EFCC Places Former NNPCL Boss Kyari on Watch-list
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, on its watch-list over the ongoing probe into the $7.2 billion refineries’ turnaround maintenance. Sources said investigations into NNPCL’s activities during Kyari’s tenure reached an advanced stage last month after the arrest of some of his close associates.
Criticism Trails Unmanned Nigeria Booth at TICAD9
Some social media users on Wednesday tackled Nigerian officials who traveled to Japan for the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) after the country’s exhibition booth was left unmanned despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s attendance at the summit.
Nigeria’s Consul General in Cameroon, Ambassador Coker, Dies
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the sudden death of Ambassador Taofik Obasanjo Coker, Nigeria’s Consul General in Buea, Cameroon. A statement issued by ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the envoy died on Saturday, August 16, following a brief illness.
Anambra Dismisses Vigilantes Over Assault on Female Corps Member
The Anambra State Government has dismissed eight vigilante operatives who assaulted a serving female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Miss Edema Jennifer Elohor, in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.
The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, disclosed this in Awka on Wednesday.
IGP Creates New Area Commands, Upgrades Stations in Benue
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the creation of two new Area Commands and the upgrade of five police stations to Divisions in Benue State. State police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said the restructuring became necessary to address security challenges in troubled areas.
Veteran Actor Fabian Adibe Dies at 82
Legendary actor Fabian Adibe, best known for his role in the NTA adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, has died.
The actor, who marked his 82nd birthday in February, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday.
Makinde Approves September 26 Coronation for Ladoja as Olubadan
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved September 26 for the coronation of Oba Rasidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The decision followed a meeting between the governor and the former governor at Ladoja’s Ondo Street, Bodija residence on Wednesday.
Three Killed in Ebonyi Auto Crash
Three persons died on Wednesday in an accident at Nwanwu Junction, Igbeagu, along the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja highway.
Eyewitnesses said the crash occurred after a cement mixer truck lost its brakes while descending from Nwezenyi.
Ondo Police Arrest Over 200 Suspects in Two Months
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested more than 200 suspects in the last two months for offences including kidnapping, murder, rape, armed robbery, cultism, and theft.
The command announced the arrests on Wednesday, noting that the suspects were also linked to fraudulent property conversions.
Governors’ Forum Decries Low FDI Inflows
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has decried low levels of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country, saying inflows have averaged just $2 billion annually over the last decade, representing less than 0.5 per cent of GDP.
He spoke in Abuja on Wednesday during the unveiling of NGF’s Investopedia, a compendium of investment opportunities in the 36 states.
TICAD9: Presidency Defends Delegation Over Empty Nigeria Booth
The presidency has defended Nigeria’s delegation at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), dismissing viral reports of an unmanned booth as “misrepresentation.”
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday that the Nigerian team, led by President Bola Tinubu, focused on high-level engagements rather than the trade expo.
Tinubu Abolishes 5% Telecoms Tax
President Bola Tinubu has approved the scrapping of the 5 per cent excise duty on telecommunications services, including mobile voice and data. Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) chief executive Aminu Maida confirmed the development in Abuja on Tuesday, noting that the tax removal is part of efforts to ease financial pressures on consumers.
Makinde Confirms Ladoja as Next Olubadan
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed that Oba Rasidi Ladoja will be installed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on September 26, 2025. The confirmation followed Makinde’s visit to the former governor’s Bodija residence on Wednesday.
PDP Accuses APC of Rigging Zamfara Bye-election
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency bye-election in Zamfara State. National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, alleged that voters were intimidated and ballot boxes carted away by security operatives during the August 16 poll.
FG Confirms Shutdown of 13 Million Social Media Accounts
The Federal Government says more than 13 million social media accounts were shut down in 2024 over violations of Nigeria’s Code of Practice. A compliance report released by regulators including the NCC, NITDA, and NBC revealed that nearly 59 million offensive posts were also taken down across platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
ADC Rejects Proposed Salary Hike for Politicians
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected plans by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase salaries of political office holders. National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said in a statement that such a move would be “tone-deaf” at a time when Nigerians are struggling with inflation and high living costs.
Naira Marley Speaks on Mohbad’s Death, Calls It ‘Premeditated’
Singer Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has described the death of his former signee, Mohbad, as “premeditated.” In a viral video released this week, Marley expressed grief while denying involvement in the 2023 incident, which sparked nationwide protests and investigations into alleged bullying by industry figures.
Brymo Cautions Stars Against Remixing Songs of New Artistes
Singer Brymo has urged established Nigerian artistes, including Davido and Burna Boy, to stop remixing tracks of emerging musicians. In a post on Instagram, he argued that the trend undermines upcoming artistes’ creativity and makes it harder for them to establish themselves in the industry.
Arsenal’s Havertz Injured, Arteta’s Attacking Options Thin
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has suffered a knee injury that could sideline him for weeks, further depleting Mikel Arteta’s attacking options. The German international, 26, missed training on Wednesday after sustaining the injury, leaving new signing Viktor Gyökeres as the club’s main striking option with Gabriel Jesus still recovering.
Fabio Breaks Men’s Football Appearance Record
Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio has become the most capped player in men’s competitive football history with 1,391 appearances. The 44-year-old achieved the feat on Tuesday in Fluminense’s 2–0 Copa Sudamericana win over América de Cali at the Maracanã, surpassing England legend Peter Shilton’s long-standing record.