Author: Vincent Osuwo

Nigerian business owners in South Africa are regretting rising losses as a result of attacks on foreign-owned shops. Some of the businessmen who talked with The PUNCH said the attacks were mostly focused against Nigerians and Ghanaians, with shops, supermarkets, and other business establishments specifically targeted. Yemisi Adewale, a restaurant operator in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, described how she narrowly dodged an attack by demonstrators at a local market on Thursday. “They (protesters) have been harassing and terrorizing us. They are specifically targeting shops, supermarkets, malls, and other businesses owned by Nigerians and Ghanaians. Their aim is simply to loot and destroy…

Amid rising xenophobic attacks in South Africa, the Nigerian Consulate in the country, in collaboration with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, has offered a free repatriation flight to Nigerians willing to return home permanently. The president of NICASA, Frank Onyekwelu, told The PUNCH that the circumstance has prompted many Nigerians to close their shops and enterprises. According to him, there is currently no formal support system in place for impacted Nigerians, but the consulate’s action does provide a choice for those who want to leave. According to Onyekwelu, several Nigerians have already expressed an interest in going home.…

Nigerian artist Habeeb Badmus, popularly called Portable, suffered his first defeat in celebrity boxing on Friday night as social media comedian Carter Efe outclassed him across three rounds to win by unanimous decision at the Chaos in the Ring 4 event held at the Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. All three judges scored the bout 27-30 in favor of Efe, stripping Portable of his status as celebrity boxing king. The Zazoo crooner, who had beaten Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington in previous bouts to claim two belts, had entered the ring with characteristic swagger, promising to add…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Friday called on aggrieved leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party to embrace reconciliation and resolve lingering internal disputes following recent court pronouncements affecting the party’s leadership structure. Her appeal comes amid renewed tensions within the PDP, fueled by judicial decisions and factional differences that have widened divisions ahead of the 2027 national elections. Mike Idoko, her media aide, released the statement in Abuja on behalf of the legislator. In response to the uproar over the Supreme Court’s latest decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan warned against misinformation and emphasized that the ruling had been widely misconstrued in political discourse. She…

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Saturday for official visits to France, Kenya, and Rwanda. In a statement released on Friday by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the trip will begin with a stop in France before proceeding to Nairobi, Kenya. Tinubu is slated to attend the Africa-France Summit in Nairobi, which is co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron and William Ruto. The summit, held from May 11 to 12, will address problems such as energy transition, digital transformation, and climate action. “President Tinubu’s participation at the summit from May 11th to May 12th…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has authorized a N50,000 pay award for Lagos State’s public sector workers. The award was announced by the governor on Friday during the International Workers’ Day ceremony at Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, said the award would be valid for the month of May as part of measures to mitigate the impact of growing living costs. “For the month of May, the Lagos State government has approved an additional N50,000 for all workers. “We are aware of prevailing economic challenges, including increasing fuel prices and global pressure. This decision is…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s distribution of 100 trucks of rice and ₦1.2bn cash support to northern states, calling it a politicized response to economic misery. This was indicated in an Abuja statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. His reply comes amid growing concerns about rising food costs, inflation, and deteriorating living circumstances throughout the country, notably in the North, where insecurity and decreased agricultural production have exacerbated food shortages. The First Lady had just started distributing rice and cash assistance to poor households across the 19 northern states…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio reminded Nigerian workers on Friday that the National Assembly is aware of their economic issues and remains committed to addressing them through legislative measures. The former Akwa Ibom State governor made the assurance in a congratulatory message to celebrate 2026 International Workers’ Day, published in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh. Akpabio acknowledged the difficulties encountered by workers and promised that the Senate would continue to intervene through legislation targeted at improving living conditions and working standards. He said, “The 10th National Assembly recognizes the challenges workers face, from rising costs…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for worsening hardship for Nigerian workers. He accused the government of betraying the promise of “Renewed Hope” and deepening economic suffering. In a statement posted on his X handle on Friday to mark the 2026 Workers’ Day, Atiku emphasized the importance of labor dignity. He claimed that the 2023 election campaign’s theme, “Renewed Hope,” had resulted in “renewed hardship” for millions of Nigerians. “A slogan betrayed. ‘Renewed Hope”—those two words carried the dreams of millions of Nigerians who trooped to the polls in 2023,” he wrote. Atiku claimed that…

President Bola Tinubu has directed his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and special adviser on political matters, Ibrahim Masari, to oversee the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections for Senate and House of Representatives seats ahead of the 2027 general elections. The proposal comes after recent high-level meetings with senators and House members who emphasized the need for internal party democracy. Under the new system, Gbajabiamila’s and Masari’s supervisory team would work with APC state governors and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives to carry out their presidential duties.…