Author: bibncollar

By Chris Kwaja. Chris Kwaja international relations scholar Blames Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa on Economic Hardship and Historical Ignorance A Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Chris Kwaja international relations scholar, has attributed the persistent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa to a combination of economic challenges and a lack of historical awareness among many young South Africans. According to him, a significant number of youths in South Africa today have little or no knowledge of the critical role Nigeria played during the anti-apartheid struggle, which has contributed to negative perceptions and…

Zenith Bank has announced the retirement of its founder and Group Chairman, Mr. Jim Ovia, following the expiration of his tenure. The announcement was made on Tuesday during the bank’s 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and subsequently detailed in an official statement. According to the bank, Ovia stepped down after successfully completing the mandatory 12-year term as a non-executive director and chairman, in full compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate governance guidelines. Ovia, who founded Zenith Bank, first served as Group Managing Director and CEO from 1990 to 2010. He later returned as Chairman on July 16, 2014,…

The United States trade deficit expanded slightly less than economists had anticipated in March, as strong imports driven by the ongoing artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout outweighed gains in exports. According to data released Tuesday by the Commerce Department, the trade gap widened 4.4% to $60.3 billion — coming in narrower than the $60.9 billion consensus forecast from surveys by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. Key Drivers Behind the Figures Imports climbed 2.3% to $381.2 billion, fueled primarily by: A surge in vehicle and auto parts imports Strong consumer goods demand Robust capital goods inflows, particularly computers, semiconductors,…

By Folarinwa M. Aluko Economists describe the Cobra Effect as a policy failure where an intervention, designed to solve a problem, ends up worsening it. To reduce the population of dangerous snakes, the Colonial Government in India once paid bounties for dead cobras. Soon, enterprising citizens responded by breeding cobras to claim the reward. Seeing the abuse, the Colonial government discontinued the policy and the now-worthless snakes were released by the breeders into the wild, leaving the country with more cobras than before.Nigeria’s current drone regulatory framework risks producing a similar outcome. The Regulations are a mixture of control provisions…

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has stated that the successful maiden international flight from Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo to Accra, Ghana, will significantly boost the state’s ambition to become a leading tourism destination in West, Central, and Southern Africa. Speaking on Sunday shortly after returning from the historic flight to Accra, Governor Eno emphasized that the state is deliberately building a sustainable economy anchored on tourism through strategic aviation expansion. “We are priming Akwa Ibom as the tourism hub of the region, accessible by air, land, and sea. We are meeting our benchmarks and targets, and…

On March 9, 2026, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit filed by businessman Paul Afagase Johnson (also referred to as Paul Afagase) seeking to restrain the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from investigating or inviting him over an alleged ₦350 million contract-related matter. What are the facts? Johnson approached the court to stop the ICPC probe, arguing that the dispute was purely civil and contractual in nature, not criminal, and therefore should not attract the attention of an anti-graft agency. He also claimed damages of ₦500 million from the ICPC. The court, presided…

In a striking display of shifting alliances in the Caucasus, Armenia is hosting two unprecedented high-level gatherings on May 4–5, 2026: the 8th European Political Community (EPC) Summit on May 4, immediately followed by the first-ever bilateral EU-Armenia Summit on May 4–5. These back-to-back events bring dozens of European leaders to Yerevan, underscoring Armenia’s accelerating move away from its traditional reliance on Russia toward deeper integration with Europe. 8th European Political Community (EPC) Summit (May 4, 2026): This informal pan-European forum gathers leaders from nearly 50 countries (EU members and non-members alike) under the motto “Building the Future: Unity and…

The Nigerian Army has officially confirmed the arrest of Abuja-based social media influencer and critic Justice Mark Chidiebere, popularly known as Justice Crack. His family had earlier declared him missing after he released a video highlighting the alleged poor welfare conditions of Nigerian troops serving on the frontlines, particularly issues related to feeding, rations, and overall troop welfare. Justice Crack, a vocal social commentator known for his sharp critiques of government and military affairs, reportedly went missing around Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after posting content that drew attention to soldiers’ complaints. Family members and supporters raised alarms when he failed…

In a highly anticipated celebrity boxing match that lived up to its name, popular social media comedian Carter Efe defeated street hip-hop singer Habeeb Badmus, better known as Portable, by unanimous decision at the “Chaos in the Ring 4” event held early Saturday morning at the Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. All three judges scored the three-round bout 30-27 in favour of Efe, who used his significant height and reach advantage to dominate with sharp uppercuts and body shots. Efe celebrated the win by dubbing himself “Carter Mayweather,” drawing cheers from the lively crowd. However, the defeated…

In a disturbing incident that highlights the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, suspected armed herders have killed four people in a fresh ambush within the Aila Odugheho area of Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State. The attack occurred on Sunday morning (May 3, 2026), when the victims — who were reportedly farmers or local residents were walking along the Aila Odugheho road toward a nearby village or community. According to local sources, the group was suddenly ambushed by suspected Fulani herders, who opened fire and killed all four individuals on the spot. The deceased have been…