By Donald Kumun At the Progressive Digital Media Summit, held under the auspices of the Special Assistant to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Social Media, Hon. Dada Olusegun, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, was recognised as the “North-Central Governor of the Year” in honour of his outstanding antecedents. It came as no surprise to those who have closely followed Benue’s impressive digital transformation since May 2023. The award, later presented to him at Government House, Makurdi, was not the result of anyone’s personal recommendation but a recognition naturally accorded…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Nigerian states experienced a substantial increase in foreign debt servicing payments during the first half of 2025, spending approximately N235.58 billion, marking a 68.4 percent rise from the previous year’s N139.92 billion. This rise is largely attributed to the naira’s depreciation, which inflates the local currency cost of repaying dollar-denominated obligations. January 2025 saw the highest single-month outflow at N40.09 billion, over three times the January 2024 figure. Subsequent months maintained elevated payments, with a notable consistency in the second quarter. Lagos State continues as the major contributor, disbursing nearly N50 billion, more than doubling several other states due to…
The threat of a nationwide paralysis in Nigeria’s air transport system has been temporarily lifted as aviation workers’ unions have suspended their planned strike, originally scheduled to begin on Monday, August 11, 2025. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the suspension late Sunday, citing constructive engagement between the unions, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and his ministry. In his statement on X, Keyamo revealed: “We are happy to announce that, after our intervention, the planned strike by the Aviation Unions due to commence tomorrow has been shelved.” The decision came after intense negotiations involving the National…
Nigeria’s economy in 2025 faces significant challenges marked by stagflation, high inflation, currency devaluation, and rising debt levels, even as some sectors show signs of growth. President Bola Tinubu’s administration, inaugurated in May 2023, has embarked on a bold and transformative reform agenda aimed at stabilizing the macroeconomic fundamentals, reviving economic growth, and repositioning Nigeria towards sustainable development. Central to his tenure is the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” a policy framework meant to propel Nigeria into becoming a trillion-dollar economy within the next decade by leveraging the country’s population, resources, and key sectors. The Current Economic Landscape in Nigeria The…
On August 10, 2025, Ukrainian military intelligence confirmed a targeted drone attack on the Lukoil-Ukhta refinery located in the Komi Republic of Russia, approximately 2,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, an operation that marks a significant escalation in Ukraine’s capability to strike deep within Russian territory. The attack was verified by a source within Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), confirming earlier reports from Russian local officials and media regarding the drone strike and its impact. The refinery, situated in the town of Ukhta, is a critical supplier of fuel and lubricants to Russian military forces. It processes blended crudes brought…
Chelsea concluded their pre-season campaign on a high note by overpowering AC Milan 4–1 at Stamford Bridge. The match set the tone early when Chelsea took the lead in just the fifth minute through a fortuitous own goal by Milan’s Andrei Coubis, who inadvertently headed the ball into his own net under sustained pressure. Just three minutes later, João Pedro broadened the lead with a precise header from a Pedro Neto cross, marking his fifth goal in five appearances. The situation worsened for Milan when Coubis was shown a straight red card in the 18th minute for pulling down João…
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has raised optimism about the country’s economy following a significant jump in non-oil export earnings to $3.225 billion in the first half of 2025. This figure marks a 19.59 percent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2024, signaling a successful push beyond crude oil exports. Nonye Ayeni, NEPC’s CEO, provided detailed insights at the council’s recent report presentation in Abuja, noting that the volume of goods exported also rose to 4.04 million metric tonnes from 3.83 million metric tonnes last year. This reflects increasing international demand from key markets like India, Brazil, Vietnam, and…
By Donald Kumun For decades, Benue State has been known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” which summarizes its vast, fertile lands, and deep-rooted agricultural heritage. But beneath the rich soil and thriving farmlands, lies a story of immense, untapped potential. It is a story of solid minerals waiting to be mined, of cultural treasures, ripe for discovery, and of a people, ready to build a new, more prosperous future. Under the leadership of the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Benue State, is making a bold bid to write a new chapter, one…
Supporting the Alia/Tinubu 2027 Vision through community empowerment with solar-powered boreholes, relief materials and food supplies across Benue State It is impossible to ignore the transformative wave sweeping through Benue State, and at the heart of it stands Engr. Livinus Tsar. Far more than just a supporter of the Alia/Tinubu 2027 vision, Livinus embodies what true grassroots impact should look like. His recent community empowerment initiative is not just charity; it is a deliberate, well-thought-out investment in both the immediate needs and the future stability of our communities. By combining humanitarian relief with lasting infrastructure from food supplies and relief…
Former Minister of Transportation and prominent presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, made a striking declaration during a live program on the social media platform X earlier today. Amaechi vowed to halt the ongoing coastal road project if elected president, branding it as an avenue for corruption and theft. The ambitious infrastructure project, spanning from Lagos to Calabar, has recently drawn widespread acclaim from various regions across Nigeria, including the South South and South West zones. Many citizens have expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s administration for opening up what they describe as a landmark opportunity to improve connectivity and development through…