Author: News Room

Lagos-based journalist Friday Alefia was released from detention on Friday after 22 days behind bars, PREMIUM TIMES can report. Mr Alefia’s release followed delays in meeting the stringent bail conditions set by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Speaking shortly after leaving Kuje Correctional Centre, Mr Alefia said he had finally fulfilled all court requirements. “After I was granted bail, we couldn’t meet the conditions because the two sureties with the sum of N20 million each had to reside in Abuja,” he told PREMIUM TIMES via WhatsApp call. Delivering the ruling on 27 November, the judge, Obiora Egwuatu granted Mr…

The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has thrown its weight behind the ongoing oil and gas sector reforms, particularly within the regulatory arms of the sector. PANDEF said it was thrilled by news of the developments, which it believes would significantly reposition the sector. Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, the chairman of PANDEF, Dr Godknows Boladei Igali, said the reforms that led to the emergence of one of Nigeria’s most competent professionals in the oil and gas sector, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, reflected President Tinubu’s…

Uganda striker Melvyn Lorenzen has warned Nigeria and other teams in Group C they will make things difficult for them at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Cranes will face Super Eagles, Tunisia and regional rivals Tanzania in the group stage. Paul Put’s side will open their campaign against former champions Tunisia next week Tuesday, before confronting Tanzania and Nigeria. Nigeria, who were runners-up at the last edition in Cote d’Ivoire, and Tunisia are favourites to qualify from the group. Lorenzen has however warned they will give their opponents a run for their money. “Even against the big nations,…

Rising singer and songwriter, Onu Olisaemeka, aka Liseh, has released his debut Extended Play album titled ‘Ready Uh Not’; marking a significant milestone in his musical career. The five-track project is a fusion of afrobeats, alternative sounds, and rap, reflecting Liseh’s evolving artistic identity and genre-bending approach to music. Speaking on the inspiration behind the EP, he stated that it explores the inner conflict between hesitation and action; “the fear of not being fully prepared and the courage to move forward regardless”. “The project reflects my journey of breaking free from perfectionism and learning to trust the process. It’s a…

I reconnected with a childhood friend recently, and we did some catching up over lunch. Those few hours we spent together were both heart-warming and sobering for me. It’s amazing how people’s reality is not at all what we think it is, yet they don’t wear their issues on their sleeves. If you asked me, I would say she is the luckiest girl amongst our peers because she’s the one that Cinderella-kind of love always seemed to happen to. From a well-known romance with one of the most eligible young men around to marriage to an older man who adored…

Nigeria is heading toward a difficult 2026 as widening revenue shortfalls, rising public debt, new taxes and delayed capital spending threaten to deepen economic strain, economists have said, following confirmation by Finance Minister Wale Edun that government revenues are far below target. Edun told lawmakers this week that federal revenues for 2025 are now projected at N10.7tn, compared with an initial estimate of N40.8tn, implying a gap of about N30tn. Economists who spoke to Saturday PUNCH warn the shortfall is likely to force tighter fiscal policies next year, with implications for households, investment and social infrastructure. “The current trajectory indicates…

Genoa head coach Daniele De Rossi believes that Atalanta will miss Ademola Lookman when the sides meet in Serie A this weekend and during the AFCON, describing the Nigerian winger as a decisive presence. Genoa host Atalanta on Sunday in a matchday 16 encounter, with the visitors travelling without Lookman, who has departed to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. De Rossi openly admitted the Atalanta winger is the kind of player every coach wants available, regardless of form. “I confess that if I were to coach Lookman, I’d always want him on the pitch because in Serie…

American–based ceramic sculptor, Femi Akande, is drawing significant international attention with his latest work, ‘Fragments of a Shattered Self’, a sculpture that extends his long-standing exploration of trauma, healing, peace, identity, and cultural resilience. Akande’s ceramic practice blends Yoruba visual philosophy with contemporary inquiries into emotional healing, collective memory, and socio-cultural reconstruction. The new work was recently selected for the Existence International Exhibizone Smart Group Exhibition, a juried global showcase organised by Biafarin in British Columbia, Canada. Created in 2025, ‘Fragments of a Shattered Self’ interrogates the psychological fractures caused by conflict, displacement, and personal adversity. Through fragmented glaze patterns…

Once known for its modest cost of living, Calabar is now pricing its own people out. From Marian to Parliamentary Extension and Calabar South, house rents have skyrocketed to as high as N1.5m for a one-bedroom apartment, forcing many residents to relocate, cohabit, or live in worsening conditions, EMEM JULIUS reports The city of Calabar, the capital of Cross River State in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, once known for its serene environment and affordable living, has become a nightmare for residents due to the exorbitant house rent, particularly in Calabar Municipal, and Calabar South Local government Areas of the State.…

If you value peace and quiet, particularly when traveling, Bose’s first-gen QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are worth checking out. They’re our favorite noise-canceling headphones for travel, and right now, you can snag a pair for an all-time low of $279 ($150 off) in select colors from Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose. All three retailers estimate that shipments should arrive before Christmas, with Bose saying its cutoff for free two-day shipping is December 22nd at 12PM ET.The QC Ultra offer top-tier noise cancellation, allowing you to block out the chaos of the holidays. They also feature some of the best comfort you’ll…