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Reps orders IGP Disu to arrest REA MD, Abba Aliyu

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The House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Abba Aliyu, to arrest the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, if he fails to appear before the panel on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

The order followed the agency’s repeated failure to honor invitations to explain the utilization of multi-million dollar grants and loans earmarked for rural electrification and renewable energy projects.

The directive was issued on Tuesday during an investigative hearing focused on the domiciliation of green energy projects, foreign grants, and investments received in the renewable energy sector from 2015 to date. The committee is also probing the deployment of renewable energy solutions across ministries, departments, and agencies.

Lawmakers expressed displeasure that the REA, as the lead implementing agency for off-grid electrification, was absent from the hearing despite being central to the inquiry.

Chairman of the committee, Afam Ogene, disclosed that formal invitations were sent to the agency on November 3, December 10, 2025, and February 4, 2026. According to him, the agency acknowledged receipt of the letters but failed to attend the sessions.

He described the development as unacceptable, stressing that the REA is responsible for managing substantial foreign grants and concessional loans aimed at expanding electricity access in underserved communities.

 

Among the funds cited by the committee are $550 million from the World Bank for rural electrification projects; N13 billion reportedly backed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and other donors between 2015 and 2025; $8 million in 2022 from a German development corporation; and $12 million from South Korea between 2024 and 2025.

 

The panel also referenced a $750 million World Bank facility linked to support for 10,000 farmers, $5.9 million disbursed between 2022 and 2025 to enhance access to green energy, and $5 million from the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet for agricultural electrification initiatives. Additional grants of $2.9 million spanning 2022 to 2026 were also highlighted.

 

The committee said the REA is expected to present a comprehensive breakdown of how the funds were utilized, the projects executed, and the beneficiaries.

 

“These are public resources meant to expand electricity access and promote renewable energy. The agency must account for how these funds have been managed and who has benefited,” Ogene stated.

 

This comes after Kayode Egbetokun was replaced by Olatunji Disu on Tuesday.

How I was rejected for singing in Yoruba—Nigerian singer, Asake

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Nigerian music star Asake has opened up about the early struggles he faced in the industry, revealing that he was once denied performance opportunities because he sings predominantly in Yoruba.

Speaking in an interview with Famous TV, the “Sungba” hitmaker recounted how some show promoters turned him down at the start of his career due to his preference for the Yoruba language in his music.

 

The singer, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, said he is grateful he remained true to his sound despite the setbacks and pressure to conform.

 

Reflecting on his journey, Asake attributed his success to resilience, consistency, self-belief, and divine grace.

 

“Where I am today is by God’s grace, self-belief, consistency, and endurance. There was a time many people rejected me and didn’t allow me to perform at shows because I speak Yoruba. But I thank God I didn’t stop or change who I am.

 

“Now, look at where I am today. I’m very happy for myself,” he said.

Recruitment: Police announces date for physical screening hours after Egbetokun removal

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) has informed candidates who successfully completed the online registration for police recruitment that screening exercises have been scheduled nationwide.

In a statement released on Tuesday, PSC spokesperson Torty Njoku Kalu disclosed that the physical and credential screening will take place from March 9 to April 18, 2026, across the country.

According to the commission, applicants are required to log on to the official recruitment portal—npfapplication.psc.gov.ng—to verify their application status and print the necessary documents ahead of their screening dates.

The required documents include the Guarantors’ Form, Application Submission Slip, Invitation Slip, Credentials Screening Form, and Physical Screening Form. Candidates must present these at their designated screening centers on the date and time specified on their invitation slip.

The PSC further directed applicants to appear at their respective screening venues dressed in white canvas shoes, white T-shirts, white shorts, and white stockings.

This comes barely hours after the removal of Kayode Egbetokun and the appointment of Olatunji Disu as Inspector-General of Police.

Sit-at-Home: Resume full operation on Mondays Anambra Govt tells transporters 

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The Anambra State Government has urged transport operators across the state to fully resume services on Mondays as part of efforts to finally end the lingering sit-at-home practice.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, made the appeal during a one-day training and retraining program for commercial drivers and riders in the state. He stressed that the active participation of transporters is critical to restoring normal economic activities every Monday.

 

The capacity-building program, organized by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with Rotary International District 9142, was designed to equip drivers and riders with the skills and knowledge required to operate effectively within Anambra’s transport sector.

 

Mefor highlighted the central role of transporters in revitalizing the state’s economy, particularly at the start of the week.

 

According to him, while traders, civil servants, banks, and schools have resumed full Monday activities in compliance with government directives, transportation challenges continue to hinder smooth operations.

 

He noted that traders have expressed concerns over inadequate transport services, which affect both their businesses and customers.

“The transport sector is vital in reclaiming our Mondays,” Mefor said, adding that the state’s Main Market is now fully operational on Mondays, leaving transporters as the only major group yet to align completely with the government’s push to end the sit-at-home culture.

Nigerian Actor Ray Emodi announces exit from Nollywood

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Popular Nollywood actor Ray Emodi has announced his decision to quit acting, bringing an end to his career in the Nigerian film industry.

The movie star disclosed this in a series of videos shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. According to him, the decision was driven by his desire to fully pursue a career in music.

 

Emodi admitted that stepping away from acting was not an easy choice, noting that he never imagined he would one day make such an announcement. However, he stressed that his passion for music ultimately influenced his decision.

 

“I have stopped acting in films. I quit. There was a time I never thought I would say that sentence. I won’t lie, it wasn’t an easy decision, but I had to,” he said.

 

He explained that his love for music has always been strong and expressed confidence in his musical abilities, urging his fans to support him as he embarks on the new journey.

 

The actor also revealed that his family is not in support of the move, acknowledging that the decision has come with significant consequences. Despite the opposition, he said he respects their stance and remains committed to protecting his family’s name.

 

Emodi apologized to his fans for the sudden nature of his exit from Nollywood and thanked them, alongside colleagues and film executives, for the support he received throughout his acting career.

Bullets damage Peter Obi’s convoy in Edo [Video]

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The motorcade of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi was reportedly attacked by suspected gunmen in Edo State, leaving several vehicles riddled with bullets.

Nigerian Newsphere earlier reported that Obi came under attack during the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin City.

 

Videos circulating online show vehicles in the convoy with shattered windows and visible bullet holes after the incident.

 

While no casualties were reported, the attack has heightened tension in the area, raising concerns among supporters and residents.

 

Watch the video on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1b8JZrHwRL/

Simi under fire as NAPTIP investigates Nigerian singer over misconduct 

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has pledged to examine credible information following online discussions surrounding alleged child misconduct in daycare environments in Nigeria.

 

The controversy erupted after old social media posts by popular singer Simi resurfaced online. Some social media users accused the artist of inappropriate comments, alleging that past posts from as far back as 2013 contained references they interpreted as sexualizing toddlers at her mother’s daycare.

 

The renewed scrutiny followed Simi’s recent comments condemning rape after a TikTok user claimed to have been sexually assaulted—an allegation later reported to be false. Some netizens subsequently called on the singer to also address false accusations with equal intensity. Dissatisfied with her reaction, critics began circulating her old posts.

 

Responding to the backlash, Simi explained that in 2012 she lived and assisted at her mother’s daycare while pursuing her music career, noting that she frequently shared everyday experiences on social media at the time.

 

“I tweeted everything that happened in my life, as we all did at the time. Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it. Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss, and cuddle them. I tweet about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion,” she wrote on X.

 

She added that she was not famous at the time and did not anticipate that her posts could later be misinterpreted. The singer maintained that she has never engaged in any form of depravity and insisted she has nothing to hide.

 

In a brief statement issued amid the online debate, NAPTIP urged members of the public with factual information or direct knowledge related to the viral claims to contact the agency confidentially via direct message or email.

 

The agency emphasized its commitment to thoroughly investigating credible reports while encouraging affected individuals or witnesses to come forward.

2027: How Peter Obi, other ADC members escape assassination in Edo- Tanko

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The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has alleged that former presidential candidate Peter Obi and members of the movement were attacked by armed individuals in Benin City, Edo State.

Tanko claimed the incident occurred on Tuesday during the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

 

In a brief statement titled “Breaking Red Alert in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko said Obi and ADC leaders were targeted shortly after the event.

 

According to him, armed men allegedly trailed the delegation from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun in Benin City.

 

He further alleged that the attackers opened fire at the gate of the residence and vandalized several vehicles, describing the incident as a suspected assassination attempt.

 

“PO and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko stated, warning that the development poses a threat to democratic processes.

 

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from security agencies regarding the alleged attack.

Tunji Disu: Real Reason Egbetokun resigned as IGP

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The Presidency has clarified the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Egbetokun stepped down to address pressing personal matters.

According to Onanuga, the former police chief cited family concerns that require his full and undivided attention in the resignation letter submitted to the president.

“The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues that require his undivided attention,” Onanuga stated.

News of Egbetokun’s resignation dominated headlines on Tuesday, with reports suggesting it followed a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he was allegedly directed to step aside.

Meanwhile, Olatunji Rilwan Disu has been named as the new Inspector-General of Police.

BREAKING: CBN reduces Nigeria’s interest Rate to 26.50% 

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reduced the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points to 26.50 per cent from 27 per cent.

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday while addressing journalists after the 304th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

 

Cardoso said the rate cut was unanimously adopted by all members of the committee.

 

He explained that the MPC retained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 45 per cent for commercial banks and 16 per cent for merchant banks. The 75 per cent CRR on non-Treasury Single Account (non-TSA) public sector deposits was also maintained.

 

In addition, the committee left the liquidity ratio unchanged at 30 per cent and adjusted the standing facilities corridor to +50/-450 basis points around the MPR.

 

“The committee decided to reduce the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points to 26.50 per cent,” Cardoso stated.

 

It would be recalled that in November 2025, the MPC held the MPR at 27.00 per cent. The last adjustment before Tuesday’s decision was in September 2025.

 

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s inflation rate eased to 15.10 per cent in January, down from 15.15 per cent recorded previously.

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