Punch the Monkey Hits Major Milestone—but What Does it Really Mean?
Punch, the 7-month-old Japanese macaque who captured millions of hearts after bonding with a stuffed orangutan, has reached a new milestone: he’s waving at fans. The Imitation GameThe new waving behavior has prompted questions about whether Punch is intentionally communicating—or simply imitating. Research suggests imitation plays a powerful role in primate social behavior. Animal InstinctThough many like to think that Punch is inheriting human tendencies, experts seem to disagree, pointing instead to other explanations of primate behavior. Visitors waving at Punch day after day may be offering repeated visual cues that he is now replicating.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 22:41 UTC
Interior minister sues activist for cyberstalking
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has dragged a social crusader, Emorioloye Owolemi, before the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, over alleged cyberstalking. Owolemi is standing trial on a two-count charge marked FHC/AK/3C/26, bordering on the alleged transmission of offensive and menacing messages against the minister via his Facebook page. The second count accused Owolemi of cyberstalking by threat and harassment, contrary to Section 24(1)(b) of the same Act. Conversely, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the same court had denied a similar request by the activist, concerning the minister’s discharge certificate allegedly issued by the National Youth Service Corps. The judge held that the applicant failed to indicate that he was acting in the public interest, as required by law.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 22:14 UTC
Punch the monkey has just learned this adorable trick - and people can't cope
Another day, another Punch update - and this is one you'll want to know about. JIJI PRESS / AFP via Getty Images / Japan OUT"While Punch is scolded, he shows resilience and mental strength. Since then, everyone has been eagerly looking out for more clips of Punch to make sure he's doing alright, and last time we checked in, Punch learned how walk on two legs,Now, the baby monkey is further securing public affection in the latest viral video where it appears to have learned how to wave. "Punch revenge arc soon," a third person posted. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 21:39 UTC
Oluwo tells Trump to apologize to Iran for siding with Israe
“I doubt if the United States of America’s president, Donald Trump, has a history of who they have killed. Only cowardly countries can surrender themselves to such an approach deployed by the US president, Donald Trump. You can still be a world power in peace. The assassination of Ayatollah, the supreme leader of Iran, on 28th February, 2026, is condemnable. “US involvement without calling for a truce has made them lose the grip of world power.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 21:38 UTC
Tinubu hails Obasanjo’s ‘towering influence’ at 89
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 89th birthday, describing him as an elder statesman whose “towering influence” continues to shape Nigeria, Africa, and the wider global community. In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by his Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, the President celebrated Obasanjo as he marks his 89th birthday on March 5. Tinubu said he “felicitates former president and elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on his 89th birthday,” rejoicing with the former leader, “whose towering influence in the country, Africa, and beyond is significant.”The President noted the courage and sacrifices of the elder statesman, recalling that he “previously served the nation as military Head of State from 1976 to 1979, handing over power to a civilian president in 1979, and later as the first civilian president in the Fourth Republic, 1999–2007.”Tinubu further affirmed the historic experiences of the former leader, including “leading troops to preserve Nigeria’s unity at the warfront, serving time in prison for speaking out against tyranny, and consistently pursuing Africa’s political and economic interests.”As Obasanjo turns 89, the President acknowledged “the zeal and wisdom he has brought into Nigeria’s development process through his books and regular interventions, revealing a depth of patriotism to nation-building.”Tinubu prayed for “more years of good health, strength, and wisdom for the former president as he continues to serve the nation and humanity.”
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 19:46 UTC
Nigerian govt targets 10 million out-of-school children through HOPE-EDU reform
The Nigerian government has unveiled a new reform initiative, HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU), aimed at addressing the country’s deep-rooted education challenges, including the crisis of out-of-school children and overcrowded classrooms. Nigeria’s Basic Education faces very stark realities: over 10 million out-of-school children, overcrowded classrooms, and resource disparity that undermines equity,” she said. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimated that around 18.9 million children in Nigeria are out of school, making the country one of the worst‑affected globally. The initiative aims to improve learning outcomes for over 29 million children, empower 500,000 teachers, construct 13,000 new classrooms and return more than 1.5 million out-of-school children to classrooms nationwide. “The HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) programme is co-financed by the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education.
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 19:33 UTC
Tinubu sends Akume, four others to Jesse Jackson’s funeral
File photo of veteran U.S. civil right activist, Jesse Jackson. President Bola Tinubu has sent a five-person delegation to represent Nigeria at the final burial rites of Rev. Jesse Jackson, the American civil rights leader, activist, and former presidential candidate, who died at the age of 84 on February 17, 2026. A “People’s Celebration” was scheduled for March 6 at the House of Hope, Chicago, followed by a private homegoing on March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Born and raised in the segregated South, Jesse Jackson became a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. and twice pursued the Democratic presidential nomination.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 19:19 UTC
Kompany wants Osimhen to replace Kane at Bayern
German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have rekindled their interest in Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, with head coach Vincent Kompany considering the Nigerian as a potential replacement for Harry Kane, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Bayern Munich are still in talks to renew Kane’s contract amid interest from Barcelona and clubs in the Premier League. According to Foot Mercato, the player—represented by the KBSport agency—is the subject of serious consideration at Bayern Munich. “Bayern coach Vincent Kompany greatly admires the former Lille player, whose explosive start in Belgium with Charleroi he remembers fondly. The player has also spoken about his admiration for Italian giants Juventus following their recent UEFA Champions League meeting.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 19:07 UTC
Tax law: VAT hits record N1tn as new sharing era begins
The month-on-month increase in the net distributable VAT was N156.72bn, also representing an 18.5 per cent increase. Previously, the Federal Government received 15 per cent, states 50 per cent, and Local Governments 35 per cent. In December, under the old 15 per cent formula, the Federal Government’s VAT share stood at N126.98bn. State governments received N767.29bn, local governments got N517.28bn, while the 13 per cent derivation share amounted to N90.19bn. According to him, simply reducing the number of taxes without adjusting the VAT rate could weaken the government’s revenue base.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 18:57 UTC
World Bank Warns of Looming Jobs Crisis in Developing Nation
File photo | Logo of the World Bank Group, whose 2025 Global Findex report highlights record growth in formal saving and mobile-money use across developing countries. To address the looming challenge, Banga said it is advancing a jobs-focused strategy built on three core pillars: infrastructure development, business environment reforms, and support for private-sector expansion. Second, the World Bank highlighted the importance of predictable regulations and clear policy frameworks to encourage entrepreneurship and investment. The World Bank identified five sectors with the highest capacity to generate employment at scale: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, primary healthcare, tourism and value-added manufacturing. The World Bank said the main barrier to investment in developing markets has historically been risk, both real and perceived, rather than lack of opportunity.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 17:25 UTC
Police monitoring local Islamic groups over Middle East crisis – IG
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is closely monitoring Islamic groups with allegiance to Middle Eastern countries following the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict. The escalating conflict has raised fears of wider regional warfare, with several countries, including China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, advising their citizens to leave Iran and avoid travel to the Middle East. Nigeria is home to significant Islamic groups with ideological and sometimes organisational ties to Middle Eastern countries, particularly Iran and Saudi Arabia. Historically, major conflicts in the Middle East have triggered protests and demonstrations in Nigeria, particularly in northern states with large Muslim populations. Disu said the police are taking proactive measures to prevent violent protests or attacks that could be inspired by the Middle East crisis.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 16:36 UTC
Immigration officer found dead in Calabar apartment
A 30-year-old officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Wofai Benson Akpama, has been found dead in his apartment in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State. 34 Mbora Street, Etta-Agbor, within Calabar Municipality. “I informed the police about the sudden and unnatural death on Friday. The corpse was later evacuated to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for preservation and autopsy. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, told PUNCH Metro that the matter was under investigation.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 13:23 UTC
INEC approves promotion for 2,339 staff, elevates 82
The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved the promotion of 2,339 personnel in its 2025 Senior Staff Promotion Exercise, underscoring its commitment to career progression, institutional continuity and organisational stability. Of this number, 18 will continue in active service, while 27 are due for retirement shortly after their promotion, in line with public service regulations. The promotion exercise also affected 2,121 intermediate officers on GL 07–13 across various departments of the commission. “In all, the promotions cut across multiple cadres and were conducted in accordance with established guidelines and extant public service rules,” the statement said. It congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to redouble their commitment to professionalism, integrity and impartial service in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Source:Punch
March 04, 2026 11:01 UTC
Medical Panel Suspends Three Doctors Over Chimamanda Adichie’s Son’s Death
The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel has suspended three doctors following a prima facie finding of medical negligence in the care of 21-month-old Nkanu Adichie-Esege. Those suspended are the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Tunde Majekodunmi, along with anesthesiologist Dr. Titus Ogundare and Atlantis Pediatric Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh. Nkanu, the son of renowned Nigeria…
Source:The Guardian
March 04, 2026 00:33 UTC
Punch the monkey stole the internet’s heart. Now fans are sweeping up his IKEA plushie
He’s the rejected monkey who has become the internet’s adopted animal baby. But while you cannot take Punch home, you can curl up with his companion — if you can find one in stock, that is. Video Ad Feedback “Punch” the baby monkey and his plushie mom Abandoned at birth in Ichikawa Zoo in Japan, this 6‑month‑old monkey found comfort in a stuffed orangutan - and won thousands of hearts online. Only one of Japan’s 12 IKEA outlets showed the toy in stock, with the majority of UK stores either almost or entirely out of the product. The small Ichikawa zoo, roughly 15 minutes from the center of Tokyo by train, is also dealing with a spike in attention.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 23:47 UTC