African News Today

Nigerian Media Mogul, Raymond Dokpesi Passes on at 71

29May

By adminNo Comments

Nigeria, Uncategorized

Nigerian Media Mogul, Raymond Dokpesi Passes on at 71

The Nigerian media industry has lost a true icon with the passing of Raymond Dokpesi. The visionary entrepreneur, media mogul, and philanthropist was known for his unwavering commitment to the development of Nigeria's media landscape and his support for democracy in the country. Dokpesi founded Africa Independent Television (AIT), one of Nigeria's leading broadcast media institutions. He believed in the power of the media to speak truth to power and hold those in authority accountable. Throughout his career, he faced numerous legal and financial challenges but remained dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the empowerment of Nigerian citizens through the media. Dokpesi's impact on Nigeria's media industry cannot be overstated. He was a trailblazer who paved the way for many others i...

An Open Letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria on Transparency and Accountability In Court Proceedings – Adebowale Aluko

28May

By adminNo Comments

Elections, Justice, News, Nigeria

An Open Letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria on Transparency and Accountability In Court Proceedings – Adebowale Aluko

An open letter from a frontline legal practitioner to the CJN My Lord, I write, as a concerned member of the Nigerian bar, regarding a subject which has generated controversy among members of the bar and indeed the larger public in the past week. Confidence in the judiciary is at an all-time low. On 22 May 2023, at the opening ceremony of the annual conference of the National Association of Women Judges, Your Lordship urged judges sitting in election petition matters across the country to do substantive justice and eschew technicalities, in order to restore the confidence of the public in the judiciary. It is against this backdrop that I write in relation to the directive of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), prohibiting mobile phones and other electronic d...

Opinion: Nigeria’s Election Highlights Anglo-American Missteps – M. Page

28May

By adminNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria, United States of America

Opinion: Nigeria’s Election Highlights Anglo-American Missteps – M. Page

Nigeria’s just concluded presidential elections have been focusing minds in London and Washington. Like tens of millions of Nigerian voters, Anglo-American officials realized what was at stake. Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and is on track to be the third most populous country in the world by 2045. The UK and the US have enduring strategic interests in Nigeria, which are threatened by Nigeria’s kleptocratic ruling class’s tolerance of – and complicity in – democratic backsliding, grand corruption and gross human rights violations. The new administration faces a daunting array of challenges, from underdevelopment to insecurity, fiscal pressures and poor governance, which went unaddressed under outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari. But over the last several years, the UK and US h...

Inauguration: FG Restricts Movements Around Eagle Square

26May

By adminNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

Inauguration: FG Restricts Movements Around Eagle Square

The Federal Government has directed the restriction of movements around the Eagle Square, the venue of the inauguration parade, from 2 p.m. on Friday till Tuesday. This move is in preparation for the swearing-in of President-elect, Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima, on May 29. A circular issued by Ngozi Onwudiwe, a permanent secretary at the Head of the Civil Service, stated that the Federal Secretariat Complexes Phases I, II, III, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be cordoned off by security operatives ahead of the ceremony. The government has been conducting military drills in the past few weeks in preparation for the inauguration ceremony. The Inauguration Parade and Swearing-in of President-Elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is the climax of the Programme, will t...

DSS Raises Alarm Over Plans to Disrupt Handover Ceremonies in Nigeria

25May

By adminNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria, Security

DSS Raises Alarm Over Plans to Disrupt Handover Ceremonies in Nigeria

The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised an alarm over plans by some subversive elements to disrupt the handover ceremonies in some parts of the country. The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The DSS stated that these elements plan to undermine the efforts of the security agencies as well as cause panic among the citizens. The DSS has urged citizens to adhere to the laid down protocols for the events across the country to ensure a peaceful and successful ceremony. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council had announced activities for the Presidential inauguration on May 29, 2023, in Abuja. On the same date, new Governors will also be inaugurated in m...

We’ll Tell Dangote to Provide Forex to Nigeria at Good Rates – Emefiele

25May

By adminNo Comments

Economy, Finance, Lagos News, News, Nigeria, Petroleum, Trade

We’ll Tell Dangote to Provide Forex to Nigeria at Good Rates – Emefiele

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has disclosed that the Dangote Refinery will be encouraged to sell foreign exchange earnings to banks at a good rate. Speaking after the 291st Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja, Emefiele stated that his team would engage with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the promoter of the refinery, to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the venture. He noted that the CBN, the Federal Government, and the country had helped Dangote set up the refinery, adding that with local refining, the country would save about 20 per cent of the total cost of importing petroleum products, thereby reducing prices in the long run. Emefiele expressed optimism that the refinery would ease foreign exchange scarcity in Nigeria, adding that by the time ...

Ibikunle Amosun Denies Allegations Over Dangote Refinery Relocation

25May

By adminNo Comments

Economy, Employment, Labour, News, Nigeria, Petroleum, Trade

Ibikunle Amosun Denies Allegations Over Dangote Refinery Relocation

The former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has refuted claims by his successor, Dapo Abiodun, that he was responsible for the relocation of the $19bn Dangote refinery from Ogun to Lagos State. In a statement issued through his media aide, Bola Adeyemi, Amosun labelled Abiodun's allegations as "lies." He argued that the decision to move the refinery was made by Alhaji Aliko Dangote himself according to his business strategy and risk assessment. Amosun also clarified that the Olokola Free Trade Zone project was a Joint Venture between the Federal Government of Nigeria (which owned the majority 51%), Ondo State Government (14.5%), Ogun State Government (14.5%), strategic core investors (20%), and Alhaji Aliko Dangote who subsequently bought and took over the 20% equity...

A Word to the Dogs of Opposition – Femi Fani-Kayode

25Mar

By adminNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

A Word to the Dogs of Opposition – Femi Fani-Kayode

Trust me when I tell you that if there is any foul play in this matter or any conspiracy to thwart the people's will we will make this nation ungovernable. - Femi Fani-Kayode As a consequence of the events of the last few days I am constrained to say that, like a rabid and mad dog that is foaming at the mouth, the Nigerian opposition, represented by the followers of Atiku Abubakar (Atikulators) and the followers of Peter Obi (Obidients), have lost control of their senses. They need to get a grip before it is too late. They are attempting to start something that they cannot finish and that they cannot possibly fathom the end of. They are beating the drums of war and are indulging in a level of irresponsible and downright dangerous behaviour that has NEVER been witnessed before i...

Atiku Indicates Willingness to Form Alliance with Obi

3Mar

By adminNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

Atiku Indicates Willingness to Form Alliance with Obi

Atiku Abubakar, who was the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently concluded Nigerian general elections, has expressed his willingness to form an alliance with Peter Obi, who contested on the platform of the Labour Party (LP). Atiku made this statement during a press conference on Thursday. Atiku stated that he believes that there will be no problem if Peter Obi decides to dialogue with the PDP to form an alliance or not. It is important to note that Peter Obi was Atiku’s running mate during the 2019 Presidential election. However, this time around, both men were competing for the PDP ticket before Peter Obi decamped to the LP. See Also: Election: Atiku To Win Without G-5 Govs – Campaign Council In the official results declared by the Indepen...

<strong>2023Elections: Kebbi Governor Loses Senate Seat To PDP Candidate</strong>

28Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

Elections, News, Nigeria

2023Elections: Kebbi Governor Loses Senate Seat To PDP Candidate

Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State has been defeated in the Kebbi central senatorial district election by Adamu Aliero, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Abbas Yusuf-Bazata, declared the result on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, the capital. According to Yusuf-Bazata, Aliero, a former governor of the state clinched the seat by polling 126,588 votes to defeat Bagudu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who scored 92,389 votes. Yusuf-Bazata said Abubakar Bello-Tilli of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, got 1,874 votes, while Umar Rufa’I of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP scored 992 votes. See Also: Gov Ishaku Loses Senatorial Election To APC Candidate He sai...