Senate not for showbiz, spokesman slams Natasha (Guardian)
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu has criticised the lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over a dispute concerning her seating arrangement in the chamber.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), refused to use her reassigned seat on Thursday, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects members’ privileges.
The reassignment followed a reshuffle triggered by opposition members moving to the majority wing. She, however, resisted the relocation. Read more
Adeleke rejects FG’s advice, says Osun LG poll will go on as planned (DailyTrust)
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has vowed that the local government election in the state will go on as planned.
He said this while responding to the counsel of Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.
In a statement on Thursday, the AGF had said the court had duly reinstated Local Government Chairmen who were elected under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola but removed through an Executive Order by the governor. Read more
Court orders final forfeiture of $4.7m, ₦830m, properties linked to Emefiele (Channels)
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $4.7 million, ₦830 million, and multiple properties linked to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Yellim Bogoro in a judgment delivered on Friday also ordered the final forfeiture of investments worth $900,000 traced to one of Emefiele’s close relatives, Anita Joy Omoile.
The court also ordered the final forfeiture of another $4.4m worth of investment traced to Deep Blue Energy Services Ltd as well as another sum of N283m in Zenith Bank traced to Liman Investment Ltd area, €20,000, and £1,999.50, traced to Exactquote Bureau De Change (BDC), all companies linked to Omoile. Read more
Barau applauds Tinubu on BOA N1.5t recapitalisation (Sun)
The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, on Thursday commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the re – capitalisation of Bank of Agriculture (BOA) with N1.5 trillion.
Barau said this at a small ceremony held in his office to mark the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between his foundation, the Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF) and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) on a N2.79billion loan scheme for 558 young farmers across 186 local government councils in seven states in the north west region.
“The boosting of the capital base of Agriculture with re – capitalisation of the Bank of Industry with N1.5trillion as contained in the N54.9trillion 2025 budget by President Bola Tinubu is highly commendable,” he said. Read more
Tunji-Ojo inaugurates 39 operational vehicles, 5 guard booths for correctional service (Nation)
The federal government has inaugurated 39 Operational Vehicles and five bullet resistance Guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, at its headquarters in Abuja.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo performed the inauguration of the Operational Vehicles and the Guardbooths in Abuja.
The inauguration was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services, Maj Gen A M Jibril (rtd), and Representatives of the Chairman Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Chairman of House Committee on Interior, Hon Chinedu Ogah. Read more
Okpebholo condoles victim of stadium’s fallen mast (NewTelegraph)
The Edo State Governor,Monday Okpebholo has expressed deep sadness and condolences to the family of Pius Etim, who died on Thursday evening when a communication mast fell at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium before a Praise Night organized by the Edo State Government to mark a 100 days in office.
Governor Okpebholo described the incident that claimed Pius Etim’s life during the heavy rainfall as “unfortunate, sad and painful.”
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua , said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a young man, Pius Etim, during the intense rainfall and collapse of a mast at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. Read more
No serious northerner will campaign for APC in 2027— PDP (Tribune)
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is attempting to convince Nigerians that they remain the party to beat in 2027, even though Nigerians are fed up with their antics.
The major opposition party was reacting to allegations of ‘non-performance’ against Kaduna Central Senator Lawal Adamu and the alleged stoppage of the distribution of learning and teaching materials worth millions of naira procured by the lawmaker, which was reportedly halted by the state government.
Yusuf Dingyadi, the Senior Special Assistant to the National Chairman of the PDP on Media and Communication, said in an interview with newsmen that the state governor should collaborate with other representatives of the people in the interest of the state. Read more
No state creation request meets constitutional requirements – Deputy Speaker Kalu (Punch)
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has revealed that none of the 31 requests for state creation met the constitutional requirements.
Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, made this known on Friday at a two-day retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
“Although we have received 31 requests for state creation, none of these requests met the constitutional requirements for amendment. Read more
Adele invited 2 random girls on stage—then gasped when she realised who they were (Upworthy)
Have you ever had that moment when you thought you were meeting someone for the first time, only to realize you already knew them?
The eerie sense of familiarity can be downright spine-tingling, right? Now imagine being a global icon and experiencing that moment—on stage, in front of a massive crowd. That’s exactly what happened to Adele, the famous English singer-songwriter.
In 2016, during her “Adele Live” concert, she invited two young girls on stage. But moments later, she uncovered a jaw-dropping revelation—one that nearly sent her shock levels through the roof! Read more
DRC: US sanctions Rwandan minister as Bukavu victims are buried (AfricaNews)
The United States on Thursday sanctioned a Rwandan government minister for his alleged role in the conflict in neighboring Congo, where Rwanda-backed rebels are battling the Congolese army and have captured more territory, including two key cities.
Along with the Rwandan minister for regional integration, James Kabarebe, the U.S. also sanctioned a spokesperson of the M23 rebels, Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston. Two companies linked to Kanyuka and registered in Britain and France were also sanctioned.
The M23 rebels are the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups that have been vying for control of eastern Congo’s trillions of dollars in mineral wealth. Read more
We cannot mourn until Shiri Bibas is returned, family says (BBC)
The sister-in-law of hostage Shiri Bibas said the family is “not seeking revenge right now” and called for her return from Gaza after Israel said Hamas had released the body of an unidentified woman.
Ofri Bibas Levy said in a statement that the family could not mourn Shiri’s sons, whose bodies were handed over, until their mother is returned.
Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire after forensic testing revealed the body returned on Thursday was not Shiri. Read more
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos asks who fans would pick as the next James Bond, and the answer is loud and clear (IGN)
Following the shock news that Amazon has taken full creative control over James Bond, with long-term Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson stepping back, the question on everyone’s lips is: who should be the next 007?
That’s the question Amazon boss Jeff Bezos asked his followers on X / Twitter, and the answer was loud and clear.
Yes, some are calling for the likes of Venom star Tom Hardy, the MCU’s Idris Elba, Professor X actor James McAvoy, Magneto actor Michael Fassbender, and Kraven’s Aaron Taylor-Johnson (who was previously rumored to be top of the list) to be given the role. But the clear fan-favorite is Henry Cavill. Read more
Oscar-nominated film ‘Black Box Diaries’ to be reedited over legal concerns (JapanToday)
Japanese journalist Shiori Ito, who directed an Academy Award-nominated documentary about her own sexual assault case, said Thursday that she will reedit part of the film to address allegations that the film includes unauthorised content.
The documentary, “Black Box Diaries,” has been screened in over 50 overseas countries and regions since its world premiere at a film festival in January last year but not yet in Japan due to legal concerns.
Lawyers, including those who represented Ito in a civil lawsuit over the case, have said that she broke a pledge to protect sources by using unauthorized footage and audio. Read more
NASA makes big update to asteroid potentially on collision course with earth in 2032 (Gizmodo)
The potentially hazardous asteroid 2024 YR4 caused consternation over the last few weeks as its odds of hitting Earth in 2032 dramatically rose. Now, those odds have plummeted to near-zero, as astronomers’ calculations of the asteroid’s path have been updated to indicate that Earth is almost certainly not in the space rock’s plans.
Almost. According to NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), the asteroid’s current chance of hitting the planet in 2032 is 0.28%, or a 1-in-360 shot.
That is a far cry from just earlier this week, when models had the asteroid’s impact probability at a staggering 3.1%, or 1-in-32 odds. It’s safe to say we’re out of the woods—but perhaps still in the backyard of uncertainty? A beleaguered analogy, but suffice it to say that the odds are not zero—but the sudden plummet from such a (relatively) high probability is a sigh of relief. Read more
The Ukraine minerals deal is a perfect metaphor for Trump’s foreign policy (CNN)
Donald Trump isn’t the only president who knows a bad deal when he sees one.
Volodymyr Zelensky’s refusal to sign away nearly half of his country’s rare earth minerals for very few future guarantees is one of many reasons why Trump has been driven into a rage at his counterpart in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian president has made clear that exploiting his country’s precious geographical and energy resources will be one way to rebuild its economy and cities after the eventual end of the war. But the offer tendered by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, while being lauded by US officials as a generous ladder to prosperity for Ukraine, is not really a “deal” at all. Read more
Enyimba strengthen squad with nine new players (Guardian)
In their efforts to return to the top of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) table, record champions, Enyimba Football Club of Aba, have recruited nine new players to shore up their squad as the league gets to the business end.
Uncharacteristically, Enyimba is currently languishing in 11th position on the 20-team table. To get any opportunity to play in the continent next season, they must finish among the first three in the NPFL. The other chance of going into any CAF competition next season is by winning the President’s FA Cup this term.
The Peoples Elephant lost their week 25 game to Katsina United 0-2 yesterday and, therefore, are 14 points (34) behind leaders, Remo Stars, who have amassed 48 points from 24 games. Read more
‘It’s time to move on’ —Onazi advises Osimhen, Lookman (CompleteSports)
Avezzano midfielder Ogenyi Eddy Onazi has advised Super Eagles duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman to leave their respective clubs this summer.
He made this known in the wake of Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s unfair criticisms of Lookman after missing a penalty against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Recall that Gasperini described Lookman as “one of the worst penalty takers he has ever seen” after he missed from the spot. Read more
Ex Aston Villa star lauds Dessers (Sun)
Former Scotland and Aston Villa striker, Ross McCormack, has heaped praise on Super Eagles and Rangers’ star, Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 30-year-old didn’t have the best time during the first half of the season at Ibrox, as he lost his place in the Rangers starting eleven.
The striking position largely, became a thing of “this or that” for Philippe Clement. Dessers, after getting linked with several clubs during the winter transfer window opted to stay put, and appears to have turned things around with the Blues. Read more
Liverpool draw PSG, Arsenal face PSV, Villa meet Club Brugge in last 16 (BBC)
Premier League leaders Liverpool will face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League last 16, while Arsenal take on PSV Eindhoven and Aston Villa face Club Brugge.
Holders Real Madrid – who knocked out Manchester City in the knockout phase play-offs – face local rivals Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich play Bayer Leverkusen in an all-Germany affair.
It will be the first time Liverpool have faced PSG since 2018-19, when the Reds went on to be crowned champions of Europe for the sixth time. Read more
Blood clot ends French basketball star Victor Wembanyama’s season (AfricaNews)
French basketball star Victor Wembanyama’s season has come to an abrupt end after the San Antonio Spurs player was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder.
In a huge blow to the United States team, the deep vein thrombosis will see him out of the game for a while.
It is almost always treated with blood-thinning medication, and more evaluation will be needed. Read more
‘My target is to become a world champion’: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (CNN)
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again.
It’s a saying that perhaps aptly describes Charles Leclerc’s pursuit of the Formula One holy grail: a maiden world drivers’ championship title.Season by season the Ferrari driver has steadily chipped away, inching closer and closer to fulfilling his childhood dream but never quite getting over the line. Read more