Author: bibncollar

President Bola Tinubu and President Paul Kagame have agreed to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Rwanda during a meeting held on Wednesday evening in Kigali. According to a statement from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, both leaders met at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa shortly after Tinubu arrived in Rwanda for the Africa CEO Forum. During the discussions, the two presidents stressed the need to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC), an agreement established in 2021 to promote cooperation between both nations. They also agreed that Nigeria would host the next session of the commission. On consular relations,…

Britain’s economy recorded stronger-than-expected growth in March, closing the first quarter on a solid note despite growing concerns over geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran conflict. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics showed that the country’s gross domestic product expanded by 0.3 percent in March compared to the previous month, outperforming economists’ expectations of a 0.2 percent decline. Growth was supported by improved activity in the services sector, construction, and manufacturing industries. Overall, the UK economy grew by 0.6 percent during the first quarter, continuing a trend of relatively strong first-quarter performances in recent years. However, analysts cautioned…

Nigeria recorded its strongest oil production performance of 2026 in April, as total liquid output rose to 1.66 million barrels per day (bpd), up from 1.54 million bpd in March, according to data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. Crude oil production alone increased to 1.489 million bpd in April from 1.383 million bpd recorded in March, representing a 7.7 per cent rise. However, the country still fell slightly short of the 1.5 million bpd production quota allocated by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC’s quota calculation excludes condensates. Total crude oil and condensate production in…

India has announced an immediate ban on sugar exports that will remain in effect until September 30, aiming to protect local supplies and keep domestic prices stable. The directive, issued late Wednesday, allows only a few exceptions, including shipments already underway and exports carried out under government-backed food security agreements with other nations. Authorities said the decision was influenced by fears that the upcoming sugar harvest, expected to begin around October, may suffer due to below-average monsoon rains linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has also added pressure to India’s economy. As a…

Sabastian Sawe is set to compete in the Berlin Marathon this September after making history as the first athlete to complete a marathon in under two hours. Race organisers confirmed on Wednesday that the 31-year-old Kenyan will return to Berlin on September 27, months after his remarkable performance at the London Marathon, where he clocked 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds while wearing a new generation of super shoes, breaking the previous world record. The Berlin Marathon is widely regarded as one of the fastest marathon courses in the world because of its flat terrain and minimal corners, making…

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka is set to chair the 32nd anniversary celebration of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), where key figures and institutions involved in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle will be honoured. The commemorative event, scheduled for May 20 at the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos, will also feature the public presentation of a memoir titled The NADECO Story, written by NADECO General Secretary Ayo Opadokun. According to organisers, the celebration is aimed at reflecting on NADECO’s role in the fight for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 presidential mandate and the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria. Retired…

US President Donald Trump has declared that Washington does not require China’s assistance to resolve the ongoing conflict with Iran, despite rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and growing fears over global oil supply disruptions. Speaking ahead of a planned summit in Beijing on Tuesday, Trump said the United States would prevail in the standoff with Iran “one way or the other,” whether through diplomacy or force. “I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise,” he told reporters. His remarks came as hopes for a wider…

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has unveiled its timetable and fee structure for aspirants seeking elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections, placing the cost of its presidential nomination process at ₦60 million. In a statement released on Tuesday and jointly signed by the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Zwughele, and National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Enenweizu, the party disclosed that presidential hopefuls would pay ₦20 million for the Expression of Interest Form and ₦40 million for the Nomination Form. According to the schedule, the sale of Expression of Interest Forms will begin on May 13 and end on…

President Bola Tinubu has revealed that Nigeria is expected to spend about $11.6 billion on debt servicing in 2026, warning that the heavy repayment burden is limiting investment in key sectors needed for industrial growth. Speaking at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, the Nigerian leader criticised the global financial system for placing African economies at a disadvantage through high borrowing costs and restrictive financial conditions. He argued that excessive debt repayments deprive countries like Nigeria of funds needed for manufacturing, energy, technology, and youth development. Tinubu stated that African nations face borrowing rates far higher than those in Europe,…

Yoweri Museveni has officially begun a seventh term as Uganda’s president, extending his rule to nearly four decades after winning January’s disputed presidential election. The swearing-in ceremony was held on Tuesday at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, drawing thousands of supporters who gathered to witness the veteran leader take the oath of office. According to Uganda’s Electoral Commission, Museveni secured 71.65 percent of the vote in the January polls. His main challenger, Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, received 24.72 percent but rejected the outcome, claiming the election was marred by fraud, ballot manipulation, and other irregularities.…