A crowd surge disrupted the distribution of empowerment items at the Renewed Hope South-East Youth Tour on Saturday in Owerri, Imo State, as many young people attended the event organised by the City Boy Movement. The summit also examined the role of young Nigerians in driving national development and participating actively in economic growth. However, the distribution of empowerment items experienced disruption when the excitement of the crowd increased and participants surged toward the designated distribution area. According to him, the large turnout demonstrated the strong interest of young Nigerians in empowerment initiatives and the growing support for the government’s programmes. The City Boy Movement reaffirmed its commitment to youth engagement, empowerment programmes and grassroots participation in national development.

The ‘Finalissima’ clash between Euro 2024 winners Spain and world champions Argentina, set to take place on March 27 in Qatar has been cancelled, UEFA said on Sunday. “It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organisers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams of the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar,” said UEFA in a statement. The Finalissima pits the latest Copa America winners against the European championship winners, with Argentina winning the inaugural edition by beating Italy in 2022 at Wembley Stadium in London. Argentina captain Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup with his country in Qatar later that year. “As a result, and to UEFA’s regret, this edition of the Finalissima has been cancelled,” added UEFA.

Recently, another animal received the internet’s collective emotional projection: a baby Japanese macaque named Punch. He is named after a manga artist, Monkey Punch, who was born Kazuhiko Katō in 1937. “Monkey Punch” was originally a pen name suggested by an editor who thought it sounded amusingly Western. Monkey Punch died in 2019 at age 81, but by then, Lupin III had spanned five decades. In a strange loop, the name Monkey Punch now circles back to a real monkey named Punch.

Those sanctioned include the ward chairman, Kanayo Chukwu, alongside Amanda Pam and Omale Suleiman. Destiny added that the national leadership would not condone what he described as misconduct by the ward officials. “We are fully present to say ‘No’ to such shenanigans and the misbehaviour of a self-acclaimed Wuse Ward chairman not recognised by the party. The controversy began earlier in the week when officials of the party’s Wuse Ward announced Kingibe’s suspension over allegations of anti-party activities, insubordination and breach of party rules. The motion seeking the suspension of the three ward executives was moved by an ADC chieftain from Wuse Ward, Danlami Zuru, and seconded by an exco member from the ward, Samuel Dimgba.

Seychelles has retained its position as Africa’s most powerful passport, ranking 22nd globally with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 154 destinations. This is according to the latest Henley Passport Index, updated on March 9, 2026. Seychelles leads the African ranking, ahead of Mauritius (25th globally, 147 destinations) and South Africa (46th globally, 100 destinations). The government continues negotiations on new visa-waiver agreements with strategic countries, while the recent adoption of biometric passports has further enhanced international travel access for Seychellois citizens. At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan ranks lowest, with visa-free access to just 24 destinations.

The Edo State Police Command has summoned the management of Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City, to hand over the students involved in the bullying and assault of their schoolmate for investigation and possible prosecution. The video sparked public outrage, forcing the school management to expel the two students, while the student who recorded the incident on videowas suspended. Ikoedem explained that the police had officially invited the school management to assist in identifying and producing the students involved in the bullying incident. “We are inviting the school authority to hand over the students, particularly those involved in the bullying act, to the authorities. Meanwhile, the Edo State Ministry of Education has set up a five-man investigative committee to probe the incident.

The Federal Government has alleged that an embattled mining company, Jupiter Ltd, is planning what it described as a “campaign of calumny” against Nigeria during the planned state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom. Tomori stated that Basin Mining Ltd lost its mineral titles after failing to pay statutory annual service fees amounting to N2.494bn for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years. It further alleged that Davis had interests in several mining companies operating in Nigeria, including Comet Minerals Ltd, Basin Mining Ltd, Range Mining Ltd, Northern Numero Ltd, Sunrise Minerals Ltd and Iron Ore Mining Ltd. According to the government, such arrangements are often used by speculators to acquire mineral titles without undertaking actual mining operations. The ministry said the practice had contributed to the problem of dormant mining licences and illegal mining activities in the country.

Rising oil prices, spurred on by the war in Iran, have exacerbated Nigeria's energy crisis. What effect is the Iran war having on oil prices in Nigeria? Since the outbreak of the war in Iran, prices of petrol in Nigeria have surged multiple times. The increase in oil prices has prompted depot operators across key supply hubs to halt purchases of fuel. "The revision reflects the surge in global crude oil prices," Arise reported, citing a market source.

The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, has intensified its campaign to end open defecation in the state. Ademola Aderinto said the initiative formed part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to improve sanitation, promote public health, and end open defecation in line with the agenda of UNICEF and the Oyo State Government. Aderinto explained that Oyo State is projected to end open defecation by 2031, adding that all residents and visitors in the state must comply with and support the government’s efforts to achieve the target within the stipulated timeline. “The provision of public toilet facilities in busy locations such as markets is a strategic step by the government to eliminate open defecation and protect environmental and public health. He also commended the management of Open Public Spaces for supporting the government’s environmental agenda and contributing to the collective effort to maintain a cleaner and saner Oyo State.

The Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has pledged to rebuild the party in Ekiti State and restore it to winning ways ahead of the 2027 general election. We have all it takes to achieve that.”A member of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee, Bisi Kolawole, emphasised that plans were underway to rebuild the party’s fractured structure and reposition it for future political success. He said, “The next step is to bring all party members together for reconciliation,” adding that efforts are ongoing in that direction. PDP National leaders continue efforts to reconcile the two factions in the state—the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee and the Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu. In Ekiti, while Fayose leads the Wike-backed faction, the party’s governorship candidate for the June 20 election comes from the Turaki faction.

Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for peace in the Middle East on Sunday, calling for an end to the war and the reopening of dialogue. “Dear brothers and sisters, for two weeks the peoples of the Middle East have suffered the atrocious violence of war,” the US pontiff said at his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican. “Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and countless others have been forced to flee their homes. “On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of goodwill, I address those responsible for this conflict,” he said in Italian. “Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that people await,” he said.

The Plateau State Government has alerted residents of Kanam Local Government Area to a military operation against bandits in the Garga axis following a security incident on Friday. The Kanam Development Association of Plateau State had on Saturday raised the alarm over the attack on security personnel, including local vigilantes, by bandits in the council area. According to the group, the security agents, who were part of a patrol team, were ambushed in the Garga area of Kanam Local Government Area on Friday. The government condemned the attack and commended security personnel and local vigilantes who lost their lives confronting the attackers. “The administration of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, remains resolute in its determination to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens.

FILE PHOTO: An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority. Four passengers have died while four others sustained serious injuries in a road crash involving a truck and a commercial minibus along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos State. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq. LASTMA added that the driver of the truck and his motor boy fled the scene after the crash. PUNCH Online reports that this latest tragedy highlights an increase in road crashes in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu will arrive in the United Kingdom on Wednesday for a state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic and cultural relations between both countries. According to the statement, the visit will showcase the enduring relationship between Nigeria and the UK and further deepen cooperation between both countries. He noted that Nigeria remains the only African country whose leader has been hosted on a state visit by the British government five times. Economic ties between both countries were further strengthened through the UK–Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership signed in 2024. Expected engagementsDuring the visit, Tinubu is expected to hold bilateral talks with Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.

Atletico Madrid will face Getafe FC in a Spanish LaLiga match on 14 March 2026. EPA/ZIPIby Staff ReporterFenerbahçe president Sadettin Saran has revealed why Nigerian International Ademola Lookman chose Atletico Madrid as his destination following failed negotiations with the Turkish giants. Lookman became one of Africa’ most sought-after players in recent years, following his exploits with Atalanta in Serie A. While Lookman was linked with a move to Fenerbahçe, the exciting attacker ended up at Atletico Madrid as Saran revealed his former side requested a letter of financial guarantee regarding their finances. But later they asked for a letter of guarantee, saying they could not get their money from Turkish clubs.