Author: Naija Daily News

By Deborah Nnamdi Google has unveiled the 2025 edition of its AI-focused startup accelerator in Africa, aimed at supporting early-stage companies with up to $350,000 in cloud credits and expert guidance, the company announced on Thursday. According to the tech giant, the program is open to seed to Series A startups that have a live product, at least one founder of African descent, and a strong focus on responsible AI practices. Chosen startups will benefit from up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, personalized mentorship from Google and industry leaders, access to a global investor and partner network, and hands-on…

By Deborah Nnamdi A High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Thursday sentenced 51-year-old Owoeye Ojo to death by hanging for armed robbery. Ojo was brought before the court on August 25, 2023, facing a four-count charge that bothered on conspiracy, attempted murder, and armed robbery. The charge reads in part: “The defendant and others at large, on May 21, 2023, at Oluwole Orungbe Street in Ado Ekiti, conspired to commit armed robbery and attempted to murder Adeyemi Funmilayo and Adesola Omolola. “Also, on May 12, 2023, at Ilokun in Ado Ekiti, the defendant and others at large…

By Deborah Nnamdi Controversial Nigerian singer, Badmus Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has shaved off his signature coloured hair. The singer showcased his new look in a video posted on his Instagram reels and also issued a heartfelt apology to veteran Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa. He shared a photo of Osupa on his page, captioning it, “God bless you, sir. I’m sorry Baami.” This comes shortly after Portable regained his freedom from police custody in Ilorin, Kwara State, following Osupa’s decision to withdraw a legal petition against him. Earlier, Osupa had filed a complaint accusing Portable of criminal defamation, intimidation,…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered five illegal crude oil dump sites in the Jahi/Katampe area of Abuja. This was revealed in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale. According to the statement, seven suspects connected to the illegal production and distribution of crude oil have been arrested. The Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad also recovered several trucks loaded with stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Among the impounded items were a white three-compartment truck carrying 45,000 litres of AGO with an unverifiable waybill, four Mercedes-Benz short peddler trucks,…

CBEX, once the darling of online investor forums, now stands accused of misleading thousands and vanishing with millions in user funds. This investigation by Deborah Nnamdi traces the platform’s rapid rise, its suspicious unravelling, and the lingering questions left in the wake of its humpty-dumptyish collapse. In the rapidly evolving world of digital finance, few stories have stirred as much frustration and confusion as the collapse of Crypto Blockchain Exchange (CBEX). Once hailed as a promising, AI-powered crypto investment platform with global ambitions, CBEX is now a sobering reminder of what happens when hype outruns accountability. CBEX burst onto the…

File photo: Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has confirmed that the Kaduna Refinery project is now 81% complete. This update was shared by the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, during an event on Tuesday. He highlighted that the project aims to reduce fuel imports and shield the economy from the volatility of global crude oil prices. “Kaduna Refinery’s overall progress is 81.1% and we have broken it down into work packages. One thing that is peculiar about Kaduna Refinery is that even if the refinery reaches 100%…

By Deborah Nnamdi Women across Rivers State under the aegis of the Rivers Women Unite Prayer Group have taken to the streets in protest, demanding the immediate removal of Commissioner of Police CP Olugbenga Adepoju, and calling for the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, amid growing tensions and fears over the imposition of an emergency rule in the state. The women further called for an immediate termination of the emergency rule, along with the restoration of the democratically elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly. In a statement jointly signed on…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pledged to recover funds for individuals who invested in CBEX, a controversial digital trading platform that recently collapsed under the weight of investor complaints. According to the commission, CBEX had long been on its radar even before the public outcry erupted. The platform, which promised investors a 100 per cent return on investment, came under intense scrutiny over the weekend after users reported being unable to withdraw their funds. The situation quickly escalated on Monday when furious investors stormed and reportedly looted the Ibadan office of Smart Treasure, a CBEX affiliate. Speaking…

Photo: Chief Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana) By Oghenekevwe Kofi There’s a phrase that has become the unofficial anthem of Nigeria’s elite: “Money na water.” You see it everywhere—from flashy Instagram posts to party toasts, music lyrics to everyday street banter. It’s a boast, a celebration of wealth so fluid and abundant it might as well be flowing from a golden tap. But in a country where the taps are dry for millions, where people walk miles for water, and hospitals operate without electricity, that same phrase sounds more like mockery than motivation. Let’s be clear: everyone has a right to…

By Deborah Nnamdi In a notable update, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced another cut in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The new rate stands at N835 per litre, down from the previous N865, reflecting a 3.5% reduction. This adjustment comes in response to a recent drop in global crude oil prices, which have fallen from over $70 to $64 per barrel in recent weeks. Earlier, the refinery had lowered its gantry price from N880 to N865 per litre, but the benefit was not passed on to consumers by oil marketers. With a processing…