Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

INEC Clarifies Funding Sources, Reaffirms Independence. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has reiterated that the Commission does not receive direct funding from the European Union (EU). He made this clarification during a meeting with the newly appointed EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, His Excellency Gautier Mignot, at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. Addressing concerns about INEC’s financial support from foreign partners, Prof. Yakubu emphasised that any external assistance is limited to technical aid, consultancy services, and capacity-building initiatives, all of which are channelled through implementing partners selected by donor agencies. …

Federal Government Generates N2.4 Billion From Marriage Contracts, Repatriates 828 Foreigners. The Federal Government has announced that it generated approximately N2.4 billion in 2024 from marriage contracts processed through the Ministry of Interior’s marriage registry. The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this disclosure on Tuesday during a media briefing in Abuja. He also revealed that the ministry generated over N3.2 billion from expatriate quota applications, leading to an overall 150 per cent increase in revenue. In addition to revenue generation, the government repatriated 828 foreigners to their respective countries in 2024. While the minister did not…

Atalanta’s Lookman Sidelined With Knee Injury, To Miss Barcelona Clash. Ademola Lookman, the dynamic forward for Serie A side Atalanta, has been ruled out of the upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Barcelona due to a knee injury sustained during training. The Nigerian international will also miss several additional Serie A fixtures as he begins his recovery process. The injury came as a significant blow to both Lookman and the Atalanta squad, with the 27-year-old having been a key player for the team this season. Lookman has been instrumental, contributing 14 goals and seven assists across all competitions, making…

NCC And MCSN Promote Copyright Awareness In Kaduna. The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), in partnership with the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), hosted a stakeholders’ engagement and awareness event in Kaduna. The event, themed “Enjoy Music, Respect Copyright, Protect Your Business,” aimed to educate music users on copyright laws and highlight the significance of paying royalties to support musicians and the creative industry. Speaking at the event, Mrs Rukayya Yeldu, the State Coordinator of the NCC Kaduna office, stressed the vital role copyright laws play in protecting the livelihood of musicians and other creative professionals. She reminded attendees…

CBN Waives 2025 Licence Renewal Fees For Bureaux de Change. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has declared a waiver on the annual licence renewal fee for existing bureaux de change (BDCs). This significant policy shift, part of the 2024 guidelines, aims to ease the financial burden on operators amidst ongoing economic adjustments. The CBN’s announcement, which came as a surprise to many in the sector, promises to alleviate immediate cash flow concerns for BDCs. “This decision is seen as a supportive gesture by the CBN to ensure a smoother transition for BDCs under the new regulatory structure,” a…

Timileyin Ajayi Suspected Killer Of Girlfriend Arraigned In Nasarawa High Court. Timileyin Ajayi, the 32-year-old man accused of killing Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, has been arraigned at the High Court of Justice, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Ajayi faces a charge of culpable homicide punishable by death, as defined under Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria. He appeared before Justice Simon Aboki on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. The trial has been adjourned to 17th–20th March 2025 to ensure an accelerated process. Legal Representatives Speak   The prosecuting…

Sowore Rejects Police Bail Conditions, Opts To Remain In Custody. Omoyele Sowore, activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has declined bail conditions set by the Nigerian police, choosing instead to remain in custody. Sowore was summoned to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday for questioning following a viral video he posted, alleging police extortion at a checkpoint in Lagos. Upon his arrival, accompanied by his legal team and supporters, the roads leading to the Louis Edet House and Federal Secretariat were heavily barricaded. The police outlined several allegations against him, including resisting and…

EFCC Operative Found Dead In Lagos Under Investigation. An official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), identified as Sylvanus, has been discovered lifeless on a street in Lagos. In a video widely circulated online, the deceased was seen wearing burgundy traditional attire and lying unresponsive on the road. Bystanders, including two police officers, were captured attempting to search a small bag he was carrying for identification documents. Among the items retrieved was an EFCC identity card, which confirmed his affiliation with the anti-corruption agency. In the video, onlookers, including a policeman, could be heard remarking, “Where…

Super Eagles Draw Tunisia, Uganda, And Tanzania In AFCON 2025 Group Stage. The Nigerian national football team, popularly known as the Super Eagles, have been drawn into Group C for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, set to be hosted in Morocco. The draw was announced in a ceremony some moments ago, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling tournament. Nigeria will face off against Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in their group. Here’s how the groups shape up: Group A: Morocco 🇲🇦 Mali 🇲🇱 Zambia 🇿🇲 Comoros 🇰🇲 Group B: Egypt 🇪🇬 South…

Trump Overhauls Military Policy: Bans Transgender Service, Revives Discharged Troops. As part of efforts to bring back sanity within the military of United States, President Donald Trump is poised to sign executive orders on January 27, 2025, that will introduce sweeping changes, according to sources close to the administration. These orders include the reinstatement of over 8,000 service members who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, offering them full back pay. Furthermore, the orders will implement a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military and halt Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programmes within the Department of Defense. …

Victor Osimhen Denies Journalist Assault Allegation. Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has firmly denied allegations that he assaulted a Turkish journalist following his team’s recent victory over Konyaspor. The Nigerian international dismissed the claims as baseless and vowed to take legal action to clear his name. The controversy arose after the journalist alleged that Osimhen punched him in reaction to unauthorised photographs being taken. However, Osimhen has categorically refuted the accusation, stating his side of the story during a post-match interview. “I didn’t hit anyone. They are lying,” Osimhen said. “I only told them to delete my photos and…

Atletico Madrid Drop Points In Title Race After Villarreal Draw. Atletico Madrid’s pursuit of the La Liga title faced a setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Villarreal at the Metropolitano Stadium. The result sees Diego Simeone’s side lose ground in the race for the top spot, leaving them a point behind Real Madrid. The visitors took the lead in the 20th minute when Gerard Moreno calmly converted a penalty following a clumsy challenge in the box. Villarreal’s early advantage put Atletico under pressure, forcing the home side to intensify their attacking efforts. Their persistence…