Obi, Otti in attendance as Usman leads Labour Party NEC meeting (Channels)
The Labour Party has held its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The meeting comes amid the controversy over the recent Supreme Court judgement on the national chairmanship position for the Labour Party.
It held on Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and was chaired by former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman. Read more
Labour Party threatens to mobilise members against NLC over planned invasion (Punch)
The leadership of the Labour Party on Wednesday described the threat by the Nigeria Labour Congress to invade its offices nationwide as a subtle blackmail to make the Julius Abure-led leadership look like a villain before the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies in the country.
The party also said that it will seek the protection of the security agencies and mobilise members across the nation to resist the invasion of its offices nationwide.
The National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, disclosed it in a statement issued in Abuja. Read more
Peter Obi addresses rumoured plan to dump Labour Party (Sun)
Former Anmabra Governor Peter Obi has clarified that he has no intention to leave the Labour Party.
The LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election made this known on Wednesday while addressing party members during the ongoing National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
Obi stated that he had not told anyone or group that he would leave his party, adding that such decisions would be taken after consultations with LP stakeholders. Read more
Sowore leads protest to police headquarters, demands removal of IGP over alleged illegal tenure extension (Leadership)
Human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, on Wednesday, led a protest to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters (FHQ) in Abuja, demanding the immediate removal of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as an “illegal tenure extension” for the Number 1 policeman.
The protesters, holding banners that featured an altered image of Egbetokun wearing President Bola Tinubu’s signature cap with a red cross over his face, accused the police chief of occupying the position unlawfully following his mandatory retirement in September 2024.
Citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the protesters argued that public servants are required to retire after 35 years of service or upon reaching the age of 60—whichever comes first. Read more
Bandits chained me for 30 days, killed my wife in my presence – National Assembly director (DailyTrust)
A Deputy Director at the National Assembly Commission, Michael Adesiyan, on Tuesday, recounted his near-death experience in the hideout of bandits.
Adesiyan was abducted from his Chikakore residence in Kubwa, a suburb in the nation’s capital alongside his wife on January 26th, 2025 before he was rescued on April 7.
The civil servant narrated his ordeal to journalists at National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Abuja, when fresh 60 kidnapped victims, who were rescued by the security forces were presented to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Read more
Thrift collector arraigned for alleged N3.3m theft (Guardian)
A 36-year-of thrift collector, Janet Nathan, was on Wednesday docked in a Kaduna State Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing N3.3 million belonging to some traders.
Nathan, who resides in Trikania Kaduna, is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on fraud and stealing.
She however pleaded not guilty to the charges. Read more
Nigeria posts $6.83b balance of payments surplus in 2024 (Vanguard)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a Balance of Payments (BOP) surplus of $6.83 billion for the 2024 financial year, marking a decisive turnaround from deficits of $3.34 billion in 2023 and $3.32 billion in 2022.
This improvement reflects the impact of wide-ranging macroeconomic reforms, stronger trade performance, and renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economy.
The current and capital account recorded a surplus of $17.22 billion in 2024, underpinned by a goods trade surplus of $13.17 billion. Petroleum imports declined by 23.2 percent to $14.06 billion, while non-oil imports fell by 12.6 per cent to $25.74 billion. On the export side, gas exports rose by 48.3 per cent to $8.66 billion, and non-oil exports increased by 24.6 per cent to $7.46 billion. Read more
Ibas names Rivers council administrators, RISIEC members (Nation)
Rivers Sole Administrator Vice-Admiral lbok Ibas (retd) has released the names of the 23 local government administrators and members of the reconstituted Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC).
A list signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Worika named Mr Okroiyobi Animiete as the administrator of Abua/Odual; Mr Goodluck M. Ihenacho, Ahoada East;Mr Promise Jacob, Ahoada West; Dr Tamunotonye Peters. Akuku Toru; Surveyor Atajit Francis, Andoni; Barrister Ibiapuve Charles, Asari Toru and Mr Kingsley N. Banigo, Bonny.
Others are Dr Sokari Ibifuro Francis, Degema; Dr Gloria Obo Dibiah, Eleme; Barrister Franklin P. Ajinwon, Emohua; Dr Onyemachi S. Nwankwor, Etche: Prof. Gospel G. Kpee, Gokana; Mr Isaiah Christian Nobuawu, Ikwerre; Dr Barinedum Nwibere, Khana; Dr Clifford Ndu Walter, Obio Akpor and Dr Chukwuma Aje, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni. Read more
Pierce Brosnan’s wife Keeley Shaye looks like the ultimate Bond Girl as the couple mark emotional milestone (Hello!)
Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keeley Shaye are celebrating 31 glorious years together as they ushered in their wedding anniversary on Wednesday.
The 61-year-old took to Instagram to share a carousel of nostalgic photos with the 007 star to commemorate the special day. The first image captured the couple making their red carpet debut together back in April 1995.
Pierce and his wife attended the London premiere of Legends of the Fall, with the photo having been preserved from a newspaper cutting by the American journalist. Read more
Can the US return man deported to El Salvador? Immigration lawyers think so (BBC)
On 12 March, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was driving home with his young son in Maryland when he was stopped by agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Agents took Mr Garcia into custody, then shuttled him to detention facilities in Louisiana and Texas.
According to a federal judge, after three days, “without any notice, legal process, or hearing”, Mr Garcia found himself back in his native El Salvador at an infamous prison known for housing gang members. Read more
China reacts to Pete Hegseth’s Panama Canal remarks (Newsweek)
The Chinese government responded after US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Tuesday that the Panama Canal remains under persistent threat from China.
“The United States will not allow China or any other nation to jeopardize the operation of the canal,” Hegseth said. “To this end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than we have in decades.”
The remarks drew a response from the Chinese government, which countered: “Who represents the real threat to the Canal? People will make their own judgment.” Read more
CBB AJ Odudu “put distance” between Mickey Rourke after “personal space” issue (DailyStar)
Celebrity Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu was forced to “create distance” between herself and Mickey Rourke during last night’s episode.
Speaking on behalf of casino.co.uk, body language expert Inbaal Honigman explained that presenter AJ Odudu moved away from Rourke to make space between them after he took her hand. Mickey gestured for her to twirl and then pulled her close to him, with presenter Will Best warning: “Careful Mickey!”
Rourke also stared at her rear so much that she was forced to exclaim: “Stop looking at me,” before he was ushered into the CBB house. However, his behaviour didn’t stop there as he turned to Odudu and said: “I want to stay with you!” Read more
Acclaimed Australian drama returns to BBC iPlayer (DigitalSpy)
The second season of Australian crime drama Black Snow has arrived on BBC iPlayer.
The acclaimed series debuted in Australia in early 2023 before arriving on BBC iPlayer later that summer, starring Vikings actor Travis Fimmel as a detective who reopens the case of a high school student’s murder 20 years prior.
Season two of the show is now finally available for UK fans to watch on BBC iPlayer, following its premiere in its home country back in January. Read more
David Lynch’s epitaph has been revealed and it’s typically cryptic (NME)
The grave of director David Lynch has been revealed by his daughter Jennifer, with a mysterious epitaph worthy of his filmmaking reputation.
Lynch, the visionary known for the TV show Twin Peaks and films such as Mulholland Drive and Eraserhead, passed away at his daughter’s home in Los Angeles in January, after being evacuated during the city’s wild fires. He was 78.
In a post on her Instagram account, Jennifer Lynch shared a photo of his gravestone, which read “David Keith Lynch” with the epitaph “Night Blooming Jasmine”. Read more
EU hits Trump back in tariffs war (Newsweek)
The European Union (EU) has approved a package of countermeasures that includes tariffs on more than $20 billion of U.S. goods as it strikes back against President Donald Trump in his trade war.
Why it Matters
The approval comes on the heels of a further escalation in the U.S.-China trade war, where Trump’s elevated 104 percent tariff on Chinese imports was met with Beijing’s hike to 84 percent on American imports.
These unfolding trade conflicts have deeply rocked financial markets. Investors fear the economic fallout may lead to a recession in the U.S. and elsewhere as tariffs drive up prices for businesses and consumers, and upend global supply chains. Read more
Fenerbahce to offer Osayi-Samuel enticing deal (Sun)
Turkish giant, Fenerbahce is planning to offer Super Eagles defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel an enticing deal to make him sign a contract extension, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osayi-Samuel’s career is in the balance as he has refused to sign a contract extension with his current one set to expire at the end of the season.
The Super Eagles star has been a consistent performer for the Yellow Canaries since joining the club four years ago, registering seven goals and 15 assists in 171 appearances. Read more
Arsenal’s thumping Real Madrid win has major knock-on effect for Premier League rivals (Mirror)
Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Real Madrid on Tuesday night means the Premier League is guaranteed to have five representatives in next season’s Champions League. And there could even be more than that depending on what happens between now and the end of the season.
With five teams still active in European competition, it would have taken an almighty collapse for that fifth spot not to be confirmed. The Champions League awards two European Performance Spots, based on the countries whose teams perform the best across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League in the previous campaign.
England has been in the top two spots for much of the season, and is now guaranteed to finish there. Spain remain the favourites to claim the second extra spot, despite Madrid losing at the Emirates Stadium. Read more
Team Bayelsa stun Delta, Edo to win maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival (DailyTrust)
In a surprise outcome that defied expectations, Team Bayelsa emerged as the overall champions of the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival, edging out traditional powerhouses Delta and Edo States in a thrilling contest held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
The week-long festival, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), featured athletes from the nine Niger Delta states competing across multiple disciplines. It delivered fierce rivalries, exceptional talent, and dramatic finishes — none more so than the gold medal race between Bayelsa and Delta.
At the end of the competition, Bayelsa topped the medal table with 42 gold, 29 silver, and 15 bronze medals, totaling 86 medals. Just one gold medal separated them from Delta State, which finished a close second with 41 gold, 26 silver, and 32 bronze — the highest overall medal count at 99. Read more
NPFL probes Lobi match-fixing allegations (Punch)
The Nigeria Premier Football League board is set to launch an investigation into the betting and match fixing allegations which is currently rocking former league champions and relegation-threatened side Lobi Stars, The PUNCH reports.
Lobi Stars media officer, Emmanuel Ujah, accused their players of match-fixing during an interview with Today 95.1FM Port Harcourt, while also expressing his frustration with the present position of the club on the log.
“So, there’s this unwholesome practice that has been going on in Lobi. They have been betting at Bet9ja (you know we can’t hide anything again), fixing matches,” Ujah said. Read more
‘Sniffles aren’t going to stop me,’ says Scheffler (BBC)
Scottie Scheffler has been in a relaxed and jovial mood throughout the start of a Masters week that could see him win a third title in four years.
The defending champion played a practice round with his mum on Sunday, then on Tuesday joked about trying to take out the competition with a cookery lesson.
The 28-year-old American was serving, among other things, ‘Papa Scheff’s’ meatball and ravioli bites as part of his traditional Champions Dinner menu on Tuesday evening and laughed when it was suggested he might ask the players to “make your own ravioli”. Read more
Top NBA coaches react to Nuggets shockingly firing Michael Malone (Newsweek)
The Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth on Tuesday. It left the entire league and its fans in shock, with many people having strong reactions.
Specifically, other top head coaches reacted to one of their colleagues being let go, and one that was well-respected around the league.
The team that just beat the Nuggets two days ago was the Indiana Pacers, so in a somewhat joking manner, one could say they ended Malone’s tenure in Denver. Read more