Author: Naija Daily News

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed disappointment over the absence of strong Igbo leadership, lamenting that “no prominent voices are actively defending our cause.” He warned that such neglect weakens the struggle for self-determination, citing the case of Ralph Uwazurike, who, despite his sacrifices, was abandoned during his imprisonment. Kanu made these remarks during a visit from the President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA), FCT, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja. Despite his detention, Kanu appeared healthy, had gained weight, and remained in high…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied reports that it will introduce N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes, calling the claim false. Strong rumours circulated on social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Facebook, that the new notes would go into circulation on May 1 to improve cash transactions and liquidity. The false report also claimed that a Deputy Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Tahir Jr., supported the move to cut cash-handling costs and make large transactions easier. However, the CBN dismissed the claim in a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, warning the public not to believe unverified news. This rumour…

By Deborah Nnamdi A South African court on Wednesday acquitted Nigerian televangelist Tim Omotoso of all 32 charges against him, eight years after his arrest on accusations of rape and sexual assault. Judge Irma Schoeman of the Eastern Cape High Court ruled that the prosecution had mishandled the case against Omotoso, the senior pastor of Jesus Dominion International (JDI), a South Africa-based church. Omotoso, 66, who was arrested in 2017, dropped to his knees in apparent prayer after being declared not guilty of charges that included sexual exploitation and human trafficking. While acknowledging that the pastor’s explanations seemed improbable, Schoeman…

The Tribunal Election petitions sitting in Abuja On Wednesday, April 2, declared Senator Monday Okpebholo, the executive governor of Edo State, as the authentic winner of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State. The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi,concluded its deliberations on the petitions challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The tribunal dismissed all petitions filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), its candidate Asue Ighodalo, and other opposition parties, thereby upholding the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP and Ighodalo alleged that the election did…

By Deborah Nnamdi The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its inaugural reports on testing and treatments for fungal infections, emphasizing the shortage of medicines and diagnostic tools for managing invasive fungal diseases. According to the WHO, fungal infections like candida are growing more resistant to treatment and are particularly impacting severely ill patients and individuals with weakened immune systems. “Fungal diseases are an increasing public health concern, with common infections—such as candida, which causes oral and vaginal thrush—growing increasingly resistant to treatment. These infections disproportionately impact severely ill patients and those with weakened immune systems, including individuals undergoing cancer…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal convened in Abuja on Wednesday, rejected the Action Alliance (AA)’s case seeking to annul the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo. A three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi ruled that the petition, filed by AA alongside its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, was without merit. The tribunal stated that the petition dealt with pre-election matters, over which it did not have the necessary jurisdiction to rule. The petitioners had, among other things, alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, excluded its lawful candidate in the governorship election that was…

By Deborah Nnamdi Angry youths in Owheologbo, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, set fire to Century Home Hotel following the mysterious death of a guest, Mr. Sunday Ogofotha. Ogofotha had traveled from Lagos to attend a relative’s funeral when he met his untimely demise. This led to the arrest of four hotel staff members, while the hotel owner, Chief Joshua Oghoole, was questioned, released, and cleared by the police. A community source, who wished to remain anonymous, suggested that the youths’ actions were likely fueled by the police’s decision to absolve the hotel owner. Although the full…

By Deborah Nnamdi On Wednesday, renowned Nigerian musician Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face or 2Baba, made an appearance at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja. He was accompanied by his new partner, Natasha Osawaru, a lawmaker representing the Egor Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly. The tribunal is preparing to deliver a ruling on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, to challenge the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Osawaru, who serves as the Deputy Majority Leader in the Edo State…

By Douglas Maha Oil companies that have failed to start drilling operations over the past 30 years are now on the brink of losing their licenses and the assets tied to them. This is a direct result of the “drill or drop” clause embedded in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which demands that dormant assets be either developed or returned to the government. Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, made this point clear during a recent speech at the Cross Industry Group (CIG) Meeting in Florence, Italy, an event organized by international oil companies (IOCs)…

By Douglas Maha, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has authorized the reorganization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited’s board, resulting in the removal of Chief Pius Akinyelure as chairman and Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO). This announcement was made in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on April 2, 2025. The president emphasized that the restructuring of the board is vital for improving operational efficiency, restoring investor trust, increasing local content, promoting economic growth, and advancing gas commercialization and diversification. The entire board appointed alongside Akinyelure and…