Author: News Room

A factional Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Dr Nname Ewor, has announced the official handover of his faction to the camp aligned with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, declaring an end to factional control within the state chapter. Ewor made the announcement on Friday during the FCT Minister’s “thank-you” tour engagements in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. He said the faction had been handed over to Aaron Chukwuemeka, adding that the entire PDP was now united behind Wike. “I’m Sim’s PDP chairman. I hope you people know. Today, I’m handing over the chairmanship and…

There appears to be palpable tension among freight forwarding practitioners in the nation’s maritime sector over the tax implementation that kicked off on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Some agents who spoke with The PUNCH explained that some shipping lines have already started holding meetings over possible fare increases. Starting January 1, 2026, the Federal Government will implement a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s tax system. These reforms are among the most significant in decades and aim to simplify taxation, promote growth, expand compliance, and ease burdens on low-income earners. The reform is part of a broader fiscal policy designed by…

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom following the fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members, Sunday PUNCH reports. Joshua sustained minor injuries in the incident that killed Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele on Monday, December 29. The 36-year-old boxer was discharged from the hospital on New Year’s Eve. According to UK publication, the BBC, on Saturday, Joshua has now flown back home after the unfortunate incident. “Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has flown back to the UK after a fatal car…

A Professor of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, Gbade Ojo, has decried that the “indigene” and “non-indigene” distinctions across various sectors have created social and political divisions that undermine national unity and cripple federal efficiency. Ojo, a former Chief of Staff to the Oyo State Governor, stated this while delivering the university’s 291st inaugural lecture titled “The Worship of an Unknown Deity.” According to him, with the indigene, non-indigene practice, many Nigerians face discrimination when seeking admission, employment, promotion, school fees payment, state government scholarships and bursaries, postings, and opportunities outside their states of origin. Ojo further lamented…

Sentiment among crypto market participants on social media has started the year strong, according to a Santiment analyst, who warned that further market upside depends on retail investors staying level-headed.“We need retail to continue to be a bit cautious, a bit pessimistic, a bit impatient,” Santiment analyst Brian Quinlivan said in a video published to YouTube on Saturday.Despite other crypto sentiment indicators showing fear among market participants, Quinlivan said Santiment’s social media data points the other way.This level has historically been “a concern”“It is very positive at the moment,” he said. “Usually that is a bit of a concern, but…

Breaking Amish alum Jeremiah Raber has assured his TikTok followers that he’s on the mend after a scary few days. “Huge thanks to all the people that have been praying for me. I truly appreciate it,” Raber, 42, wrote to fans via TikTok on Friday, January 2. Raber previously made several alarming posts via social media, a few of which showed him in a hospital bed. On December 30, Raber said he had “possible liver failure” and was “waiting to be life flighted to another hospital.” At the time, Raber told his followers that his blood sugar level was “993”…

Ekid Peoples Union has criticised Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State over his remarks suggesting that their opposition to activities around the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve in the state amounts to terrorism. In a statement signed by the Chairperson of the Union Board of Trustees, Nduese Essien, and Secretary, Bassey Itama, the group described the comments as “dangerous, hurtful, and capable” of escalating tension in Akwa Ibom State. The Ekid Peoples Union is an influential socio-cultural group that promotes and protects the interests of the Ekid ethnic nationality, which occupies the Eket and Esit Eket local government areas of…

Geregu Power Plc, the Lagos-listed power generation company acquired on Monday by Abuja-based Ma’am Energy from billionaire tycoon Femi Otedola, has appointed Abdul-Aziz Abubakar Yari, the senator representing Zamfara West, as chair of the company in breach of Nigeria’s code of conduct for public officers. The utility named Mr Yari as his new chair to replace Mr Otedola in the wake of a board meeting where it was announced that the ownership of the company had changed hands, with the new majority shareholder now holding 77 per cent of the shareholding in beneficial ownership. A source conversant with negotiation talks…

There is enough to suggest that this is no longer just a matter of law and public good but an existential battle with corporate powers that will stop at nothing to have their way, no matter the cost, even if that happens to be putting thousands of life in the line of danger, a reason for which political leaders must stand firm and give NAFDAC the needed support to let the ban go into effect tomorrow as scheduled. “This ban is not punitive, it is protective. We cannot continue to sacrifice the well-being of Nigerians, especially our children, for short-term…

Former Nigerian queen Zaynab Otiti-Obanor has opened up on the reasons behind her decision to marry the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume. On 26 December, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Akume married Zaynab, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Zaynab had previously been married to prominent figures before her union with Mr Akume. Notably, she married Mr Ogunwusi in 2016, though the marriage ended in divorce the following year, 2017. Following her separation from the Ooni, she reportedly relocated to Qatar. However, in a statement made available by her media…