Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Transparency International, a global coalition against corruption, has ranked Nigeria as the 36th most corrupt country in the world. Nigeria was joined by Uganda, Mexico, Madagascar, Iraq, and Cameroon in the same spot with a total score of 26 points. The ranking released on Tuesday highlighted the 2024 corruption perceptions index. The list ranks Denmark as the least corrupt country with 90 points, Finland as second with 88 points, and Singapore as third with 84 points. No African country made the top 10 very clean list as it was dominated by European countries. However, Cape Verde tops the list of…

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has jacked up the application fee for establishing private universities in Nigeria by over 400%. The commission’s Executive Secretary, Abdullahi Ribadu, in a statement on Monday, said the price hike is for better coordination and to ensure that newly established private universities are positioned to meet the challenges of the 21 Century. The NUC increased the fee for purchase of application forms for the Establishment of a Private University from N1m to N5m. The Commission also raised the processing fee for application for the establishment of a private university from N5m to N25m. The NUC…

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has warned police officers in the country against rights violations, and other misconduct.  “No operative should be seen carrying assault arms (rifles) while dressed in civilian attire (mufti),” the IGP said in a virtual meeting with police managers on Monday, according to a statement by Force Spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi. The IGP said he has received various complaints regarding rights violations through the Force’s complaint channels. He warned that any conduct violating human rights won’t be tolerated and would be met with severe consequences. “The IGP also warned all tactical squads against the…

The World Health Organisation launched on Tuesday a new platform providing cost-free cancer medicines for thousands of children living in low- and middle-income countries, in a bid to improve lagging survival rates. The first medicines were being delivered to Mongolia and Uzbekistan, the WHO said, with further shipments planned for Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal and Zambia, as part of the project’s pilot phase. The treatments are expected to reach around 5,000 children with cancer this year across at least 30 hospitals in those six nations. “Countries in the pilot phase will receive an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines at…

A group of investors led by Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has offered $97.4bn to acquire OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, aiming to restore its original non-profit mission. The offer seeks to purchase all of OpenAI’s assets and refocus the organisation on its founding principles, the Wall Street Journal first reported on Monday. Recall that Musk co-founded OpenAI with Sam Altman in 2015 as a non-profit but left in 2019. Tensions between the two have since escalated into a legal dispute over the company’s transition into a for-profit entity under Altman’s leadership. Altman, who serves as the CEO, rejected…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has downplayed the significance of a recent meeting between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stating that it poses no threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The meeting, held at Obasanjo’s residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, saw Atiku leading a high-profile delegation, including former governors and political figures. While the details of their discussion remain unclear, there are speculations that it may be linked to Atiku’s political ambitions. When questioned about his visit, Atiku described it as a “courtesy call” and refused to discuss politics. However, sources indicate…

TikTok content creator, Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as SeaKing, has regained his freedom from police custody. SeaKing was arrested in connection with allegations of cyberbullying the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, following comments he made during a live session in December 2024. Omoyele Sowore, who has been vocal in demanding the social media influencer’s release, confirmed the development on Monday through a post on X. He revealed that he served as a signatory to SeaKing’s administrative bail. “We are pleased to confirm that Olumide Ogunsanwo @seaking303 has been released from @PoliceNG custody after…

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control on Monday commenced its enforcement at the popular Ogbo-Ogu Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha, in Anambra State. During the exercise, the operatives of the agency, led by the Director, NAFDAC South East Zone, Dr Martins Iluyomade, confiscated a wide range of adulterated, substandard and expired drugs found at the various shops. Addressing journalists, Iluyomade said the exercise was in line with the agency’s mandate of eradicating fake, banned and other spurious NAFDAC-regulated products from circulating in Nigeria and to prevent members of the unsuspecting public from falling victim. He said the agency…

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has indefinitely adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra. The decision, made on Monday, follows Kanu’s insistence that Nyako cannot preside over his case, citing her previous recusal. Newsmen had earlier reported that Kanu has been ordered to appear for a hearing on Monday, February 10, 2025, before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Earlier in January, Kanu filed a petition against Justice Nyako before the National Judicial Council, accusing her of judicial misconduct in handling his trial. And days later, the…

The Gombe State Police Command on Sunday confirmed the killing of Reverend Bala Galadima, a presiding clergy of the Evangelical Church Winning All in Lubo community, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area. Newsmen report that the incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday. Confirming the incident Police Public Relations Officer DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed that the incident was a case of robbery that led to the death of the clergyman. He said, “The issue is a robbery because they entered the house at night and maybe they attempted to rob him. “Unfortunately, from the way he was shot in the…