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  • FERMA raises alarm over man-made road damage, faults motorists

    FERMA raises alarm over man-made road damage, faults motorists

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has expressed concern over the attitude of motorists and other road users towards the maintenance of federal and various other roads across the country. Engr. Francis Isabiyi made this observation during an on-site assessment of the major structural failures along the Saki-Ago Are road. He stated that over eighty […]

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  • NAFDAC seizes N350m worth of fake alcohol in Lagos raids

    NAFDAC seizes N350m worth of fake alcohol in Lagos raids

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has announced the seizure of 1,800 cartons of alcoholic beverages valued at approximately N350 million in Lagos State, following coordinated enforcement operations targeting illegal production sites.

    In a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, the agency said its operatives uncovered and shut down two clandestine facilities engaged in the counterfeiting and adulteration of alcoholic drinks.

    NAFDAC explained that acting on credible intelligence, its enforcement team carried out raids at Zamfara Plaza within the Trade Fair Complex and another location on Lagos Island, where large quantities of fake and substandard alcoholic products were recovered.

    According to the agency, the operation at the Trade Fair Complex revealed makeshift production areas fitted with plastic mixing containers, improvised filtering equipment, empty branded bottles, corks, and packaging materials used for the production of counterfeit beverages.

    A separate operation on Lagos Island reportedly led to the arrest of a suspect believed to be involved in the illegal manufacture and distribution of the adulterated drinks through a retail outlet. All recovered items were confiscated and removed for further regulatory investigation.

    NAFDAC cautioned that the consumption of adulterated alcoholic products poses severe health risks, including poisoning, organ failure, and possible death.

    It advised members of the public to patronise only authorised outlets and report suspicious activities to the nearest agency office.

    NAFDAC seizes N350m worth of fake alcohol in Lagos raids

  • NNL: Ranchers Bees clinch NPFL promotion

    NNL: Ranchers Bees clinch NPFL promotion

    Ranchers Bees earned promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, despite going down 2-0 to Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium on Wednesday.

    The Kaduna-based club needed just one point to secure their return to the top-flight but the result didn’t matter much after their rivals Jigawa Golden Stars lost 3-0 away to Kebbi United.

    Ranchers Bees finished top of the Nigeria National League, NNL, Conference D with 20 points.

    They will be making a return to the NPFL after 26 years.

    Jigawa Golden Stars finished third with 18 points.

    DAILY POST recalls Doma United, Inter Lagos, and Sporting Lagos have earlier secured promotion to the NPFL.

    NNL: Ranchers Bees clinch NPFL promotion

  • Afriland Properties Shareholders Approve N329.7m Dividend, Assets Rise To N65bn

    Afriland Properties Shareholders Approve N329.7m Dividend, Assets Rise To N65bn

    Shareholders of Afriland Properties Plc have approved a total dividend payout of N329.7m for the 2025 financial year, as the company reported steady revenue growth and a significant expansion in its asset base to N65bn.

    The approval was granted at the company’s 13th Annual General Meeting, where management presented audited results for the year ended December 31, 2025.

    The declared dividend of 24 kobo per ordinary share comprises an interim dividend of 13 kobo already paid and a final dividend of 11 kobo, reinforcing the company’s commitment to consistent shareholder returns.

    Afriland Properties posted revenue of N4.07bn, representing an 8 per cent increase from N3.75bn recorded in 2024.

    Gross profit also rose to N3.51bn from N3.13bn in the previous year, supported by improved operational efficiency and tighter cost controls across its business segments.

    However, profit before tax declined to N2.60bn from N3.70bn in 2024, reflecting prevailing macroeconomic pressures and cost dynamics.

    The company’s balance sheet showed notable strength, with total assets rising by 33 per cent to N65bn, up from N48bn in the prior year. Shareholders’ funds also increased to N36.09bn from N34.93bn, indicating sustained value accretion despite earnings pressure.

    Chairman of the Board, Emmanuel Nnorom, said the 2025 performance underscores the company’s resilience and disciplined approach in navigating a challenging operating environment.

    He noted that the firm remained focused on preserving value, strengthening its asset base, and delivering sustainable returns to investors.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Azubike Emodi, described the results as a reflection of the company’s strong operating model and execution capabilities.

    He said Afriland continued to record progress across its core business areas, including property development, facilities management, asset enhancement, and investment activities, while maintaining efficiency and long-term value creation.

    Emodi added that the company is entering a new phase of growth, driven by a pipeline of ongoing and upcoming projects in key markets such as Lagos and Abuja.

    He also highlighted efforts to reposition underutilised assets to improve yield and optimise returns over the long term.

    Looking ahead, Afriland Properties expressed optimism about opportunities within Nigeria’s real estate sector, particularly in residential housing, mixed-use developments, and commercial real estate.

    The company said it would continue to leverage innovation, strategic partnerships, and disciplined execution to sustain growth and enhance stakeholder value.

    Afriland Properties Shareholders Approve N329.7m Dividend, Assets Rise To N65bn is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

  • Taraba First Lady urges routine immunisation to protect children

    Taraba First Lady urges routine immunisation to protect children

    The First Lady of Taraba State, Mrs Agyin Agbu Kefas, has called on mothers and communities to prioritise routine immunisation as a critical step in safeguarding the health of children across the state.

    She made the appeal during a state-level advocacy campaign on routine immunisation and primary health care held on Wednesday in Jalingo, the state capital.

    Mrs Agyin Agbu Kefas acknowledged recent improvements in immunisation coverage and access to primary healthcare services, commending health workers for their resilience and dedication, particularly in rural communities.

    She, however, expressed concern over the persistence of zero-dose children—those who have not received any vaccines—and urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure no child is left behind.

    As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots awareness, Mrs Kefas launched the “Mama Ambassadors” initiative.

    The programme, DAILY POST learnt, is designed to mobilise women across the 16 local government areas of Taraba State to promote healthcare-seeking behaviours, including attendance at antenatal clinics and routine immunisation for children.

    She reassured residents of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, calling for sustained collaboration among stakeholders.

    Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Tukura Nuhu Nyigwa, commended the state government’s support and lauded the First Lady’s commitment to improving maternal and child health.

    He reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to delivering quality healthcare services across the state.

    On his part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Bordiya G. Buma, represented by Mr Chufor Harmony, said the government is strengthening primary healthcare through facility upgrades, provision of medical equipment, and recruitment of additional health workers to enhance service delivery.

    In her remarks, Hajiya Halima Mohammed, representing the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), praised the Taraba First Lady’s initiative and reiterated the Forum’s commitment to collaborating on programmes that improve the health and wellbeing of women and children in Taraba State and across Nigeria.

    Taraba First Lady urges routine immunisation to protect children

  • After Much Speculations, Power Minister Adelabu Resigns

    After Much Speculations, Power Minister Adelabu Resigns

    The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has formally tendered his resignation and proposed the establishment of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to drive integrated reforms across Nigeria’s power, gas, and related sectors.

    In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State. He, however, emphasised that sustaining and consolidating the gains recorded in the power sector requires stronger coordination at the highest level, including the appointment of a central authority to harmonise policy direction and execution.

    Confirming the development, the Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, said the Minister expressed deep appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a privilege to contribute to national development.

    Adelabu noted that his decision aligns with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which precludes serving political office holders from contesting elections. He further disclosed that his gubernatorial aspiration dates back to 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    In his three-page letter, the Minister outlined key achievements recorded during his tenure, including the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralised the electricity market and improved the investment climate. He highlighted that peak power generation rose to over 6,000 megawatts, driven by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of thermal power plants. Transmission capacity was also strengthened through grid upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative.

    He further cited notable improvements in the distribution segment, including enhanced regulatory oversight, improved revenue collection, and progress in reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses. Efforts to close the metering gap, he added, gained momentum through the Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP).

    On the financial front, Adelabu stated that tariff reforms and a ₦4 trillion debt restructuring programme increased market revenues from ₦1 trillion in 2023 to ₦2.3 trillion in 2025, restoring investor confidence and placing the sector on a path to sustainability.

    Despite these gains, the Minister acknowledged persistent challenges, including gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism, and the need for full commercialisation of the electricity value chain. He therefore proposed key measures to sustain progress, including the implementation of cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalisation of distribution companies, accelerated nationwide metering, sustained transmission investments, and strengthened regulatory enforcement.

    Central to his recommendations is the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to provide strategic oversight and ensure synergy across power, gas, water resources, and environmental sectors. According to him, this approach is critical to improving gas supply for thermal generation, optimising hydroelectric resources, and accelerating renewable energy deployment.

    Tunji added that Adelabu remains committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless handover process, while expressing gratitude to the President for the confidence and support extended to him throughout his tenure.

  • Niger govt to release budgeted funds for disaster response

    Niger govt to release budgeted funds for disaster response

    The Niger State Government has assured that it will begin the release of budgeted funds to strengthen preparedness and response to disasters, as part of efforts to reduce the impact of future shocks across the state.

    This follows recent warnings by the Federal Government that 33 states, including Niger, may experience flooding this year.

    The Commissioner for Planning Commission, Mustapha Ndajiwo, disclosed this at a three-day stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the Niger State Shock Response Framework, organised in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in Minna.

    He said provisions had already been made in the 2026 budget for disaster response, counterpart funding, and related interventions, stressing that funds would be deployed when necessary.

    Ndajiwo noted that Niger State remains highly vulnerable to disasters, adding that the government is reviewing existing strategies to improve response and build a more coordinated system.

    He further explained that while policies exist in sectors such as agriculture, food security, and nutrition, implementation has often been fragmented, making it necessary to develop a unified Shock Response Framework that integrates planning, emergency management, and social services.

    Speaking in an interview, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Mohammed Inga Ibrahim, said the ministry would work with stakeholders to strengthen preparedness and community resilience.

    He stressed the need for proactive measures and sustainable financing, noting that emergency response must be backed by a clear funding mechanism to enable rapid action before crises escalate.

    Ibrahim also called for stronger inter-ministerial coordination and the use of early warning systems based on data such as rainfall patterns, food prices, and nutrition indicators to trigger timely interventions.

    In her goodwill message, UNICEF WASH Specialist for the Kaduna Field Office and Emergency Focal Person for Niger State, Theresa Pamma, said the meeting aims to mobilise resources for effective disaster response, adding that UNICEF would continue to provide technical support.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Planning Commission, Aishatu Usman, warned that Niger State remains exposed to recurring shocks such as flooding, inflation, and insecurity, which often erase years of development gains and hit vulnerable households the hardest.

    Niger govt to release budgeted funds for disaster response

  • EPL: Absolutely disgusting, I’m ashamed of your performance – Jason Cundy blasts Chelsea

    EPL: Absolutely disgusting, I’m ashamed of your performance – Jason Cundy blasts Chelsea

    Former Chelsea player, Jason Cundy, has slammed the Blues following their ‘disgusting’ performance against Brighton in the Premier League on Tuesday.

    Cundy said he was ashamed of Liam Rosenior’s side against the hosts at the Amex Stadium as they were thrashed 3-0.

    The result leaves Chelsea in seventh position on the Premier League table with less than four matches to conclude the season.

    “That was absolutely disgusting,” Cundy told talkSPORT while reacting to Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton. “I am ashamed of that performance. Absolutely ashamed. It’s gutless.

    “They absolutely battered us. They embarrassed us. At 2-0, I’m thinking the scoreline just doesn’t do it justice. And at 3-0, it still doesn’t.”

    EPL: Absolutely disgusting, I’m ashamed of your performance – Jason Cundy blasts Chelsea

  • Anambra: Soludo appoints Bishop Kukah as COOU Chancellor

    Anambra: Soludo appoints Bishop Kukah as COOU Chancellor

    The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has appointed Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as the Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State. Christian Aburime, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement to newsmen in Awka, the state […]

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  • BREAKING: Adelabu resigns as Power Minister 

    BREAKING: Adelabu resigns as Power Minister 

    The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has formally tendered his resignation from his role as a cabinet member in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government. In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus […]

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