Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The House of Representatives, on Monday, extended the deadline for the submission of memoranda on the creation of new states and local governments to March 26, 2025. According to a statement issued by the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, this decision was arrived at following public demand for additional time to refine and resubmit their legislative proposals in compliance with Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Recall that on February 7, 2025, the House Committee on Constitution Review announced that it had received memoranda to create an additional 31 states, stating, however, that none of the proposals met the…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said the crisis within his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was one of the reasons why  his administration could not implement the report of the 2014 Confab he set up. Jonathan made this known when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late leader of pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, in company of former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma and former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olaode George, among others. Jonathan said convening the CONFAB was made possible because of people…

Nestle Nigeria Plc has posted a revenue growth of 75.2 per cent N958.8 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2024. The Company’s operating profit improved by 35.6 per cent to N167.9 billion, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 45.2 per cent. The company’s total comprehensive loss stood at N14.6 billion as against N79.4 billion in 2023, impacted by high finance costs due to currency devaluation. Speaking on the results, CEO/managing director of Nestle Nigeria, Wassim Elhusseini stated, “our 2024 results demonstrate the resilience of our brands and teams and underscore our strong fundamentals…

The Senator representing Kogi Central at the Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has called on Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to stay out of the allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against her husband. The dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio began after she refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules. Tensions escalated further when she appeared on Arise News on Friday, accusing the Akpabio of blocking her motions, maligning her, and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances. In response, Mrs Akpabio held a…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has blacklisted an Indian firm, Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, over alleged production and importation of dangerous opioid combinations into West Africa, including Nigeria. In a statement signed by its Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Friday, NAFDAC accused the Indian company of producing and distributing Tafrodol and Royal 225—drugs containing a harmful mix of Tapentadol, an opioid, and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant. NAFDAC stated that the substances pose severe health risks, including respiratory failure, seizures, overdose, and death. “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has…

Veteran journalist and former presidential candidate, Chief Dele Momodu has blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), especially President Bola Tinubu for the crisis that has trailed the recently conducted local government elections in Osun state. While commending the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, Momodu in an interview with Tribune said President Tinubu is desperate to control all the states in the South-West because of his reelection in 2027. His words “I think what is happening right now is that APC is already preparing for 2027 presidential election and Tinubu believes that if he does not control the entire South West…

Many people were on Friday burnt to death in an auto crash at Oko-Olowo, along the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway, in Ilorin, Kwara state. Unconfirmed sources put the number of burnt accident victims at not less than 60 people, said to be travelling from the northern part of the country. The auto crash occurred when a trailer carrying fertiliser and petrol laden truck collided while overtaking, resulting in an inferno. It was a gory sight, as burnt skulls and other parts of human bodies like legs, arms, etc were seen burnt inside the affected vehicles, while other parts of the victims had…

Saudi Arabia announced on Friday that the holy month of Ramadan will commence on Saturday, March 1, following the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon in the Kingdom. With this confirmation, more than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide will observe the sacred month by fasting daily from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, consists of 12 months in a 354- or 355-day year. Fasting during this period is one of the five pillars of Islam and is considered obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims. However, exemptions are granted to young children, individuals who are ill, travelers, and…

Thousands of WhatsApp users across the globe have reported issues with the messaging app, experiencing difficulties in sending and receiving messages. Frustrated users took to social media to confirm whether others were facing similar disruptions. According to Down Detector, the outage began around 3:10 PM and has significantly affected users in both the UK and the US. The disruption has impacted incoming and outgoing message traffic, with more than 21,000 complaints logged in the UK alone. Of those reporting issues, 59% said they were unable to send messages, 22% faced server connection problems, while 19% experienced general app malfunctions. Meta,…

Microsoft on Friday said it was retiring Skype, the online voice and video call pioneer that the tech titan bought in 2011. “Starting in May 2025, Skype will no longer be available,” said a post from Skype support on X, directing users to sign into Microsoft’s Teams platform for further use of its services. Skype was founded in 2003 by Scandinavians Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis in Estonia, revolutionizing internet communication by offering free voice calls between computers and affordable rates for calls to landlines and mobile phones. Over the years, and as internet speeds improved, Skype evolved to include…