Author: Amina Mohammed

A Kano-based woman, Hauwa Abdullahi Ibrahim has been convicted for smuggling $1,154,900 and 135,900 Saudi Riyals from Saudi Arabia into Nigeria. Hauwa was jailed after pleading guilty to a two-count charge of money laundering before Justice S.M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano. Hauwa was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano after she failed to declare the funds as required by law. Following her arrest, the Nigeria Customs Service handed her over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution. The EFCC thereafter charged her to court…

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Friday, commenced a 21-day traditional rites popularly known as “Oro Opebi.” A statement by the Chief of Staff to the monarch, Rotimi Osuntola, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, confirmed this on Friday. Osuntola said the traditional rites would end on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The statement read, “The Aláàfin of Oyo Kingdom hereby announces the commencement of ÒRÒ ÌPĘBÍ, the mandatory rites for His Imperial Majesty before his ascension to the revered throne of The Aláàfin. “The rites commence from Friday, March 7, to Saturday, March 29, 2025. Throughout the period,…

The Kogi State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is unjust and constitutes an infringement on the senator’s rights. In a press statement issued on Friday, Kogi State PDP Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Umoru Tijani Aruwa, described the decision as not only unfair but also a clear violation of the senator’s rights and privileges. He added that the suspension effectively denies her constituency representation in the upper chamber, for which she was elected. “The suspension, which was recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, and…

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has stated that more Nigerian women will benefit from China-Nigeria high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He made this known during the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration in Abuja, themed “Her Story and Future,” which aligns with the United Nations’ IWD theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.” The event also marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Yu emphasized that gender should not be a barrier to human progress, adding that equal access to education and resources enables women to shape history…

The House of Representatives has charged the Federal Ministry of Aviation to enforce punitive measures against airlines operating in the country over flight delays. The House also urged the ministry to sanitise the industry and ensure  strict adherence to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Act 2022  and Part 19 Of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority Regulations, (CARS)2023. The parliament also directed  Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to ensure that airlines comply with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 (FCCPA), 2018,   in safeguarding the interests of consumers. This followed the adoption of a motion by the chairman, House Committee on Civil…

A former member of the House of Representatives, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, has blamed the deepening crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on conflicts of interest and personal ambitions of those meant to strengthen the party. Ossai who criticised the party’s elders and founding members, accusing them of failing to take action to restore the PDP, argued that their inaction has contributed to the party’s current struggles. The former lawmaker, who represented the Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency of Delta State under the PDP, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday. According to Ossai, efforts to resolve the party’s…

The Police Command in Plateau says cases of ritual killings in the state are minimal. The Police Public Relations Officer of the command Mr Alfred Alabo said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Jos. Alabo also said there was no information or evidence about the existence of cannibals or human parts market in the state. “There is no intelligence report that suggests that a human parts market exists in Plateau; we do not have such here. “And I can categorically say that we have minimal cases of ritual killings recorded in the state,”…

The Super Falcons have maintained their position as Africa’s top-ranked women’s football team, holding onto 36th place globally in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday. Despite not playing any matches since December, the nine-time African champions remain unmoved in both continental and global rankings, while some of their African rivals dropped positions. Reigning WAFCON champions South Africa remain second in Africa but fell four spots globally to 54th. Morocco is third on the continent, ranked 60th worldwide, while Zambia dropped two places to 64th but remain Africa’s fourth-best team. The latest rankings come ahead of the 2024 WAFCON tournament,…

Dr. Doyin Okupe, a renowned Nigerian physician, politician, and former presidential aide, has passed away at the age of 72. According to sources close to the family, he had been critically ill in the weeks leading up to his death. His health reportedly deteriorated significantly, raising concerns among his loved ones and supporters. Okupe was first diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago and later developed sarcoma in his right shoulder. In October 2023, he was hospitalised and traveled to Israel for treatment. However, his condition did not improve as expected. His passing marks the end of a long battle…

Pope Francis recorded and released an audio message on Thursday thanking those who have been praying for his recovery, his voice breathless as he nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here,” Francis said in a message broadcast in St Peter’s Square. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you,” he said, taking laboured breaths as he spoke in his native Spanish, with some words fading away into nothing. It was the first time the…