Author: Vincent Osuwo

Chris Ngige, a former Minister of Labour and Employment, was charged on Friday in an Abuja High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly committing N2.2bn contract fraud. Justice Maryam Hassan directed that the ex-minister be detained at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the hearing of his bail request, scheduled for Monday, December 14. Ngige entered a not guilty plea to eight charges related to misuse of office and receiving gifts from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund during his tenure as supervising minister from September 2015 to May 2023. Following the plea,…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been accused by Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, of intentionally silencing lawmakers and “setting the stage for another crisis” in the state. Amaewhule, accompanied by ten lawmakers, spoke to reporters in Port Harcourt on Thursday in response to Fubara’s Wednesday remarks. The governor had expressed disappointment that his political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, has yet to fulfill his pledge to schedule a meeting between him and the Wike-aligned MPs. During the project’s launch on Wednesday, Fubara stated that he was devoted to peace and eager to meet all of the demands of…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued an order requiring all financial institutions, acquirers, and payment service providers to implement mandatory dual connections for point-of-sale (PoS) transactions within one month. Rakiya Yusuf, Director of the Payments System Supervision Department, signed the circular on December 11, 2025, which modifies a policy issued in September 2024. “It aims to address frequent PoS downtime caused by reliance on a single transaction channel. “Under the new rule, all acquirers, processors, and payment terminal service providers must maintain active links with both the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL).…

Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle announced his final list for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which includes three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and nine forwards for the event set to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco. Omonia’s Francis Uzoho and Trabzonspor’s Paul Onuachu are back in Nigeria’s national team, while Maduka Okoye and Tolu Arokodare have been excluded from the Super Eagles’ final 28-man list. A number of fresh players have been added by Chelle to the team, enhancing the choices in defense, midfield, and forward positions. In the defense, Ryan…

Rangers are nearly eliminated from the Europa League as unbeaten Ferencváros rallied to hand the Ibrox team a fifth loss in six games. Bojan Miovski scored a stunning volley to give Danny Rohl’s team a remarkable lead against the flow of the game; however, Rangers couldn’t maintain their narrow edge until the break as Bence Otvos located the bottom corner through a deflection. The home team wasted numerous opportunities to take the lead, with forward Bamidele Yusuf especially wasteful, but their superiority eventually paid off when Barnabas Varga headed in Callum O’Dowda’s cross in the 72nd minute. Findlay Curtis nearly…

Mrs. Ibukunoluwa Otesile, the daughter of Reverend Dr. Lekan Babatunde, founder of Jesus Is King Ministries, who was kidnapped earlier this month in Ibadan, has been released safely, according to the Child Protection Network. Otesile, the 2025 president of Junior Chamber International Ibadan Elite, was kidnapped in front of her residence in the General Gas, Akobo section of the city by unknown gunmen. The organization stated in a statement on Thursday that she has been reunited with her family and thanked members, partners, and well-wishers for their support throughout the ordeal. “We are delighted to inform all CPN members, the…

Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Ali Ndume clashed on Thursday over the ambassadorial nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri in Abuja. The altercation erupted on the second day of Tinubu’s 65 career and non-career ambassadorial candidates, which were sent to the Senate last week. Omokri, seated in Room 301 of the Senate building, remained silent as two of the chamber’s most outspoken members clashed over procedural and political issues. Tensions flared quickly after Oshiomhole began making comments about Omokri’s nomination. “Look, I cannot be intimidated by people who go here and there. After all, we see people on television questioning…

Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, has been urgently taken to the hospital following his collapse at the Government House in Yenagoa, the capital of the state. It has been reported that the event took place on Thursday afternoon. While the reason for the collapse remains unknown, sources characterized the situation as grave. A source mentioned he was transported to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa for immediate medical care. Nonetheless, this could not be verified independently because the hospital’s public relations officer, Ben Akpedi, failed to answer calls. Upon being reached, the media assistant to the…

The Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi has blamed Nigerian politicians for allegedly intentionally sabotaging the country’s progress. According to Sanusi, the elite see and operate public office as a “family business,” hurting Nigeria’s development potential. He made the announcement on Wednesday during the 15th anniversary of Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria in Lagos. Sanusi claimed that the political class squandered possibilities for national growth because “public office is about themselves, their families, and people close to them, not about the country or its citizens.” Sanusi further explained, “We have done enough damage, and maybe we need to stop. And I…

Argentina and Inter Miami talisman Lionel Messi is heading to India for a three-day ‘GOAT Tour.’ The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined by clubmates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, will unveil a statue of himself in Kolkata on Saturday. It took a 45-person crew 27 days to assemble and is 70 feet tall. The trip will begin in Kolkata. On Saturday, at 10:30 a.m. local time (05:00 GMT), followed by Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. The statue is just one of India’s tributes to the former Barcelona and Paris St. Germain forward. Fans can visit the ‘Hola Messi’ fan zone,…