LEGENDINFO

The Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,495 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,490 per dollar on Wednesday. Similarly, the Naira depreciated to N1,496 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM). Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,496 per dollar from N1,495 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating N1 depreciation for the naira. Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N1 per dollar from N9.8 per dollar the previous day.

T wo-time Academy Award winner Gene Hackman , 95, was found dead alongside his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog in their home outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. Authorities have not determined the exact cause of death but stated that foul play is not suspected. "This is an active and ongoing investigation," the sheriff’s office said in an email to CBS News early Thursday. Similarly, a statement to  Sky  News said: "We do not believe foul play was a factor in their deaths, however exact cause of death has not been determined at this time." Hackman, one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, was known for his intense and complex performances in classic films such as The French Connection, The Conversation, and Unforgiven. He also entertained audiences as the charismatic villain Lex Luthor in three Superman films.   Throughout his decades-long career, Hackman delivered unforg...

The naira recorded its first depreciation in the parallel foreign exchange market on Wednesday since the start of the week. A Bureau de Change operator at Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, told DAILY POST that the naira fell to N1,490 per dollar on Wednesday, from N1,485 traded on Tuesday, losing N10. Meanwhile, in the official market, the naira stood at N1,495.91 per dollar on Tuesday, as the Central Bank of Nigeria has yet to release its FX data for Wednesday. DAILY POST reports that the  naira had sustained its gains  against the dollar on Monday and Tuesday across FX markets. REPORT - DAILY POST

The Pentagon on Wednesday said the United States will remove transgender troops from the military unless they obtain a waiver on a case-by-case basis. The memo by the Pentagon became public as part of a court filing in a case challenging President Donald Trump’s late January executive order that was aimed at barring military service by transgender personnel. “Service members who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria will be processed for separation from military service,” the memo said. According to the memo, the troops may be considered for a waiver on a case-by-case basis, provided there is a compelling government interest in retaining the service member that directly supports war-fighting capabilities. It added that to obtain such a waiver, troops must show that they have never attempted to transition, as well as demonstrate 36 consecutive months of stability in the service member’s sex without clinically significant distress...

The   Lagos State government   has announced that full enforcement of the electronic call-up (e-call-up) system will commence on March 1, 2025. The technology-driven system was developed over two years in response to anticipated high truck traffic in the Lekki-Epe corridor due to the operations of the Lekki Deep Seaport, Lekki Free Zone, Dangote Refinery, and other major industries. The initiative aims to streamline logistics, prevent indiscriminate parking, and enhance operational efficiency. According to the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Bolanle Ogunlola, the state government has given truck operators adequate time to integrate into the system. Multiple stakeholder engagement meetings were held to educate operators on its benefits, and the enforcement timeline was repeatedly adjusted to encourage voluntary compliance. “With enforcement now in full effect, the state government urges truckers to comply with the system. “Adequate time was given fo...

Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa , has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a private investor for the injection of N15bn to establish the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme The youth-oriented agriculture initiative would be established in each of the three senatorial district. According to the MoU, the investors would cultivate five hectares of land in each of the three clusters with the state owned higher institutions as pilot beneficiaries. Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan , in a statement, said the initiative would focus on practical farming for young people and practical training for students in agriculture and agric related operations.  “Aside training of the students, each of the three institutions to be used as hosts also stands to benefit a percentage from the proceeds of the operations,” the statement reads.

Police Command in Edo has confirmed the killing of two farmers in Okpekpe , Etsako East Local Government, by suspected herdsmen. The victims, identified as Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello, were reportedly attacked on their way to the farm on Monday. Confirming the incident, CSP Moses Yamu, Public Relations Officer of the command, said the attack was reported by the Chief of Okpekpe at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday. “The command received a report today at about 0900 hrs from the chief of Okpekpe that two of his subjects were attacked and killed in their farms by suspected herdsmen. “The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and mobile police officers deployed in Uzanu arrived at the scene and found their lifeless bodies,” Yamu stated. In response to the killings, Yamu said the police had reviewed security arrangements in the area to track down the perpetrators and prevent further attacks. “Security arrangements in the area have been reviewed to go after the criminals and forestall reoc...

A 26-year-old woman has been confirmed dead in a collision between a truck and a commercial motorcycle on Badagry Expressway . The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident on Monday in Lagos. The accident occurred at 1:00 p.m. on Monday at Ojo, located in the state’s Ojo area. “A fatal accident occurred at Ojo Barracks main gate along Badagry Expressway involving a truck and a motorcycle,” the PPRO said. The motorcyclist was traveling from Mile 2 to Iyana-Iba with a passenger when he lost control. The passenger fell under the moving truck and was crushed by its rear tyre, dying instantly. The PPRO confirmed the body was removed from the scene. He also stated that both the truck and motorcycle had been recovered for investigation. The motorcycle rider, however, fled the scene, according to the police. (NAN)

Nigeria’s male senior basketball team D’Tigers have conquered the fear of missing out on this year’s FIBA AfroBasket championship after they were declared ‘qualified’ for the tournament before their last qualifying match against Cape Verde on Sunday,   The PUNCH   reports. D’Tigers were billed to face Group B leaders Cape Verde in their last game of the second phase of the qualifier on Sunday evening, needing another win to boost their chances. According to FIBA , regardless of how they finish the qualifiers, all the countries in Group B which comprises leaders Cape Verde, Libya, Nigeria and Uganda will qualify for the tournament in Angola as the best fourth-placed team. “The team that will finish fourth in this group will qualify as the best-fourth team of the AfroBasket qualifiers,” FIBA wrote in their preview of the last match-day on Sunday. Not buoyed by the verdict, the D’Tigers took their destiny into their own hands and beat Cape Verde 77-62 to end their run in the sec...

  Donovan Mitchell (28) scored 33 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 129-123 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in a testy cross-conference NBA clash on Sunday. Ty Jerome  (27) scored 26 points off the bench, Evan Mobley (23) added 25 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists and Jarrett Allen (26) scored 13 points with 10 rebounds for Eastern Conference leaders Cleveland - who improved their league-best record to 47-10. The Grizzlies, second in the Western Conference and coming off a come-from-behind victory in Orlando on Friday, were led by Jaren Jackson Jr.'s 22 points. Ja Morant  (25) added 21 points and 10 assists for Memphis, who trailed 62-56 at half-time but briefly seized a one-point lead early in the third quarter. Cleveland were back on top and both coaches had already received technical fouls when a scuffle erupted midway through the third quarter, where Mitchell and Desmond Bane (...

A fire outbreak has claimed the life of a 59-year-old sick woman and destroyed several houses and properties at 31 Garba Abbas Street in Barnawa, Kaduna. The fire, which started at 1 pm, broke out while all the residents of the six flats in the vicinity were away at their various places of business. Tragically, the sick woman, who was unable to move from her bed, was trapped and perished in the inferno. Her husband, Anthony Peter, recounted the harrowing incident, stating that his wife was burned to death because there was no one around to help her escape while he was away. Mr Peter confirmed that the raging fire completely destroyed the buildings, leaving the residents unable to salvage even a single possession. The incident has left the victims devastated, both emotionally and financially. Some of the affected residents, who lost all their household belongings, are appealing to the Kaduna State Government for assistance with shelter and financial support to help them rebuild their l...

  The Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and  Minister of Justice , Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has clarified that the Court of Appeal judgment of 10 February 2025 effectively restored the tenure of sacked local government chairmen and councillors in Osun State. However, he stated that the tenure of the chairmen and councillors elected during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, would expire in October this year. In a statement issued on behalf of the federal government on Thursday evening, Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, advised the Osun State government to shelve any plans to conduct local government elections for now, in the interest of peace and in line with the rule of law. In the statement, which he personally signed, Fagbemi urged Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to abide by the ruling of the Court of Appeal. Part of the statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to the public outcry...

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has denied violating terms of the contract  it entered with Mashariq Al Dhahabiah Al Mutawazi, the Saudi Arabian company contracted to provide services to Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj exercise. Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, Chairman of the commission, said this   in a statement issued on Tuesday. Daily Trust had reported how the company threatened to take Nigeria to an international arbitration court due to the commission’s alleged “failure to adhere with terms of contract”. NAHCON was said to have split the contract with Mashariq Al Dhahabiah Al Mutawazi and Ikram Diyafa before the February 14 deadline set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia elapsed. In a letter dated 1446/08/17 (17/02/2025), addressed to the head of Nigerian pilgrims’ affairs office in Makkah, the company had said the commission breached its contract agreement that it would be the sole service provider for Nigerian pilgrims during the Hajj exercise, e...

The Police have declared controversial artiste Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as Portable for allegedly assaulting officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA). Portable was declared wanted in a special police gazette bulletin. In a statement on Monday, the Ogun state police command alleged that the singer took part in “a violent attack on government officials carrying out their lawful duties.” “Portable, armed with a firearm and other dangerous weapons, led a gang of nine thugs in a violent attack on the unarmed officials. “The enforcement officers sustained various bodily injuries but managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ota Area Command, which subsequently escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further action,” the command added. While Portable is on the run, the police disclosed that nine accomplices in the attack were apprehended. “Nine accomplices were arrested, but Portable fled the scene a...

Shakira has cancelled her concert in Peru’s capital on Sunday after being hospitalized with abdominal pain, a setback that comes days after she launched her first worldwide tour in seven years. The 48-year-old Colombian star posted on her social media accounts that she had gone to the emergency room on Saturday night and remained hospitalized. “The doctors whose care I am currently under have communicated that I am not in good enough condition to perform this evening,” she said “I am very sad to not be able to take the stage today. I’ve been looking forward to reuniting with my incredible fans here in Peru,” she added, expressing hope that she would be released from the hospital on Monday to resume the tour. The singer-songwriter kicked off her tour in Rio de Janeiro just a few days after she received a Grammy for best Latin pop album, which she dedicated to migrants in the United States who are facing deportation under President Donald Trump. Shakira, who is one of the most popula...

No fewer than 23 passengers have been confirmed dead in a ghastly motor accident involving a trailer (DAF model) along the Kano-Maiduguri road, under the popular Muhammadu Buhari Interchange Flyover in Kano. The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC Kano Sector Command, Umar Matazu, confirmed the incident, stating that the accident involved 71 passengers and that 23 persons died, while 48 others sustained injuries. According to Matazu, “the accident occurred on Thursday night when the trailer, conveying goods and passengers, engaged in overspeeding, resulting in loss of control. The crash involved a trailer (DAF Model) carrying goods and passengers. The cause of the road traffic crash was attributed to dangerous driving due to overspeeding, which resulted in loss of control under the bridge. “A total of 71 people were involved in the crash, with 23 fatalities and 48 injured victims. The injured victims were immediately evacuated to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kan...

T he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday handed over a total of 3897 arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stated that 1599 arms and 2298 rounds of ammunition were handed over. Adeniyi explained that the seized arms and ammunition were intercepted between 2018 and 2024. He noted that in 2018, the Service intercepted 440 arms concealed in 516 bags of plaster of Paris. The CGC added that the seizure highlighted the Service’s active collaboration with stakeholders to keep illegal weapons off the streets and strengthen public safety. He recalled that in May 2018, the Service intercepted a significant batch of arms, including 440 pump-action rifles and accessories, ingeniously concealed within 516 bags of plaster of Paris cement in a 20-foot container numbered PONU 210024/1.  Through sustained intelligence operations, Adeniyi ...

  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, state governors, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) were among the prominent individuals and groups thrown into mourning yesterday by the death of Afenifere chieftain, Pa Ayo Adebanjo. A statement issued by the family said the elder statesman died peacefully at his Lekki residence in Lagos yesterday morning. The statement reads: “With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation and humanity, we announce the passing on of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo. “He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025 at his Lekki, Lagos Nigeria home at the age of 96. “The foremost nationalist, elder statesman, distinguished lawyer, very distinct politician, apostle of true federalism, former organising secretary of Action Group and the national leader of Afenifere i...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a telephone call with Donald Trump on Wednesday, the presidency in Kyiv said. The presidency told reporters that the call lasted approximately one hour. Trump had earlier said he would call Zelensky after speaking with Putin. Trump had said he had a “lengthy and highly productive” call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in which they agreed to “immediately” start negotiations to end the Ukraine war. Trump said on Truth Social that both leaders had extended invitations of “visiting each other’s nations,” while the US leader said he would be calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “right now” to inform him about the call. In an extraordinary thaw in relations between Washington and Moscow, the Kremlin separately said the call lasted one and a half hours and that Putin and Trump had agreed that the “time has come to work together.” Putin also told Trump that a “long-term settlement” of the Ukraine conflict sparked by Russi...

Everton manager David Moyes has spoken in his latest press conference as he prepares to take on Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. Everton  host Liverpool on Wednesday night in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park after the original game was postponed in December. Moyes was first questioned on whether it's special because it's the last derby at such an iconic ground.  "I've been here many years but it's a while back since my last Merseyside derby. They've always been difficult games, Liverpool are always a tough opponent.  "But at Goodison, it has always felt much easier because we have a fantastic support behind us.  "This game will be no different. Strange it was a rearranged fixture, so I now have the chance to manage."  He then gave an update on defender Vitalii Mykolenko who is in contention to return to the squad which will be a huge boost for the Toffees.  "He (Mykolenko) started some training today so hopefully h...

Jude Bellingham scored a 92nd-minute winner as Real Madrid came from behind twice to beat Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off to earn a first win at the Etihad Stadium inside 90 minutes. The Citizens’ supporters stoked the competitive flames of this round’s heavyweight clash with a “stop crying your heart out” message to Vinicius Junior and his club before kick-off. Much like his reaction to Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or, the Brazilian was left in disbelief as he was denied a penalty by the offside flag before he played a brilliant pass to Kylian Mbappe whose shot was saved, then Nathan Ake denied Ferland Mendy after Vinícius had touched the ball to the Frenchman.  Having come out of that period unscathed, City took the lead thanks to a wonderful move that culminated in Erling Haaland scoring his first-ever goal against Los Blancos after Josko Gvardiol ...

The Sokoto State government has announced plans to create additional Ramadan feeding centres for the destitute in the state. This was disclosed by Governor Ahmed Aliyu while commissioning the remodeled Ruggar Wauru Jumu’at Mosque in the state at the weekend. He said, “Preparations are in top gear for the commencement of the 2025 Ramadan feeding programme in the state. “We are determined to expand our feeding centres to areas where they don’t exist for the benefit of the needy, the vulnerable and the less-privileged persons in our society. “We are also working to improve the quality of food served in the centres,” he assured. Aliyu noted that his administration had so far renovated and constructed several mosques and Islamiyya schools. The completed Jumu’at mosques,  according to him, included: Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, Tahsinul Qur’an, Runjin Sambo, Sheikh Gumi, Unguwar Rogo, Sultan Maccido, Emir Yahaya Road, as well as those of Yabo and Gwadabawa, among others. Those of  Kebbe,...