Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

Germany, Austria Remain Europe’s Cash Strongholds, Survey Finds BearingPoint commissioned a new survey showing Germany and Austria still lead Europe in cash usage, defying the broader continental shift toward digital payments and card-based transactions across retail and services sectors. The poll, conducted in December by YouGov, found that 73 per cent of respondents in Germany cited cash as their most frequently used payment method, rising from 69 per cent a year earlier. In Austria, 71 per cent of participants said they regularly paid with banknotes and coins, confirming the country’s continued preference for physical currency in spite of growing availability…

Hillary Clinton to Testify Before U.S. Congress in Epstein Affair Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due to testify before the U.S. Congress on Thursday relating to the scandal surrounding sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Initially, Hillary Clinton, 78, is expected to testify under oath on Thursday, before her husband and former president Bill Clinton, 79, is questioned on Friday. According to US media, they will be questioned not in Congress in Washington, but via video link. These are expected to be closed sessions, so it is unclear how much information will be made public. Hillary and Bill Clinton…

Buni Emerges Secretary of APC 2026 National Convention Committee Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has emerged as the Secretary of the 2026 National Convention Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is contained in a statement by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, issued on Wednesday in Damaturu. He said the National Chairman of the Party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, inaugurated the 98-member committee in Abuja on Tuesday. The committee is chaired by the former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari and mandated to organise the party’s 2026 national convention. Yilwatda expressed confidence in the committee’s…

Saudi Airlines to Restart Flight Operation From Jeddah to Abuja Amb. Yousef Albalawi, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, says the Saudi airlines will restart the flight operation from Jeddah to Abuja in June or by January 2027. Albalawi disclosed this on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in Abuja. He said that the visit was to strengthen existing relationship between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, and to enhance the opportunities to work together in many fields, especially in economic, political and security issues. “Also, we will continue to serve…

Galatasaray Advance After Extra Time to Deny Stunning Juventus Comeback Galatasaray were beaten 3-2 at Juventus on Wednesday but reached the last 16 of the Champions League 7-5 on aggregate. Thanks to two extra-time goals after the hosts came agonisingly close to pulling off a great escape despite playing with 10 men. Left with a mountain to climb after a 5-2 loss in Istanbul, Juventus forced the tie into the extra 30 minutes and looked to have the upper hand before Victor Osimhen struck at the end of the first half of extra time and Baris Alper Yilmaz netted late…

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…