Author

Nelson Ugwuagbo

Senate
Headlines

Senate Sets Up 18-Member Committee to Oversee Rivers Sole Administrator

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigerian Senate has constituted an 18-member committee to oversee the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.).

According to the Senate, the move aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the governance of the state.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was appointed chairman of the committee. The announcement was made by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Akpabio emphasized the importance of the committee’s mandate, describing it as crucial for ensuring effective legislative oversight in Rivers State. He also noted that the committee’s composition may be reviewed following further consultations.

Members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Izunaso, Osita Ngwu, Kaka Shehu, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adebire, Sani Musa, Simon Lalong, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Adams Oshiomhole, Ireti Kingibe, Onyekachi, Idiat Adebule, Ide Dafinone, and Mohammed, along with the Clerk of the Senate.

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Donald Trump
Africa & World

President Trump Declares Two New National Holidays

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

United States President Donald Trump has announced the creation of two new national holidays to commemorate American victories in World War I and World War II.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday night, Trump said the holidays would be observed annually on November 11 and May 8, corresponding with the Armistice Day of World War I and Victory in Europe Day of World War II, respectively.

“We won two World Wars, but we never took credit for it — everyone else does! All over the world, the Allies are celebrating the victory we had in World War II,” Trump wrote.

The 78-year-old Republican argued that the United States remains the only country that does not officially celebrate the end of the two global conflicts.

“Therefore, I am hereby declaring a National Holiday in celebration of the victories of World War I, where the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, and World War II, where the Victory date was May 8, 1945,” he stated.

Trump clarified that the new holidays would not include time off work or official government closures.

“We will not be closing the country for these two very important holidays,” he added.

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Seun Kuti
Entertainment

Seun Kuti Survives Stray Bullet Incident in U.S. Hotel Room

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti narrowly escaped injury after a stray bullet pierced the window of his hotel room during a recent visit to the United States.

Kuti shared the alarming experience on his Instagram page, posting a video that revealed a bullet hole in the window. In the footage, he expressed his disbelief, stating, “Tell me you’re in America without telling me you’re in America. I’m in my hotel room just chilling and boom” .

In the caption accompanying the video, he questioned the perception of safety in Western countries, writing, “I read somewhere that these are the civilized people” .

Although visibly shaken, Kuti assured his followers that he was unharmed. He did not disclose the specific location of the incident but mentioned he was in a downtown area .

The incident has sparked discussions online about gun violence in the United States, with fans expressing concern for Kuti’s safety and relief that he was not injured.

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Farotimi and Obi
Headlines

Dele Farotimi Reaffirms Support for Peter Obi Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Human rights lawyer and former spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Farotimi, has restated his support for Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Farotimi, who was a vocal supporter of the former Anambra State governor during the 2023 polls, said he remains committed to backing Obi if he decides to contest again.

“If elections where our votes will count were held today, I would vote for Peter Gregory Obi, unless someone else comes into the race that I believe can do better,” he said.

He added that if the candidate lineup remains unchanged from the last election, Obi would remain his preferred choice.

“I hope he will be a little bolder with his policy platforms, but frankly speaking, in terms of capacity and integrity, there’s nobody else I will be supporting,” Farotimi stated.

He, however, noted that his support could change if Obi aligns with individuals he finds objectionable.

“Something drastic has to happen for me to decide I’m not supporting Peter Obi. He might team up with some objectionable persons that I cannot stomach, and that’s a real possibility. However, outside of that, there’s nobody else.”

Farotimi also expressed concern about the current state of Nigeria’s electoral process, saying discussions about future elections might be premature.

“I actually think our discussions of elections today are a disservice to ourselves because we really cannot speak in terms of an election in our current circumstances,” he said.

Farotimi attributed his continued support for Obi to a desire to see meaningful change in Nigeria’s leadership and governance.

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Jamb
Headlines

UTME 2025: Over 1.5 Million Candidates Score Below 200

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a detailed statistical breakdown of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

According to the figures published by the board, a total of 1,955,069 candidates sat for the examination conducted across the country.

Of this number, over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200. Meanwhile, 4,756 candidates scored above 320, while 7,658 candidates scored between 300 and 319.

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Headlines

Youths Protest in Abuja, Demand Release of ‘VeryDarkMan’

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A group of youths on Monday staged a protest in Abuja, calling for the immediate release of activist and social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

According to Leading Reporters, Otse was arrested in the Federal Capital Territory following his recent visit to and public criticism of Guaranty Trust Bank.

The protesters, who gathered in large numbers, carried placards with various inscriptions and chanted slogans including, “He’s not a thief, Now VDM has blocked the road, Release VDM.”

The demonstration took place at the junction leading to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Jabi area of Abuja.

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Adebayo Adelabu
Headlines

Power Minister Warns of Imminent Hike in Electricity Tariffs

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has warned that Nigerians should brace for electricity tariffs that reflect the actual cost of supply, citing the unsustainability of current subsidy levels.

Speaking during a meeting with the chairmen of Nigeria’s power generating companies (Gencos) in Abuja, Adelabu said the economy could no longer support the financial burden of electricity subsidies.

“We have to understand that our economy cannot sustain subsidies indefinitely,” the minister said.

The Federal Government currently owes over N4 trillion to Gencos in unpaid subsidy-related debts.

According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the average actual cost of electricity as of February stood at N116.18 per kilowatt-hour, while consumers were charged N88.2 per kilowatt-hour. The subsidy gap amounted to N27.97 per kilowatt-hour.

Currently, all customers under the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), except the 15 percent categorized as Band A, receive some form of subsidy.

Adelabu’s spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, said the minister emphasized the need for citizens to pay appropriate rates for electricity consumed, while assuring that the government would continue to provide targeted subsidies for vulnerable groups.

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Kidnappers
Headlines

Gunmen Kill Driver, Abduct All Passengers in Benue Road Attack

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen on Sunday night ambushed a commercial vehicle along the Otukpo-Adoka Road in Benue State, killing the driver and abducting all passengers on board.

The attack occurred at about 11 p.m. as the vehicle was travelling from Abuja to Otukpo.

According to eyewitnesses, the assailants opened fire upon sighting the vehicle, fatally hitting the driver, who lost control and veered into nearby bushes. The attackers then abducted all passengers and left the vehicle at the scene.

The body of the driver, identified as a native of Adoka, has been recovered and taken to his hometown.

Military personnel have since arrived at the scene and launched a manhunt for the attackers.

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Bolt
Headlines

Nigerian Ride-Hailing Drivers Protest ‘Exploitation,’, Petitions National Assembly

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has petitioned the National Assembly and the Lagos State House of Assembly over what it described as the continued exploitation of ride-hailing drivers by digital transport companies.

The union made its position known during a protest held on Thursday in commemoration of International Workers’ Day (May Day), which also resulted in a 24-hour suspension of ride-hailing services nationwide.

In a statement, Steven Iwindoye, spokesperson for AUATON Lagos, said the petition underscores the “poor treatment” of app-based transport workers operating under platforms such as Uber, Bolt, inDrive, Lagride, and Rida.

“For too long, we have been subjected to exploitation, insecurity, and a lack of recognition,” the statement read. “We have been paid below the cost price of premium services and forced to endure modern-day slavery in the form of technological manipulation.”

The union’s demands include the imposition of a 5 percent cap on commission rates, pricing autonomy for drivers, and formal recognition as key stakeholders in Nigeria’s transport sector.

Iwindoye warned that failure by the companies to meet these demands would lead to further action, including picketing the offices of the app operators.

“If app companies (App sharks) fail to comply, we shall massively move to new indigenous app companies that are ready and willing to comply with drivers’ demands,” he said.

He also revealed that AUATON is collaborating with other stakeholders to develop a driver-led ride-hailing platform that promotes fairer industry practices.

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Tinubu and Chief Olu
Headlines

President Tinubu’s Birthday Tribute To Chief Pius Olu Akinyelure

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

My dear brother, friend and former boss, I congratulate you warmly on your birthday, May 2.

You have lived a remarkable and impactful life as a husband, father, and accomplished administrator. Today, you stand out not just as a fine politician and respectable community leader but also as an eminent figure in our country.

As a professional with extensive experience in finance and management, you had a rewarding career at ExxonMobil, where our paths first crossed.

Our relationship blossomed at Mobil, where you were my Executive Director. From a professional work environment where we developed a special bond, we have become brothers, confidantes, associates, and trusted allies for over 40 years.

I cherish our enduring friendship and brotherhood, which has enriched my life through your wisdom, forthrightness, and steadfast counsel.

Your love for Nigeria is boundless. As a patriot deeply committed to national development, you have embraced the ideals of progressive politics and played pivotal roles in shaping our nation’s future.

You were the National Vice Chairman of our party, the All Progressives Congress, for the South-West at a critical and defining moment in its evolution. You later served on the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, first as a director and as Chairman.

Thank you for your leadership at NNPC Limited, which led to some achievements the state-owned oil company recorded in the last ten years.

On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank you immensely.

Your wisdom and example as an octogenarian will continue to benefit our country, community, and family.

I pray that Almighty God will continue to grant you good health, happiness, and many more years of fulfilment.

Happy birthday and many happy returns, my dear friend and brother!

Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
May 1, 2025

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