Author: News Room

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Airlines Limited, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, has said that domestic air travel in Nigeria remains one of the cheapest globally, despite widespread complaints by passengers over rising ticket prices. Okonkwo, who is also the spokesperson for airline operators in Nigeria, made the claim on Thursday while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, amid allegations of airfare hikes by local airlines. He argued that Nigerian carriers were operating under intense financial pressure but had continued to keep fares relatively low compared with what obtains in other countries. According to him, airlines worldwide operate…

At least 12 miners were shot dead when gunmen attacked a mining site in the Ratoso Fan community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, on Tuesday night. PUNCH Metro gathered that several others sustained injuries of varying degrees during the assault. Residents who witnessed the attack said the gunmen stormed the site while the miners were at work and opened fire on them. The Chairman of the Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation and Secretary of the Mining Committee in Barkin Ladi, Dagallang Davott, who confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro in Jos on Wednesday, said many other persons…

When I read that the Federal Government is pushing for N17.89tn fresh loans to finance the 2026 budget, I wondered what happened to the loans that were contracted and received for the unimplemented 2025 budget. The loans include the oversubscribed Eurobond loan of November 2025. I have noted long before now that the government creates huge and increasing budget deficits in every annual budget to justify the need for borrowing. The total borrowings in the 2025 budget were N10.42tn, and this jumped to N17.89tn in the 2026 budget. Actually, the fiscal deficit in the 2026 budget is put at N20.12tn…

A faction of the Accord Party has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission over its reported disownment of a factional governorship primary in Osun State. PUNCH Online earlier reported that the faction led by its former presidential candidate, Professor Chris Imumolen, had conducted a governorship primary, which produced Bamigbola Clement as its candidate for the August 8, 2026, governorship poll. While another faction of the party, led by Isaac Adeniyi, also conducted another primary, which threw up Governor Ademola Adeleke as its flagbearer. But the Independent National Electoral Commission accepted the result of the primary that threw up Adeleke and disowned…

A Nigerian firm, Comfort Architectural Finishing Limited, has been recognised for its outstanding contributions to the field of architecture and design. In a statement on Monday, the firm said it received the Innovation, Architecture, and Design Award at the 8th edition of the 100 Persons of the Year Awards. The award was presented on Saturday, 7 December 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. According to the company, the honour reflects its commitment to excellence, sustainable development, and impact-driven design. “We are proud to receive this recognition, which reflects our dedication to building with integrity, purpose, and world-class standards,” the…

The Nigeria Rugby League Association has reinforced its backroom staff with the addition of a director of high performance and mentors for both the men’s and women’s national teams, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The governing body announced Luke Shearman as Director of High Performance, International Teams and Competitions, moving from his former role as assistant women’s team coach. The NRLA also announced the appointment of New Zealand international, Njavada George, as the women’s national team mentor, while Ashley Klein comes in as referee mentor and Tara Jones will support the development and increased participation of women referees in Nigeria. “The…

Afrobeats singer Davido has named Asake, Rema, and Omah Lay as the leading artistes he believes could rise to be regarded among the greatest in the Nigerian music industry. The multiple award-winning artiste made the remarks on Wednesday while appearing on comedian Carter Efe’s Twitch livestream, clips of which have since circulated widely on social media. Asked to name who he considered the next “GOAT” in the industry, Davido said, “Right now, for me, I say, between Asake, Omah Lay, or Rema. If you ask me. I think they’ve done exceptionally well.” He added that his assessment focused on male…

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded $457 million in net inflows on Wednesday, marking their strongest single-day intake in more than a month as institutional demand showed signs of re-acceleration.Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) led the inflows, recording the largest daily intake at roughly $391 million, accounting for the majority of the day’s net inflows. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) followed with around $111 million, according to data from Farside Investors. The inflows lifted cumulative net inflows for US spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs to more than $57 billion, while total net assets climbed above $112 billion, equivalent to around…

Austen Kroll previously called Southern Charm costar Salley Carson the “MVP” of season 11, exclusively telling Us Weekly that “she came to play” — and now that the season is in full swing, fans are beginning to see what he meant. Salley, who joined the Bravo cast during season 10, has become one of the major players during the current season, which premiered in November. However, not all of her story lines have been positive. Salley has raised eyebrows throughout season 11 for her romantic entanglement with Craig Conover especially after butting heads with newbie Charley Manley over their respective…

The Super Eagles will on Thursday move into the final stage of their Africa Cup of Nations preparations as players and officials depart Cairo, Egypt, for Fès, Morocco. Officials of the national team confirmed that the Super Eagles will leave Cairo at midday, bringing an end to their short pre-tournament camp in Egypt, which included a high-profile friendly against the seven-time African Champions. Upon arrival in Morocco, the Super Eagles are expected to hold their first training session in Fès later in the day, tentatively scheduled for 6pm local time, as focus fully shifts to the tournament proper. The move…