Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Rights Activist Deji Adeyanju Warns Senate President Akpabio Against Harassment Of Female Lawmakers. Prominent rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has issued a stern warning to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging him to cease the alleged harassment of female senators or face potential visa ban advocacy. Adeyanju’s statement comes in response to recent incidents within the Senate that have raised concerns about the treatment of female lawmakers. During a Senate session on Thursday, tensions escalated when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan protested a change in her seating arrangement without prior notice. The situation intensified as she voiced her objections, leading to a…

Champions League Last 16 Draw Sets Stage For Exciting Knockout Battles. The UEFA Champions League knockout stage is set, with the last 16 draw revealing tantalising clashes as teams begin their journey towards the final. With Europe’s elite clubs vying for continental glory, fans can expect high-stakes drama in the weeks ahead. One of the standout ties sees Paris Saint-Germain face six-time winners Liverpool in a heavyweight battle, while record-holders Real Madrid take on city rivals Atlético Madrid in a fiery Madrid derby. Arsenal, returning to the knockout stage, will face Dutch side PSV in a match that promises…

ICPC Reaffirms Ex-Naval Chief And Brigadier-General Remain Wanted. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reaffirmed that former Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Jibrin Usman (Rtd.), and Brigadier-General Ishaya Bauka remain on its wanted list over allegations of involvement in a N3 billion fraud. Dismissing reports suggesting that amended charges had exonerated the two ex-military officers, the Commission labelled such claims as misleading and baseless. In a statement signed by Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, the ICPC clarified that the charges against them had only been amended, not withdrawn. “For the avoidance…

NFF Sets 25th February Deadline For CAF B-License Coaching Course Registration. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that registration for the upcoming CAF B-License Coaching Course will close at midnight on Tuesday, 25th February 2025. The four-month course is scheduled to run from April to August and is aimed at enhancing the capacity of Nigerian coaches. According to NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, the course is open to both male and female coaches and will be delivered in modules. It is part of the federation’s broader strategy to equip coaches across the country with modern coaching skills.…

Spanish Court Finds Luis Rubiales Guilty Of Sexual Assault. Spain’s High Court has found former football federation president Luis Rubiales guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. He has been fined over €10,000 but was acquitted of coercion. The ruling, announced on Thursday, also prohibits Rubiales from approaching Hermoso within a 200-metre radius or communicating with her for one year. Rubiales, 47, faced charges following the controversial incident at the 2023 Women’s World Cup awards ceremony in Sydney. Alongside three former football federation officials, he was also accused of pressuring Hermoso to publicly declare…

Nigeria Coach Eric Chelle Identifies Home-Based Players For National Team Consideration. Nigeria’s national football coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed his admiration for several players in the domestic league who have the potential to earn a national team call-up. Chelle, who was appointed in January, recently attended two league matches to assess local talent. He watched Ikorodu City take on Plateau United in Lagos and later observed the Remo Stars’ clash with Kwara United in Ikenne. Speaking to the media afterwards, Chelle revealed that four players caught his attention in the Lagos match, while three others stood out in…

Babangida Admits Abiola Won June 12 Election, Expresses Regret Over Annulment. Former military president General Ibrahim Babangida has admitted that the late Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, describing its annulment as a regrettable decision influenced by a military cabal led by General Sani Abacha. Babangida made the revelation at the launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service, where he reflected on the controversial decision that prevented Nigeria’s transition to democracy. He acknowledged that the election was credible, free, and fair, but claimed he was outmanoeuvred by internal forces within his administration. He stated,…

US Denies Allegations Of Funding Boko Haram. The United States government has strongly denied allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been funding the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria. Speaking at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting in Abuja, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr, dismissed the claims, stating that there is no evidence to support such accusations. He reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and assured that strict monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure aid reaches the intended recipients. “There is absolutely no evidence that I…

Trump Signs Executive Order To Halt Federal Funding For Undocumented Migrants. US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at cutting off federal funding used to support undocumented migrants, the White House has announced. The order instructs federal departments and agencies to identify government-funded programmes that provide financial assistance to individuals residing in the US unlawfully and take corrective action. According to a White House fact sheet, the directive also prohibits federal funds from being used to support ‘sanctuary’ policies in states and local communities that provide protections to undocumented migrants. Additionally, it mandates stricter eligibility…

Federal University Lokoja Students Protest Over Safety Concerns. Students of the Federal University Lokoja have vowed not to resume classes until both the federal and state governments implement adequate safety measures to prevent further loss of lives. The protests erupted following a fatal accident involving a heavy-duty vehicle carrying palm oil and firewood, which crashed into a shuttle bus transporting students near Felele, Lokoja. The tragic incident has reignited concerns over road safety in the area, which has witnessed multiple accidents involving students. Despite the university management’s decision to indefinitely close the institution, the students have insisted on continuing…

Explosion Rocks NNPCL Flow Stations In Rivers State, Several Feared Dead. A devastating explosion has torn through two flow stations operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) near the Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State, with several individuals feared dead. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, 20 February 2025, has sent shockwaves through the region, raising concerns over safety and infrastructure in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. The affected facilities are situated close to the boundary between Bonny Local Government Area (LGA) and Degema LGA, approximately 30 nautical miles off the Bonny coastline. Eyewitnesses reported that the blast ignited…

Drama In Senate As Akpabio Orders Senator Natasha Out Of Chamber. A tense session unfolded in the Senate on Thursday when Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, from the chamber. The altercation stemmed from a report by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, who informed the Senate that Senator Natasha had refused to relocate to a new seat assigned to her. The reassignment was necessitated by the defection of two opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Citing Senate Orders 24 and 6, Monguno highlighted the Senate President’s authority…