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It was a victory for Local Government chairmen in Plateau state as the Court granted them extension of office.The Plateau State High Court Friday ruled in favour of a four-year tenure, nullifying the present two-year tenure as contained in the laws of the state. The 17 local council chairmen had dragged the state government and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC, to court seeking an extension of their tenure from two years to four years, citing a breach of the Nigerian Constitution. In a landmark judgement delivered on Friday by the state Chief Judge, Justice David Gwong Mannin, the court declared that the two-year tenure provided by the laws of the state and PLASIEC is inconsistent with Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended). T...

Authorities in India have arrested two Nigerian nationals, Modebe Joseph and Sunday Okonkwo, over their alleged involvement in an international cybercrime syndicate accused of hacking cooperative banks. The suspects were arrested in Noida, located in Uttar Pradesh, by the cybercrime unit of the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissionerate during a coordinated security operation. According to a report by The Times of India, Joseph, 42, and Okonkwo, 35, were allegedly working with a cyber threat group identified as Solar Spider, which reportedly targets financial institutions with weak cybersecurity infrastructure. The arrests were carried out through a joint operation involving officers from the Cyber Crime Police Station alongside other security agencies. Deputy Commissioner ...

European nations have expressed their disapproval of Donald Trump’s decision to relax certain US sanctions on Russian oil in light of Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the international community must sustain pressure on Moscow regarding its actions in Ukraine. The United Kingdom has aligned with Germany, France, and Norway in opposing this decision, with Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemning what she characterized as Russia and Iran’s effort to “hijack the global economy.” Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, labeled Washington’s choice to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea as “incorrect,” as the Trump administration sought to address a rise in oil prices.Merz stated: “We believe it is incorrect to ease the sanctions. ...

Peter Obi has criticised recent changes in Nigeria’s electoral laws, warning that they undermine accountability and ethical leadership in the country. In a post on his verified X handle on Friday, Obi highlighted what he described as a troubling contradiction in the political system. He noted that while lawmakers have proposed fines of N10 million and up to two years in prison for dual political party membership, they have simultaneously removed certificate forgery, age falsification, and false declarations as grounds for challenging an election in a tribunal. This is in direct contradiction to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria (1999, as amended),” Obi said. He questioned the priorities of the political system: “In any serious democracy, the gravest offense in ...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday assured media practitioners that he will address the issue of tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials.President Tinubu gave the promise at the State House, where he hosted the leadership of the Nigerian media, comprising members of the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO), Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others. The President commended the media owners, editors and journalists for their commitment to informing, educating and keeping citizens abreast of developments, as well as providing employment and livelihoods for thousands of Nigerians. President Tinubu said responsible leadership must take appropriate de...

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Friday announced fresh directives on operations of mobile banking.According to the apex bank, operation of mobile banking applications (apps) is now restricted to one device. This means that a customer cannot operate the same bank mobile application on two different devices simultaneously in Nigeria. This was contained in a circular to all banks and other financial institutions and payment service providers (PSP) announcing additional guidance for the operations of instant payments (IP) in Nigeria. The circular signed by the CBN’s Director of Payments System Policy Department, Musa Jimoh, read: “The Central CBN in line with its mandate of promoting financial system stability hereby issues additional guidance for the operations of Instant P...

Abuja, March 13, 2026 – Chief Anthony Woherem has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment over alleged forgery and money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Woherem was arraigned on March 11, 2026, before Justice Binta Nyako of Court 3 in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/681/2025. The court granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150 million with two sureties of N50 million each, while the defendant is to provide N50 million himself. Justice Nyako ruled that the sureties must possess verifiable property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The court also ordered Woherem to deposit all his travelling documents with the court as part of the bail conditions. He was subsequently remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre ...

By Victor Okoye Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), says the Commission will partner and support the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) to boost Nigeria’s successful hosting of the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) in Abuja. Abdullahi made the remarks on Friday during a courtesy call by the LGAN President, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed, and her team to the commission's headquarters in Abuja. He said sports remain a strong platform for national unity, youth engagement, and international cooperation, aligning with the Federal Government’s development priorities. He commended the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) for securing hosting rights for the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy in Abuja. “The Commission is pl...

Iran's Fars News Agency has reported that Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, wife of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is alive. The agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, says that earlier reports about her death are false. Iran state TV channel Two had reported on 2 March that Bagherzadeh was killed “at home”, while other Iranian outlets said she was in a coma. Previously, Iranian media said that Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild and son-in-law were killed. Khamenei and his wife had six children - four sons and two daughters.

By Victor Okoye Dame Julie Donli, OON, Executive Chairman of the Roost Foundation, has called for collective action to eliminate gender bias and harmful practices against women and girls. Donli made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja to mark the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), observed globally on March 8. She congratulated women and girls, urging them to remain hopeful and resilient while pursuing opportunities for growth and success. “I extend my warmest wishes to all women this month. May March 2026 bring fresh opportunities, renewed energy, and countless possibilities for growth and joy,” she said. Donli urged Nigerians to use the occasion to speak out against gender bias and discrimination in all spheres of society. “Let us make this year’s W...

By Victor Okoye Dame Julie Donli, OON, Executive Chairman of the Roost Foundation, has called for collective action to eliminate gender bias and harmful practices against women and girls. Donli made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja to mark the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), observed globally on March 8. She congratulated women and girls, urging them to remain hopeful and resilient while pursuing opportunities for growth and success. “I extend my warmest wishes to all women this month. May March 2026 bring fresh opportunities, renewed energy, and countless possibilities for growth and joy,” she said. Donli urged Nigerians to use the occasion to speak out against gender bias and discrimination in all spheres of society. “Let us make this ...

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says efficient career planning and management of officers in the Nigerian Army is key to achieving operational success and tackling security challenges. Shaibu said this while declaring open the Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary Career Planning and Management Seminar 2026 in Abuja on Tuesday. He said that the theme of the seminar "Efficient Career Planning and Management of Officers, the Key to Advancing the Transformation of the Nigerian Army Within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment', was relevant and topical. Represented by the Chief of Personnel Management (Army), Maj.-Gen. Adewale Adekeye, the COAS said that the significance of the seminar could not be overstated as it remained the backbon...

No fewer than 700 recently recruited forest guards from Gombe State have commenced training at the Mobile Police Training School in Osun State. This is part of efforts by the Gombe State Government to strengthen security and safeguard forest reserves, according to Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director General, Press Affairs, Government House Gombe. In a statement sent to our Correspondent, Misilli said the training is designed to equip the forest guards with the necessary skills and operational capacity required to effectively protect forest reserves. He added that the training is also designed to equip the forest guards curb criminal activities and support security agencies in maintaining law and order within forested areas and surrounding communities in the State. The recruits had d...

Since the US and Israel unleashed strikes on Iran on February 28, war has spread across the region, and casualties have been reported in countries around the Middle East. Due to reporting restrictions, AFP has not been able to independently verify all of the following tolls. The figures are based on numbers released by governments, militaries, health authorities and rescue organisations in the affected countries. IranIran’s health ministry said on March 8 that more than 1,200 people had been killed, including around 200 women and 200 children under the age of 12, with more than 10,000 civilians injured. Iran’s state-run Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs said on Thursday that the death toll from US and Israeli strikes had reached 1,230. The Iranian Red Crescent pre...

By Victor Okoye Abuja, March 9, 2026 (NAN) Dame Julie Donli, OON, Executive Chairman of the Roost Foundation, has called for collective action to eliminate gender bias and harmful practices against women and girls. Donli made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja to mark the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), observed globally on March 8. She congratulated women and girls, urging them to remain hopeful and resilient while pursuing opportunities for growth and success. “I extend my warmest wishes to all women this month. May March 2026 bring fresh opportunities, renewed energy, and countless possibilities for growth and joy,” she said. Donli urged Nigerians to use the occasion to speak out against gender bias and discrimination in all spheres of society...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer Prof. Abayomi Fasina, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, has felicitated the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the institution, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, as he clocks 70. This is contained in a statement signed by Fasina and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria,  on Monday in Abuja. The erudite scholar and renowned soil scientist described Ndoma-Egba as an amiable personality, respected political figure, and legal icon who has lived an exemplary life of accomplishment, humility, and dedication to serving God and humanity. “On behalf of my family, I join other well-wishers across the globe to heartily congratulate and celebrate the amiable Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the...

By Lucy Ogalue The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), and the Bank of Industry (BOI) have unveiled a N10 billion Sugar Project Acceleration Fund (SPAF) to support greenfield sugar projects.The NSDC Executive Secretary, Mr Kamar Bakrin, on Sunday said the fund was aimed at providing financing and project development support to viable promoters.According to Bakrin, this will help to accelerate the emergence of a sustainable and competitive sugar industry in Nigeria.The SPAF was designed to help transform early-stage sugar project ideas into bankable investments capable of attracting financing from development finance institutions and impact investors.The executive secretary said access to capital alone does not automatically translate into sugar production.Bakrin said that develo...

By Genesis Ogiri The Ogwus Youth Empowerment and Community Development Organization (OYECDO), in collaboration with the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), spearheaded Operation Keep Gbalajam Clean and Flowing, an ambitious sanitation initiative that went far beyond clearing drains it paved the way for a renewed culture of community responsibility and civic engagement. Through the concerted efforts of OYECDO, the long-neglected, silt-choked gutters of Gbalajam in Worji Community have been transformed into flowing symbols of hope, health, and civic pride, powerfully illustrating the impact of visionary leadership, youth engagement, and collective community action. Leading the charge with sleeves rolled up and boots on the ground was Professor Chinedu Ogwus, Presiden...

Global Apostolic College of Theology and Seminary, Abuja, celebrated its 25th convocation and award giving ceremony on March 7, 2026, at its main campus in Gwagwalada, Abuja. The event was marked with the introduction of school board members and graduating students by Provost Prof. Noah A. Edibo. The ceremony saw the conferment of Professor Laurette on Chief Dr. Amb. Ebosetale David Aigbefoh, Esq., a renowned lawyer, publisher, and humanitarian, in recognition of his contributions to theological discourse. Aigbefoh, author of the insightful book "The Divine Dilemma: Exploring the Paradoxes of God's Sovereignty and Human Suffering", was conferred with the professorship of Theology in Divinity. Aigbefoh was also awarded a certificate of achievement for his outstanding contribution...