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Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc. By Victor Okoye The 15th BIPOGA has recorded its first national sports impact as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debuts at the National Sports Festival (NSF). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inclusion follows an impressive outing at the 15th BIPOGA Games held in Asaba Delta State from the 14th to 21st of February,2026,marking a turning point for Mixed Marital Arts (MMA) recognition. CSP Kalu Chijioke Erem anipr,mipra,board member of the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF), attributed the development to Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies efforts in strengthening MMA governance nationwide. Chijioke told NAN on Monday that MMA’s rise from obscurity reflects deliberate institutional s...

By Joan Nwagwu The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) says it will embark on an indefinite strike as the April 30 deadline for the conclusion of its renegotiation with the Federal Government approaches. Its National President, Mr Muhammad Ibrahim, said this in a communiqué issued at the end of a Special National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SSANU had on March 30 issued the Federal Government a 30-day ultimatum to resolve welfare and agreement issues reached with university-based unions. Ibrahim, who is also Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU, said the renegotiation process remained ongoing and had not been concluded. He expressed concern over dela...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer Mr Jimoh Tiamiyu, the Special Adviser on Corporate Affairs to Gov Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, has promised to provide effective representation for Lokoja 1 Constituency in the state assembly in 2027.Tiamiyu made the promise when he formally declared his intention to contest for the seat at the Kogi House of Assembly in 2027 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).This is contained in a declaration letter of intent presented to party leaders and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.“I write to formally declare my intent to contest for the position of Member, Kogi State House of Assembly, representing Lokoja 1 Constituency.“This decision comes after careful reflection, wide consultation, and a deep conviction to effe...

By Kanu Samuel New Ondo Veterans President Promises Unity and Welfare FocusYusuf Targets Revival of Ondo All Stars Veterans Association‘Retired but Not Tired’: Yusuf Outlines Vision for Ondo VeteransEdited Story (British English) The President of Ondo State All Stars Veterans, Rafiu Yusuf, has assured members of the association that their welfare will be a top priority under his leadership. The former Sunshine Stars player disclosed that he would work to bring all members onto the same page for the overall development of the association. Yusuf made this known following he was declared as the President of the Ondo State All Stars Veterans at the State Sports Complex in Akure on Saturday. He described the association as a significant platform that has been underutilised o...

A media and community development advocate, Yòmí Oyékàn, has led his platform, Akure Outsiders, into a strategic partnership with Stanfield Attorneys, spearheaded by E. D. Elabi Esq., Managing Partner, to facilitate the release of 50 inmates from maximum correctional facilities across Ondo State. The initiative, described as a humanitarian and justice-driven intervention, is targeted at inmates eligible for release due to minor offences, prolonged detention without trial, or fulfillment of legal conditions for freedom. Speaking on the development, Oyékàn noted that the effort reflects a commitment to social justice, rehabilitation, and reintegration, emphasizing the need to decongest correctional centres while giving deserving individuals a second chance at life. E. D. Elabi ...

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding education beyond boundaries, just as 56 inmates from correctional centres nationwide prepare to graduate at its 15th convocation ceremony. The Vice-Chancellor,  Prof. Uduma Uduma, said this during a pre-convocation news conference on Tuesday in Abuja. Uduma described the initiative as a deliberate policy focused on inclusion, second chances, and fostering meaningful national transformation through education. The convocation, scheduled for April 18, would be conducted across NOUN multiple study centres nationwide. “The inmates are among the 24,575 students graduating at the ceremony, reflecting the university’s broad reach and inclusive approach to learning, which ensures that educati...

By Victor Okoye Abuja, April 16, 2026 (NAN) Dr Safiyanu Maibiyar, Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the United States, has described a recent court ruling on the party’s leadership dispute as a victory for democracy and internal party discipline. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ADC has been facing a leadership crisis involving factions within its executive. A High Court in the Dutsin-Ma Judicial Division of Katsina State struck out a suit challenging the party’s leadership, ruling that the matter is an internal affair beyond the court’s jurisdiction. The judgment, delivered on April 14 by Justice A.K. Tukur also vacated an earlier ex parte interim order and dismissed the case for want of jurisdiction. The suit was filed by Alhaji Mus...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially concluded the second phase of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, marking a significant milestone in preparations for the 2027 General Election. According to the commission’s weekly update released on Friday, April 17, 2026, a total of 3,748,704 completed registrations were recorded during the second phase of the exercise. The figure reflects a combination of successful online pre-registrations and in-person completions at designated centres across the country, underscoring sustained public engagement in the electoral process. A detailed breakdown of the figures shows that 2,259,288 Nigerians completed their registration through INEC’s online pre-registration portal, while 1,489,416 registra...

Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, a leading All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and philanthropist in Oyo State, will formally declare his governorship on 21 April 2025, at the Emmanuel Alayande Teachers Resource Centre in Samonda, Ibadan, his campaign team announced on Friday. The event, set for 10 a.m., marks Alao's official entry into the race for the APC's gubernatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. Alao, a cerebral and international engineer with decades of experience in infrastructure development and a foundation focused on education and youth empowerment, has been positioning himself as a homegrown solution to Oyo's challenges in security, education, and economic and others. "Oyo State deserves leadership that builds on its potential," Alao said in a statement. ...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a consequential adjustment to the campaign timeline for the upcoming Osun State governorship election, following an earlier shift in the election date. In a press statement issued by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee. on Thursday, the Commission recalled that it had, on February 26, 2026, released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election. As part of that revision, the Osun governorship poll was moved forward by one week—from August 8 to August 15, 2026. INEC stated that the adjustment necessitates a corresponding change in the campaign deadline. Political parties are now required to conclude all campaign activi...

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday said colonial-era tax laws impoverished Nigerians through fragmentation, multiplicity, and inconsistencies. Tinubu, however, assured Nigerians that the new reforms will deliver greater prosperity and inclusivity. He emphasised that the new tax system is designed to be people-centred and investment-friendly, thereby advancing the nation’s development goals. The President made these remarks at the commissioning of the 16-storey Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, were in attendance, along with ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, private-sector leaders, and the governors of Kwara, Imo, Borno, Kogi, Plateau, and ...

The Police has neutralised three fleeing kidnappers and arrested nine others over various crimes in Abaia State. The police also recovered various exhibits between 1st and 14th of April. Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, described the feat as “continuous strides in fulfilling its (Police) constitutional mandate”. He said, “From 1st April to date, the Command has recorded the following achievements through intelligence-led operations: Ten (10) AK-47 rifles recovered, Two (2) locally made pistols, Three (3) single-barrel guns, One (1) pump-action gun, Forty-four (44) rounds of live ammunition, and Three (3) vehicles recovered. “Other exhibits recovered include a wallet containing twelve thousand, six hundred and fifty naira, Two (2) phones...

The Abia State Government announced it has compressed six years of primary education into three years. The programme, which is being implemented by the state Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, is targeted at individuals who were unable to complete their basic education. The initiative it said aimed at accelerating Basic Education Programme as part of efforts to expand access to learning for adults and out-of-school residents, The State Information Commissioner Prince Okey Kanu, announced this to journalists at Government House Umuahia Monday evening after the state executive council weekly meeting which the state governor Dr Alex Otti presided over. Commissioner Kanu also disclosed that Abia State has been selected as one of the beneficiary states of...

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) recorded a landmark moment in its history from 8th–11th April, 2026, as it held its 8th Combined Convocation Ceremony alongside its Silver Jubilee Anniversary, marking 25 years of academic excellence and institutional growth. The four-day celebration transformed the university into a vibrant hub of intellectual engagement and cultural prestige, attracting top government officials, diplomats, traditional rulers, alumni, and development partners. The milestone event celebrated the university’s remarkable journey since its establishment in 2001. This has reaffirmed NSUK’s status as one of Nigeria’s leading state-owned institutions. The convocation ceremony, held on Saturday, 11th April, witnessed the graduation of 32,884 students across three...

A growing controversy is unfolding ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, as top American lawmakers push back against rising transportation costs that could place a heavy burden on fans and local residents. At the centre of the debate is FIFA, football’s global governing body, which is projected to generate nearly $11 billion in revenue from the tournament. Critics argue that while FIFA prepares for massive profits, commuters are being left to shoulder steep increases in travel costs to match venues. Leading the criticism is Chuck Schumer, who has called on FIFA to take responsibility for transportation expenses during the tournament. Reacting to reports of sharp fare hikes, Schumer warned that fans could be priced out of attending matches. “FIFA is set to...

The Department of State Services (DSS) is to open its case of alleged terrorism against the immediate-past Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, SAN, and his son, Abdulaziz. The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja fixed May 26 for trial. The DSS is prosecuting Malami and his son on allegations bordering on terrorism offences before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. At the resumed hearing, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, who appeared for the prosecution (DSS), told the court that an amended five-count charge had been filed to replace an earlier one on which they had been arraigned. Kehinde applied to withdraw the earlier charge and requested the amended one be read to the defendant for the pleas to be taken afresh. The lawyer to the defendants, Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, con...

It is no surprise that the African Democratic Congress is insistent on the immediate resignation of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan. First, was for the ‘high crime’ of seeking to play safe over a judgment of the court which demanded that ADC’s feuding parties and INEC under the leadership of Amupitan in particular take no further step to present the court with a fait accompli over a matter before it. Not sufficient to play the judge and jury in its own cause, it also insists on treating the appearance of any position deemed contrary to its own as treasonable. Now, they want the head of the electoral body served on the platter over an alleged pro-President Bola Tinubu tweet in 2023. And so determined to press its case, the ADC, in ...

The Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has announced the successful acquisition of land for the construction of its permanent National Secretariat, marking a significant milestone in the association’s history. This development was disclosed during a courtesy visit by the NAWOJ National Executive, led by the National Chairperson Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, to the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya. Speaking during the visit, the NAWOJ National Chairperson informed the NUJ leadership that the association has successfully secured the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the allocated land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following the completion of all required documentation and processes. She noted that the pro...

The White House has denied reports suggesting that the United States has requested a ceasefire in the ongoing Iran conflict, saying no such request has been made while confirming that diplomatic talks are continuing. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking at a briefing on Wednesday, said discussions with Iranian representatives remain active and have not been concluded.She dismissed claims circulating in some reports, noting that while diplomatic engagements are ongoing, no formal agreement or announcement has been made. “These discussions are ongoing, and nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House,” Leavitt said. She added that the talks have been “productive,” but stressed that details regarding any future meetings remain under con...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has disclosed his intention to contest in the 2027 presidential election. Atiku said the 2027 poll may be his final attempt to become Nigeria’s leader because of age. He made the remark during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday evening. Responding to a question on whether turning 80 by 2027 would make the stakes higher for him, Atiku said it would likely be his last outing. “Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher and I believe that will be my last outing,” he said. Atiku has made multiple attempts to become Nigeria’s president since returning to partisan politics in 2003. He first contested the presidency in 1993 under the Social Democratic Party primaries before stepping down for the late Moshood Abiola. He la...