Author: damazah@gmail.com

The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abubakar Sulaiman, says he wants the institute to become the world’s intellectual hub for democracy. Mr Sulaiman, a professor, commemorated his seven years of stewardship as the Director-General of NILDS on Thursday at the institute’s headquarters in Abuja. In a fireside chat during the event, the former Minister of National Planning said he saw NILDS as an institution that would serve not only the Nigerian Parliament, but also legislatures across Africa and democratic institutions around the world. He noted that his administration prioritised institutional development, staff members’ welfare,…

The top stories and transfer rumours from Saturday’s newspapers…PREMIER LEAGUEArsenal are preparing an offer for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, who has yet to agree a new deal with Villa – Daily Mail Arsenal are continuing discussions over Morgan Rogers with his representatives and Aston Villa – Daily Mail Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Should Arsenal target Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers despite him likely costing over £100m? Aston Villa continue to explore the market for wingers, with the likes of West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville and Ibrahim Mbaye at PSG among names on their radar -…

By Enitan Abdultawab Nigerian singer Bella Shmurda has alleged that he was defrauded after paying $4 million for a property in Lagos that he later discovered had been stolen. The singer made the claim during an emotional Instagram Live session, where he broke down in tears while appealing for help. According to Bella Shmurda, the property was sold to him by someone who allegedly had no legal ownership of it. “Nigeria, I need your help. I’m not doing okay right now. I spent $4 million of my own hard-earned money, only to find out I bought stolen property,” he said.…

*Osigwe: I have no preferred candidate, won’t vote  *Dismisses rigging allegations  *Ojo claims plot to impose candidate  *Okpoko vows lawyers will resist interference in NBA’s affairs Alex Enumah in Abuja and Wale Igbintade in Lagos The intrigues, litigations, influence peddling, political maneuverings and regional colouration that have dogged the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) 2026 elections will come to an end today as thousands of lawyers across Nigeria log on to elect a new President and other national officers of the Association. The finger pointing, accusations and counter accusations of manipulation is coming on the heels of the President of the…

*Senior lawyers urge caution Wale Igbintade The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday dismissed concerns that the recent Court of Appeal judgements on aspects of the Electoral Act and its election guidelines could undermine preparations for the 2027 general election, insisting that the rulings pose no obstacle to the conduct of credible, free and fair polls. A senior INEC official who pleaded to remain anonymous, told THISDAY that the Commission’s constitutional mandate to conduct elections and issue the necessary administrative guidelines remains intact, stressing that the judgment affirming its powers over election timetables reinforced its legal position.The assurance came as…

Travelling to the United States with food from Nigeria may seem harmless, but some items that are common in Nigerian homes are either restricted or completely prohibited at U.S. ports of entry. The rules are designed to protect the country’s agriculture, livestock and public health from pests, diseases and contaminated food products. While commercially packaged foods may be allowed after inspection, fresh produce, certain animal products and homemade foods are subject to stricter regulations and can be confiscated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In some cases, travellers who fail to declare restricted food items may face delays, fines…

Hot dogs, beach days, and iced tea on the porch are some of the rites of summer. But in an era of global warming, a new rite has emerged: choking down smoke from wildfires burning hundreds of miles or more away.The Midwest, Northeast, and parts of Canada have been blitzed with thick smoke that turned skies an eerie shade of orange and triggered widespread air quality alerts. The source? Fires burning in Minnesota as well as western Ontario.Canada is where the bulk of the fires are burning, with 119 out-of-control blazes across the country as of Friday afternoon. The fires…

As Nigeria grapples with governance challenges, weak public communication and declining public trust in institutions, former Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, believes the country must return to the fundamentals of leadership: integrity, reputation and effective communication. In this interview with Sunday Ehigiator, the Convener of the Duke’s Masterclass speaks on why the initiative was conceived, why decision-makers must embrace global best practices, the importance of strategic crisis management, and why he believes ministers should do more to communicate government policies and achievements. Excerpts. You have worked in banking,…

Imagine playing the game “20 Questions” with the opening question: “Animal, vegetable, or mineral?” For the ancient sea worm Perinereis cultrifera (which is still around to this day), the answer is surprisingly complicated. Like other predatory bristle worms, this species has jaws built from structural proteins and ions. The animals use these hard mouthparts to bite, crush, and consume their food. The unusual composition and behavior of these jaws have led researchers to describe them using a new term: bio-metals. The concept is now becoming an emerging area of biophysical research. What Makes a Bio-Metal Different? Scientists have previously used…

The thick smoke that has engulfed New York and much of the eastern seaboard over the past few days has drawn wry smiles in Dallas and Los Angeles, where locals will watch on with a sense of schadenfreude when the World Cup final takes place in the New York New Jersey Stadium (usually known as the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey) on Sunday.The Dallas and Los Angeles stadiums, which were passed over when Fifa awarded the final in February 2024, are more impressive venues without the same climatic risks as New York, which was chosen because of its global appeal…