Ridoola's blog

Celebrated Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has given her take on the current state of Nigeria’s economy, lamenting how people who were previously doing okay now struggle to make ends meet. Adichie, who is currently touring Nigeria to promote her latest novel "Dream Count" spoke in a recent interview with Channels Television ’s Amazing Africans, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025. She explained that she is not particularly impressed by economic indexes that may or may not indicate economic growth; rather, what she cares about is how the average people are getting by in the economy. The 47-year-old mother of three warned the Nigerian Government that having people endure prolonged hardship can push them into choices they would otherwise not consider. ALSO READ: Looking for Love? Chimamanda says 'There are good men' but don’t settle She said, “ I can see it in how people who were formerly securely middle class—and not that life was rosy for them, but the...

Spiritual leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned Senate President Godswill Akpabio to be prayerful and cautious, claiming his seat in the red chamber’s leadership may not be secure in the next political cycle. In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Oluwatosin Osho , Primate Ayodele said Akpabio must turn to God and work hard to retain his position. “Senate President Godswill Akpabio must be very careful and prayerful to get a second term as Senate President. I see his position being traded. He must work very hard to avoid it,” the cleric warned. Ayodele also sounded a note of caution to several state governors whose second-term ambitions may be on shaky ground. He listed Akwa Ibom ( Umo Eno ), Delta ( Sheriff Oborevwori ), Enugu ( Peter Mbah ), Cross River ( Bassey Otu ), Kaduna ( Uba Sani ), and Zamfara ( Dauda Lawal ) as states where the current governors may struggle to secure re-election unless they step up their perform...

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai says Nigeria risks losing its unity and stability if the All Progressives Congress wins the 2027 general elections. Speaking on Saturday in Sokoto during a grassroots mobilisation event for the African Democratic Congress, El-Rufai said he joined the opposition coalition to help remove the APC from power. “I am not in politics to get anything for myself. I am in politics to serve,” he said. El-Rufai accused the ruling party of incompetence and warned that a second term for the current administration would lead to further destruction of the country. ALSO READ: Obi has a better chance of defeating Tinubu in 2027 than Atiku - El-Rufai’s son “When the government does not serve the people, it is my duty as a senior citizen to come out and condemn it and take steps to reverse the situation,” he said. “ If we allow this party and the government to continue for a second term in office, what remains of Nigeria’s social capital will be destroy...

Hashim Dungurawa, Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Kano State Chapter, has declared that fellow opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has become a shadow of its former self following the mass exodus of members. Dungurawa referenced the defections of prominent stakeholders to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) as proof that the PDP has become an empty house. He faulted the party's leadership for allowing its presidential and vice presidential candidates in the last election to defect to other parties. The NNPP chieftain made this known while speaking with journalists in Kano on Saturday, August 2, 2025. ALSO READ: APC, PDP, ADC, NNPP are one and the same - Shettima “How can a serious party allow its own presidential candidate to leave the party? It means the party is not in place. “And how can the party also allow its own vice presidential candidate to go to another party again? Are yo...

The Kogi State House of Assembly has urged the state government to urgently intervene in the lingering power crisis that has plunged Ankpa Local Government Area into darkness for over a year. Raising the motion during plenary on Friday, August 1, in Lokoja, Hon. Lawal Akus, member representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency, lamented the dire consequences of the blackout on residents of the coal-rich community. “Ankpa has been in total blackout for over one year, a persistent crisis that represents a serious developmental setback with grave implications for education, healthcare, commerce, and public safety, ” he said. Akus noted that Ankpa, regarded as the commercial hub of Kogi East, previously received electricity via a 33kV line from Otukpo, Benue State. Incessant power collapse However, the line failed due to overload, also serving Omala and Olamaboro LGAs. A proposed alternative route from Ajaokuta via Anyigba had shown promise, with temporary improvements seen in 2022 and 2023...

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cautioned Nigerians travelling to the United States to strictly adhere to the terms of their visas, warning that violations could lead to deportation or future travel bans. In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by spokesperson AS Akinlabi , the NIS said the advisory follows growing concerns from U.S. authorities over the misuse of visas by Nigerian travellers. “Security screening by U.S. authorities continues beyond initial entry, ” the agency said. “Breach of visa conditions, including overstaying, may attract severe penalties, including removal from the U.S. and permanent ineligibility for future travel.” The warning was particularly directed at students and tourists, two of the most common visa categories. ALSO READ: US introduces new $250 visa integrity fee for non-immigrants Nigerian students in the U.S. were reminded to remain enrolled and active in their academic programmes. “ Withdrawal, absenteeism, or changing courses wit...

President John Mahama of Ghana has reiterated his country's commitment to respecting the freedom and safety of Nigerian nationals in the country, as enshrined in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols. Mahama made the pledge while receiving President Bola Tinubu ’s special envoy, led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu , at the Presidential Palace, Accra, Ghana. The Ghanaian leader stressed that there's no room for xenophobia in his country, urging his Nigerian counterpart not to lose sleep over the recent protest targeting Nigerian nationals resident in Ghana . This is according to a statement issued by Dr Magnus Eze , Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, on Friday, August 1, 2025. ALSO READ: Bianca Ojukwu meets Ghana’s Foreign Minister over ongoing anti-Nigerian protests Eze quoted Mahama as saying, reaffirming his commitment to advanci...

Infinix Nigeria has made a bold statement in 2025 with three headline-making smartphones released across the first half of the year. Whether you’re a fashion-forward creative, an on-the-go professional, or someone who just wants a good phone without breaking the bank, there’s something for you: the AI-powered NOTE 50 Pro , the ultra-chic HOT 60 Pro+ , and the versatile SMART 10 Plus . NOTE 50 PRO – WHEN DAVIDO IS YOUR AI ASSISTANT The NOTE 50 Pro blends premium performance with real-world personality. The standout feature? One-Tap AI ∞ Assistant (Folax) with Davido as the official voice . Imagine hearing your favorite Afrobeats star respond when you activate AI features - like summarizing long texts, editing documents, masking sensitive info from images, or translating real-time calls. And it doesn’t stop at smarts. The NOTE 50 Pro also brings: 6.78” AMOLED Display, 144Hz refresh rate, with buttery smooth visuals. 90W Wired + 30W Wireless Charging for its durable 5200mAh bat...

In an open letter to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, subscribers to the Renewed Hope Housing City in Karsana have commended the government's efforts on infrastructure development while urging swift action on the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to facilitate mortgage disbursement and possession of their houses. OPEN LETTER  Dear Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,  Barrister Nyesom Wike (Mr Projects),  We want to commend the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the landmark transformative projects going on all over Nigeria. It is clear as daylight that Nigeria is truly marching forward and we will get to the promised land very soon.  The various infrastructure projects in roads, bridges, rail, port rehabilitation, Renewed Hope Housing City and Estate, and the overall infrastructure transformation of the Federal Capital Territory are significant and landmark contributions to the growth and deve...