Category: cover

 

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, to drive tourism development in the state.

 

Eno made this known on Wednesday while receiving the MTN Nigeria management team, led by Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, Mr. Sida Adekunle, during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Uyo.

 

“We welcome you to Akwa Ibom and appreciate your decision to host the MTN Champion Sports event here from April 29 to May 3. We understand the event is primarily a talent hunt, and we are committed to promoting sports tourism in any way possible.

 

“We are positioning Akwa Ibom as a tourism hub within the Niger Delta, whether in sports, agriculture, culture, or medical tourism. Looking beyond oil, tourism is a natural revenue source for the state.

 

“God has blessed us with excellent infrastructure, and past administrations have built a robust road network. With our aviation ecosystem, Ibom Air, and other facilities, we have the capacity to attract visitors and investors with ease,” Eno said.

 

The governor commended MTN for hosting the championship tournament and reiterated his administration’s vision to transform the state into a leading tourism destination in the region.

Eno urged the company to remain committed to its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives while also leveraging its social platforms to promote Akwa Ibom.

 

“Please continue your CSR programmes. We look forward to continued partnership and collaboration. I also encourage you to promote Akwa Ibom as much as you promote MTN so that we can strengthen our relationship,” he added.

 

Earlier, Adekunle lauded Eno’s leadership and commended the governor’s strides in implementing the Arise Agenda, which he said had made the state a hub for sports tourism.

 

He described Akwa Ibom’s security architecture as top-notch and appreciated the state government for its support.

 

Adekunle highlighted MTN’s corporate social investments, including support for schools, healthcare, and empowerment initiatives. He revealed that six of the 20 most valuable players selected in the first season of the MTN Chance Sports competition were from Akwa Ibom.

 

He solicited the government’s support for the second edition of the competition, scheduled to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and invited Eno to flag off the event on April 30, 2025.

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, dismissed social media claims that he collapsed last week at an event.

 

Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, gave the dismissal after inspecting four ongoing projects in the FCT, including the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

 

Wike described the social media rumours as the handiwork of individuals attempting to score cheap political points.

 

The minister added that the rumours were cooked up to divert attention from the revelation made by the immediate past Rivers Head of Service, George Nwaeke, regarding the explosion at the Rivers State House of Assembly.

 

He said, “I don’t want to give credence to people who are only interested in carrying rumour. First of all, I’m a human being; it’s not a ghost that will collapse; it’s a human being that will collapse if there is any issue with their health. Unfortunately, I did not collapse.

 

“Everybody will die one day; nobody will remain forever, but it is only God that can tell you when you will die, not human beings.

 

“Some of them who said, I will die, I can assure you that I will write their condolence letter.”

 

The minister also reaffirmed his commitment to delivering on President Bola Tinubu’s mandate.

 

PUNCH Online understands that the rumours, which spread widely on X, alleged that Wike collapsed at an event in Abuja last Friday and was rushed out of the country for treatment.

 

However, the minister made a public appearance two days later when he joined other dignitaries on a Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

 

During the visit, Wike appeared in high spirits, further dispelling concerns about his health.

 

His media aide, Lere Olayinka, had earlier dismissed the claims as false, insisting there was no truth to the reports.

Transcorp Hotels’ energy cost has surged by 95.88 per cent from N2.43bn in 2023 to N4.76bn in 2024, according to the company’s 2024 annual report and financial statements.

 

This rise in energy expenses makes it the second-largest operating cost for the company during the year.

 

The PUNCH observed that the energy costs exceeded employee expenses, which rose to N4.73bn in 2024 from N2.48bn the previous year.

 

Speaking on the challenges faced during the period, the newly appointed Managing Director/CEO, Uzoamaka Oshogwe, noted the impact of various economic pressures on the company’s operations.

 

Oshogwe, who was appointed in January 2025, said in the financial statements, “The operating environment in 2024 presented unique challenges, ranging from persistent macroeconomic pressures – including currency volatility, inflationary spikes, and rising energy costs – to heightened security concerns and shifting consumer behaviours. Yet, in the face of these complexities, our resilience remained unshaken.”

 

The new CEO emphasised the company’s proactive approach to navigating these challenges through strategic cost management.

 

She added, “A critical aspect of our success was our focus on maximising the potential of our existing assets, streamlining operations, strategic pricing, and executing cost optimisation strategies to enhance profitability, ensuring that we not only preserved value but created new pathways for growth. Our approach was not only about surpassing expectations but also elevating our brand’s competitiveness in a rapidly evolving landscape.”

 

Transcorp Hotels Plc also approved a final dividend payment of 64 kobo per share for the 2024 financial year, bringing the total dividend payout to 74 kobo per share.

 

This amounts to N7.57bn, following an earlier interim dividend of 10 kobo per share.

 

The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Emmanuel Nnorom, announced the dividend approval during the company’s 11th Annual General Meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

 

He also hinted at plans to diversify the company’s investments beyond the hospitality sector, affirming the commitment to sustaining performance and increasing returns.

Nnorom assured shareholders, saying, “As the CEO mentioned, we will sustain our strong performance and continuously improve our returns to shareholders. Additionally, we plan to invest in other sectors of the economy.”

 

Highlighting the company’s strategic assets, Nnorom referenced the 5,000-seater event centre, the largest of its kind in Nigeria, as a key revenue generator.

 

He said, “This facility will not only generate income from rentals but also from food, beverages, and hotel accommodations. Additionally, the upcoming Transcorp Hotels Lagos will further strengthen our portfolio.”

Addressing concerns from shareholders regarding the dividend amount, Nnorom defended the payout as substantial, highlighting a significant increase compared to the previous year.

 

“The dividend we paid is quite good. For 2024, we paid an interim dividend of 10 kobo and now a final dividend of 64 kobo, bringing the total to 74 kobo. When compared to 2023, where only 20 kobo was paid, this marks a 270 per cent increase. We are committed to consistently returning value to shareholders,” he said.

 

Looking ahead, Nnorom outlined plans to expand the hotel chain, particularly in Lagos and Abuja.

 

“In Lagos, we are developing Transcorp Hotels Lagos. Here in Abuja, we also plan to add more rooms to the existing hotel. Currently, our 670-room hotel operates at an 84 per cent average occupancy rate, sometimes even reaching 100 per cent. With major international events coming up, especially in June, we must expand to accommodate the increasing demand,” he explained.

 

The Managing Director/CEO, Uzoamaka Oshogwe, also shared her vision for the company, focusing on enhancing customer experience through technological innovation.

 

“My primary goal is to sustain the growth we’ve achieved. In this business, guests come first. We must provide an exceptional guest experience through innovation and technology,” she said.

 

Oshogwe plans to streamline the check-in process and personalise guest experiences, adding, “We want our guests to feel special as if they are the only ones in the hotel. Through technology, we will eliminate delays at check-in and ensure seamless service.”

 

 

Arsenal have suffered a major setback ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid after Gabriel was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

 

The Gunners said Thursday the 27-year-old Brazil centre-back will require surgery on the hamstring injury he suffered during the club’s 2-1 Premier League win against Fulham on Tuesday.

 

Gabriel, a mainstay of Arsenal’s defence in recent seasons, went down in the 16th minute with the injury at the Emirates Stadium and was unable to continue.

 

Arsenal host Real Madrid in the opening leg of their quarter-final clash at the Emirates on Tuesday before the return game the following week.

 

“Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery,” said an Arsenal statement.

“Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, to be ready for the start of next season.”

 

Arsenal have the best defence in the Premier League so far this season, having conceded 25 goals in 30 games.

 

But they are still second in the table, a huge 12 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool with eight games to play.

 

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, South-West Zone on Thursday lamented the failure of the government to implement the N32,000 pension increase across board for the pensioners as directed by President Bola Tinubu last year September.

 

President Tinubu was said to have given the directive at the commencement of payment of 70,000 new minimum wage to also ensure that the pensioners were not excluded.

 

The Public Relations Officer of the union, Dr Olusegun Abatan raised this concern while addressing the press during the zonal meeting of the pensioners held in Abeokuta on Thursday.

 

Abatan said that among the six South-West states, only Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has implemented a part of this pension increase, paying N17,500.

 

He explained that Makinde has also implemented the 33 per cent pension increase of 2020, the 20 per cent pension increase of January 2024, and raised the minimum paid for pensioners in the state to N25000.

 

Abatan said the Oyo government has equally completed plans to be paying N2bn every month for payment of pensions and gratuities adding that this kind gesture has brought lots of reliefs for the pensioners in the state.

 

The pensioners spokesman has therefore called on other state governments to follow the good example of Gov Makinde and prioritise making life more rewarding for the pensioners in their old age.

 

He disclosed that “The are two circulars from the office of income and wages in 2024, the first one being a 20 per cent pension increase from January 2024, which has not been done by virtually all the state governments except Oyo State.

In September 2024, the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, also gave a directive for the pensioners to have N32,000 added across board to their pensions based on the new minimum wage of N70,000.

 

“I,however regret to tell you that many of our States in the Southwestern have not done this. At the same time we want to thank the Governor of Oyo State for raising the minimum wage for pensioners to 25,000 and for factoring other pension increases such as the 33%, consequential adjustments of 2019, 20% of January 2024 pension increase, though he did not pay N32,000 as directed by Mr President but he gave us N17500.

 

“The pensioners in Oyo State have had a serious leap from their pensions that I make bold to say that the Oyo State pensioners are the highest paid in the federation aside from the federal pensioners. We thank him for this.

 

“Regrettably, the Federal government that said the N32,000 should be given to the pensioners across board has also not implemented fully this directive, so we are appealing to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate to please get this implemented for the retired workers”.

 

Abatan also begged for the Federal Government’s intervention over the inability of pensioners banking with the failed Heritage Bank to access their funds for the past one and a half year.

 

The pensioners’ leader said that this unfortunate incident has brought lots of anguish and agony to the affected members of their association.

Abatan also praised the Southwestern government for its support for the pensioners and urged them to please attend to their other demands to make their retirement enjoyable and worthwhile.

 

ensioners Lament Non-Implementation of Tinubu’s N32,000 Pension Increase

The Bauchi State Ministry of Education has announced the resumption date for schools following a five-week break for Ramadan.

 

In a statement issued on Thursday by the ministry’s Information and Public Relations Officer, Jalaludeen Usman, parents and guardians were reminded that both day and boarding schools will resume on Sunday, April 6 for the continuation of the second term.

 

The statement read, “The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Dr Lawal Mohammed Rimin Zayam, wishes to remind parents and guardians that the resumption date for the continuation of the second term is Sunday, 6th April, for both day and boarding schools in Bauchi State.

 

“As education remains a top priority for the Bauchi State Government under the leadership of Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed, the Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring the success of all students.

 

“To this end, the ministry will soon commence JAMB CBT training for all sponsored JAMB students, empowering them to excel in all examinations sponsored by the Bauchi State Government.”

The ministry also warned that late resumption will not be tolerated.

 

“Parents and guardians are advised to ensure their wards resume on the stipulated date to avoid any disruptions to their academic progress,” the statement added.

 

Schools were initially closed on March 1, 2025, for the Ramadan break, as stated in the 2024–2025 academic calendar.

 

However, the extended closure sparked criticism from religious groups and civil society organisations, who raised concerns over its impact on the education system.

 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced that the 2025 UTME Mock Notification Slip is now available for printing for candidates who registered for the optional test.

 

JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said in a statement on Thursday that the slip contains key details such as the examination date, venue, time, and other essential instructions.

 

Candidates can print their slips by visiting [www.jamb.gov.ng](http://www.jamb.gov.ng), clicking on “2025 Mock Slip Printing,” entering their registration number, and selecting “Print Examination Slip.”

Benjamin confirmed that the mock examination will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025, while the main UTME is scheduled to begin on Friday, April 25, 2025.

 

He urged candidates to print their slips early and visit their assigned centres ahead of time to avoid last-minute challenges.

 

JAMB also wished all candidates success in their preparations.

 

India’s parliament passed a bill on Thursday to reform hugely wealthy Muslim land-owning organisations, with the Hindu nationalist government saying it will boost accountability while the opposition called it an “attack” on a minority.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government argues the bill will boost transparency to more than a dozen powerful Waqf boards, which control properties gifted by Muslim charitable endowments.

 

There are around two dozen Waqf boards across India, owning some 900,000 acres (365,00 hectares), a multi-billion-dollar property empire that makes them one of the biggest landholders alongside the railways and the defence forces.

 

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who tabled the bill on Wednesday, said it would check corruption and mismanagement and reduce the hold of a few entrenched groups.

 

The bill was passed by the lower house of parliament after a marathon debate that stretched into the early hours of Thursday.

 

It is expected to be passed by the upper house of parliament later on Thursday, handing far larger powers to civil servants in the supervision of Waqf boards.

 

Amit Shah, the interior minister and a close Modi aide, said the changes will help “catch the people who lease out properties” for individual gains.

“That money, which could be used to aid the development of minorities, is being stolen,” he said.

 

Non-Muslims, who will be included in the boards as part of the new bill, will only be involved in “administrative” matters, Shah said.

 

However, opposition parties accuse the government of pushing “polarising politics” at the expense of India’s Muslim minority of 200 million.

 

“The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a weapon aimed at marginalising Muslims and usurping their personal laws and property rights,” opposition Congress Party chief Rahul Gandhi said.

 

Gandhi called it an “attack” by Hindu nationalists, which he charged was “aimed at Muslims today but sets a precedent to target other communities in the future”.

 

Opposition parties see the bill as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) efforts to win favour with its right-wing Hindu base.

 

Modi’s BJP has backed right-wing claims of mosques built over ancient Hindu temples and led efforts to construct a grand Hindu temple at the site of a demolished Mughal-era mosque in Ayodhya.

The Nigerian Army has commenced the enlistment of tradesmen, non-tradesmen, and women for its 89th regular recruits intake.

 

The NA made this known on its X handle on Tuesday.

 

The statement read, “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public that the online application for 89 Regular Recruits Intake for Non-Tradesmen and Women will commence for all interested candidates.

 

“Application is free for interested candidates. Applicants are advised to apply once, as multiple applications will lead to disqualification. Interested applicants can log on to http://recruitment.army.mil.ng to complete online registration from March 31 to May 17, 2025.

 

“Shortlisted candidates are expected to report to their respective states of origin for the screening exercise, which will take place from 2– 16 June 2025.”

The application website offers additional instructions for eligible candidates on the application process, detailing the required criteria.

 

“Applicants must be single and Nigerian citizens by birth, and must possess a National Identity Card/NIN and BVN printout, and must be medically, physically, and psychologically fit by Nigerian Army Standards.

 

“Applicants must be free of any criminal conviction by the court of law. They must possess a valid birth certificate endorsed by the National Population Commission, Hospital, or Local Government Council, or an age declaration.

 

“Applicants must possess a valid certificate of state of origin and must not be less than 1.68 metres and 1.65 metres tall for male and female candidates respectively,” the post read.

 

President Bola Tinubu felicitates the Chancellor of Joseph Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, on his 70th birthday.

 

Tinubu lauded Adegbulugbe for his achievements and contributions to academia, evangelism, business, and philanthropy. Mr. Bayo Onanuga, his Spokesman, said in a statement on Wednesday.

 

He quoted the President as recalling their shared experiences that “in October 2019, I had the privilege of sharing the podium with Prof. Adegbulugbe as we received honorary doctorates alongside the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Achebe, at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.

 

“Standing beside such a distinguished intellectual, known for his outstanding dedication and humility, was truly an honour.”

 

The President acknowledged Adegbulugbe’s academic journey, highlighting his 1976 graduation with a First-Class degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).

He noted that it was a perfect Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0, an extraordinary accomplishment that distinguished him early in his career.

 

Tinubu expressed confidence in Adegbulugbe’s continued pursuit of excellence and is optimistic about his ongoing contributions to the nation’s development.

 

He wished Adegbulugbe and his wife, Princess Afolake Adegbulugbe, many more years filled with good health and abundant blessings.