Author: News Room

The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa has identified persistent market volatility as one of the biggest threats to the sustainable development of Africa’s cocoa sector, warning that fluctuating prices continue to undermine farmers’ livelihoods and slow investment across the value chain. In a statement on Wednesday, speaking ahead of the cocoa & coffee fiesta Lagos, Nigeria 2026, scheduled for October 7 and 8, the Global President, COCEFAAA, Adeola Adegoke, said African cocoa farmers have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite years of unstable prices that have adversely affected income, productivity and sectoral growth. According to him, Africa remains the…

The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday said it had begun an investigation into the invasion of the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Office in Ogbomoso, where armed hoodlums allegedly carted away a rifle, ammunition and other valuables. Findings by The PUNCH revealed that the incident occurred on Tuesday night at the immigration office located along the Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway, near the NNPC filling station. A source said the assailants struck while commercial activities were still ongoing at the nearby Ayanyan Cattle Market. “The attackers stormed the facility and overpowered the officers on duty. During the attack, the officers were dispossessed of…

Last Saturday was supposed to be a day of triumph for Governor Seyi Makinde. The hall in Ibadan was filled with party colours and political symbolism. Delegates rose to their feet. A new political movement announced itself. The Allied Peoples’ Movement handed its presidential flag to the governor of Oyo State and presented him as its standard-bearer for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election. It should have been a day of celebration. Instead, it was a day of solemnity. As Makinde mounted the podium to accept his party’s nomination and unveil his “reset Nigeria” agenda, his face showed what some homes feel…

CardinalStone Partners Limited is proud to announce the successful completion of the N21bn Rights Issue of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Nigeria’s foremost indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturer. The transaction closed at an impressive 117 per cent subscription rate, making it one of the most strongly supported equity capital markets transactions on the Nigerian Exchange Group in recent years. Acting as Financial Adviser and Issuing House, CardinalStone led the transaction from structuring and regulatory engagement through investor marketing, execution, and final allotment. The successful completion of the Rights Issue reflects the firm’s strong execution capabilities, deep understanding of the Nigerian capital markets, and continued…

Newcastle United have reportedly submitted a €24m bid for fast-rising Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna, despite AIK having already reached a verbal agreement with Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Brighton have been in advanced talks to sign the highly-rated AIK Fotboll winger after tabling a €24m offer, days after the Swedish club revealed that it had begun negotiations over his potential sale. The Seagulls are preparing for life back in Europe after finishing the 2025/26 season in eighth place in the Premier League, securing UEFA Conference League football. Fabian Hürzeler’s side are expected to enter…

Retail investors will soon be able to participate in US initial public offerings (IPOs) at the offering price through a new tokenized equities program from Payward Services, a Kraken-affiliated company.In a Wednesday announcement, Payward Services said customers of Kraken and select members of its xStocks Alliance will be able to express interest in US-listed IPOs before companies go public and receive allocations of tokenized shares on listing day.According to the company, the shares will be issued at the IPO offering price and backed 1:1 by the underlying stock held in custody by a regulated entity, allowing eligible retail investors to…

Clean beauty taught people to question what they put on their skin. Now that same thinking is moving from the bathroom counter to the kitchen cabinet. For years, beauty shoppers have been trained to look past pretty packaging and ask harder questions: What’s in this product? Is it safe? Is it better for the environment? Are “natural,” “clean” and “non-toxic” meaningful terms — or just marketing? Those same questions are now being asked about non-toxic and nonstick frying pans. What Is the Clean Beauty Movement? Clean beauty generally refers to skincare products formulated without ingredients considered harmful to human health…

The Coalition of Non-State Schools in Oyo State (CONSSOS) has ruled out joining any strike or protest over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from their schools in Oriire Local Government Area, saying alternative actions would better support efforts to secure the victims’ release and improve school security across the state. Instead of strike or protest, the coalition directed all private schools across the state to close on Friday, 5 June, in solidarity with calls for the urgent rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers and to hold special prayer sessions seeking their safe return. It gave the declared its…

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has suspended the Village Head of Rikadawa, Malam Rabi’u Yusuf, over allegations of involvement in the unauthorised sale of farmland in Madobi Local Government Area. The suspension was announced on Wednesday during a hearing held at the Kano Emirate Council. The announcement was made through the District Head of Kano, Alhaji Ali Ibrahim Ahmad Matawalle, and the Waziri of Kano, Alhaji Sa’ad Shehu Gidado. The case was brought before the Emirate following complaints against the suspended village head and Isah Dahiru, the son of a district head. They were accused of selling farmland belonging…

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has disclosed that only four political parties, comprising the All Progressives Congress, APC, Allied Peoples’ Movement, APM, Action Peoples Party, APP and Boot Party, will participate in the bye-election in Ondo South Senatorial District, which takes place on Saturday, June 20, 2026. The Commission also revealed that a total of 673,446 registered voters are expected to participate in the by-election across the 1,354 Polling Units and 66 Registration Areas (Wards) in the district. This disclosure was contained in the keynote address delivered by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, at…