A popular fake news merchant and propagandist, Mahdi Shehu from Northern Nigeria in trying to prove the baseless claims by the military dictator of Niger Republic accusing Nigeria of allowing France to establish a military base shared a video apparently shot in 2013 showing Nigerian and French troops offloading supplies on his X handle. The video went viral with many believing it to be true. However, upon a reverse search of the video on the internet, Podium Reporters discovered that the video has been in circulation online since 2013. The video is a news report by the Associated Press (AP)…
Author: Michael Chibuzo
Following the false accusations of collusion with France levelled against Nigeria by the military dictator of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has come out to quash such claims, describing them as baseless. Few days ago, a video went viral in Nigeria in which the junta leader alleged that Nigeria has given its former colonial master and ally, France a military base in Nigeria for the purpose of destabilising Niger Republic. However, responding to the claims in a BBC Hausa interview, the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu pointed out that Nigeria has never given any foreign…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India on the passing of the country’s former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Singh, India’s Prime Minister between 2004 and 2014, died Thursday at the age of 92. According to a state house press release signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Prime Minister Singh’s official visit to Nigeria in 2007 was historic as he earned the distinct honour of addressing a joint session of the National Assembly, a privilege accorded to only a few global leaders. The…
By Mohammed Idris, fnipr As the first full year of President Tinubu’s administration, 2024 has come with its unique share of challenges and triumphs. As we look back at the ongoing year, this is the perfect time to reflect on the President’s vision for a transformed Nigeria and how 2024 has provided numerous opportunities to manifest that vision. On so many fronts, the outgoing year has brought significant policy and legislative milestones that are helping to cement the very foundations of the President’s grand vision for Nigeria. Take the examples of the Students Loan Fund and the Consumer Credit Corporation,…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly rejected allegations made in a viral video by the military leader of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accusing Nigeria of colluding with its former ally France to destabilise Niger Republic. In a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the federal government stated that these claims exist solely in the realm of imagination, as Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France – or any other country – to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilize the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in…
President Bola Tinubu has cancelled all his official events in Lagos today, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State. The two tragedies claimed many lives and left many others injured. President Tinubu was scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi. Dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State government and white cap chiefs from the State, were already seated when the President cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies.…
By Bernard Okri On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a speech to the Joint Session of the National Assembly as he presented his ₦49.7 trillion 2025 budget estimate to the legislature. The budget marks the President’s second within his 19 months in office and the second under this administration. His speech provided a concise overview of Nigeria’s economic trajectory under his leadership. Christened the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” this budget builds on the gains achieved during the administration’s initial efforts to stabilize the economy. It promises to improve lives and enhance productivity nationwide.…
Super Eagles of Nigeria forward and Atalanta superstar, Ademola Lookman has been named the African Player of the Year at the 2024 Confederation of African Football Awards taking place at city of Marrakech in Morocco. Ademola Lookman had a phenomenal year both at the club level and at the national team level. He mesmerised football fans with his incredible skill, blistering pace, and clinical finishing from unbelievable angles. Lookman was instrumental in both his club’s success in at the Europa League where he bagged an insane hatrick at the finals and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the announcement by Shell and its partners of their Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Bonga North Deep Offshore Field. This is according to a State House press statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, the landmark investment in Bonga North, which is Nigeria’s first deepwater oil project in over a decade, underscores the transformative impact of the President’s policies and reforms in attracting investments in the oil and gas sector. The Bonga North oilfield, located 130 kilometres offshore in Oil Mining…
In a major piece of good news for Nigeria, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of Shell plc, has announced a final investment decision (FID) on Bonga North, a deep-water project off the coast of Nigeria. According to a statement by Shell, Bonga North will be a subsea tie-back to the Shell-operated Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility which Shell operates with a 55% interest. The Bonga North project, the statement added, involves drilling, completing, and starting up 16 wells (8 production and 8 water injection wells), modifications to the existing Bonga Main FPSO…