Author: David Great

Nigerian troops have eliminated 76 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the northeastern Borno state in recent weeks, a spokesperson said on Thursday. The militants were thought to be affiliated with the armed group Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, which have been conducting a lethal insurgency in northeast Nigeria since 2009, displacing millions and resulting in thousands of deaths, particularly in Borno, the epicentre of the conflict. Since the beginning of the year, militants have intensified their attacks in Borno, including a recent assault on the Dumba community on Sunday that resulted in the…

Since its debut in December 2023, Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels TV has become a hub for deep and critical conversations about Nigeria’s governance, socio-political challenges, and economic future. Hosted by veteran journalist and former presidential aide Laolu Akande, the program provides a platform for thought leaders, policymakers, and activists to reflect on the nation’s current state and its trajectory toward progress. Asked what drives the programme, its guests and themes, Akande says: “it’s about the future of the country. We bring older people to come and reflect. Then we bring younger, newer voices to come and cast…

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed its strong support for the ongoing legislative process to pass President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills at the National Assembly, describing the reforms as essential for modernizing Nigeria’s fiscal policies. In a communique issued after their meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2025, the governors agreed to retain the current Value Added Tax (VAT) rate and Corporate Income Tax (CIT) to ensure economic stability. They also endorsed a revised VAT sharing formula, which allocates resources as follows: 50% based on equality, 30% based on derivation, and 20% based on population. The communique, seen by…

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has announced that Nigerians will face a 30-60 percent increase in the cost of calls, data, and other telecommunications services. Speaking on Tuesday while responding to questions Channels Television’s Politics Today, Tijani explained that the increase in call and data tariffs is necessary to sustain investments critical to the growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector and overall economic development. “The telecommunications tariff increase should not be more than 30 to 60 percent,” Tijani said. “The sector is about investment in infrastructure; the technologies are changing, so you have to keep investing in…

Bologna rescued a hard-fought point at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza with a second 2-2 draw in three league meetings, coming from behind to deny Inter Milan the chance to close the gap to Serie A leaders SSC Napoli. Nikola Moro set the tone early on, forcing Yann Sommer into a fine save to tip his effort onto the post before his mishit volley set up Santiago Castro, who slotted past the goalkeeper inside 15 minutes – a goal that ended Inter’Milan’s clean sheet streak in the league which dated back to early December. The Nerazzurri wasted no time responding, as…

Barcelona stormed into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a commanding 5-1 win over Real Betis at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to a standout performance from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. Yamal scored and played a key role in two other goals as Hansi Flick’s side delivered a dominant display, building on their Spanish Super Cup triumph over Real Madrid last weekend. Gavi opened the scoring in just the second minute, capping off a fluid team move initiated by Dani Olmo, who started as a false nine in place of the rested Robert Lewandowski. Olmo, controversially granted a temporary playing…

Arsenal moved up to second in the Premier League table after a spirited 2-1 comeback victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, completing their fifth league double over their bitter rivals. Following back-to-back cup defeats against Newcastle United and Manchester United, doubts loomed over Arsenal’s ability to challenge for major trophies. However, the Gunners entered the North London derby determined to revive their faltering title bid. In contrast, Tottenham, under Ange Postecoglou, faced far grimmer prospects, trailing Arsenal by 16 points ahead of the clash. Despite their struggles, Spurs held firm early on, with Radu Drăgușin blocking Leandro Trossard’s…

Police have launched an investigation into social media abuse aimed at Arsenal forward Kai Havertz’s wife after his latest poor performance. Havertz missed a penalty in Arsenal’s shootout defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round on Sunday. Following Arsenal’s second successive loss, the Germany international’s wife, Sophia, reposted two abusive messages she had received on Instagram. A police spokesman told Britain’s Press Association: “Officers have received a report of malicious communications towards a Hertfordshire resident on Sunday 12 January. Enquiries are under way.” Speaking on Tuesday, on the eve of Arsenal’s Premier League match against Tottenham, Gunners…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications companies to disconnect the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes assigned to nine financial institutions over unpaid debts. In a directive signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, and obtained by Channels Television on Tuesday, the NCC mandated the affected banks to settle their outstanding debts by January 27, 2025, or face losing access to their USSD platforms. The commission did not disclose the exact amount owed by the banks but noted that the total debt initially owed by 18 financial institutions exceeded N200 billion. According to the NCC, some…

Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, has reassured residents that there is no cause for concern following the recent confirmation of a bird flu case in the state. In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Information Officer of the Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Dr. Yusuf emphasized that the situation is under control. “The case we have is isolated and not significant enough to be declared an outbreak. The ministry is on top of the issue and has taken proactive measures to contain it before it becomes a threat to public health,” he said. The development…