MAN DG CONDEMNS CLOSURE OF COCA-COLA, GUINNESS FACTORIES BY LAGOS GOVT, SAYS ACTION ILL-TIMED Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the director-general (DG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has condemned Lagos state for closing factories belonging to Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, and Guinness Nigeria. On December 24, the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) sealed the factories for extracting groundwater …

AUTO-CRASH CLAIMS 13 LIVES, INJURES ONE IN ONDO At least 13 people lost their lives in a road accident along Ikare-Akoko/Owo Road on Saturday in Ondo State. The State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samuel Ibitoye, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Akure, the state capital. “FRSC regrets to inform the public about a …

OPPOSITION POLITICAL BIGWIGS PLOT TINUBU’S OUSTER IN 2027 In the wake of the American and Ghanaian presidential elections, several political movements have emerged in Nigeria, each aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. In both the United States and Ghana, the opposition defeated the ruling parties in landslide victories. In the US, former President Donald Trump of the …

DYING FOR A HANDOUT: THE DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL IN NIGERIA In the past week, Nigerians, and indeed, the international community, were greeted with the unfortunate stories of hapless Nigerians who lost their lives in a stampede while attempting to secure a handout to keep their bodies and souls together. The recent events, the stark reality of the daily struggle …

TINUBU GOVT PAYS AFE BABALOLA, OLANIPEKIN, 23 OTHERS ₦1.1BN The Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Justice, has disbursed approximately N1.1 billion in professional fees to renowned lawyers Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), and 23 other law firms over three years, according to data from GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks government expenditures. …

BORDER COMMUNITIES SAY NO FOREIGN BASE IN SOKOTO COUNTER NIGER’S MILITARY LEADER Some border communities have refuted claims by the Nigerien Junta leader, Abdurrahman Tchani, that there was a forest called ‘Gaba’, where foreign military established their base in Sokoto state. Our reporter who visited some of the border communities discovered that such forest didn’t exist anywhere in the state. …

SOLUDO DECLARES WAR AGAINST CRIMINAL NATIVE DOCTORS Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has declared war against native doctors involved in diabolical practices in the state. Governor Soludo identified those he decided to root out of the state as native doctors involving in preparing charms for kidnappers, armed-robbers, money-ritualists as well as those involved in human sacrifice. Commissioner for Information …

SOME BIG POLITICAL STORIES IN 2024 The year 2024 was full of intriguing and high-stakes events that shaped the politics and power dynamics of the country. Below we bring you some of the biggest political stories of the year Concern as President Tinubu falls while climbing a parade vehicle for Democracy Day celebration President Tinubu’s health once again became a …

NCC APPROVES MTN DISCONNECTION OVER UNPAID CHARGES The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Ltd. from MTN Nigeria’s network over the non-settlement of interconnect charges. In a public notice issued Friday and signed by the NCC’s Public Affairs Director, Reuben Muoka, the commission explained that the action would remain in effect until further notice. “The …

INSIDE LIFE OF NIGERIAN INMATES AWAITING TRIAL Behind prison walls, the life of inmates is a stark contrast to the freedom people take for granted. For inmates, each day begins under the cloak of confinement, with a monotonous routine that is only broken by the rare arrival of visitors. The prison gates, steel doors, and the constant shuffling of guards’ …

FAME, FORTUNES, FAREWELLS IN NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN 2024 The year 2024 has been a remarkable one for Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with Nollywood delivering box office hits and Nigerian artistes dominating global music charts, the nation witnessed some of the most talked-about weddings and controversies that made headlines. In this feature, Weekend Trust takes you on a journey through these …

OONI’S EX-QUEEN, NAOMI, ON HUNGER STRIKE IN AGODI PRISON, SAYS MOTHER Mrs Funmilayo Ogunseyi, mother of the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, shares with BIODUN BUSARI the excruciating experience of her daughter, Naomi Silekunola, after the stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children in Ibadan What did the police tell you about the ex-queen’s detention? The police …

UNCERTAINTY OVER RENEWED EFFORTS TO REVIVE AJAOKUTA COMPANY The Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), once heralded as a beacon of industrialisation for Nigeria, now stands as a symbol of dashed hopes. Despite federal government’s spending of over $10bn in the 45 years since its inception, the project remains uncompleted, casting a long shadow over the host community. Our correspondents observe …

FG SIGNS MOU WITH JAPAN TO ENHANCE RICE PRODUCTION The National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, has formalised a partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to enhance rice seed production systems across Nigeria. The collaboration, cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), underscores a commitment to strengthening the nation’s agricultural development goals. As part of the …

FG DENIES ANY PLAN FOR FRENCH MILITARY BASE IN NIGERIA The Nigerian government has refuted allegations made by General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of state in Niger Republic, claiming that Nigeria is collaborating with France to establish a military base in its northern region to monitor Niger, Chad, and other neighbouring countries.Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa, the National …