Author: Tribune Online

The latest factsheet report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has revealed that Nigeria, in March 2026, imported about 5.9 million litres per day, compared to 3 million litres imported in February 2026. The report contains figures that provide key insights into market performance, supply trends, and sector dynamics for the […]

A man identified as Ebenezer Frimpong has been arrested for allegedly stealing an armoured vehicle belonging to the Ghana Police Service in Nkawie Market, located in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

According to Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred when the driver of the police armoured vehicle briefly stepped away, leaving the engine running in the busy market area.

Frimpong was said to have taken advantage of the situation, entered the vehicle, and drove off, prompting an immediate response from security operatives.

Law enforcement officers launched a coordinated pursuit after receiving reports of the theft, tracking the suspect along the Nkawie–Mim route.

He was eventually intercepted and arrested near Mim following what authorities described as a swift and coordinated operation.

“The suspect was apprehended without further incident, and the vehicle was recovered intact,” a security source said.

Authorities confirmed that the armoured vehicle was retrieved without damage and has since been returned to police custody.

Frimpong remains in custody as investigations continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Ghanaian arrested for allegedly stealing police armoured vehicle

The Arsenal family has been left heartbroken following the tragic death of ex-goalkeeper Alex Manninger.

Manninger passed away at just 48 years old on Thursday after a fatal car crash.

In an emotional tribute posted on their official X account, the Gunners shared their devastation.

“Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger.

“All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Alex,” Arsenal tweeted.

Manninger guarded the net for Arsenal from 1997 to 2002 before moving on to Espanyol.

Over the course of his professional career, he also turned out for Juventus, Liverpool, Bologna, Torino, Red Bull Salzburg, Udinese, and Augsburg.

Arsenal react to Alex Manninger’s death

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Apo, on Thursday, issued a warrant of arrest against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, and one Bashir Nura Alkali, to compel them to appear before the court to take their plea […]

UEFA, on Thursday, included Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi, and others in the UEFA Champions League of the week.

Olise and Zubimendi were impressive for their respective clubs against Real Madrid and Sporting CP.

This follows the conclusion of the Champions League quarter-final second leg fixtures played on Wednesday night.

Recall that Bayern Munich eliminated Real Madrid from the Champions League, while Arsenal dumped Sporting CP out of the competition.

UEFA’s Champions League team after this week’s matches:

Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid)

Eduardo Quaresma (Sporting CP)

Dayot Upamecano (Bayern)

Marquinhos (PSG)

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern)

Marcos Llorente (Atletico)

Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal)

Arda Guler (Real Madrid)

Michael Olise (Bayern)

Ousmane Dembele (PSG)

Ferran Torres (Barcelona)

Meanwhile, the Champions League semi-final stage will commence later this month.

UEFA includes Bayern’s Olise, Arsenal’s Zubimendi, others in Champions League team

The Europa League semi-final fixtures for this ongoing season have been confirmed.

This follows the conclusion of the Europa League quarter-final second leg fixtures played on Thursday.

DAILY POST reports that the four teams that made it to the Europa League semi-final stage are Aston Villa, Braga, Nottingham Forest and Freiburg.

Aston Villa defeated Bologna 4-0 at Villa Park on Thursday to qualify for the semi-final stage on a 7-1 aggregate win, while Nottingham Forest defeated FC Porto 1-0 at home to also progress to the last-4 on a 2-1 aggregate win.

Braga defeated Real Betis 4-2 in Spain to qualify on a 5-3 aggregate victory, while Freiburg won 3-1 against Celta Vigo to also progress to the next round on a 6-1 aggregate win.

The Europa League semi-final fixtures will take place on April 30.

Europa League semi-final fixtures:

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest.

Braga vs Freiburg.

Europa League semi-final fixtures confirmed

A member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State, Darlington Nnaoma Onyekacha, has asked Nigerian governors and State Houses of Assembly to ensure that monthly financial allocations to their states are put to proper use, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.

Onyekacha, who was declaring his intention to contest for the Abia State House of Assembly on Thursday in Ikwuano, regretted that many rural communities in Nigeria are still undeveloped despite the huge funds states and LGAs are receiving.

He expressed worry that poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and infrastructure deficit rates are very high in rural communities, pointing out that the situation is in contrast to the huge inflow of funds into state and local government purses.

According to him, the situation is made worse by the alleged failure of State House of Assembly members to hold governors and local government executives accountable for the funds they are receiving from Abuja.

“Most of the challenges that Nigeria is having today are from the rural and state levels and not from the president.

“It is not that the president is not releasing what it takes to build the states, but because of bad leadership in the state governments and the State Houses of Assembly,” Onyekacha said.

He promised to fight against the underdevelopment of his Ikwuano constituency by providing a courageous voice that would ensure that every fund meant for his constituency is properly utilized for community development.

Obey Tinubu’s directive on rural development, LG funds – Abia APC chieftain tells Nigerian govs

Amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah has issued certain conditions, stressing that the situation must return to what it was before March 2.

Hezbollah’s press office said this in a statement on Thursday.

It was commenting on the ceasefire reached between Israel and Lebanon.

“A ceasefire must include a comprehensive halt to attacks across all Lebanese territory, with no freedom of movement for Israeli forces, and a return to the situation prior to March 2.

“The continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist,” Hezbollah said.

DAILY POST reports that Israel and Lebanon have been at loggerheads for over two years, with several people killed and others rendered homeless.

War: Hezbollah gives conditions after announcement of ceasefire

THE Central Bank of Nigeria has restricted Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolment to persons aged 18 years and above as part of new amendments to its regulatory framework for BVN operations in the banking industry. The apex bank disclosed this in a circular issued to all banks, other financial institutions and payment service providers on […]

Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit requires an estimated $2.3 trillion investment between 2020 and 2043, according to data from the Africa Infrastructure Development Index, a situation that has constrained economic growth across the country, according to experts.

To survive the deficit, the country must commit about $100 billion annually over the next 23 years to bridge the consistent underinvestment and the gap between infrastructure needs and public funds.

Although the investment needed to stabilise the sector exceeds budgetary allocations of the past five years, there is no indication that it will improve, considering the consistent underinvestment and paucity of funds.

However, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), speaking to DAILY POST on the sidelines of the Global Infrastructure Forum (GIF) engagement at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Washington, DC, explained that 70 percent of the required funding to boost infrastructure in Nigeria must come from the private sector.

Ewalefoh emphasized that the country’s infrastructure ambitions are unattainable without stronger private sector participation. “We have a scarcity of funds and insufficient public resources to deliver the infrastructure required for our development goals. Private capital is no longer optional; it is critical.

“When we say private sector, we have to go by way of public-private partnership. We need facilities to prepare bankable projects to develop a pipeline of infrastructure for the country.

“The energy sector alone requires about $759 billion, while transport infrastructure needs roughly $595 billion. Other sectors such as ICT, healthcare, education, and agriculture also demand significant capital, reflecting a broad-based infrastructure deficit that affects both economic productivity and social development.

“So we need to develop a PPP fund in such a way that it incorporates local realities. For Nigeria, the needed fund must consider our low appetite for long-term investment and also the types of risks that we have in the country.”

Noting that Nigeria has taken steps to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhance investor confidence, Ewalefoh said, “Capital naturally flows to environments with lower risk and fewer barriers.

“There is appetite to invest in Africa, and particularly in Nigeria, but concerns around risk have historically slowed inflows. We are addressing those concerns through reforms and policy consistency.”

He noted that the Global Infrastructure Forum has assembled donors, investors, lenders, and everyone in the PPP ecosystem at the IMF meeting to identify opportunities available across the world, an opening that Nigeria desperately needs to position itself as an attractive investment destination.

“There’s a population of about 250 million people. The gap is there, we are ready, and the government of the day is willing,” Ewalefoh said.

Responding to questions about specific areas where investments are needed, Ewalefoh referenced the Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIMP), saying it clearly outlines the energy, transport, and ICT sectors, which he noted represent about 50 percent of the master plan.

“The infrastructure needed is huge, and the opportunities are high. So we are looking at those sectors as critical; however, we cannot neglect the social sectors like hospitals, schools, and even agriculture.”

Nigeria pursues investors at IMF as $2.3trn infrastructure deficit widens