OpenAI, the AI startup that owns ChatGPT, has integrated image generation directly into the chatbot, enabling users to create and modify images using GPT-4o, the company announced in a blog post on Tuesday.
The Microsoft-backed firm described the update as a significant step toward making image creation a core part of AI-driven communication.
As part of the announcement, OpenAI shared a sample image on its website demonstrating improved text accuracy in AI-generated visuals compared to older models.
The update aims to enhance the quality of AI-generated content, addressing past limitations in rendering text and intricate details.
ChatGPT, specifically with DALL·E integration has been capable of generating images for some time. However, OpenAI’s latest update improves this capability by integrating it more seamlessly into ChatGPT, likely making it faster, more interactive, or enhancing features like inpainting
“At OpenAI, we have long believed image generation should be a primary capability of our language models. That’s why we’ve built our most advanced image generator yet into GPT‑4o. The result—image generation that is not only beautiful but also useful,” the blog post stated.
The feature is now available across Plus, Pro, Team, and Free subscription tiers.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the rollout marks a new level of creative freedom, acknowledging that while the tool will enable users to create remarkable content, some outputs may be controversial.
“People are going to create some really amazing stuff and some stuff that may offend people; what we’d like to aim for is that the tool doesn’t create offensive stuff unless you want it to, in which case, within reason, it does,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“As we talk about in our model spec, we think putting this intellectual freedom and control in the hands of users is the right thing to do, but we will observe how it goes and listen to society
Shops and goods estimated to be worth multi-million naira have been burnt during a night fire incident that occurred at the popular Iweka Road, close to Ochanja market, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Our correspondent gathered that the fire, which started at about 8.30pm on Tuesday, razed many shops, burning goods and property to ashes.
Although the cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained, it was gathered that the fire raged for several minutes before the arrival of firefighters, as some of the traders had gone home.
Confirming the fire incident on Wednesday, the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by the state fire chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, said it received a distress call at about 9.40pm and immediately deployed a crew of firemen and firefighting equipment to the scene.
Chiketa said, “Anambra State Fire Service at about 9.40pm on Tuesday, March 25, received a distress call about a raging fire outbreak at the popular Iweka road, close to Ochanja Market, Onitsha.
“Immediately, a crew of firemen and firefighting equipment were deployed to the scene of the fire outbreak. They fought gallantly and contained the incident, stopping the fire from further escalation.
“The incident affected four shops, and many others were saved in a two-storey building. These shops contained furniture materials such as leather, foam and others.
“The cause of the fire outbreak has not been ascertained. The crew of firemen withdrew from the incident’s scene at 03:05 h3.05am) of the next day, Wednesday 26th March.”
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has mourned Ebunoluwa, the wife of the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.
In a post via his Facebook page on Monday, the governor also expressed his condolences to Ojelabi and asked God to grant him comfort in this difficult time.
The governor wrote, “I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Lagos State, on the passing of his beloved wife, Ebunoluwa Esther Ojelabi.
“Please know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
“While this is an extremely difficult loss, I encourage you to take heart. Mrs. Esther Ojelabi lived a remarkable life and was a nurturing mother.
:Her warmth, kindness, and spirit touched many lives and she will be deeply missed.
“May God bless her soul and grant you comfort. We share in your grief and are here for you.”
Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-Hee died from cardiac arrest on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the South Korean tech giant. Han was 63.
Born in 1962, Han had overseen Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses since 2022, according to the company. He was named Samsung Electronics vice chairman and co-CEO in 2022. Han’s co-CEO, Jun Young-Hyun, heads its semiconductor business.
In an internal message seen by CNN, Samsung paid tribute to Han, saying he had dedicated more than 37 years of his life to leading Samsung’s TV business to become a global leader. As the head of its electronics and appliances businesses, he also contributed to the company’s growth amid a “challenging business environment.”
“Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the message said.
No announcement has been made about Han’s successor, the spokesperson told CNN.
During an annual meeting with investors last week, which he chaired, Han apologized for the performance of Samsung stock and warned of a difficult 2025 because of uncertainties around the economic policies of major economies, according to Reuters. He added that Samsung would seek “meaningful” mergers and acquisitions deals this year to support the company’s growth.
“There are some difficulties in doing semiconductor M&As due to regulatory issues and various national interests, but we’re determined to produce some tangible results this year,” he was quoted as saying.
Han joined the company in 1988 after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Prior to running Samsung’s electronics and devices division, he was in charge of the display operation.
The Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, has resigned his appointment.
The resignation of the HoS, who served under the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara was contained in a statement issued by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator and obtained by newsmen on Tuesday morning.
The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), thanked Nwaeke for his service to him within the short period since he assumed office and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The statement reads, “The office of His Excellency, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, is saddened to announce the resignation of the Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr George Nwaeke, FCA, Mni.
“His Excellency, the Administrator appreciates the immense contributions he has shown this administration in the short period he served and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”
Meanwhile, Ibas has appointed Prof. Ibibi Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government.
Worika’s appointment was also contained in a statement from the office of the Sole Administrator also obtained on Tuesday morning.
The statement reads, “His Excellency, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) CFR, the Administrator of Rivers State, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG).
“His appointment follows careful consideration of his credentials, extensive experience, and performance during rigorous selection process.
“Professor Worika’s distinguished career spans academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles, making him uniquely qualified to support the administrator in the onerous task of achieving Mr President’s mandate. His appointment takes immediate effect.
“Professor Worika’s appointment reflects the administrator’s commitment to harnessing the great human capital of the Rivers’ people to work with him to achieve the much-needed peace, stability and security.”
Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has raised the alarm over fake reports of pipeline explosions in the state, urging security agencies to investigate and take action against those spreading false information.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara dismissed viral videos of alleged attacks on oil and gas facilities as “fake and malicious,” warning against attempts to incite chaos.
He stressed his commitment to maintaining peace in the state.
This comes as a sociopolitical group, Simplicity Movement, called on the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and security agencies to investigate recent reports of pipeline explosions in the state.
The group specifically urged a probe into the alleged explosion at the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, which was widely reported after a section of the facility was said to have gone up in flames.
President Bola Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, proclaimed emergency rule in Rivers and suspended Fubara, deputy governor, Prof Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers, after three explosions on pipelines across the state within two days.
The explosion followed reported threats by militants to resume hostilities if Fubara was impeached by the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly loyal to the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The President, in what he said was a move to forestall the breakdown of law and order in the state, appointed Ibas as sole administrator.
Fubara, who denied link with any militant group nor contemplated doing so, warned those trying to cause violence or acts of economic sabotage in the guise of drumming support for him to stop forthwith.
The suspended governor called on security agencies to take note of the fake videos and take the necessary steps to arrest perpetrators.
“Our attention has, once again, been drawn to a flurry of malicious, fake and imaginary videos of purported explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State.
“Virtually all the fake videos have been linked to alleged militant groups in the state, with the creators of such content trying very hard to connect them to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“Already, the communities where these incidents are alleged to have occurred have reacted, dismissing any claims of explosions on oil and gas facilities in their domains, and reassuring that all critical government assets within their areas are safe, secure and efficiently functioning.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements, anywhere in the State or Niger Delta, to undertake any action inimical to the peace of the people or safety and security of oil and gas facilities, and by extension, the economy of the country,” the statement read.
Fubara warned purveyors of violence and economic sabotage to steer clear of the state and avoid any attempt to use his name or capitalise on the present political crisis to foment trouble.
“It is also important to warn bloggers and social media hirelings to stop, forthwith, their campaign to create an atmosphere of tension, chaos and anarchy in the state.
“Their fake reports and posts in the last couple of days have triggered enough wrong decisions that would not help the state move forward.
“Security agencies should take note of these fake videos designed to misinform the people, and further paint the state in bad light, and take every necessary step to contain them, and bring those behind them to book,” the statement added.
The National Leader of the ‘Simplicity Movement,’ Sobomabo Jackrich, at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, said the denial of the explosion at the Trans Niger Pipeline by operators called for concern.
“We use this medium to express our deepest concern over the recent purported explosions at oil and gas installations across Rivers State.
“While the truth that emerged from the operators of the Trans Niger Pipeline at Bodo community proves there were no such explosions in their facility, these incidents pose serious threats to lives, the environment, and the economic stability of our state.
“We call on the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) and relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of these purported explosions.
“If found to be acts of sabotage, the perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice to face the full weight of the law,” he said.
He also said the President was unfair to Fubara over comments on the demolished Rivers State House of Assembly complex.
“As the Sole Administrator has now confirmed for himself, Governor Fubara was already constructing a befitting and modern state Assembly complex, which according to the chairman of the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, was a response to calls for better facilities.
“The complex is over 80 per cent complete before the declaration of state of emergency.
“Work was progressing at a steady pace before the sudden imposition of the state of emergency.
“The assertion that the governor abandoned the Assembly complex reconstruction is misleading and should be corrected,” he added.
He declared support for the sole administrator on the condition that democratic government would be restored in due time.
“We call on stakeholders, political actors and well-meaning citizens of the state to desist from further heating the polity, let’s de-escalate tensions and work toward restoring democracy and the rule of law in the state,” he pleaded.
The Senate is set to pass the tax reform bills forwarded by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly today (Tuesday), The PUNCH has learned.
This development was confirmed by two prominent senators who requested anonymity, as they were not authorised to speak on the matter.
“This should have been done last week had the Rivers State of emergency issue not come up,” one source explained. “But certainly, the four bills will be approved tomorrow.”
Efforts to reach the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, for confirmation were unsuccessful.
At the time of filing this report, Adaramodu neither answered calls nor responded to text messages seeking clarification.
The imminent Senate move comes just two weeks after the House of Representatives approved the four controversial tax reform bills.
The bills include the Nigerian Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, the Revenue Tax Board Bill, and the Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill.
This followed a clause-by-clause review of all relevant amendments at the Committee of the Whole.
Some of the notable amendments include the retention of the Value Added Tax rate at the current 7.5 percent, instead of a staggered increase, and the extension of income tax exemptions to specific agricultural businesses and military officers.
Two weeks ago, the Senate conducted a two-day public hearing on the tax reform bills at the National Assembly.
The hearing gathered key stakeholders from the nation’s economic and financial sectors to discuss and refine important fiscal policies.
In attendance were prominent government and industry figures, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari; members of the Federal Executive Council; heads of relevant agencies; and the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, among others.
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the same bills. With the concurrence of the Senate, the bills will next be transmitted to Tinubu for signing into law.
Ekiti State University (EKSU) in Ado-Ekiti has dismissed 13 staff members for misconduct, including abandonment of duty, sexual harassment, and other breaches of the institution’s rules.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ayodele, disclosed this during a press conference held on Monday ahead of the university’s 29th convocation ceremony.
Professor Ayodele stated that the disciplinary action is part of efforts to maintain order and ensure accountability within the university.
According to him, the administration has taken firm steps to address acts of indiscipline among both staff and students.
The decision to sack the staff members followed investigations that revealed various offences.
Three staff members were found guilty of neglecting their duties, one was dismissed for sexual misconduct, while others were punished by being barred from leadership roles for three years.
Additionally, nine staff members had their appointments terminated, and 21 others were given formal warnings.
As part of preparations for the upcoming convocation, Professor Ayodele shared details about the number of graduating students.
A total of 16,446 students from the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic sessions will graduate, with 200 students earning first-class degrees.
Further classification of degrees showed that 5,406 students achieved second-class upper division, 9,076 earned second-class lower division, and 1,295 were awarded third-class degrees.
Four students graduated with a pass. Higher degrees will also be awarded, including 162 PhDs, 242 master’s degrees, and 61 postgraduate diplomas.
The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the support of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for increasing the university’s monthly subvention from ₦260 million to ₦410 million. He noted that the additional funding has helped the university clear outstanding staff salaries and allowances, boosting staff morale and ensuring a more stable academic calendar.
The convocation ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
…Commemorates women’s month through its 5 for 5 Promo
Reinforcing its reputation as a pro-women and inclusion-driven bank, Wema Bank, Nigeria’s foremost innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has disbursed a total of N11,000,000 to 131 women across Nigeria in the women’s month draw of the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo. The highly anticipated draw took place on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Aba, Nigeria.
Introduced in 2021, the 5 for 5 Promo is Wema Bank’s dedicated avenue for rewarding its customers for their active loyalty to the brand, its products, and offerings. Over the course of 3 seasons, the 5 for 5 Promo disbursed over N150,000,000 to 2,378 Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, returning bigger than ever for season 4 with a N135,000,000 cash prize. Since the season kicked off in October 2024, Wema Bank has disbursed over N50,000,000 to its customers across daily, weekly and monthly draws. For the 5th monthly draw in March, the Bank took a thoughtful step, disbursing the total N11,000,000 cash prize to an all-women pool of winners.
Among the 131 winners from the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo Women’s month draw were OGECHUKWU PATIENCE ANI from Aba where the draw held, VANESSA CHIAMAKA OGBONNA from Lagos and MUBARAKAHT ABISOLA ALOWONLE from Bodija; all of whom won N1,000,000 each. Others included 8 individual domiciliary account holders who won N250,000 each, 40 women who won 100,000 each and 80 who won N25,000 each. The women’s month draw closed out excellently, financially empowering Nigerian women from across the country as the women’s month draws to an end.
Congratulating the lucky winners, Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni (FCIB), firmly reiterated the Bank’s commitment to empowering women to thrive in all aspects of their lives. According to him,
“Wema Bank was founded on the precept of empowerment. Since 1945, we have carried on this legacy, promoting financial inclusion for the indigenous people of Nigeria and empowering our people with the resources they need to thrive. But for us, this journey has not been a one size fits all”.
“In recognition of the gap that exists in gender equality, we have been intentional about creating tailored opportunities for women through our women-focused proposition, SARA by Wema, and our vast range of customised solutions and initiatives designed for women. We have simply leveraged the 5 for 5 Promo as one more way of supporting our women, this women’s month. For us, it’s all about impact, and we are delighted to have put smiles on the faces of Nigerian women from all across the country. That is the joy for us”.
“To the 131 women who emerged winners, I say a hearty congratulations to you, and I take this opportunity to also thank you for choosing Wema Bank and continuing to trust our services. We do not take it for granted. For 80 years, we have pulled all stops to deliver the best quality of impactful banking to the people of Nigeria, and I boldly reaffirm that we will never relent in providing a rewarding, fulfilling and empowering banking experience for every customer of Wema Bank”, Oseni concluded.
From its grand commemoration of International Women’s Day to giving out N11,000,000 to women in the 5 for 5 Promo, disbursing billions of Naira in loans and financial support to providing market access for women, among other intentional acts of impact; Wema Bank continues to prove itself a financial institution that is truly committed to empowering women.
The Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo is open to both new and existing customers of Wema Bank. Any Nigerian from any part of the country can qualify to participate by meeting the minimum requirements of funding their Wema Bank/ALAT accounts and actively transacting.
The Lagos State Government on Sunday said it was set to close Olusosun and Solus landfills within the next 18 months as part of measures to maintain a clean city.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed this, also countered the claim that Lagos smells, as recently posited by a corps member.
The government said it would close the landfills to transition them into modern Transfer Loading Stations where waste would be sorted, compacted and redirected to recycling facilities.
According to the government, the move is part of the comprehensive approach to ensure a clean, resilient, and livable city, dispelling viral insinuations that the state is smelling.
In a statement on Sunday, the commissioner insisted that “Lagos is not ‘smelling,’ it is evolving toward sustainable waste processing, modernised landfill management, cleaner waterways and structured sanitation systems.”
He said, “The present administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains steadfast in its commitment to building a cleaner, more sustainable city through strategic environmental initiatives.
“Waste and sanitation challenges in a rapidly growing mega city like Lagos require structural solutions, not sound bites or political rhetoric.”
Other measures undertaken by the state government, according to Wahab, include the installation of over 50 air quality monitors across the state at strategic locations to capture industrial, transport and household emissions.
Wahab said in line with the state’s THEMES plus Agenda, the government had expanded waste collection services to hard-to-reach communities, and in partnership with Ibeju Lekki Local Government, tricycle compactors had been introduced to provide waste collection services on a pay-as-you-go model in areas with non-motorable roads.
He said Lagos is also advancing its Waste to Energy project in Epe that would process 2,500 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily and generate 60-80 megawatts of electricity, contributing clean energy to the Lagos power grid.
The commissioner stated that as part of the street sanitation exercise, 15,000 street sweepers were deployed daily across highways, inner roads and markets, as well as stronger enforcement of environmental laws.
“In addressing open defecation, the state is embarking on continuous sensitisation and the construction of an additional 150 public toilets, which will be complemented by another 250 to be built through a public-private partnership,” Wahab explained.
