Author: Festus Adeloye

The protesters of the ongoing protest in Osun state have suspended demonstration against hunger and others over the upcoming 2024 Osun Osogbo festival. The decision was reached after presenting protest letter to Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, which was received by his deputy, Kola Adewusi at state secretariat. Adewusi assured the protesters that the governor would deliver the letter to President Bola Tinubu and also do everything possible to continue delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state. The protesters under the aegis of coalition for concerned Nigeria Citizens, Osun state through Comrade Adetunji Ajala during a news…

The United Kingdom, on Tuesday, announced the opening of the application for Chevening Scholarships. The announcement, which was contained in a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja, noted that prospective scholars can apply from August 6 to November 5, 2024, through the online portal at chevening.org/apply. This announcement follows the selection of 32 scholars from Nigeria for the current academic year. The statement reads partly, “Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK open today – from August 6 to November 5, 2024. Applications are to be submitted via the online application form at chevening.org/apply. “The scholarship…

The #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protesters have reportedly stormed the residence of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to demonstrate against the hike in the cost of living in the country. The protesters, seen in large numbers in a viral video on Tuesday, were chanting and carrying placards with various inscriptions. The house was guarded by heavy security personnel wielding rifles. While the protesters were reciting the old national anthem, one of the demonstrators said, “That’s Wike’s house.”

Tourists and visitors for this year’s Osun-Osogbo festival have been assured of their safety at the grove. The Group Head and Media Manager for the event, Mr Oyindamola Olukanmi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Osogbo. He said that different sub-groups involved in the organisation of the annual festival had put everything in place to ensure a successful event scheduled for 9th August. Olukanmi stated that plans were ongoing with security agencies in the state to ensure a safe environment for all participants, including tourists and visitors from within and outside the…

Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang has expressed concerns that although the monthly federal allocation to state governments has risen, its purchasing power and real value have “decreased very significantly” due to inflation and the wobbling naira. Muftwang noted, “It is true that in terms of amount, it has actually increased but in terms of purchasing power, in terms of real value, it has decreased very significantly.” He elaborated that essential construction materials, including diesel, cement, and iron rods, have become more expensive, further eroding the value of the funds received. He added, “It doesn’t need any rocket science. When the…

Bangladesh’s president dissolved parliament on Tuesday, a key demand of student protesters who led demonstrations that ousted longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina, a statement read. “The president has dissolved parliament,” Shiplu Zaman, press secretary of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, said in a statement. The statement also said that Hasina’s arch rival, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister, had been freed from house arrest. Student protesters had threatened more demonstrations if parliament was not dissolved. The decision was taken following meetings with the heads of defence forces, leaders of political parties, student leaders and some civil society…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to simplify their tariff plans, bundles, and promotional activities. Of late, many Nigerians have expressed frustration about how their airtime and data plans which lasted longer before now evaporate in days amid agitation by telcos seeking NCC’s approval to hike tariff plans. NCC spokesman Reuben Muoka in a statement on Monday said the regulator has mandated all telcos to release clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost of voice, short messaging service (SMS) and data services to all subscribers. “The guideline is the outcome of consultations with industry stakeholders, including…

Climate activists on Tuesday spray-painted a mansion on the Spanish holiday island of Ibiza belonging to Argentina football star, Lionel Messi, to highlight the “responsibility of the rich for the climate crisis.” Campaigners from the group, Futuro Vegetal, released a video showing two members standing in front of the house near the cove of Cala Tarida on Ibiza’s western coast holding a banner that read: “Help the Planet — Eat the Rich — Abolish the Police.” The activists then sprayed the white facade of the building with red and black paint. In a statement, the group said they wanted to…

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said financial sustainability rules must be changed to discourage clubs from cashing in on academy graduates as Conor Gallagher looks set to join Atletico Madrid. The England international would join Mason Mount, Lewis Hall, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ian Maatsen and Callum Hudson-Odoi as products of the Chelsea youth system to be sold over the past two years, while Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah are also expected to leave before the end of August. Chelsea have needed to recoup funds after splashing well over £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in the past four transfer windows to revamp the squad…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concerns that those currently profiting from Nigeria’s profitable fuel importation sector may seek to undermine the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This statement follows allegations by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, who has accused certain ‘mafias’ of attempting to sabotage his $20 billion refinery project. The refinery has not started buying crude oil in naira yet, even though President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to do so. In an interview with the Financial Times, Obasanjo suggested that if the refinery succeeds, it could boost investment from both…