Author: Festus Adeloye

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson — and incoming US president Donald Trump — faced a test of political strength Friday as the party’s hard right threatens to try to choose a new leader. Less than three weeks before Trump takes office, Republicans risk descending into internal squabbles over whether Johnson should retain the powerful position. With Republicans holding only an ultra-thin majority over Democrats in the lower chamber of Congress, he has little margin for error. Trump threw his full weight behind Johnson early Friday with a social media post wishing him “Good luck” and “very close to having 100%…

Ghana’s outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo Friday announced visa-free travel for all African passport holders from the start of this year, marking a step towards continental economic integration. The announcement came during his final state of the nation address as he prepares to step down on January 6 after two terms in office. “I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year,” Akufo-Addo said in his speech to parliament. “This is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of…

The Adamawa State governor Umaru Fintiri has approved the selection of seven new Chiefs and Emirs for recently created Chiefdoms and Emirates.  The approval is with immediate effect according to the governor. The names and domains of the newly selected traditional rulers were disclosed in a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Humwashi Wonisikou, and made available to Channels Television on Friday. Governor Fintiri, who congratulated the new traditional rulers, said their selection is based on merit and their popularity among their people. He, therefore, urged them to be fair, honest and responsible in their…

The Labour Party (LP) ’s Lagos State Governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has criticised the economic policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu, stating that they have caused severe hardship for Nigerians. Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu has implemented several economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira. However, Rhodes-Vivour, speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, alleged that these measures have primarily benefited the President’s associates, bankers, and government officials, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the brunt of the policies. Rhodes-Vivour highlighted the…

Actress and politician Eniola Badmus broke down in tears during her annual charity event where she made an emotional appeal to supporters to pray for her to become a mother. As she took the stage, Eniola’s voice cracked with emotion as she urged the audience to pray for her to be blessed with the fruit of the womb. She expressed deep desire to have children and provide for them, asking for continued opportunities to serve and support her community. “Please continue to pray for me. Always mention me, Eniola Badmus, in your prayers. I am waiting upon the Lord for…

Governor Abdullahi Sule has inaugurated a four-man committee to investigate irregularities in the recent recruitment of teachers by the Nasarawa State Teachers Service Commission (NSTSC). Governor Sule inaugurated the committee at a ceremony at the Government House on Thursday. The governor charged the members of the committee to live above board and to discharge their responsibilities diligently without fear or favour and to justify the confidence reposed in them. He described as worrisome revelations that officials of government handling the recruitment went overboard to recruit far beyond the number of teachers already approved, leading to the immediate suspension of the…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted that the Nigerian economy is rebounding in significant measure across all sectors. The ruling party’s claim is in response to the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, new year press conference on Thursday where he lamented the political, economic and security, healthcare situation in the country. Obi said that the political, economic and security situation of Nigeria is worsening daily, despite government’s contrary positions and claims of improvement in different spheres of human endeavour. “Our national challenges are visibly worsening. Our nation and its fortunes are in clear reverse. The indices are…

The Federal Government’s deficit spending surged by 28 per cent, Year-On-Year to N12.1 trillion in the first ten months of 2024. An analysis of data in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Monthly Economic Reports, showed that the increase was from N9.8 trillion recorded in the same period of 2023. This further revealed that the Federal Government, in the first ten months, surpassed its Budget 2024 deficit target of N9.8 trillion by 31 per cent. The increase in deficit spending was in spite of a 36 per cent YoY increase in FG’s revenue during the period. An analysis of the…

South Korean investigators called off their attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid on Friday because of a standoff at his residence. “Regarding the execution of the arrest warrant today, it was determined that the execution was effectively impossible due to the ongoing standoff. Concern for the safety of personnel on-site led to the decision to halt the execution,” the Corruption Investigation Office said in a statement. AFP

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has banned all forms of payments in primary and secondary schools in the state, marking the enforcement of compulsory school attendance for children of school age. The governor introduced an imprest account system for school principals and headteachers to manage the running of schools, with specific monthly allowances for their operations. Otti made this announcement in his New Year speech on Wednesday, stating, “We have stopped all forms of payments in primary and secondary schools. Not even PTA levies should be charged to any parent or guardian in any public school in the state. “We…