington’s repeated failure to respond to official summons after a viral Instagram video surfaced in which he allegedly claimed to have had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl. The agency first invited the entertainer on May 28, 2025, requesting his presence at its Abuja headquarters on May 30 for questioning. “He failed to show up, citing prior commitments,”…

Suspected Lakurawa bandits launched a deadly assault on Baidi and Sabiyo villages in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing at least six villagers and injuring one. According to local sources, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in the afternoon when bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons and travelling on foot and motorcycles, ambushed Baidi village, wounding one person, Mrs. Medina Isah. They then proceeded to Sabiyo village, where they killed six farmers working in their fields. Aminu Sama’ila, one of the victims, sustained gunshot wounds to the neck and chest. He was rescued and rushed to a…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reversed its earlier stance on Senator Samuel Anyanwu and suspended its planned National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for June 30, following a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission. Speaking at a press conference at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, described the decision as difficult but widely accepted among key stakeholders. Flanked by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and other party stakeholders, Damagum announced that the party has resolved to reintegrate Anyanwu into the National Working Committee. Damagum stated…