For every journalist, the cardinal rule of success is the ability to protect one's sources despite pressure from the public particularly the state actors who more than often form the object of investigations by the reporter. Every successful journalist knows that what separates him/her and others in the daily rigours…

The Nigerian Police have made a first public statement on the arrest and detention of PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Samuel Ogundipe. Rather than explain the unjust detention of the journalist amidst global calls for his release, however, the police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, said he is not aware of the details of…

An operative of the police Special Anti-robbery Squad, (SARS) on Tuesday physically assaulted PREMIUM TIMES editor-in-chief, Musikilu Mojeed, as he tried to defend a reporter from being harassed at the SARS headquarters, Abuja. The police, through SARS, had on Saturday verbally requested that a reporter, Azeezat Adedigba, who covers the education beat appear before it…

On the day the Nigerian presidency was complaining about the excesses of a unit in the police, the same unit was forcing a PREMIUM TIMES journalist to disclose his source. The Nigerian police, through the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Tuesday arrested and detained Samuel Ogundipe, who covers the security sector. Apart from…

Two analysts attached to the Africa Programme of the Chatham House say President Muhammadu Buhari's performance in the last six months of his tenure will determine if he gets reelected in 2019. The duo also said the ability of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to cushion the effects of…

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah on Friday identified lack of requisite information and pessismism as core reasons why most medium and small scale enterprises (MSMEs) and entrepreneurs in Nigeria do not access government financing to grow their businesses. He said the numerous sources of financing provided by…

The Nigerian Police on Monday offered to pay N5 million to anyone with credible information that would lead to the arrest of those involved in the recent killings of policemen in Abuja and Edo State. Seven policemen were shot dead on Monday night, July 2 after suspected gunmen opened fire…

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has urged the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, to rectify the cases of non-payment and short-payment of salaries of hundreds of police personnel across the nation. PREMIUM TIMES had reported how hundreds of police personnel lamented the reduction in their salaries for…

The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has endorsed the Abuja Literary Festival, an initiative of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), slated for June 28-30, 2018 in the nation’s capital. The endorsement was signed by Funebi Otu-Umondak on behalf of the Director-General, Mr Folorunsho Coker. The endorsement states: “The Corporation believes…

Short Story Day Africa (SSDA) has announced the shortlist for its $800 2017/18 Prize with three Nigerian writers listed as possible recipients. The Nigerians are Emmanuel Agugom, Innocent Chizaram Ilo and Tochukwu Emmanuel Okafor. The Prize’s theme, according to brittlepaper.com, is 'ID'—meaning both “identity” and the psychoanalytic concept of the…

Some police personnel have lamented the reduction in their salaries for the past few months saying the situation has worsened their economic plight. The police officcers, cutting across states, said they have had portions from their salaries deducted especially for the months of February, March and April. The officers who…

The Bring Back our Girls Group, (BBOG) has given the Nigerian government and the police 72 hours (three days) to unseal the Unity Fountain, venue of its daily sit-outs, that was sealed by the police a few days ago. The group, while condemning the action of the police reminded them…

A British-Nigerian author, Sarah Ladipo Manyika’s second novel, Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun, and Zinzi Clemmons’ debut novel, What We Lose, have been shortlisted for the 2018 California Book Awards, in the Fiction and First Fiction categories, respectively. Founded in 1931, the California Book Awards, in…

The Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, Henry Purwanto, thrilled a gathering of writers and literary enthusiasts Saturday in Abuja when he gave a talk of contemporary Indonesian literature and lessons for Nigerian literature. An initiative of the Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), the event held at the Aso Hall of Nanet Suites,…

About 92 persons have finally been given letters of awards under the 2017/2018 Postgraduate Scholarship programme of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations Unit of the agency, Hadiza Umar, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. PREMIUM TIMES had late…

A former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has said President Muhammadu Buhari's claims in Damaturu, Yobe, that he handled the recent abduction of 110 Dapchi schoolgirls 'much better' than Mr. Jonathan treated a similar incident in Chibok in 2014 is false. Reno Omokri in a statement on Thursday rather defended…

The Bring Back our Girls Group, BBOG, has urged the federal government to give accurate details of the number of school-girls recently declared missing in Yobe State after their school was invaded by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. The group which has been, through daily sit-ins and protests, championing the return…

The Bring Back our Girls Group, BBOG, has urged the Nigerian government to reunite the recently released captives of Boko Haram insurgents with the families. The group in a statement signed by Sesugh Akume, Tuesday, said the continued delay in reuniting the former captives with their families was extending their…

Two writers, Todd Moss and Bolaji Olatunde, as well as the alternative rock musician, Bem Sar, will kick-start the 2018 Guest Writer Session series. A press statement signed issued by Edith Yassin for Abuja Writers Forum, AWF, said Todd Moss, author of the Ryker diplomatic thriller series for Penguin’s Putnam…

The Africa Book Club Short Reads Competition has begun accepting submissions for a literary contest. The Africa Book Club Short Reads Competition features short stories drawn from contributors across the African continent. It accepts unpublished fiction and creative non-fiction submissions, not exceeding 3,500 words, and whose setting and context are…

Again, 43 young Nigerians whose awarded scholarships were ‘withdrawn’ under controversial circumstances by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme have cried out against perceived moves to deprive them of the opportunity. PREMIUM TIMES had in September reported how the young Nigerians were left in the lurch…

A cryptocurrency, Bitcoin’s value crossed the $15,000 threshold on Thursday for the first time today, marking another milestone in its dizzying ascent. Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency and worldwide payment system. It is the first decentralised digital currency – the system works without a central repository or single administrator. In recent…

Many would perhaps argue that reported cases of suicides across Nigeria in recent months is not a trend but an increasing focus on these tragic occurrences by the media. However, the cases that have attracted public attention lately seem to be taking a disconcerting trend. On October 21, the body of…

A not-for-profit organisation, Words Rhymes & Rhythm, has announced that the third edition of its annual WRR Literary Festival tagged ‘FEAST OF WORDS’ will hold on December 16 in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State. A statement by its organisers sent to PREMIUM TIMES said for the third year…

Nigerian novelist and poet, Helona Habila and Ethiopian-American writer, Maaza Mengiste, have been announced as judges for the Institute for Immigration Research New American Voices Award. The novelists will preside over submissions alongside Booker and Baileys Prize finalist Madeleine Thien, a release by brittlepaper.comindicated on Saturday. The Institute for Immigration Research…