Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Wole Soyinka Slams Tinubu’s Actions In Rivers State, Calls For Constitutional Reform. Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend elected officials in Rivers State and declare a state of emergency, branding the move a violation of Nigeria’s federal principles. In a candid interview, the renowned playwright and social commentator argued that the 1999 Constitution grants excessive powers to the presidency, undermining the country’s federal structure. Soyinka’s remarks come amid growing tensions in Rivers State, where central government intervention has sparked widespread debate. “There is a pressing need for…

Canada Rejects Over 13,000 Nigerian Asylum Claims, Yet Hope Remains For Thousands. In a significant development, the Canadian government has turned down 13,171 Nigerians seeking refugee protection between January 2013 and December 2024, according to newly released data from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). The figures, which include 811 rejections in 2024 alone, place Nigeria among the top five nations with the highest number of denied asylum claims, highlighting the challenges faced by applicants navigating Canada’s stringent refugee system. Despite the high rejection rate, there is a silver lining: over the same period, 10,580 Nigerians were…

Tensions Rise In Kano State As Emirship Dispute Intensifies Ahead Of 2025 Sallah Durbar. Tensions are reportedly escalating in Kano State as the long-standing dispute over the emirship takes a dramatic new turn. Both Alhaji Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, have signalled their intentions to host the prestigious 2025 Sallah Durbar, a traditional event marking the end of Ramadan. This development has heightened anxiety among residents and raised concerns about potential unrest in the ancient city. The Sallah Durbar, a vibrant celebration featuring horse-riding processions…

Pope Francis Discharged From Hospital After Five-Week Pneumonia Treatment. Pope Francis has been discharged from hospital after more than five weeks of treatment for pneumonia, waving to cheering crowds and expressing gratitude for their support. The 87-year-old pontiff, appearing frail but in good spirits, sat in a wheelchair on a hospital balcony to bid farewell to well-wishers gathered below Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. This marked his first public appearance since being admitted on 14 February with breathing difficulties and a respiratory infection that developed into pneumonia. “Thank you, everyone,” Francis said softly into a microphone, occasionally lifting his hand…

Explosion At Soku Oil Facility Confirmed, But Gas Plant Remains Intact. An explosion has been confirmed at the Soku oil facility operated by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. However, reports suggesting that the Soku gas plant itself was engulfed in flames have been debunked by local authorities. The cause of the explosion remains uncertain, with possibilities ranging from equipment failure to sabotage or an attack on the facility. The incident comes amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, following the alleged impeachment notice issued to suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara…

EFCC Investigates Man Arrested With $578,000 At Lagos Airport. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into Okorie Sunday, who was apprehended by the Nigeria Customs Service at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with an undeclared sum of $578,000. According to the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the suspect will face court proceedings upon the conclusion of the investigation. Sunday, who arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, initially declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk. However, during further inspection, Customs officials uncovered an additional $299,000 hidden in separate packages, bringing the total to $578,000.…

Sudan Hold Senegal To Goalless Draw To Remain Top Of World Cup Qualifying Group. Sudan’s impressive run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers continued with a determined 0-0 draw against tournament favourites Senegal on Saturday evening in Benghazi, Libya. The result sees Sudan maintain their unbeaten record and remain top of Group B with 11 points from five matches, two points ahead of Senegal and one clear of DR Congo. For Senegal, the draw increases the pressure ahead of their upcoming clash with Togo on Tuesday. Despite their superior experience and attacking quality, the 2021 Africa…

UAE Commits To $1.4 Trillion Investment In The United States. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has committed to a 10-year investment framework worth $1.4 trillion in the United States, a White House official has confirmed. The agreement will see the UAE expand its existing investments in key sectors of the U.S. economy, including artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing. This development follows a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and the UAE’s National Security Adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, at the White House, as well as a dinner attended by Vice President JD Vance and several Cabinet…

FCT Police Rescue 23 Children From Suspected Child Trafficking Syndicate. In a significant breakthrough against child trafficking, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued 23 children from a suspected trafficking syndicate masquerading as an orphanage in Kubwa, Abuja. Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives from Kubwa Division stormed Mother Deborah Orphanage on 20 March 2025 at around 12:05 PM. The operation led to the rescue of a three-year-old child, believed to have been stolen from Kaduna State, and the arrest of two suspects, including the orphanage owner, Ijeoma Andy. Efforts are ongoing to track down other accomplices.…

Nigerian Navy Officer And Two Others Regain Freedom After Kidnapping Ordeal. A Nigerian Navy officer, Navy Lt. Cynthia Akor, who was kidnapped alongside two others in Abuja, has regained freedom following swift security intervention. The victims were abducted from their residence in the Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday night by armed men. However, following coordinated efforts by security agencies, they were successfully rescued. Sources confirmed that the kidnappers had initially demanded a ransom of N100 million, sparking immediate concern among family members and security operatives. In response, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and…

FAAC Reports Decline In VAT Revenue, Distributes N1.678 Trillion To Governments. The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has reported a decline in Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue for February 2025, with collections dropping by N117.430 billion, from N771.886 billion in January to N654.456 billion. This reduction, along with declines in Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Excise Duty, Import Duty, and CET Levies, impacted the total revenue available for distribution to the three tiers of government. According to a communiqué issued at the conclusion of FAAC’s March 2025 meeting in Abuja, the gross statutory revenue shared totalled…

Shekarau Dismisses Opposition Coalition, Says Tinubu’s Re-election Is Unchallenged. Former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, has dismissed the chances of any opposition coalition unseating President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election. His remarks come just days after a coalition of opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State at a press conference in Abuja. In a statement released by his media aide, Dr Sule Yau, Shekarau…