SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF DARKNESS: HOW NIGERIA’S POWER SECTOR BECAME A GOLDMINE FOR THE GREEDY AND CORRUPT POLITICIANS. By Wole Arisekola

Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria’s greatest infrastructural shame remains its epileptic power supply. Despite over six decades of promises, policies, and billions of dollars, Nigerians still sweat in darkness, cursed by a system rigged against the common man and sustained by corruption, sabotage, and incompetence. From the old Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) to NEPA and later PHCN, down to today’s privatised mess, it’s been a long road of recycled failures. The unending nightmare is powered not by lack of resources, but by the greed of a few who…

Nigeria Customs, Trade Ministry launch Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor … Targets 50% Export Freight Reduction to boost AfCFTA Trade Integration

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), has officially launched the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, signaling a bold step in regional trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. The landmark flag-off ceremony held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, brought together key stakeholders from government, aviation, and logistics sectors. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, led the…

JUST IN: Saudi Arabia deports Sheikh Gumi, bars him from performing 2025 Hajj

Prominent Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia and prevented from performing the 2025 Hajj.   Sheikh Gumi, who revealed the development via a post on his Facebook page, said although he was granted a visa, Saudi authorities barred him from entering Medina upon arrival for reasons he believes are tied to his political views.   Gumi was part of a delegation of clerics sponsored by the Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and had arrived Medina on Saturday night via Umza Air. However, Saudi immigration denied…

Speaker Abbas withdraws compulsory voting bill amid public backlash

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has officially withdrawn the controversial bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.   The bill, which was co-sponsored by Abbas and Hon. Daniel Adama Ago, who represents Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency of Plateau State, had faced widespread criticism from the public and civil society organizations.   In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said the proposed legislation was introduced with the best intentions to boost civic engagement…

House of Reps to hold Valedictory Session for Deceased Members of 10th Assembly

The House of Representatives has announced it will hold a special valedictory session on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to honour five late members of the 10th National Assembly who died while serving in office. The session, slated for 11:00 a.m. at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, is listed in the week’s Notice Paper released by Rep. Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business. According to a statement signed by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., the solemn sitting will feature…

Ibadan-Oyo war of supremacy over obas council By Lasisi Olagunju

At the Alaafin’s Garden Hall in Oyo on 6 November, 1934, Alaafin Siyanbola Ladigbolu held a storming meeting with the Resident of Oyo Province, the Honourable Mr. H. L. Ward-Price. The Resident was the equivalent of today’s governor; the Province equated today’s state. That meeting was called to discuss the news filtering out that the white man was moving the capital of Oyo Province from Oyo town to Ibadan.   The meeting was held in a very tense atmosphere. The Lagos Daily News of 13 November, 1934 carried the proceedings…

It’s Africa Day , by Dr Omoniyi Ibietan

Today is Africa Day, a day set aside to celebrate the “unity, peace and cultural diversity” of the continent where humanity began. To celebrate Africa is to celebrate humanity and the world. As Zeinab Badawi stated unequivocally in her new consequential book, AN AFRICAN HISTORY OF AFRICA: FROM THE DAWN OF HUMANITY TO INDEPENDENCE, “even if there is still debate about precisely where it happened within the continent, Africa is certainly where the human story began. We are an African animal, an African species who colonised the world at different…

Ogbomoso Restoration Movement Celebrates Prof. Oyekale Oyedeji with Valedictory Lecture at LAUTECH

In recognition of academic excellence and dedicated service to science and education, the Ogbomoso Restoration Movement on Saturday held a valedictory lecture in honour of Professor Oyekale Oyedeji, a distinguished Professor of Mathematics and Physics from Ogbomoso. The event, which took place at The Hall, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, attracted dignitaries from within and outside the academic community. It marked yet another milestone in the organization’s efforts to promote excellence and celebrate outstanding contributions to community development. The keynote lecture, titled “Smart Future: Harnessing Science, Technology, and…

FIRS Chairman applauds Oyo State’s revenue growth, infrastructure drive at JTB meeting

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has commended Oyo State for its impressive achievements in revenue generation and infrastructure development. He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 157th meeting of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), held in Ibadan, Oyo State. Dr. Adedeji expressed profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for hosting the strategic gathering and acknowledged the governor’s efforts in transforming the state’s socioeconomic landscape. He emphasized the importance of the Joint Tax Board…

Falode emerges Global President as Great Ife Alumni Elects New Officers

The Great Ife Alumni Association has elected a new set of global officers to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years, with Barrister Leye Bunmi Falode emerging as the Global President. Falode, alongside other officers, was elected during the 26th Biennial Convention of the association, which held at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. The three-day convention brought together delegates from various branches across Nigeria and from the diaspora. Other elected officers included Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media and Public Relations at the…