Author: Amina Mohammed

Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has been named the ‘Next Rated’ artiste at the 17th edition of The Headies Awards. The prestigious music awards ceremony, hosted by actress Nancy Isime, took place on Sunday night at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, celebrating excellence in music released between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024. Odumodublvck clinched the coveted ‘Next Rated’ title after beating fellow nominees Qing Madi, Shallipopi, Ayo Maff, and Nasboi. In other major wins of the night, the late singer Mohbad was posthumously honoured with the ‘Best Street-Hop Artiste’ award, while Rema took home ‘Album of the Year’ for…

WhatsApp has announced that it has taken steps to stay and appeal the ruling by Nigeria’s Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upholding a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).  In a statement issued on Saturday, the company expressed displeasure with the decision of the tribunal. On Friday, the tribunal, while upholding the penalty, ordered WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta Platforms Incorporated, to pay an additional $35,000 to the FCCPC for investigative costs. The $220 million fine was imposed over accusations that WhatsApp and Meta engaged in discriminatory data practices affecting Nigerian users. Reacting,…

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has explained why he cautioned the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, from visiting his state. Alia, who spoke during an interview with TVC news — ‘Beyond the headlines…’ faulted Obi for failing to adhere to protocols, especially informing the governor of the state. He further rubbished Obi’s claims that he attempted to reach him. Recall that Obi had cancelled his scheduled visit to Benue State, citing a cautionary statement issued by the state government as the reason for shelving the trip. Obi had expressed disappointment over the…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted four Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Centres and arrested 27 impersonators during the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja yesterday by the Board’s Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin. He explained that the CBT centres were delisted for failing to meet the stringent technical standards required for the ongoing UTME. Benjamin said the delisted centres include Adventure Associate, located behind Sheshe Supermarket off Hadejia Road, Kano, Kano State, and Saadatu Rimi College of Education, Zaria Road, Naibawa, Kano, Kano State. Also delisted are Penta…

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has pleaded for more time to brief the National Assembly’s Ad-hoc Committee after shunning an invitation on Thursday. Ibas, who addressed the committee at the National Assembly on Friday, cited the fragile security and political environment under the current state of emergency. While acknowledging the leadership of the committee and the importance of its role in upholding democratic integrity, he expressed regret over his previous absence. According to Ibas, the delay was due to urgent government demands and not out of disrespect. “Mr. Chairman, please permit me to begin by respectfully acknowledging your…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas is currently attending the National Economic Council NEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Also present at the NEC meeting is the newly defected Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori. Other governors spotted at the meeting include Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Edo, Monday Okpebholo, Cross River, Bassey Otu among others. There were also a good number of Deputy Governors in attendance at the meeting. The National Economic Council NEC meeting is chaired by the Vice President, where…

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, says former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is a loser amid the mass defections in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ifeanyi Okowa, who was Atiku’s running mate in the 2023 election and Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday. Taking to his X account, Onanuga stated that Atiku’s coalition for the 2027 election has been disintegrated. He added that potential allies are giving Atiku a wide berth, calling the latter a loser. “Atiku’s political future looks bleak. The coalition that he,…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the federal government to ensure that energy subsidy reforms are inclusive and do not disproportionately burden poor and vulnerable Nigerians. The caution comes as President Bola Tinubu officially unveiled Nigeria’s energy transition plan yesterday, saying the move  reaffirms his administration’s commitment to cleaner energy, while balancing fiscal sustainability with social equity. At the launch of its April 2025 Fiscal Monitor, Deputy Director, IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, Era Dabla-Norris, noted that energy subsidies remain a significant fiscal drain on many developing economies, including Nigeria, adding that reforms must be carefully designed to ensure they do not…

A widower who was tricked into sending £85,000 to a woman who never existed said banks should do more to protect vulnerable people from scammers. Rodrick Lodge told the BBC he was left homeless after falling victim to a con that saw him transfer his life savings to someone called “Anita”. The 69-year-old, who was living in Leiston, Suffolk, had started an online relationship with her, falling in love for the first time since the death of his wife Pauline in 2019. He claimed the prospect of the money being retrieved had “gone out of the window”. One of his banks,…

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, during a visit to Benue State on April 22, stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited a severe security crisis but is working hard to restore stability across Nigeria. Ribadu’s visit to Makurdi aimed to commiserate with the government and people of Benue following attacks by suspected herdsmen, which claimed over 72 lives in Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo local government areas. Condemning the killings as a tragic evil, Ribadu urged unity to combat the threat, saying, “We will defeat it. The entire country is with you. I commiserate with Benue people and assure you…