Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Okezie Ikpeazu, has called for the revitalisation of existing bilateral agreements with Spain, including the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, to strengthen economic cooperation and people-to-people relations between both countries. Ikpeazu made the call after presenting his Letters of Credence to King Felipe VI of Spain at the Royal Palace in Madrid on Monday. The presentation formally marked the commencement of Ikpeazu’s diplomatic assignment to Spain, according to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Tuesday. During the ceremony, the ambassador conveyed the greetings and best wishes of President Bola Tinubu to the Spanish monarch, government and people. He reaffirmed, ” Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Spain, particularly in trade and investment, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, education, culture, tourism, security and people-to-people exchanges”. Ikpeazu also said, “Nigeria is ready to work with the Spanish government, institutions and private...

As schools resumed in Ondo State on Monday, the Chairman of Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state, Mr Ayo Ajana, gifted educational materials to no fewer than 1,000 indigent pupils in the council area. The gesture was said to be part of the Back-to-School initiative of the council boss. Distributing the materials to the beneficiaries, who are from 55 primary schools in the local government, on Tuesday at St Mary’s Catholic Mega Primary School, Oka Akoko, Ajana explained that the initiative was aimed at reducing the financial pressure on parents and encouraging children to remain in school. According to him, some of the materials, including 30,000 exercise books and 1,000 school bags, among others, would be distributed to pupils in public primary schools across the council. The council chairman said, “This programme is designed as an investment in the future of our children rather than merely a distribution...

For families across Northern Nigeria, kidnapping no longer ends with the snatching of a loved one. It begins another desperate journey. Once an individual is taken into the forest, the family is forced into a parallel economy of negotiation, borrowing, selling property, mobilising relatives, seeking community assistance and, in some cases, supplying abductors with motorcycles, food, fuel, recharge cards and other commodities. For the kidnappers, the victim becomes an asset. For the family, everything that can be converted into cash becomes a possible price for survival. From Kebbi to Zamfara, Kwara, Sokoto, Borno, Kaduna and other parts of the North, accounts obtained by Arewa PUNCH show how ransom has become deeply woven into the kidnapping crisis. In some cases, families pay millions of naira and secure the release of their loved ones. In others, payment only opens the door to fresh demands. Some victims are killed despite ransom payments, while...

The Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyaccinth Alia, has stated that his developmental projects would enhance his re election comes 2027. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, in a statement issued on Sunday, the governor declared that he was not perturbed by the opposition tantrums. The governor mentioned the recent Memorandum of Understanding with Hudson Global Ltd, which is expected to attract a $5bn investment as part of his administration’s efforts to transform the state’s economic landscape. He also highlighted various infrastructural projects ongoing in the state, including roads, industries, improved welfare for the workforce, care for senior citizens and billions of naira in investments. The statement read, “The growing confidence in Benue’s economic prospects is not accidental. Just a few days ago, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hudson Global Ltd to attract a $5bn investment aimed at transforming Benue’s economic landscape. “The...

Popular skitmaker and social media influencer, MC Always, popularly known as Egbon Adugbo, has turned the painful experience of losing his wife to Stage 4 cancer into a campaign for improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria. MC Always recently opened up about his late wife’s battle with cancer and the challenges his family encountered while seeking treatment. In a YouTube video monitored by PUNCH Online on Sunday, the entertainer, speaking during an appearance on TVC, recounted the difficult journey of trying to save his wife and explained why he has chosen to use his platform to advocate for a healthcare system that works better for Nigerians. According to him, his wife’s experience opened his eyes to the struggles faced by many families dealing with serious illnesses, particularly cancer patients and their caregivers. He said, “My wife’s experience opened my eyes to the struggles faced by many families dealing with serious illnesses,...

Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Operation WABAIZIGAN, have arrested a suspected kidnapper and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a targeted operation along the Benin-Sapele Road in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. This was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin, Kennedy Anyanwu. According to the statement, the suspect, identified as Olamide Oyeniyi, was arrested on September 12, 2026, at Obaretin Community by troops conducting operations to disrupt criminal activities and safeguard major transportation routes within the area. He stated that items recovered from the suspect included one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and eight rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. Other items recovered were one Tecno mobile phone, two bags, one torchlight, one music box and assorted charms. He stated that the suspect and recovered items were in the troops’ custody for further investigation, while...

A 41-year-old man, Bassey Ekpo, has been arrested by the police in Cross River for allegedly setting a house ablaze at 8 Miles in Calabar, the state capital. The Cross River Police Command, in a statement by its spokesperson, Sunday Eitokpah, on Saturday, said the incident was reported on Friday at the Ikot Omin Police Division by the occupant of the house, Ekemini Stephen. Eitokpah added that, with the help of neighbours, the suspect was apprehended and taken to the police station. The police spokesperson said that during preliminary questioning, the suspect allegedly claimed that he was sent by his 61-year-old mother. He added that police operatives had visited the scene of the incident and taken photographs as part of evidence gathering. “With the assistance of neighbours, the suspect was apprehended and brought to the Police Station. During preliminary questioning, he allegedly claimed that he was sent by his 61-year-old...