Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Donald Trump Takes Victory Lap In First Congressional Address Of Second Term. Six weeks into his second presidency, Donald Trump addressed a Republican-controlled US Capitol, delivering a speech filled with self-praise, policy updates, and political jabs. “We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations did in four or eight years, and we are just getting started,” Trump declared to a joint session of Congress. In his usual flamboyant style, he claimed that many considered his presidency the most successful start in US history, pointing to a resurgence in national pride and confidence. Boasting Achievements and Policy…

LeBron James Makes NBA History With 50,000 Career Points. LeBron James has become the first player in NBA history to surpass 50,000 combined points, achieving the milestone during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 136-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The 40-year-old basketball icon reached the historic mark early in the first quarter, receiving a pass from Luka Dončić before sinking a stunning 25-foot three-pointer. James, who is already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, finished the game with 34 points, taking his career total to 60,149—6,000 more than second-placed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His total includes a record 41,871 regular-season…

Arsenal Thrash PSV Eindhoven To Set Champions League Record . Arsenal delivered a stunning performance in Eindhoven, dismantling PSV with a 7-1 victory to set a new Champions League record for the biggest away win in the knockout stages. Mikel Arteta’s side, struggling to find the net in recent matches, rediscovered their attacking prowess in emphatic fashion. The result marks their highest-scoring game since a 7-3 win over Newcastle in the Premier League 13 years ago. Despite the historic win, Arteta remained measured, stating that while the achievement was significant, the team’s focus remained on progressing in the…

Former Immigration Boss David Parradang Killed By Gunmen In Abuja. A former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), David Parradang, was tragically killed by gunmen in Abuja on Tuesday. Parradang, who served in the NIS for over 30 years, held various key positions across the country before rising to the rank of Comptroller-General. According to reports by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred in the Area 1 axis of Abuja in the early hours of the day. The assailants allegedly trailed Parradang from a bank where he had made a withdrawal, robbed him of the cash,…

“You Can Go—Not With My Soldiers.” Italy’s Prime Minister Meloni Rejects Troop Deployment To Ukraine. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly rejected proposals from France and the United Kingdom to deploy Italian troops to Ukraine as part of EU peacekeeping initiative, citing concerns over the effectiveness and feasibility of such a move. In a series of public appearances and interviews, Meloni made her stance clear, delivering a resolute message: “You can go—not with my soldiers.” The decision, which has sparked widespread discussion, underscores Italy’s cautious approach to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Meloni expressed doubts about the practicality of…

Tinubu Appoints Ogunjimi As New Accountant General Of The Federation. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the new Accountant General of the Federation (AGoF). His appointment will take effect from 7 March 2025, the same day the outgoing Accountant General, Oluwatoyin Madehin, is set to retire. The announcement was made in a statement by Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, who revealed that Ogunjimi was selected following a rigorous and merit-based recruitment process. “Ogunjimi, 57, was initially named as Madehin’s successor in December last year,” Onanuga stated. “A selection committee later confirmed him…

Super Eagles Coach Chelle Names Provisional Squad For Crucial World Cup Qualifiers New Head coach of the Super Eagles, Éric Sékou Chelle, has unveiled a provisional squad of 39 players ahead of Nigeria’s vital 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month. The squad includes goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, as well as forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses. Also making the list are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka…

Presidency Announces Grand Prizes For MSME Of The Year Awards. The Presidency has announced that the overall winner of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) of the Year Awards will receive a car, a house, a shop, and a cash prize, with the total package valued at N220 million. Winners in other award categories will also walk away with prizes worth over N50 million each following a transparent selection process overseen by a screening committee. This committee comprises various government agencies working in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President. The agencies involved include the Standards…

Nigerian Women Embrace “Accelerate Action” On 2025 International Women’s Day. In a bold reaffirmation of their resilience and determination, Nigerian women across the nation are set to mark International Women’s Day 2025 under the global theme “Accelerate Action”. This call for swift progress in achieving gender equality resonates strongly in Nigeria, where women continue to spearhead social, political, and economic transformations despite longstanding challenges. A Call for Swift Progress The theme for 2025 International Women’s Day emphasises the urgent need to advance gender equality, a message that strikes a chord in a country where female empowerment remains both a beacon…

Flogging Banned In Lagos State Schools, Commissioner Announces. The Lagos State Government has officially prohibited flogging in all state schools. The announcement, made earlier today by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, marks a significant shift in the approach to discipline within the region’s classrooms. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Commissioner Alli-Balogun emphasised the state’s commitment to fostering a safer and more supportive environment for pupils. “The use of corporal punishment, such as flogging, has no place in our schools,” he declared. “We are dedicated to ensuring that every child is treated with dignity and…

Federal Government To Launch New Payment Platform To Replace REMITA. The Federal Government is set to introduce a new payment system today, 4 March 2025, to replace REMITA, which has long been utilised for revenue collection. This development was disclosed in a memo from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), dated 28 February 2025, and obtained by The PUNCH on Monday. The new system, known as the Treasury Management & Revenue Assurance System (TMRAS), is designed to enhance efficiency in managing federal revenue collections and payments across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). It will…

Government Urges Nigerian Women To Tap Into Capital Market For Wealth Creation. As the world marks International Women’s Day, the Federal Government has encouraged Nigerian women to seize investment prospects in the capital market, highlighting its potential as a crucial avenue for financial growth and stability. The Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, made this appeal in Abuja yesterday during the official unveiling of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Podcast. She underscored the significance of women’s involvement in the capital market, stating, “Expanding opportunities for women in this sector will pave the way for wealth generation.…