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Abuja, Nigeria  — In a bold step towards tackling poverty with technology, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) to identify poor Nigerians, especially those residing in urban slums. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, revealed this during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Friday. According to the Minister, AI has played a pivotal role in expanding the National Social Register from 13 million to 19.7 million people, now capturing the realities of urban poverty beyond its previous focus on rural communities. “To assist people, you need to identify them first,” Yilwatda said. “That’s why we began by validating and expanding the social register.” Dr. Yilwatda explained that the updated social register was guided by a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make the register more inclusive by adding the urban poor. The process leveraged advanced satellite imagery to map dense...

A Facebook post by Chioma Chinaka Chigozie-Okwum has stirred conversation online, drawing attention to what she describes as the “unequal and unfair financial treatment” of Catholic priests in Nigeria. Her strongly-worded critique, posted on her personal Facebook profile, has garnered over one thousand reactions and multiple comments, igniting a fresh debate on clerical welfare in the Catholic Church. “Why will a young Catholic priest in Nigeria 🇳🇬 not be tempted to get with a rich woman??” she asked in the opening line of her post, setting the tone for what would become a sharp criticism of the Church’s handling of priestly welfare. In her post, Chioma questioned the absence of a unified salary structure for Catholic priests in Nigeria, lamenting how young priests, also known as curates, are often subjected to financial hardship while their senior counterparts, the parish priests, control church offerings and resources. “How do you expect these young men to survive on 20,000 naira ...

Warri, Delta State – In a strongly worded statement, the Itsekiri Youth for Good Governance (IYGG) has responded to what it terms "misleading and false statements" made by Delta State Commissioner for Works, Rural Development, and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, during his recent appearance on Arise TV. The group has described the Commissioner's remarks concerning the ownership of Warri as historically and legally inaccurate. According to the IYGG, multiple Supreme Court rulings have long affirmed the overlordship of the Olu of Warri and the Itsekiri people over Warri and its environs. These rulings, the group states, include landmark cases such as Chief B.A.M.E. Awani & Ors v. Erejuwa II and D.O. Idundun & Ors v. Daniel Okumagba, among others. “It is shocking that a government official of Mr. Aniagwu’s standing would peddle misinformation that contradicts legal precedent. These remarks are not only harmful but also capable of disrupting the fragile peace...

Lagos, Nigeria – The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, today took to his official Facebook page to celebrate the remarkable talent and resilience of a young Lagosian creative, Irinsanmi Imisioluwa Eunice, who gifted him a custom-made crocheted jacket. In a heartwarming post, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed deep appreciation for the handmade gift, describing it as a “thoughtful, handmade, custom crocheted jacket” crafted with care and precision. According to the Governor, 23-year-old Eunice spent 168 hours and used over 20,000 stitches, six colours of yarn, and just one crochet hook to create the jacket. Beyond the physical craftsmanship, it was Eunice’s story that moved the Governor. She began crocheting in primary school and once dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. However, life redirected her path. She studied Home Economics and found new purpose during the COVID-19 lockdown when she turned fully to crafting. “Your work matters,” Sanwo-Olu stated emphatically in his message...

  ABUJA, NIGERIA – In a major security operation, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force have apprehended 20 individuals in Abuja for allegedly hacking into the results database of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The suspects, believed to be part of a highly organized cybercriminal syndicate numbering over 100, were arrested following a coordinated intelligence-led operation. According to preliminary investigations, the group specializes in breaching the computer systems of key national examination bodies, including JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO), with the aim of manipulating results and aiding candidate fraud. Security sources confirmed that the suspects operated with sophisticated digital tools, exploiting system vulnerabilities to alter scores, generate fake result slips, and sell access to desperate candidates and parents seeking illegal...

  Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has raised concerns over the growing misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly deepfakes, in the deliberate spread of misinformation aimed at discrediting public officials. The Minister made the remarks on Friday while receiving the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Alhassan Yahaya, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. Addressing the delegation, Idris warned that deepfake technology is being weaponized to create false and damaging content, often portraying public figures in scandalous or compromising situations. “You could be sitting right here, and someone could superimpose another person’s head onto your body, completely misrepresenting you,” he said. “Every day, the president says something and it is twisted. A minister makes a statement and it’s misrepresented. This is a growing threat.” The Minister lamented that such manipulations have dest...

In a significant step towards enhancing public engagement and boosting national development through strategic media collaboration, News Central Television has announced a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. The partnership aims to spotlight the aviation sector’s vital role in Nigeria’s economic and infrastructural advancement. The announcement follows a courtesy visit by News Central’s Director of Commercial and Communications, Mrs Rosemary Egabor-Afolahan, to the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, in Abuja. The meeting served as a platform to explore areas of synergy between media and aviation, particularly in promoting transparency, reforms, and development within the sector. In a statement released after the meeting, Mrs Egabor-Afolahan described the initiative as the beginning of a strategic partnership designed to enhance public awareness of aviation milestones and Nigeria’s regional competitiveness. “The courtesy visit ma...

Ugborodo, Delta State – Tensions are mounting within Chevron’s operational base in Ugborodo Community as internal disagreements surface over the replacement of a retiring Ijaw woman who served as Marine Superintendent. Sources within the facility reveal a growing wave of dissatisfaction among workers, particularly over what some perceive as an emerging push for tribal succession within Chevron’s ranks. The retiring superintendent, a respected Ijaw woman, is reportedly insisting that her replacement must also come from the Ijaw ethnic group, claiming the role as an "Ijaw slot" that should remain within the ethnic fold. This stance has sparked internal lobbying from other Ijaw staff within Chevron, many of whom are calling on management to honour the outgoing superintendent's wish by appointing one of the senior Ijaw personnel to the position. However, the development has raised eyebrows among members of the host Ugborodo community—predominantly Itsekiri—who view the move a...