Author: Tribune Online

ARTS advocacy group Unchained Vibes Africa has addressed the ongoing dispute between Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy and DJ Tunez, as well as the Nigerian DJ Association’s response. In a statement signed by Executive Producer Ayodele Ganiu, the group said it is closely watching the situation after reports of a physical altercation between the two artists. […]

In a defining moment for Africa’s luxury landscape, Nigeria is set to become the global focal point for niche perfumery this month. Seinde Signature, the nation’s premier destination for high-end scents, has announced an unprecedented three-city experiential launch in partnership with the globally celebrated perfumer Sarah Baker. The tour will begin on April 16 in […]

 INEC CHAIRMAN HAS NO ACCOUNT ON X, DISREGARD PARTISAN FABRICATIONS

The attention of the Office of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been drawn to a malicious and coordinated campaign of calumny circulating on social media. The false claim alleges that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has, in the past, endorsed a partisan post on the platform X (formerly Twitter).

The Commission wishes to state categorically that this allegation is entirely baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors. For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X. He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary, nor has he ever associated himself with any political leaning or activity in his private or public capacity.

This contrived X post is a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman at a critical period when the Commission is focused on significant electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls. It is a needless distraction designed to stir public distrust in the electoral umpire.

Beyond this partisan mischief, the Commission is aware that cybercriminals have been on the prowl, utilising fake social media accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. We wish to place it on record that several of such fraudulent accounts had been identified and reported to security agencies in the past. This latest fabrication is merely a continuation of a criminal pattern aimed at exploiting the Commission’s profile for illicit gains.

The Commission will not fold its arms while the character of its leadership is being assassinated by digital imposters and mischief-makers. We wish to notify the public that we are working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify the individuals or groups behind this identity theft and misinformation.

Let it be clearly understood that the Commission will ensure that these imposters face the full wrath of the law. Identity theft and the dissemination of deepfake or forged social media interactions are criminal offenses under the Cybercrimes Act. Those responsible for this mischief will be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who believe the digital space is a safe haven for criminality.

The general public is hereby urged to disregard this falsehood in its entirety. We will continue to disseminate official information regarding the Commission and the Chairman’s activities only through our verified institutional channels and formal press statements.

The Commission remains undeterred and fully committed to its mandate of delivering free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians.

E-Signed:

Adedayo Oketola

Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman

Abuja, Nigeria.

10th April, 2026

Arsenal striker, Viktor Gyokeres, has given an excuse for his side’s Premier League 2-1 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Despite finding the net himself, Gyokeres couldn’t prevent the Gunners from falling to the Cherries at the Emirates Stadium.

Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott scored the goals for Bournemouth against Mikel Arteta’s side.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the final whistle, Gyokeres said. “We had some chances toward the end.

“The pitch was a bit dry, to be honest, so that didn’t help. But as I said, we all need to do better and take our chances.”

Arsenal have now turned their attention to European action as they welcome Sporting CP in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday at Emirates Stadium.

EPL: Gyokeres makes excuses for Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Bournemouth

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Joao Neves, has snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo while naming the best player in the Saudi Pro League.

Despite sharing the Portugal national team pitch with Ronaldo on 14 occasions, Neves has opted not to name the Al-Nassr forward when asked to pick the Saudi Pro League’s best player.

In an interview with MVPs, the 21-year-old was prompted to identify the best players across various leagues.

But when the conversation turned to Saudi Arabia, Neves surprised many by bypassing Ronaldo entirely, instead singling out Félix, a former Chelsea and Barcelona star.

“Saudi League? For me right now, the magical player is João Félix,” Neves stated.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has continued to deliver strong performances in the Saudi top-flight league since joining Al-Nassr a few years ago.

PSG’s Joao Neves snubs Ronaldo, names best player in Saudi Pro League

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on political associates to demonstrate concrete solidarity with the family of the late Senator Barinada Barry Mpigi.

He made the call on Thursday at a Night of Tribute organized in honor of the late senator in Port Harcourt, where he emphasized that ceremonial condolences were insufficient without tangible commitment to those the deceased left behind.

He noted that Mpigi remained loyal when many others faltered, contributing significantly to political stability and legislative effectiveness in Rivers State.

Wike also highlighted the late senator’s dedication to the Ogoni people, particularly his instrumental role in establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni.

Also speaking on behalf of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the chairman of the party in the state, Tony Okocha lauded Mpigi as a refined and deeply committed politician, describing his death as a painful loss to the entire political family.

Also, Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of Ireland, Chief OCJ Okocha, SAN, also paid tribute to Mpigi, acknowledging the late senator’s role in facilitating the Senate’s confirmation of his ambassadorial appointment.

Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Ferdinand Alabraba, described Mpigi as a voice of reason and a seasoned legislative figure who combined firmness of conviction with generosity of spirit.

“Barry’s demise leaves a vacuum that will not be easily filled. He was humble, firm in conviction, and generous in spirit. His life was a testament to service to his constituents, Rivers State, and Nigeria,” he said.

The occasion had several other dignitaries who also paid tributes to the late senator.

Senator Mpigi died on February 19, 2026, in London at the age of 64.

Wike urges support for late Senator Mpigi’s family

The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board has acquired 500 doses of snake anti-venom for deployment at primary health facilities.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Chituru Adele, made the disclosure during the First Quarter Review Meeting of the Primary Health Care Task Force, held at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Dr Adele confirmed that the anti-venom had been distributed and was available at primary health centres to handle snakebite emergencies.

He added that the board was collaborating with the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme to expand enrolment for pregnant women, ensuring they have access to antenatal care and free delivery services.

On future plans, Dr. Adele noted that “plans are underway to extend free enrollment to school children.”

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, stressed the need for openness and cooperation among health sector stakeholders.

She cautioned that “lack of trust could discourage residents from enrolling in the health insurance scheme,” and called on all parties to be forthright in identifying and addressing systemic challenges.

The procurement comes months after a 26-year-old Nigerian singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, lost her life in Abuja following a snakebite sustained in her apartment.

Her death was attributed to delayed medical attention and the unavailability of anti-venom at the hospital.

Rivers state moves to tackle snakebite emergencies with anti-venom doses

By Henry Obetta

Former Lagos governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Funso Doherty, has declared his intention to run for the Lagos State governorship seat on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, at the 2027 general elections.

He made the declaration on Friday at the Freedom Park Old Prison Ground with party members and supporters present.

Doherty said that he decided to vie for the Lagos governorship election because he observed that the state’s system that nurtured him was decaying and needed urgent fixing.

The governorship hopeful stressed the need for leadership with integrity, capacity, vision and people-centeredness.

According to him, Lagos State has energetic residents who are diligent but yet denied the right to modest living.

He said: “Even though Lagos, blessed as we are by the Almighty God, can have enough for all, today, it is being governed to offer a great deal for a very few and very little for most. This is what I have determined must change.”

Speaking on the current administration, he stated that the achievements of the ruling government were pale compared to what is possible with the vast resources of the state.
He stated: “The gleaming towers of banana island draw attention away from a harsh and depressing
reality of deprivation and lack in education, health, jobs, housing, water, power and so on for most citizens. This is despite trillions spent every year. Lagos State’s budget for 2026 is more than N4 trillion.
“For the past 26 years, we have been told that our mounting housing deficit doesn’t matter. We’ve been told that the anxiety parents feel about failing schools is an illusion.
“We have watched as our young men, instead of being given real opportunities, are systematically turned into tools for political violence. They are sold a false dream—that if they serve loyally, they too can one day rise to become powerful, but corrupt bosses.
“And when all else fails—when the schools crumble, when the floods wash away our life’s work, when our young people spend half their lives in gruelling traffic, even worse off when they’re robbed as the traffic grinds to a halt – we’ve been told that our problems are somebody else’s fault.”
Doherty urged members, supporters and party stakeholders to unite and tackle the inconsistencies in the education, healthcare and infrastructure sectors of the state in order to ensure convenient living for all residents.
He said: “So let us come together to set high standards for our schools and give them the resources they need to succeed. Because we understand that real opportunities begin with investment in education.
“Real opportunity means investing — in strong, free, and quality early and basic education. Real opportunity means investing in technical and vocational education so that young people who choose not to go to university can gain meaningful employment and build dignified livelihoods.
“Let us finally, after all these years, tackle our healthcare crisis. Let us provide free healthcare for our children including drugs and ensure it is compassionate and properly funded – not as a campaign talking point, but as a governing priority. We can do that.
“Let us deliver convenient and affordable mass transit that connects our urban centres by road, rail and water. Because we know white elephant roads can never replace the solutions of mass transit.
“And above all else, let us be the ones that finally demand an honest government. Because every naira stolen from this state is a naira stolen from a child’s classroom, from a patient’s hospital bed, from a family’s future. Let us take the work we started, demanding accountability by combing through the budget, exposing wasteful spending and corruption.”
He also noted that the campaign was not for him but for the interest of Lagos residents and that the candidacy represented the people’s hopes and dreams.

The post 2027: Funso Doherty to contest Lagos gov poll under ADC appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Golok Nanmwa

Jos – The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) has advised returning students to plan their movements carefully following a scheduled restriction of movement within Jos, Plateau State.

In a notice issued to students, the union said movement across the city would be restricted between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily, urging students to adjust their travel plans accordingly.

The notice, jointly signed by SUG President Younglan Talyoung Tongpus and Secretary Vincent Philip Yisa, advised students travelling from different parts of the country to ensure they arrive before the restriction period begins.

“Students are advised to move out early from their various locations to avoid being caught within the restriction period,” the statement said.

The union further recommended that students coming from distant locations consider breaking their journeys into two stages to ensure they reach Jos safely and on time.

According to the SUG, the advisory is necessary to help students avoid inconvenience and possible security challenges during the restriction.

The development comes as many students are expected to return to campus ahead of the new academic session.

The union urged students to comply fully with the directive and plan their movements accordingly.

“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation,” the statement added.

The post Movement Restriction: UNIJOS SUG advises returning students to plan travel appeared first on Vanguard News.

Former Arsenal striker, Jay Bothroyd, has suggested to manager Mikel Arteta to drop Gabriel Martinelli and give Max Dowman more starting playing game-time.

Bothroyd spoke after Arsenal’s disappointing Premier League 2-1 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Martinelli failed to lead Arsenal to victory after Arteta opted to start him ahead of Dowman against Bournemouth.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Bothroyd said: “When I looked at that starting team today, I was thinking to myself, ‘okay, Martinelli made an assist during the week. It was a great assist. But he has not been good enough this year.

“As far as I’m concerned, Max Dowman needs to start. I don’t care anymore.”

Despite the defeat to Bournemouth, Arsenal still sits at the top of the Premier League table ahead of second-position Manchester City.

EPL: ‘He’s not good enough’ – Arteta told to drop Martinelli