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Dr. Tunji Ogunyemi, an economist at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, has issued a warning to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, advising him against resorting to bank loans to cover the salaries of the state's civil servants.

In an interview on a radio program in Osogbo, Dr. Ogunyemi emphasized that Governor Adeleke should prioritize paying salaries based on the available funds in the state's coffers. He discouraged the practice of borrowing money from banks specifically for the purpose of settling salaries.

Dr. Ogunyemi stressed the importance of utilizing the Osun Inland Revenue Service (OIRS), the state's agency responsible for generating internal revenue, to increase funds rather than relying on borrowed money for salary payments.

He asserted, "There must be a moratorium now on borrowing; Osun must never borrow to pay salaries. You pay salary only based on what you have, not by going to the bank and borrowing with the intention of paying salaries. It should never happen."

Furthermore, Dr. Ogunyemi urged Governor Adeleke to seek guidance from his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, regarding his successful management of Osun State without resorting to borrowing for four years.

"The era of politicking is over. The Governor should approach Oyetola and learn from him how he was able to govern Osun State during that critical period without depleting the state's resources," Dr. Ogunyemi advised.

He commended the remarkable performance of Governor Oyetola and encouraged Governor Adeleke to acquire insights from his predecessor's effective strategies for governance and financial management. By doing so, Governor Adeleke can gain valuable knowledge on how to navigate the challenges of sustaining Osun State without depending on loans.

The Lagos State Police Command has announced the apprehension of two individuals involved in a criminal syndicate that targeted unsuspecting passengers by luring them into their vehicles and robbing them. SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command's spokesperson, confirmed the arrest through his official Twitter account on Thursday.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Folashade Sholagbe, a 36-year-old female, and Seun Oke, a 29-year-old male. According to Hundeyin, the apprehension took place in the Ikeja area of Lagos State after the victim managed to raise an alarm for assistance. The vigilant officers from the Iju Division swiftly acted upon the distress call, leading to the successful arrest.

Further details provided by the police representative reveal that the suspects had developed a method of targeting victims and stealing their belongings. They specifically focused on luring passengers into their Corolla car at the 7up by Tollgate area. This allowed them to deceive their victims and carry out their illicit activities.

The swift action taken by the police highlights their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Lagos residents. The arrest of these individuals will undoubtedly contribute to curbing the activities of such criminal syndicates operating within the state. The police command encourages citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities promptly.

By apprehending these culprits, the Lagos State Police Command sends a strong message to criminals that their illegal activities will not be tolerated. The diligent efforts of the officers involved in this operation demonstrate the effectiveness of the police force in combating crime and upholding the rule of law. The command remains dedicated to its mission of protecting the public and ensuring a safe environment for all residents of Lagos State.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup will not feature the Golden Eaglets, as Nduka Ugbade's team lost their final group game to Burkina Faso. This disappointing outcome has led to widespread controversy and criticism, with stakeholders questioning what went wrong with a team that had apparently undergone solid preparation for the U-17 AFCON in Algeria.

Adding fuel to the fire, the outstanding performances of former Eaglets player Victor Osimhen, who currently plays for Super Eagles and Napoli, have further frustrated fans who feel that Nigerian football has missed out on producing another talent like Osimhen.

It is worth examining the issues that may have affected Ugbade's team and prevented them from achieving success. After the victories of the Golden Eaglets in 2013 and 2015 under Garba Manu and Emmanuel Amunike, respectively, the team has struggled to qualify for or excel in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The 2017, 2019, 2021, and now 2023 Golden Eaglets have failed to replicate their trademark performances on the global stage. The question arises: what is going wrong?

To better understand the situation within the context of this article, let's focus on Ugbade's team and the concerns raised by Nigerian football stakeholders and fans.

Agents and scouts play a significant role in Nigerian football, often approaching players and luring them away from clubs and national teams. The undue influence and pressure exerted by these individuals, armed with cash and offers of opportunities abroad, can distract players from showcasing their true talents and instead focus on what the agents and scouts want.

Furthermore, some officials within the football hierarchy are suspected of being agents and scouts themselves, either directly or indirectly collaborating with partners locally or overseas. These individuals are the real enemies of Nigerian football.

Age cheating has become a problem in African football, including at the U-17 level. While it is believed that Ugbade's team consisted of genuine U-17 players in Algeria, the age discrepancies among players from opposing teams should be addressed by examining the official documents, such as international passports and MRI scan results, which were certified by CAF.

Despite the challenges, it is important to present a genuine U-17 squad, even if winning the tournament or qualifying for the World Cup is not guaranteed. Graduating talented players to the senior teams should be the focus in such cases.

There is no shortage of talent at the grassroots and secondary schools in Nigeria, yet coaches often fail to explore these areas to discover players. It is perplexing that a coach who did not visit major football grounds and centers across the country ended up with 3,000 players on the first day of the open screening for the team. The source and background of these players must be investigated to ensure a more effective team-building process in the future.

Hiding the team from the media and fans during training camps, instead of engaging in open training exercises, deprives coaches of the opportunity to identify and assess quality players based on the reactions and opinions of the fans. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has changed this approach, opting for closed-door friendlies against unknown clubs and academies, which hinders the open assessment of players.

The proliferation of football academies without proper oversight raises concerns about the quality of players they produce. Many of these academies are owned by individuals connected to influential figures and agents, who exploit the low remuneration of coaches to place their average players in exchange for favors. The involvement of these academies in the selection process of age-grade teams needs urgent attention, and coaches should focus on scouting talents from schools and grassroots areas, where true potential and accurate age verification can be found.

The quality of friendly matches played by national U-17 and U-20 teams is also a concern. Matches

Renowned musician Davido has disclosed that he has a new series titled "David" coming to Netflix. The docuseries will chronicle his life and showcase the highlights of his journey as a musician. In an interview with Esquire Middle East, the award-winning singer stated that this was the first time he was making the announcement public.

Davido, who recently released his latest album "Timeless," also revealed that the series would premiere in December. The talented artist stated that he shouldn't be talking about it yet but went ahead to describe the series as significant.

The announcement of "David" on Netflix has generated excitement among fans of the singer, who are eagerly anticipating the release. This new series will provide a rare glimpse into the life and experiences of one of Africa's most celebrated musicians.

Davido's success as a musician and businessman has brought him global recognition and accolades. With a vast fan base, he has become one of the most popular and influential musicians of his generation. The docuseries "David" promises to offer a captivating and insightful look into the life and career of this phenomenal artist. Fans can't wait to see what the series has in store for them when it premieres on Netflix in December.

The Free Nigeria Movement (FNM) has expressed its belief that the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal represents the last hope for many Nigerians who have lost faith in the country due to the controversial outcome of the presidential election. In a statement issued by the group's Convener, Moses Paul, FNM charged the tribunal to conduct its proceedings with justice, equity, and fairness, without any deviation from due process.

Paul warned that FNM would not hesitate to protest against any fraudulent outcome from the tribunal. He highlighted the challenge of character that Nigeria currently faces, and criticized the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, for demonstrating a disregard for the country's laws, including the Electoral Act of 2022 (as amended).

FNM emphasized that the judges at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) are aware of the high level of political consciousness that was evident during the last general elections, particularly the presidential election of 25th February 2023, and the apathy that characterized the gubernatorial election that followed. The group believes that this should be a cause for concern for both the judges and all Nigerians, and that it should guide their decisions when adjudicating on the matters before them.

The Convener called on the judiciary, through the judges of the PEPC, to be the voice of reason and save Nigeria's democracy from collapse. In conclusion, FNM hopes that the tribunal will uphold justice and fairness in its proceedings, and that its final decision will reflect the will of the people.

The Osun state governorship election has been a subject of controversy since its inception on July 16, with allegations of over-voting in some polling units. The Osun governorship election tribunal ruled in January that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gboyega Oyetola, was able to prove that there was over-voting in some of the polling units. Consequently, the tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ademola Adeleke of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and issue a fresh one to Oyetola as the duly elected governor of Osun.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Adeleke appealed the judgment. On March 24, a court of appeal sitting in Abuja reinstated Adeleke as the duly elected governor of the state. In its judgment, a three-member panel of justices held that the election tribunal erred when it ruled that Oyetola and the APC had proved their allegation of over-voting.

However, the controversy is far from over, as the Supreme Court in Abuja has fixed Tuesday, May 9, to deliver judgment on the disputed governorship poll in Osun state. A five-member panel of justices led by John Okoro fixed the date on Monday after all the parties involved adopted their written briefs in the matter.

In his appeal, Adeleke argued that there was no majority judgment as the second judge on the panel, Rabi Bashir, failed to write her opinion as required by section 294(2) of the constitution. He also challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal to preside over the petition on the grounds that it failed to consider the preliminary objection he filed against the petitioners.

The forthcoming judgment by the Supreme Court will have significant implications for the political landscape of Osun state and the country at large. All eyes will be on the apex court as it makes its final decision on the disputed governorship election.

A new record for the highest price ever paid for a pair of sneakers at an auction has been set, with a game-worn pair of Air Jordan XIII Breds selling for over $2.2 million. This surpasses the previous record set in 2021 when a pair of Nike Air Ships worn by Jordan in his first NBA regular season game were sold for $1.4 million.

The head of streetwear and modern collectibles at Sotheby's, Brahm Wachter, stated that this result further confirms the ongoing and unparalleled demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia. Wachter said, “Today’s record-breaking result further proves that the demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia continues to outperform and transcend all expectations.”

These sneakers were worn by the NBA legend during the second half of the Chicago Bulls' 93-88 victory over the Utah Jazz on June 5, 1998. During that game, Jordan delivered an impressive performance of 37 points, five rebounds, three assists, and no turnovers, leading Chicago to tie the series 1-1. The Bulls went on to win the finals, with Jordan receiving his sixth ring and being named the MVP of the finals.

Following the game, Jordan gifted these historic sneakers to a ball boy from the Utah Jazz. This act makes the sneakers even more special and valuable, as they hold a significant place in basketball history. The sale of these sneakers highlights the enduring appeal of Michael Jordan as a sports icon and his legacy that continues to inspire people today.

Bayern Munich regained their position at the top of the Bundesliga table with a 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin on Sunday. The victory saw the defending champions move one point clear of Borussia Dortmund with only four games left in the season.

Bayern took the lead in the 69th minute through a diving header from Serge Gnabry, assisted by Joshua Kimmich. Kingsley Coman then secured the win for Bayern with another goal in the 79th minute, also assisted by Kimmich.

Hertha Berlin, who has conceded ten goals in their last three games, put up a hard fight but were unable to challenge Bayern. The visitors relied on goalkeeper Oliver Christensen to prevent a heavier loss. Hertha remains at the bottom of the league and six points away from the relegation playoff spot, making them a strong candidate for relegation.

Despite Bayern's dominance in the first half, they struggled to break through Hertha's hard-working defense. Christensen made a crucial save from Gnabry, while Sadio Mane was unable to convert a couple of promising crosses from Coman. The home fans were disappointed with Bayern's lack of goals in the first half and voiced their concerns with whistles.

Bayern's highly-rated teenage striker Ibrahim Maza made his debut for Hertha in the 65th minute, but it was Bayern's forwards who eventually found the back of the net. The fans celebrated with the players after the game, chanting "German champion will only be FCB (FC Bayern)."

With the win, Bayern Munich is now on track to secure their 31st German championship. They will face Werder Bremen, Schalke, Leipzig, and Cologne in their remaining matches, while Dortmund will be hoping for Bayern to slip up in order to clinch the title.

The podcast episode featured Beauty Tukura and Modella as guests, and they discussed the ins and outs of relationships. Doyin mentioned that a partner could be unfaithful and still be loyal at the same time. She emphasized that cheating doesn't necessarily mean that the partner doesn't love their significant other.

Doyin explained that her definition of loyalty doesn't revolve around being faithful alone. She added that she tries to be realistic about her relationship expectations. For instance, she said that she wouldn't mind if her partner told her that he was traveling for six months and couldn't promise her loyalty during that period.

While some people may disagree with Doyin's viewpoint, she believes that loyalty is more than just staying faithful. In her opinion, communication is essential, and partners should have open and honest conversations about their expectations in a relationship. 

Akinyemi Onigbinde, a renowned Professor of Political Philosophy, specializing in public policies, politics, and governance, has criticized the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yakubu Mahmood, over the outcome of the recently concluded 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. In an interview, Prof. Onigbinde accused Yakubu of "messing up" the election, which saw Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerge as the winner.

The 2023 presidential election has been marred by allegations of fraud and unconstitutionality, with the opposition calling for its nullification. Prof. Onigbinde alleged that the election was not free and fair, "without prejudice to the outcome of court judgment," and that "INEC deliberately disabled BVAS for the presidential election."

In response to the criticism, Prof. Onigbinde clarified that being a professor did not mean that all professors are incompetent, and cited an example of a professor who was the returning officer for the Abia governorship election and rejected a bribe from politicians. He further explained that INEC chairmen are not usually chosen from the dominant ethnic group, especially in cases where a presidential candidate is likely to emerge and win.

He cited the example of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who had no prior relationship with Attahiru Jega before appointing him as the INEC Chairman, as he wanted someone with some level of integrity to head the commission. However, he noted that President Buhari appointed people from his Fulani ethnic group to head various positions, including the INEC Chairman, which he believed was an attempt to "hatch an agenda."

When asked to explain what he meant by "Nigeria cannot be redeemed by election," Prof. Onigbinde stated that elections were not enough to fix Nigeria's problems, and that it required more than just elections to solve the country's issues.

Hudu Yunusa Ari, the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa State, has finally spoken up about the controversial declaration of Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) suspended Ari after his illegal declaration of Binani as the winner, which was contrary to the Electoral Act. After following due process, INEC later declared Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic winner of the election.

Ari, in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, recently claimed that he acted within the ambit of the law. He stated that the results to be announced by the INEC Collation Officer differed from the copies he signed and uploaded on the Result Viewing (IReV) portal. He also alleged that attempts were made to replace him with his secretary and accused two national commissioners of meeting with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the Government House, Yola, during the supplementary election.

“It was based on this that I compiled all the polling unit results and declared the election winner based on the highest number of valid votes scored by the candidate of the APC,” Ari stated. “I had the breakdown of the valid votes scored by the two leading candidates in the supplementary election, using the results from the polling units as collated into all relevant forms EC8B, C, D and E respectively by properly and legally appointed and recognised collation officers and my humble self as the Adamawa State Chief Collation Officer and Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).”

However, INEC has denied claims of its officials meeting with Fintiri during the supplementary election. INEC had previously asked the Inspector-General of Police and necessary security agencies to investigate and prosecute Ari for his role in the illegal declaration of Binani as the winner of the governorship election.

The Nigerian government has recently introduced new taxes on imported vehicles, alcoholic beverages and single use plastics, and has also updated the list of items banned from being imported into the country. The new tax regime is set to come into effect on June 1, 2023, according to a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Under the new tax regime, imported vehicles with engine sizes ranging from 2000cc to 3999cc will pay a two per cent Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) levy on the value of the vehicle, while vehicles with engine sizes of 4000cc and above will attract a four per cent IAT levy. This is in addition to the existing 35% import duty and 35% levy paid by importers of vehicles. However, vehicles below 2000cc, mass transit buses, electric vehicles, and locally manufactured vehicles are exempt from the IAT levy.

In addition to the new tax on imported vehicles, the Nigerian government will charge N75 per litre of beer, stout and wine imported into the country in 2023 and N100 per litre in 2024. Prior to the new tax regime, imported alcoholic beverages were taxed ad valorem, meaning the tax or customs duties were proportional to the estimated value of the goods or transaction concerned.

The government has also updated the import prohibition list to include used motor vehicles above 12 years from the year of manufacture, paracetamol tablets and syrups, cotrimoxazole tablets and syrups, metronidazole tablets and syrups, chloroquine tablets and syrups, folic acid tablets, vitamin B complex tablets (except modified release formulations), multivitamin tablets, capsules and syrups (except special formulations), aspirin tablets (except modified release formulations and soluble aspirin), magnesium trisilicate tablets and suspensions, piperazine tablets and syrups, levamisole tablets and syrups, ointments penicillin/gentamycin, pyrantel pamoate tablets and syrups, intravenous fluids (dextrose, normal saline, etc.), waste pharmaceuticals and mineral or chemical fertilisers containing the three fertilising elements – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Lastly, the government has introduced a green tax in the form of an excise duty on single use plastics, including plastic containers, films, and bags at a rate of 10%. The new taxes and import bans have been put in place to promote locally manufactured goods and protect the environment.

The drug problem in Nigeria is a growing concern, with the street value of seized drugs exceeding half a billion naira in just 12 months. Shockingly, more than two-thirds of drugs are going undetected, leaving Nigeria in a drug dungeon. The country is walking a tightrope of national drug addiction and terrible damage, without declaring an emergency on illicit drugs and marshalling a collective effort to strengthen the war against drug cartels, traffickers, and ignorant users.

Nigeria has become a haven for retailers of illicit drugs. These substances are now available across the streets of major cities and are popular among the youths. They are often cheaper than an average soft drink and used as bait for the uninitiated. The substances include Diazepam, Rohypnol, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, Colorado, codeine, opioids, tramadol, their synthetic variants, and other psychotropic substances. Street names for the drugs appear in different pseudonyms like molly or X, roofies, banku, white, Thailand, Ice, schoolboy/little C, upper speed, special k, Acid, loud, Arizona, Gegemu, Eskay, kush, skushies, among others.

The supply chain for these drugs is occupied by drug barons, cartels, and traffickers with footprints nationwide and on traditional international drug routes. Despite the revamped efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which seized over 1.4 million worth of drugs in 2022, stakeholders are unanimous that the war against drugs must be intentional, retooled, and all-embracing if the country must pull back from the looming national drug addiction.

Security agencies have recently arrested a 34-year-old South American from Suriname, Dadda Lorenzo Harvy Albert, at Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA), Rivers State, for importing into Nigeria 117 parcels of cocaine concealed in extra-large latex condoms factory packed inside bottles of 100ml body spray. The suspect claimed he departed his country, Suriname, located in the North Eastern coast of South America on April 2, for São Paulo, Brazil, and from Sao Paulo to Nigeria on Friday, April 7, 2023, on board a Qatar Airways flight in search of his long-lost Nigerian father, whom he called ‘Omini.’

The National Population Commission (NPC) has announced that the 2023 census exercise has been postponed to enable the incoming administration's adequate participation. 

The Commission's Director of Public Affairs Department, Dr Isiaka Yahaya, revealed this in an interview with Sunday Tribune in Abuja. Dr Yahaya emphasized that it is crucial for the new administration to be familiar with the processes used in collecting census data, and this informed the decision to postpone the exercise.

He further explained that the census's primary objective is not just to collect data but also to ensure that it is utilized for planning purposes. Therefore, it is essential that the incoming administration is involved in the data collection process to have confidence in the data's accuracy. Dr Yahaya noted that it would not be wise to simply hand over the data to the new administration at a later stage without their participation in the collection process, as this could affect their trust in the data.

However, since the preparations for the census exercise are at an advanced stage, it presents an opportunity for the incoming administration to participate in the collection process and understand how the census will be conducted. Dr Yahaya believes that this will increase their faith in using the data, making it a crucial reason for the postponement. He added that it is beneficial for the administration at both the national and state levels to understand the census's procedures to ensure optimal utilization of the data.

The Director of Public Affairs Department at the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Isiaka Yahaya, has dismissed claims that the postponement of the 2023 census exercise was due to inadequate preparation and funding. Dr Yahaya clarified that the federal government had provided all the necessary funds required to carry out the census exercise, and the decision to postpone was not sudden.

Dr Yahaya explained that the NPC had anticipated the postponement and had made all necessary preparations. He added that the government had already started providing the required funds, and the NPC had no doubts that the funds for the main exercise would be made available. However, certain considerations came into play, making the postponement necessary.

The federal government had earlier postponed the census exercise indefinitely, which was initially scheduled to commence on May 3, 2023. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced in a statement issued on Saturday that the exercise would now hold on a date to be determined by the incoming administration. This decision was made after the President's approval, following his meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.

The spokesperson for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, Daniel Bwala, has suggested why the incoming administration of President-elect, Bola Tinubu, may be at odds with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Bwala stated that Tinubu's manifesto indicates that he might fight Buhari's policies.

In a tweet, Bwala recounted how Buhari has been blaming the PDP administration for the country's challenges. He noted that it would be interesting to hear the excuses that would emerge from Tinubu's government.

Bwala further stated that during the outgoing administration of Buhari, the government blamed their failures on the PDP. He wondered who Tinubu would point to since his manifesto is geared towards fighting his predecessor.

The statement by Atiku's spokesperson comes at a time when Nigerians are anticipating the government of President-elect, Bola Tinubu, who will be taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari after the 2023 general elections. It remains to be seen how the new administration will address the issues confronting the country.

Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Adamawa State, has withdrawn her lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri. Her suit was filed in a Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent INEC from announcing any other results of the governorship election in the state.

According to Sen. Ahmed, she had been declared the Governor-Elect by INEC and, as such, the results could not be voided. However, on April 25th, 2023, she filed a notice of discontinuance through her counsel, Hussaini Zakariyau (SAN).

Zakariyau confirmed that his client had withdrawn the suit by way of a Notice of Discontinuance, which effectively ended the case. The defendants in the case were INEC, PDP, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

No reason was given for the withdrawal of the lawsuit. However, this development has put an end to the legal battle that could have further dragged on the process of governance in Adamawa State.

People prepare to board a bus departing from Khartoum in the Sudanese capital’s south on April 24, 2023, as battles rage in the city between the army and paramilitaries. (Photo by – / AFP)

The Nigerian Federal Government has revealed that it spent $1.2 million to deploy 40 buses to evacuate at least 2,400 stranded Nigerians out of Sudan. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, made the disclosure to State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Onyeama, the high cost of the evacuation was necessary to provide security cover for the eight-hour journey from Luxor to Cairo and the eleven-hour trip from Aswan to Cairo, Egypt.

The evacuation was initially planned for Tuesday but failed due to logistical challenges. The new travel plans were, however, finalized on Tuesday night, according to the Chairperson of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa. She confirmed that more buses arrived on Wednesday morning, and the stranded students would depart on the same day.

Notably, the evacuation was triggered by the recent conflict in Sudan. Although the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces had agreed to halt hostilities at midnight on Monday, local media reported that fighting had resumed even as a hospital was shelled on Wednesday. Thankfully, no Nigerian lost their life in the conflict. However, Onyeama stated that there were no talks about alternative plans for continued education for the evacuees, most of whom are students of the University of Khartoum.

In summary, the Nigerian government spent $1.2 million to evacuate its citizens from Sudan due to the conflict in the country. Although the evacuation faced logistical challenges, the government finalized new travel plans on Tuesday night and successfully evacuated the stranded students on Wednesday.

(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP)

One factor driving the growth of renewable energy is cost. The cost of renewables, particularly solar and wind, has plummeted in recent years, making them more competitive with fossil fuels. In some regions, renewables are now cheaper than fossil fuels, even without subsidies. This has led to a surge in investment, particularly in solar and wind projects.

Another driver of renewable energy growth is policy. Many countries have introduced policies and regulations that incentivize the development of renewable energy. Examples include feed-in tariffs, which guarantee a fixed price for renewable energy, and renewable portfolio standards, which require utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewables.

Investment in renewable energy has been growing steadily for years and is expected to continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that renewable energy will account for 90% of the global power sector's growth by 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on renewable energy investment in the short term, but many experts believe that it will not significantly slow the long-term growth of renewables.

While there are challenges to the continued growth of renewable energy, such as the need for more investment in storage technology and grid infrastructure, the overall trend is positive. As more and more countries commit to transitioning to renewables, it becomes increasingly likely that a future powered entirely by clean, sustainable energy is within reach.

The president-elect, Bola Tinubu, has returned to Nigeria to a warm reception from hundreds of his supporters and well-wishers across the country ahead of the May 29, 2023 handover. Tinubu arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT), in his private jet at exactly 4:30 pm.

Tinubu, who had been away for over a month, was received by top party officials, including Nuhu Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His arrival was met with cheers from party faithful who had gathered to welcome him back.

After his arrival, Tinubu headed straight to his vehicle and was believed to be heading to the Defence House, the official residence reserved for President Elects since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

His return has put an end to speculations by a section of members of the opposition political parties and his adversaries that he may not be able to take over power after the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure on May 29 due to ill-health.

Tinubu's return has generated a lot of excitement among his supporters and has further intensified political activities in the country ahead of the handover. The Nigerian people are eagerly anticipating the next steps from the president-elect and his team as they prepare to take over the reins of power in the country.