In a historic medical breakthrough, a baby girl named Amy has become the first child in the UK to be born from a womb transplant, after her mother received a donated uterus from her sister. Amy was delivered on February 27 at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London, two years after her mother, Grace Davidson, underwent a successful womb transplant. The life-changing procedure was made possible through the selfless donation of Grace’s older sister, Amy Purdie. “We have been given the greatest gift we could ever have asked for,” said Grace, who was born without a functioning womb due…
Author: Damilola Olufemi
Veteran comedian Ali Baba has opened up about a political playbook he claims was shared with him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on how to become Nigeria’s president. Speaking during an interview on Outside The Box, the 59-year-old comedian—whose real name is Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome—said the conversation happened when Obasanjo assumed he was venturing into politics and decided to offer some strategic advice. “He thought I was going into politics, so he was happy I was talking to him about politics,” Ali Baba explained. “He said ‘Ali, I’m happy you are catching up with politics, but you still have a…
The Nigerian naira continued its downward slide in March, depreciating by 2.4% at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) and 2.6% at the parallel market, as mounting demand pressures and global economic uncertainty weighed on the local currency. According to Afrinvest’s Monthly Market Report titled ‘Analysing Global and Nigerian Economies & Financial Markets’, the naira fell to N1,536.82/$ at the NAFEM window and N1,530.00/$ at the parallel market. This trend was confirmed by AIICO Capital, which attributed the sharp depreciation to rising demand, despite significant intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). “The naira experienced significant depreciation in…
Global crude oil prices have taken a significant hit, sliding by over 12% to around $65.50 per barrel, in the wake of sweeping new trade tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on multiple countries. The sharp decline marks a notable reversal from recent highs, as oil had been trading above $70 per barrel before the tariffs were announced. The development has raised alarm bells for oil-dependent economies like Nigeria, which relies on crude exports for 90% of its foreign exchange earnings. According to the OPEC Secretariat, the price of its basket of twelve crude blends dropped to $75.35 per…
Men of the Lagos State Police Command on Monday intercepted protesters from getting into the Lagos State Assembly complex, where they planned to tender a letter containing their demands and requests. The Take-It-Back Movement (TIBM) and other civil society organisations led the continuing protest to draw government attention to trendy national matters such as the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, and the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State. New Daily Prime earlier reported that in defiance of police warnings and increased security presence, members of the TIBM took to the streets of Lagos on Monday to stage the…
In defiance of police warnings and increased security presence, members of the Take It Back Movement (TIBM) took to the streets of Lagos on Monday to protest against cybercrime and what they describe as a looming threat of emergency rule in Rivers State. The protesters gathered beneath the popular Ikeja Under-Bridge before marching to the Lagos State Government House and the State House of Assembly in Alausa, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards that decried systemic failure and political suppression. The demonstration remained peaceful, despite heavy security around government buildings and concerns about potential unrest. Organizers stressed the constitutional right…
The police authorities have placed their personnel on high alert ahead of a nationwide protest scheduled for today by the Take-It-Back Movement and other civil society groups. The protest aims to highlight issues such as economic hardship, clampdowns on civil liberties, and the crisis in Rivers State. Police Warning The Nigeria Police Force has deployed personnel to strategic locations, warning protesters to shelve the planned demonstration. Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the protest as “ill-timed and mischievous,” coinciding with the National Police Day celebration. He stated, “The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve this planned…
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Alhaji Haruna Kankara, has revealed that about 20 states are yet to implement the N70,000 new minimum wage for local government workers and primary school teachers. Defaulting States: Some states have commenced paying state workers but excluded local government workers and primary school teachers. Kankara stated, “We truly have the challenge of so many states, like about 20 that have not started implementing the new minimum wage.” He added that some states promised but failed to fulfil their promises, saying, “We are hoping that just very soon all…
Nigeria’s public debt has surged to N144.67 trillion ($94.23 billion) as of December 2024, representing a 48.58% increase from December 2023. The Debt Management Office reports that both external and domestic borrowings drove this growth. External debt rose by 83.89% to N70.29 trillion, while domestic debt increased by 25.77% to N74.38 trillion. The increase in external debt is attributed to new borrowings and naira depreciation. Domestic debt growth reflects the government’s reliance on local borrowing for budget deficits and infrastructure projects. The Federal Government’s domestic debt component grew significantly from N53.26 trillion to N70.41 trillion, reflecting a 32.19% increase. On…
Fifteen domestic workers of former First Lady Patience Jonathan have been detained at the Okaka Custodial Centre in Bayelsa State since 2019. They were accused of stealing jewellery and electronics worth N200 million, as well as conspiracy to commit murder and other crimes. The workers claim they’ve been unlawfully detained without evidence presented against them. One worker said while speaking with The PUNCH Newspaper, “We have been in prison since 2019… There is no evidence to prove to the court, and the case is not proceeding.” Another inmate alleged maltreatment, stating, “These people want to kill us… Anything you can…
