Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

UBTH Health Workers Mourn Colleague Killed In Hospital Premises. Medical and health workers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) have been thrown into mourning following the tragic death of their colleague, Dr Alex Ogunniyi, who was fatally shot by suspected gunmen within the hospital premises last Friday. In response to the shocking incident, staff at the hospital held a peaceful protest and a solemn commendation service to honour the late physiotherapist. The workers called on authorities to take immediate steps to improve security within the hospital environment and prevent similar tragedies in the future. Speaking during…

In a clear departure from previous practice, the Federal Government is making a spirited move to enable states to receive hundreds of billions of naira, being a five-year backlog of Universal Basic Education (UBE) Fund. The backlog dated back to the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term in 2020. Govima Gathered that the President, on his return from Paris last week, approved the plan by the Minister of Education, which included updated information of how the funds can transform basic education in each of the over 30 states expected to benefit from this new strategy. The new…

UK Resumes Visa Services In Enugu After Months-Long Closure. The United Kingdom has resumed visa application services in Enugu, Nigeria, several months after operations were suspended in the city. The visa application centre (VAC), previously managed by TLScontact, had been closed in November 2024 alongside the centre in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed the launch of the UK’s largest visa facility in Lagos, operated by VFS Global, which initially redirected all applicants to Lagos and Abuja. In an update on Wednesday, the British High Commission confirmed that visa services have resumed in Enugu. According to VFS Global, residents…

Nigerian Court Adjourns Binance Tax Evasion Case To May 12. A Nigerian judge has postponed the tax evasion case against Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, to 12 May 2025. The adjournment follows a request from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to serve court documents to Binance via email, citing the company’s offshore registration and lack of a physical office in Nigeria. The FIRS has filed a lawsuit seeking $79.5 billion in damages for alleged economic losses attributed to Binance’s operations in the country, along with $2 billion in back taxes. Authorities allege that Binance’s activities have contributed…

British High Commission Clarifies Status Of Alleged UK Soldier Arrested In Delta State. The British High Commission has denied claims that Micah Polo, a man arrested in Delta State for alleged illegal arms procurement, is a serving member of the UK military. A coalition of Niger Delta stakeholders and civil society organizations had petitioned the High Commission to investigate Polo, who was reportedly identified as a major in the British army. However, the High Commission stated that Polo is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces. While he did serve in the UK Armed Forces Reserves, he…

Saudi Ministry Of Interior Announces Penalties For Hajj Permit Violators. The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced strict penalties for individuals who attempt to perform Hajj without a permit, as well as those who facilitate such violations. The penalties, which will be enforced from Dhul-Qi’dah 1 to Dhul-Hijjah 14, aim to ensure that pilgrims adhere to the regulations governing the holy pilgrimage. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), individuals attempting to perform Hajj without a permit will face fines of up to SAR 20,000 (approximately $5,332 USD). Additionally, those who apply for a visit visa for individuals who…

Controversy Erupts Over Naval Operation At Rivers State Deputy Governor’s Residence. A dramatic turn of events has unfolded in Rivers State, where the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), has faced criticism for ordering naval personnel to the residence of suspended Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu. The operation, which took place in the early hours of April 25, saw the removal of three vehicles, sparking widespread condemnation. According to eyewitnesses, the naval officers carried out the operation in a commando-style raid, taking away two Toyota Hilux vehicles and one Toyota Hiace bus. However, the Senior Special Adviser on…

Court Of Appeal Upholds Conviction Of Professor Peter Ogban For Election Rigging In Favour Of Senator Akpabio. The Court of Appeal in Calabar has upheld the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban, a lecturer at the University of Calabar, for rigging a senatorial election in favour of Senator Godswill Akpabio. Ogban, a professor of Soil Science, was sentenced to three years in prison by a State High Court in Uyo in 2021 for announcing fake election results. The Court of Appeal not only affirmed Ogban’s conviction but also expressed dismay at his role as a university professor in the fraudulent…

Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno Hints At Defection From PDP. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has sparked speculation about his potential defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to another political platform. Speaking at a constituency outreach meeting in Ikot Akpankuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, Governor Eno likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft, suggesting he might consider switching to a different party. “If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won’t you board the next available plane to take you…

Suspended Rivers State Governor Fubara Meets With Wike Seeks Reconciliation. Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has paid a courtesy visit to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike at his Abuja residence. The meeting, which took place on April 18, aimed at seeking reconciliation between the two political leaders. Fubara’s visit followed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in London, where they discussed the ongoing political tension between Fubara and Wike. The Rivers State Governor was accompanied to Wike’s residence by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Ogun Governor Olusegun Osoba. According to sources, Fubara showed…

GTBank Increases SMS Transaction Alert Fee. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has announced an increase in its SMS transaction alert fee from ₦4 to ₦6 per message, effective May 1, 2025. The bank cited a recent rise in telecommunication tariffs by service providers as the reason for the adjustment. In a message to customers, GTBank explained that SMS alerts sent to international phone numbers would attract higher charges due to varying telecom costs. The bank emphasized the importance of transaction alerts in helping customers monitor account activity. Customers who no longer wish to receive SMS alerts have the option…

INEC Unveils Six Digital Tools To Enhance Election Transparency And Efficiency. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched six innovative digital tools designed to improve the transparency and efficiency of elections in Nigeria. The commission introduced the new applications during a one-day retreat in Lagos State. INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu stated that the tools are part of the commission’s broader strategy to leverage technology in managing and conducting credible elections. The digital tools aim to transform key aspects of the electoral process, from voter registration to the collation of results. The six digital tools unveiled by…