Author: Press Room

The Central Bank of Nigeria has urged state governments to reduce their reliance on overdrafts and short-term borrowing, warning that reckless fiscal behaviour at the sub-national level could undermine the country’s transition to an inflation-targeting monetary policy framework. This was contained in a press statement issued by the CBN on Sunday following an engagement with sub-national stakeholders facilitated through the Nigerian Governors’ Forum Secretariat in Abuja. According to the statement, the Deputy Governor in charge of the Economic Policy Directorate, Dr Muhammad Abdullahi, said state governments must adopt stricter fiscal discipline to support price stability and ongoing macroeconomic reforms. “He…

By Punch Editorial Board A fresh global health concern is stirring anxiety following the outbreak of hantavirus disease. In early May, a rare cluster of Andes hantavirus infections was identified aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius during a voyage from Argentina toward Cape Verde. The virus has claimed three lives, with between five and eight confirmed cases. Among the dead were a 69-year-old Dutch woman and her husband. The outbreak has once again drawn attention to the possibility of rare person-to-person transmission as authorities across several countries search for about 40 passengers who disembarked from the vessel at different points…

The Nigeria Cricket Federation has drafted players across the elite and developmental categories ahead of the maiden edition of the Nigeria Super League, which will be held in Lagos from May 16 to May 30, The PUNCH reports. President of the NCF, Uyi Akpata, had promised the introduction of the elite league into the Nigeria cricket calendar following the completion of this year’s Club Cricket Committee Lagos League. The Nigeria Cricket League will feature six teams, namely Central Eagles, Eastern Elephants, Middle-Belt Tigers, Northern Lions, Southern Sharks and Western Dolphins. Each team represents different regions of the country and they…

Opposition political parties on Saturday raced against time to submit updated membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the midnight deadline for the 2027 general elections. The rush followed INEC’s March 27 extension of the deadline for submission of membership registers for the 2027 general elections to May 10, 2026. “The register of party members must be submitted to INEC not later than 21 days before the holding of their respective primaries,” the commission had stated. It gave May 30 as the last day for the conduct of primaries, which means the last day for the submission…

Chijioke Iremeka Energy drinks across Nigeria have become a daily staple for many young people seeking quick stimulation to cope with demanding work schedules, academic pressure, nightlife, sexual performance concerns, and long-distance travel. From motor parks and campuses to gyms and bars, these branded, ready-to-drink beverages are widely consumed for their caffeine boost and perceived ability to improve alertness, stamina, and performance. However, growing health concerns, particularly the rising incidence of kidney disease among young people, are emerging due to excessive intake and poor regulation of consumption habits. According to the US National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health, energy…

Tottenham Hotspur defender Kevin Danso has said racist abuse directed at him will not affect his mentality or performances after the Tottenham Hotspur defender was targeted on social media following a Premier League match. Tottenham reported the abuse to police and condemned it as “vile” and “dehumanising” after their 2–2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on 18 April. Speaking to ITV News on Sunday, the 27-year-old Austria international said he decided to speak publicly about the incident after previously experiencing racism earlier in his career while playing in Germany. “The last time I did experience it, I was very…

XRP is trading in the $1.40 range, as on-chain data paints a picture that looks worse than the news headlines are saying. New daily addresses on the XRP Ledger have collapsed by over 80% from 18,000 in December 2024 to just 2,700. Yet institutions are quietly settling tokenized assets on public blockchains in real time. . @Ripple network activity continues slowing down! New wallet creation dropped from 18,000 per day in December 2024 to around 2,700 today. Active $XRP supply also declined sharply during the same period. pic.twitter.com/hkOGsMmUXL— CryptoBusy (@CryptoBusy) May 8, 2026 According to Glassnode data, monthly active supply…

Agency The final evacuation flight for occupants of a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak that has sparked international alarm will leave the Canary Islands on Monday, Spain’s health minister said on Sunday. The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius arrived at the small industrial port of Granadilla on Tenerife early on Sunday before the scheduled evacuation of passengers and some crew. The Atlantic archipelago’s regional authorities have consistently resisted taking in the ship, which has suffered three deaths and was only authorised to anchor offshore instead of docking in the port. But all passengers are asymptomatic and were undergoing a…

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has appointed Mrs Victoria Samson, popularly known as “BOVAS,” as the new Chancellor of Osun State University, Osogbo. The announcement was made on May 10, 2026, following the completion of the tenure of the outgoing Chancellor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, who served from 2016 to 2026. According to a statement signed and posted on Osun state’s X handle on Sunday by the state government spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the appointment marks the beginning of a new leadership era for the university. Mrs Samson, founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas Company, is widely regarded as one…

The Nigerian Army and the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have intensified their crackdown on illegal mining activities in the Federal Capital Territory with a joint operation at a site in Kuje Area Council. This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the Commander of Mining Marshals Operations and Assistant Commandant of Corps, Attah John Onoja, on Sunday. He said, “The operation followed the arrest and handover of 15 suspected illegal miners by troops of the 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, in what security officials described as part of ongoing efforts to curb economic…