Author: Press Room

Executive SummaryAfrica’s grain industry is large and growing, but marked by a widening gap between rising demand and domestic supply. Total cereal consumption on the continent reached about 283 million metric tons in 2024, and is forecast to climb to 311 million tons by 2035, reflecting a steady growth of ~0.9% per year​. However, production growth has lagged behind population-driven demand. Africa’s farms produced roughly 216–218 million tons of cereals in 2023-2024, leaving a deficit filled by imports of around 70+ million tons annually​. The market value of Africa’s grain consumption was estimated at $126.1 billion in 2024, expected to rise…

A tragic incident has occurred in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where a Police Inspector, Maxwell Zabu, allegedly shot himself dead at the Eagle Island residence of a former Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area. The incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday, April 22. The Guardian learned that the incident was reported at the Police post at Eagle Island, under the Azikiwe Police Division, and detectives from the division visited the scene as part of preliminary investigation procedures. The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that it is…

Sodiq Ojuroungbe A non-governmental organisation, SIL Foundation, has donated dialysis machines to five hospitals in a bid to improve access to life-saving treatment for patients with kidney disease at subsidised costs. The foundation donated one of the machines to Gbagada General Hospital and four others to different hospitals, including Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja; University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State; and two other hospitals in Abuja. Speaking at the handover of the machine, spares, and its consumables to the management of Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, the foundation’s CEO, Ubile Lawson, explained that the NGO’s mission is to…

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and recovered over 67,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a major operation to curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. The week-long operation, conducted from April 14 to 20, spanned several states including Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom, and targeted artisanal refineries and illegal oil storage facilities. Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who disclosed this in a statement, said the joint operation with other critical stakeholders led to the dismantling of 16 illegal refineries. He revealed that in…

Lawyers ask ECOWAS court to sanction President, NASSSupporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara have expressed hope that the governor will soon be recalled and reinstated. They said they believe President Bola Tinubu is a democrat and acted in the best interest of Rivers State.   They made this known during an Easter praise session organised by the Simplified Movement, which was held simultaneously across all 23 local councils of the state.   The sessions, marked by singing, dancing, and collective prayers, served as both a spiritual celebration and a moment of reflection and encouragement for movement members. The suspended Commissioner for Education, Ovy…

Sodiq Ojuroungbe A team of Nigerian researchers has uncovered how maternal diet can influence the risk of hypertension in children, highlighting the critical role of nutrition during pregnancy in shaping future health outcomes. The study, led by the Head, Department of Physiology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof Ahmed Oloyo, found that a high-salt diet during pregnancy may predispose children to high blood pressure. Hypertension, a leading cause of heart disease and premature death, has been on the rise in Nigeria. While lifestyle and diet are widely recognised contributors, the study reveals that risks may begin even…

Photo credit: Fvreign/Instagram Following his previous tracks ‘DTF’ and ‘Lagos, featuring JeriQ and Tdollar, singer songwriter Fvreign is back with a new track, bringing us ‘Feeling You,’ a solo track that marks his continued growth as an artist. Drawing from Afrobeats and dancehall influences, ‘Feeling You’ delivers a laid-back yet engaging rhythm that resonates long after the music fades. It carries a subtle power that makes it both soothing and memorable. The music video mirrors this vibe. Rich in colour, expressive, and refreshingly simple, letting the song’s essence take the spotlight. Stream the track and watch the video below: 

Former Newcastle United and England striker, Alan Shearer, has cast doubts over Nottingham Forest’s chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, Soccernet.ng reports. Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi’s side have overachieved this season. Forest struggled to survive relegation in their first two campaigns since returning from the EFL Championship, but this term, they’ve spent a large period in the league’s top five. With five league games left to play, the race for the top four is heating up. While Liverpool and Arsenal are assured of safety, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Chelsea are all in…

2026 poll: Osun NNPP chairman urges voters to reject AdelekeOsun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, condemned the burning of the Ilesa High Court 2 building by yet-to-be identified hoodlums, describing the arson as “an unjustifiable attack on the state judiciary”. The Guardian, however, gathered that the incident, which occurred overnight, led to the destruction of the court’s sensitive documents and exhibits, with the entire building largely razed. Though the state fire service was mobilised to the scene, the havoc had already been done by the time of their arrival. A statement by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, quoted the governor as…

A grandson of late music legend, Comfort Omoge, has been killed following a violent encounter with a scavenger in Okitipupa Local Council of Ondo State. The deceased, identified as Ogoirawo Omoge, who was also a musician, was stabbed in the throat during a confrontation with the suspect along the Ayeka/Igodan-Igbokoda highway. The incident, which occurred after a minor disagreement, quickly escalated into a fatal altercation. According to a community source, the suspect pulled out a dagger and slit Omoge’s throat before fleeing the scene. Efforts by bystanders to save the victim proved abortive, as he was pronounced dead on arrival…