Condoms The White House on Tuesday justified a sweeping freeze in US overseas assistance by citing a $50 million condom distribution program in the Gaza Strip, without offering evidence to back up the claim. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the expenditure was discovered in Trump’s first week including by the new Department of Government Efficiency led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Musk’s initiative and the budget office “found that there was about to be 50 million taxpayer dollars that went out the door to fund condoms in Gaza,” Leavitt told her debut press conference.“That is a preposterous waste…
Author: Lilian Azuh
Eshalomi A British-Nigerian politician, Florence Eshalomi, has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy to Nigeria. Her appointment makes Eshalomi the second Nigerian to hold the position. Confirming her appointment on X on Tuesday, she wrote: “It is an honour to have been appointed as the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria. “I’m looking forward to building on my close ties with Nigeria to promote a strong and flourishing economic relationship between our two great nations.“I am looking forward to strengthening the UK’s relationship with Nigeria to explore shared growth and opportunities for both countries.” Announcing the appointment in…
Bags of rice The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria made history on January 18, 2022, when they co-launched the Rice Pyramids on the premises of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, strategically located on Airport Road, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. It was a celebration of success in the production of rice, Nigeria’s number one staple food. Rice production had been specifically targeted by the CBN, then under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, through the Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP, an initiative through which the CBN expressed determination to assist Nigerians grow their food, rather…
The collapsed building On Wednesday, The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the death of a teenager alongside two other males in the building collapse at Northern Vulture Estate, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency’s Permanent Secretary, who made this known in a statement, said no fewer than six people were seriously injured. “A young boy, about 15 years old, and two adult males recovered, were confirmed dead and subsequently bagged by emergency responders.“They were handed over to SEHMU officials. Also, six victims were rescued alive and attended to by the medical team.“The collapsed building was completely…
Fubara President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on his 50th birthday. The President lauded Fubara’s contributions to governance in Rivers State and his efforts to foster growth in the region. President Tinubu further urged Governor Fubara to redouble his efforts in promoting peace and unity, emphasising the importance of harmony as a foundation for sustainable development. “As you celebrate this milestone, I commend your dedication to the service of your people. Governance thrives where peace reigns. I encourage you to continue working tirelessly to bring people together, resolve differences, and create an…
Obasanjoand daughter, Iyabo The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court yesterday summoned the eldest daughter of former President Obasanjo, Senator Iyabo, and six others to appear before it on March 6 over their involvement in a disputed Abuja landed property. Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the defendants to appear before the court to show cause why they should not be restrained from trespassing into the property situated at Plot 4254, Cadastral Zone A04, measuring approximately 1.67Ha, in the Asokoro District of Abuja.Others the court asked to come before it to show cause, included the former Senator for the Federal Capital…
Tuface and Annie Celebrities and social media users have slammed the action of Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Baba, as he reconfirmed separation from his wife, Annie. PUNCH Metro on Monday reported that in a video posted on his Instagram story, 2Baba confirmed his separation from his wife, Annie Idibia, after earlier stating in a now-deleted post that his account was hacked. “Hello to my beautiful people of all federations. Well, this thing I have to say is short but also long. I and Annie Macaulay have been separated for a while now, and currently filing for…
As part of the strong economic and bilateral ties with China, the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, extended his warmest greetings to the Chinese community in Nigeria and the people of China on the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Tegbe, in a celebratory message, said “As we mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake, we reflect on the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and China. The NCSP remains committed to deepening our bilateral ties, fostering economic cooperation, and promoting people-to-people exchanges.” Regarded as the most important in China,…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is awaiting up to 12 million barrels of crude oil from the United States. The refinery resorted to crude importation as local supply challenges hindered the new $20bn refinery’s push to reach full refining capacity. Recall that the refinery plans to reach its 650,000 barrels per day capacity in June this year. However, low local crude supply from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is currently a challenge to this plan to ramp up daily production. The 12 million barrels of crude has already left the United States and will land in Nigeria next month, according…
R-L: Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director, Access Bank PLC; Tochi Wigwe, Daughter of Herbert Wigwe, former Group CEO, Access Holdings; Maame Saarah Buckman; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman, Access Holdings PLC; Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede, Managing Director, Coronation Asset Management Limited, and Funke Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede, at the THISDAY Awards 2025 where Access Bank won Global Bank of the Year award and Aig-Imoukhuede was named Titan of the Year, in Lagos. Access Bank PLC (‘the Bank’), the flagship subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC (‘the Company’), has been honoured with the prestigious THISDAY Global Bank of the Yearaward for 2024, recognising its significant impact on the global…