‘I Will Do My Own Juju,’ Speed Darlington Calls For Rematch After Losing To Portable

Ganiyu Amodu

Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy has gifted controversial musician Portable N20 million following his victory over Speed Darlington in their celebrity boxing match, while the defeated American-based Nigerian artiste has demanded a rematch, claiming his opponent used “juju” to secure the win. The “Chaos In The Ring” bout, which took place on April 18, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos, ended abruptly in the second round when Speed Darlington was unable to continue after claiming he suffered a dislocated shoulder. “20 million from @burnaboygram. If you wanna be like…

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‘Ajuwaya,’ NDLEA Seeks Mandatory Drug Tests For Corps Members

Abibat Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for mandatory drug testing for all prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in a renewed effort to combat rising drug abuse among Nigerian youths. The call was made by the agency’s Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), during a three-day Drug Prevention Treatment and Care (DPTC) training held in Abuja on Sunday, April 20. The event was organized in collaboration with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM). Marwa, represented by NDLEA Director of Drug Demand Reduction,…

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Nigeria, UK Deepen Ties To Boost Gas Sector Regulatory Framework

Abibat Babalola

The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards strengthening its gas sector regulatory framework through a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom’s Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). The partnership was sealed during a high-level meeting in London between the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, and officials from Ofgem and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). A statement by Ekpo’s spokesperson, Louis Ibah, said the collaboration aims to enhance regulatory innovation and capacity development in Nigeria’s gas sector, with a…

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Killings: Shettima Visits Plateau Today, Danjuma Calls For Self-Defence

Abibat Babalola

Amid renewed violence in Plateau and Benue states that has claimed over 100 lives in recent weeks, Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to visit Plateau State today (Monday) as part of federal efforts to stem the tide of attacks and foster lasting peace. The visit comes days after gunmen launched deadly attacks on Bokkos and Bassa communities in Plateau, attracting public outrage and deepening calls for urgent government intervention. Confirming the Vice President’s visit, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed during a tour…

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‘Not Colon Cancer, Not Infection,’ How Pope Francis Died

Ganiyu Amodu

The 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, passed away on Monday morning, the Vatican has announced. Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas, has died aged 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday morning. The Pope had battled various health issues in recent years, including surgery on his colon in 2021 and recurring respiratory infections. In an emotional announcement from St Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo responsible for administering the Church between papacies, said the Pope had…

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Petroleum Ministers, Key Officials Endorse New Book On Local Content

Ganiyu Amodu

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and his Gas counterpart, Rt. Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, have hailed the dexterity and courage of a management staff of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, to write a book chronicling an account of how deft communication initiatives, skillful stakeholders management strategies and effective collaboration among key players in the oil sector played pivotal roles in propagating and advancing Nigeria’s local content policy in the last 15 years. Also, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix…

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‘64-Hour Marathon,’ Again, Tunde Onakoya Breaks World Chess Record

Ganiyu Amodu

Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, has officially received the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon after completing a 64-hour session in New York City’s Times Square. Onakoya attained the feat alongside US chess player, Shawn Martinez, during the marathon, which ran between April 17 and 20, 2025. He had in April 2024, played for 60 hours, surpassing a previous record before it was reclaimed two months later, by Norwegian duo, Odin Blikra Vea and Askild Bryn, with a record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds. ‘Comeback,’…

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Easter: Fubara Preaches Reconciliation, Urges Support For Tinubu

Abibat Babalola

The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on residents of the state to embrace peace, unity, and collective commitment to building a stronger state. In his Easter message released on Saturday, Fubara described the season as one of “reconciliation and unity,” urging the people to allow the peace of Christ to dwell richly in their hearts and reflect in their daily interactions. “Easter is a sacred season of reconciliation and unity. It is a time when the peace of Christ dwells richly in our hearts, restoring relationships,…

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‘Comeback,’ How Chelsea Defeated Fulham 2-1

Ganiyu Amodu

A pair of stunning late goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto secured a comeback victory for Chelsea at Craven Cottage. Popular Hotelier Slumps, Dies During Wife’s 60th Birthday Celebration Hurdles Ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Oil Blocks Bid Round The win sees them return to the Champions League places as they retake fifth place. Platforms Africa

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How Popular Hotelier Slumped, Died During Wife’s 60th Birthday Celebration

Ganiyu Amodu

‘He Asked For Water… Why? Daddy, Why?’   Tragedy struck in the Egbeda area of Lagos yesterday, Saturday, April 19, 2025, as a popular hotelier, Mr A O Akinyele, slumped and died during his wife’s 60th birthday celebration at an event centre. A video of Mr Akinyele, sighted by Platforms Africa, showed that the deceased was leading a song on stage when he suddenly slumped. Eye witness account showed that attempts made to revive him were unsuccessful, “leading to his being rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced…

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