Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at improving the affordability and availability of in vitro fertilization, a health issue he had addressed on the campaign trail. The order is a directive “to the Domestic Policy Council to examine ways to make IVF and other fertility treatments more affordable for more Americans,” White House staff secretary Will Scharf said alongside Trump as the president delivered remarks at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. AFP

The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a bill amending the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law of 2013 and addressing related matters during its second reading. The bill prescribes the death penalty for kidnappers and mandates the confiscation and demolition of properties used in the commission of kidnapping. It was approved following the review by the Committee of the Whole. The Majority Leader, Hon. Charity Aiguobarueghian, emphasised the necessity of the bill, noting that kidnapping has escalated into a significant issue. He urged his colleagues to support the passage of the executive bill, describing kidnapping as a heinous act that…

The management of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission has dismissed insinuations that its premises had been sealed by military personnel. This was contained in a statement by the commission’s Information Officer, Sadiat Isiaka, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, in reaction to the information circulating on the social media that OSSIEC office in Osogbo had been taken over by soldiers. The commission also assured all that the local government election slated for Saturday would hold as scheduled, noting that, wrong information should not to be allowed to inhibit people from participating in the election. It enjoined members of the public to…

Thousands of Americans took to the streets across the United States on Presidents’ Day to protest against President Donald Trump and his administration. Demonstrators on Monday chanted slogans such as “No kings on Presidents Day” in East Coast cities and attempted to enter the Arizona Statehouse to oppose a bill aimed at bolstering federal immigration enforcement. Protests were reported in several states, including Florida and California, where hundreds of people participated in “Not My Presidents Day” demonstrations. The movement, which carried the theme “No Kings,” was organised by the 50501 Movement and marked the second nationwide protest in less than…

Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has declared that he is a man who is undergoing treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. Portable said this while appealing to Nigerians and the Ogun State Government on Tuesday after being declared wanted by the state police command. The zoo crooner was reportedly involved in a fight with three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office: TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi. They were conducting an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, Ogun State. The…

A Delta Air Lines jet with 80 people onboard crash-landed Monday at Toronto’s main airport, officials said, flipping upside down and leaving at least 18 people injured but causing no deaths. Endeavor Air Flight 4819 with 76 passengers and four crew was landing in the afternoon in Canada’s largest metropolis, having flown from Minneapolis in the US state of Minnesota, the airline said. No explanation of the cause of the accident, or how the plane ended up flipped with its wings clipped, has been provided. “It’s very early on. It’s really important that we do not speculate. What we can…

The death toll from powerful winter storms in the central and eastern United States has risen to at least 14, officials said Monday, after floods, gale-force winds and bitterly cold temperatures swept the region. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned on Monday of a winter storm system carrying arctic air that would cause “record cold,” with wind chill expected to hit as low as -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 degrees Celsius) in Montana and North Dakota. “I’ve got more tough news. The death toll in Kentucky has now risen to 12,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear in a social media post…

Police authorities in Ogun State have declared controversial singer, Habeeb Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, wanted for allegedly leading a violent attack on government officials carrying out their lawful duties. The declaration was contained in a police gazette issued on Monday night, shared by the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. She said assault incident occurred on February 5, 2025, around 10:00 a.m. when three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office – TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero…

Gunshots were heard at the gate of Osogbo Central Local Government Area, Oke Baale, Osogbo, on Monday as members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress clashed while attempting to enter the council secretariat. Newsmen who monitored the situation from a close distance, saw a man covered in blood engaged in a fight with another suspected hoodlum, believed to be working for one of the parties. During the shooting, the Osogbo/Ibokun Road, which passes in front of the local government secretariat, was deserted. Armed police operatives were seen at the entrance to the secretariat, while the hoodlums…

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and several former governors were among the dignitaries present at the commendation service held at the Lekki residence of the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo, on Sunday. Since the death of the 96-year-old Yoruba socio-cultural leader, two days ago, his home has been a hub for condolence visits from dignitaries across the nation. Other prominent figures at the residence on Sunday included Afenifere Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan; former…