Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Senate has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to organise by-elections to fill the vacant Senate seats in Edo Central and Anambra South. Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, made this announcement during Tuesday’s plenary while officially declaring both seats vacant. The Edo Central seat became vacant in December 2024 after Monday Okpebholo was sworn in as the Governor of Edo State in November. Similarly, the Anambra South seat has remained empty since the passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024. INEC had previously stated in January 2025 that it was waiting for an official request from the Senate before proceeding…

The House of Representatives has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend the implementation of the increment in Automated Teller Machine transaction charges given the economic situation in the country. The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Esan Central /Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Edo State, Marcus Onobun, during Tuesday’s plenary. Addressing his colleagues on the floor, Onobun noted that the apex bank through a recent circular, prescribed an increase in ATM withdrawal charges and a discontinuation of the free ATM withdrawals for customers…

The leadership of the Labour Party on Tuesday inaugurated a three-member panel to resolve the frosty relationship between some LP lawmakers and its National Chairman, Julius Abure. The move was announced in a statement issued in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh. The newly inaugurated committee members include fellow legislators Ben Etanabene (Chairman), Mathew Nworgu, and Chinedu Obika. Abure and many of the LP National Assembly members in both chambers have been at loggerheads since last year over the legitimacy of the contentious Anambra convention, which returned the current leadership to office. The face-off was further…

Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies tumbled on Tuesday as concerns over the US economy and trade tensions grew. Bitcoin dropped 3.2% to $79,937 after hitting a low of $76,624. Ethereum fell sharply by 7.5% to $1,911. The global crypto market cap declined 4.3% to $2.6 trillion, The Economist reports. Solana, XRP, Cardano and Dogecoin also suffered losses, with Dogecoin plunging 8.5%. Investor confidence weakened after former US President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview, mentioned a “period of transition” but did not clarify if his tariff policies might lead to a recession. His remarks caused declines across cryptocurrencies, stocks,…

Tech billionaire and senior White House advisor Elon Musk called Senator Mark Kelly a “traitor” on Monday after he visited Ukraine and said it was important that Americans stand with the war-torn country. Kelly, a former NASA astronaut and US navy pilot, visited Ukraine — which has been battling a Russian invasion for more than three years — over the weekend. His trip comes at a time when President Donald Trump is seeking a quick end to the conflict and upending US foreign policy with his pivot to Moscow and pause of US military aid to Kyiv. “Just left Ukraine.…

The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that 26 people have died from a suspected outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in Aliero, Gwandu, and Jega local government areas. Cerebrospinal meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by bacteria or viruses and can spread from person to person. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. If not treated quickly, it can lead to serious complications or death.

Manchester United on Tuesday announced plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium that co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said would be the “world’s greatest” football ground. The decision by the Premier League club came after an extensive consultation process around whether to develop their existing historic Old Trafford stadium or build a new one close by, in conjunction with the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force. United have now confirmed their “intention to pursue a new 100,000-seater stadium as the centrepiece of the regeneration of the Old Trafford area”. The club hopes the new ground can be finished in five years. Scaled models…

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has issued a license to CHI Life Assurance Limited. The event took place at the Commission’s Board Room in Abuja on Monday, March 10, 2025. Commissioner for Insurance, Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, warmly welcomed the CHI Life Assurance Ltd executives, urging them to make a positive impact in the industry. He assured them of NAICOM’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for operators to thrive. Omosehin also emphasised the importance of compliance with regulatory requirements and advised the new management to always seek clarification from NAICOM. He charged the Board of Directors to fulfill their roles,…

The Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu has said that Nigeria has so far secured $950 million in funding for its Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme. While disclosing the development on Monday in Abuja during a renewable energy service company collaborative agreement signing ceremony with nine companies, Aliyu said the Federal Government is determined to improve power supply to its 86 million citizens without access to electricity. The companies involved in the deal include Ashipa Electric Ltd, De-Janees, Concepts Ltd, Fox Power Ltd, MBH Power Ltd, Okra Solar PTY Ltd, Oando Clean Energy, Sosal Renewable…

Seven medical professionals who cared for Argentine football legend Diego Maradona during his final days go on trial Tuesday accused of criminal negligence over his death. Maradona died on November 25, 2020 aged 60 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot, after decades battling cocaine and alcohol addictions. Each defendant risks between eight and 25 years in prison if convicted of “homicide with possible intent” — allegedly for pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could lead to the footballer’s death. The passing of the star of the 1986 World Cup plunged Argentina into mourning in the…