NEWS

A tragic incident has claimed the life of Michael Nnanke Obeten, a Mass Communication graduate of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), after a cannon malfunctioned during a Passion of Christ rehearsal in Cross River State. The incident occurred in Ugep, located in Yakurr Local Government Area, where Obeten—who previously portrayed Jesus Christ in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the play—was reportedly coaching younger actors ahead of the Good Friday performance. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the accident happened at Station 12 of the reenactment, symbolizing the crucifixion. A locally made cannon, known as “oginigbo,” which was intended to simulate a thunderous sound effect, malfunctioned and discharged improperly. Fragments from the device struck Obeten in the head, cau...

The Delta State Government has approved a significant salary increase for doctors, boosting their monthly pay by ₦200,000 and introducing a ₦100,000 tax-free allowance for house officers. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori gave the approval as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and attract more professionals to the state’s medical sector. The Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this during a media briefing in Asaba. He explained that the new pay structure raises entry-level doctors’ salaries from ₦370,000 to ₦570,000, while house officers will now earn over ₦350,000, up from just above ₦250,000. According to him, the additional allowance falls under the government’s MORE Special Allowance initiative. The salary adjustment comes as the state intensifies effo...

President Bola Tinubu has approved the acquisition of an emergency medical helicopter as part of efforts to strengthen rapid response to health emergencies across Nigeria. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed that discussions are already underway with Airbus to establish a nationwide system linking air and ground emergency services. As part of the initiative, the minister recently held talks with Airbus officials and toured a government-backed air ambulance facility in Lyon, France, where he inspected an emergency response helicopter. The proposed service is expected to complement ongoing healthcare reforms aimed at improving emergency medical care nationwide. It will also support the upgrade of the National Emergency Medical Serv...

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has strongly criticised President Donald Trump over his threat to escalate military action against Iran. In a post shared on X on Tuesday, Harris accused the president of making dangerous remarks, saying he appeared to be threatening actions that could amount to war crimes and the destruction of an entire civilization. She described the situation as deeply troubling, arguing that the conflict stemmed from poor planning and lacked a clear strategy for resolution. According to her, such rhetoric is unacceptable and not supported by the American public. Harris also warned that the president’s approach could endanger U.S. troops, damage America’s global reputation, and worsen economic conditions for citizens. She called on lawmakers and the pub...

The UN Security Council is set to vote on a revised resolution addressing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, though the final outcome remains uncertain after significant changes to the original proposal. The vote is expected to take place at 11:00 a.m. (1500 GMT), just hours before a deadline issued by Donald Trump for Iran to reach an agreement or face potential military action targeting key infrastructure. The current draft resolution has been diluted compared to earlier versions. It no longer includes any authorization for the use of force, even in a defensive capacity, reflecting efforts to avoid rejection by veto-wielding members. The initiative was originally pushed by Bahrain, supported by the United States and other Gulf nations, seeking a mandate that could allow milit...

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that he threatened Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, stating that his controversial remark was purely figurative and not meant to be taken literally. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, April 7, Wike said his earlier comment had been misunderstood and taken out of context. “You can imagine what happened at our press conference. People just capitalise on things. Even when I explained there that it’s not correct—I didn’t say I would kill him. What I meant was figurative. I was very angry. How can you descend so low? You are an interviewer—how do you move from interviewing your guest to making assertions? That’s not fair,” he said. The controversy arose from remarks made during a media parley on Friday, ...

A heavy downpour on Tuesday, April 7, caused a major traffic gridlock along the Nyanya–Keffi Expressway in Abuja, following severe damage to the Kugbo Bus Terminal. The rainfall impacted parts of the newly built terminal, with sections of the roof affected and debris scattered onto the highway, obstructing vehicular movement. The incident led to severe congestion along the busy corridor linking the Federal Capital Territory to neighbouring Nasarawa State, leaving many commuters stranded for hours. The terminal was commissioned in June 2025.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate arrest of the owner of a hotel building that collapsed last Friday in Jikwoyi, Abuja. He also ordered that the property be taken over by authorities and converted for public use. During an inspection of the site, Wike disclosed that the structure was erected without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control and that the developer had ignored multiple stop-work orders issued by officials. Although no fatalities were recorded, several individuals sustained injuries and received medical treatment. The minister noted that the outcome could have been far more severe had the incident occurred during peak activity hours. Wike affirmed that the FCT Administration would reclaim the la...

The Lagos State Government has announced planned traffic diversions across major parts of the state ahead of infrastructure project commissioning events scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, explained that the temporary road closures are aimed at ensuring public safety and the smooth execution of the ceremonies. Motorists have been urged to plan their journeys in advance and avoid affected routes during the specified periods to reduce congestion and delays. According to the statement, the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge will be inaugurated on Wednesday, April 8, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., with traffic expected to be impacted in the Opebi-Allen, Ikeja, and Ojota areas. Road users in these loca...

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has renewed pressure on Iran to reach an agreement before his Tuesday deadline, warning of devastating consequences if a deal is not secured. In a post shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump cautioned that an entire civilization could be wiped out if the ongoing conflict is not resolved in time. While expressing hope that such an outcome could be avoided, he suggested it remains a likely possibility. He further hinted at the prospect of major political change in Iran, expressing optimism that a new leadership with what he described as more pragmatic views could usher in a transformative moment. Trump described the situation as a critical turning point in global history, claiming that decades of alleged corruption, instability, ...