Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

“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.…

Mike Johnson Reveals Guest List For Trump’s Congressional Address. The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, has unveiled his guest list for President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. According to Johnson, border security will be a major topic of discussion during Trump’s speech, reflecting a key priority for the administration. Reports from Fox News indicate that Johnson’s invited guests include Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whom Trump has chosen to serve as his border czar. Homan’s presence underscores the administration’s focus…

Lagos Government Plans Additional Pedestrian Bridges In Oshodi. The Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has acknowledged the need for additional pedestrian bridges in Oshodi to improve pedestrian movement and safety. This follows complaints from residents about difficulties using the only available bridge in the area. The situation worsened after one of the bridges connecting Oshodi Bus Terminals 2 and 3 was locked due to structural concerns, increasing pressure on the remaining bridge. Responding to the concerns, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed that the relevant authorities had been informed about the necessity…

ACJHR Commends Governor Fubara For Upholding Supreme Court Ruling. The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR) has praised Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his statesmanlike approach in accepting and implementing the recent Supreme Court judgment after carefully reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC). In a statement issued by its coordinator, the ACJHR applauded the governor’s impressive state broadcast on Sunday, which demonstrated his commitment to the rule of law and democratic principles. The centre noted that by allowing the judgment of the apex court to prevail, Governor Fubara has distinguished himself as the kind of leader…

Governor Aiyedatiwa Approves Recruitment Of Over 1,000 Secondary School Teachers In Ondo. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved the employment of 1,010 teachers to address staff shortages in secondary schools across the state. The decision follows the completion of a rigorous recruitment process conducted by the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), which screened thousands of applicants last year. Governor Aiyedatiwa stated that the move was aimed at tackling the long-standing issue of inadequate teaching staff in public schools. According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the list of successful candidates will be made…