Author: News Room

Thirty civil society organisations have called for robust accountability and governance safeguards as momentum builds around proposals to establish state police in Nigeria, warning that decentralising policing without effective oversight could undermine public trust and citizens’ rights. The coalition, Open Alliance, made the call following a stakeholder dialogue on “Devolution of Policing in Nigeria: Pathways to Effective and Accountable State Policing,” held in Abuja on 13 May. The event brought together civil society organisations, governance institutions, development partners, legal practitioners, security experts, media professionals, and policy actors to examine the prospects and risks associated with state police. The intervention followed…

…the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) deserves greater expansion and deeper engagement within secondary schools across the country. While the programme has recorded commendable success in raising awareness about drug abuse and trafficking, there is need for sustained sensitisation targeted specifically at students before they become victims of addiction. The growing menace of drug abuse among young Nigerians has become one of the most disturbing social challenges confronting our nation. Recent reports indicating that more than half of drug offenders arrested in Nigeria are youths should alarm every parent, teacher, policymaker,…

Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has insisted Nigeria remains a work in progress despite completing an emphatic double over Senegal, following Monday’s convincing 3-0 victory over the Teranga Lionesses in Ikenne. The win capped an impressive international window for the ten-time African champions as they continue preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Nigeria will be aiming to successfully defend its continental crown. Goals from emerging forward Omewa Joy, who netted her first two international goals, and a late strike from six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala sealed a comfortable victory for…

The Benue State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of ex-Speaker Aondona Dajoh and former Majority Leader Saater Tiseer by an additional three months pending the determination of separate court cases instituted by the duo against the legislature or the withdrawal of the suits. The resolution was reached during plenary on Tuesday, presided over by the Speaker, Berger Alfred, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Majority Leader of the House and member representing Kwande West State Constituency, Thomas Dugeri, and seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip, Simon Gabo, representing Mata State Constituency. The House subsequently…

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for deciding to appeal court rulings that struck out parts of its timetable for the 2027 general elections. Speaking after a meeting between INEC and leaders of registered political parties in Abuja on Tuesday, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the commission should not challenge the judgments because they would give political parties and candidates more time to prepare for elections. Gombe said, “INEC has no right to appeal the ruling because of the timing of the election and so on.” He added that the judgments…

Residents of Apa Local Government Area of Benue State have expressed outrage following allegations that soldiers assaulted and disarmed youth volunteers who were mobilising to strengthen community security amid persistent attacks by suspected armed herders. The incident reportedly occurred in Adija community, days after three farmers were said to have been killed in Ikobi community, one of several areas that have experienced repeated security challenges in recent months. According to local sources, youth volunteers from various communities had gathered in Ologo and Asaba villages to discuss security concerns and possible community protection measures. The volunteers were reportedly intercepted by soldiers…

Rivers Angels head coach, Tosan Blankson, has blamed missed chances for his team’s defeat to Abia Angels. Abia Angels defeated Rivers Angels 1-0 in a matchday two fixture of the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium , Port-Harcourt on Monday. Winner David’s 26th minute header proved decisive in the encounter. Blankson expressed disappointment with the outcome of the game. “Sometimes football is cruel, the girls failed to deliver despite their efforts,” Blankson stated in a post-match interview. “It’s a bad day for us as the strikers had enough chances but they couldn’t deliver.” Rivers Angels occupy…

The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, on Tuesday called for greater commitment to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the adoption of clean energy solutions as part of efforts to combat climate change and secure a better future for coming generations. She lamented the continued dependence of many households on firewood, charcoal, and other traditional biomass fuels, warning that such practices contribute to deforestation, environmental degradation, indoor air pollution, and serious health risks. She stated that, in a bid to address this challenge, the Federal Government, in partnership with the Ogun State Government, is distributing clean cookstoves to…

A woman has been apprehended by community members in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State after she allegedly threw her five-year-old child into a river following instructions reportedly given by a self-acclaimed seer in Benin City. The incident, which surfaced in videos circulating on social media on Tuesday, was shared by X user ChuksEricE and has since generated widespread outrage and debate among Nigerians. According to information accompanying the viral videos, the woman allegedly abandoned the child after being told by a seer that the five-year-old was a python in human form. Speaking in the video, the woman…

The Senate on Tuesday intensified its oversight of the South East Development Commission, ordering its Managing Director, Mark Okoye, to account for alleged mismanagement of ₦16.6bn appropriated in the 2025 budget. The scrutiny came during an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, amid growing concerns over transparency in the utilisation of funds released to the relatively new regional development agency created to drive infrastructure and economic recovery in the South East. The committee, chaired by Senator Orji Kalu, raised serious objections to several items in the commission’s financial report, including ₦153m reportedly spent on renting…