News – Page 129 – Democracy Radio

Budget Office to Restore Confidence Amid Delays in Fiscal Reporting

By Oluwakemi Kindness The Budget Office of the Federation has assured Nigerians and development partners of its commitment to transparency in fiscal reporting. This is following mounting concern over delayed Budget Implementation Reports (BIRs). The Office, in a statement, explains that the publication of the reports, pending since the second quarter of 2024, was slowed by verification exercises with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and the transition to a new extended fiscal framework. These processes, it says, took longer than […]

August 30, 2025

General

Nothing Wrong With Online Pre-Registration of Voters — INEC

By Anayo Akwitti The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed insinuations questioning the credibility of its recently published figures on online pre-registration of voters, insisting the process is transparent, consistent with past trends, and backed by verifiable data. The Commission’s response followed a statement credited to the spokesperson of a political party(ADC), which alleged that the number of pre-registrants in Osun State defied “historical patterns and demographic realities.” INEC, in a statement issued on Thursday by Chief Press Secretary […]

August 29, 2025

Engineer Ciroma Joseph unveiled as the first Ambassador of Kingdom Unity Games Abuja 2025 at Moshood Abiola National Stadium

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Sport

Kingdom Unity Games Unveils Engr. Joseph as Ambassador

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso As preparations gather momentum for the maiden edition of the Kingdom Unity Games Abuja (KUGA) 2025, organizers have announced Engineer Ciroma Joseph as the official Ambassador of the Games. The event, scheduled to hold from September 6 to 13, 2025 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, is a faith-driven sporting initiative designed to unite youths across Abuja and neighboring states through competitive sports. With a focus on peacebuilding, discipline, spiritual growth, and youth development, the Games will […]

August 29, 2025 2

Nigerian weightlifter Islamiyat Yusuf celebrates after winning gold at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, India.

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Sport

Nigeria Wins Three More Gold at Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships

By Arinzech Chukwunonso Nigeria’s weightlifters continued their fine run of form at the ongoing 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, India, clinching three gold medals and one bronze on Thursday, August 28, to reinforce the nation’s rising dominance in the sport. Islamiyat Yusuf was the star of the day, powering to victory in the women’s 69kg category with a flawless performance. She recorded 105kg in the snatch and 131kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with a combined total of […]

August 29, 2025 3

Local News

NILDS DG Applauds Nigerian Scientist on Winning Global HIV Research Grant

By Chinedu Echianu The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has commended Dr. Adam Hussein Abdullahi, a Nigerian medical researcher, for emerging as a global winner of the prestigious Collaborative Initiative for Paediatric HIV Education and Research (CIPHER) Grant. In a statement signed by his media aide, Mohammad Abdulkadri, Prof. Sulaiman described Dr. Abdullahi’s achievement as a landmark feat that has placed Nigeria, Kwara State, and his Lafiagi community on the […]

August 29, 2025

General

FG Defends New Passport Fee Hike, Says Reform Will End Corruption

By Sofiat Adenekan The Federal Government has justified the sharp increase in Nigerian passport fees, insisting the new charges will eliminate corruption, restore credibility, and ensure quicker delivery of travel documents. Effective September 1, 2025, applicants in Nigeria will pay N100,000 for a 32-page, five-year passport and N200,000 for a 64-page, 10-year passport, according to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The hike comes less than a year after fees were reviewed in August 2024, when the 32-page booklet rose from […]

August 29, 2025

General

NCPC Celebrates Two Retired Officers

By: Chinedu Echianu Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission has held a colourful send-forth in honour of two of its senior officers who retired in August. Those celebrated were Barrister Sonny Ebiyaibo, former Director of Administration, and Agiobu Fyneface, former Chief Executive Officer in the Accounts Department. A statement made available to Democracy Radio by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations, NCPC, says the Commission’s headquarters was filled with tributes, prayers, and celebrations as colleagues, family, and dignitaries […]

August 29, 2025

Security

Army Boss Pledges Enhanced Security Across Nigeria

By Zainab Bakare The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has pledged to intensify military operations aimed at bolstering security in Katsina State and across Nigeria. He made this commitment during a courtesy visit to the Acting Governor of Katsina State, Faruk Jobe, at the Government House in Katsina. According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the visit was part of the COAS’s operational tour of the state and […]

August 29, 2025

Security

Troops Repel Bandit Infiltration in Niger State

By Zainab Bakare Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babana in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State has successfully repelled an attempted infiltration by armed bandits on Thursday, neutralising two assailants and recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition. According to a statement from the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Captain Stephen Nwankwo, the incident occurred at approximately 2:50 a.m. when vigilant troops engaged the bandits attempting […]

August 29, 2025