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The Niger State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the state.

The assurance was given during a courtesy visit by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the ICPC in Niger State, Mr. Kennedy Ebhotemen, who led a delegation to the Assembly.

The Speaker, Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, received the delegation alongside other members of the House at the Assembly Complex in Minna.

In his remarks, the Speaker appreciated the ICPC team for the visit, describing it as timely and significant.

He assured the Commission of the Assembly’s readiness to work closely with it in advancing anti-corruption efforts and strengthening institutional integrity in the State.

He noted that the visit would further strengthen the existing relationship between the Niger State House of Assembly and the ICPC, adding that both institutions remain committed to sustained collaboration for the development of the State.

In his response, Ebhotemen appreciated the Speaker and members of the Assembly for the warm reception accorded him and his team.

He highlighted the mandate of the Commission, which include the prevention of corruption, public enlightenment against corrupt practices, and enforcement of compliance with anti-corruption laws.

Niger Assembly reaffirms commitment to collaborate with ICPC

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed criticisms from opposition parties, insisting that their internal crises are self-inflicted and not the responsibility of the ruling party.

Speaking during an ongoing APC nationwide media chat, Oshiomhole said it would be unrealistic to expect the APC to manage the affairs of rival parties.

“You cannot expect us, as a political party, to set up a department to manage opposition political parties so they don’t run into crisis,” he said.

He added that while the APC is open to offering guidance where necessary, opposition parties must take responsibility for resolving their own challenges.

“We are ready to offer help to political parties to resolve crises, but it is not our job to manage them,” he stated.

Reacting to claims that opposition parties lack the financial strength of the APC, Oshiomhole dismissed the argument, noting that access to resources is not limited to the ruling party.
“I don’t care if they say they don’t have as much resources as the APC,” he said.

The former governor also pointed to the APC’s history in opposition, stressing that the party built its structure without relying on government resources.
“We were in opposition for a long time and did not depend on state resources,” he noted.

Oshiomhole further emphasised that the APC sustains itself through internal funding, particularly membership dues paid by both members and party workers.
“Our party still derives funding from membership fees, we insist members pay, and even party workers contribute,” he said.

The remarks reflect the APC’s continued effort to portray itself as institutionally strong and financially independent amid ongoing political contestation.

Resolving opposition parties’ crises not APC’s responsibility – Oshiomhole

Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has revealed the sources of his wealth.

Atiku is said to have an estimated net worth of between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion.

Speaking in an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, the former vice president said he amassed his fortune through diverse investments in logistics, real estate, agriculture, and education.

Atiku, who is considered one of Nigeria’s wealthiest politicians, said he has never been accused of corruption because the sources of his wealth are pure and open.

“Before I went into politics, I was already in business. I was in oil and gas, logistics. I was in agriculture.

“I was in a number of economic sectors of the country. Before I became… I virtually set up PDP.

“I virtually funded it. Why was I not being accused of corruption that time?”

He added, “The President (Obasanjo) set up a panel to probe me. That panel included El-Rufai, Nuhu Ribadu, and so many others.

“I waved my immunity and asked them to probe me.”

Atiku is one of the leading contenders for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket for the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku reveals sources of his wealth, says he funded setting up of PDP

Sporting Lagos head coach, Jeffery Buttler, has described their final game of the 2025-26 season against Osun United as the biggest of their lives.

The club will take on Osun United at the Lanre Leke Stadium, Ileogbo, Osogbo on Thursday.

Sporting Lagos need a win in the game to have any chance of returning to the top-flight.

Second-placed Akwa United are one point adrift.

Buttler believes that all the hardwork since the start of the season is needed to achieve their target.

“You are about to play the biggest game of your lives,” Buttler stated in his address to the players ahead of the game.

“All the hardwork for the past eight months is needed if you re to gain promotion to the NPFL.

“It’s left for you players if you are going to make history with the club, you will have to fight.”

NPFL: Sporting Lagos ready for final day promotion push – Buttler

Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has revealed that manager Antonio Conte told him to sell Victor Osimhen and not Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the past.

According to De Laurentiis, Paris Saint-Germain had tabled a combined €200 million bid for both stars, but Napoli ultimately lost Kvaratskhelia to the French club, while Osimhen ended up at Galatasaray.

Reflecting on the decision, De Laurentiis confessed as he told The Athletic, “When we started with Conte, we received an offer of €200 million from PSG and others to sell Victor Osimhen and Kvara together.

“Conte said, ‘Osimhen, you can sell, but please don’t sell Kvara. This was a big mistake.”

Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen have been impressive since joining PSG and Galatasaray, respectively.

Conte told me to sell Osimhen, not Kvaratskhelia – Napoli’s De Laurentiis regrets big mistake

…outlines party’s strategies The National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Engr. Yabagi Sani has declared that the party is repositioning itself as a credible political alternative ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, pledging transparency, internal discipline, and a strategic approach to winning power. Speaking during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in […]

Afrobeats superstar Davido has revealed that growing up in luxury did not deter him from pursuing a music career, describing his passion as a divine calling.

Speaking during an interview with (CKO), the singer opened up about his early life, noting that he was raised in a highly privileged environment, surrounded by wealth and comfort.

Despite having access to expensive cars, regular vacations, and designer items from a young age, he said his focus remained firmly on music.

Davido recounted growing up in a large family home with between 16 and 20 bedrooms, emphasizing that material abundance never overshadowed his love for music. According to him, his mother owned several high-end designer bags, including Birkin and Chanel, which further reflected the affluence he was exposed to as a child.

The singer explained that his obsession with music started early, adding that he was uninterested in his family’s wealth and instead devoted his energy to developing his craft.

He also disclosed that his determination once led him to leave home for nearly a year after his father insisted he concentrate on his education. During that period, Davido said he lived with a friend in a modest one-bedroom apartment, despite his wealthy background.

According to him, the experience strengthened his resolve, as he remained committed to pursuing music even in less comfortable conditions.

‘Music Was My Calling Despite Luxury Upbringing’, Says Davido is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The U.S. Senate has rejected another attempt to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to use military force against Iran, as Democrats say they will continue pushing to rein him in.

Lawmakers voted 47 to 52 against a motion that would have allowed the proposal to move forward.

Two senators broke ranks, Republican Rand Paul and Democrat John Fetterman, by voting against their respective parties.

This is the fourth time Senate Democrats have forced a vote on the issue since the war began on February 28.

The proposal, led by Senator Tammy Duckworth, aimed to require the president to withdraw U.S. forces from any conflict involving Iran unless Congress formally approves it.

Speaking earlier, Duckworth warned about the ongoing situation, saying, “we cannot let this chaos continue unchecked.”

She added that lawmakers must take responsibility, saying, “As our troops continue to sacrifice whatever is asked of them, we senators need to do the absolute minimum required of us.”

Duckworth also called on the Senate to act, saying it must vote to “end Trump’s illegal war of choice.”

She urged Republicans to make a decision, saying, “My Republican colleagues have a choice also. It’s simple: they can vote with me to end this conflict and prove that they’re actually putting America first, or they can vote to put Trump’s ego first. With this war growing more and more out of control each day, it is clear that they cannot continue to do both.”

The vote came as tensions continue to rise, with President Trump recently stepping up his rhetoric towards Iran, including warning that a whole civilisation will die if the situation escalates further.

Senate blocks new bid to limit Trump’s war powers on Iran

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said Nigeria’s growing challenges do not intimidate him.

He expressed confidence in his ability to assemble a capable team to address the country’s problems.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Arise TV Prime Time, Atiku said leadership is about identifying competent people who can deliver results.

“It doesn’t intimidate me because I can identify competent people in this country who can help me overcome all those challenges,” he said.

He pointed to his experience during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, where he played a key role in assembling government officials.

“I will not say solely, but mostly, because President Obasanjo had just come out from prison and I did most of the politicking,” Atiku said.
“I even travelled to the United States and Europe to headhunt and interview Nigerians, and I brought a number of them back. They proved themselves.”

According to him, many of those recruited during that period contributed significantly to governance and helped reposition the country after years of military rule.

Atiku, on the issue of restructuring, maintained that his position remains unchanged, even though it has not been at the forefront of recent political discussions.
“I have not changed my position on restructuring,” he affirmed.

He explained that shifting national priorities have pushed the conversation to the background, as many Nigerians are now more concerned about immediate economic and security challenges.

“Political issues have their lifespan. Right now, Nigerians are more concerned about insecurity, hunger, unemployment and corruption,” he said.

Atiku added that the hardship facing citizens has forced many to focus on survival, leaving broader governance reforms like restructuring less discussed.

“They have even forgotten about their freedom. They have forgotten about restructuring because of the challenges they are facing,” he said.

Nigeria’s problems not intimidating – Atiku

Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has ordered the management of the University of Ibadan to reinstate the three suspended students. The affected students, Aduwo Ayodele Gbadegesin, Olamide Iyanuoluwa and Linus Nice Adaoma were suspended for staging a protest on the hike in the tuition fees. The applicants, in a […]