Delta Government Intervenes, Orders Withdrawal of Query to Nursing Student Over Viral Video

Delta Government Intervenes, Orders Withdrawal of Query to Nursing Student Over Viral Video

The Delta State Government has reportedly intervened to stop disciplinary action against Osato Edobor, a nursing student at the Delta College of Nursing, Agbor, who was issued a 24-hour query over a viral video. The video, which was traced to Edobor’s TikTok page, quickly spread across social media, becoming one of the most shared posts on Facebook in Nigeria. The college authorities responded by issuing a query, demanding that Edobor explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against her. However, the release of the query letter on social media sparked widespread outrage. Many social media users, activists, human rights lawyers, and concerned Nigerians condemned the college’s action, arguing that the student was simply expressing herself. Amid growing backlash, the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, announced in a Facebook video that he had instructed the college provost to withdraw the query. He emphasized that the government was not interested in victimizing anyone and confirmed that Edobor had acknowledged the withdrawal of the letter. Dr. Nelson Egware, Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Media, also confirmed the government’s intervention in response to a post by Omoyele Sowore. Egware stated that the letter would be withdrawn and urged all parties to learn from the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The government’s swift action has been praised as a balanced approach to maintaining order while respecting the right to free expression.

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Court Dismisses Falana’s Fraud Case Against Zinox, Others

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in the Bwara Division, has dismissed a fraud case filed against the Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Leo Stan Ekeh; his wife, Chioma Ekeh; and 11 others. Justice Akpan Okon Ebong, in his ruling on Suit No. CR/985/2024, declared that the case “constitutes a gross abuse of court process and is liable to dismissal. I accordingly hereby dismiss it.” The case was filed in November 2024 by Femi Falana (SAN), who acted under a fiat granted by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). The case named Ekeh and 12 others as defendants, including Chris Ozims, Oyebode Folashade, Charles Adigwe, Obilo Onuoha, Agartha Ukoha, Anya Anya, Femi Dosumu, Nnenna Kalu, Admas Digital Technologies Limited, Technology Distributions Limited, and Zinox Technologies Limited. Falana’s fiat authorized him to refile and prosecute a previous case (Charge No. CR/827/2013) involving the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the legal adviser of Zinox Technologies, Chris Ozims, along with six others. The case was based on allegations by Joseph Benjamin, CEO of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, regarding the diversion of ₦162,247,513.80 — payment for a laptop supply contract at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Headquarters in 2012, which Technology Distribution Ltd (now TD Africa) had supplied on behalf of Citadel. Justice Ebong criticized Falana for expanding the list of defendants from seven to 13. In his ruling on March 20, 2025, Justice Ebong stated, “The mere fact that a lawyer has been granted a fiat by the HAGF (Fagbemi) will not turn him into a Knight Errant, like Don Quixote, going everywhere looking for suspected criminals to prosecute.” He emphasized that Falana was only authorized to refile and prosecute the original case and had no power to modify the charge or add defendants. “The Charge No. CR/827/2013 which he was asked to handle has just seven persons listed as defendants, whereas the instant charge filed by him has 13 defendants, almost double the number of persons he was authorised to prosecute,” the judge added. Justice Ebong concluded that the case constituted a “gross abuse of court process” and dismissed it. He also noted that no law enforcement agency had found merit in the allegations against the defendants and condemned the attempt to maintain a “campaign of persecution” against them.

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Tinubu To Mark 73rd Birthday With Special Prayer At Abuja National Mosque

Ahead of his 73rd birthday on Saturday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will join fellow Muslims at the National Mosque in Abuja on Friday for a special prayer session for the nation. He will also use this occasion to thank God for preserving and supporting him in the onerous task of piloting the nation’s affairs. President Tinubu’s birthday coincided with the holy month of Ramadan and comes two months before his administration’s second anniversary. On this significant day, the President will dedicate himself to spiritual reflection and supplication for Nigeria’s continued peace, progress, and prosperity. Choosing a prayer session reflects President Tinubu’s dedication to Nigeria’s spiritual and moral well-being and his commitment to seeking divine guidance, insight, and strength in leadership. He believes collective prayer is a powerful tool for guiding the nation towards progress and harmony. Tinubu invited the public to join the prayer session in spirit by offering prayers at their places of worship or wherever they may be, reinforcing a nationwide commitment to unity and shared destiny. He expressed profound gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support and goodwill as his administration works tirelessly to advance economic reforms, strengthen national security, and expand opportunities for all citizens. He stated: “I am deeply thankful to Allah for the gift of life and the privilege to serve this great nation. As I mark another birthday and look forward to our second anniversary, my heart is filled with Renewed Hope for Nigeria. I urge all citizens to pray for divine guidance, unity, and healing for our land. Together, we shall overcome challenges and build a nation where every citizen thrives.” The President reaffirmed his commitment to consolidating democratic gains, fostering economic recovery, and promoting national cohesion. He encouraged citizens to remain steadfast in believing in Nigeria’s destiny as a beacon of hope in Africa.

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Senate Passes Bill for Same-Day General Elections

A bill aimed at empowering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all general elections on the same day has passed its second reading in the Senate. The bill, which seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2022, is designed to reduce the high costs associated with elections, shorten campaign periods, and allow elected officials to serve as ad hoc delegates in party congresses. Senator Saliu Mustapha, who led the debate on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, pointed out the unsustainable rise in election costs, which have grown from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023. He stressed that the current staggered election system is financially burdensome and inefficient, contributing to voter fatigue and low turnout. According to Mustapha, holding all elections on the same day would save costs, increase voter participation, and reduce political tension. While the proposal received support from several senators, some expressed reservations about INEC’s capacity to manage nationwide elections in a single day. Senator Adams Oshiomhole cautioned that the reform should not be rushed, urging lawmakers to consider INEC’s preparedness for such an undertaking. He also raised concerns about the potential confusion caused by multiple ballots, particularly for illiterate voters. The bill will undergo further scrutiny in the coming weeks, as the Senate evaluates its implications for Nigeria’s electoral process.

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Kenya Probes Goalkeeper Match-Fixing Allegation

Kenya opened a match-fixing investigation Thursday following allegations that a national team goalkeeper helped rig an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed it was aware of videos circulating online involving goalkeeper Patrick Matasi which raised concern about the possibility of match manipulation. “FKF upholds the integrity of football and has launched an official investigation, in collaboration with FIFA, CAF, and other relevant authorities,” the Kenya football board said in a statement. “We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and are committed to safeguarding the credibility of our competition.” The secretly filmed online amateur video seen by AFP shows an unnamed man talking to Matasi over a plan to fix a match in return for cash. The former AFC Leopards and Tusker goalkeeper, who also had a playing stint with Ethiopian side Coffee Sports Club, played in Kenya’s 4-1 loss to former African champions Cameroon in a 2025 AFCON qualifier in Yaounde last October. The defeat dimmed Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for the finals in Morocco, and led to the resignation of the team’s coach Engin Firat. Matasi was dropped from the team by the new coach Benni McCarthy and did not feature in the recent 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon. Kenyan football has been hit by the dark shadow of match-fixing malpractices in the recent past with 14 players and two coaches suspended by the FKF in January 2023 following a tip-off about cheating in the national league. In February 2020, FIFA banned four Kenyan-based players — one for life — over an “international conspiracy” to fix league matches. Five Kenyan referees were also later suspended over the same scandal. The Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis, an independent think tank, warned that match-fixing had infiltrated multiple levels of Kenyan football from grassroots competitions to the professional leagues. “This has left a trail of disillusionment among fans and undermined the integrity of football and could lead to loss of public trust and confidence in the football industry,” the organization said in a January 2024 report.

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CAF Launches Registration For Young Reporters Workshop In Ghana

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has opened applications to register for the Young Reporters Workshop that will be run alongside the CAF African Schools Football Championship continental finals in Accra, Ghana from 21-26 April, 2025. CAF, in partnership with CANAL+ University, is seeking candidates under the age of 25 to take part in the workshop and develop their journalistic skills to become the future voices of football on the African continent. Participants will benefit from masterclasses held by renowned CANAL+ journalist Charles Mbuya and the chance to put their learnings into practice at the CAF African Schools Football Championship continental finals. Candidates hoping to be part of the workshop must send a covering letter motivating why they have a passion for football journalism, their resume and a text article, audio clip or video as a sample of their work to youngreporter@cafonline.com. The registration process will close on 4 April, 2025. CAF and CANAL+ INTERNATIONAL, under the banner of CANAL+ University, entered into a strategic partnership in January to develop training programmes in the field of sports journalism for young African talent. The Young Reporters Workshop has been a key development programme at the CAF African Schools Football Championship since the competition was first played in 2022. The Young Reporters Workshop is one of several development programmes that will be held at the continental finals. Other capacity-building initiatives include: CAF D License Coaching Course, CAF Safeguarding workshops, Safety and Security workshops, Young Medical Officers Programme and Young Referee Programme.

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CAF Awards U20 AFCON 2025 Hosting Rights To Egypt

The Confederation African Football (CAF) has awarded the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and Egyptian Government the rights to host the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025. This is subsequent to CAF having been informed by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire that due to unforeseen circumstances, they are unable to host the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025. The Egyptian Football Association and the Egyptian Government had previously submitted a bid to host the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025. The opening match of the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will be played on Sunday, 27 April 2025 and the Final on 18 May 2025.

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IGP Tours Adamawa Command, Ultra Modern Headquarters in Yola

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Thursday 27th March, 2025, undertook an official tour of the Adamawa State Police Command, during which he commissioned the newly constructed ultra-modern Command Headquarters in Yola, a monumental edifice which would provide a conducive working environment for officers and ensuring effective service delivery in the fight against crime and criminality. The IGP also inspected various police formations in the state, assessing operational efficiency and the welfare of personnel as part of the drives to ensure improved security and strengthening policing mechanisms across the country. After the commissioning,while addressing guests, officers, and men of the Command, the IGP charged them to maintain the already existing synergy between the Police Force and other security forces, to continually and adequately combat insecurity in the state and, by extension, across the country. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among security agencies in ensuring a safer Nigeria. As part of his engagements, the IGP paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, at the Government House in Yola. The Governor commended the IGP for his relentless efforts in safeguarding lives and property, noting the significant impact the Nigeria Police Force is making in maintaining peace and stability in the state and the nation at large. In a bid to further bolster security in Adamawa State, the Governor called for the establishment of an additional Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU) Base and the reopening of the Police Training School in Mbaba, Yola South Local Government Area in the state. He also emphasized that these measures would enhance the operational capacity of security agencies in tackling emerging security threats, particularly insurgency and banditry, which have posed serious challenges to the region. The IGP, in his response, assured the Governor and the good people of Adamawa State of the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to proactive policing, community partnership, and intelligence-driven security strategies, noting that the request for an additional CTU Base and the reopening of the Police Training School would be given due consideration in line with the strategic security and training framework of the Force. The IGP also paid a visit to the Palace of the Lamido of Adamawa, His Royal Highness, DR Muhammad Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, appreciating him for his leadership steadfastness, and for the support he has shown the Police to enable them adequately combat all forms of crime in the State and urged him to continuously pray for the success of the Nigeria Police Force in its fights against criminality and Nigeria as a whole. The Inspector-General of Police reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s dedication to modernizing its infrastructure, enhancing personnel welfare, and leveraging advanced technology to improve crime prevention and investigative capabilities. He emphasized that the commissioning of the ultra-modern Adamawa State Police Command Headquarters represents a significant milestone in the Force’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance security operations nationwide.

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