The premier bank in West Africa and a leading financial inclusion service provider, FirstBank has held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new green-certified iconic Head Office building in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos. The flag-off of the 40-storey building project, set to be the tallest building in Nigeria, was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. The event had in attendance VIPs led by President Bola Tinubu, represented by his Vice, Kashim…

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has strongly refuted a media report claiming that he was accused of sexual harassment by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central. A news report, not originating from The PUNCH, claimed that during a recent plenary session on Wednesday, Senator Cyril Fasuyi (APC, Ekiti North) alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously levelled sexual harassment accusations against Fayemi. However, in a swift…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has filed a lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd. and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Ugbe, for defying regulatory directives and obstructing an ongoing inquiry. In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, said the company had ignored the commission’s instructions and proceeded with a price hike despite clear directives to maintain its…

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, has arrested a Nigerian, Benjamin Stanley Okwudili for possession of precious metals. Gauteng spokesperson for the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Ramovha, who confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, said Okwudili was arrested at Linbro Park, Sandton, after being found in possession of suspected precious metals estimated at R50 million. Ramovha said the Hawks’ Johannesburg Serious…

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, arrived Milan, Italy on Wednesday ahead of series of official engagements, particularly meeting with the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana. The Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement in Milan, on Wednesday that Wike departed Abuja on Tuesday night, and arrived in Milan at about 4:30am on Wednesday, and was received by…

In continuation of its nationwide crackdown on substandard and counterfeit medicines, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said it has evacuated about 50 truckloads of illicit drugs from Onitsha. The agency also said it recovered dangerous weapons from the Bridge Head Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State. NAFDAC noted that during the ongoing operation, which began on February 10, its security team discovered two…

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio. Senator Neda Imasuen, the Chairman of the Committee, stated this on Wednesday during a probe hearing against Akpoti-Uduaghan at the National Assembly. The Edo South Senator stated that the petition was “dead on arrival,” citing a breach of Order 40 of…

In a decisive move to curb criminal activities and ensure the safety of residents, the Edo State Government has commenced the demolition of houses linked to kidnappers in Uromi, Esan North East, and Illeh, Esan West Local Government Areas of the State. The demolition exercise, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor Monday Okpebholo on Security, Akhere Paul, was carried out under the directives of Governor Monday Okpebholo, in…

Ukraine’s non-American allies have to be ready to replace US military support The hugs of European leaders for Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a London summit this weekend could not have contrasted more sharply with the Ukrainian president’s dressing down in the White House on Friday. One upside of the Oval Office showdown is that it seems to have served as a galvanising moment — though there had been plenty already…

Proxy marriages are recognized under Ghanaian law and registration was not a legal requirement. A Ghanaian woman has been granted the right to remain in the UK after an immigration tribunal ruled in favor of her proxy marriage, which took place 12 days before the Brexit deadline, despite her and her husband’s absence from the ceremony. The tribunal was told that Elizabeth Owusu claimed to have married Tamba Dumbar Matrui,…

Christians in Nigeria and around the world have started Lent, one of the most significant periods in the Christian liturgical calendar, today, March 5, 2025, with the observance of Ash Wednesday. This 40-day season, excluding Sundays, is dedicated to penance, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, leading up to the celebration of Easter on April 20. The duration of Lent reflects the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert, a…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has vehemently denied allegations of sexual harassment made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central. Akpabio addressed the Senate on Wednesday, March 5, following the formal submission of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment petition during plenary. The former governor of Akwa Ibom state dismissed the allegations as false, asserting that he had never engaged in any inappropriate behaviour towards Akpoti-Uduaghan or any other woman. “At no…