Author: Ayo

The stage is set for the Super Falcons’ Olympic debut against Brazil today at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux, France. Nigeria’s senior women’s team is back in the Olympics after a 16-year hiatus, and they’re eager to make a statement in Group C. The Super Falcons have met Brazil twice before, losing 4-3 in 1991 and 3-1 in 2008. Can they break the jinx today? Brazil’s legendary forward Marta, with 118 goals in 183 appearances, will be a force to reckon with. Can the Falcons’ defense contain her? Nigeria will also face current world champions Spain and former world…

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to infrastructural renewal and development, allocating 23% of the 2024 budget to the Economic Affairs Sector. During the 2025 budget consultative forum in Ikeja, Commissioner Ope George emphasized the importance of citizen engagement in the budget process, urging residents to participate in the preparation of the 2025 budget. George highlighted various initiatives and projects aimed at improving the standard of living, including road rehabilitation, food security, ease of doing business, and affordable public transportation. Special Adviser Lekan Balogun stressed the need for citizens to fulfill their civic responsibilities by paying taxes promptly,…

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will face his first Prime Minister’s Questions session on Wednesday, following the suspension of seven Labour MPs for rebelling against the government’s controversial two-child limit on benefits. The MPs, including former finance spokesman John McDonnell, were suspended for backing a motion to remove the cap, introduced by the previous Conservative government in 2015. The vote is seen as an early test of Starmer’s authority, who has warned of “no silver bullet” to ending child poverty but acknowledged the “passion” of MPs opposing the policy. Over 40 Labour lawmakers recorded no vote, highlighting the level of…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has debunked reports of its withdrawal from the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship scheduled for August 1. In a press release, NLC President Joe Ajaero stated that the union cannot withdraw from a protest it did not organize. He emphasized that the NLC has a structured decision-making process guiding its industrial actions. Ajaero clarified that the NLC is standing in solidarity with the Nigerian people, who are facing dire living conditions due to harsh economic policies. He called on President Bola Tinubu to invite protest leaders to dialogue on their demands. The planned protest…

Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has risen to the defense of his friend and business ally, Aliko Dangote, calling for government support to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Otedola described Dangote as a “titan that God created specially for mankind” and highlighted his contributions to Nigeria’s industrial landscape, including the largest single train refinery, sugar refinery, cement factory, and fertilizer plant. Otedola emphasized the importance of supporting local champions like Dangote, saying, “Supporting local champions like Dangote is crucial for our national development and economic independence.” Otedola noted that Dangote’s contributions extend beyond industrial facilities to critical infrastructure,…

In a landmark move, the Senate has passed the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act, introducing a new national minimum wage of N70,000. The executive bill, which was presented to the Senate, seeks to amend the existing Act to enable an upward review of workers’ salaries. Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi explained that the bill aims to reduce the review period from five years to three years, considering economic realities. Senators unanimously agreed on the need to approve the bill, which followed negotiations between the executive and organized labour. The bill was passed for second reading and subsequently for third reading after…

In a candid interview with psychologist Jordan Peterson on X, Elon Musk revealed he was “tricked” into allowing his child to undergo puberty blockers. Musk shared his personal experience with his child, Xavier, now known as Vivian Jenna Wilson, who identifies as transgender. The conversation centered around California’s Assembly Bill 1955, which enables schools to keep a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity confidential from parents. Musk criticized the law, stating, “It’s evil… You’re taking kids who are far below the age of consent.” Musk disclosed, “I was essentially tricked into signing documents for one of my older boys, Xavier……

American rapper, Cardi B, has thrown her weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s candidate for the US presidential election. This comes after President Joe Biden stepped down and endorsed Harris as the party’s flagbearer. Reacting on her X handle, Cardi B wrote: “Aha hahaha let’s go! I told y’all Kamala [Harris] was supposed to be the 2024 candidate… Stop f*ckin playin with me!” In May, Cardi B had expressed her disappointment with the two major candidates, President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, telling Rolling Stone she wouldn’t vote if they remained the candidates. She criticized Biden’s…

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised the alarm over Nigeria’s economic downturn, urging leaders to take immediate action to salvage the situation. Obi lamented that Nigeria’s economy has witnessed unprecedented retrogression in the past nine years, slipping from the largest economy in Africa to the fourth position. He cited statistics showing a decline in GDP from $568.5 billion in 2014 to $253 billion in 2024, with per capita income plummeting from $3,200 to $1,087. The former Anambra State Governor expressed dismay that instead of addressing the economic challenges, leaders are more concerned with funding their personal luxuries…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has commended his US counterpart, Joe Biden, for his “bold steps” in supporting Ukraine. In a statement on his X handle, Zelensky praised Biden’s “tough but strong decision” to end his reelection bid. “The current situation in Ukraine and Europe is challenging, and we hope America’s leadership will prevent Russian aggression from succeeding,” Zelensky wrote. Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race has sent shockwaves through the political world. In a statement, Biden said he was standing down to focus on his duties as President for the remainder of his term. “I believe it’s in…