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Oyo Postpones Adire Carnival, Exhibition

June 11, 2025 by admin

Oyo State Government has announced the postponement of Adire Carnival and Exhibition in the state. The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun, announced this in a statement released by his counterpart from the Ministry of Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday. It will be recalled that the event was originally scheduled for Friday, June 20, 2025. Olatunbosun said the decision was made to ensure that the carnival and exhibition meet global best practices, run seamlessly, and deliver the rich, immersive experience that the people of the state and the esteemed guests expect. He hinted that a new date would be announced in due course, and all stakeholders and members of the public will be duly informed. The commissioner explained that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration remains steadfast in its commitment to promote, preserve and develop Culture and Tourism across the state. He said, “As outlined in the Omituntun 2.0 Roadmap for Sustainable Development, the State Government recognises tourism as a vital driver of economic growth, job creation, and internally generated revenue. “The state has successfully hosted a variety of vibrant cultural and tourism-based events, including the World Twins Festival, World Egungun Festival, World Tourism Day, Iyake International Festival, Oyo State International Tourism Summit, and the Aso-Ofi Festival.” Olatubosun added that these initiatives have boosted the local economy, empowered residents, and attracted both national and international attention to the State. “The Aso-Ofi Festival, in particular, has achieved remarkable success, prompting a government-backed policy encouraging civil and public servants to incorporate Aso-Ofi into their dress code. This policy has revitalised indigenous textile production and further cemented the state’s reputation as the Manchester of Indigenous Textile Production. “In continuation of these efforts, the State Government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in partnership with BIZRAIT and Adire Odua, planned the Adire Carnival and Exhibition to showcase and celebrate indigenous textile craftsmanship. “However, in our collective quest to deliver an event of the highest standard—reflective of the state’s esteemed cultural status—it has become necessary to postpone the event, originally scheduled for Friday, 20th June 2025.” He appreciated the immense support and understanding of all partners, participants, and the general public as the team works toward hosting an even more impactful event.

BREAKING: FCTA Staff Seal PDP National Headquarters

May 26, 2025 by admin

Officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration, under the leadership of Minister Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have sealed the National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party. At exactly 2:06 pm, a group of FCTA staff locked the entrance gate of Wadata Plaza, the PDP’s national secretariat located in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. This action follows the FCTA’s recent announcement on Sunday, stating its intention to reclaim properties affected by the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years. Details shortly…

BREAKING: Court Orders EFCC To Release Aisha Achimugu Within 24hrs

April 30, 2025 by admin

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to within 24hrs release socialite and business woman, Aisha Achimugu. Justice Inyang Ekwo in a short ruling also added that parties in the suit especially the EFCC are to report to the court to give report on compliance to the order of court on May 2, 2025. Recall that Justice Ekwo had on Monday, ordered Achimugu to submit herself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with an on going investigation bordering on Money laundering and other offences. Justice Ekwo, also held that following her appearance at the EFCC office, the antigraft agency is to return with her and make an appearance before the court on Wednesday April 30, for report. Recall that the EFCC arrested Achimugu at 5am on Tuesday at the Nnamidi Azikiwe International Airport. The EFCC is investigating Achimugu on a case involving conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, corruption, and possession of properties reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained. While she was previously arrested and questioned by the EFCC, she was released on administrative bail by the commission. However, EFCC alleged that she jumped bail and declared Achimugu wanted. The EFCC in a press statement urged the public to provide information about Achimugu’s whereabouts, “The public is hereby notified that AISHA SULAIMAN ACHIMUGU is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering,” the statement read. The EFCC in its affidavit to show cause, averred that on February 12, 2024, when Achimugu was previously arrested in their office with her lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, she wrote a statement. The commission said in the statement, that she explained some of the huge funds which passed through her corporate bank accounts. It said that Achimugu admitted the sum of N8, 710, 000, 000.00. (eight billion, seven hundred and ten million naira) was paid by her partners as an investment fund into the purchase and payment of a signature bonus for the acquisition of oil bloc on Nov. 8, 2022. It said further investigation however revealed that Achimugu, through her company, Ocean Gate Engineering Oli and Gas Limited, acquired two oil blocs, namely Shallow Water -PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore-PPL 302-DO for the total sum of $25, 300, 000 (twenty-five million, three hundred thousand dollars) through majorly cash payments made to the Bureau De Change (BDC) operators who in turn made payments to Federal Government via corporate accounts. The commission alleged that the ultimate sources of the said sum of $25,300,000 used in the acquisition of the oil blocs were not linked to her lawful earnings or income or any business partner. “That the acquisition of the Oil Blocks was marred by corrupt practices, as bribes were paid to the officials of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in the process. “That none of the Oil Blocks assigned/allocated to Ocean Gate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Commission has commenced exploration/production from inception to date,” the EFCC said. The anti-graft agency averred that following the decision of the court in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024, which dismissed Achimugu’s suit, the commission, in continuation of its investigation, sent letters to some agencies of government, including FIRS, CBN, etc. It said further investigation revealed that Achimugu operates a total of 136 bank accounts across ten different banks, both in her personal and corporate names. Details shortly….. Punch

BREAKING: Gospel Singer Osinachi’s Husband Sentenced To Death By Hanging

April 28, 2025 by admin

Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the judgment on Monday after dismissing Nwachukwu’s no-case submission. The court found him guilty of culpable homicide in connection with the death of his wife on April 8, 2022. Nwachukwu, who was arraigned on June 3, 2022, faced a 23-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The charges included culpable homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children and criminal intimidation. During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two of the deceased’s children, and tendered 25 exhibits. The defendant testified in his defence and presented four additional witnesses and four exhibits. In her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Following pleas for leniency from Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, the court nevertheless sentenced him to death by hanging on Count 1. He also received additional prison sentences ranging from six months to three years on several other counts and was fined a total of N700,000. The prosecution was represented by Mrs Aderonke Imana. Osinachi passed away on April 8, 2022, at the age of 42. She came into the limelight in 2017 when she collaborated with Prospa Ochimana on the gospel hit song, Ekwueme. After her death, several colleagues accused her husband of subjecting her to domestic violence, leading to her death.

BREAKING: Pope Francis Died Of Stroke — Vatican

April 21, 2025 by admin

Pope Francis died of a stroke, causing a coma and “irreversible” heart failure, according to his death certificate released by the Vatican on Monday. The 88-year-old Catholic leader died on Monday morning, almost a month after being discharged from five weeks in hospital with double pneumonia. The cause of Pope Francis’ death has been identified as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. The Director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, issued the official certification, and the Holy See Press Office released the report on Monday evening. According to the medical report, the Pope had a prior history of acute respiratory failure caused by multimicrobial bilateral pneumonia, multiple bronchiectases, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes. His death was confirmed through electrocardiographic thanatography. “I hereby declare,” wrote Dr. Arcangeli, “that the causes of death, to the best of my knowledge and judgment, are as stated above.” AFP

BREAKING: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays For Easter Celebration

April 15, 2025 by admin

The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21, 2025, as public holidays to mark Good Friday and Easter Monday. This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday. He emphasised the importance of embodying the virtues of the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ, who had to die for the redemption of man, while greeting Christians on the joyous occasion. In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister called on Nigerians to use the holiday period to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the nation. Details later…

Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, Dies At 74

April 12, 2025 by admin

A former captain and head coach of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu, is dead. PUNCH Online gathered that the former Enugu Rangers coach died at the age of 74 in the early hours of Saturday in his home state of Enugu. However, the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear as of the time of filing this report. His longtime teammate and friend, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, confirmed the development in a post via his official X handle on Saturday. Odegbami, who won the 1980 Africa Nation Cup with Chukwu, wrote, “My Chairman has passed on. This morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s football history, former captain and coach of Nigeria’s national football team, has passed on.” Chukwu, born January 4, 1951, captained the Nigerian national team, then known as the Green Eagles, between 1974 and 1980. Chukwu captained the national team to its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and finished as a runner-up in 1976 and 1978. The Enugu-born legend also led the Enugu Rangers FC team that won the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1977. Chukwu also served as assistant coach of the first team to win a FIFA World Cup trophy for Nigeria – the Golden Eaglets that triumphed at the FIFA U16 World Cup in China in 1985. He was also the assistant coach of the team tagged the Golden Generation, the 1994 class of Super Eagles that qualified Nigeria for its first FIFA World Cup finals. In October 1998, he was appointed coach of the Kenya national team, and from 2003 to 2005, he coached Nigeria, leading them to reach the semifinals at the 2004 African Cup of Nations. Chukwu captained the national team to its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and later led the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia. He was, however, sacked in June 2005 during the qualification campaign for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Chukwu was appointed Ranger’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer by the immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. He was a recipient of the national honour, Member of the Federal Republic. In 2019, Chukwu suffered prostate cancer, which affected his leg, which led the family to open a GoFundMe appeal to solicit funds for the Nigeria football legend’s medical treatment. Businessman Femi Otedola eventually paid $50,000 for Chukwu’s treatment in the United Kingdom. The $50,000 cheque was presented to Chukwu in Enugu by the Chief Operating Officer of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Philip Akinola. Also present were ex-governor Ugwuanyi, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, and a renowned sports journalist, Onochie Anibeze. Chukwu, with support from the Enugu State Government, had already undergone initial surgery in Nigeria and had recuperated.

BREAKING: NNPCL Set To Sell Shares

March 27, 2025 by admin

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has revealed that it is now in the final stages of preparing for its highly anticipated listing on the capital market, by the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. The NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, made the announcement in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja. Soneye said the Company’s Chief Finance and Investor Relations Officer, Mr Olugbenga Oluwaniyi, hinted at the development during a consultative meeting with partners at the NNPC headquarters. He said NNPC Ltd was currently engaging with prospective partners in an exercise tagged, “NNPC Ltd. IPO Beauty Parade” in line with capital market regulations before the commencement of the Initial Public Offer. “According to the CFIO, the aim of the IPO Beauty Parade, is to access potential partners and determine in what ways they could be of support to the company,” the statement explained. He listed the areas of partnership required to include Investor Relations, IPO Readiness Advisors, and Investment Bank Partners. He said the company with the best offer in terms of project partnership would be selected for each of the three categories. An IPO is a public offering in which shares of a company are sold to institutional investors. The PIA provides for the NNPC Ltd to list its shares in the capital market in line with the provisions of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990. Punch

BREAKING: INEC Receives Petition Seeking Natasha’s Recall

March 24, 2025 by admin

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. Details later…

BREAKING: Tinubu Suspends Fubara, Deputy For Six Months

March 18, 2025 by admin

President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months. This is following his declaration of emergency in the oil-rich South South state. The President made the declaration ia nationwide broadcast on Tuesday. He said the decision was taken to restore stability in the state that has been witnessing political turmoil as a result of the disagreement between the state governor and the state lawmakers. “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” the President declared. The president appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s administrator to oversee governance. “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate,” he said. Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, Tinubu said the emergency measure was necessary to restore peace. He added that the proclamation had been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly. Tinubu added, “This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. “It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”