Rivers Assembly invites Fubara’s commissioner-nominees for screening
The Rivers State House of Assembly has confirmed receipt of a list of commissioner-nominees from Governor Siminalayi Fubara and invited nine of them for screening and confirmation. PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Fubara forwarded names of nominees to the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly to serve as members of the State Executive Council upon clearance. The statement read, “The Rivers State House of Assembly hereby invites nominees for appointment as commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council to submit forty (40) sets of their curriculum vitae, photocopies of credentials and evidence of compliance with tax obligations. “All documents should be forwarded to the office of the Clerk of the House at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters.”None of the recently sacked commissioners was included in the latest list forwarded to the lawmakers. More nominees are expected, as Rivers State has 23 local government areas.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 21:32 UTC
APC holds congresses in Enugu, Bayelsa, elects new executives
The All Progressives Congress on Tuesday conducted state congresses in Enugu and Bayelsa states, electing new executive committees through consensus arrangements amid declarations of unity and party consolidation. In Enugu State, the congress held at Okpara Square saw the emergence of a new State Executive Committee through the affirmation of former Peoples Democratic Party state executives led by Dr. Martin Chukwunwike, who emerged as substantive chairman of the party in the state. He added that over 6,000 executives had emerged across wards and local governments before the state congress. In Bayelsa State, the congress held at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa produced a 37-member executive committee led by Hon. With the new executives in place in both states, party leaders expressed confidence that the APC would consolidate its structure and strengthen its electoral prospects in upcoming polls
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 19:55 UTC
Punch Brothers Announce Spring and Summer Tour
CopyPunch Brothers have announced an extensive spring and summer US tour. Pre-sale and VIP tickets for most newly announced shows begins this Wednesday, March 4, at 10am local time via punchbrothers.com. Punch Brothers' latest album, 2022's Hell on Church Street, is the band's reimagining of, and homage to, the late bluegrass great Tony Rice’s landmark solo album Church Street Blues, featuring an inspired collection of songs by Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Bill Monroe, and others. Recorded in November 2020, Hell on Church Street had been intended as both its own work of art and a gift to Rice, who died later that year. Chris Thile is currently touring Europe solo with music from his new album, Bach: Sonatas and Partitas, Vol.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 18:31 UTC
Nigeria's VAT Revenue Hits N2.28tn in Q3 2025
The figure was disclosed in the Sectorial Distribution of VAT Q3 2025 report published on the NBS website on Tuesday. The report shows that, on a year-on-year basis, VAT collections in Q3 2025 increased by 28.10% from Q3 2024. The breakdown shows local VAT payments dominating at N1.12 trillion, foreign VAT payments contributing N680.23 billion, and import VAT adding N479.79 billion. “Value Added Tax (VAT) in Q3 2025 was N2.28 trillion, showing an increase of 10.66% on a quarter-on-quarter basis from N2.06 trillion in Q2 2025. “Local payments stood at N1.12 trillion, foreign VAT payments were N680.23 billion, while import VAT contributed N479.79 billion in Q3 2025,” the report said.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 17:13 UTC
ICPC lists documents, devices seized from El-Rufai’s Abuja home
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Monday disclosed details of documents and electronic devices allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The ICPC said the materials would undergo forensic examination as part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and asset concealment. Reacting in a statement on Monday, El-Rufai’s family accused the commission of attempting to criminalise his silence during interrogation. No equipment other than old discarded personal mobile phones… storage devices like flash drives and laptops… were seized from the property,” the statement read. The ICPC maintained that its actions were lawful and in line with its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 16:37 UTC
ADC takes steps to block mock registrations
The spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday said the party had corrected observed anomalies on its digital membership registration platform following widespread reports of fake entries. Please check back later.”PUNCH Online had earlier reported that netizens began registering fake names, National Identification Numbers and incorrect pictures within 24 hours of the portal’s unveiling. Membership cards bearing the names of President Bola Tinubu, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, United States President Donald Trump and other prominent figures circulated on social media. However, former Lagos governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, dismissed the mockery, stating that the online process was only the first step. When this was pointed out to him, Abdullahi replied, “Thank you, I will pass this on to the technical team”
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 16:07 UTC
Punch The Monkey Sparks New Debate On Zoo Animal Welfare – One Green Planet
He is deeply committed to promoting... Nicholas Vincent is a passionate environmentalist and freelance writer. He is deeply committed to promoting sustainability and finding solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Read more about Nicholas Vincent Read MoreA baby macaque named Punch has gone viral for a heartbreaking reason. In Australia, visitors once adored Mollie the orangutan at Melbourne Zoo, partly because she was encouraged to copy people. Support stronger animal welfare rules, and live in ways that protect the Earth we share.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 15:30 UTC
Five officers arrested over bribery in El-Rufai airport breach
Five security officers have been arrested and are set to face prosecution over their alleged involvement in a security breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, 2026, in an incident authorities say involved former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. In a statement made available to Punch Online on Tuesday, authorities confirmed that the arrests followed a joint investigation into what was described as a serious compromise of airport security protocols. “At the end of a joint investigation by DSS, NIS, NCS and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, five officers have been detained,” the statement read. It added that other personnel from the NIS and NCS whose involvement was deemed non-criminal would still face consequences. On February 12, 2026, security operatives reportedly attempted to arrest him upon his arrival from Cairo at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 13:41 UTC
Catholic church moves to strengthen Taraba elections 2027
The Catholic Diocese of Jalingo has launched an initiative aimed at curbing electoral irregularities and strengthening democratic credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections in Taraba State. “While there is a clear constitutional separation between Church and State, both institutions can collaborate to promote peaceful coexistence and meaningful development. According to him, the Church seeks to ensure that both the processes leading to elections and the post-election environment in Taraba are credible, fair and just. He urged collaboration between religious institutions, electoral bodies, security agencies and civil society groups to strengthen electoral transparency without compromising the church’s independence. With the 2027 elections gradually approaching, the Church’s intervention signals a growing push by faith-based institutions to reclaim the moral ground of Nigeria’s democratic journey in Taraba State.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 11:42 UTC
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Nigeria's Net Reserves Jump to $34.80 Billion
Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), says Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves (NEFR) at the end of 2025 were $34.80 billion — exceeding the country’s total gross reserves recorded in 2023. According to a statement on Monday, Cardoso disclosed the figure over the weekend. The figure also represents 50.58 percent or $11.69 billion increase compared to the net reserves of $23.11 billion recorded in 2024 and 772.18…
Source:The Guardian
March 03, 2026 08:44 UTC
Two shot dead in renewed cult violence in Lagos
Two suspected cultists, identified simply as Monday and Efe, have been shot dead in a fresh wave of cult-related violence in the Ojo area of Lagos State. A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, said the victims were discovered with gunshot wounds. Reacting to the incident on X, a user, Roland Inuedo, expressed concern over the spate of violence in Ojo and surrounding areas. As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the incident. Cult-related violence has persisted in parts of Lagos despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the menace.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 05:11 UTC
UI medical student dies after ingesting insecticide
A 300-level medical student of the University of Ibadan (name withheld) has died after consuming an insecticide on Sunday night, according to authorities at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. A fellow student reportedly found him on the ground floor of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, foaming at the mouth and disoriented. The victim reportedly admitted to ingesting the insecticide, identified as Sniper, before losing consciousness. The student was brought in based on the report that he consumed Sniper, and the UCH responded accordingly. Recent weeks have seen an upswing in reckless content promoting death by suicide, sometimes even linking brands to the act.”
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 04:49 UTC
NCC proposes 14-day SIM deactivation notice for subscribers
The Nigerian Communications Commission has proposed that telecom operators must give subscribers a minimum of 14 days’ notice before deactivating their SIM cards over inactivity or post-paid churn. The proposal is contained in a consultation paper titled Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform, dated February 2026 and published on the Commission’s website. The commission also proposed that operators must submit churn data to the new Telecoms Identity Risk Management System. Stakeholders are expected to submit comments on or before March 20, 2026. The document was dated February 26, 2026, and signed by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 04:10 UTC
Petrol Price Hike: Will Fuel Hit N1,000
This is largely the effect of the recent hike in global crude oil prices,” Ukadike said. The review became necessary due to changes in global crude fundamentals and replacement costs,” the official said. According to a statement from the group, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals is now operational, producing about 650,000 barrels of refined products daily. The refinery’s N874-per-litre gantry price sets the stage for retail rates that could reach or exceed N1,000, particularly if international tensions continue to push crude oil prices higher. JPMorgan’s projections highlight potential volatility in global energy markets, especially if disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz persist.
Source:Punch
March 03, 2026 04:09 UTC
Dangote refinery raises petrol price to N875 per litre
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased its Premium Motor Spirit gantry price by N101, raising the ex-depot rate from N774 to N875 per litre, heightening concerns over fresh fuel price increases across the country. A senior official at the refinery confirmed the development to The PUNCH on Monday, noting that the adjustment followed recent volatility in global crude oil prices. The review became necessary due to changes in global crude fundamentals and replacement costs,” the official said. The price increase came shortly after the refinery suspended petrol loading operations effective midnight on March 2, 2026, following a sharp surge in international crude oil prices, which crossed the $80 per barrel threshold overnight. Five energy experts, in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Sunday, warned that Nigeria could witness further increases in petrol and diesel prices if crude oil prices climb above $90 per barrel.
Source:Punch
March 02, 2026 21:24 UTC