Author: News Room

Governor Uba Sani has commended Kaduna State pilgrims for their exemplary conduct in Saudi Arabia while performing the 2026 Hajj in the Holy Land. A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa in Makkah on Thursday, said that the Governor gave the accolade when a high-powered delegation gave him an update on the entire Hajj exercise. The statement quoted the Governor as also saying that Kaduna State pilgrims officials have become references in diligent Hajj service delivery. Governor Uba Sani reminded the pilgrims that Hajj is a pillar of Islam that requires patience, perseverance and total devotion…

Prof. Femi Otubanjo, Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs says he is surprised the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, is vying for the number one seat in the country. Speaking during an interview on the Arise News TV morning show, Otubanjo said he is surprised because the African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain does not have what it takes for the presidential race. “I’m surprised that Amaechi is struggling to be president. The problem is that Nigerians take politics as incantation, when you say something repeatedly, you feel you can do it”, he said. According to him,…

Former Super Eagles forward, Nwankwo Kanu, has claimed it is Arsenal’s turn to win the UEFA Champions League. Kanu was sharing his thoughts with Flashscore ahead of the Gunners’ clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. Arsenal fly to Budapest on the back of winning their first Premier League title in 22 years. Mikel Arteta’s men have also reached the final without losing a single game. On the other hand, PSG are the defending champions and have already beaten English sides like Chelsea and Liverpool this campaign. “I told my friends that last season, we were struggling against Manchester City, and they…

The United States has arrested a former senior CIA official after a search found $40 million worth of gold bars at his home. FBI officers also seized $2 million in cash and around 35 luxury watches this month from the home of David Rush in the US state of Virginia, according to court documents. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that he was a former senior CIA official, quoting people familiar with the investigation. An FBI probe found that Rush had provided false information about his education and military background in his job application, including lying about obtaining university…

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has arrested a mother and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18m. The Acting Police Public Liaison Officer, NPF-NCCC, Abuja, DSP Unwana Imah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday. According to the statement, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru. The police said preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident, Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large and identified as Rokibat’s stepfather, allegedly conspired with her to open and operate…

Ambassador Blessing Fubara Senior, brother of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the governorship election under the Nigerian Democratic Congress, pledging to serve only one term if elected. He made the declaration ahead of the party’s primary election, describing himself as a “ready, competent and energetic” candidate committed to restoring peace, stability and economic prosperity in Rivers State. Fubara said the state had suffered economic decline and loss of dignity, calling for a collective political “uprising” to reclaim its lost standing. He said, “I am addressing you today on the occasion of the Nigerian Democratic…

The President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, has stressed the need for central banks across the world to maintain their independence amid growing political and economic pressures. Speaking on Thursday at a conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Lagarde said the challenge facing monetary institutions was no longer just how to guarantee independence, but how to protect it when tested. “The question is no longer simply how to guarantee independence,” she said. “It is how to protect it when it is put to the test.” Lagarde noted that central banks in emerging markets and developing economies had long operated…

Chelsea have made inquiries about Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen as the club prepares for a significant squad rebuild under incoming manager Xabi Alonso following a disappointing 2025/26 campaign, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Blues finished 10th in the Premier League, missing out on European football entirely, and are expected to see several players depart Stamford Bridge this summer. Among them is Brazilian forward Joao Pedro, who has attracted interest from Barcelona, raising questions about Chelsea’s attacking options heading into next season. Alonso, who has been handed a four-year contract beginning July 1, is understood to have identified signing a…

Google Home is rolling out a new Gemini-powered automation feature that can trigger smart home routines based on what your security cameras can see. This is one of several updates announced yesterday for Gemini for Home, including enhanced voice command support and general stability improvements, following its early access launch in October.“We are introducing a brand-new starter that lets you design automations based on visual insights,” Google said in its announcement. “Because your cameras can now actually understand what they see, your smart home can automatically react to almost anything happening around your home.”The feature is currently supported for Nest…

Polymarket’s vice president of engineering, Josh Stevens, clarified that the prediction market platform is not adding mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) checks to its existing service, after a report said the company had considered user verification requirements.Stevens said in an X response that Polymarket is launching a new beta product for a select group of users and that KYC is required only to access the beta during its early test period. “No KYC is being added to any part of existing polymarket.com with this launch,” Stevens wrote. He said that once the product is out of beta, no KYC will…