LSHA Crisis: Police restore Meranda’s security details (Channels)
Police authorities in Lagos have restored the security details attached to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mojisola Meranda.
Meranda’s security details were withdrawn on Thursday morning, leading to heightened tension in the Lagos Assembly speakership tussle.
But during a briefing hours after the move, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State Moshood Jimoh cited personnel audit as the reason for the withdrawal. Read more
NLC shelves protest as subscribers welcome 35% tariff hike (Punch)
The Nigeria Labour Congress has shelved its planned protest scheduled for March 1, 2025, after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government on a 35 per cent increase in telecom tariffs, The PUNCH reports.
NLC’s decision was welcomed by the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers on Thursday, as the group called for better relief measures for telcos.
On January 20, 2025, the Nigerian Communications Commission announced a 50 per cent hike in telecommunications tariffs—the first major adjustment in over a decade. Telecom operators, grappling with rising operational costs due to inflation and currency depreciation, had initially proposed a 100 per cent increase before the government intervened. Read more
Electricity: Business owners, CSOs kick as FG plans another tariff hike (Vanguard)
Small Business Owners and civil society organisations, NGOs, have said there is no justification for the proposed further hike in electricity tariffs, following disclosure by the Federal Government, yesterday, that it is considering increasing tariffs for customers outside the Band-A category to improve the liquidity of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI.
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who disclosed this at the public presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy, NIEP and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan, NIRP, in Abuja, said government can no longer afford the N3 trillion power sector subsidy. He pointed out that debt owed power generation companies, GenCos, had risen to N4 trillion and is unsustainable. Read more
Tinubu: We’ll review telecom sector regulatory framework (NewTelegraph)
President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday that the telecoms sector’s regulatory framework and operations would be reviewed to reflect global best practices, with a greater focus on protecting infrastructure.
Tinubu spoke at a meeting with an Airtel delegation led by its Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, at the State House, Abuja.
“I am grateful for your openness, readiness, and confidence, which moved us very close to the Prime Minister of India. When he was here, we discussed things at length. Read more
Gross statutory revenue rises by N622.1b as FG, states, LGAs share N1.703t (Guardian)
Nigeria’s gross statutory revenue rose by N622.125 billion to N1.848 trillion in January 2025 from the N1.226 trillion received in December 2024.
This was announced by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) at the end of its February 2025 meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
FAAC also announced that a total sum of N1.703 trillion, being January 2025 Federation Account Revenue, was shared with the Federal Government, States, and Local Government Councils. Read more
Look out for Ramadan moon Friday, Sultan tells Muslims (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Muslims across the country to look for the 2025 (1446 AH) Ramadan moon from Friday.
The Sultan made the call in a statement signed by NSCIA Secretary-General Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Thursday.
“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1446 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, 28th February 2025 which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1446 AH. Read more
Airline didn’t compensate me for luggage loss, passenger tells court (Nation)
A passenger on Virgin Atlantic Airways, Alhaji Ahmed Rabiu, has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that contrary to the airline’s claims, he was neither compensated for his lost luggage nor was it replaced.
Rabiu, in his response to Virgin Atlantic Airways’ statement of defence, stated that the defendant has not denied that he lost his luggage while using their airline.
The airline blamed its inability to trace the luggage on Rabu’s failure to provide adequate information on the Property Irregularity Form given to him after he reported the loss. Read more
Japan’s MeToo icon is up for an Oscar – but the film can’t air in the country (BBC)
When Japanese journalist Shiori Ito decided to speak up about her rape allegations, she knew she was standing in the face of a society that preferred silence.
“I’m scared…but all I want to do is to talk about the truth”, Shiori says in the opening scene of her Oscar-nominated documentary Black Box Diaries.
Shiori became the face of Japan’s MeToo movement after she accused a prominent journalist Noriyuki Yamaguchi of rape. Read more
At least 11 dead in DRC after blasts at M23 rally, rebels say (VOA)
At least 11 people were killed and scores injured Thursday when explosions in the eastern Congo city of Bukavu struck a rally held by leaders of the M23 rebel group, which took control of the city earlier this month.
Rebel leaders blamed the bombing on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government and said attackers were among those killed in the blasts, with conflicting reports among rebels and local officials about the number of attackers and victims. Congo’s president blamed the attack on unspecified “foreign” forces.
“The attack caused 11 deaths and verifications are underway. The author of the attack is among the victims,” said Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance, or AFC, which includes the M23. “There are 65 injured, six of whom are seriously injured and are currently being treated in the operating room.” Read more
Sheriff repeats ‘no signs of foul play’ in Gene Hackman and wife’s deaths — but causes of death still unknown (People)
New Mexico authorities reiterated Thursday afternoon that there appears to be no sign of foul play in the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, though what caused their deaths remains a mystery.
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were each found dead in separate rooms of their Santa Fe home on Wednesday, Feb. 26. A German Shepherd they owned was also found deceased, while two other dogs were discovered alive and healthy on the property.
In a news release on Thursday, Feb. 27, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza repeated that there were “no apparent signs of foul play” at the scene, but nonetheless called the circumstances of the deaths “unusual.” Read more
DOJ releases ‘first phase’ of Epstein files, including an evidence list (ABC)
The Department of Justice released files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein Thursday evening.
The material released contained previously published pilot logs from the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell. The records include redactions performed by prosecutors on the case to protect the identities of potential victims. Also published is Epstein’s so-called “black book” that has previously been made public.
One document never before seen is what the Justice Department is calling “Evidence List,” a three-page catalog of material apparently obtained through searches of Epstein’s properties in New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Read more
5 key takeaways as Donald Trump hosts UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AlJazeera)
United States President Donald Trump has hosted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the first time at the White House for talks about Ukraine’s security, trade relations and the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
But Thursday’s meeting hinted at simmering tensions between the US and its allies, as Starmer attempted to tip-toe around points of divergence with the notoriously prickly Trump.
At various points in their public appearances, Starmer offered views that conflicted with Trump’s own – though he was careful never to contradict Trump directly. Read more
Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death ‘will remain undetermined after family decline autopsy’ (Metro)
Michelle Trachtenberg‘s cause of death will remain undetermined after her family declined an autopsy.
Earlier this week it was announced the actress, best-known for appearing in shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, had died aged 39.
She was reportedly found ‘by her mother around 8am local time on Wednesday in a luxury apartment complex in New York. Read more
ECOWAS Marathon motivates West African runners with exclusive prizes (DailyTrust)
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has announced a special prize money initiative exclusively for West African runners participating in the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon.
The announcement was made during a press conference yesterday by Amb. Francis Njoaguani, ECOWAS Director of Youth and Sports and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee.
It was revealed that the first West African runner to cross the finish line will receive $1,000. The second-place finisher will earn $500, while the third, fourth, and fifth-place runners will be awarded $400, $250, and $200, respectively. Read more
ITTF Africa Cup: Aruna, Assar, other top stars nick World Cup slots (Guardian)
Africa’s top table tennis talents have clinched their places in the 2025 ITTF World Cup by advancing to the semifinals of the ongoing ITTF Africa Cup in Tunis, Tunisia.
The standout players include Quadri Aruna, Omar Assar, Hana Goda, Dina Meshref, Mariam Alhodaby, and Fatimo Bello. Hana Goda of Egypt was the first to secure her ticket with a commanding 4-1 victory over Tunisia’s Maram Zoghlami. Following her lead, Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello also triumphed 4-1 against Tunisian teenager, Ela Saidi.
Omar Assar, a five-time Africa Cup champion, faced a tougher challenge. The Egyptian was pushed to his limits by Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa in the men’s quarterfinals, but ultimately prevailed 4-2 to qualify for the World Cup. Read more
Jose Mourinho handed 4-match ban and fine for ‘derogatory and offensive statements’ (Metro)
Jose Mourinho has been handed a four-match ban and a fine of £35,000 for comments he made following Monday’s feisty clash between Fenerbahce and Galatasary.
After a 0-0 draw in the top-of-the-table Turkish Super Lig clash, Mourinho launched into an explosive post-match press conference in which he said the Galatasaray bench were ‘jumping like monkeys’ following an early challenge.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager also said the match was better for being refereed by Slovenian Slavko Vincic rather than Turkish officials. Read more
Humphries beats Littler to win Exeter final (BBC)
World number one Luke Humphries sealed his first Premier League win over Luke Littler with a 6-4 victory in the final on night four in Exeter to take control at the top of the table.
Humphries, 30, came from 3-1 down to beat the 18-year-old, who had been in outstanding form in his earlier two matches despite suffering from a cold.
It was a second night win for league leader Humphries, who won the opener in Belfast before losing the Glasgow final to the teenager. Read more
Golfer shoos gator away with club at PGA National (NBC)
An unusual player sauntered onto the green at the PGA National on Thursday afternoon, but a quick-thinking golfer shooed it away before it wreaked any havoc.
Billy Horschel went face-to-face with an alligator in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. After the reptile interrupted his game, Horschel grabbed a 60-degree wedge to poke it in its shoulder and then guided it back into the water, according to video shared on social media by Paul Hodowanic, a staff writer for PGATOUR.com.”That’s a gator getting a gator,” someone can be heard saying in the background of the video. Horschel played college golf for the University of Florida Gators. Read more