Category: cover

 

Some residents have lamented the rapidly expanding gully erosion threatening to engulf a primary health centre under renovation in Bayan Dutse, a riverine community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

 

Its current state has raised fear among residents who depend on the facility for essential medical services, as the deteriorating riverbank health centre reportedly serves over 4,000 residents.

 

When our correspondent visited the site on Sunday, it was observed that without immediate erosion control measures, the facility could become structurally unsafe and unusable in a few months.

 

PUNCH Online gathered from locals that more than 10 meters of land have been lost to erosion in the past six months, due to persistent rainfall and the absence of proper drainage infrastructure.

 

It was said that cracks have reportedly appeared on the facility’s exterior walls, while parts of the perimeter fence have collapsed. According to them, the back gate got eroded following a recent heavy downpour.

 

They also appealed to the Kaduna State Government and federal agencies such as the Ecological Fund Office to urgently intervene before the erosion claims yet another critical public asset.

 

A resident, Royal Daniel, expressed his concern over the health facility that is eroding and may collapse soon if proper attention is not paid to its current state.

 

He said, “We are worried that this health centre, which is our only access to basic healthcare, especially for pregnant women and children, may soon collapse into the river.

“We had hope when the renovation began under Governor Uba Sani’s administration, but that hope is fading fast.”

 

A trader in the area, Sarah Thomas, was of the opinion that it is likely the problem originated from the building construction and planning, as she also pleaded for the state government’s intervention.

 

“We believe the contractor did a shabby job without a proper assessment of the terrain. There was no meaningful erosion control component in the project.

 

“We are calling on the Kaduna State Government to urgently review this project and ensure it is executed properly. Our lives depend on this facility,” Thomas said.

 

“This is a disaster waiting to happen. The government must prioritise erosion control, particularly for health infrastructure sited near riverbanks,” said Aaron Daniel, a Kaduna-based building engineer.

 

Some community leaders in the area also faulted the siting of the health centre close to the riverbank, describing it as a poor decision without considering environmental risk. They also criticised the quality of work done by the contractor handling the renovation.

Efforts to get an official response from the Chikun Local Government Council were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

 

Ahead of the 2027 elections, elders of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the Northern Senatorial District of Nasarawa State, have appealed to a former Deputy Governor of the state, Silas Agara, to join the governorship race.

 

The elders, under the aegis of APC Elders Forum, made the call on Sunday in the Akwanga Local Government Area of the state when they held a meeting with Agara who currently serves the country as Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment.

 

Speaking with Journalists shortly after the meeting, spokesperson of the group, Monday Nanza, said they decided to visit the home of the NDE Boss to urge him to join the race for governorship in 2027 because the forum believes that he is the ideal candidate to succeed Governor Abdullahi Sule, considering his wealth of experience in politics and governance.

 

Nanza described Silas Agara as a grass roots politician who had served in various political capacities since 1999, noting that among the about 20 persons from the APC who have so far declared interest to succeed the incumbent governor, Agara is the most qualified going by his track records.

 

“Agara has paid his dues since he first entered into the political arena. He possesses the necessary skills to govern Nasarawa State effectively if given the opportunity.

“We have consulted with all aspirants expressing interest in the governorship, but none has the political credentials of Silas Agara. This is why we are here today, urging him to present himself for this crucial position,” Nanza added.

 

Meanwhile, our correspondent reports that Agara hails from the same Local Government Area with Governor Abdullahi Sule, who is currently serving his second term in office.

 

The Akwanga born political icon’s rise to prominence began in 2003 when he was appointed as Commissioner for Youth and Sports by Nasarawa State’s first civilian Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, at a remarkable young age.

 

Since then, Agara’s exceptional leadership and charisma have consistently reflected in the various offices he had held, including his appointment as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning by late former Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma in 2007.

 

After which, he served as Special Adviser on Special Duties and Sports from 2011 to 2015. He was later elected as Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State from 2015 to 2019 during the tenure of former Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who served the state for eight years.

 

Some social media users across the country have advocated for the establishment of an indigenous social networking platforms following the exit threat by Meta.

 

Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

 

The users made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday,

 

They said that establishing an indigenous social media platform would ensure easy regulation and implementation of data protection policies in the country.

 

Mr Moses Atuegwu, a WhatsApp user, said that the exit threat by Meta was uncalled for given the huge number of users and patronage they had received in the country.

 

Atuegwu said it was worrisome, as citizens were at the mercy of foreign-dominated social media platforms, hence the need for homegrown platforms.

 

”We cannot continue to be controlled by these foreign platforms.

 

”We should have an alternative that is indigenous based.

 

Ms Pearl Adekunle, another user of WhatsApp and Instagram, said that setting up homegrown social media platforms would help the country to scrutinise the content consumed by users.

 

Adekunle said the establishment of homegrown platforms would help promote indigenous technology and the country’s economy.

 

”China and Russia have their own indigenous social media platforms, and this enhances the data protection policy of their government.

 

”Nothing stops Nigeria from adopting the same to promote and advance indigenous technologies,” she said.

 

Miss Esther Indiana-Obong, a Facebook subscriber, said that establishing an indigenous social media platform would help encourage competition and promote innovation in the country’s Information Technology (IT) sector.

Indiana-Obong said it would also help to reduce dependence on foreign social media brands.

Alhaji Aminu Zakari, also a social media user, said the homegrown platform would help the government to effectively regulate what goes out on social media.

 

NAN reports that Meta had warned that it may shut down operations in Nigeria following the tribunal ruling that upheld a $220 million fine imposed on them in July 2024.

 

Meta said that it may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures.

 

Responding to the threat, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, had said that the threat would not exonerate the company from the fines.

 

FCCPC described the threat as a calculated move aimed at inducing a negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.

 

NAN recalls that the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal had awarded 220 million dollars against Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC as an administrative penalty for the violations.

 

The tribunal further awarded $35,000 dollars to the FCCPC as cost of investigation.

 

”The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).

 

”The Commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA (2018) and the NDPR.

 

”These infringements include denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation.

 

”Others are discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies,” the Commission said.

 

(NAN)

 

The Enugu State Government, in collaboration with Population Services International, has organized a three-day rally to mark the 2025 World Hypertension Day.

 

The event aims to create awareness and reduce the impact of high blood pressure, a silent killer disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

 

Speaking at the conclusion of the rally on Sunday, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Ikechukwu Obi explained, “The theme of this year’s World Hypertension Day is ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer.’

 

“This theme underscores the critical importance of proactive blood pressure monitoring and control in maintaining long-term health and well-being.”

 

The commissioner emphasized the importance of regular blood pressure checks in recognized healthcare facilities.

 

“If it were not clinically determined in a healthcare facility, do not accept the diagnosis of hypertension or high blood pressure because one measurement of blood pressure is not enough for you to diagnose high blood pressure,” he said.

 

Ikechukwu noted that hypertension affects an estimated 1.28 billion people globally, and about 46% of those affected are unaware of their condition, putting them at risk of avoidable medical complications and death.

“The lack of awareness of high blood pressure or hypertension may lead to a condition of uncontrolled hypertension and can lead to complications such as heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, kidney problems, and vision loss,” he warned.

 

The commissioner stressed that accurate diagnosis of hypertension requires multiple measurements of blood pressure at calculated intervals, followed by tests to confirm the condition.

 

“We want to make it clear that the diagnosis of hypertension is a clinical diagnosis, and as much as possible, our citizens and the general public should ensure that they obtain a clinical diagnosis of hypertension before they accept that they are suffering from high blood pressure,” he said.

 

Ikechukwu commended stakeholders, including PSI Nigeria, for their support in controlling and managing hypertension in the state.

 

“One case in point for Enugu State is the organization PSI Nigeria, who have been supporting us on the issue of blood pressure checks and measurements in our healthcare facilities,” he said.

 

The commissioner urged the public to take note of the importance of accurate diagnosis and regular blood pressure checks.

 

“Please, members of the general public should take note of this: one measurement of your blood pressure is not a diagnosis of hypertension. Receive a diagnosis of hypertension from a qualified healthcare practitioner,” he advised.

 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has attributed the club’s failure to win the 2024/2025 Premier League title to a spate of injuries and costly red cards.

 

According to a post on Fabrizio Romano’s X handle on Sunday, Arteta, when asked why Arsenal failed to clinch the title, replied, “Red cards and injuries – for sure.”

 

“Would we be much closer? For me, the answer is, without question, yes,” he told Sky Sports.

Arsenal will host Newcastle at the Emirates in a must-win encounter to secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

 

The Gunners, currently second in the table with 68 points, have suffered defeat to Newcastle three times this season.

 

Afrobeats star Davido has penned an emotional tribute to his long-time manager, Asa Asika, following Asika’s traditional wedding in Lagos.

 

PUNCH Online previously reported that the award-winning singer served as a groomsman during the ceremony, visibly supporting his manager throughout the celebrations.

 

On Saturday, Davido took to X to share a heartfelt message, describing how the day moved him profoundly.

 

He reflected on their enduring friendship, recalling the trials they have weathered together and the bond that has remained unbroken through success and hardship.

 

He wrote, “Seeing you stand beside Leona, with peace in your eyes and love in your heart… I couldn’t hold it in. Not just because of the man you’ve become, but because of how you became him.

 

“Nothing was handed to us. We built this through fire, through faith, through a bond that never broke.

 

“We didn’t chase the spotlight. We stayed rooted. Loyal to our story, loyal to our people. We didn’t sell out. We carried the culture, even when it felt heavy. That’s why the blessings never left because we never left ourselves behind.

 

“You’ve been more than my manager. You’ve been my shield. My sanity. My brother in every battle.”

 

Davido also praised the transformative impact Asa’s wife, Leona, has had on him, noting the visible change in his friend’s spirit since her arrival.

“But Asa… since Leona came into your life, you’ve changed. You softened. You smiled more. You became a man at peace. And watching her see the real you not the workhorse, not the machine, but you that healed something deep in me too.”

 

He thanked Leona for loving Asa in a way they had all hoped for, adding, “You didn’t just join the journey, you became its purpose.”

 

Davido promised to protect what the couple had built together, declaring: “As long as I breathe, I’ll protect what you two have built.”

 

In a poignant conclusion, the DMW boss reflected on the legacy they have created together, celebrating their shared values and brotherhood.

 

“This wedding… it’s not just love. It’s legacy. It’s proof that we can rise without losing our souls. That brotherhood can survive success. That culture can be kept not just worn.

“We didn’t just make it, Asa. We made it our way. And standing next to you today, I feel something no award can give me.

 

“I feel home.

 

“Forever beside you,

David.”

 

Pope Leo XIV set the tone for his papacy Sunday with a call to stop exploiting nature and marginalising the poor before an audience, including JD Vance and tens of thousands of pilgrims.

 

Ten days after Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost became the first US head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, he celebrated his inaugural mass in St Peter’s Square.

 

The 69-year-old began the day by making his debut tour in a popemobile, standing up in the custom-made white vehicle and smiling, waving, and blessing the cheering crowds at the Vatican.

 

In front of dignitaries, including US Vice President Vance and Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky, he then gave a homily calling for the Church to be a transformational force in a world of division and hatred.

“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest,” he said.

 

The new pontiff, who spent many years as a missionary in Peru, also warned against “closing ourselves off in our small groups”.

 

“We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people,” he said.

 

Prevost, who was made a cardinal only in 2023 and is unknown to many Catholics, has repeatedly emphasised the importance of peace and social justice in his first few days as pope.

 

Inacia Lisboa, 71, a pilgrim from Cape Verde who lives in Rome, told AFP at the Vatican on Sunday that Leo had already “entered my heart”.

 

She said she wanted him to “pray for us all, for peace in the world — we need it so much”.

 

* First US pope –

 

Leo has made history as the first pontiff from the United States, and his home country was represented on Sunday by Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also a Catholic.

 

Before becoming pope, Leo reposted on his personal X account criticism of President Donald Trump’s administration over its approach to migration and also pilloried Vance, but the account is no longer accessible.

 

Vance was the last world leader to meet with Pope Francis, the day before the Argentine died on April 21 after 12 years as pontiff.

Leo’s elevation has sparked huge enthusiasm in the United States, but also some consternation elsewhere that a country with an already outsize political and military role in the world now boasts one of its foremost spiritual leaders.

 

“There is going to be extra weight because he is American, I think there’s going to be a lot of extra eyes, and maybe criticisms,” said Sophia Tripp, a 20-year-old student visiting from Leo’s hometown of Chicago.

 

But she said she hoped he would “bring people together”, adding: “We are all human, and we should just all be loving to one another.”

 

Other guests on Sunday included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

 

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, and a host of European royals also attended.

 

Italian authorities deployed thousands of security officers for the event, alongside snipers on rooftops and anti-drone operations.

 

* ‘Fear and trembling’ –

 

Leo XIV was elected the 267th pope on May 8 after a conclave vote of cardinals that lasted less than 24 hours.

 

Succeeding the charismatic but impulsive Francis, he takes over a Church still battling the fallout of the clerical child abuse scandal and trying to adapt to the modern world.

 

Leo acknowledged on Sunday some trepidation in his new role.

 

“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy,” he said.

 

Ahead of the mass, Leo visited the tomb of Saint Peter — who in the Christian tradition was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, and the first pope — located under the altar of the basilica that bears his name.

 

He then received the pontifical emblems — the pallium, a strip of cloth worn over the chasuble, his robe, and the fisherman’s ring, which is forged anew for each pope and which he will wear on his finger until he dies, when it will be destroyed.

 

AFP

 

The Nasarawa Police Command has apprehended a wanted cattle rustler and kidnapper, identified as Abashe Gizo, and recovered dangerous arms in his hideout at Ruwan Baka village, Doma area of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Rahman Nansel, on Sunday.

 

The statement stated that the criminal was captured following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department.

 

Nansel was found with an AK-49 rifle and a magazine after being interrogated about his past illegal activities.

 

“The suspect, who has been on the Command’s wanted list for an extended period due to multiple offences including kidnapping and cattle rustling, was successfully apprehended yesterday following an intensive manhunt.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crimes and led officers to his hideout at Ruwan Baka village, Doma LGA, where one AK-49 rifle (Breach No. 453144) and a magazine were recovered in his possession,” the statement reads.

 

Nansel said the significant breakthrough occurred shortly after Fatima Salisu’s arrest, who was caught transporting ammunition from Doma to Katsina State for criminal groups.

 

PUNCH Online had reported that the said Salisu arrest was influenced by a swift intelligence tip-off, and the Nasarawa Commissioner of Police, Shetima J. Mohammed, ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

 

The operation resulted in the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of 400 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and 81 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered a drug trafficking attempt involving cocaine concealed in traditional Nigerian ‘aso-ebi’ male caps and female headgears popularly called ‘fila’ and ‘gele’, respectively.

 

This was disclosed by the NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi via his official X handle on Sunday, warning Nigerians to exercise caution when asked to transport traditional wear abroad on behalf of others.

 

“In case you’re asked to help take as part of your luggage to Europe or elsewhere any aso ebi fila and gele (traditional male cap and female headgear), the latest seizure of cocaine concealed in such materials uncovered by #ndlea_nigeria will make you think twice,” Babafemi wrote, alongside a photo and video of the seizure.

 

PUNCH Online reported last Sunday that NDLEA officers similarly discovered a large storage created in the belly of an oil tanker for the sole purpose of moving drugs across the country.

 

Watch video below:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐀 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 ‘𝐚𝐬𝐨-𝐞𝐛𝐢’ 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐬, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has uncovered a drug trafficking attempt involving cocaine concealed in traditional Nigerian… pic.twitter.com/uR41d7V2oc

 

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) May 18, 2025

 

The chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ward 5 in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mr Nelson Adepoyigi who was kidnapped few days ago has reportedly died in the custody of his abductors.

 

Adepoyigi was kidnapped by some armed men

at his residence along Ifon-Owo road , in Ifon, the headquarters of the local government, on Monday at the entrance of his farm .

 

The bandits were said to have contacted the family,. demanding a sum of N100 million ransom for his release, but the family reportedly raised N5 million.

The matter took another twist when the bandits, who were not pleased with the amount offered, detained the two men who took the money to them .

 

They were said to have contacted the family again and demanded a sum of N30 million to release the three victims. But it was gathered that the hoodlums shot the APC chieftain dead and freed the two other victims on Friday.

 

The chairman of Ose Local Government Mr Clement Ojo confirmed the death of the party chieftain in a statement sighted on Sunday, described it as sad and painful.

 

He said, “While we are grateful that the two volunteers have now regained their freedom, it is deeply saddening and utterly painful that the life of Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi was brutally cut short by his captors”.

“The entire leadership and people of Ose Local Government mourn this tragic loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and political associates of the deceased.”

 

The council chairman also described the deceased as a man who dedicated to the progress of the party, and the grassroots community will be forever remembered and honoured.”

 

Decrying the state of insecurity in the local government, Ojo said, “We are now at a critical juncture where security challenges have become a serious threat to the safety and freedom of our people.

 

“Only a few days before this incident, another resident narrowly escaped being kidnapped while parking his motorcycle. This pattern of brazen abductions, even at the very gates of people’s homes, confirms that insecurity has taken a dangerous and intolerable dimension.”

 

All efforts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr Olayinka Ayanlade on the matter was unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report as his telephone line was was not reachable.