By Umar Usman Duguri At dawn, before markets open and offices become busy, thousands of men, women, children, and persons living with disabilities have already taken positions along major highways, traffic intersections, motor parks, and places of worship across Northern Nigeria. With bowls in their hands and hope in their eyes, they wait for the generosity of strangers. For many Nigerians, this has become a familiar sight. Yet beneath the daily appeals for alms lies a deeper story—one of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, displacement, weak social protection, and systemic governance challenges. Street begging is not merely an individual choice; it is…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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By Seye Oladejo Nigeria’s recent cocoa development initiative represents one of the most strategic economic decisions taken by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Beyond its immediate appeal to farmers and industry stakeholders, the cocoa deal has the potential to redefine Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, diversify foreign exchange earnings, stimulate industrialization, and deepen rural prosperity. For decades, Nigeria has remained trapped in the paradox of exporting raw agricultural commodities while importing finished products at significantly higher prices. Cocoa has been one of the clearest examples of this contradiction. Although Nigeria ranks among the world’s leading…
Nigeria’s correctional reform agenda has received a major continental endorsement as Heads of Correctional Services from 11 African countries described the country’s technology-driven custodial system and inmate rehabilitation initiatives as a benchmark for modern corrections in Africa. The endorsement followed an inspection of the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), Kuje, by delegates attending the African Correctional Services Association (ACSA) Regional Conference in Abuja, where they commended Nigeria’s shift from a punitive prison system to one focused on rehabilitation, skills acquisition and digital management of inmates. The delegation, led by the Deputy Chairman of ACSA’s West African Region, Mr. Sabila Sawadogo,…
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has accepted to chair the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Lagos. Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Olumide Iyanda, announced this in a statement issued on Monday, 20 July, 2026, by the Guild’s Publicity Secretary, Kemi Yesufu. According to Iyanda, this year’s conference, themed “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities,” comes at a defining moment for Nigeria as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the next general elections. He said the…
Former England player and Manager, Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75 after battling with a long battle with abdominal cancer. His family announced the passage through a statement on Monday, July20, 2026. “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75. “The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments. “Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team…
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) have launched a renewed institutional push to confront the growing wave of digital violence against women in the legal profession, warning that online abuse is increasingly being used to intimidate, silence and undermine women’s participation in public life. The two organisations, at a high-level seminar in Abuja on Monday, called for greater awareness of legal remedies, improved reporting mechanisms, stronger institutional collaboration and enhanced digital security to protect women lawyers, judges, academics, law students and other women in the justice sector from technology-facilitated abuse. The seminar,…
By Segun Adewale in Gombe The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders Committee and former Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Alhaji Bala Muhammad Magaji, PEN (Magajin Garin Gombe), has resigned from the PDP and concluded arrangements to formally join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The influential elder statesman met with Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the Government House, Gombe, in the company of the APC Governorship Candidate, Dr. Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna, where he perfected plans for his formal defection. During the meeting yesterday, Alhaji Bala Magaji praised Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s visionary leadership, inclusive…
By Segun Adewale in Bauchi The Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), has expressed grave concern over aspects of the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Bill that reportedly classify preaching in commercial vehicles alongside hawking and other prohibited activities. OAIC considers it insensitive and inappropriate to equate the peaceful proclamation of the Gospel with commercial hawking. While recognising the need to ensure safety and order on Nigerian roads, the Association maintains that preaching is a constitutionally protected exercise of the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression, and should not be treated as a…
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo has granted former Managing Director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, Jimoh Yisawu, bail in the sum of ₦500 million. Justice Ekwo ordered Yisawu to produce one surety in the same amount following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) on an eight-count money laundering charge. The EFCC alleged that the former refinery boss indirectly converted $789,950 between October 2023 and May 2025. In another count, the commission accused him of making cash payments totalling $789,950 without routing the transactions through a financial institution, contrary…
Andy Burnham has officially become Britain’s new Prime Minister after King Charles III invited him to form a government during an audience at Buckingham Palace on Monday, 20 July, 2026. Burnham succeeds Sir Keir Starmer, who earlier tendered his resignation to the King following two turbulent years in office. Buckingham Palace confirmed the transfer of power in a statement, saying: “His Majesty received in audience the Rt Hon Andrew Burnham MP and requested him to form a new Administration.” The Palace said Burnham accepted the King’s offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. Burnham becomes…