Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

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,…

Forty Killed In Brutal Attack On Plateau State Community. A devastating attack has claimed the lives of at least 40 people in Zike community, Kimakpa, located in the Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State. The assault, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, saw armed assailants storm the village and open fire indiscriminately on residents. According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers struck while many were still asleep, shooting at those attempting to flee for safety. Security forces reportedly arrived from a nearby community and succeeded in repelling the assailants, but by then, the damage had…

Fresh Protests Erupt In Rivers As Women’s Group Backs ssEmergency Rule. A group of women staged a protest in Rivers State on Monday in support of the emergency rule declared in the state, further deepening the political divide sparked by the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The demonstration, which began at 7am, saw scores of women marching through the streets, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards bearing messages such as “Emergency rule is Constitutional”, “Investigate Fubara’s bloated Contracts award”, and “Rivers women need peace in our state”. The protest was led by Inime Aguma, a former Commissioner for…

Zelensky Invites Trump To Ukraine Following Deadly Missile Strike In Sumy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly invited former US President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine before making any agreements with Russia to end the ongoing war, which has now entered its fourth year. Speaking during an interview on CBS’s *60 Minutes*, Zelensky urged Trump to witness the reality on the ground for himself. “Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead,” he said. The plea was recorded shortly before a devastating…

Trump Clarifies Electronics Tariffs Amid Global Trade Tensions. US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Chinese-made smartphones, computers, and other electronics will not be exempt from tariffs, clarifying that these products are simply being moved into a different category of levies, rather than escaping duties altogether. His comments followed widespread confusion after a US customs notice issued on Saturday suggested certain electronics would be excluded from the 125% tariff imposed on goods from China. The update had sparked optimism in global markets, leading to a bounce in European stock exchanges on Monday morning. However, President Trump took to…

US Tariffs A ‘Blessing In Disguise’ For Africa, Says Minister Dele Alake. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has described the recent wave of tariffs imposed by the United States as a potential “blessing in disguise” for African nations, urging the continent to seize the opportunity to rethink its economic strategy. Speaking during a Fireside Chat session titled *‘The Alchemy of Foreign Direct Investment: Turning Policies into Prosperity for Emerging Global Markets’* at the 14th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Alake encouraged African countries to embrace more self-reliant and inward-looking…

Hamzat Calls For Revamp Of Secondary Schools As Launchpad For Nigeria’s Future Leaders. In a rousing call to action, Dr Obafemi Hamzat has emphasised the crucial role of secondary school education in shaping Nigeria’s future, urging all stakeholders to transform classrooms into breeding grounds for responsible leadership and national development. Speaking recently on the importance of education in leadership formation, Hamzat, who is the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, asserted that no nation can rise above the quality of its teachers, nor can any generation exceed the leadership capacity of its youth. His remarks come at a time when…

Afreximbank Unveils $120 Million African Trade Centre In Abuja To Boost Intra-African Trade. In a landmark move set to transform Africa’s economic landscape, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has officially unveiled its $120 million African Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja. The project, a culmination of meticulous planning and bold vision, is aimed at accelerating intra-African trade, deepening regional integration, and advancing Nigeria’s aspirations of becoming a continental trade hub. The Abuja AATC, situated on a 5,856-square-metre plot in the Federal Capital Territory, marks the first of seven planned trade centres across the continent and represents a key pillar of…

Rory McIlroy Claims Historic Masters Title To Complete Career Grand Slam. An emotional Rory McIlroy fulfilled a lifelong dream on Sunday, securing his first Masters title in dramatic fashion and becoming just the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman triumphed at Augusta National after a sudden-death play-off, sinking a nerveless three-foot birdie putt to edge out fellow Ryder Cup star Justin Rose. The victory, 14 years in the making, marks a crowning achievement in McIlroy’s glittering career and sees him join golf’s most elite company. Overcome with emotion, McIlroy let out…