Author: News Room

Former Jersey football administrator Ricky Weir says his award-winning memoir, Illegitimately Blessed, is becoming an unexpected vehicle for inspiring people across cultures and generations, with plans underway to bring the book to a wider audience in Nigeria and Africa. Speaking in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES during a recent visit to Nigeria, Mr Weir also reflected on another significant milestone in his journey of self-discovery—obtaining a Nigerian passport after years of tracing his paternal roots. However, he insists that it is the story behind that journey, captured in his memoir, that he hopes will resonate most with readers. Initially…

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on a Nigerian firm accused of supporting a financial network allegedly used by Russia to evade international sanctions imposed over its war in Ukraine. The move is part of a broader sanctions package announced on Tuesday by the UK government, targeting 70 individuals, entities and vessels linked to Russia’s military procurement networks, illicit finance operations and the so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers. According to a statement by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the new measures are aimed at disrupting Russia’s ability to circumvent Western sanctions and finance its military activities in…

The Federal Road Safety Corps has arrested suspected members of a phone theft gang and “one chance” syndicate and recovered a stolen mobile phone during an operation in Ibadan, Oyo State. This was disclosed in a statement published on the official Facebook page of FRSC Nigeria on Tuesday. According to the statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, the suspects were intercepted by an FRSC patrol team conducting routine operations along the Babalegba–Eleyele–Ojoo corridor in the early hours of Monday. The Corps said officers became suspicious after noticing a motorcycle rider pursuing a Nissan Micra vehicle with…

The Nigeria Olympic Committee has unveiled a national safeguarding policy for sports and directed all national sports federations to domesticate and implement the framework to protect athletes from abuse, harassment, discrimination and exploitation. Speaking at the official launch of the Nigeria Safeguarding in Sports Policy in Abuja on Tuesday, NOC President, Habu Gumel said the policy was designed to ensure that athletes compete and develop in a safe environment while aligning Nigeria’s sports sector with international best practices. Gumel said the policy followed the inauguration of the NOC Safeguarding Commission in February 2025 and a series of awareness campaigns targeted…

Verizon is launching a new Simplicity plan that starts at $30 / month for new customers, or $45 / month for existing ones. In its announcement, Verizon says the plan drops activation and upgrade fees, while offering one flat price for each line.The $30 price for new customers is an “initial promotional offer” that applies after enabling autopay and taking advantage of a discount for switching carriers, according to Verizon. But before customers can ditch Verizon’s $40 fee to activate or upgrade a device, they’ll need to opt in to the carrier’s new loyalty program through the My Verizon app.…

State Street Investment Management has launched a money market fund designed for stablecoin issuers, offering a vehicle for holding reserve assets under the framework established by the GENIUS Act. The fund is structured as a Rule 2a-7 government money market fund and will invest in assets commonly used to back stablecoins, including US government securities and repurchase agreements. The fund’s initial investors include State Street Bank and Anchorage Digital, a federally chartered crypto bank.State Street said the product was designed to comply with reserve requirements established under the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law on July 18, 2025, creating the first…

Influencer Jen Hamilton shared another emotional video after sparking speculation that her marriage to husband Brian is over. “OK, no crying,” she began in a TikTok posted on Monday, June 15, which she captioned, “The ‘statement.’” Hamilton continued in her video: “I’m feeling embarrassed and feeling exposed and feeling sad, feeling every single thing you probably possibly feel. My publicists say that I should make a statement ‘when I’m ready.’ There is no being ready. But there’s already been a bunch of articles about it, so I might as well just rip the Band-Aid off and put it out there…

The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, has dismissed allegations by a skit maker known as Local Man concerning the posting of the governor’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and the welfare of a deceased police officer who served at Government House, Uyo. Mr Azare spoke during an interview with ADBN TV published on Facebook on Monday, where he accused the content creator of spreading falsehoods and misrepresenting police procedures. CP defends CSO, police procedures According to the police commissioner, Local Man had, for weeks, criticised police activities at the Akwa Ibom Government House, including the posting of…

The World Bank has ranked Nigeria’s Apapa Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex among the 20 most improved ports globally, highlighting the impact of ongoing reforms and operational improvements in the country’s maritime sector. The recognition, contained in the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025 released by the World Bank in June, reflects significant progress in port efficiency, vessel turnaround time and cargo-handling operations at two of Nigeria’s busiest seaports. The ranking comes amid efforts by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to modernise port infrastructure, streamline operations and improve service delivery as part of broader reforms aimed at…

The Senate has suspended its ongoing legislative recess and summoned lawmakers for an emergency plenary session to address pressing national issues, particularly the worsening security situation across the country. In a notice dated June 15 and signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, senators were directed to reconvene at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday, June 23, at 11:00 a.m. The notice, issued on the directive of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stated that the emergency sitting was necessitated by matters of urgent national importance requiring immediate legislative attention. “The purpose of this emergency sitting is to…