Author: News Room

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed how entrenched interests benefiting from Nigeria’s fuel import and subsidy regime tried to frustrate the construction of his $20 billion refinery, describing them as a powerful “mafia” determined to preserve a lucrative subsidy system. Mr Dangote said the resistance came from traders, shippers and local beneficiaries of Nigeria’s long-running petrol subsidy arrangement who saw the refinery as a threat to billions of naira in profits. Speaking in an interview with Nicolai Tangen, chief executive officer of the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund, he said these interests worked to delay access to project land and…

A fatal motor accident at Sheda village along the Abuja-Lokoja highway has claimed the lives of the Speaker of the Gwagwalada Area Council legislative arm, Mohammed Ibrahim Ibwa and his aide, Ibrahim Ibwa. The aide to the Speaker died on the spot while the Speaker died in the early hours of Thursday at the Abuja Teaching Hospital, where he was referred after initially receiving treatment at Legend Hospital in Gwagwalada. A source explained that the victims were involved in a head-on collision accident involving a Mercedes-Benz car and a Sino truck at Sheda village around 3:10 p.m. on Wednesday. He…

The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, Mustapha Sule Lamido, has successfully scaled through the party’s screening process ahead of the 2027 governorship election. Lamido was cleared by the PDP screening committee in Abuja on Thursday ahead of the party’s governorship primary scheduled for May 21. He emerged as the only aspirant screened for the PDP governorship ticket in Jigawa State, positioning him as the party’s flag bearer to challenge the incumbent governor, Umar Namadi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 2027 general election. Speaking after the screening exercise, Mustapha Lamido said…

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has named Paris Saint-Germain as the best football team on the planet. The former England defender stated this in a recent interview with talkSPORT. According to Ferdinand, the French Ligue 1 giants are in the driving seat to win back-to-back UEFA Champions League trophies. Recall that PSG won the Champions League last season after beating Inter Milan in the final. Luis Enrique’s side is now in another Champions League final this season, where they will face Arsenal after beating Bayern Munich in the semi-final to qualify. “He [Enrique] is the manager of the current Champions…

Political activities intensified on Thursday as the All Progressives Congress prepared for the kick off its primaries amid intense lobbying and behind-the-scenes negotiations, with aspirants and power blocs jostling for tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections. This is as former House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that he once nearly lost his position as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu because of Desmond Elliot. On national security and anti-graft operations, controversy trailed an EFCC operation at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where a medical doctor alleged that operatives assaulted hospital staff and forcibly took him into…

Panic gripped residents of Eziobodo, host community of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, on Wednesday night after suspected herdsmen reportedly invaded the area, injuring several persons, including a minor. The attack, which occurred around 9 p.m., also triggered a security response from operatives of the Imo State Police Command and local vigilantes, who later restored calm to the community. Sources said the assailants stormed the area on more than 20 motorcycles, riding recklessly and causing panic among residents. The Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident, stating that the gunmen attempted to…

The Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday cleared Plateau State governorship aspirant, Kefas Ropshik, to participate in the party’s governorship primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections. The screening exercise was held at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, as the main opposition party intensifies preparations for the next electoral cycle across the country. Ropshik is seeking the party’s ticket to challenge the incumbent Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, who is expected to seek a second term in office. Speaking after the exercise, the PDP chieftain described the screening as a major milestone in his governorship ambition and…

Newly appointed head coaches of Nigeria’s U-20 and U-17 men’s national football teams have selected their assistant coaches, beginning the process of rebuilding both squads ahead of major championships, The PUNCH reports. Flying Eagles coach Abdu Maikaba has picked Ortega Deniran (first assistant), Abdullahi Biffo (second assistant) and Usman Mohammed (goalkeeper trainer) to work with him. Maikaba, who previously worked as assistant coach of the two-time FIFA U-20 World Cup runners-up Flying Eagles and also managed several of Nigeria’s leading clubs, announced his backroom staff on Thursday as the team prepares to resume camp in Abuja on Sunday ahead of…

Global superstar Shakira has officially released “Dai Dai,” the anthem for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, in collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats star, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy. The Colombian singer announced the release directly to fans via social media on Friday. She posted: “Dai Dai is here. The @FIFAWorldCup 2026 starts now!” The Fédération Internationale de Football Association also announced the song in a statement posted on its X handle on Friday, saying the track is now available on major streaming platforms. “Today, excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ continues to build with the release of…

US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) posted their largest daily outflow since January as Bitcoin struggled to hold the $80,000 level after a sharp rebound from April lows.Bitcoin (BTC) funds recorded $635.2 million in outflows on Wednesday, extending $233.3 million in outflows from the previous trading session, according to SoSoValue data.So far, weekly outflows stand at $841.2 million, putting ETFs on track for their first week of net losses after six consecutive weeks of gains totaling around $3.4 billion.Weekly spot Bitcoin ETF flows since March 27 (May 13 week incomplete). Source: SoSoValueThe volatility comes as Bitcoin continues to swing around…