Author: Standard Focus

The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) an additional 30 days to detain social media influencer and businessman Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, over his alleged connection to a 184.5kg cocaine seizure. Justice Akintayo Aluko granted the application on August 20, following a request by the anti-narcotics agency for... Read more

Tension has reportedly gripped Sifawa town in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State after suspected bandits were sighted moving large herds of cattle through the community in broad daylight. The development has raised fresh fears of a possible security threat in the area as troops deployed to the Sifawa axis reportedly engaged the suspected criminals. A security source who... Read more

Organised Labour has threatened a showdown with the Federal Government over the failure to implement an approved occupational hazard allowance for agricultural professionals in the public service, nearly two years after the approval was granted. The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) expressed its dissatisfaction in a fresh letter to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation... Read more

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has intensified enforcement of Nigeria’s Cabotage regulations as part of efforts to strengthen indigenous participation in coastal and inland shipping. The agency said the move was in line with its statutory responsibilities under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, as well as existing regulations and implementation... Read more

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University, Bokkos chapter (ASUU-PLASU), has declared an indefinite strike over the failure of the university administration to satisfactorily address its six-point list of demands. The union announced the industrial action following a Congress meeting held after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the university management on August 11. In a... Read more

The Aminchi Centre for Social Advocacy and Community Development Initiative has rejected the 14-day ultimatum issued by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) to the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), over killings in Sokoto State. MURIC had demanded an end to the killings or the resignation of the Defence Minister.However, the Aminchi Centre described the ultimatum as “misplaced, constitutionally... Read more

Three members of a local vigilante group have been killed after gunmen attacked a civilian security post at Gwa Rim community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. The attack reportedly occurred around 2am on Wednesday when the gunmen opened fire on the vigilantes who were keeping watch at the community guard post. A resident of Riyom, Damba Dang,... Read more

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has warned that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s proposal to restore fuel subsidy if elected President could worsen Nigeria’s economic challenges and undermine investor confidence. The policy think tank described the proposal as a “dangerous step backwards,” arguing that while subsidised petrol could provide temporary relief through lower pump prices, it would create... Read more

The International Cancer Centre Abuja (ICCA), founded by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s widow, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua, has entered into a partnership with Singapore-based Innova Healthcare Nigeria Limited to establish a comprehensive oncology centre in Abuja. The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the centre at ICCA’s existing facility on Airport Road, Abuja.... Read more

The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has welcomed the Federal Government’s plan to decriminalise suicide but called for urgent reforms to ensure the move produces meaningful improvements in mental healthcare. The association said decriminalisation would have limited impact without the effective implementation of the Mental Health Act, 2021, and the expansion of affordable and accessible mental health services. In... Read more