News

LP National Chairman, Abure Released

Published

2 years ago

February 22, 2024

Editor

The National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), has been released by Zone 5 headquarters, Benin of the Nigeria Police.

Abure was arrested on Wednesday evening by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in charge of Zone 5, Benin City.

Abure, it was gathered was released around 3.05 am on Thursday.

The AIG on Wednesday night disclosed that the LP National Chairman, the Edo State chairman of the party, Kelly Ogbaloi and three others, were arrested for “conspiracy, brutal assault, attempted murder, armed robbery, grievous harm and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.”

Speaking to some of his supporters who were at the AIG Zone 5 headquarters shortly after his release, Abure stated that what he suffered is peculiar to what other freedom fighters suffer all over the world.

He added that his release by the police was effected by pressure mounted on them from some quarters which he did not name, adding that assurances were given that the state chairman, state publicity secretary and other arrested alongside with him would be released in the early hours of Thursday.

Abure, who berated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), for making life unbearable for Nigerians disclosed that since the February 2023 general elections, detractors of the LP had not relented in instigating crises within the party, adding that several petitions bothering on frivolous accusations had been written against him.

He assured that neither he, nor the party, would be deterred from pursuing the goals of the party.

News

FirstBank’s Digital Banking Channels Suffers Downtime

Published

23 minutes ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

FirstBank has suffered a temporary disruption to its major digital banking channels, which will prevent some customers from completing transactions.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the bank said the downtime is affecting services on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and its *894# USSD platforms.

“Please be informed that we are currently experiencing some downtime affecting transactions to other banks on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and USSD platforms. Customers may therefore experience delayed or declined transactions,” the circular read.

The bank apologised for the inconvenience and assured customers that its technical team, working with partner service providers, is making every effort to restore full services as quickly as possible.

The disruption occurred less than two months after FirstBank introduced facial biometric authentication on its FirstMobile app, designed to enhance the customer experience and security.

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Begins 10-day Vacation, Departs Abuja For Europe

Published

2 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will spend the 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom, after which he will return to Nigeria.

Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.

“The vacation will last 10 working days.

“President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.”

Details later…

News

NYSC Pays Arrears After Two-month Break

Published

16 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The National Youth Service Corps resumed payments for arrears on Wednesday, marking the first disbursement since the last payment on June 3, following a two-month break.

This payment relates to the new N77,000 monthly allowance recently approved by the Federal Government.

Recall that on April 5th, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that corps members who recently completed their service will receive the new N77,000 monthly allowance approved by the Federal Government.

Speaking during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Nafiu said, “Once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, we will pay them. Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. We have their bank details.”

He emphasised the government’s commitment, adding, “Nigerians should not fret about that because the government is both responsible and responsive to their needs.”

This development was confirmed by PUNCH, by a previously serving corps member who chose to remain anonymous, who said, “After waiting for two months, I didn’t expect to see another payment alert. But honestly, it’s not just about the money; it’s about feeling like our efforts actually count.

The payment of arrears, covering the period from July 2024 to March 2025, follows widespread frustration over delayed implementation after the Federal Government approved the allowance increase as part of its commitment to easing economic hardship for Nigerian youth.