Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

Real Madrid Rally to Reach Champions League last 16 Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius Jr. scored as Real Madrid fought back to beat Benfica 2-1 on Wednesday, sealing a 3-1 aggregate win. Real, winners of last week’s first leg 1-0, will face Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last-16 round. Benfica started strongly and took the lead in the 14th minute, as Rafa Silva converted a rebound from close range. Real responded swiftly. Gonzalo combined with Federico Valverde on the right wing, setting up Tchouameni to guide a low shot past the keeper in the 16th minute. The…

Tinubu Urges Senators to Amend Constitution for State Police President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday urged the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the Constitution to provide for State Police. The president made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. This is contained in a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga. Tinubu said the establishment of State Police had become urgent to address evolving security challenges nationwide. He stated that decentralised policing would strengthen grassroots security and enhance rapid response to threats within states. “We are facing terrorism, banditry and insurgency.…

Fubara Appoints Wokoma as SSG, Ewule as Chief of Staff Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, has approved the appointment of Dr Dagogo Wokoma as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Mr Sunny Ewule as his Chief of Staff (CoS). Fubara disclosed this in a press statement issued to newsmen by Mr Onwuka Nzeshi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in Port Harcourt, on Thursday. The governor said that the ‘’appointments takes effect immediately.’’ He also announced that the new appointees would be sworn in at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Executive Council (Exco) Chamber, Government House, in…

Oil Prices Rise Slightly Ahead of U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Oil prices rose slightly in the global commodity market as attention shifted to the third round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, amid rising concerns over a potential military confrontation in the region. Brent crude traded at $70.83 per barrel, representing an increase of 0.12% from the previous close of $70.74. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased 0.12% to $65.51 per barrel, compared with $65.43 in the previous session. The latest round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Oman, is scheduled to take place later…

NEPZA, Borno Partner to Revive Banki Free Trade Zone The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has expressed partnership with the Borno State government to revive the moribund Banki Free Trade Zone. The Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, made this known during a courtesy visit by the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, in Abuja. Ogunyemi, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, said there was a strong need to overhaul the zone, describing it as an economic gateway between Nigeria and the Maghreb region. The Banki Border Free Trade Zone has remained inactive largely…

Reps Mandate REA MD to Appear March 2 The House of Representatives committee on Renewable Energy has mandated the Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to appear before the committee in person on Tuesday, March 2. The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Afam Ogene, gave the mandate during an investigative hearing in Abuja on Wednesday. Ogene who cautioned against trivialising official duties, directed the agency to send a written response on issues raised by the committee and present it within 48 hours. “We as lawmakers are elected to hold public officers accountable in line with sections 88 and 89 of…

Trump Criticises Supreme Court Ruling on Tariff Policy U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday sharply criticised a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down his tariff policy. In his State of the Union address, Trump called the 6-3 decision “unfortunate” and “disappointing.” The ruling invalidated tariffs imposed under an emergency law without congressional approval. Soon after the decision, Trump announced new global tariffs of 10 percent on imports, later raising the rate to 15 percent, citing Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act as the legal basis. The Trade Act allows the president to impose temporary trade measures…

Ripple (XRP) gained about 5% in the last 24 hours to $1.40, slightly outperforming a broader market rally and primarily driven by a macro-sensitive bounce alongside Bitcoin.

INEC Denies Result Manipulation in FCT Polling Unit The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations of result manipulation at Kuroko Health Centre polling unit in Yangoji Ward, Kwali Area Council, during Saturday’s elections. In a statement on Tuesday, FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aminu Idris, described the claim as false and misleading. He said online reports alleged the unit recorded 1,219 votes for a party, in spite of having 345 registered and 213 accredited voters. Idris clarified that the official result showed the party scored 121 votes, not 1,219 as circulated on social media. “The Commission categorically states that…

El-Rufai Asks Court to Stop ICPC, EFCC, DSS From Blocking His Assets Former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order restraining the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and others from taking any step to freeze his bank accounts or seize his property. El-Rufai, in a fresh suit filed by his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, urged the court for an order of interim injunction directing the respondents to maintain the status quo ante pending the hearing and determination of the application and the substantive originating mation. The…