Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Kenya’s President William Ruto sparked protests recently after donating some $150,000 to a Nairobi church just months after saying such hand-outs fuelled corruption. Ruto’s pledge of 20 million shillings to the Jesus Winner Ministry Church led to protesters gathering there a week later, demanding the return of what they called “stolen tax money”, only to be teargassed by police. Church donations and fundraisers are a longstanding tradition in Kenya, and politicians often use pulpits to reach the masses in the predominantly Christian country. It can become political theatre: last year, MP Oscar Sudi, a Ruto ally, drew cheers from the…

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was told by manager Ruben Amorim on Monday that he is “not going anywhere” despite reports of a possible move to Real Madrid. The 30-year-old Portuguese star, who has scored 95 goals in 277 appearances since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, has a contract at Old Trafford until 2027. However, he has been linked in recent days with a £90 million (107.4 million euros) switch to Spanish giants Real. “No, it’s not going to happen,” insisted Amorim. “I want Bruno here because maybe in the lowest moments of our season (he impressed). We want…

Donald Trump said Monday he hopes Tiger Woods and his former daughter-in-law will be happy together in their relationship, describing the golf superstar as “a fantastic guy.” Woods — renowned for guarding his private life over the years — last week confirmed tabloid rumors that he was dating Vanessa Trump, who split from Donald Trump Jr. during his father’s first term in the Oval Office. The US president told reporters in Washington on Monday he was delighted that she had found love again. “Tiger actually called me a few months ago, and we have a very special, very good relationship…

Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull drew chuckles Tuesday as he impersonated Donald Trump, urging the nation’s political leaders to contest a general election next month to “stand up” to the US president. Turnbull, who was Australian prime minister when Trump first took office in 2017, briefly adopted a nasal American accent as he mimicked the US commander-in-chief during a speech. Political hopefuls contesting Australia’s May 3 general election should not be scared of angering Trump, Turnbull said. “That’s the challenge for our leaders — they’ve got to be able to stand up,” he began. “If that means they get…

An elder in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish, Quincy Ayodele, has denied claims that the former Pastor-in-charge of the parish, Idowu Iluyomade, rebelled against the church before starting his own. Ayodele stated that she had expected that Iluyomade would be restored to his parish or another after he had served his three-month suspension handed to him by the church leadership. According to Church Times, in a chat with Daddy Freeze posted on his YouTube Channel on Monday, the natural medicine practitioner said she was surprised and disappointed that Iluyomade was given a letter not to step into…

A total of 117 million Nigerians have registered for the National Identity Number as of February 28, 2025. Data sourced from the NIMC enrollment dashboard, Lagos State is taking the lead with over 12.6 million registrants. Kano State followed with 10.2 million registrants. A total of 66,281,803 (56.5%) of the registered individuals are male, while 51,079,521 (43.5%) are female. “NIMC’s enrollment figures as of February 28, 2025, currently stand at over 117 million unique records. The highest cumulative enrollment figure of over 12.6 million was recorded in Lagos State. Regional figures indicated an almost equal distribution across the North and…

President Bola  Tinubu has approved the amended Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2024. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which disclosed this, said the legislation strengthens the legal framework of the Nigerian capital market, enhances investor protection, and introduces critical reforms to promote market integrity, transparency, and sustainable growth. “The new Act also introduces transformative provisions to further align Nigeria’s market operations with international best practice”. The Act enhances the regulatory powers of the SEC in a manner comparable with benchmark global securities regulators. These enhanced powers and functions ensure full conformity with the requirements of IOSCO’s Enhanced Multilateral Memorandum…

Three officials of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) have tendered formal apologies to the Department of State Services (DSS) after being arrested for assaulting DSS operatives during the recent leadership crisis at the legislative house. The Assembly had requested DSS presence through a letter dated February 14, 2025, signed by Acting Clerk A.T.B. Ottun. The letter, with reference number LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, specifically asked the DSS to secure the facility from February 15 until further notice. However, upon arrival, DSS personnel were reportedly attacked by three assembly workers. Relying on CCTV footage, the security agency arrested the suspects and subsequently…

19-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik beat his childhood idol, Novak Djokovic 7-6(4) 7-6(4) in an upset for the ages on Sunday, claiming his first ATP title at the Miami Open. Victory for Mensik meant he denied the former number one, Djokovic, his bid for a milestone 100th. The 54th-ranked Mensik faced tough odds in only his second ATP final but harnessed his best weapon to subdue the 24-time major winner with 14 aces. He collapsed onto the court, overcome with emotion, after sealing it with an unreturnable serve. The oldest ever to reach a Masters 1000 final, 37-year-old Djokovic had hoped to…

Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani said appointing the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) would cast aspersions on its content. Sani said this in an X post on Saturday following President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC to chair the NTA board. The appointment was contained in a statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday. However, Sani said Morka’s appointment would make the objectivity, image and professionalism of the national broadcaster…