The Update

 Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo , has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary , reiterating his administration's strong commitment to press freedom and media independence . In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismail Isah , Governor Ododo praised the NUJ for its significant role in advancing democracy , good governance , and national development over the past seven decades. Governor’s Remarks: Described the media as a critical pillar of democracy , essential for accountability and transparency in governance. Commended the NUJ for promoting responsible journalism , defending press freedom , and shaping public discourse . Reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to creating an enabling environment where journalists can operate freely and without fear . Appreciation for Journalists: Governor Ododo acknowledged the resilience and dedication of journalists who continue to provide credible information despite ...

  Impeaching a state governor in Nigeria is a constitutional process intended to ensure accountability and uphold democratic governance. However, political dynamics often influence its execution. Step-by-Step Process: 1. Notice of Allegation At least one-third of the members of the State House of Assembly must sign a written notice accusing the governor of gross misconduct . The notice is presented to the Speaker of the House . 2. Serving the Notice Within 7 days , the Speaker must serve the notice to the governor and all Assembly members. 3. Governor’s Right to Respond The governor has the right to reply to the allegations. Any response must be shared with all Assembly members. 4. Initial Vote by the Assembly Within 14 days , the House must vote without debate on whether the allegations warrant investigation. A two-thirds majority is required to proceed. If the motion fails, the process ends. 5. Formation of an Investigative Panel If the motion passes,...

The Nigerian Senate has denied claims by suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that there is a plan to arrest her upon her return from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) event in the United States. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for six months, alleged that her impending arrest is linked to her participation in the IPU meeting in New York on March 11, 2025. She reportedly raised concerns about her suspension during the event, which followed her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In a telephone interview on Sunday, March 16, 2025, she told Premium Times : “I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive in Abuja. Senate President Akpabio sent three staff members, led by the Chargé D’Affaires of the Nigerian embassy in New York, to remove me from the United Nations premises right after my speech. I was rescued by parliamentarians from other countries and security.” Senate Dismisses All...

  The Spanish Football Association announced on Monday that Barcelona's postponed La Liga match against Osasuna, originally scheduled for March 8, will now take place on March 27. However, the Catalan club has expressed dissatisfaction with the new date, citing concerns over player availability following the international break. The initial postponement occurred after Barcelona's first-team doctor, Carles Minarro, tragically passed away unexpectedly just before the match. The club honored Minarro's memory and requested a suitable rescheduling to accommodate the circumstances. According to local media reports, Barcelona is considering an appeal against the March 27 date, as it falls immediately after the international break. The club argues that key players, including Brazilian winger Raphinha and Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo, are scheduled to represent their national teams in South America just two days prior. This tight turnaround would leave insufficient time for the ...

 The ongoing price war between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has forced oil marketers to reduce their petrol purchases due to mounting losses. The competition began in November 2024 when Dangote Refinery lowered its petrol price from N990 to N970 per litre. It later dropped the price to N899 during the festive season to ease costs for Nigerians. In response, NNPC also adjusted its prices, according to the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners of Nigeria (PETROAN). Escalating Price Cuts and Market Reactions By February 1, 2025, Dangote Refinery further reduced its price to N890 per litre, then slashed it again to N825. On March 3, 2025, some NNPC retail outlets matched Dangote’s price at N860 per litre. The price war intensified when Dangote Refinery dropped its rate again to N815, following a decrease in the landing cost of petrol to N774.82 per litre. While consumers benefit from the falling prices, marketers and importers are st...

  A recently surfaced CCTV video has revealed the moment armed military officers forcefully entered the premises of Ikeja Electric, assaulting staff members and causing chaos. The footage, which went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, shows the officers kicking down doors and barging into offices without authorisation. Shared by Arise TV journalist Oseni Rufai, the video depicts the officers, dressed in full military gear and armed with whips, storming the facility. A female employee can be seen fleeing towards the stairs in fear, highlighting the intensity of the situation. This incident follows an earlier report on March 6, which detailed how armed military personnel invaded Ikeja Electric’s office. According to the company, the invasion occurred after it disconnected power supply to a military facility over an unpaid electricity bill of N4 billion. The video has sparked widespread outrage, with many condemning the use of force and calling for accounta...

  The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has distanced himself from the ongoing investigation of his Personal Assistant, Andrew Uchi, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Uchi is reportedly in EFCC custody over allegations of bribery, corruption, and money laundering involving approximately N10 billion. He is also accused of acquiring properties worth over N6 billion across Abuja, Jos (Plateau State), and several locations in Benue State, including Makurdi, Gboko, and Tarka Local Government Areas. Additionally, two Bureau de Change operators are under investigation for allegedly assisting in the money laundering activities linked to Uchi. In response, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation issued a statement on Monday, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen. The statement emphasized that the SGF has no involvement in the alleged misconduct and reaffirmed the office’s ...

 Abdul-Azeez Adediran, also known as Jandor, announced his return to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a press conference in Lagos on Monday, just two weeks after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Jandor, who was once the PDP’s governorship candidate in Lagos, explained that his decision to rejoin APC was driven by the party’s commitment to winning, regardless of who is on the ballot. “We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress, APC,” he stated. He then referenced a Yoruba proverb, saying, "If a woman has not tried two husbands, she would not know which one is better," in response to those questioning his change of allegiance. On March 3, 2025, Jandor had resigned from the PDP, citing what he called the anti-party activities of certain party leaders in Lagos State. He noted, “We waited patiently for two years to see if the party at the national level, governed by its constitution, would address these issues. Instead, the person res...

Nigeria exported electricity worth N75.6 billion to neighboring countries between October and December 2024, according to the Foreign Trade Statistics report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). A breakdown of the figures shows that Niger Republic imported electricity worth N14.2 billion, Benin Republic N27.6 billion, and Togo N33.7 billion. This adds to the N181 billion Nigeria earned from electricity exports in the first nine months of 2024, bringing the total revenue from power exports to Togo, Niger, and Benin to approximately N258.6 billion for the year. Rise in Solar Panel Imports Despite earning significant revenue from electricity exports, Nigeria imported solar panels worth N237.3 billion in the same quarter. The NBS report indicates that most of these imports, classified as "Photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or panels," came from China, totaling N228.9 billion. Nigeria’s Push for Local Solar Panel Production To reduce reliance on imports, Nige...

 The qualification race for the 2026 World Cup is set to unfold across Africa this week and early next week. During Matchdays 5 and 6 of the qualifying fixtures, Nigeria's Super Eagles aim to revive their hopes of securing a spot in the tournament, which will be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. Below are the fixtures for Matchdays 5 and 6 across Africa: Matchday 5 March 19, Wednesday Group D: Eswatini vs. Cameroon (1600) Group H: Liberia vs. Tunisia (1600) Group I: Central African Republic vs. Madagascar (1600) March 20, Thursday Group A: Sierra Leone vs. Guinea-Bissau (1600) Group C: Zimbabwe vs. Benin (1600) Group D: Cape Verde vs. Mauritius (1600) Group D: Libya vs. Angola (1900) Group F: Gabon vs. Seychelles (1900) Group F: Gambia vs. Kenya (1900) Group G: Mozambique vs. Uganda (1300) Group H: Malawi vs. Namibia (1600) Group I: Comoros vs. Mali (2100) March 21, Friday Group A: Burkina Faso vs. Djibouti (1600) Group A: Ethiopia vs. Egypt (2100) Group...

 European and Asian stock markets started the week on a positive note on Monday as investors reacted favorably to China’s plans to stimulate consumption in the world’s second-largest economy, amid concerns over potential U.S. tariffs. The gains followed a strong rally on Wall Street before the weekend, driven by optimism that U.S. lawmakers would approve a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. “Hopes that China's new consumer-focused measures will help bolster the country’s recovery prospects have slightly lifted market sentiment, though caution remains,” said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown. Attention turned to Beijing as officials were expected to outline measures aimed at boosting consumer spending, which has been sluggish post-Covid and has hindered economic growth. The plan includes income-boosting property reforms, stabilizing the stock market, and encouraging lenders to offer more consumer loans with favorable terms and interes...

 A nightclub fire in North Macedonia over the weekend claimed the lives of at least 59 people and left many others injured. Where did the fire occur? The blaze broke out at Club Pulse in the eastern town of Kocani, where a crowd of young fans had gathered for a concert by the popular rap group DNK. Four members of the band— a singer, a guitarist, a drummer, and a backup singer— were killed in the fire, while the group's other singer sustained injuries. According to Club Pulse’s Instagram, the venue regularly hosted performances attended by large crowds, with a dance floor and two small balconies. Based on videos shared online and statements from authorities, the fire was believed to have been triggered by fireworks used on stage during the performance. The sparks likely reached the ceiling, which was made of highly flammable material, causing the fire to spread rapidly throughout the club, as explained by Interior Minister Pance Toskovski during a press conference on Sunday. Lo...

 Ukrainian forces launched a drone strike on an oil refinery in Russia's southern Astrakhan region, igniting a fire at the facility, local authorities reported on Monday. This attack is the latest in a series of aerial assaults from both sides targeting energy infrastructure. Regional governor Igor Babushkin confirmed that staff from the "fuel and energy" complex were evacuated prior to the strike, which caused significant flames. "One person was injured during the attack and has been taken to the hospital," Babushkin shared on social media. This bombardment follows Ukraine's criticism of Russia's refusal to accept a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire without conditions. In response, Moscow launched a salvo of approximately 174 drones at Ukraine, with air defense units downing 90 of them, including Iranian-made Shahed drones, according to Ukraine’s air force. In Ukraine's southern Odesa region, the drone attacks caused power outages for around 500 peo...

  Super striker Victor Osimhen, Bruno Onyemaechi, Papa Daniel Mustapha, and Kayode Bankole were the first players to arrive at Nigeria’s camp for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda. In a video posted on the team’s social media, the players were seen at Kigali International Airport in the Rwandan capital. Coach Eric Chelle and other team officials greeted the players as they began preparations for Friday’s match. The social media post shared early Monday read: “Early arrival of Super Eagles officials and four players – Victor Osimhen, Bruno Onyemaechi, Papa Daniel Mustapha, and Kayode Bankole.” Osimhen, who has been in excellent form this season, is expected to lead Nigeria’s attack in the game against Rwanda. Nigeria is currently fourth in their five-team group, with only three points from four matches. Chelle, taking charge of his first game as Super Eagles coach, has called up 23 players for this match, as well as Nigeria’s upcoming Group C World Cup qualifier ag...

  The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has weighed in on the controversy surrounding a corps member who reportedly faced threats from National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) officials after criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration. TUC President Festus Osifo, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, stated that the corps member's comments were driven by frustration, urging the government not to target her but to show tolerance toward critics. The NYSC member, Ushie Uguamaye, based in Lagos, posted a video on TikTok criticizing the hardship Nigerians are experiencing due to the administration’s economic policies. Her video went viral, drawing attention from NYSC officials, who later allegedly threatened her to delete the video. NYSC has not yet issued an official statement on the matter. Osifo emphasized that the government needs to understand the frustrations of the people. "People are hungry, tired, and frustrated," he said. "If they vent, the government s...

  On Sunday, the Trump administration began large-scale layoffs at Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-funded media outlets, signaling its intention to weaken these organizations, which have long been seen as vital for U.S. global influence. Just a day after all employees were placed on leave, contract staff received emails informing them that their contracts would end in March. The emails, confirmed by several employees to AFP, instructed contractors to "cease all work immediately" and prohibited access to any agency buildings or systems. Contractors, who make up a significant portion of VOA’s workforce—especially in non-English language services—were primarily affected. Many contractors are non-U.S. citizens, and for some, these positions are tied to their visas, which will soon be lost along with their jobs. Full-time staff at VOA, who have more legal protections, were not immediately laid off but were placed on administrative leave and told not to work. Created during W...

  A report released by MTN Group’s office in South Africa on Monday revealed that the company expects continued growth in Nigeria in 2025, following recent tariff adjustments. However, the MTN Group reported a 69% decline in its full-year earnings, attributed to the devaluation of the Nigerian naira and operational issues in Sudan. The company’s headline earnings per share (HEPS), a key profit measure, dropped to 98 cents for the year ending December 31, compared to 315 cents in 2023. Despite these challenges, there are indications of easing inflation, reduced forex volatility—especially concerning the naira—and the beneficial effects of tariff hikes in Nigeria. In Nigeria, MTN renegotiated tower lease contracts, helping the company better manage the negative macroeconomic conditions affecting the business. Ralph Mupita, CEO of MTN Group, emphasized the company's readiness to capitalize on opportunities in its markets and meet its medium-term goals to sustain growth, create value f...

  In a developing political saga, the Rivers State House of Assembly has made serious allegations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of deliberately delaying the implementation of a Supreme Court ruling. Specifically, the Assembly claims that the governor is hindering the re-presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, a crucial step required by the court’s judgment. The accusations were raised by Enemi George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and spokesperson for the Assembly, during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Sunday. George called on the public to hold the governor accountable, urging him to follow due process in presenting the budget instead of attempting to manipulate public opinion by portraying the lawmakers as obstructive. He also challenged the governor to provide proof of a letter he claimed to have sent to the Assembly, notifying them of his intention to present the appropriation bill. George recounted that last week, the governor s...