Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Customs Intercept Cannabis Worth N112 Million In Ondo/Ekiti Command. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ondo/Ekiti Command, has made a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking with the interception of over 140 sacks of Cannabis sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp, weighing more than 1,400 kilogrammes and valued at N112 million. The seizure took place in Ado Ekiti during a routine operation, as confirmed by the Comptroller of the Command, Mrs Morenikeji Bewaji. Two suspects were reportedly apprehended while transporting the illicit substance. The suspects, along with the confiscated drugs, were handed over to the National Drug Law…

NBA Urges Government To End Killings, Demands Swift Justice For Victims In Plateau And Benue. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strong appeal to the federal and state governments to urgently address the ongoing wave of violence and senseless killings in Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country. The call follows the tragic attack on Zike hamlet in the Kimakpa community, Kwall district of Irigwe Chiefdom, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 52 people were confirmed dead, including a family of eight. In a statement released on Tuesday, NBA President, Afam…

Tinubu Declares National Emergency On Food Security, Unveils New Irrigation Plans. President Bola Tinubu has declared a national emergency on food security, calling for the expansion of irrigation infrastructure and participatory water resource management across Nigeria. Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President made the announcement during the opening ceremony of the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage held in Abuja on Monday. In his address, Tinubu urged African nations to adopt innovative and collaborative strategies to tackle the continent’s pressing irrigation and water management challenges. He described…

House Committee To Inspect Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Ahead Of Tinubu’s Commissioning. With President Bola Tinubu set to commission a 30-kilometre section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway on 25 May 2025, the House of Representatives Committee on Works has announced plans to conduct an oversight visit to evaluate the project’s readiness. The committee, led by Hon. Akin Alabi, is scheduled to inspect the ongoing construction work to ensure it complies with required standards before the presidential inauguration takes place. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure ventures, designed to enhance connectivity between Lagos and Calabar…

Ghana Moves To Regulate Gold Market, Orders Exit Of Foreign Traders By April 30. In a significant move to reform its local gold market, Ghana has ordered all foreign nationals currently trading in the country’s artisanal and small-scale gold sector to exit by 30th April 2025. The directive is part of the enforcement of the newly enacted Ghana Gold Board Act (Act 1140), which officially came into effect following its passage by Parliament on 29th March and the subsequent assent by President John Dramani Mahama on 2nd April. “All foreigners are hereby notified to exit the local gold trading…

Bruno Onyemaechi Clinches Greek Super League Title With Olympiacos. Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi has added a major trophy to his career achievements, helping Olympiacos secure the Greek Super League title. Olympiacos sealed the championship on Sunday night with a narrow 1-0 victory over rivals AEK Athens. The decisive goal came from Moroccan forward Ayoub El Kaabi, whose strike ensured the club maintained an unassailable lead at the summit of the league table. With 66 points and three matches left to play, Olympiacos are mathematically out of reach, cementing their status as champions of Greece once again. Onyemaechi,…

Tinubu Signs ECOWAS Tariff Offer, Waives Tariff On 90% Goods Traded Within African Nations. In a landmark move to deepen regional integration and stimulate intra-African trade, President Bola Tinubu has signed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Schedule of Tariff Offers, which establishes zero duties on 90 per cent of goods traded within Africa. This significant step reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and positions the country as a key player in shaping the future of trade across the continent. The signing took place yesterday during the AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting…

Thousands Require Treatment As Severe Sandstorm Sweeps Across Iraq. More than 1,000 people have been left struggling with respiratory problems after a powerful sandstorm swept through central and southern Iraq, according to health officials. Hospitals across the affected regions were overwhelmed with cases of breathing difficulties, with Muthanna province alone reporting at least 700 cases of suffocation, a local official told the AFP news agency. The storm, which descended on 14 April, cloaked cities in a thick orange haze, severely reducing visibility to less than one kilometre. Footage shared online showed streets and highways blanketed in dust, with headlights…

PDP Governors Vow To Reclaim Power At Federal Level In 2027. Governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have declared their collective resolve to reclaim power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the federal level in the 2027 general elections. The declaration was made during a gala night hosted by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan on Sunday evening. Present at the event were several PDP governors, including the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala…

EFCC Presents Peter Okoye As First Witness In £1m Fraud Case Against Former P-Square Manager Jude Okoye. On Monday, 14 April 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opened its case against Jude Chigozie Okoye, elder brother and former manager of the renowned Nigerian music duo P-Square, at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate presented its first prosecution witness, Peter Okoye, in a trial involving allegations of money laundering amounting to N1.38 billion (£1 million). Justice A. Owoeye presided over the proceedings. Jude Okoye, alongside his company Northside Music Limited, faces a seven-count…

François Letexier To Referee Arsenal Vs Real Madrid Champions League Quarter-Final Second Leg. French referee François Letexier has been confirmed as the official for Arsenal’s eagerly anticipated Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash against Real Madrid. The match, set to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, 16 April 2025, promises to be a thrilling encounter as Arsenal carry a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium. Letexier, 35, is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising referees, holding UEFA’s elite category status. His appointment for this high-stakes fixture underscores his growing reputation within the…

Access Bank Secures Approval For Full Acquisition Of National Bank Of Kenya. In a significant development for East Africa’s banking sector, Nigeria’s Access Bank PLC has received formal approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and Kenya’s National Treasury and Economic Planning to acquire 100% of the shareholding of the National Bank of Kenya (NBK). The announcement, made today, marks a pivotal step in Access Bank’s ambitious expansion strategy across the continent. The CBK granted its approval on 4 April 2025, under Section 13(4) of Kenya’s Banking Act, with the National Treasury, led by Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi,…