Rivers Sole Administrator arrives in Port Harcourt, holds security meeting (Leadership)
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) has arrived at the Government House in Port Harcourt for a high-level meeting with key stakeholders.
The administrator immediately entered a closed-door session with senior security officers, a federal government delegation, and top state government officials.
Sources said the meeting was expected to focus on pressing security and administrative matters as the new leadership takes shape following recent political changes in the state. Read more
Natasha: Constituents reject ‘sham’ recall process as Kogi REC dismisses rumour (Guardian)
Concerned Kogi Central constituents have raised the alarm over an alleged attempt to manipulate the people into initiating a recall process against their duly elected senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, under the pretext of an empowerment programme.
This was just as a video of the purported recall process went viral, yesterday, with some constituents queuing with their voter’s cards in support of the recall process.
Putting paid to apprehension raised by the recall video, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi State, Hale Longpet, denied knowledge of any recall process for Akpoti-Uduaghan. Read more
NJC faults report of Kanu’s release, return to Kenya (Nation)
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has faulted media reports claiming that the detained self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been ordered released and returned to Kenya by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement on Thursday, NJC’s Deputy Director (Information), Mrs. Kemi Ogedengbe said there was no basis for such development because the CJN is not involved in Kanu’s trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The statement reads: “The attention of the National Judicial Council (NJC) has been drawn to media reports that the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Council, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has ordered the release of the detained Nnamdi Kanu and repatriate him to Kenya. Read more
Senate approves emergency rule in Rivers, calls for mediation (Channels)
Like the House of Representatives, the Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers under the amended 1999 Constitution.
The approval grants President Tinubu the authority to enforce emergency measures while mandating a review of the situation at any time, but no later than six months.
Per the Constitution, the National Assembly has also imposed a joint committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of affairs in Rivers State during the emergency period. Read more
Rivers: Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, opposition coalition rally Nigerians against Tinubu (Sun)
Political bigwigs and a coalition of opposition parties, comprising former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, among others, have urged Nigerians to resist President Bola Tinubu’s brazen assault on democracy with the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Led by Atiku, those in attendance at the press conference to reject the emergency rule in Rivers include El-Rufai, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, in addition to other heavyweight politicians, while former governors like Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi sent apologies, just as Peter Obi was represented by Yunusa Tanko.
Enumerating the constitutional violations in the declaration of the emergency rule, Atiku, who read the speech during the joint press conference organised by concerned leaders and political stakeholders in Nigeria, listed the illegal removal of a governor and State Assembly. Read more
Minimum wage: NYSC to spend N307.6bn on corpers’ allowances (Punch)
The National Youth Service Corps may spend as much as N307.6bn on the mobilisation and payment of allowances to corps members, The PUNCH reports.
This amount is based on the increase in corps members’ allowances, which rose from N33,000 to N77,000, as announced by the NYSC in a statement released in September 2024.
The increase followed the signing of the new minimum wage bill into law in May 2024. Read more
NDPC investigates TikTok, Truecaller for alleged data breaches (Nairametics)
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has launched an investigation into TikTok and Truecaller over alleged data breaches as part of its enforcement of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, stating that the commission was scrutinising their compliance with data protection laws.
“As we speak, we have even gone to the extent of investigating multinationals. We are currently investigating TikTok and Truecaller in the area of data privacy,” he said. Read more
C & S to celebrate St Moses Orimolade’s legacy as church marks centenary milestone (DailyTrust)
The Eternal Sacred Order of The Cherubim and Seraphim has announced that all activities for its centenary celebrations will focus on evangelism and soul winning, to reflect the vision and mission of the sole founder of the church, St Moses Orimolade Tunolase.
Established in 1925, the church will commemorate this milestone with a series of events outlined by The Eternal Conference Board in a statement signed by Supt. General Apostle J. A. Esan JP and Supt. General Apostle Iyiomo Oyetakin JP.
According to the statement, “As we all know, what Baba Orimolade founded on September 9, 1925 was The Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim, and since then we have been celebrating the sacred day. We are all happy that the church is waxing stronger and spreading to all the continents of the world as Baba Orimolade said, “If the vision is of man, it will not survive but if it is of God, it will spread to all the continent of the world” (Acts 5 vs 39). A century later, the church can count its blessings and celebrate God’s faithfulness. Read more
Gal Gadot ‘shocked’ by the hate she faced after publicly supporting Israel (PageSix)
Gal Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony interrupted by pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian protestersGal Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony interrupted by pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian protesters
Gal Gadot defended her decision to support Israel shortly before protestors disrupted her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.
On Tuesday morning, Variety published an interview with the Israel-born actress in which she explained, “There is a challenge for people to speak on social media because there is so much hate going on and so many bots and so many angry people that are looking for a cause.”
According to Gadot, her advocacy is based on amplifying the needs of the voiceless, and she disregards the divisive reactions that result. Read more
Ethiopia: Abiy Ahmed dismisses war possibility with Eritrea amid rising fears (AfricaNews)
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Thursday that his administration would avoid escalating tensions with Eritrea regarding access to the Red Sea, despite warnings from regional officials and experts about a potential conflict between the two neighboring countries.
Concerns about war have intensified recently following Eritrea’s declaration of a nationwide military mobilization and Ethiopia’s troop movements toward the border, as reported by diplomatic sources and officials.
Abiy emphasized that while access to the Red Sea is crucial for landlocked Ethiopia, his government is committed to resolving the issue through peaceful dialogue rather than military confrontation. Read more
Unreleased Eminem music stolen and sold online – man charged (Sky)
A former studio engineer has been charged with stealing Eminem’s unreleased music and selling it online.
FBI prosecutors say more than 25 songs from the Detroit rapper have been played or distributed online without his or Interscope Capital Labels Group’s consent.
A federal affidavit said Joseph Strange, a 46-year-old from Michigan, was charged via a criminal complaint with copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods. Read more
Jeff Baena’s last text to Aubrey Plaza was sent 3 hours before his death (Eonline)
Jeff Baena was in contact with his estranged wife Aubrey Plaza right to the end.
While the couple quietly separated in September after three years of marriage, the Parks and Recreation alum told authorities she received a text message from Baena just three hours before he was found dead by suicide in his Los Angeles home January 3, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report obtained by E! News March 19. Police also said in the docs that the pair spoke over the phone the night before Baena’s death.
Additionally, Plaza, 40, told investigators that the film director “made concerning remarks” one month after their breakup, per the medical examiner’s report, leading the actress—who moved to New York at the time of the separation—to ask a friend to perform a welfare check on him. Baena, who was 47, began attending therapy following the incident, according to the report. Read more
2025 World Happiness Report shows US in lowest-ever spot on list (CBS)
The United States this year fell to its lowest-ever place on the World Happiness Report, an annual survey released on International Day of Happiness that highlights the positive effects benevolence and social connections have on people’s life satisfaction.
Finland remained the happiest nation for the eighth year in a row, while Mexico and Costa Rico ranked among the top 10 for the first time since the report was first published in 2012.
This year’s report, released by Gallup and its partners, ranks 147 countries by their happiness levels — based on a population’s average assessment of their quality of life from 2022 to 2024. Read more
Carney will ask Governor General to dissolve Parliament Sunday and call election, sources say (CBC)
Prime Minister Mark Carney will ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election this Sunday, Radio-Canada has learned.
The election campaign will kick off barely a week after Carney was sworn in as prime minister and appointed his cabinet.
Carney’s trip to Rideau Hall to speak to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon will come a day before MPs were scheduled to return after Parliament was prorogued on Jan. 6. Read more
Rwanda plan to man-mark ‘sensational’ Osimhen (Nation)
Rwanda are aware that Victor Osimhen is on top form and so they will need to stop him on Friday, according to the spokesman of the FERWAFA, the Rwanda football federation.
Osimhen scored his first hat-trick in Turkey just before the international break and he is now the leading scorer in the Super Lig with 20 goals for Galatasaray.
“Osimhen is on fire and you would try to stop him in this match,” FERWAFA communications manager Oliver Maurice. “Nigeria have top quality players, but we’re not afraid, we only respect them. Read more
Nigeria Fencing Federation unveils squad for world junior tourney in China (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) has announced a seven-member squad set to compete at the World Junior Fencing Championships in Wuxi, China, from April 7 to 15, 2025.
Leading the team is Nigeria’s top-ranked fencer, Inkosi Brou, who has been actively competing in international tournaments in his bid to become the first Nigerian Olympic fencer. Ranked 22nd globally in the junior category by the International Fencing Federation, Brou brings experience and leadership to the squad.
Joining him is home-based fencer Wisdom Okanlawon, who will participate in a pre-tournament training camp featuring world-class coaches. Okanlawon, a rising star in African fencing, is expected to gain invaluable experience from this exposure. Read more
Scott McTominay targeted for sensational move away from Napoli just months after joining the club (Sportsbible)
Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has been linked with a sensational move away from Napoli after just over six months at the Serie A side.
McTominay, 28, left Manchester United for Antonio Conte’s side in the summer of 2024 in a deal reportedly worth around £27.5m.
And since arriving in Campania he has settled well by registering seven goals and four assists in 28 appearances for the Italian outfit. Read more
Emma Raducanu parts ways with latest coach after just one match (Independent)
Emma Raducanu is again searching for a new coach having ended her trial with Vladimir Platenik after just one match.
Raducanu raced into the second round of the Miami Open with a dominant 6-2 6-1 victory over Japanese wildcard Sayaka Ishii, but Platenik was not seen in her box in Florida having joined the British No 2 ahead of Indian Wells.
The 22-year-old suffered a first-round exit at the first tournament of the ‘Sunshine Double’, and her team confirmed that that marked the end of a trial period with the coach that lasted just two weeks. Read more
Eddie Jordan: Former F1 team owner dies aged 76 (Sky)
Former Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan has died aged 76.
Jordan had an F1 team, Jordan Grand Prix, from 1991 to 2005 and was a former shareholder of Celtic Football Club.Last year, the Irishman revealed he was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of cancer. Jordan said he suffered with bladder and prostate cancer which spread to his spine and pelvis. Read more