Author: Press Room

Despite Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis and lean revenue inflow, the country spends billions conducting avoidable by-elections. That contradiction has elicited a search for alternative approaches in the country’s electoral system, SODIQ OMOLAOYE reports. How can a nation grappling with high inflation continue to organise expensive by-elections that guzzle billions of naira? This posed a problem for some stakeholders recently, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While describing the attendant cost of by-elections as an avoidable waste of resources, the stakeholders said there was an urgent need for the country to evolve a more efficient system for filling vacant legislative…

Nigeria’s U-20 men’s national team, the Flying Eagles, have departed Cairo for Ismailia ahead of their quarter-final clash at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Soccernet.ng reports. The record seven-time champions sealed their place in the last eight after a gritty 2-2 draw against Kenya in their final Group B fixture, a game that also was their 100th match in the competition’s history. The result saw Nigeria finish second in the group with five points, trailing leaders Morocco, who ended with seven following a 3-1 win over Tunisia. Nigeria’s Flying Eagles (in white) vs Morocco. Photo Credit…

A pipeline protection firm, the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), has decried the inability of security agencies to prosecute arrested pipeline vandals. The trend, according to the firm, is a major challenge to them because it discourages community stakeholders from working with them and encourages other criminals. Speaking at a stakeholders’ appraisal meeting held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Community Relations Consultant of PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, frowned at situations where suspects are arrested and, the next day, they are released and seen walking free on the streets. Mezeh charged security agencies to rise up to their task, ensure…

Super Eagles invitee, Papa Mustapha Daniel, is on the verge of sealing a move to Swiss giants Young Boys Bern, Soccernet.ng reports.  The Nigerian midfielder piqued the interest of Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, who handed him a call-up ahead of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying fixture against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The 23-year-old, who was on the bench during his debut for Nigeria in the last international window and has attracted interest from several clubs in Europe. However, Per Africa Foot, it appears the former Adanaspor midfielder is Switzerland-bound, with negotiations reportedly at an advanced stage. Why Did Papa Daniel…

Janet Ogundepo Medical experts and advocates have called for improved access to medication, increased awareness and stronger community support for people living with Parkinson’s disease in Nigeria and Africa. The call was made during the third edition of the Adewunmi Desalu Parkinson’s Foundation Annual Symposium, which was held on May 3, 2024, at the foundation’s centre in Surulere, Lagos. In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise, the event with the theme “Shaping the Future of Parkinson’s Care in Nigeria and Africa: Innovations, Challenges, and Collaborations,” brought together neurologists, physiotherapists, caregivers, patients, and health advocates to discuss current gaps in care and…

Fresh drama unfolded at the House of Representatives on Thursday as the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and his counterpart in Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, failed to honour a summons by the House Committee on Public Petitions probing crises in the respective state Houses of Assembly. Tensions rose during the session when a suspended lawmaker from Zamfara, visibly upset, declared that he had lost confidence in the process. He lamented his prolonged suspension of 16 months while alleging bias on the part of the House of Representatives. Another suspended member from Benue urged the committee to proceed…

Bright Osayi-Samuel transfer news continues to gain traction following a report that the Super Eagles defender is set to return to the English Premier League, Soccernet.ng reports. Turkish outlet Fotomac reports that Crystal Palace are closing in on a deal for the Fenerbahçe defender ahead of the summer window, and a four-year deal has been tabled. The Nigerian international has been on the radar of several English clubs since leaving Queens Park Rangers in 2021, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, a return to the Premier League is looking increasingly likely. Osayi-Samuel On…

In SummaryOver 8 African countries are modernizing or expanding their railway infrastructure by 2025, and investment worth billions is transforming transportation across the continent.South Africa, Egypt, and Tanzania are leading the transition in diesel with more efficient systems with electrification, which is becoming a faster priority. High-speed rail is no longer a dream. Morocco is operating at 320 km/h, while Egypt is building over 2000 km of electric high-speed travel corridors to be ready by 2027. Deep Dive!The transformation of Africa’s railway systems is no longer a dream, it is happening. In 2025, more than eight countries are expected to…

The Senate’s valedictory session on Thursday in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, recorded a dramatic twist as Senate president Godswill Akpabio slammed the presidential candidate of labour party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, for declaring that the labour of our fallen heroes are in vain. Obi had lamented during Clark’s memorial lecture on Wednesday, that the labour of our heroes past are now in vain. He said: “For somebody like me who had just been part of the 2023 general election, he(Clark) lived a life of courage, a life of sacrifice, a life of justice,…

A young man identified as Kehinde Ijebu has allegedly committed suicide by drowning himself in Oyile River in Ibokun community of Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State. Sources informed our correspondent that Kehinde had gone missing on Tuesday but was later found to have drowned himself in the river. One of the sources hinted that weeks before the incident, the deceased’s behaviour implied that he had been feeling depressed and rejected until the day he decided to end his life. According to the source, “his whereabouts were not known since the morning of the following day, but his neighbours…