WHALEXTRA

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated industrialist, Aliko Dangote, on his appointment to the World Bank’s prestigious Private Sector Investment Lab , describing it as a fitting recognition of his transformative contributions to Africa’s private sector. In a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended the billionaire businessman and President of the Dangote Group, stating that his inclusion in the global economic initiative is well-deserved. “The President describes the appointment as apt, given Dangote’s rich private sector experience, strategic investments, and many employment opportunities created through his Dangote Group,” the statement said. The World Bank announced Dangote’s appointment on Wednesday as part of a broader effort to expand the reach and impact of its Private Sector Investment Lab.  The Lab, established to harness private capital and scale up investment in developing economies, is entering a ...

  Business woman Mrs. Aisha Achimugu has said she honoured an invitation by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) . She thanked the anti-graft agency for its professionalism. Achimugu’s lawyers, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN) and Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), said in a statement that Achimumu arrived in Nigeria early Tuesday in response to the EFCC invitation of March 4 to assist in an ongoing investigation. The statement reads: “Mrs. Achimugu had been temporarily out of the country due to several other scheduled incidents when the EFCC issued its invitation.  “In line with her respect for lawful institutions and her sense of civic duty, she communicated openly and consistently with the EFCC during her time abroad.  “She formally wrote to the Commission twice on 5th and 12th March, 2025, clearly stating her commitment to return and make herself available to assist in the ongoing investigation at the earliest time. Both letters outlined April 28th and 29th, as her...

T he Jigawa State Police Command said it has launched a full investigation into a disturbing incident involving a newlywed groom and three of his friends, following the death of his wife just days after their wedding. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, the incident occurred on April 26, 2025, at about 10:00 p.m. The Divisional Police Officer of Sule Tankarkar Division initiated the investigation after receiving a distressing report involving a 20-year-old groom, Auwal Abdulwahab, and his associates, Nura Basiru, Muttaka Lawan, and Hamisu Musa, all aged 20 and residents of Tungo village, Albasu District, Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area of the state. According to the police spokesperson, preliminary findings allege that the groom conspired with his friends to forcefully coerce his bride into non-consensual sexual activity within their matrimonial home. In the course of the incident, the bride reportedly raised the alarm but tragic...

  F ormer Governor of Jigawa State , Sule Lamido, has issued a stark warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggesting that the alleged misuse of federal agencies to suppress opposition parties could ultimately cause the collapse of his presidency. Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, after being elected as a national delegate for the upcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress, Lamido expressed his concerns clearly. "The use of government institutions as tools for political persecution will not only tarnish the reputation of the presidency but could also lead to its undoing," Lamido warned. "What we are witnessing today is an abuse of power that is reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, and if unchecked, it will crumble under the weight of its own injustices." Lamido accused President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of systematically "weaponising" federal agencies to weaken political rivals ahead of the 2027 ele...

19 passengers in two fully loaded commercial buses have been taken hostage by suspected armed herdsmen at Jor community along the Adoka-Naka road, in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State. The incident occurred Thursday morning in separate ambushes at the same spot, just three kilometers from Naka town, the headquarters of Gwer West LGA. One of the vehicles was traveling from Akpa in Kogi State to Makurdi when it ran into an ambush by armed herders, while the other vehicle was en route from Makurdi to Lokoja in Kogi State and fell into the same ambush minutes later. The Ter Tyoshin and Chairman of the Gwer West Traditional Council, HRH Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the incident. He stated that each of the two vehicles had about 12 passengers on board, but an elderly woman, a breastfeeding woman, her two children, and a driver were not abducted. The spared passengers reported the incident to the Police Station, and they were later released to continue their journey. The Secre...

  US President, Donald Trump on Thursday refuted Chinese claims that no discussions have taken place to ease the ongoing trade war, saying trade talks between the US and China were underway. Trump debunked the claims while speaking to reporters. “They had a meeting this morning. It doesn’t matter who ‘they’ is. We may reveal it later, but they had meetings this morning, and we’ve been meeting with China,” he said. DAILY POST reports that China on Thursday, said  it had not held trade talks with Washington  despite repeated comments from the US government suggesting there had been engagement. “China and the United States have not conducted consultations or negotiations on tariffs, let alone reached an agreement,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters at a news briefing, calling reports of such information false news. Meanwhile, an official in the White House, speaking to reporters on the condition of anonymity, said lower level in-person talks as ...

T he recent “50501” protests, during which thousands of Americans rallied across all 50 states, mark a significant moment in the US’s political landscape. Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War , the demonstrations highlight a growing dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s policies and leadership. The movement, named for its unifying theme of “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement,” underscores the increasing polarisation and civic engagement in the United States. Protesters carried signs reading “No Kings,” a symbolic nod to the Revolutionary War and a critique of perceived authoritarian tendencies in Trump’s governance. While the demonstrations were largely peaceful, a video shared by Representative Suhas Subramanyam showed a man holding a Trump sign aggressively confronting protesters, reflecting the tensions that continue to divide the nation. In Boston, the protests coincided with commemorations of the battles of Lexington and Concord, further ...

Primary school teachers and Area Council Workers under the joint unions of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NIT) and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) staged a peaceful protest in the streets of Abuja, on Thursday. The demonstration was over non-payment of their minimum wage and other entitlements by the six area councils chairmen of the FCT.

Social media influencer   Beauty Goddess   has issued a heartfelt apology to   Priscilla Ojo Mkambala   following the backlash she received over a comment she made during a live session. In a statement shared on her  Instagram  story, Beauty Goddess admitted that her words may have come across as dismissive. Recall that Beauty Goddess shared the reason behind her absence from the much-talked-about JP2025 wedding during a TikTok live session. Her attitude and some of the comments she made during the session sparked criticism from fans, including Priscilla Ojo-Mkambala, who reportedly unfollowed her on Instagram immediately. Her write up read; “I’ve seen some of the reactions to the live I did, and honestly, I understand why people are upset. It came off like I was being dismissive about Priscilla’s wedding, and I hate that it even looked like that. Priscilla, if you see this, I’m really, really sorry. I love and respect you so much, and God knows how excited...

Afrobeat artist,  Davido  has disclosed how his encounter with American artist, Chris Brown changed his life completely. Davido while sharing how he met with Chris Brown, Davido disclosed that the friend of the American artist who is a Nigerian called him on Facetime. During the call, the friend of Chris Brown asked Davido if the song playing at the background was his song. “ I replied yes. He then titled the phone to Chris Brown and I realized he was dancing to my song at the background of the call. So that’s how we had out first conversation together”. Davido disclosed that after speaking to Chris Brown on phone, he traveled to the States and later met up with the artist. He emphasized that they instantly became friends. Davido revealed how he traveled to South Africa with Chris Brown to  perform at the artists’ show.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has decided to stay at the club after much speculation surrounding his future as his contract ran down, according to reports. Yesterday, it was revealed that both  Van Dijk  and Mohamed Salah look set to sign new contracts at  Liverpool , keeping them at the club until 2027. This is whilst defender Trent Alexander-Arnold looks to be leaving for LaLiga giants Real Madrid, bringing his 21-year association with the club he joined as a young boy to an end.  Now, as reported by  Sky  reporter Florian Plettenberg on X, Van Dijk looks confirmed to be staying, which will put many supporters' minds to rest. “Virgil van Dijk will extend his contract with Liverpool!" Plettenberg posted. “The 33 y/o world-class centre-back has decided to stay at #LFC, despite receiving numerous approaches from other clubs - all of which he has turned down.  “Final details are now being discussed. The plan is for ...

The rare smile Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou wore four days ago in Frankfurt was replaced by the more familiar frown as a 2-1 home defeat by Nottingham Forest made it 18 Premier League losses for the London club this season. Tottenham  found themselves 2-0 down after 16 minutes and although they dominated the game thereafter and got a late lifeline through Richarlison, it proved another tale of woe in a season that could become Tottenham's worst in terms of points gained since they managed only 44 in 1997-98. With a tough run-in to come, including a trip to champions-elect Liverpool next weekend, they are down in 16th place with 37 points. Only the bottom three clubs have lost more games. Tottenham's 1-0 win against  Eintracht Frankfurt  which put them in the Europa League semi-finals kept their season alive and Postecoglou could yet deliver on his claim that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club. But another damaging...

Pope Francis on Monday died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. Media Outlets reported that late Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church . The pontiff had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia. Here are the top 8 Cardinals likely to succeed Francis. 1. Peter Turkson, 76 The former Bishop of the Cape Coast, would be the first black Pope and would have the appeal of reaching out to Africa. Born in Ghana, he was sent by Pope Francis as a peace envoy to South Sudan. 2. Luis Antonio Tagle, 67 Tagle is a frontrunner this time round and is considered one of the more liberal candidates 3.Pietro Parolin, 70 Parolin has worked closely with Pope Francis but has upset some with his views on China. He is seen as a moderate, though not as close to the liberal wing as Francis has sometimes appeared to be. 4.Peter Erdo, 72 From the Eastern bloc, Erdo is a deep conservative and has spoken against divorced or r...

The Lagos State Police Command has refuted recent claims by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) alleging that hundreds of suspected Boko Haram members were apprehended in the state. In a statement released late Thursday, the Command firmly dismissed the report as “false, malicious, and intended to incite fear and panic among residents.” The statement emphasized that there has been no verified sighting or arrest of Boko Haram operatives in Lagos. Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who signed the statement, confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, has ordered a formal investigation into the claims to determine their origin and motive. The Command reiterated its commitment to public safety and urged citizens to disregard unfounded reports while remaining vigilant. “Furthermore, in the trailer park communities mentioned, the leaders, operators, and drivers in the indicated places in the report clarified to the police that there were no such elements o...

The Nigerian military has initiated tactical changes across its operations in response to a fresh wave of violent attacks in Plateau, Borno , and several other states across the country. The shake-up, which commenced on Thursday with the Nigerian Army, is expected to extend to the Nigerian Air Force and the Navy in the coming days, according to high-ranking military sources. The changes involve strategic redeployments of top officers aimed at bolstering ongoing counter-insurgency and internal security operations. Among the key redeployments, Major General A.E. Abubakar has been appointed as the new Theatre Commander for Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the military’s flagship operation against insurgents in the North East. He replaces Major-General Shuaibu Waidi, who took over the post in January 2024. Major-General A.K. Ibrahim has also been posted as the new Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna. Other notable redeployments include Major-General B.I. Alaya, now Direct...

Nigeria has cut electricity sale to Junta-ruled Niger Republic to 46 megawatts from 80 megawatts. Vanguard gathered yesterday that the cut represent a 42 per cent reduction in power supply to the country. Niger’s Energy Minister, Haoua Amadou, said the measure has led the country’s electricity production to fall by 30 to 50 per cent, forcing state-owned power company, Nigelec, to impose planned power cuts that could last several days, especially in the capital, Niamey. Nigeria suspended much of its electricity exports to the West African nation as part of regional sanctions against the junta that toppled civilian president, Mohamed Bazoum, in July 2023. ‘’Nigeria has since resumed delivering electricity but only providing 46 megawatts, instead of the usual 80 megawatts,” Amadou said. The cut came as Nigeria currently battles low power generation and supply due to low gas supply and low investments in infrastructure. The country currently generates a little above 5000mw, barely enough ...

The National Bureau of Statistics , NBS, today, said headline inflation rate rose y 4.4 percentage points to 24.23 percent in March, from 23.18 % in February 2025. The Bureau disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index Report for March 2025. NBS said: “The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 117.34 in March 2025 reflecting a 4.40-point increase from the preceding month. “In March 2025, the Headline inflation rate rose to 24.23% relative to the February 2025 headline inflation rate of 23.18%. “Looking at the movement, the March 2025 Headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.05% compared to the February 2025 Headline inflation rate.”

An Ekiti State Magistrate’s Court , Ado Ekiti District, has ordered the remand in the correctional facility of a 20-year-old woman, Joy Ikoja, for allegedly inflicting a wound on the manhood of his boyfriend, Ibrahim Usman. Ikoja was arraigned on Tuesday by the police command in Ekiti State, for unlawfully tearing her boyfriend’s scrotal sack. The police prosecutor, Inspector Adeboye Adesegun, alleged that the defendant committed the offence at about 8p.m on April 12 at Irona area of Ado-Ekiti. The prosecutor said that “the defendant did unlawfully inflict a wound on one Ibrahim Usman by tearing his scrotal sac. “The defendant on the same date, time and place, did conduct herself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace in the society. “The offence committed is punishable under sections 186, 255 256(a) and 181(d) of Criminal Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2021,” Adegun said. The prosecutor urged the court to refuse the defendant’s bail, saying she might likely jump bail. But cou...

Rivers State Governmen t   yesterday insisted that the   Nigerian Bar Association   (NBA) must refund the N300 million it received or face a lawsuit. It countered the NBA’s claims that the money was “an unconditional gift” and not tied to the hosting of its Annual General Conference (AGC) in the state. The AGC, to be held from August 22 to 28, was originally billed for Port Harcourt, the Rivers capital. The association later chose Enugu as the host city in protest against the declaration of emergency in the oil-rich state. The state government vowed to deploy all legal processes to retrieve the state’s resources if the NBA failed to willingly refund the money. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Sole Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, insisted that the records of the government showed that the N300 million was tied to the hosting of the AGC in the state. The statement said: “The government rejects the NBA’s allegation that the N300million payment m...

With sunken cheeks, knobbly knees on stick-thin legs and ribs jutting out of his chest,   6-year-old Osama Al-Raqab hardly resembles a photo that showed the young boy smiling into the camera. "He used to be happy and full of life," Osama's aunt, Nour Sameer Al-Raqab, told NBC News' crew in southern  Gaza 's  Bani Suheila  on Sunday as she held up the image from a few months before the war began   next to the boy's face. “Now, he looks like a skeleton.” Osama's grandmother Um Ahmad Al-Raqab called on Israeli authorities to allow her grandson to be evacuated out of Gaza for treatment for cystic fibrosis. The boy had the ailment, which can make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight, when the war began and is now suffering with acute malnutrition. "If he stays like this, he will die," she said. He is among many struggling to survive in the besieged Palestinian enclave as it endures a month-and-a-half-long blockade that has halted the flow of aid ...

A  night of prayers turned into a nightmare on Friday when armed men stormed a mountain-top vigil in Egbola area along Agbaja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting an unspecified number of worshippers. It was reported that the attackers invaded the remote prayer ground in the dead of night, opening fire indiscriminately to terrorise the worshippers before dragging several of them into the nearby bush. A woman, identified as Mary Adams Gure, was reportedly rescued by local vigilantes who responded swiftly after receiving information about the attack.  The rescue was said to have followed a fierce gun battle between the vigilante group and the kidnappers. "They came shooting to scare everyone. People were running in different directions. Some were captured and taken away into the forest,” a local source familiar with the incident was quoted by Daily Trust. In the ensuing chaos, Gure reportedly escaped and was later found by the vigilantes. “The vigilante...

Actor Richard Mofe-Damijo popularly known as RMD has expressed discomfort with being referred to as a legend. In an interview on ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask’, he views the title as a scam, believing it implies that he’s past his prime or nearing retirement. Instead, the 63-year-old said he looks up to actors like Olu Jacobs and Pete Edochie as true legends, feeling that they have made significant contributions to the industry. According to him, such labels can be limiting, relegating him to a category of retired or soon-to-be-retired actors. He said: “I think all those legend thing is a scam. I have my legends like uncle Olu Jacobs, uncle Pete, those are our ancestors, our legends.  “I was still watching him when he was saying Ribena children are healthy children. “So I don’t subscribe to that, I think it is a scam when they call me legend because they are trying to relegate me to that neighbourhood of retired people or should be nearing retirement. So, no, I don’t subscribe to it.”

Popular Nigerian actor and model  Beverly Osu  has disclosed in a candid  interview  with  Chude  that she prefers dating older men. Beverly, who is mainly known for her roles in several movies, shared that she likes to date older, confident men due to the kind of people around her. According to Beverly, being the only girl among three boys, she doesn’t want to introduce a partner who isn’t confident enough to meet her brothers. Whoever she brings home has to be mature and self-assured. Beverly also spoke about how her dad abandoned her and her brothers, but tried to come back into their lives after she gained success following her appearance on Big Brother Africa. “I have outgrown the daddy issues, I have always dated guys way older than me so I don’t think it’s daddy issues. I feel I am surrounded by boys and all the men in my life are confident, that’s my brothers right so if we have to be together you must be that confident to stay in the midst of my fa...