In a strategic move to boost Africa’s mining sector, Nigeria’s Federal Government will soon introduce the “Africans for Africa Fund,” a financing mechanism aimed at mobilizing capital from within the continent to support the development of mining and natural resource industries. The announcement was made by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the upcoming 2025 African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS), scheduled for July 15-17 at the State House Conference Centre. Represented by Obadiah Nkom, Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Dr. Alake explained that the fund…
Author: Podium Reporters
On Tuesday, the naira depreciated to N1,585 per dollar in Nigeria’s parallel foreign exchange market, slipping from Monday’s rate of N1,570 per dollar. This decline in value reflects continuing pressures in the informal forex segment. However, the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) painted a different picture, with the naira appreciating to N1,527 per dollar from N1,532 per dollar the day before. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s latest data revealed this N5 appreciation in the official market, signaling some stability amid broader currency challenges. The growing disparity between the parallel and official exchange rates widened to N58 per dollar, compared to…
The Federal Government has disbursed N32 billion through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to strengthen primary healthcare services across Nigeria. This significant funding, released in the first half of 2025, aims to support over 8,000 primary healthcare facilities nationwide, reaffirming the government’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery. At the 11th Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting on BHCPF held in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted that this milestone marks a critical step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. “This achievement reflects our collective efforts across federal, state and…
The announcement by Ondo State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, that the government intends to probe the death of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has provoked significant controversy and condemnation across the state. Ajulo revealed that his office had received numerous petitions from concerned parties, both within and beyond Ondo State, requesting a coroner’s inquest into the circumstances of the late governor’s passing. According to Ajulo, the petitioners allege possible involvement of Akeredolu’s widow, Betty, and others in his death, although their identities remain confidential. This development has sparked fierce reactions from political leaders, community elders, and legal…
Mobile network subscribers across Nigeria are set to experience temporary disruptions in SIM-related services as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) switches to a new identity verification platform. The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) made this announcement in a statement released on Tuesday. ALTON Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, explained that the migration to the new platform has caused unforeseen technical difficulties, which have impacted the ability of mobile network operators to provide uninterrupted SIM services such as SIM swaps, replacements, and new activations. “The new platform aims to improve the integrity and efficiency of identity management systems.…
Igbo youths have openly challenged the political establishment, declaring that President Tinubu’s 2027 electoral prospects in the Southeast hinge solely on freeing IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu. At a packed Awka Hall rally in Umuahia, the All Igbo Youth Forum dismissed regional governors and senators as “irrelevant,” asserting youth dominance over Igbo politics. The rally followed Kenya’s High Court ruling that Kanu’s 2021 abduction violated international law. Hon. Chinedum Obilor, a former Umuahia council leader, accused Igbo politicians of deceiving Tinubu: “They claim control, but we decide elections. Release Kanu, and you won’t need to bribe us with rice.” Obilor further threatened…
The Nigerian judiciary faces significant obstacles including corruption, insufficient funding, political interference, and delayed justice, which collectively weaken its independence and effectiveness, according to Mr. Lawrence Nwakaeti, former Owerri Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). At the launch of the NUJ Workstation in Owerri on Monday, Nwakaeti presented a paper titled “Judiciary and the role of the media in deepening Nigerian democracy,” where he detailed the challenges eroding judicial integrity. “Very recently in Nigeria, it is sad to posit that the concept of judicial independence and as the last hope of the common man, is in reverse gear…
The summer transfer window in Europe has brought mixed fortunes for Nigeria’s top footballers. While some have clear destinations, a number of established internationals are caught in a web of stalled negotiations, contract uncertainties, and waning interest from potential suitors. Kelechi Iheanacho’s move to Sevilla last summer has not gone as planned. The former Leicester City striker scored only once in eleven league outings, leading to a loan to Middlesbrough where his impact was limited. Returning to Sevilla, Iheanacho has been told by the club’s new management that he may not be part of their future plans. Despite a contract…
Following months of political turmoil in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu is reportedly preparing to reinstate suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly within July. The move comes after a reconciliation meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, which brought together Fubara, his predecessor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, suspended Speaker Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers. The crisis began in October 2023 amid a power tussle between Fubara and Wike, resulting in impeachment proceedings against the governor by pro-Wike lawmakers. The situation escalated in March 2025 when Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency,…
In a development that has stirred political controversy, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja was reportedly sealed off by police on Monday. The police action prevented PDP leaders from holding their scheduled Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting at the secretariat, compelling them to relocate the meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District. The police justified their deployment as a measure to maintain law and order. Nevertheless, the move has sparked intense criticism from PDP members and political commentators, who view it as an infringement on the party’s rights. Dele Momodu, a prominent PDP leader,…