Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

FG To Crack Down On Illegal Cooperative Societies. The Federal Government has announced plans to clamp down on illegal cooperative societies across Nigeria as part of a broader reform aimed at revitalising the sector and enhancing food security. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, seeks to ensure that only duly registered and accountable cooperatives operate in the country. This move is expected to foster transparency and efficiency within the cooperative system. Speaking at the Technical Strategy Session on the Implementation of the Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister…

Nigerian Government Dismisses False Claims By Tigran Gambaryan. The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly refuted recent allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, a former Binance executive, regarding his legal troubles in the country. In an official statement, the government described his claims as false, defamatory, and an attempt to discredit Nigerian officials. Gambaryan, an American national, was recently tried in Nigeria on financial crime charges. The government clarified that his initial visit to Nigeria, along with his colleagues, was made at their discretion, without any official involvement. However, when allegations of bribery surfaced during this trip, the authorities launched…

Jamal Musiala Extends Bayern Munich Contract Until 2030. Bayern Munich have officially secured the long-term future of Jamal Musiala, with the 21-year-old German international signing a contract extension that keeps him at the club until June 2030. The announcement, made on 14 February 2025, marks a major milestone for both the player and the club. Musiala, who joined Bayern from Chelsea’s youth academy in 2019, has become a key figure for both club and country. He has made nearly 200 appearances for the German giants, scoring 58 goals and providing 31 assists. His contributions have been instrumental in Bayern’s success,…

Afenifere Leader Pa Ayo Adebanjo Passes Away At 96. Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a revered leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation Afenifere, has passed away at the age of 96. He died on 14 February 2025 at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State. His family confirmed his passing, describing him as a “beloved patriarch” who made immense contributions to Nigerian politics and the advocacy for true federalism. Adebanjo was a prominent nationalist, elder statesman, and respected lawyer. He played a crucial role in Nigeria’s political development, serving as the organising secretary of the Action Group and later as the national…

Binance Executive Accuses Nigerian Lawmakers Of Bribery. Tigran Gambaryan, a senior executive at Binance, has accused three Nigerian lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe during his detention in the country. Gambaryan, who served as Binance’s head of financial crime, was held by Nigerian authorities for several months over allegations of money laundering and enabling criminal activity. He was released after the US government intervened, leading to the charges being dropped. Allegations Against Lawmakers In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gambaryan named the lawmakers as Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. Notably, Onwusibe heads the House…

US Congressman Accuses USAID Of Funding Terrorist Groups. US Congressman Scott Perry has alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been involved in funding terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. Speaking at a congressional hearing on government inefficiency and waste, Perry claimed that significant amounts of taxpayer money were being diverted to extremist groups.  Allegations of Misuse of Funds During the hearing, titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” Perry expressed concerns over $697 million in annual USAID funding, which he alleged was being funnelled into…

Customs Intercepts Large Cache Of Arms In Lagos As Police Clarify Missing Weapons Report. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and handed over a significant cache of arms and ammunition smuggled into the country through Lagos Airport. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has refuted claims that 3,907 weapons are missing from its armoury, stating that the reports are inaccurate and misleading. According to the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the claims stem from a 2019 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF), which stated that certain firearms were unaccounted for at…

UNIZIK Expels Student Over Viral Lecturer Assault Incident. The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has expelled a student, Goddy-Mbakwe Chimamaka Precious, for allegedly assaulting a lecturer in an incident that went viral online. The decision was announced in a statement on Friday by UNIZIK’s Acting Registrar, Victor Modebelu, following an internal investigation into the altercation. The incident occurred on Tuesday, 4th February 2025, at the university’s Faculty of Arts and involved Dr Chukwudi Michael. According to eyewitness accounts, the student was dancing and filming a TikTok video in a corridor when the lecturer, attempting to pass, tapped her…

Chernobyl Radiation Shield Struck By Russian Drone, Ukraine Claims. A Russian drone has struck the protective radiation shield covering the damaged Chernobyl nuclear reactor, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed. The overnight attack caused a fire at the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, though emergency crews have since extinguished the flames. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), radiation levels inside and outside the facility remain stable. Russia has denied any involvement, insisting its military does not target Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure. “Any claims that this was the case do not correspond to reality,” a Russian government…

Hollywood Calls For A Revival Of LA Productions After Devastating Wildfires. Hollywood, long regarded as the heart of the global entertainment industry, is facing increasing competition from cities such as Atlanta, London, Toronto, and Sydney, where lower costs and attractive tax incentives have lured productions away from Los Angeles. The recent wildfires, which claimed at least 29 lives and destroyed thousands of homes, have only deepened the city’s ongoing production crisis. Now, many within the industry are urging studios, streaming platforms, and state officials to take action by boosting local productions, providing much-needed economic relief to struggling film workers. …

Canadian Embassy Denies Visas To Nigerian Defence Chiefs For Official Event. In a surprising turn of events, the Canadian Embassy has denied visas to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, along with other senior military officials, preventing their attendance at an official engagement in Canada. The delegation had been scheduled to participate in an event honouring war veterans, particularly those injured in battle, recognising the sacrifices made by Nigerian military personnel. However, their travel plans were abruptly halted as several members of the group were refused entry by Canadian authorities. The news quickly spread on…

Porto And Roma Play Out Draw In Europa League Knockout Play-Off First Leg. Porto and Roma, two of the pre-season favourites to lift the Europa League trophy, played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their knockout-phase play-off. Roma took the lead just before half-time when Zeki Celik reacted swiftly to Artem Dovbyk’s knock-on, hooking the ball into the net from close range. However, Porto responded in the second half, capitalising on a defensive lapse. Diogo Costa’s long ball downfield caught Roma off guard, allowing Francisco Moura to strike from the edge of the box. His effort…