Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has alleged that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan offered Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flag bearer, the position of Coordinating Minister of the Economy if he agrees to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition and support Jonathan’s bid. Kachikwu made the claims during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, insisting that certain northern political interests have persuaded Jonathan to join the 2027 race as part of a calculated move to weaken southern political strength. “In order to weaken the South, they have now drafted in former President Jonathan into…
Author: Podium Reporters
The Nigerian government has declared an all-out war on counterfeit pharmaceuticals and unsafe food products, rolling out a high-level task force comprised of security and regulatory institutions with one mission: to safeguard the health of the nation. The task force, unveiled in Abuja on Friday by Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is envisioned as a united front against a criminal enterprise that threatens the nation’s public health system and food security. “This is a decisive step to protect Nigerians from harmful products that have no place in our markets or hospitals,” Dr. Pate…
Amid rising economic concerns and public discourse questioning the stability of the nation, the Nigerian Presidency has come forward to dispel growing fears about a potential collapse of the country, describing such concerns as deeply exaggerated and divorced from actual conditions on the ground. The response came in light of a recent editorial that painted a grim picture of Nigeria under the current administration, declaring the nation to be crumbling under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. Reacting to the claims, Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, released a statement on Thursday challenging the accuracy…
President Trump publicly challenged Intel’s CEO to step down, accusing him of being “highly conflicted” due to his China ties—a claim rooted in a letter by Senator Tom Cotton citing ties to PLA‑linked firms. Cotton’s letter suggested that Tan’s prior CEO role at Cadence coincided with serious violations involving Chinese military sales, prompting deeper national security concerns. In a calm yet assertive reply, Tan said Intel is proactively engaging with government officials to clear the air—asserting he’s operating with integrity and dedication. Investors responded—Intel’s stock dropped around 3% as uncertainty reigned. Industry watchers view this as another blow to a…
Nigeria’s public health system got a technological upgrade as First Lady Oluremi Tinubu commissioned ten solar-powered molecular diagnostic machines for tuberculosis detection and backed the move with a ₦1 billion donation to the FCTA. Speaking at the official handover in Abuja—represented by Kwara State First Lady, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq—Tinubu said the intervention addresses long-standing limitations in diagnostic access. “Tuberculosis is curable, but far too many Nigerians are still dying from TB… because access to the appropriate diagnostic tools are limited,” she said. She traced the initiative back to a promise made during World TB Day outreach in Sauka village, now…
Femi Otedola, a prominent Nigerian businessman, has shared a compelling story of his turbulent encounter with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the aftermath of the 2004 deregulation of diesel importation. This confrontation, according to Otedola, was marked by fierce accusations and an intense verbal exchange, as Obasanjo angrily blamed him for the diesel shortage that followed. In his forthcoming memoir, “Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business,” which is scheduled for release on August 18, 2025, Otedola recounts the dramatic events surrounding the diesel deregulation that saw the Nigerian government step away from its traditional role in fuel…
Massive Failure Rate, Digital Errors Question Future of Computer-Based Testing in Nigeria WAEC’s latest technical mishap in releasing the 2025 WASSCE results has reignited a storm of criticism, with stakeholders questioning not just its competence but its readiness to transition to a fully digital exam system. Following what it called “internal post-release checks,” WAEC suspended access to its result-checking portal, admitting bugs had disrupted the system. It blamed technical problems linked to newly introduced paper serialisation used in key subjects to curb cheating. WAEC expressed regret over the incident and announced a 24-hour timeline for corrections, urging candidates to revisit…
Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has harshly criticised the recent airport conduct of renowned Fuji musician KWAM 1, describing his actions as a serious threat to aviation safety. In a firm statement released Thursday, Keyamo said he had carefully reviewed security footage and aviation reports concerning the August 5 incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where KWAM 1 allegedly disrupted ValueJet operations by physically obstructing an aircraft. “Contrary to what the agents of Kwam 1 have said, he constantly moved his position on the tarmac to ACTUALLY BLOCK the aircraft from taxiing to take position on the…
By Ayobami Oyalowo In recent months, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has come under public scrutiny over its internal restructuring exercise, including the relocation of staff, an early exit programme, and the appointment of 16 new directors. However, Deputy Governor of the CBN in charge of Economic Policy, Mohammed Abdullahi, at the 2-day interactive session on Government-Citizen Engagement by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) offered a rare behind-the-scenes explanation that sheds light on the rationale behind these decisions. The Problem Inherited According to Abdullahi, when the current leadership assumed office, one of the first red flags was…
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie continues to redefine excellence in women’s football as she secures a nomination for the 2025 Yachine Trophy, the prestigious Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best female goalkeeper. At just 24, Nnadozie has amassed a portfolio of achievements that reflect her unrelenting pursuit of greatness. Her recent transfer from Paris FC to Brighton Women FC comes on the heels of a season that saw her break barriers and deliver match-winning performances on some of the sport’s biggest stages. Her standout moment came in the Coupe de France Féminine final against PSG, where her composure and shot-stopping abilities…