Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

FAAC Meeting Postponed Amid NNPC Remittance Dispute. The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed due to a dispute between state governments and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. over unpaid remittances. State governments boycotted the meeting, insisting that NNPC must first settle outstanding revenues amounting to approximately N1.7 trillion. These funds have been pending since the full removal of the petrol subsidy in November 2024. It remains unclear whether the meeting will be rescheduled later this week. This development follows President Bola Tinubu’s remarks during a recent presidential television interview, where…

Army Chief Vows To Sustain Offensive Against Bandits In Katsina. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining its offensive against bandits in Katsina State, ensuring lasting peace for Nigerians. Speaking to journalists after an operational visit to the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Natsinta, Katsina, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede emphasised that the troops would continue their efforts until banditry is eradicated. He was received by the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Babatunde Omopariola. “I am here to assess the operational activities of the 17 Brigade, identify their challenges, and determine how quickly…

US Urges Ukraine To Ease Criticism Amid Diplomatic Tensions. The White House National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, has urged Ukraine to “tone down” its criticism of the United States and agree to a minerals deal being promoted by President Donald Trump. The diplomatic tensions come as Washington continues to play a key role in supporting Kyiv amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. A scheduled news conference in Kyiv featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoy Keith Kellogg was unexpectedly cancelled, with both leaders currently engaged in private discussions. The cancellation follows a series of sharp exchanges between Trump and…

Tambuwal And Minister Call For Innovative Strategies To Tackle Housing Deficit. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Aminu Tambuwal, has urged stakeholders to adopt innovative strategies to enhance affordable housing, boost private sector involvement, and reinforce institutional frameworks in the housing sector. Speaking at the housing sector retreat in Lagos, themed “Actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda for Housing and Urban Development” Tambuwal emphasised the need to identify challenges and implement solutions to transform the sector and address Nigeria’s housing deficit. He assured that the Senate and the wider National Assembly would continue collaborating…

Governor Fintiri Revokes Atiku Abubakar’s ‘Waziri Adamawa’ Title Amid Emirate Reforms. The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has revoked the traditional title of Wazirin Adamawa held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, along with other notable figures, following the restructuring of emirates and chiefdoms in the state. This decision affects not only Atiku but also former Governor Boni Haruna, who held the title of Makama Mubi, and Fintiri himself, who was the Sarki Yaki Mubi. The move comes as part of a wider reorganisation of the traditional system in Adamawa State. New Traditional Councils to…

Nigeria Bans 60,000-Litre Fuel Tankers From March 1 To Enhance Road Safety. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced a ban on 60,000-litre fuel tankers from operating on Nigerian roads, effective from 1st March 2025. The decision aims to reduce road accidents involving heavy-duty petroleum tankers and enhance safety in fuel transportation. The NMDPRA Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha, made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja, following discussions with key stakeholders.  A Unified Decision for Safer Roads   Ukoha revealed that a technical committee, comprising representatives from agencies such as…

Ademola Lookman Responds To Manager’s Criticism After Atalanta’s Champions League Exit. Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has hit back at his manager Gian Piero Gasperini following stinging criticism over a missed penalty in the club’s UEFA Champions League defeat to Club Brugge on Tuesday night. The Nigerian international, who has been a key figure for the Serie A side, described his manager’s remarks as “deeply disrespectful,” sparking widespread discussion among fans and pundits alike. The incident occurred during Atalanta’s 3-1 loss at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, a result that sealed a 5-2 aggregate defeat in the Champions League play-off round,…

Mbappé’s Hat-Trick Sends Real Madrid Past Manchester City In Champions League. Manchester City’s Champions League campaign ended in disappointment as Kylian Mbappé’s stunning hat-trick propelled reigning champions Real Madrid to a commanding victory at the Bernabéu, securing their place in the last 16. Pep Guardiola’s side entered the contest trailing 3-2 from the first leg, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed when Mbappé opened the scoring just four minutes in with a delightful lob over Ederson, courtesy of Raúl Asencio’s pinpoint pass. City’s night took another turn for the worse when John Stones was forced off…

Lost Tomb Of Pharaoh Thutmose II, Discovered In Egypt. A British-Egyptian archaeological team has unearthed the long-lost tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II, marking the first discovery of a pharaoh’s burial site since the famed tomb of Tutankhamun was found over a century ago. The tomb, located in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis near Luxor, had remained hidden for over 3,500 years. Previously, researchers believed the burial sites of 18th Dynasty pharaohs were situated more than two kilometres away, closer to the Valley of the Kings. However, the unexpected find in an area associated with royal women challenged…

Borussia Dortmund Secure Champions League Last-16 Spot After Stalemate Against Sporting. Borussia Dortmund booked their place in the Champions League last 16 after a goalless draw against Sporting in the second leg of their knockout play-off tie. Having secured a commanding 3-0 victory in Lisbon last week, the German side entered the return leg at Signal Iduna Park with a significant advantage. Goals from Serhou Guirassy, Pascal Gross and Karim Adeyemi in the first leg had all but sealed their progression, making the second encounter a mere formality. Dortmund dominated proceedings and had the opportunity to take the lead…

PSV Stun Juventus To Secure Champions League Last-16 Spot. PSV Eindhoven produced a sensational comeback against Juventus, with Ryan Flamingo netting an extra-time winner to seal their place in the Champions League last 16. The Dutch side overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit with a determined performance at home on Wednesday night, eliminating the Italian giants in a thrilling encounter. Ivan Perisic and Ismael Saibari scored either side of a stunning strike from Timothy Weah, bringing the tie to 3-3 on aggregate. With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, Flamingo stepped up in extra time to prod…

PSG Cruise Into Champions League Last 16 With Dominant Win Over Brest. Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the Champions League last 16 in emphatic fashion, thrashing Brest to complete a dominant knockout play-off victory. Luis Enrique’s side, already holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg, ran riot at the Parc des Princes to extend their aggregate advantage and continue their dominance over their French rivals this season. Bradley Barcola opened the scoring with a sharp finish at the near post before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled PSG’s lead with a simple tap-in before half-time. Portugal international Joao Neves rattled the…