LEGENDINFO

Japan has denied reports that it plans to introduce a special visa category for skilled Nigerians seeking to relocate to Kisarazu, the Japanese city recently designated as Nigeria’s “hometown” under a cultural exchange programme. Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House , had in a statement dated August 22 claimed that the Japanese government would create “a special visa category for highly skilled, innovative, and talented young Nigerians who want to move to Kisarazu to live and work.” The statement also said, “Artisans and other blue-collar workers from Nigeria who are ready to upskill will also benefit from the special dispensation visa to work in Japan.” However, in a statement issued on Monday, Japan’s foreign ministry debunked the claim, insisting there were no such plans. The ministry explained that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Africa Hometown programme is aimed at promoting cultural and economic exchanges between four Japanese cities a...

The Federal Government states that plans are underway to ensure that the processing time for Nigerian passports does not exceed one week after the application is submitted. The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the assurance during the ministry’s mid-tenure performance retreat on Thursday in Abuja. Tunji-Ojo said the planned shortened timeframe was part of the federal government’s reforms to the passport issuance process. The NIS stated that while the 32-page passport, valid for five years, will cost N100,000, the 64-page booklet, valid for 10 years, will be obtained at a cost of N200,000. “Our target is very clear; within one week of enrolment, every Nigerian should have their passport in hand. “Not just delivering quickly, but delivering quality passports that reflect our integrity as a nation,” the minister said. He said that the new system was designed to eliminate long delays and extortion that once forced citizens to wait six months to seven months and pay excess...

The federal government has raised concerns over Nigeria’s annual economic loss of about N455 billion to poor sanitation and unsafe water. To this end, the federal government has called for the urgent need for improved monitoring, enforcement of standards, and greater public awareness on water quality. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation , Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made the disclosure at the launch of the Nestlé Water Quality Advocacy Campaign held in Abuja on Wednesday.  Represented by Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, the Minister said Nigeria must commit more resources to water quality management to reduce the risks of contamination. “The 2021 National Water Report revealed that indices of contamination of drinking water at points of consumption in Nigeria are not encouraging,” he said. “Without access to safe water, our progress towards sustainable development remains incomplete,” Utsev added.

  Imo State   Governor Hope Uzodimma   has increased the minimum wage for the state’s civil servants from N70,000 to N104,000. The governor announced the new minimum wage on Tuesday night at a meeting with organised labour at the  Government House in Owerri,  the state capital. This shows an additional N34,000. Uzodimma also raised the wages for the state’s health workers, pegging the entry-level salary for medical doctors at N508,000, while senior positions in the same cadre will earn up to N1.2 million. Other health workers, the governor said, would start at N108,000, with top earners receiving as much as N803,000, an upward review from the previous N77,600 to N502,000 range. For lecturers, the new entry point will be N222,000. Other civil service positions also received significant increases according to their salary structures. Uzodimma directed the immediate release of N16 billion to clear outstanding pension and gratuity arrears for senior citizens. The ne...

A  joint security operation in Kwara State came under heavy attack on Monday when armed bandits ambushed the team, leaving one vigilante dead and two others injured. The operation, which covered Babasango and surrounding areas, was a coordinated effort involving Police Special Forces, operatives attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, and local vigilante groups. The mission, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Luther, deployed Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs, for bush combing. According to security sources, the incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. as the team was returning from patrol. The bandits reportedly laid an ambush, sparking a fierce exchange of gunfire. During the confrontation, one vigilante was shot dead, while two others sustained serious injuries. Two Buffalo APCs were also disabled in the assault.

  The Naira depreciated against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Monday, to begin the week. This is according to the  Central Bank  of Nigeria’s exchange data at the close of work on Monday. The apex bank exchange rate data showed that the Naira weakened marginally to N1,536.42 against the dollar on Monday, down from N1,535.04 traded at the end of last week on Friday. This means that the Naira dropped by N1.38 against the dollar on Monday when compared to the N1,535.04 traded on Friday. While Nigeria’s currency failed to gain at the official market, it appreciated slightly by N2 at the black market to N1548 per dollar, up from N1,550, a Bureau de Change operator at Wuse Zone 4, Abubakar Alhasan told DAILY POST on Monday.

Sixteen-year-old  Rio Ngumoha  came off the bench to score a 100th-minute winner for  Liverpool  against 10-man  Newcastle United  at St James’ Park, leaving the Magpies winless in 18 league H2Hs (D5, L13). Despite it being clear that he would represent neither side in this fixture, all of the pre-match chat surrounded  Alexander Isak  and the transfer saga that has dominated the summer window. As a result, tensions were high on Tyneside, with the home fans showing their support for manager Eddie Howe before play got underway. Both sets of players got stuck in right from the off with tackles flying in, resulting in a booking for  Ryan Gravenberch , who was making his return from suspension. Newcastle looked the more dangerous side in a frantic opening quarter-hour, but it was Nick Pope who was first called into action to deny  Florian Wirtz ’s curling effort.  The intensity remained incredibly high, as  Anthony Gordon  had...

Athletic Club laboured to a narrow 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, meaning it is now 36 La Liga matches since the side from Bilbao lost a game in which they were favourites. After their action-packed 3-2 opening weekend victory against Sevilla, the first half proved to be a drab rude awakening for the home fans, as  Athletic Club  produced a first half littered with mistakes and calamities. The tone of a frustrating half was set in the opening two minutes, as a wayward pass allowed  Vallecano  forward  Jorge De Frutos  in on goal, and his tame effort somehow crept through the legs of  Unai Simon  but was cleared off the line. De Frutos proved to be an industrious nuisance to the home side’s jittery defence but, in keeping with the match itself, struggled to convert his work rate into any genuine chances. Ernesto Valverde’s men arose from their slumber shortly after the break, as a moment of rare quality produced the first real chance of the...

US President Donald Trump  is moving to make it easier for Americans to use their retirement savings to invest in non-traditional assets like cryptocurrencies, private equity, property, and gold. On Thursday, he directed regulators to review rules that might discourage employers from offering such investment options in workplace retirement plans, known in the US as 401(k)s. The move is intended to broaden access to investments once limited to the wealthy and institutional investors, while also unlocking new sources of capital for firms operating in those alternative asset sectors. However, critics have raised concerns that the move could expose savers to higher risks. In the US, most employers no longer offer traditional pensions with guaranteed payouts. Instead, employees typically contribute part of their salary to investment accounts, often matched in part by their employers. These accounts are governed by strict regulations requiring plan providers to consider factors like risk...

  Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale  has been detained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in connection with a tax investigation, his management has confirmed. The move follows the seizure of his yellow Lamborghini, which US authorities allege is linked to a fraud network run by another Ghanaian, Nana Kwabena Amuah. Amuah is currently serving a seven-year jail sentence in the US after defrauding dozens of organisations through vendor impersonation scams. Wale’s management said the artist, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah, surrendered voluntarily on Wednesday. They stressed that his detention was over “tax obligations,” without addressing the US allegations. The $150,000 luxury car is expected to be returned to the US to help compensate Amuah’s victims. Wale has denied any connection to Amuah, describing himself as a “third-party owner” and claiming he did not know who shipped the vehicle to Ghana. Shatta Wale, one of Ghana’s most successful entertainers, r...

  The chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) , Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that about 7,000 Nigerian immigrants are stranded in Libya. Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this at the official launch of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), strategic plan for Nigeria, 2025-2027, in Abuja. Dabiri-Etewa, who spoke on Tuesday night, said, “As we speak, 7000 Nigerians are stranded in Libya. At this time and age, people still travel by road.” IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms. Sharon Dimanche, in her welcome address, stated that the IOM strategic plan for Nigeria was developed by Nigerians and owned by Nigerians. She said, “We all sat together, led by the minister of humanitarian, budget and economic planning, at a technical level, and went through our strategy. And why did we do that? Because for me, it was not about IOM. “It was about you. That is why I came to this country, for us to sit and serve one another. So we reviewed our strategy, went into details, reflecti...

Singer Terry G has expressed outrage over being snubbed by Billboard’s recent Top 50 ‘Best Afrobeats Songs of All-Time’ list. None of his hits like ‘Akpako Master’, ‘Free Madness’, and ‘Run Mad’, made the list. The list was topped by 2Face’s ‘African Queen’, with other notable inclusions like Timaya’s ‘Dem Mama’ and Olu Maintain’s ‘Yahooze’. Reacting to a post by Chart Data announcing ‘African Queen’ as the number one song, Terry G felt slighted, claiming he was “robbed”. His statement has sparked a heated debate among fans. While some defended his exclusion, others argued that his songs deserve recognition.  One fan, VIK-TOH12, expressed surprise that Terry G’s hit song “Free Madness” wasn’t included, joking that he must be a “foreigner” to be so overlooked. The fan also noted that some original artists were also left out. VIK-TOH12 wrote, “I shock as them no include ur “FREE MADNESS” song ooo…. E come be like u be foreigner. Them no even include some OG artist songs self” Anothe...

Ogun State Government has given financial compensation to victims affected by the recent flood disaster in Ifo Local Government Area to help mitigate the adverse effect of the incident. The Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Funmilayo Efuwape, during the compensation exercise held at Oke-mosan, said that the compensation was designated to bring the victims of Salvation Crescent, Olambe axis, back on their feet by providing a spring board on which they could pick up again. Efuwape, represented by the Acting Director, Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, Soji Durojaiye, maintained that the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration remained committed to alleviating the plight of residents affected by natural disasters. The commissioner disclosed that the intervention was aimed to support families who lost property and livelihoods recover and rebuild their lives. ‘’Government’s response to emergencies will continue to be swift and people-centered, in line wi...

  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  has scheduled Thursday, August 21, for the supplementary election in Kaura-Namoda South Constituency, Zamfara State. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Mahmuda Isah, announced the date during a stakeholders’ meeting in Gusau.  He assured voters and political parties that the commission has made full preparations for a smooth and credible process. Dr. Isah explained that the poll was necessary after the Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau, declared the earlier by-election inconclusive.  According to him, “the margin between the leading party and the runner-up was less than the total number of Permanent Voter Cards collected in polling units where elections were cancelled.”

N ottingham Forest have signed French striker Arnaud Kalimuendo from Ligue 1 side Rennes on a five-year deal, the Premier League club said on Monday. Financial details of the transfer were not revealed but British media reported  Forest  paid about 26 million pounds ($35.19 million) for the 23-year-old. Kalimuendo  came through  Paris St Germain 's academy and had two loan spells at  Lens  before joining  Rennes  in 2022, scoring 40 goals from 112 appearances in all competitions. At Lens, he netted 21 goals in 65 appearances. Kalimuendo was impressive in 2024-25, with 18 goals and four assists in 34 matches for Rennes. He was part of the France squad that won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. "This is a proud moment for me, joining a team who had a strong season last year and a club with great history,"  Kalimuendo said. "I'm ready for the challenge, and I arrive here with good experience. I had a good season last year with goals and as...

  Borussia Dortmund needed a superb finish by forward Serhou Guirassy in the 79th minute to break the resistance of third-division club Rot-Weiss Essen and earn a nervous 1-0 victory in the German Cup on Monday. Dortmund  found it hard going in their first competitive game of the season against the disciplined  Essen  backline, who were working overtime to keep the visitors' chances to a minimum. The hosts almost took the lead themselves in the 41st minute, but Dortmund keeper  Gregor Kobel  denied Romien Safi from close range. Essen remained bold after the break, stifling most Dortmund attacks early while lurking on the break. But they could do nothing when Guinea international  Guirassy  picked up the ball at the edge of the box, battled with two Essen defenders before unleashing an unstoppable, low drive past the keeper for a 79th-minute lead. Dortmund, who start their Bundesliga season on Saturday with a trip to  St Pauli , held on to the...

Nigeria has been named among eight African countries that contributed to a clinical trial leading to the approval of the first malaria treatment for newborns and infants weighing less than five kilograms. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention applauded Nigeria for its role in the trials in a statement released on Sunday. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the treatment, an infant-friendly artemether-lumefantrine, is the first of its kind for children under five kilograms. It dissolves in breast milk and comes with a sweet flavour to make administration easier for newborns. Until now, babies in this weight category had no approved malaria treatment. Health workers often had to modify doses of medicines meant for older children, a practice that carried the risk of overdose and toxicity. Swiss regulators have already approved the formulation, while Nigeria and the other participating countries are expected to fast-track clearance under the Swiss agency’s Marketing Au...

  Violence , vote-buying and low voter participation marred the by-elections conducted on Saturday in some states to fill vacant senatorial and  House of Representatives ’ seats. The vacancies arose from the death and resignation of former occupants of the positions, prompting the Independent National Electoral Commission to declare the seats vacant. According to INEC, a total of 3,553,659 registered voters were eligible to participate in the by-elections, distributed across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units. The by-elections were to hold in 12 states. In Ogun State, the exercise took a dramatic turn when security operatives arrested two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party and two others suspected to be INEC officials. The suspects, including the state PDP chairman, Abayomi Tella, were arrested with large sums of cash allegedly meant for vote-buying during the Remo Federal Constituency House of Representatives by-election. Sunday PUNCH  ...

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure , has sentenced a middle-aged man, Sunday Omoniyi, to death by hanging for stabbing to death his co- tenant, Michael Oyebanji, during a fight. Omoniyi was arraigned on a one-count charge of murder contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006. One of the witnesses, Ismaila Adefaka, told the court that the defendant and the deceased were his tenants. Adefaka said that the incident occured on July 23, 2022 at about 6:30am at 4, Canaanland, Ijoka Road in Akure. According to him, “On that day, I suddenly heard noises which forced me to trace the uproar to the defendant’s apartment where I met the deceased in the pool of his blood after he was reportedly stabbed by the defendant with a knife.” He added that he lodged a formal complaint to the police after the deceased was confirmed dead at the hospital. Other co-tenants, Adedeji Gift, Adedugbe Opeyemi and Aremu Opeye...

  Minister of Information and National Orientation , Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda has made the treatment of cancer possible in the country. Idris stated this when he and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Enugu State, Mr Peter Mbah, on Thursday in Enugu. He said that all the information structures of the Federal Government were brought to Enugu to see and report the positive efforts of Tinubu and Mbah. According to him, Tinubu has done so well that one will wonder if he is on his second term. Idris also said that he had noticed what Mbah had done in the state, describing Enugu as the heart of the South-East. “We have seen what the governor has done, from the policies and programmes of his predecessor. “Also, we are here to show that President Tinubu is working and to see what his policies and programmes are achieving positively across the region. “Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, in policies and programmes, has revolutionised t...

TikTok personality Peller has expressed outrage over an alleged ₦36 million income tax demand from the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS). Speaking during a livestream with singer Peruzzi, Peller described the tax bill as excessive, saying he does not have the funds and is already struggling to make ends meet. Peruzzi, however, advised him to settle the bill, stressing that paying taxes is a civic duty for every Nigerian. He added that he personally pays more than the amount Peller is being charged. “Taskforce said I should pay N36 million for tax. I don’t have anything. I just came into the limelight last year,” he lamented. “Why haven’t you paid your taxes? Do you know you’re supposed to pay tax as a Nigerian? Do you know how much I pay in tax? I won’t mention it here, but it’s more than the tax bill they gave you,” Peruzzi said. However, Peller argued that the tax bill is unfair, stating that the government has never supported him during his TikTok live sessions.

Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo , on Tuesday declared that he has “no apologies” for his alliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite belonging to different political parties. Speaking to journalists at the State House, Abuja, after a meeting with the President, Soludo said his support for Tinubu was rooted in shared progressive ideals and a personal friendship spanning over two decades. “I don’t have any apologies about it. President Tinubu is my friend. Has been my friend for 22 years now and counting. You don’t deny your friend and begin to quiver about who he is. “I support him, and I’m impressed by the bold steps he has taken, particularly in the areas of the economy and the structural reforms. I have said so several times — we’re taking the right steps, we only need to stay the course,” Soludo stated. The former Central Bank governor said political parties professing progressivism should work together in a broad coalition to strengthen Nigeria’s...

Dangote Refinery has announced the delivery of its first shipment of compressed natural gas trucks to facilitate its nationwide premium motor spirit and automotive gas oil supply from August 15, 2025. The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery disclosed this in a statement by its spokesperson, Anthony Chijiena, on Sunday. According to him, the refinery, the N720 billion worth investment scheme, is aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fuel distribution landscape by reducing logistics costs and enhancing supply efficiency for customers. “The fleet of fuel tankers, being imported through Apapa Port, represents a significant capital investment estimated at N720 billion. “The first consignment of trucks recently departed Apapa Port and was formally received at the refinery site in Ibeju-Lekki by the Vice-President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Ltd., Devakumar Edwin,” the statement reads. Recall that Dangote Refinery had announced that the fuel distribution scheme would cause a major sh...