Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The United States Mission in Nigeria has expressed deep distress over the killing of Reverend Father Sylvester Okechukwu in Kaduna State. Okechukwu, who was abducted on Tuesday, was later found dead. He served as the pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan confirmed his death on Wednesday. In a statement on its X account on Friday, the US Mission condemned the killing and extended condolences to the priest’s family, congregation and community, describing the loss as immeasurable. “The US Mission is distressed by the brutal and senseless…

TotalEnergies Closed Pension Fund Administrators (CPFA) has partnered with the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) to equip 200 students and teachers in Lagos and Rivers States with essential first responder skills. Mr Paschal Achunine, Executive Director, HEI, in a statement on Friday in Lagos, said the collaboration underscores the urgency of strengthening Nigeria’s emergency response network. According to him, the initiative is to foster a proactive approach to medical emergencies among young Nigerians. He said the programme would deliver hands-on training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, trauma care and other prehospital skills. Achunine emphasised that the skill was to ensure…

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has confirmed that she honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to clarify financial expenditures during her tenure. On Thursday, the EFCC interrogated Kennedy-Ohanenye over allegations related to N138 million fraud. In a series of posts on X on Friday, the former minister detailed her visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, stating that she arrived at 2:15 p.m., engaged in discussions from 2:50 p.m., and left by 6:50 p.m. She said she provided “comprehensive clarifications” regarding her actions while in office and commended the EFCC for its professionalism.…

The Labour Party (LP) has said that its door is open to the 36 members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who on January 13 supported the removal of Hon. Mudasiru Obasa and installed his deputy, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, as the new speaker. The LP said the 36 lawmakers should join the party and its 2023 governorship candidate, Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, to rescue Lagos State from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which it said was populated by “democracy assassins”. According to the LP, APC should be voted out of power in Lagos to prevent complete annihilation of democracy by…

The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors has called on the Nigerian Air Force, the military, and the presidency to identify and hold accountable the officers and men of the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, who attacked staff and journalists at Ikeja Electric on Thursday. The association stated that it would not back down until justice is served for everyone brutalised by the armed men at the headquarters of Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) in Alausa, Lagos. Following the invasion of IKEDC and the assault on its staff and journalists, the Area Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshall AK…

Mikel Arteta said this week’s 7-1 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League had given Arsenal a huge lift but urged caution ahead of Sunday’s trip to face misfiring Manchester United. Second-placed Arsenal, 13 points behind leaders Liverpool, are realistically out of the Premier League title race after recent stumbles. However, they travel to Old Trafford seeking their fifth consecutive league win over their old rivals in Arteta’s 200th Premier League game in charge. Arsenal, struggling with injuries in attack and goalless in their past two league matches, found their form in the first leg of their last-16 Champions…

Justice Emeka Nwite of Federal High Court Abuja has fixed May 8 for ruling on  whether or not, to admit a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court between Ali Bello and Incorporated Trustees of American International School. Counsel to Yahaya Bello, Joseph Daudu (SAN), sought to tender the document, which had decided on the issue of payment of fees or refund, in the ongoing case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State. The Defence Counsel had also sought to tender the receipts of the re-certification of the said…

A combined team of security operatives, including vigilantes, has killed a suspected Lakurawa terrorist, Maigemu, in Kebbi State. The Director of Security, AbdulRahman Usman Zagga, confirmed this to journalists in a statement on Friday. He said Maigemu was neutralised on Thursday in Kuncin Baba, a remote area in Arewa Local Government known for its challenging terrain. The operation followed a fierce gun battle between him and security operatives. This development comes just a week after Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris (Kauran Gwandu), visited Bagiza and Rausa Kade communities in Arewa Local Government to condole with residents over the killing of…

Arne Slot says he has to convince his Liverpool players they are playing three finals over the coming week, urging fans to raise the roof against Premier League basement club Southampton on Saturday. Liverpool are closing in on the Premier League title, have a 1-0 lead against Paris Saint-Germain after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie and face Newcastle in next weekend’s League Cup final. But Slot is anxious to focus on the visit of Southampton, even though his men are heavy favourites to extend their 13-point lead at the top of the table, at least for…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun on has decorated six newly appointed Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) and one Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG). Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. He said the new DIGs bring extensive experience from various commands and departments within the Nigeria Police Force. The new DIGs are: DIG Sadiq Idiris Abubakar – Former Commandant, Police Academy, Wudil, Kano; DIG Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo – Former AIG, Department of Information Communication Technology, Force Headquarters; DIG Williams Adebowale – Former Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos. Othere include DIG Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali…