Author: Press Room

Controversial singer and Zaazoo ze crooner, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Abeokuta, for alleged assault on government officials. Portable reported himself at the Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Lagos Command, on Wednesday after he was declared wanted by the Ogun Command. He was later transferred to the Ogun Command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, the state capital The singer was arraigned on a five-count charge before an Isabo Magistrate Court, Abeokuta. The charges include conspiracy, assault, and restriction, armed with cutlasses and guns, and conduct likely to cause harm. He pleaded not guilty…

In its continued effort to reaffirm dedication to online safety, social media platform, TikTok has removed over 2 million videos in Nigeria between July and September 2024, as detailed in its latest Q3 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report. A statement obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday stated that impressively, 99.1% of these videos were removed within 24 hours. It, however, emphasised that the move was a global effort with local impact, aimed at reaffirming the platform’s resolve to online safety. The statement said, “With over a billion people around the world, using the platform and millions of pieces of content posted…

Grace Edema The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria has charged the Federal Government to create incentives for local pharmaceutical manufacturing, improve access to healthcare financing and adopt sustainable energy solutions for hospitals. A statement on Sunday after the foundation’s initiative titled ‘Health Walk and Blood Donor Drive’ in its efforts to donate blood to the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service as part of activities marking its 10th anniversary, said, “Universal healthcare can only be achieved when all stakeholders, government, private sector, and civil society, work together strategically. We must also explore innovative financing models and local production of essential medical supplies.”…

Jannik Sinner cemented his current stranglehold on men’s tennis as he sealed a second consecutive Australian Open title with victory against Alexander Zverev. The Italian world No 1 became just the eighth player in the Open era (since 1968) to win the first three Grand Slam men’s singles finals he has contested with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 success in Melbourne on Sunday. Sinner has not lost a match on hard courts at a major since a defeat by Zverev in the fourth round of the US Open in 2023, following up his maiden title here last year by winning…

  “Ruler of my heart, you are the greatest. I stand in reverence of your presence. You make all things beautiful.” From the first line, “Odogwu” pulls you in. Gospel artists Jumbo Aniebiet and Nosa, alongside Sergine Quenum, deliver this song as a reminder of who God is, great, loving, and victorious. In Igbo, “Odogwu” means a mighty warrior, a title that speaks of strength and royalty. The song carries that same energy, declaring God’s power and faithfulness. According to Jumbo Aniebiet and Nosa, it is inspired by Isaiah 42:13. “The Lord will march out like a champion, like a warrior…

The Federal Government of Nigeria and Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) of Brazil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance private sector development in fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural finance. According to a statement from the Nigerian Presidency and signed by the Director (Information & Public Relations), Abiodun Oladunjoye, on Sunday, the deal was signed through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). The statement also disclosed that the MoU was signed on behalf of the government by the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, and the President of FGV, Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal,…

Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, says almost all Nigerian presidents came into power through unpredictable circumstances. Kukah spoke in Abuja on Sunday while delivering the keynote speech at the fourth Amaka Ndoma-Egba memorial lecture, ‘Leaders of tomorrow: Creating lasting change in a complex world’. The Catholic Bishop noted that despite President Bola Tinubu’s claim of being prepared, he still struggles to lead the country. Kukah added that Nigerian leaders, both past and present, lack adequate knowledge and preparation to lead a country. “If we look at Nigeria’s leadership journey, you will find that almost every leader who came…

By Rotimi Agbana The United States Agency for International Development, on Sunday, at 11:59 pm placed no fewer than 1,600 employees worldwide on administrative leave. The administrative leave was announced in a statement titled “Notification of Administrative Leave,” on the agency’s website. “As of 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally,” the statement partly read. It added, “Concurrently, USAID is beginning to implement a Reduction-in-Force that will affect approximately 1,600 USAID…

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, says Nigeria is worse off when compared to the late ’80s and early ’90s. The former governor of Anambra spoke after attending the launch of ‘A Journey in Service’, an autobiography by Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), Nigeria’s military president from 1985 to 1993. Obi praised IBB for his contributions to Nigeria’s economy, adding that the former president played a major role in the development of the nation’s financial sector. “Under his leadership, Nigeria witnessed substantial growth, particularly in the financial sector,” he wrote on X. “He played…

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has cautioned Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, against proceeding with a fresh local government election, describing the move as unconstitutional and legally untenable. Fagbemi, in a statement on Thursday, emphasised the legal implications of the recent Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 10, 2025, which returned the initially sacked local government officials. The appellate court overturned an earlier Federal High Court ruling that had nullified the election of local government officials under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, declaring the suit incompetent and striking it out.…