Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a landmark initiative to send its first citizen into space. This pioneering effort was disclosed by Dr Mathew Adepoju, Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), during a press conference held in Abuja. Dr Adepoju revealed that Nigeria has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) to facilitate this ambitious project. He emphasised that this collaboration signifies a major milestone in Nigeria’s 25th anniversary of space exploration, positioning the nation among countries actively engaged in human spaceflight. “This initiative opens up…

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a fresh application the detained Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who is facing drug trafficking charge, filed to be released on bail, pending the conclusion of his trial. The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, on Wednesday, held that the application lacked merit, stressing that the suspended DCP failed to establish any exceptional circumstance that would warrant the exercise of judicial discretion in his favour. Speed Painting, like medicine, leaves no room for error — Dr. Ojeabuo, A Speed Painter0:00 / 1:07 Justice Nwite…

Given the ongoing crisis rocking Rivers state, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has again called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to, as a matter of importance, declare a state of emergency in the state. This is as the party called for the deployment of Armed soldiers to strategic locations in the state to forestall the breakdown of law and order. Making the call during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the caretaker chairman, CTC, of the party, Chief Tony Okocha said there were clear indices of lawlessness in the state orchestrated by none state actors, “and if this…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has ordered the auditor general of the state to begin the audit of the accounts of the 23 Local Government Areas for the past three years. The governor’s order comes amid the long-running political crisis rocking the state. While swearing in the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the Local Government Areas, the governor said the measure is intended to serve as a check for the incoming officials. He urged the caretaker chairmen not to see themselves as superheroes, but to protect the interests of their people, and demonstrate that the government made the right choice…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized the importance of international cooperation on maritime security to unlock the vast potential of Africa’s blue economy. The President spoke at the 2024 International Maritime Conference in Lagos, held to commemorate the Nigerian Navy’s 68th anniversary, at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos. Represented by the Vice President, Kashmi Shettima, the President, acknowledged the transnational nature of maritime threats and the need for greater international collaboration to address them. The conference with the theme, “Promoting the Blue Economy in Africa through International Cooperation on Maritime Security,” according to him, aligned with the United…

Following a court order mandating it to halt the move to hike prices, MultiChoice has readjusted its subscription rates for DStv and GOtv users in Nigeria. The company had vowed to challenge the order of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal’s ruling in Abuja after reporting a decline in its subscriber base in Nigeria, leading to the loss of over a million subscribers. MultiChoice has reflected the readjustment on its company’s apps as at Sunday, June 16, 2024. Due to the adjustments, DStv subscribers will now pay N29,500 instead of N37,000 for the Premium package, while Compact+ package subscribers can…

Turkey got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a thrilling start on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Georgia that brought delight to a passionate army of fans in soaking wet Dortmund. Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler crashed in a brilliant goal in the 65th minute at a Westfalenstadion dominated by tens of thousands of Turkey supporters before Kerem Akturkoglu rolled home the third deep in stoppage time as Georgia pushed for a late leveller. Guler, 19, had a difficult time with injuries in his first season in Madrid but stepped up for Turkey in a fiercely-contested match with Georgia,…

President Joe Biden on Tuesday will unveil new rules easing the process for undocumented spouses of US citizens to obtain permanent residency status, the White House said. The Biden administration has been trying to walk a thin line on immigration, a key issue for many Americans ahead of November’s presidential election. The Democrat is seeking to be tougher on illegal migrants, while also contrasting himself with the harsher policies of Republican rival Donald Trump. The new rules will not expand eligibility for permanent residency, but rather streamline the process for those who already qualify. That includes by removing a requirement…

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent acts of rail track and electricity cable vandalism, labelling them as economic sabotage with severe impacts on the national value system. During a meeting in Lagos on Monday evening with a delegation from the National Assembly, President Tinubu emphasised the necessity for a change in the national value system to ensure progress. The delegation, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, included Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Honourable Benjamin Kalu, among others. In a statement released by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President…

Romelu Lukaku had his two goals disallowed as Slovakia ran out 1-0 victors over tournament favourite, Belgium. Slovakia grittily held out for a shock 1-0 victory against Belgium on Monday after a defensive mix-up gifted Ivan Schranz an early goal to get his country’s Euro 2024 campaign off to a flying start against the third-ranked side in the world. Francesco Calzona’s side are 45 spots below third-placed Belgium in FIFA’s world rankings. But they made a mockery of the supposed quality gap between the teams with a courageous performance in Frankfurt. Calzona, who also served as Napoli’s interim boss in…