The trial of former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, over the alleged misappropriation of N5.78 billion in public funds, continued yesterday before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. During the hearing, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its second witness, Musa Oladimeji Dasuki, a retired Permanent Secretary at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who…

The Lagos State Health Service Commission (HSC) has organised a two-day retreat for Quality Improvement (QI) officers from the state’s 30 General Hospitals, aiming to enhance healthcare service delivery. Held at Orchid Hotel, Lekki, the retreat was conducted in collaboration with PharmAccess Foundation under its Quality Department, SafeCare Healthcare Standards. Themed ‘Sustaining Quality Healthcare Delivery Through Resilient Processes, Innovation, and Continuous Skills Transfer’, the event brought together 180 QI officers,…

Lagos State has solidified its position as one of Africa’s leading economic powerhouses, with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) soaring to $259 billion based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). This milestone, announced yesterday during the launch of the Lagos Economic Development Update (LEDU) 2025, places Lagos as the second-largest city economy on the continent, trailing only Cairo, Egypt. According to the report, Lagos recorded significant economic growth in the first…

Amid swirling speculation about political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, and former Minister of State for Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, have firmly rejected reports suggesting they are planning to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) alongside former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The rumours, which gained momentum after a viral video showed El-Rufai visiting the SDP headquarters in Abuja, sparked further speculation…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sharply criticised the N15.6 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project and the N21 billion spent on the construction of a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing both as wasteful, corrupt, and a reflection of misplaced priorities under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In his new book ‘Nigeria: Past and Future,’ released to mark his 88th birthday, Obasanjo condemned the federal government’s decisions, stating that…

South African mining magnate Dr Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed for a second four-year term as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo on Wednesday, March 12. The re-election was attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The 63-year-old, who has led CAF since 2021, had remained reserved about seeking re-election but confirmed his decision in October 2024 following numerous…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set a new trial date for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for Friday, March 21, 2025. The case file was transferred to Justice James Omotosho, following a reassignment after the recusal of the previous judge, Justice Binta Nyako. Kanu faces a seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government. The trial had previously been delayed after…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has officially inaugurated a new Grid Code Review Panel (GCRP) aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of the country’s power sector. The grid code, a vital set of technical rules and procedures, governs the operation, maintenance, and development of Nigeria’s electricity transmission system. NERC stated that the newly formed panel will play an integral role in streamlining and improving the power sector by ensuring…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Ukraine’s partners to remain vigilant and ensure that Russia does not use ceasefire negotiations as a means of deception. His comments follow breakthrough talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, where Kyiv agreed in principle to a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia. However, in his nightly address on Wednesday, a day after the Jeddah summit, Zelenskyy expressed caution. “We must move toward…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, has faulted the Rivers State House of Assembly for barring him from entering the legislative quarters on Wednesday. The embattled governor, who spoke during the commissioning of some health facilities in Khana Local Government Area of the state shortly after the drama at the Assembly quarters told residents that he communicated his intention to visit the lawmakers to Speaker Martins Amaewhule before showing up…

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 25% tariff on a range of UK exports, escalating trade tensions between Washington and London. The move, which comes amid broader trade disputes, is expected to have significant economic implications for British industries. “The UK has taken advantage of the U.S. for years. It’s time to level the playing field,” Trump stated in a press briefing, defending the tariffs as a necessary…

One of the sons of Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Bashir, in a now-deleted tweet, threatened increased bloodshed in the Christian-dominated Southern Kaduna if the people continue to attack the Fulani. Bashir El-Rufai tweeted this on Tuesday in response to an X user, @qykali, who berated his father, accusing him of supervising ethnic cleansing of Southern Kaduna people for eight years as Kaduna State governor. “Look…