General
APC Governors’ Visit: Look Before You Leap—SERG Warns Wike
By Dipo Olowookere
The Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, has been advised not to make moves that could render his political useless after the 2023 general elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday, a prominent pan-Igbo socio-political pressure group, the South East Revival Group (SERG), urged the Governor to consult widely before agreeing to work with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Last week, some Governors elected under the platform of the APC from the South-West were in Rivers State for a meeting with Mr Wike. This came after it was earlier rumoured that he had a secret meeting with the presidential candidate of the ruling party, Mr Bola Tinubu, in France, though this was denied.
Mr Wike lost his bid to clinch the ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He blamed the betrayal of his colleagues in the Southern part of Nigeria for his loss.
SERG, which feels the Rivers Governor must be aggrieved over the outcome of the presidential primary of the PDP, said any hasty action that is taken in this “most slippery political period” could be disastrous to a politician.
In the statement signed by its president and National Coordinator, Mr Willy Ezugwu, the organisation counselled Governor Wike to be careful and patient in taking any political decisions in order not to lose the goodwill he has been able to earn from the masses over the years as a performer.
“As audacious supporters of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who is one of those we consider to be outstanding in the build-up to the recently concluded presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), we sincerely counsel the Rivers State Governor to be very cautious in taking political decisions at this time.
“Whether the Governor is aggrieved or not, even though we know that he was betrayed during the presidential primary of his party, the political terrain in Nigeria is too slippery for hasty decisions by any wise politician in the country.
“For keen observers of political trends in Nigeria today, it is clear that the younger generation has largely taken over control of the country’s politics ahead of the 2023 presidential election just as they did in 2015.
“If the older generation of politicians is not careful, they will completely lose relevance in the coming months as campaigns begin.
“It will be suicidal for any politician, who is loved by Nigerians, like Governor Wike to swim against the prevailing national political tides.
“Obviously, those who redirected the politics of the country in 2015, have also taken a position in the current political era.
“Nigerians had yearned for a new breed of leaders (those who belong to the younger generation of politicians) to emerge as presidential candidates across key political parties in Nigeria, but they got disappointed when politicians that ought to have retired from active politics were given presidential tickets to the chagrin of the younger people across the country.
“Apart from the fact that the older generation of politicians who won presidential primaries are largely seen by the youths as corrupt and desperate, Nigerians have been in pains in the last seven years and are not keen on repeating the mistake of 2015.
“For this reason, a critical mass of disenchanted citizens, who have been at the receiving end of misused Nigeria’s commonwealth since 1999, which obviously worsened in the last seven years, has now produced a candidate of their choice.
“In the light of this, only wise politicians will look before they leap ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
“We, therefore, urge Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike not to miscalculate or stand in the way of the Nigerian youths, being one of our few leaders who have so far distinguished themselves in the last seven years of misery and pains among the masses,” the group counselled.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari of a 23-count charge of alleged non-declaration of assets filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Mr Kyari is being charged alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits to conceal the origin of some properties.
The court in its judgment held that the NDLEA failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove its case against the defendants, which is mostly the non-declaration of land properties.
Justice Omotosho noted that proving ownership of landed properties can be done through traditional history, title, acts of possession and possession by connection.
The prosecution did not provide any of these documents to show that the said properties located in Fountain Estate, Kasana, which belong to Ramatu Kyari, are truly owned by the police officer.
Also, the court held that the prosecution did not provide the same material evidence linking Mr Kyari to properties in Linda Choko Road, Asokoro and also Maiduguri in Borno State.
Mr Kyari, in his defense said the properties in Borno belonged to his father, which he left for him and his siblings.
It was judged that the prosecution did not prove otherwise, adding that the prosecution charged Mr Kyari’s brothers in bad faith for alleged conspiracy, which they failed to prove.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The chief executive of Netnaija Media Enterprises, Mr Emmanuel Analike, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).
The suspect appeared before Justice Suleiman Liman on Wednesday over allegations bordering on copyright infringement.
He was accused by the NCC of using his online platform to make movies and others not belonging to him available for users to download on the internet.
According to the agency, Mr Analike has infringed copies of audio-visual materials distributed online via his website for online users. Netnaija is an online movie and music download site.
The prosecution counsel, Ms Gladys Isaac-Ojo, who works with the NCC, told the court that the defendant committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 44 (1) (a) of the Copyright Act, 2022.
However, Mr Analike pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him, prompting his counsel, Nnemeka Ejiofor, seek his bail.
The lawyer informed the court that the application was filed on Monday and supported by 23 paragraphs of affidavits and a written address.
But the judge refused to give a bench ruling and adjourned the ruling of the bail application to Monday, March 9, 2026, ordering the remand of the Netnaija chief in Kuje Correctional Centre.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Entries for the 2026 edition of the world’s largest green business ideas competition, ClimateLaunchpad, have opened.
In 2025, the programme, organised by Climate KIC, received over 2,700 applications from 40 countries. The winning ventures gain prize money, investor connections, and access to a global cleantech network.
This year’s edition is expected to be bigger and better, with climate innovators, green venture builders, and entrepreneurs from around the world given the opportunity to apply.
Since its inception in 2014, the programme has supported nearly 5,000 ideas across 97 countries, and this year, it is expanding its presence in Asia with Singapore hosting both the regional final and global grand final for the first time.
Participants move through several stages, including an initial mini-course to refine the concept, an intensive multi-day Boot Camp led by expert trainers, targeted coaching to perfect value propositions and investor pitches, national and regional finals, and a place at the global grand final, with prizes and access to a global climate network.
“Strengthening ClimateLaunchpad’s presence in Asia marks a profound new chapter for this programme and for the climate innovation movement more broadly. Asia is where so much of the world’s climate and nature future will be shaped, through business leadership, public-private partnerships and long-term strategic thinking,” the chief executive of Climate KIC, Kirsten Dunlop, stated.
“We look forward to supporting this momentum with new business ideas and innovation ecosystem collaborations across more than a dozen countries.
“This expansion opens space for deeper cross-cultural connections and for first-time founders to turn sparks of imagination into solutions that serve both people and planet,” Dunlop added.
Also commenting, the chief executive of Better Earth Ventures, Ms Rebecca Sharpe, said, “We are proud to host ClimateLaunchpad’s regional and global grand final in Singapore and to convene an international group of climate entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries.
“Climate solutions are emerging from every corner of the world, and bringing them together creates the kind of cross-border exchange and collaboration this moment demands. Our focus is to ensure early-stage founders have the structure, ecosystem access and support needed to move from idea to credible impact.”
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn