Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, has left the party. Okonkwo, who joined the LP in 2022, announced his decision in a statement on his X handle. He cited the party’s failure to inspire the kind of leadership needed to address Nigeria’s challenges as his reason for leaving. Okonkwo also expressed disappointment that the LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, did not do enough to strengthen the party and resolve its leadership issues. “I no longer have confidence that Peter Obi has what it takes to build a party capable of defeating these kakistocrats…

Sheila Courage, the estranged wife of Israel Afeare, known as Israel DMW, has addressed the recent buzz surrounding a viral “pre-wedding” video that sparked speculation about her remarrying. The video, which showed Sheila with a mystery man, led to widespread rumors of her impending marriage. In the clip, Sheila expressed her newfound love and commitment, leading many to believe that a wedding was imminent. However, Sheila took to her Instagram story to clarify the situation. In response to congratulatory messages she received, she explained that the video was merely part of a wedding shoot and not an actual ceremony. She…

Senator Ali Ndume has alleged that a former critic of President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala is a failed lawyer and can only be a liability to the Nigerian leader. Bwala, a lawyer, had dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the lead-up to the 2023 election. He recently returned to the APC and had faulted Senator Ndume for criticising President Tinubu. Bwala also accused the Borno lawmaker of inciting youths in Hawul Local Government Area of the state against him. But Ndume who recently lost his position as the Chief Whip of the Senate…

The House of Representatives has vowed to call for the dismissal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, if he continues to work against the smooth operation of the Dangote Refinery. The Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese, disclosed this on Saturday while briefing journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital. This comes as the Benue lawmaker stated that the legislative body has already expressed support for the call for the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Mr Farouk Ahmed. According to the…

Argentina bounced back from the chaos of their opening game in the Olympic men’s football tournament to beat Iraq 3-1 on Saturday, while Spain got the better of 10-man Dominican Republic. Two-time gold medallists Argentina began their campaign at the Paris Games with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Morocco on Wednesday in Saint-Etienne in a match marred by crowd trouble. However, Javier Mascherano’s side registered their first points in Group B thanks to goals by Thiago Almada, Luciano Gondou and Ezequiel Fernandez in Lyon, with Aymen Hussein replying for Iraq. The result allows Argentina to move level on…

Amid heavy gridlock, motorists and commuters in Lagos have lamented over the sudden scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly called petrol, forcing an increase in transport fares by commercial bus drivers, the “Danfos and Koropes,” within the city. Consequently, fuel queues have resurfaced with most filling stations shut as motorists struggle with the skyrocketing fuel prices. This is coming barely six days to the commencement of planned nationwide protest over economic challenges. By last Friday, fuel queues had started to get longer within the metropolis, with few fuel stations dispensing. Besides Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC fuel stations sell…

Grammy-winning Canadian singer, Celine Dion, has expressed gratitude and joy after her highly anticipated comeback performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. After a four-year hiatus due to her battle with stiff-person syndrome, Dion delivered a heartfelt rendition of Édith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” from the base of the Eiffel Tower. She said: “I’m honoured to have performed tonight, for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, and so full of joy to be back in one of my very favourite cities!” Dion also praised the athletes for their dedication and hard work. She wrote: “Most of all, I’m…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently holding ward congresses in the various wards of Rivers states, against court orders. This is coming despite two court orders stopping the exercise. At the PDP Secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, various members of the party were observed collecting materials for the congress in their various wards. They left for their various councils after taking possession of the materials. It would be recalled that Justice Charles Wali on Friday, prohibited the party, its National Chairman Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, or their agents, from gathering anywhere in Rivers…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has injected $148 million into the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) through sales to authorised dealers. The transactions, executed on July 22 and 23, 2024, aimed to enhance market liquidity. Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department, Hakama Ali, highlighted the CBN’s commitment to transparency in its operations. The foreign exchange was sold to 29 authorised dealer banks at exchange rates ranging from ₦1470.00 to ₦1510.00 per dollar. For these transactions, the value dates were set for T+0 and T+1. Previously, on July 18 and 19, 2024, the CBN had sold $106.5 million at…

A former governor of Kano State governor and the National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called on Nigerians and the youths, to employ the power of the ballot box to resolve the current economic hardship in the country. The NNPP helmsman spoke on the background of a planned nationwide hunger and hardship protests by youths. In a statement published on his official X handle on Saturday, Kwankwaso said although the idea of a protest resonates with him, Nigerians should rather be patient with the Bola Tinubu government, and give it all necessary support…