Author: bibncollar

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has urged all sides in the ongoing leadership crisis in the Lagos State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to prioritise the collective interest of Ndigbo over personal ambitions and factional loyalty. In a statement signed by its Director-General, Bishop Justice Alpha Ikpeama, the council called for reconciliation, respect for constitutional processes and responsible leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections. It warned that the prolonged dispute must not be allowed to weaken the socio-cultural institution of the Igbo people. UNIEC noted a recent statement by some members of the Global Executive Council (GEC) of…

Blessing Ezeokafor, the eldest daughter of kidnapped businessman and Jezco Group Chairman Chief Joseph Ezeokafor (also known as Sir Joseph Ezeokafor), has publicly accused her younger brother, Eberechukwu Ezeokafor (popularly known as Jowizaza), of contributing to their father’s ordeal through his flamboyant social media portrayal of wealth. In a series of social media posts, Blessing alleged that her brother’s online display of a lavish lifestyle created an exaggerated impression of the family’s financial resources. She claimed this perception led kidnappers to demand a significantly higher ransom after abducting their father. According to her, the initial ransom demand stood at ₦700…

Universal Insurance Plc has entered a binding private placement agreement with FPNG Co-Nvest Limited for a N7.128 billion equity injection, a move designed to satisfy Nigeria’s ongoing insurance sector recapitalisation requirements. Under the deal, FPNG will subscribe for additional shares in Universal Insurance, emerging as the majority shareholder with a 50.1 percent equity stake. The capital raise is expected to push the insurer above the regulatory minimum while preserving a strong solvency margin. Universal is among the operators that had yet to meet the capital thresholds set by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). In a market update filed with the…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored four previously suppressed State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi States following court judgments. The constituencies are Abraka, Isoko North II and Ughelli South II in Delta State, and Yagba West II in Kogi State. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, announced the decision in a statement on Friday. Haruna said the commission has fixed August 21 to 25, 2026, for political parties to conduct primaries for candidates seeking to contest the restored seats. The period will coincide with the primaries for…

The Imo State Police Command has reactivated Operation Velvet statewide, following a directive from Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu. The initiative, announced by Command Public Relations Officer DSP Henry Okoye, seeks to strengthen traffic law enforcement, improve road safety, ensure compliance with traffic regulations, and maintain free vehicular movement across the state. Operation Velvet will target serious offences, including reckless and dangerous driving, driving against traffic, excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, traffic obstruction, illegal parking, driving without valid licences or documents, use of unregistered vehicles or those without number plates, fake or concealed plates, serious overloading, and unauthorised use of…

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has granted an interim injunction restraining the Imo State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and the chairmen of Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Areas from interfering with the political and civic activities of Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere. Justice K. Agunioye issued the ex parte order in Motion No. M/481/2026, arising from suit FCT/HC/CV/153/2026. The order bars the respondents and their agents from sealing, blocking or disrupting rallies, meetings, campaigns or processions organised by the lawmaker, who represents the Ideato North/South Federal Constituency in the House…

Prince Uchechukwu Samuel, popularly known as Samankwe, the Labour Party candidate for Mbaitoli State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, has pledged to deliver transformative, people-oriented representation if elected in the 2027 general elections. Speaking to journalists at his ancestral home in Uru Ogwa, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, the international businessman, philanthropist and founder of the Samankwe Charity Foundation said his entry into politics stems from a deep commitment to philanthropy, patriotism and the urgent need to improve living standards at the grassroots. “I have the patriotic desire to serve the good people of Mbaitoli State Constituency and…

Sensitive election materials for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election arrived at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Osun branch late Thursday evening, ending a delay caused by the reprinting of ballot papers. Political party agents and security operatives maintained a continuous watch at the bank complex as the escorted convoy reached the premises around 8:45 p.m. Officials from the CBN and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately began inspecting the materials while unloading continued. The distribution had been postponed to accommodate the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot, following a High Court order. INEC Osun…

Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis secured a legal win on Thursday after London’s High Court rejected a bid by Accord Healthcare to invalidate the patent covering its blockbuster heart drug Entresto. Accord Healthcare, a unit of India’s Intas Pharmaceuticals, had sought a ruling that the patent was invalid from the outset and planned to launch a generic version of the medicine later this year. Judge Richard Meade dismissed all challenges, ruling that the patent was valid while in force, that Novartis’ supplementary protection certificate (SPC) remained valid, and that Accord’s intended product would infringe the company’s intellectual property rights. “All the…

The House of Representatives Committee on South-South Development Commission has called for immediate and concrete steps to end the prolonged gas seepage in Bille Community, Rivers State, and resolve the oil spill affecting Odidi Federated Community in Delta State. Committee Chairman Hon. Julius Pondi made the demand on Thursday during a stakeholders’ engagement on the Bille incident and a legislative hearing on the Odidi spill in Abuja. He said both crises have subjected residents of the oil-producing communities to extended environmental damage and economic hardship, insisting that affected people need practical interventions rather than endless probes. Pondi noted that the…