INEC receives petition seeking Natasha’s recall (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission has received the petition seeking the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, received the petition on Monday.
The constituents claimed the signed petition met the requirements as stipulated by the Constitution 1990 as amended. Read more
Despite Right To Food Act: 11m children battling with severe food poverty (Leadership)
Despite the passage of the Right to Food Act in 2023, which mandates the government to ensure food security, millions of Nigerians face hunger and malnutrition.
The situation is particularly dire in Northern Nigeria, where food insecurity is exacerbated by insecurity, poor policy implementation, and economic challenges, with reports of a dramatic increase in the number of severely malnourished children requiring treatment.
According to the latest World Food Programme (WFP) Nigeria Situation Report, 11 million people across six states in northeast and northwest Nigeria are facing acute food insecurity in 2025. The report attributed the crisis to persistent insecurity, skyrocketing food and fuel prices, climate shocks, and mass displacement, leaving millions struggling to access food and essential nutrition. Read more
Youths loot Seyi Tinubu’s Ramadan palliative in Gombe (DailyTrust)
Some youths have looted Ramadan palliative reportedly meant to be distributed in Gombe State by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Daily Trust reports that Seyi has been visiting northern states where he joined residents and political leaders for breaking of fast (Iftar).
During such visits, the President’s son usually launches Ramadan feeding programme for the less privileged. Read more
Panic in Rivers over alleged move by Administrator to appoint LG caretakers (Vanguard)
There is a fresh panic in Rivers State over an alleged move by the newly appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd) to appoint administrators to head the 23 local government areas.
It was gathered that President Bola Tinubu had, upon the appointment of Ibas, allegedly tasked him with setting up a leadership system at the local government area of the state.
And that the administrator who had promised peace in the state was on the verge of appointing local government administrators. Read more
US Aid Withdrawal: Drug shortages, uncertainty squeeze HIV/AIDS, TB clinics nationwide (Guardian)
Barring an urgent intervention by the federal government, millions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) patients may be in for hard times over gross shortage of essential drugs and consumables nationwide.
The disruption in essential supply has lately been noticed across states in Nigeria following the United States’ partial suspension of foreign aid to developing countries.
President Donald Trump announced the freeze on his first day in office in January as part of a government spending review. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that eight countries – six of them in Africa, including Nigeria, Kenya and Lesotho – risk running out of HIV drugs. Read more
Fubara denies links with militants, warns against fake social media posts (Channels)
Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted allegations linking him with militant groups, dismissing recent social media posts and videos as fake and malicious attempts to incite tension in the state.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the Fubara condemned the circulation of fabricated videos purportedly depicting explosions at oil and gas facilities in the state.
The statement clarified that affected communities have debunked the claims, assuring that all critical infrastructure remains intact and operational. Read more
3 policemen detained over alleged N150k ‘extortion’ from writer (Nation)
The Lagos State Police Command has detained three of its officers for alleged extortion of N150,000 from a writer, Ramadan Adenola, 21.
Police spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the amount had been recovered from the officers and they were immediately detained after the matter got to the attention of the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Moshood Jimoh.
He said: “The policemen were three in number and we have identified them. The Commissioner of Police gave a directive that the matter be investigated immediately it go to his attention. Read more
LG Autonomy: Don’t play politics, respect court ruling – Ajaero (NewTelegraph)
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has warned the Federal Government and State Governors against playing politics with the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to Local Governments.
Despite the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court on July 11, 2024, which affirmed the financial independence of the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria and directed them to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to receive allocations directly, full autonomy is yet to be realized as Federal and State authorities have failed to fully comply.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 8th National Administrative Council meeting of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Abuja, Ajaero criticized the continued delay in implementing the Supreme Court verdict and reaffirmed the NLC’s support for NULGE’s struggle to ensure full Local Government autonomy. Read more
Cybercrime crackdown: 306 arrested in Africa-wide operation (AfricaNews)
Authorities in seven African nations have arrested 306 suspects and seized 1,842 devices in a major international crackdown on cyber-enabled scams.
Between November 2024 and February 2025, Operation Red Card targeted cross-border fraud networks exploiting mobile banking, investment platforms, and messaging apps, with more than 5,000 victims identified.
Key Arrests and Seizures
Nigeria: In Nigeria, where majority of the arrests took place, Police arrested 130 people, including 113 foreign nationals, for online scams and investment fraud. Authorities suspect some workers were trafficked and forced into cybercrime. Seizures included 26 vehicles, 16 houses, and 685 devices. Read more
First black Republican congresswoman Mia Love dies at 49 (BBC)
Mia Love, the first US black Republican congresswoman, has died aged 49 in Utah, her family has announced.
“She passed away peacefully” on Sunday, surrounded by family at her home in the town of Saratoga Springs, a statement said.
Love, a daughter of Haitian immigrants, had represented the state of Utah in the House of Representatives. Read more
Pope Francis makes first public appearance in weeks, returns to Vatican (CNA)
Shortly before returning to his home in the Vatican on Sunday, Pope Francis made a brief appearance from a fifth-floor balcony of the Gemelli Clinic in Rome to a crowd of faithful gathered outside the hospital.
The moment marked his first public engagement in weeks. Waving and giving a “thumps-up” before blessing the faithful gathered outside Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the pontiff briefly thanked one well-wisher for bringing flowers for the occasion.
After the short interaction, the Holy Father was discharged from the hospital and taken to the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, where he delivered flowers to place before the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani. Read more
Millie Bobby Brown names her dream co-star (Digitalspy)
Millie Bobby Brown has named Margot Robbie as her “ultimate dream co-star”.
Appearing on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Brown was asked a series of quick-fire questions by host Alex Cooper. When asked who she would like to collaborate with in the future, the star wasted no time naming Robbie.
“I would just love to work with her. She’s a pro,” she said of the Barbie actor. “She works alongside men but I can’t keep my eyes off of her. That’s huge. I’d love to work with her.” Read more
NJZ Announce Hiatus Amid Dispute With Record Label at ComplexCon Hong Kong (Complex)
NJZ, the K-Pop girl group formerly known as NewJeans, will temporarily pause all activities as a group.
The quintet—which consists of members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein announced a hiatus during their headlining performance at ComplexCon Hong Kong on Sunday (March 23) amid a lengthy legal dispute with their record label, ADOR.
“It is really hard for us to say this but this might be our last performance for a little while,” Hanni told the crowd in English. “Out of respect for the court’s decision, we’ve decided to pause all our activities for now. It wasn’t an easy decision but we believe this is something we need to do at this moment.” Read more
‘Impractical Jokers’ star accused by former employee (PageSix)
An alleged former employee of “Impractical Jokers” alum Joe Gatto has accused him of inappropriate behavior and unwanted touching.
The unidentified woman told People Sunday that she first met the comedian at a live show when she was 15 years old, but she claimed Gatto’s behavior became flirtatious once she turned 18.
She claimed she was hired by the TV personality shortly after graduating college and worked for him for two years. Read more
2 children stabbed after party in school hall is stormed by armed gang (Metro)
A 16th birthday party at a school hall was crashed by a group of youths with knives who stabbed two teenagers.
Three arrests have been made following the incident at Elm Park Primary School in Havering, Essex, yesterday evening.
Reports suggest as many as 50 young people were in the group that stormed the hall at around 9pm and kicked off fighting until 11pm. Read more
‘We can’t drop any more points’ — Troost-Ekong speaks ahead Super Eagles vs Zimbabwe (CompleteSports)
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says it is important for the team to win all their remaining matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Eric Chelle’s side ended their winless streak in the qualifiers courtesy of a 2-0 victory over the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali last Friday.
Another win against Zimbabwe in Uyo on Wednesday will see the Super Eagles rise to nine points, and be fully back into contention for a place at the global soccer fiesta. Read more
Change of approach benefitting Emma Raducanu at Miami Open (Independent)
Emma Raducanu believes she is reaping the benefits of a relaxed approach after wasting little time reaching the last 16 of the Miami Open.
Raducanu produced a blistering display to lead in-form McCartney Kessler 6-1 3-0 before the American retired from the match through injury.
Kessler, who has shot up the world rankings to 48 and beat Coco Gauff in Dubai last month, failed to hold serve as the British number two dominated throughout. Read more
Ferrari release statement on Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc disqualification (Metro)
Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix for a technical infringement on his Ferrari car.
Hamilton finished sixth in Sunday’s main grand prix after winning the sprint race in Shanghai earlier in the weekend to secure his first win for Ferrari.
Some hours after the race finished, the FIA confirmed Hamilton was disqualified after his car was found to have a technical infringement. Read more
Newly elected IOC President Kirsty Coventry celebrated on return home to Zimbabwe (AfricaNews)
Newly elected International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry arrived Sunday in her home country of Zimbabwe to a hero’s welcome. The southern African country has faced years of isolation and sanctions by the United States and other Western nations.
The 41-year-old Coventry, who is also Zimbabwe’s sports minister, was the only female candidate in the IOC presidency race and became the first woman and first African to be elected head of the global Olympic movement.
She beat six other candidates in the vote in Greece on Thursday, including the head of world track and field, the head of international cycling and a member of Jordan’s royal family. “It’s not just my success, it is our success. We broke down barriers,” Coventry said in Zimbabwe. Read more
Ex-Bangladesh captain Tamim in hospital after cardiac arrest (BBC)
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal is “under close observation” in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during a domestic T20 game in Dhaka.
The 36-year-old opener, who represented Bangladesh 391 times between 2007 and 2023, was playing for Mohammedan Sporting Club on Monday.
Tamim, Bangladesh’s record run-scorer in one-day internationals, complained of chest pains after taking to the field in their Dhaka Premier League fixture against Shinepukur. Read more
2025 Valspar Championship leaderboard, grades: Viktor Hovland holds off Justin Thomas for first win since 2023 (CBS)
Another instructor. The old putter back in the bag. New swing thoughts running rampant through the brain. Having no idea where the ball is going off the clubface. It may sound like a disaster at first glance, but it all added up to Viktor Hovland returning to the winner’s circle at the 2025 Valspar Championship as the 27-year-old captured his seventh career title on the PGA Tour.
One of three to possess the 54-hole lead heading into Sunday’s final round at the Copperhead Course, Hovland had just enough in his arsenal to fend off a red-hot Justin Thomas for a one-stroke victory at 11 under.Standing on the 14th hole three behind J.T., the Norwegian nipped the American at the finish line thanks to three birdies in his final five holes, including two across the three-hole finishing stretch dubbed the Snake Pit. Read more