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Chiemeka Ugwowo Africa losing $74.5bn to costly debt as Afreximbank warns of credit bias BREAKING: Africa losing $74.5bn to costly debt over ‘biased’ credit ratings — Afreximbank Africa is losing an estimated $74.5 billion in additional debt-service costs due to what the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) described as exaggerated risk perceptions and unfair credit ratings. The bank raised the concern at the 2026 Invest Nigeria Conference and Expo in Lagos, warning that high borrowing costs are limiting economic growth and investment across the continent. Afreximbank’s Director of Regional Operations, Kudawashe Matereke, said Africa pays more for credit despite recording lower…

By Ekene Orefo, Canada Oil prices hit $100 as Middle East crisis rattles global markets Global oil prices have climbed back to $100 per barrel, reaching their highest level since July as escalating tensions in the Middle East raise fears of supply disruptions. Brent crude, the global benchmark, jumped 2.3 per cent on Wednesday to briefly touch the $100 mark before slightly retreating. US crude also gained momentum, rising 1.3 per cent to trade around $94 per barrel. The surge followed fresh military developments in the Middle East, increasing concerns over the safety of oil shipments through the strategic Strait…

By Charles Aghedo Oziengbe, Abuja Air Peace apologises as flight disruptions hit operations Air Peace has apologised to passengers following a series of flight delays and cancellations affecting some of its operations, blaming the disruptions on a mix of bad weather, technical challenges, a bird strike, a false fire alarm and delays in aviation fuel supply. The airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Oluwatoyin Olajide, in a statement, expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to travellers, noting that the disruptions affected passengers’ plans and schedules. Air Peace said one of its aircraft was grounded after a false fire alarm, while another was…

By Chiemeka Ugwowo, Abuja INEC fixes September 19 for five by-elections in four states The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled September 19 for the conduct of five by-elections across four states of the federation. The exercise will cover one federal constituency and four state constituencies in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states. The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Tunde Oketola, disclosed this in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). According to Oketola, the federal constituency election will hold in Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State. The state constituency elections will…

Gov Eno Flags Off Day 8 of 39-30 Projects with Esit Eket Health Centre Commissioning …Project to Boost Access to Quality Healthcare in Rural Communities Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, will today, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, commission a newly constructed Model Primary Health Centre in Esit Eket Local Government Area of the state. The commissioning is part of activities lined up under the state government’s “39-30 Projects Days” initiative, which highlights key projects being delivered across the state by the Eno administration. The Esit Eket health facility is scheduled as Day 8 of the initiative. The new Model…

Gov Eno Upgrades Historic Obot Akara School With 17 Classrooms, ICT Centre, Library …Assures Akwa Ibom Children of Greater Investment in Human Capital Development Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has transformed the 85-year-old school at Ikpe Mbak Eyop in Obot Akara Local Government Area into an ultra-modern Model Primary School as part of efforts to strengthen education and human capital development in the state. The Governor, represented at the commissioning ceremony on Monday, September 7, 2026, by former Commissioner for Youth and Sports and Dean of Commissioners, Sir Monday Uko, said the project demonstrated his administration’s commitment to…

By Chiemeka Ugwowo, Abuja NOUN MOURNS AS BANDITS KILL UNIVERSITY DON IN ZAMFARA The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is mourning the tragic death of one of its senior academics, Late Mallam Nasir Gusau, who was killed by suspected bandits in Zamfara State. Gusau, a lecturer and former university administrator, was reportedly shot dead while returning from Gusau on Sunday, September 6, 2026, according to a statement issued by the institution’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, Oladipo Aderayo Ajayi. The statement described the late academic as a “distinguished colleague, dedicated administrator and valued member of the NOUN family,” noting…

By Chiemeka Ugwowo, Abuja pi4 Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Promotes Care for Creation, Commends Environmental Commitment Reverend Father Lawrence Emehel has commended the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, for his dedication towards maintaining a clean, green, and environmentally sustainable environment at the Secretariat’s headquarters in Durumi, Abuja. Fr. Emehel gave the commendation during a homily delivered at the CSN Chapel as part of activities marking the Sunday of Care for Creation, where he stressed the Church’s commitment to protecting the environment as a sacred responsibility entrusted to humanity by God. The priest…

By Chiemeka Ugwowo AFCON 2027 QUALIFIERS: NIGERIA TO BEGIN CAMPAIGN AGAINST MADAGASCAR The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the fixtures, kick-off times and venues for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers, with Nigeria set to begin its qualification journey against Madagascar. The Super Eagles will host Madagascar on Friday, September 25, 2026, in their opening Group L encounter, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29, 2026 in Matchday 2. The qualifiers will run from September 24 to October 6, 2026, with 48 African nations competing across 12 groups of four teams for…

Information: The Lifeblood That Keeps Democracy Alive In every thriving democracy, there is an invisible force that keeps the system alive, guides public decisions, and gives citizens the power to question authority. It is not money, political influence, or government machinery. It is information. Like oxygen to the human body, information is the breath that sustains democracy. Without it, citizens become powerless spectators in a system that is supposed to belong to them. With it, they become active participants capable of choosing leaders wisely, demanding accountability, and shaping the future of their society. Democracy is often described as government of…