Author: Oyekanmi Seun

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday, dismissed the claims of the some serving Senators in the United States of America, USA, that there’s ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria. Rather, the Red Chamber declared that insecurity in Nigeria is not driven by religious sentiment but multifaceted factors which are critically being addressed by relevant authorities in the country. Senate’s reaction followed a motion by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) and co-sponsored by 20 other lawmakers on “Urgent need to correct misconceptions regarding the purported ‘Christian Genocide’ narrative in Nigeria and in the International Community” during plenary. The Red Chamber…

World leaders on Thursday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas, which could help end the two-year war in Gaza. Palestinian Territories Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said he hoped that the deal “would be a prelude to reaching a permanent political solution”, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. United Nations UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for all hostages to be released “in a dignified manner” and for a permanent ceasefire to be secured. “The fighting must stop once and for all,” he said, urging the immediate, unimpeded entry of humanitarian…

Staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have held a symbolic send-off for the outgoing chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, marking the end of his controversial tenure with a solemn rendition of the funeral hymn, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” In a short video making the rounds on social media, several INEC staff members were seen bidding farewell to Yakubu at the commission’s headquarters, singing the Christian hymn traditionally used during burials and farewells. The mood, while seemingly respectful, carried undertones of irony given the deep controversies that have defined Yakubu’s leadership since…

The World Bank has expressed concern that despite Nigeria’s recent economic stabilisation efforts, about 139 million citizens are now living in poverty, warning that the country risks losing reform gains if they fail to translate into tangible improvements in people’s welfare. The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the launch of the October 2025 Nigeria Development Update titled, “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home.” The Nigeria Development Update is the bank’s biannual flagship report that reviews economic trends, policy outcomes, and key challenges facing Nigeria. Speaking during his…

Hamas said Wednesday that “optimism” was prevailing in indirect talks with Israel aimed at ending the Gaza war, with the militant group submitting a list of prisoners it wants released in exchange for freeing Israeli hostages under a deal. The talks aim to thrash out a plan to implement a 20-point peace proposal put forward last month by US President Donald Trump, to which both Israel and Hamas have responded positively. The plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of all the hostages, Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. “The mediators are making great efforts to remove…

An estimated 98 per cent of Nigerians will either stop paying tax or have their tax rate under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) category crashed to its barest minimum when the new tax law goes into force in January 2026. This formed part of the clarifications made by Dr. Taiwo Oladele, the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, at the Nigerian Economic Summit discussion session yesterday in Abuja. This declaration by Oyedele which drew wide applause from the audience, came at a backdrop of several apprehensive comments from the public over alleged increasing economic burdens on…

At least four people have been killed in separate cult clashes in the Atan-Ota area of Ogun State and the Ojo area of Lagos State. The Den learnt on Tuesday that the incident at Atan-Ota occurred on Monday night at about 8 p.m. According to the source, who pleaded anonymity for his safety, the clash broke out in the Kajola area of Atan-Ota between suspected members of the Aiye confraternity and the Eiye confraternity. The source disclosed that the attack was carried out by members of the Aiye group in what was suspected to be a reprisal for the earlier…

The embattled Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday returned to the Senate after serving a six-month suspension. She was seen smiling as the upper chamber resumed plenary following a 10-week recess, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio presiding over the session. The lawmaker was accompanied by a handful of activists and loyalists, including Aisha Yesufu, who was spotted in the gallery, while others weren’t allowed in. She walked into the Senate chamber and made her way to her seat and after exchanging pleasantries with a few senators. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return marks the end of a suspension that had generated widespread…

The newly built Gateway International Airport in Ogun State welcomed its first commercial flight on Tuesday morning, despite challenging rainy conditions. The event marked the beginning of scheduled passenger services from the newly operational Ogun State-owned airport. Passengers were seen queuing for check-in at the airport’s terminal, braving the rain as they prepared for the inaugural flight operated by ValueJet to Abuja. The Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy Kayode Akinmade, had last month announced the sales of flight ticket to Abuja, scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays. “For the Return flight, Value Jet will depart the…

Some members of the National Association of Oduduwa Students, the Coalition of Yoruba Students, and the Yoruba Movement are currently staging a peaceful protest in solidarity with the Dangote Refinery, amid its ongoing faceoff with oil unions, PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria. The protesters, who converged on Tuesday at Iwo Road Roundabout, end of Ibadan/Lagos expressway, Ibadan in Oyo State, were chanting different songs to show their solidarity. The protesters, who converged on Tuesday at Iwo Road Roundabout, end of Ibadan/Lagos expressway, Ibadan in Oyo State, were chanting different songs to show their…