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Author: Akinyooye Adeola
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FG ROLLS OUT NEW CASH SUPPORT PROGRAMME TO EASE LIVING COSTS.
The Federal Government has introduced a ₦50,000 cash relief intervention for poor and vulnerable households across Nigeria as part of efforts to ease the pressure of rising living costs. The initiative, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction under…
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EDO BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF TWO-STOREY GENERAL HOSPITAL IN IGUOBAZUWA.
The Edo State Government has begun work on a two-storey general hospital in Iguobazuwa, the administrative headquarters of Ovia South-West Local Government Area, as part of efforts to expand access to healthcare in the state. The proposed facility is expected to provide secondary medical services to residents of Ovia Federal Constituency and neighbouring communities, reducing…
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POLICE DENY SOWORE’S KIDNAP CLAIM, SAY AAC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE RECEIVING TREATMENT AFTER RESTAURANT ALTERCATION.
The Ekiti State Police Command has dismissed reports that African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was kidnapped by armed men in Ado-Ekiti, explaining that he was rescued by police officers following an altercation at a restaurant. The command confirmed on Friday that Sowore sustained injury during the incident and was receiving medical attention…
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TINUBU INDUCTS FIVE HELICOPTERS INTO NAF FLEET.
President Bola Tinubu has formally inducted five helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fleet as the Federal Government continues efforts to improve the military’s air capabilities amid persistent security challenges across the country. The ceremony, held on Thursday, October 29, featured three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters manufactured by Italy’s Leonardo Helicopters and two H-125…
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RIVERS PROBES ALLEGED VIRGINITY TESTING OF SCHOOLGIRLS.
The Rivers State Government has opened an investigation into allegations that female students at Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, were selected for virginity examinations linked to a scholarship initiative involving their community’s traditional ruler. The controversy centres on Mene M.S.K. Nule, the traditional ruler of Taabaa in Khana Local Government Area, who denies taking students…
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CHRISTINE LAGARDE SET TO EXIT ECB AS EUROPE PREPARES FOR LEADERSHIP CHANGE.
The European Central Bank is preparing for a change at the top after its president, Christine Lagarde, announced plans to leave office on February 7, 2027, ahead of the completion of her eight-year tenure. Lagarde, who assumed leadership of the institution in November 2019, communicated her decision to the bank’s Governing Council and European Council…
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STATES LEAVE ₦264.12BN IN UBEC GRANTS UNUSED AS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STRUGGLE
State governments across Nigeria have left ₦264.12bn in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants unspent, raising concerns over the management of funds meant to improve public schools amid persistent shortages of classrooms, furniture and learning materials. The findings were contained in UBEC’s 2025 annual report obtained by The PUNCH and reported on Thursday, October…
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US BANS THREE CHINESE GENOMICS FIRMS OVER ALLEGED COLLECTION OF UYGHUR DNA
The United States has barred imports from three Chinese genomics companies over allegations that they collected genetic material used to monitor ethnic minorities facing persecution in China’s Xinjiang region. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Wednesday that BGI Genomics, MGI Tech and Shenzhen BGI Technology, associated with BGI Group, had been placed…
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FG’S SIX-MONTH TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE COULD COST ₦465.7BN AS TUC DEMANDS SALARY INCREASE.
The Federal Government could spend about ₦465.7bn on its newly approved six-month transport allowance for public servants if all 1.1 million employee records on its payroll system are eligible for the benefit, an analysis by The PUNCH has indicated. The proposed expenditure has renewed debate over how best to cushion workers against rising living costs,…
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UK RAISES STUDENT VISA FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS.
Nigerians planning to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom will need to prepare for higher visa-related financial requirements as the UK government increases the minimum funds international students must demonstrate for their living expenses. The new thresholds, announced by the UK Home Office, will take effect on November 30, 2026, and apply to student…
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COURT DISMISSES EMEKA IKE’S ₦10BN PRIVACY SUIT AGAINST WIKE’S AIDE, INEC.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out a ₦10 billion lawsuit filed by Nollywood actor Emeka Ike over the publication of his voter registration details on social media. Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled against the actor on Wednesday, October 28, after upholding preliminary objections raised by the defendants, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to…
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NEMA RECEIVES 180 NIGERIANS RETURNING FROM LIBYA, PROVIDES REINTEGRATION SUPPORT.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 180 Nigerians returning from Sebha, Libya, as the Federal Government continues to work with international partners to facilitate the safe return of citizens from abroad. The returnees arrived at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, aboard…
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KENYA DISCHARGES 20 CONTACTS AS EBOLA OUTBREAK RESPONSE CONTINUES.
Twenty people identified during investigations into Kenya’s Bundibugyo virus outbreak have completed their mandatory quarantine and returned to their families without developing symptoms, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Their discharge followed 21 days of health monitoring, during which they remained free of symptoms associated with the infection. Before leaving quarantine, they underwent final…
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AGBARA NLA: THE RETURN EARNS ₦408.3M, RANKS SECOND AMONG 2026 NOLLYWOOD FILMS.
Nollywood’s faith-based production, Agbara Nla: The Return, has generated ₦408.3 million in Nigerian cinemas, placing it second among the country’s highest-grossing Nollywood films released in 2026. The film trails Call of My Life, directed by Blessing Uzzi, which has earned more than ₦900 million at the domestic box office. Distributor Nile Entertainment announced the latest…
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COURT ORDERS EL-RUFAI TO PRESENT DEFENCE IN RIBADU PHONE-TAPPING CASE.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to be discharged from his trial over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted telephone communications linked to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Monday, holding that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence for…
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EFCC UNCOVERS ILLEGAL LITHIUM FACTORIES IN OGUN, ARRESTS 14 CHINESE NATIONALS, ONE NIGERIAN.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clamped down on four unauthorized lithium processing facilities operating in Ogun State. The operation was carried out by operatives attached to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Commission in the Ogere axis of the state. The agency, in an update on its verified X page on…
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WHO LAUNCHES FIRST EBOLA VACCINE TRIAL IN DR CONGO OUTBREAK.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo-led research effort, with the first participant receiving the Ervebo vaccine on Friday, October 23, in Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the development, describing the research programme as Tumaini, a Swahili word meaning “hope.” He said the…
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OMOAJE UNVEILS ECONOMIC RECOVERY, JOB CREATION AGENDA AT AA CAMPAIGN LAUNCH.
Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, the Action Alliance (AA) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, has outlined plans to tackle Nigeria’s economic difficulties, improve security and expand employment opportunities as he begins his campaign. Omoaje presented his proposed priorities on Saturday at the launch of his presidential campaign in Babanla Agate Ward, his home ward in…
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SHOPRITE PLANS NEIGHBOURHOOD STORES AS RETAILER PURSUES BUSINESS RECOVERY.
Adekunle Adebiyi, Executive Director of Investments at MBO Capital Management Limited, which invested in the Nigerian business, disclosed at the Nairametrics’ Drinks and Mics programme on Friday that Shoprite Nigeria is preparing to expand into residential communities with smaller standalone supermarkets as it seeks to stabilise its business after a period of financial and operational…
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FRANCE ARRESTS 135 AS COST-OF-LIVING PROTESTS SPREAD ACROSS CITIES.
French police have arrested 135 people and confiscated various weapons as thousands of people took to the streets across the country on Saturday to protest rising living costs, amid heightened security following violence and looting during demonstrations the previous weekend. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced the arrests, listing seized items that included fireworks, slingshots, lead…
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