Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigeria Coach Eric Chelle Identifies Home-Based Players For National Team Consideration. Nigeria’s national football coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed his admiration for several players in the domestic league who have the potential to earn a national team call-up. Chelle, who was appointed in January, recently attended two league matches to assess local talent. He watched Ikorodu City take on Plateau United in Lagos and later observed the Remo Stars’ clash with Kwara United in Ikenne. Speaking to the media afterwards, Chelle revealed that four players caught his attention in the Lagos match, while three others stood out in…

Babangida Admits Abiola Won June 12 Election, Expresses Regret Over Annulment. Former military president General Ibrahim Babangida has admitted that the late Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, describing its annulment as a regrettable decision influenced by a military cabal led by General Sani Abacha. Babangida made the revelation at the launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service, where he reflected on the controversial decision that prevented Nigeria’s transition to democracy. He acknowledged that the election was credible, free, and fair, but claimed he was outmanoeuvred by internal forces within his administration. He stated,…

US Denies Allegations Of Funding Boko Haram. The United States government has strongly denied allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria. Speaking at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting in Abuja, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr, dismissed the claims, stating that there is no evidence to support such accusations. He reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and assured that strict monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure aid reaches the intended recipients. “There is absolutely no evidence that I…

Trump Signs Executive Order To Halt Federal Funding For Undocumented Migrants. US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at cutting off federal funding used to support undocumented migrants, the White House has announced. The order instructs federal departments and agencies to identify government-funded programmes that provide financial assistance to individuals residing in the US unlawfully and take corrective action. According to a White House fact sheet, the directive also prohibits federal funds from being used to support ‘sanctuary’ policies in states and local communities that provide protections to undocumented migrants. Additionally, it mandates stricter eligibility…

Federal University Lokoja Students Protest Over Safety Concerns. Students of the Federal University Lokoja have vowed not to resume classes until both the federal and state governments implement adequate safety measures to prevent further loss of lives. The protests erupted following a fatal accident involving a heavy-duty vehicle carrying palm oil and firewood, which crashed into a shuttle bus transporting students near Felele, Lokoja. The tragic incident has reignited concerns over road safety in the area, which has witnessed multiple accidents involving students. Despite the university management’s decision to indefinitely close the institution, the students have insisted on continuing…

Explosion Rocks NNPCL Flow Stations In Rivers State, Several Feared Dead. A devastating explosion has torn through two flow stations operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) near the Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State, with several individuals feared dead. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, 20 February 2025, has sent shockwaves through the region, raising concerns over safety and infrastructure in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. The affected facilities are situated close to the boundary between Bonny Local Government Area (LGA) and Degema LGA, approximately 30 nautical miles off the Bonny coastline. Eyewitnesses reported that the blast ignited…

Drama In Senate As Akpabio Orders Senator Natasha Out Of Chamber. A tense session unfolded in the Senate on Thursday when Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, from the chamber. The altercation stemmed from a report by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, who informed the Senate that Senator Natasha had refused to relocate to a new seat assigned to her. The reassignment was necessitated by the defection of two opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Citing Senate Orders 24 and 6, Monguno highlighted the Senate President’s authority…

FAAC Meeting Postponed Amid NNPC Remittance Dispute. The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed due to a dispute between state governments and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. over unpaid remittances. State governments boycotted the meeting, insisting that NNPC must first settle outstanding revenues amounting to approximately N1.7 trillion. These funds have been pending since the full removal of the petrol subsidy in November 2024. It remains unclear whether the meeting will be rescheduled later this week. This development follows President Bola Tinubu’s remarks during a recent presidential television interview, where…

Army Chief Vows To Sustain Offensive Against Bandits In Katsina. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining its offensive against bandits in Katsina State, ensuring lasting peace for Nigerians. Speaking to journalists after an operational visit to the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Natsinta, Katsina, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede emphasised that the troops would continue their efforts until banditry is eradicated. He was received by the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Babatunde Omopariola. “I am here to assess the operational activities of the 17 Brigade, identify their challenges, and determine how quickly…

US Urges Ukraine To Ease Criticism Amid Diplomatic Tensions. The White House National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, has urged Ukraine to “tone down” its criticism of the United States and agree to a minerals deal being promoted by President Donald Trump. The diplomatic tensions come as Washington continues to play a key role in supporting Kyiv amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. A scheduled news conference in Kyiv featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoy Keith Kellogg was unexpectedly cancelled, with both leaders currently engaged in private discussions. The cancellation follows a series of sharp exchanges between Trump and…

Tambuwal And Minister Call For Innovative Strategies To Tackle Housing Deficit. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Aminu Tambuwal, has urged stakeholders to adopt innovative strategies to enhance affordable housing, boost private sector involvement, and reinforce institutional frameworks in the housing sector. Speaking at the housing sector retreat in Lagos, themed “Actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda for Housing and Urban Development” Tambuwal emphasised the need to identify challenges and implement solutions to transform the sector and address Nigeria’s housing deficit. He assured that the Senate and the wider National Assembly would continue collaborating…

Governor Fintiri Revokes Atiku Abubakar’s ‘Waziri Adamawa’ Title Amid Emirate Reforms. The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has revoked the traditional title of Wazirin Adamawa held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, along with other notable figures, following the restructuring of emirates and chiefdoms in the state. This decision affects not only Atiku but also former Governor Boni Haruna, who held the title of Makama Mubi, and Fintiri himself, who was the Sarki Yaki Mubi. The move comes as part of a wider reorganisation of the traditional system in Adamawa State. New Traditional Councils to…