Author: Press Room

Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) at the 2023 general elections, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has raised the alarm over the escalation of security threats and the proliferation of militia groups in the country.  The former governor of Kano State is particularly disturbed by what he described as “tacit endorsement of the Federal Government allowing governors to establish and deploy vigilante security outfits with little or no professional training.”  Kwankwaso’s concern comes amid the recruitment of 12,000 independent security groups in Kano by former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.  In…

Imo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a driver of Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and abduction of all the passengers, on Sunday, in Amala, Ngor Okpala Local Council of the state. The Guardian learnt that gunmen had last week, in the same area, attacked the advance team of the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who were going to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri. Nobody was killed. Yesterday evening, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, issued a statement, confirming the killing of the driver and the abduction of the passengers by gunmen who ambushed and whisked…

Matrixport says Bitcoin may be stabilizing for now, but sentiment remains cautious as traders brace for the upcoming FOMC meeting. The firm notes that despite the brief pause in selling, current options pricing still reflects roughly 5% downside risk, with funds actively hedging against further pullbacks. With year-end deleveraging in full swing, Matrixport argues that short-term bounces are being treated as opportunities to lighten positions rather than signals of a new rally. Liquidity typically tightens heading into Christmas, adding pressure to the market. The key level to watch is $91,500, but Matrixport expects volatility to keep compressing, making a decisive…

Maternal health experts have dismissed claims that women who delivered their babies through caesarean section would have a big tummy and cannot achieve a flat abdomen afterward. They linked the size and shape of a woman’s tummy after childbirth to genetics, regardless of the mode of delivery. In interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the gynaecologists stated that while pregnancy impacts the size and shape of the tummy, achieving a flat tummy after childbirth was possible even after CS. They urged women who underwent CS to desist from practices that could affect their recovery, advising that they prioritise rest, adequate sleep, and…

On the decisive weekend before Nigeria’s final AFCON 2025 squad is unveiled, several Super Eagles stars and hopefuls delivered compelling reminders of their credentials across Europe, Soccernet.ng reports. While Olanrewaju Kayode continued his prolific run in Turkey, Salim Fago struck again in Croatia, and Everton’s Toni Payne played a crucial role in ending Chelsea’s extraordinary 585-day unbeaten league streak. But the biggest highlight came in Turkey, where little-known Anthony Dennis stunned Trabzonspor with a stoppage-time screamer. Payne Oyedupe Antionette of Nigeria during the 2024 Women s Africa Cup of Nations Wafcon between Nigeria and Tunisia at the Stade Larbi Zaouli…

•Gani Adams pushes for state policing in Nigeria•Cleric, experts proffer ways to fight insecurity•FG hands over 100 Papiri pupils to Niger govt Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has warned President Bola Tinubu that his chances in the 2027 presidential election will depend largely on his ability to address the country’s insecurity and economic hardship. In a related development, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has expressed his support for the creation of state police in Nigeria, saying “the time to act is now” before the insecurity situation becomes unbearable. For experts, Nigeria must urgently reform its governance structures,…

The future of the Peoples Democratic Party and efforts to stem high-profile defections will top discussions this week as the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee begins a crucial round of engagements with state chairmen, former governors, ex-ministers, lawmakers and other key stakeholders. A member of the NWC, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, told The PUNCH on Monday that the meetings were designed to stabilise the opposition party amid deepening internal rivalry. Confirming the development in a statement on Monday, the National Organising Secretary, Theophilous Shan, said the NWC had lined up…

As varied reactions trailed the recent report of the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee, which disqualified seven governorship aspirants vying for the party’s ticket in Osun, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, yesterday, denied meddling in the committee’s activities. It would be recalled that the screening committee, headed by Obinna Uzoh, submitted a report to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja last Friday, disqualifying former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore, and six other aspirants. The committee attributed their disqualification to failure to meet the required nomination of at least five fully registered and…

Galatasaray’s hopes of sealing a top-eight place in the UEFA Champions League receive a major boost as Victor Osimhen returns to lead the Turkish champions’ frontline against Monaco on Tuesday night, Soccernet.ng reports.  The 26-year-old Nigerian striker, second in the Champions League scoring chart with six goals in just three appearances, is set to start at Stade Louis II. His presence has proven decisive as Galatasaray have won all three games he has featured in and lost both matches he missed through injury. Victor Osimhen. Photo Credit: Galatasaray X The highly anticipated clash initially promised a meeting of Nigerian forwards,…

Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suffered a setback following the defection of former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Joel Danlami Ikenya, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ikenya’s move, as observed by The Guardian, comes just weeks ahead of the anticipated formal defection of Governor Agbu Kefas to the APC, adding a dramatic twist to the state’s political landscape. In a letter titled: ‘Defection Notification by Sen. Joel Danlami Ikenya’, circulated to journalists in Jalingo on Monday, the former minister said his decision followed “careful consideration, due diligence, and wide consultations.” He added: “I am pleased to…