Author: David Great

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced that it will begin paying the first tranche of liquidation dividends to depositors of the defunct Heritage Bank within April 2025. The announcement was made by NDIC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Bello Hassan, during the corporation’s Special Day at the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair. Hassan revealed that significant progress had been made in selling off the bank’s assets and recovering outstanding debts. “We have commenced preparations to pay the first tranche of liquidation dividends this month – April, 2025,” he said. The NDIC boss, represented at the event by the South-East Zonal…

In a significant cultural shift, Niger’s military-led government has officially designated Hausa as the country’s national language, marking a break from the nation’s colonial legacy where French held prominence. The announcement was made in a new national charter released on March 31, as published in a special edition of the government’s official journal. According to the document, “The national language is Hausa,” and “the working languages are English and French.” Hausa is already widely spoken across Niger, especially in the regions of Zinder, Maradi, and Tahoua. With an estimated population of 26 million, the majority of Nigeriens speak Hausa, while…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced a relaxation of the 17-hour curfew previously imposed on the communities of Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin Osun, reducing it to 12 hours daily. The decision, effective from Tuesday, April 8, 2025, comes as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) approaches on April 24, ensuring that students in the affected areas can participate without disruption. The three communities have recently experienced deadly communal clashes, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread destruction of property by hoodlums. In response to signs of restoring calm, Governor Adeleke adjusted the curfew, a move detailed in a…

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of administrators for all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. This development comes less than 24 hours after the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt reportedly issued an order restraining him from making such appointments. The interim order was given on Tuesday by Justice Adam Muhammed in suit number FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, against Ibas in his official capacity. In spite of the court’s directive, Ibas proceeded to make the appointments and also…

Davide Frattesi fired home an 88th-minute winner to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory for Inter Milan over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final, snapping Bayern’s remarkable 22-match unbeaten home run in the competition. Despite a growing injury list, Bayern started brightly, with Michael Olise threatening early and setting up Harry Kane for a near miss that clipped the outside of the post. Inter, though slow to find their rhythm, managed to keep Bayern at bay before turning the tide just before halftime. Carlos Augusto’s low cross caught Bayern’s defense off-guard, allowing Marcus Thuram to…

Arsenal delivered a sensational performance under the lights at the Emirates Stadium, cruising to a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. Declan Rice was the star of the show, scoring twice with stunning free-kicks as Mikel Arteta’s side made a bold statement on Europe’s biggest stage. From the opening whistle, the Gunners showed intensity and purpose. William Saliba was heavily involved early on, making a crucial block on Vinícius Júnior but also taking a blow from Thomas Partey’s deflected header on the goal line. Arsenal pressed forward with intent, but…

The trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, continued before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, with the first prosecution witness, Abubakar Kwaido, testifying that the defendant voluntarily gave his confessional statements in the presence of his lawyer. Mamman is facing a 12-count charge related to alleged conspiracy and money laundering amounting to N33.8 billion, in connection with the Mambilla Power Project. Testifying during a trial-within-trial session on Tuesday, Kwaido, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), debunked claims by the defence that Mamman’s statements were obtained under duress. According to Kwaido, the…

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has criticized Nigeria’s import restrictions on 25 categories of goods, saying the policy hampers market access for American exporters. This development follows the recent introduction of a 14% duty by President Donald Trump on goods entering the US, including those from Nigeria. The USTR, in a statement posted on its X handle, raised concerns about the implications of such import ban on several sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods. “Nigeria’s import ban on 25 different product categories impacts U.S. exporters, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods. Restrictions on items…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound grief over the death of renowned entrepreneur, banker and elder statesman, Chief Pascal Gabriel Dozie, who passed away at the age of 85. According to a statement issued by the family on Tuesday and reported by Chronicle NG, Dozie’s passing marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s business and economic landscape. In a tribute released through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Dozie as a visionary who played a key role in Nigeria’s development. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the Dozie family, the…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North Central over alleged defamatory remarks. The lawsuit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja through her legal counsel, Michael Numa, targets statements made by Nwaebonyi during a Channels Television interview on March 6, 2025. According to the suit, Nwaebonyi reportedly labeled Akpoti-Uduaghan a “gold digger, habitual liar, and habitual blackmailer” and accused her of being a “mother of six from different men.” Describing the statements as false and malicious, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the comments were intended…