Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Economic Community of West African States, through its specialised health institution, the West African Health Organisation has urged researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to contribute to strengthening regional health security against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases. WAHO made the call on Friday in a statement while announcing the second Lassa Fever International Conference which will hold in September 2025, in Côte d’Ivoire. The conference with the theme, “Beyond borders: Strengthening regional cooperation to combat Lassa Fever and emerging infectious diseases,” is aimed at advancing sustainable preparedness and regional coordination for Lassa fever through enhanced research and…

Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Rowland Owie, has criticised the six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan over an alleged breach of its Standing Orders following her claim of sexual harassment, an allegation denied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Speaking with reporters in Abuja on Thursday, Owie warned that the suspension could damage the Senate’s credibility. He cautioned against legislative impunity, stating that no senator should be arbitrarily denied their mandate. “We are not in a Banana Republic. A senator remains a senator anytime, any day, even when suspended or as a non-serving senator. The…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has vowed to challenge in court the six-month suspension imposed on her following her altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the red chamber. Her legal counsel, Victor Giwa, dismissed the Senate’s resolution as a violation of a court order. Speaking on Thursday after the Kogi lawmaker was suspended and escorted out of the National Assembly complex, Giwa insisted that the decision was unlawful. The Nigerian Bar Association and opposition parties also criticised the Senate for not allowing Akpoti-Uduaghan sufficient time to present her sexual harassment complaint against Akpabio. Giwa stated…

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday establishing a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” forcefully endorsing a currency once shunned as a tool for money launderers. The government stockpile, which backers liken to a “digital Fort Knox,” will be composed of digital currency seized in US criminal proceedings, said David Sacks, the White House’s crypto “czar,” emphasising in a social media post that Thursday’s move made good on a Trump campaign promise. The use of these assets “means it will not cost taxpayers a dime,” Sacks said in a post on X. “The purpose of the Stockpile is responsible stewardship…

A Lagos State High Court sitting in the Tafawa Balewa Square on the island has reserved judgment in the case of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominikoron who is standing trial for the alleged rape and murder of his passenger, Bamise Ayanwola. Justice Sherifat Sonaike fixed May 2, 2025, to deliver judgment after the adoption of the final written addresses of both the defence and prosecuting counsel. The defendant, Andrew Nice Ominikoron, aged 47 was arraigned in March 2022, on a five-count charge of alleged rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder preferred against him by the Lagos…

An official of the American International School, Abuja, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children, including an advance payment of $845,852 for his young children to be enrolled in the school in the future. Nicholas Ojehomon, an auditor at the school, disclosed this while testifying as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He confirmed that the payments covered Bello’s children’s tuition until graduation. According to him, the amount was paid in two tranches, with…

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday expressed concern over the attacks on drivers of trucks conveying goods from the North to the South-East by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The ACF warned that the killings of the drivers and the destruction of their vehicles constitute a serious threat to national security that could lead to the breakdown of law and order and generalised anarchy. Daily Trust had reported that trucks’ drivers and owners on Sunday, protested in Jos, Plateau State capital, lamenting that many of their members had been killed and their vehicles burnt in the…

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has addressed the sexual harassment allegation made by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, saying she believes the Senate is taking the necessary steps. Recall that On February 20, Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan had a heated exchange in the Senate chamber over seating arrangements. Following the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected Akpabio’s sexual advances. She later submitted a petition on sexual harassment against Akpabio, but the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges dismissed it, citing procedural breaches and legal constraints. Reacting to this…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it will conveniently evacuate 10,000 megawatts (mw) of generated power in less than two years from now. Alhaji Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director, TCN, said this while briefing State House Correspondents on Thursday. He said for the first time in the nation’s history, the power sector recorded a peak generation of 5,801.84mw of electricity at 9.15 pm on March 4. He said in less than two years from now, TCN would conveniently evacuate 10,000mw. He stated that this projection was based on the numerous TCN transmission projects completed in the last two years and…

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has denied claims that he was accused of sexual harassment by the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. A report by TheCable had on Wednesday alleged that Senator Cyril Fasuyi (APC, Ekiti North) stated during Senate plenary that Senator Natasha previously accused Fayemi of sexual harassment. TheCable had since deleted the report on its website. However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Head of the Fayemi Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, dismissed the report as inaccurate and a misrepresentation of Fasuyi’s actual comments. He explained that a review of the plenary proceedings confirmed that…