Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has criticised the tax reform bills, saying it will drag the northern part of the country backward. The bills, transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in September, have faced stiff opposition, especially from the north, with stakeholders calling for its withdrawal. Daily Trust had…
Rice is a staple crop essential for global food security, yet its production is highly sensitive to environmental stressors. Upland rice ecosystems, which depend on rainfed conditions, face increasing challenges due to erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures exacerbated by climate change. These stresses threaten the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, who predominantly cultivate rice…
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, of defilement and sexual assault by penetration of a minor. Dr. Olaleye had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a lower court on a two-count charge. However, he appealed the decision, challenging…
Former Nigerian Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed as the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for a second term. GISTSMATE MEDIA reports that the organisation made the disclosure in a post on X on Friday. WTO said the reappointment will take effect on September 1, 2025. Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the…
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, declined to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arraign the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in the absence of his lawyers. Bello was scheduled to enter his plea before trial Justice Emeka Nwite, on another 19-count charge that bordered…
Nigerian investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, has been reportedly arrested and detained by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The arrest, which took place three days ago, was confirmed by the Foundation For Investigative Journalism (FIJ) on its official page on Friday morning. It was gathered that Soyombo’s detention may…
A devastating boat accident occurred in the early hours of Friday along the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of River Niger, resulting in the loss of multiple lives. According to eyewitnesses, the boat, which belonged to one Musa Dangana, was carrying over 200 passengers, including market women and farm laborers, en route to the Katcha weekly market. Tragically,…
Uganda’s Ministry of Finance has confirmed a cyberattack on the country’s central bank systems but refuted claims that hackers stole as much as $17 million. The incident, which occurred two weeks ago, is currently under investigation by the Auditor General and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Speaking to lawmakers on Thursday, Minister of State for…
A French band delighted attendees at a state dinner in Paris on Thursday by performing P-Square’s hit song “Testimony (Taste the Money)” in honour of President Bola Tinubu. The dinner, hosted at the Palais de l’ÉlysĂ©e during Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France to foster closer diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations. In…
The Calabar Xmas Festival Is Exactly 20 Years this 2024. It’s heartbreaking that after 20 Years of The Calabar Xmas Festival with billions of Cross River tax payers money spent, much has not been achieved. No Artist from Cross River has hit the national grade from the Calabar Xmas Festival. Hence, making the purpose of…