The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has broken her silence following a viral Facebook livestream by controversial figure Sandra C. Duru, accusing her of fabricating damaging audio and pushing what she described as a politically motivated smear campaign orchestrated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The Facebook broadcast, posted on May 1st, 2025, featured a manipulated voice clip allegedly of Senator Natasha, claiming she was part of a plot to destabilize President Bola Tinubu’s administration by branding it a “Yoruba Government.” The video has since sparked a media firestorm, prompting fierce reactions from socio-political groups like Afenifere and raising questions…
Author: National Update
As global attention intensifies on sustainable development, Nigeria has taken the lead in advocating for stronger international cooperation to curb illicit financial flows (IFFs) and financial crimes—issues that continue to hinder progress across Africa. The Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, while speaking ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville emphasized Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to tackling financial misconduct at a high-level session on Safeguarding Sustainable Development Finance. Director Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement quoted the minister to have addressed the lingering issue of Illicit Financial Flows and…
***Abure Hits Back, Accuses Governor of Arrogance and Betrayal Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has described Julius Abure’s continued claim to the Labour Party’s national chairmanship as a “deliberate illusion,” accusing him of political masturbation and an unwillingness to accept reality. Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Friday, Otti said the Labour Party cannot be hijacked by individuals “living in denial of legal and political realities.” He argued that the Supreme Court ruling which upheld the party’s Nnewi Convention in 2023 effectively nullified Abure’s claim to leadership. “Abure is living in illusion,” Otti declared. “The party is bigger…
***Rules Out Coalition Ahead of 2027, Congratulates Moghalu on Anambra Guber Ticket The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party, under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure, has reaffirmed its recognition of his chairmanship and endorsed the National Working Committee (NWC) elected at the party’s 2024 National Convention. At a press briefing held Friday at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, Abure read out the resolutions adopted by the NEC, which declared the March 27 Nnewi convention valid and in full compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the Labour Party’s internal guidelines. He said NEC…
The Federal Government has granted a three-month grace period for all foreigners residing in Nigeria with expired visas to leave the country without facing penalties. In a statement issued on Friday, May 2, 2025, by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi warned that from September 2025, overstayers will be fined $15 per day and may face entry bans of up to five years or permanent blacklisting. “A 3-month grace period allows foreigners with expired visas to exit Nigeria without penalty, ending August 1st, 2025,” the NIS said. The immigration agency also announced the introduction of a mandatory online…
Yisa Usman MSc, FCA, FCTI The recent wave of heartfelt concern expressed by Nigerian parents regarding the conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and the defensive posture taken by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), have once again underscored the pressing need for systemic reforms in institutions entrusted with shaping the educational and professional trajectories of young Nigerians. What should have been an opportunity for constructive engagement with legitimate grievances has instead devolved into a troubling display of institutional defensiveness. The grievances expressed, ranging from logistical nightmares to emotional and physical tolls on candidates, are not…
At just 19, Anthony Ijoma has become the breakout star of the Nigerian Premier League, dazzling fans with blistering speed, raw strength, and a goal-scoring instinct that has propelled him to the forefront of Nigerian football. The Abia Warriors forward, born May 7, 2005, has turned heads across the league, racking up multiple Man of the Match titles and earning back-to-back Player of the Month awards in February and April 2025. Now ranked as the second-highest goal scorer in the league, Ijoma’s meteoric rise has made him one of the most talked-about young talents in Nigerian football. Renowned as the…
President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, has paid glowing tribute to the late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, hailing him as “Nigeria’s Gladiator of Truth.” In a heartfelt message dated April 30, 2025, following the passing of the 96-year-old elder statesman, Dr. Adesina hailed Pa Adebanjo as one of Nigeria’s most formidable voices for justice, equity, and true federalism. “I say ‘celebrate’ because we wave goodbye to one of Nigeria’s foremost leaders, who lived every day of his life fighting for a better Nigeria. To live long is one thing, but to live long and…
In the wake of mounting public anxiety over escalating violence across several Nigerian states, the Defence Headquarters has issued a stirring rebuttal to The PUNCH’s April 27 editorial titled “Insecurity and Incompetence of Security Chiefs.” The military’s response, signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, firmly rejects the “clueless” label pinned on Nigeria’s top security brass, arguing instead that the nation’s security landscape is not one that lends itself to quick fixes or blanket condemnation. While acknowledging the urgency and tragedy of the situation, the military insists that Nigeria’s security chiefs are far from idle. “They are…
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun has spotlighted the critical role of private sector leadership in shaping Nigeria’s economic trajectory. He gave the indication at the 20th anniversary celebration of Chapel Hill Denham, one of Nigeria’s foremost investment banking firms. Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement indicated that the event, which brought together top financial stakeholders in Lagos, served as a platform to showcase the transformational impact of indigenous institutions driving innovation, capital formation, and human capacity development over time. Mr. Edun described Chapel Hill Denham as a…