Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Hungary Withdraws From ICC As Netanyahu Receives Warm Welcome In Budapest. In a bold and controversial move, Hungary announced on Thursday that it would withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a decision revealed mere hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in the country for an official visit. The announcement has sparked international debate, particularly as Netanyahu faces an ICC arrest warrant over alleged war crimes. Hungary’s government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, had already signalled its intent to disregard the ICC’s authority in this matter. Despite being a signatory to the 1998 Rome Statute, which…

Ancelotti Denies Tax Fraud Allegations As Trial Begins. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has denied any wrongdoing in his ongoing tax fraud trial in Spain, insisting he never intended to evade taxes. On Wednesday, the 65-year-old Italian appeared before the High Court of Justice in Madrid, where prosecutors accused him of failing to declare more than €1 million (£860,000) in earnings from image rights during his first spell at Real Madrid in 2014 and 2015. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of four years and nine months, arguing that Ancelotti used a complex network of shell companies to hide…

Trump Imposes 14% Tariff On Nigerian Exports As US Trade Policy Heats Up. In a dramatic escalation of his administration’s trade policy, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 14% tariff on all Nigerian exports to the United States, effective immediately. The decision, unveiled during a White House Rose Garden address dubbed “Liberation Day” on 2 April, forms part of a broader strategy to address what Trump calls “unfair trade practices” and to bolster American industry. The tariff targets Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies, which exported goods worth ₦931 billion (£1.7 billion) to the U.S. in 2024, with…

Benue Queens Celebrate Historic First Point As Edo, Bayelsa, And Rivers Remain Unbeaten In NWFL Premiership. In an exhilarating round of fixtures on Matchday 10 of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership, debutants Benue Queens marked a significant milestone by securing their first-ever point in the country’s top flight. Meanwhile, reigning champions Edo Queens, alongside Bayelsa Queens and Rivers Angels, continued their unbeaten streaks, solidifying their positions as title contenders in a fiercely competitive season. The matches, played on Wednesday, 2 April 2025, showcased the rising strength and excitement of women’s football in Nigeria. Benue Queens, newcomers to the…

Former NYSC Director-General Freed After 56 Days In Captivity. Former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), retired Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga has been released after enduring 56 days in the hands of kidnappers. The news, confirmed by a senior military official and family members, brings an end to a harrowing ordeal that began on 5 February 2025 in Katsina State, Nigeria. Tsiga was abducted from his hometown in the Bakori Local Government Area, alongside nine other residents, in a midnight raid that sent shockwaves through the community. The armed bandits stormed Tsiga village, targeting the respected retired general, who…

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Approves Recruitment Of 34 Resident Doctors To Boost Healthcare. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the recruitment of 34 resident doctors for a seven-year residency training programme aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in the FCT. Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social Media, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. According to Olayinka, the 34 doctors represent the first batch of a total of 60 medical professionals approved for residency training across eight specialities in FCT Administration hospitals.…

Kogi Government Accuses Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Of Inciting Violence At Homecoming Rally. The Kogi State Government has accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of inciting violence during her homecoming rally in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, despite existing security restrictions on political gatherings. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, made the allegation following the senator’s remarks in a viral video where she claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, and former Governor Yahaya Bello were plotting to assassinate her. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who arrived at the rally by helicopter to a cheering crowd, alleged that she had received…

CBN Dismisses Report On N5,000 And N10,000 Banknotes As Fake. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has refuted claims that it has introduced N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes, labelling the report as false and urging Nigerians to disregard it. In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, the apex bank dismissed the report, clarifying that no such denominations have been issued. “The content is not from CBN. Kindly note that the official website of the CBN is cbn.gov.ng,” the statement read. Further addressing the matter, the CBN’s Communications Department reaffirmed that the bank only…

Ogun State Government Allocates N16.5 Million To Boost National Sports Festival Preparation. The Ogun State Government has approved a sum of N16.5 million to support 33 sports associations in preparation for the 22nd National Sports Festival, set to take place from 16 to 30 May in the state. As part of the preparation, state athletes are expected to commence closed-door training immediately to ensure peak performance at the event. The announcement was made by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi, during a stakeholder engagement at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta. He…

Tragedy In Badagry As Ex-Police Officer Allegedly Kills Two Family Members Over Land Dispute. The Yovoyan community in Badagry, Lagos, was plunged into mourning on Tuesday morning following a violent attack allegedly carried out by a former police officer. The suspect reportedly shot and killed two of his family members, as well as another individual, over a land dispute. According to reports, the victims—Mr Richard Atideka and Mrs Latevi Atideka from Yovoyan community, along with Mr Muji Onilude from the neighbouring Gberefu community—were killed by the ex-police officer and an unidentified accomplice. A survivor of the attack, Mr…

Sterling Bank Scraps Online Transfer Fees And Promises Refunds In Groundbreaking Move. In a bold step that has sent ripples through the Nigerian banking sector, Sterling Bank has announced it will refund all customers charged transfer fees for online transactions made on 1 April 2025. The bank also confirmed that, effective immediately, it will no longer impose fees on online transfers for local transactions carried out via its mobile app, marking a significant win for customers. The announcement, initially met with scepticism due to its timing on April Fools’ Day, has been verified as genuine by multiple sources, including…

Tribunal Upholds Governor Okpebholo’s Election Victory In Edo State. The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed a petition seeking to nullify the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a unanimous decision on Wednesday, the three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, also rejected a request for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh governorship election in the state. The petition was filed by the Accord Party (AP) and its governorship candidate, who alleged that the election, held on 21 September 2024, was marred by…