Author: News Room
A coalition of human rights organisations under the aegis of the Nigerian Human Rights Community, which observed the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, has described the election as credible, free and fair, and one that met international standards. The coalition’s position was contained in a statement signed by Martins Adeleke, Fred Ojinika and Abubakar Ahmed. The coalition premised its conclusion on reports from its over 200 observers deployed across Ekiti State to monitor the election. It declared that the election “reflected the genuine democratic choice of the electorate, was peaceful and largely devoid of the violence, ballot snatching…
A Canada-based Nigerian, Idris Olajide Oladejo, has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference following the alleged sexual assault of a child at a grocery store in Toronto. The Toronto Police Service, in two separate statements obtained by PUNCH Metro on Sunday, stated that the 35-year-old Toronto resident was arrested on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, after investigators identified him as the suspect in the incident. The police said that the alleged assault occurred on Sunday, June 21, at about 7 p.m. in the Victoria Park Avenue and St Clair Avenue East area of Toronto. The statement noted that officers…
Nigeria’s economic future may no longer depend solely on oil. Increasingly, the country’s vast mineral resources are emerging as a major driver of economic growth, industrialisation, and long-term prosperity. The recent announcement by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, at the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit, points to what could become one of the most important turning points in Nigeria’s economic diversification journey under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The discovery of high-grade deposits of gold, nickel, copper, lithium, platinum group metals, and rare earth elements in Kaduna State is a major development. This goes far…
Odu’a Investment Company Limited, owned by six South-West states, is targeting N1t in total assets by 2030 following the launch of its “30 by 2030” growth strategy, a roadmap officially known as SRC 2.0 (2026–2030). The company also declared N23.58bn Profit Before Tax for the 2025 fiscal year. This was announced by the former Chairman of the company, Bimbo Ashiru, during the 44th Annual General Meeting held at the newly redeveloped Premier Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday. He said, “During the 2025 fiscal year, the company grew its revenue base by 78 per cent, which amounts to N20.22bn,…
Former France international Thierry Henry says he is delighted to see African teams excel at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico after nine of the 10 qualified teams from the continent progressed to the Round of 32. Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo and Algeria all booked places in the knockout stage in a record-breaking performance for Africa. Previously, the continent’s highest representation in the knockout rounds of a single World Cup was two teams, achieved during the 32-team tournament era. At the expanded tournament, Africa now boasts the…
As darkness approaches in Ogwashi-Uku, a town known for its rich culture and commercial activities in Delta State, many residents begin a daily routine that has become all too familiar. Shop owners close earlier than they used to. Commercial drivers avoid certain roads. Parents ensure their children return home before nightfall. Streets that once remained lively into the evening gradually become deserted. For many residents, these are no longer ordinary precautions. They are survival strategies. In recent years, kidnapping, armed robbery, cult violence and other criminal activities have cast a shadow over Ogwashi-Uku and surrounding communities. While security agencies and…
Princess Kate Middleton is opening up about the way her cancer diagnosis impacted every facet of her public and private life. “Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear,” Kate, 44, began in a Sunday, June 28, Instagram statement. “What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The challenges ripple outwards, touching families, friendships, work and the quiet moments we spend alone with our thoughts.” She continued, “Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel…
The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has wrapped up marathon strategy meetings involving its presidential candidate, Peter Obi; national leader, Seriake Dickson; National Working Committee members and other key stakeholders ahead of Monday’s (today) appeal against the court ruling that nullified its registration. The development comes barely 48 hours after the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the NDC. The ruling has intensified political tensions and drawn condemnation from opposition leaders who insist the decision is aimed at weakening opposition forces ahead of the 2027…
The Kogi State Police Command has launched a manhunt for three suspects following the death of a 30-year-old primary school teacher who allegedly succumbed to injuries sustained after she was assaulted for disciplining a pupil. The teacher, Maryam Usman, was said to have been attacked on June 18 at Brains Minds Nursery and Primary School, Ugbamaka, in Olamaboro Local Government Area of the state. The command’s spokesperson, SP Oyiza Salisu Afusat, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the case of culpable homicide was reported at the Olamaboro Divisional Police Headquarters on June 25. According to the statement, preliminary…
Nigeria’s debts continue to grow as the government shops around for all available credit, not minding the toxicity. I received a video showing African countries that are heavily indebted to the International Monetary Fund, and Nigeria’s name was absent. Many Nigerians were happy and gladly reposted the same video as if freedom from the IMF loan were freedom from toxic loans. Countries that owe the IMF substantial debt find it difficult to obtain loans from other sources, as the IMF is one of the main institutions that recommends or gives support to countries seeking loans from major private creditors. When…
