Author: News Room
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended its earlier “no-pay, no-service” directive issued against domestic airlines over outstanding statutory remittances owed to the regulator. The authority announced the decision in a statement issued on Sunday evening by the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Chris Najomo. The suspension comes barely two days after the NCAA directed its departments and regional offices to withhold services from 11 domestic operators over unpaid financial obligations. PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that the directive was contained in an internal memo dated 22 May and signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya. The…
Fresh from guiding Rangers International to the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League title, coach Fidelis Ilechukwu spoke exclusively to PREMIUM TIMES about the mentality, discipline and unity that powered one of the most dramatic title-winning campaigns in recent NPFL history. The Flying Antelopes edged out fierce rivals Rivers United, by defeating Ikorodu City in Lagos 2-1, in a tense race that went down to the final day, securing another major trophy for one of Nigeria’s most historic clubs. In this interview, Ilechukwu reflects on Rangers’ consistency, tactical identity, pressure from Rivers United, his strong connection with Lagos, and the uncertainty…
Former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly and ex-South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Onoh, has stated that former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon should apologize to the Igbo. Onoh criticized Gowon over his recent comments on civilian casualties during the Nigerian Civil War, describing the remarks as a dangerous minimisation of the human tragedy of the conflict. Gowon had during an interview on Arise Television said that after visiting former Biafran territories following the war, he noticed black spots on palm trees and was informed they were bullet marks. Gowon had reportedly concluded from the observation that…
Four governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State have rejected an alleged move to bring former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, into the party’s governorship primary race ahead of the 2027 elections. The aspirants, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, Hon. Usman Aliyu Garry and Mrs. Monica Kaltho, made their position known in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting held on Sunday in Gombe. They alleged that there were plans to “smuggle” Pantami into the PDP after he had already participated in the governorship primaries of the ruling…
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 2 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a suspected drug storage facility in the Mende area of Maryland, Lagos, recovering 425 bags of suspected Canadian Loud and other items linked to an alleged trafficking network. The operation was carried out over the weekend at No. 10 Olori Adekemi Ajibola Street, Arowojobe Estate, Mende, Lagos. Police identified the suspect as 41-year-old Eke Henry Ifeanyi, who allegedly used a three-bedroom apartment within the compound as a warehouse for storing and distributing the banned substance both within Nigeria and abroad. Recovered items…
Remo Stars have set an unwanted record in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, following their relegation to the Nigeria National League, NNL, DAILY POST reports. The Sky Blue Stars became the first club in NPFL history to win the title and suffer relegation the following season. Usman Abdallah’s side confirmed their relegation after battling to a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance on the final day of the 2025/26 season at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Sunday. Remo Stars finished the season in 17th position with 47 points from 38 matches. The other relegated clubs are El-kanemi Warriors,…
The Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, formerly Northern CAN, Joseph Hayab, has cautioned politicians against manipulation, greed and selfish leadership, urging public office holders to fear God and serve as positive examples to younger Nigerians. Hayab, who is also the Senior Pastor of Amazing Grace Baptist Church, spoke on Sunday shortly after the dedication of the church auditorium in Gonin Gora, Kaduna State. The event attracted prominent Nigerians, including politicians, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other dignitaries. Speaking with journalists after the service, the cleric stressed the need for peaceful coexistence and religious harmony in the country, noting that…
An early-morning fire on Sunday gutted a residential building at Tewo-Gbore Street, Ogele Ori-Sunbare in the Eyenkorin area of Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, destroying parts of the property. PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 12:38 am, affected a building comprising a room-and-parlour self-contained apartment and a two-bedroom flat. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, firefighters responded swiftly after receiving a distress call from the area. Adekunle said the timely intervention of firemen prevented the fire from spreading to nearby structures and…
Argentina forward Lionel Messi sparked fresh injury concerns ahead of the World Cup after asking to be substituted during Inter Miami CF’s Major League Soccer clash against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday. As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, the Argentina captain was replaced in the 73rd minute after appearing to clutch the back of his left leg during the match played in wet conditions in Miami. Messi walked off the pitch unaided before heading straight down the tunnel, easing fears of a serious problem. Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos later insisted the decision was precautionary rather than injury-related. “As…
The US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund market is closing in on recording net outflows for this year after Friday saw the funds hit six consecutive days of outflows.Net inflows into the Bitcoin ETFs so far in 2026 have shrunk to $536 million after the market bled another $105.2 million on Friday, as BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) lost $68.9 million and the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) recorded outflows of $36.3 million.While no other US-based Bitcoin ETF registered a change in flows, Friday’s outflow contributed to the $1.55 billion that has bled out of the ETFs since May 14,…
