Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

DR Congo on Tuesday filed a criminal case against European subsidiaries of tech giant Apple, accusing them of illegally using “blood minerals” in its supply chain. The Democratic Republic of the Congo alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-racked east and Rwanda, zones in which the materials are alleged to be mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices. Apple’s French and Belgian units also deployed deceptive commercial practices to persuade consumers that its supply chains were clean, according to a statement from lawyers representing the DRC. AFP has…

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has reiterated his commitment to using state funds for projects that will benefit the majority of the people rather than yielding to pressures to satisfy a select few. The governor made this assertion on Monday during the State Executive Council Ministerial Briefing and End-of-Year Review themed “Showcasing Achievements: Signposting the Future” at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Uyo. Eno dismissed claims suggesting that he personally possesses vast wealth, clarifying that the funds at his disposal belong to the state and are held in trust for the people of Akwa Ibom. “I would…

The Naira yesterday appreciated to N1,660 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,662 per dollar last weekend. However, the Naira depreciated to N1,550 per dollar in the official foreign exchange market. Data from the Daily Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,550 per dollar from N1,540 per dollar last weekend, indicating N10 depreciation for the naira. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate depreciated to N1,545.1 per dollar from N1,533 per dollar last week Friday. Consequently, the margin between…

The Economies of West African States (ECOWAS) has intensified efforts on practical arrangements for the launch of the single currency, ECO for the region following consensus reached in the implementation of the directives issued at its 65th Ordinary Session. This was revealed in a communiqué issued at the end of the 66th ordinary session of the authority of the head of state and government meeting held in Abuja on Sunday. The ECOWAS bloc of 15 countries had previously planned to launch the currency in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic caused delays. The new launch date is 2027. The Authority said…

Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been named the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year. The 27-year-old clinched the prestigious award at a glittering ceremony held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday. The Nigerian star edged out tough competition from Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) to claim the prestigious title. Lookman’s victory adds his name to the illustrious list of Nigerian footballers who have won the award, joining legends such as Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and…

The winners of the Nations League quarter-final between Italy and Germany will host the last four of the tournament from June 4-8, UEFA announced on Monday. Juventus and Torino’s grounds will be used if Italy win the two-legged quarter-final in March, while Munich and Stuttgart will stage the semi-finals and final if Germany progress. The Italian football federation said Juventus’ Allianz Stadium would host both semi-finals and the final, with the third place play-off to be played at Torino’s stadium. Italy take on Germany in the first leg of their tie on March 20 in Milan. The return is scheduled…

The Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove President Bola Tinubu from office. The case was filed by Ambrose Owuru, the 2019 presidential candidate of the de-registered Hope Democratic Party (HDP). Owuru alleged that President Tinubu is an agent of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), making him unfit for office. He also referenced Tinubu’s earlier forfeiture of $460,000 in a drug-related case in the United States, calling for his disqualification. Owuru specifically prayed the court “to invoke section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and oust Tinubu from office for being under the control of…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday received a 12-member delegation from Benin Republic’s Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) who visited on a study tour. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, received the delegation from Benin Republic alongside other top officials of the commission at INEC headquarters in Abuja. Led by Sacca Lafia, CENA president, the delegation included national commissioners, directors, and senior staff. According to Lafia, the visit was aimed at learning from Nigeria’s electoral processes and best practices as Benin Republic prepares for its upcoming 2026 elections. In his speech at the event, Yakubu underscored the importance the visit…

Britain’s centuries-old Royal Mail is set to pass into foreign ownership after the UK government approved the takeover of its parent company by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group on Monday. The takeover of International Distribution Services (IDS) by EP Group is worth £3.6 billion ($4.5 billion). The “deal protects workers and key services whilst seeing Royal Mail continue to be headquartered in Britain, securing jobs and tax receipts in the UK”, the government said in a statement. The government will hold a “golden share” in the former state monopoly Royal Mail which ensures it has veto power over Royal…

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf has forwarded six names to the State House of Assembly as Commissioner-nominees. The Speaker of the House, Ismail Falgore disclosed this on Monday while reading the governor’s letter. The nominees include Shehu Sagagi, Dr Dahiru Hashim, Ibrahim Wayya, Dr Isma’il Dan Maraya, Gaddafi Shehu and Abdulkadir AbdulSalam.