Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

US Sees ‘Promise’ In Ukraine’s Ceasefire Proposal Ahead Of Talks In Saudi Arabia. The United States has expressed optimism over Ukraine’s proposal for a partial ceasefire with Russia, ahead of crucial diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Kyiv’s plan as a promising step towards ending the war, though he noted that further concessions would be required to reach a final resolution. “I’m not saying that alone is enough, but it’s the kind of concession you would need to see in order to end the conflict,” Rubio stated on Monday. Ukraine’s Proposal…

President Tinubu Mourns Passing Of Legal Luminary Professor Kharisu Chukkol. President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep condolences following the death of esteemed legal scholar, Professor Kharisu Sufiyanu Chukkol, who passed away on Sunday evening in Abuja at the age of 79. A native of Mayo Belwa in Adamawa State, Professor Chukkol dedicated his career to the advancement of law at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he served in various capacities, including Dean of the Faculty of Law and Director of the Institute of Administration. His influence shaped the careers of numerous legal professionals, including serving justices of the…

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested On ICC Warrant. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested in Manila following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial “war on drugs.” Duterte, 79, was taken into custody at Manila airport upon his return from Hong Kong, where he had been campaigning for his senatorial slate ahead of the May 12 mid-term elections. He had previously stated that he was prepared to go to prison in response to speculation about his possible arrest. His anti-drugs crackdown, which took place…

Gunmen Attack Ondo Communities, Kill Over 20 Farmers. Gunmen suspected to be armed herders have attacked four communities in Ondo State, killing over 20 farmers in a violent raid on villages within the Akure North Local Government Area. The attack, which occurred at midnight over the weekend, targeted Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday, Ademekun Camp, and Aba Alajido Camp within Ala Elefosan. Sources in the affected communities confirmed that many residents fled into the bush as the assailants unleashed gunfire. A community source, speaking anonymously, reported that 14 bodies had been recovered, while a search party continued looking for…

NNPC Clarifies Naira Crude Contract With Dangote Refinery. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has addressed recent reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged unilateral termination of its crude oil sales agreement in Naira with Dangote Refinery. In a statement released on Monday, NNPC clarified that the contract was structured as a six-month agreement, subject to crude oil availability, and is set to expire at the end of March 2025. The company confirmed that discussions are currently ongoing to establish a new contract. Since October 2024, NNPC has supplied Dangote Refinery with over 48 million barrels of…

Over 2 Million Candidates Register As JAMB Closes 2025 UTME Registration. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially closed registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), recording a total of 2,030,627 candidates. This year’s registration figures have surpassed the 1,989,668 candidates who applied in 2024, marking an increase in the number of prospective university entrants. The registration process, which commenced on 3 February 2025, will see these candidates sit for the UTME scheduled for 25 April 2025. Additionally, 200,115 candidates have registered for the optional mock UTME, set to take place on 5 April…

JUST-IN: NNPC Suspends Naira-for-Crude Deal With Domestic Refiners Including Dangote. In a surprising turn of events, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced the suspension of its naira-for-crude oil swap deal with domestic refiners, including the prominent Dangote Refinery and other private operators. The decision, reported by Businessday, marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s oil industry policy, raising questions about its implications for local refining and fuel prices. The naira-for-crude initiative, launched on 1 October 2024, was hailed as a groundbreaking move to bolster Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity. Under the scheme, local refineries were permitted to purchase…

FRSC Confirms Four Dead, Nine Injured In Lone Crash on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun has confirmed that four people lost their lives, while nine others sustained injuries in a lone accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday. Mrs Florence Okpe, the spokesperson for the FRSC in Ogun, disclosed the details in a statement on Monday, attributing the crash to speeding and a tyre burst, which resulted in a loss of control. “The suspected causes of the lone crash were speed violation and a tyre burst, which led to loss of control. The…

Governor Soludo Bans Open-Air Preaching To Curb Noise Pollution. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has imposed a ban on open gospel preaching, citing noise pollution as the main reason behind the decision. The announcement follows the recent arrest and release of a pastor who was caught preaching in a marketplace. A viral video captured the moment Governor Soludo personally confronted the preacher in Onitsha, warning that public preaching violated state regulations. While reaffirming the protection of religious freedom, the governor stressed that such rights should not infringe on the peace and comfort of others. “If you want…

El-Rufai Leaves APC, Joins Social Democratic Party. Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai announced his decision in a statement on Monday, citing dissatisfaction with the APC’s leadership and direction in recent years. He stated that after repeatedly expressing his concerns about the party’s trajectory, both privately and publicly, he had decided to seek a new political platform aligned with his progressive values. “As a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I have fond memories of working with other…

IgniteHer Bootcamp Empowers Women Entrepreneurs With Digital And Business Skills. The IgniteHer Bootcamp, an initiative by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), concluded on 7 March after five days of intensive training for women entrepreneurs. The programme, which brought together 90 female entrepreneurs, aimed to equip participants with essential digital skills, business strategies, and mentorship opportunities to scale their ventures and contribute to economic growth. As part of NITDA’s commitment to fostering gender inclusivity and digital transformation, the bootcamp addressed systemic barriers that often hinder women’s involvement in…

Parents Express Concern Over Suspected Diphtheria Outbreak At King’s College, Lagos. Parents of students at King’s College, Lagos (KCL), have raised concerns over a suspected outbreak of diphtheria in the school, which has reportedly led to the hospitalisation of some students. Several parents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, attributed the situation to poor sanitary conditions within the school. They criticised the management for its perceived lack of transparency and slow response to the crisis. Parents Demand Answers A parent, who requested anonymity, questioned the school’s silence on the issue, noting that students had…