Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Pope Francis Laid To Rest In Rome As Hundreds Of Thousands Mourn. Pope Francis was laid to rest in Rome on Saturday, following a solemn funeral ceremony attended by world leaders and mourned by around 400,000 faithful who gathered to bid farewell to the beloved “pope among the people.” St Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets of Rome were filled with mourners, who came to pay their final respects to the Argentine pontiff who led the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion followers from 2013 until his death at the age of 88. Following the Vatican funeral, Pope Francis’s simple…

FCCPC Secures Major Victory As Tribunal Upholds $220 Million Fine Against Meta And WhatsApp. The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has delivered a landmark judgment in favour of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) against Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC, affirming the commission’s authority and findings on nearly all contested issues. In a statement issued by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, it was revealed that the tribunal confirmed the commission’s compliance with prevailing laws and its proper discharge of statutory duties within the framework of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). …

Market Leaders Endorse Governor Adeleke For Second Term In Osun. Market leaders from Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Areas of Osun State have pledged their full support for the second term bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke. Under the aegis of the Association of Babalojas and Iyalojas, the market leaders gathered in Osogbo on Friday to officially endorse the governor, citing his commitment to good governance and the positive impact of his road construction and rehabilitation projects across the state. Speaking at the event, Mr Adeoti Qamarudeen, the Babaloja of Orisunbare Main Market in Osogbo, said the endorsement was…

Lagos State Government Leads Drive Towards Sustainable Waste Management. The Lagos State Government has announced significant progress in its efforts to revolutionise waste management and environmental protection, arresting and prosecuting 3,786 street traders, environmental polluters, and cart pushers over the past year. Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagaulda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, emphasised the government’s commitment to transitioning from the traditional “collect and dump” approach to a sustainable circular economy. Highlighting the state’s challenges, Wahab noted that Lagos generates over 13,000…

Senate Committee Commends JAMB’s Surveillance Measures For 2025 UTME. The Senate Committee on Education has praised the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for its effective surveillance arrangements during the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, gave the commendation on Friday while leading a delegation to monitor the examination at Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3. The UTME, which began on 24 April 2025, is scheduled to conclude on 5 May 2025. Senator Dandutse, alongside other committee members, expressed satisfaction with JAMB’s…

FBI And International Partners Arrest 22 Nigerians In Operation Against Sextortion. The FBI, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Canada, Australia, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom, has conducted a groundbreaking operation to tackle financially motivated sextortion schemes originating from Nigeria, resulting in the arrest of 22 suspects. Dubbed *Operation Artemis*, the effort saw a surge of resources and personnel deployed to Nigeria, working closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to address the alarming rate of sextortion-related suicides attributed to Nigerian perpetrators. Authorities revealed that approximately half of those arrested were directly linked to victims who…

Atiku Criticises Tinubu Administration, Emphasises Democratic Freedoms Amid Political Realignments. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken aim at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, criticising its performance and declaring it unworthy of re-election in 2027 due to a lack of tangible achievements. In a statement released on Friday, Atiku expressed concern over the direction of the country, stating that the government had failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians. He also responded to recent political shifts, including defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor,…

Troops Arrest Notorious Bandit And Fake Army Officer In Taraba State. Troops of the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have made significant strides in ongoing security operations in Taraba State with the arrest of a notorious bandit and an impostor claiming to be a senior military officer. The army confirmed the arrest of Yusuf Hammadu, widely known by the alias “Dogo,” during an intelligence-led operation in the Lainde Jessy area of Lau Local Government Area on 19 April. Hammadu, who had been on the watchlist of security agencies, is accused of involvement in several kidnappings and criminal activities…

Concerns Grow Over Safety Of New Pedestrian Bridge Near Lagos State University. Residents of Ojo, particularly around the Lagos State University area at Iyana Iba, have expressed growing concerns over the persistent presence of miscreants on a newly constructed pedestrian bridge in the locality. The bridge, which has not yet been officially commissioned for use, is reportedly being occupied by homeless individuals, scavengers, and thugs, raising fears for the safety of students and residents alike. Locals have warned that the structure is gradually being taken over by hoodlums, posing a potential threat to public safety. In an interview…

Over 500,000 Students Apply For Loans Through NELFUND Portal. The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced that more than 500,000 students have applied for loans through its online portal, marking a significant milestone in the fund’s first year of operation. In a statement issued by the Director of Corporate Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND described the development as a strong indication of the critical need for accessible student financing across Nigeria. The figure, achieved within just 11 months, also reflects the growing trust in NELFUND’s mission to make tertiary education more accessible to all. “This is more than…

Travellers From 43 Countries Can Now Visit The US Visa-Free For 90 Days. Citizens from 43 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and Australia, are now eligible to enter the United States without a visa for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP allows short-term visits for tourism or business, provided that travellers meet specific conditions. While a visa is not required, travellers must obtain authorisation through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), an online platform managed by US Customs and Border Protection. ESTA approval must be secured before boarding a…

Real Madrid Criticises Referees’ Public Statements Ahead Of Copa Del Rey Final. Real Madrid have issued a strongly worded statement condemning recent remarks made by the referees appointed to officiate the Copa del Rey Final, which is set to take place on Saturday, 26 April 2025. In the statement released on Friday, the club described the referees’ public comments as “unacceptable”, claiming that their focus on content aired by Real Madrid TV—just one day before the final—is misplaced and indicative of ongoing hostility towards the club. “These protests, surprisingly centred on videos from a media outlet protected by…