Author: News Room

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has opposed a proposal by the Senate to amend Nigeria’s anti-terrorism law to impose the death penalty without the option of a fine, for all kidnapping-related offences. Mr Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, warned that the proposal could undermine Nigeria’s cooperation with international partners in the global war against terrorism, as many countries would refuse to extradite suspects who may face capital punishment. He said approving such a provision could inadvertently create safe havens abroad for terrorism suspects, noting that foreign courts often block extradition on human…

What a year it has been for Nigeria, one that might yet go down in the country’s foreign relations history as one of the most consequential. Not since the era in which Nigeria played a frontline role in decolonising Africa and ending the ignoble reign of apartheid in South Africa, and then, her defining role as the team leader of ECOMOG Forces in Liberia and Sierra Leone, has Nigeria’s exertions on the foreign front become a front-burner issue. It is tempting to dwell on the dramatic end-of-year developments, starting with the ‘coup’ in Guinea-Bissau following a hotly contested election, which…

World leaders meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York have adopted a landmark global declaration committing governments to address non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions in a collaborative effort. In a statement, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the agreement marks the first time countries have jointly pledged to address chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes alongside mental health conditions, acknowledging their growing toll on lives, health systems and national economies worldwide. NCDs remain among the leading causes of death globally, while mental health conditions affect more than one billion people, according to the…

The first part of this series covered piracy and survival among Nigeria’s small-scale fishers and traders. The second showed government inaction. This third instalment shows how shifting weather is battering artisanal fishers, as told through the experience of one community. The fishermen in Ikuru – a small Andoni community on the coast of Rivers State, Nigeria – have a lot to lament. For generations, the settlement on the edge of the Atlantic lived by the tides. At dawn, men paddled out in narrow canoes while women waited ashore to buy the day’s catch. The sea provided enough to feed families…

The Yobe State House of Assembly has given accelerated consideration to a bill seeking to repeal and re-enact the law establishing the Rural Electrification Commission, aimed at ensuring a sustainable power supply across the state. The bill, presented by the executive arm of government, passed its second reading on the floor of the House following extensive deliberations by lawmakers. Leading the debate, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Nasiru Hassan Yusuf, said, “The establishment of the commission is a critical step towards accelerating socio-economic development and improving the living standards of people in rural communities.” Yusuf explained that, “The…

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced the defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The announcement was made by APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, also from Plateau State, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. Yilwatda noted that with Governor Mutfwang’s defection, APC now controls all the states in the North Central region. It is recalled that the meeting is currently in session, with President Bola Tinubu present, along with the six governors who recently defected from PDP to APC.

Egypt forward, Omar Marmoush believes the Pharaohs have enough quality to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Pharaohs are the most successful team in the history of the competition, with seven titles. Hossam Hassan’s side failed to progress beyond the group stage in the last edition of the competition. Marmoush is confident they can conquer the continent again. “We are going to win the Africa Cup of Nations, of course, and then the World Cup,” Marmoush said, as per Foot Africa. Egypt is drawn in Group B with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Angola.

The 1995 set of Kings College, Lagos, has commenced the renovation and modernisation of the school’s Physics Laboratory. A member of the Class of 1995, Dr Mani Barminas, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, said the project was to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their graduation and to honour members of the set who had passed on. “We hope this gives their families some peace. We remember them always and pray their souls continue to rest in peace,” he said. Explaining why the set chose the Physics Laboratory, Barminas said physics remained a core science subject and the foundation for…

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday lamented what he described as “organised and orchestrated insecurity” in Nigeria, saying unnamed enemies were deliberately tormenting the country through terrorism, banditry and insurgency. Akpabio spoke at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. He urged party leaders to accommodate defectors and new members, warning against discrimination as the APC expands. Akpabio told President Bola Tinubu and other party leaders that the worsening security situation had left many states grieving, while the party leadership must remain united to confront the challenges. “We are very…

A community on the Osun–Kwara boundary, Ora, was thrown into panic on Monday following a fatal attack by suspected gunmen. PUNCH Metro learnt on Tuesday that the attack claimed the life of a village head, identified simply as Dennis, while a retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, was abducted. Residents who spoke with our correspondent said the abduction threw the community into panic, with people fleeing in different directions as the assailants escaped into the bush with the victim. The victim’s wife, Titilayo, told PUNCH Metro that the incident occurred in front of Owolabi’s house on Akisa Road, Ora, Osun State,…