Author: Prima News

Nigeria’s drive to recover statutory payments from the petroleum industry has yielded more than N115 billion and $84 million following enforcement action involving oil companies with financial obligations to the Niger Delta Development Commission. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission disclosed the recoveries during proceedings before the Senate Public Accounts Committee, where lawmakers are examining revenue and compliance issues highlighted by audits of the country’s extractive sector. The intervention followed an examination of 43 petroleum companies to determine whether they had fulfilled mandatory contributions connected to their operations in the Niger Delta. Investigators established liabilities against 24 of the companies, while…

…Labels bill most dangerous since 1999 By John Alechenu ABUJA — Human rights lawyer and activist, Chidi Odinkalu, has described the NGO Regulation Bill currently before the National Assembly as the most dangerous piece of legislation proposed in Nigeria since the return to democratic rule in 1999. The bill has passed first and second readings in the House of Representatives and is now before the House Committee on NGOs, which is scheduled to hold a public hearing in Abuja later this month. Speaking on the proposed legislation in Abuja on Thursday, Odinkalu said the bill sought to place virtually all…

Edo State’s domestic debt has risen sharply under Governor Monday Okpebholo, climbing from N113 billion at the end of 2024 to N172.37 billion by March 2026 and moving the state from 12th to sixth among Nigeria’s most indebted states, according to the latest data from the Debt Management Office (DMO). The increase follows a period of declining debt in 2025, when Edo’s domestic debt fell from N113 billion in December 2024 to N76.13 billion by September 2025, before rising again to N91.18 billion at the end of the year. The latest DMO Domestic Debt Data for the 36 states of…

The arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United could prove particularly important. Arsenal have paid around £75 million for the Brazilian, but his value goes beyond simply adding another elite midfielder to an already impressive group. Arsenal will begin the 2026-27 Premier League season as champions for the first time in more than two decades, but Mikel Arteta’s side may actually be stronger than the one that finally ended the club’s long wait for the title.Guimaraes gives Arteta something Arsenal desperately needed during the closing months of last season: the ability to rotate Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi without substantially…

Key pointsRed Sea is a vital global trade route Even greater uncertainty for shipping Seafarers must be protected, says IMO“It is with sadness and regret to know that, once again, innocent seafarers have lost their lives in an indefensible attack on international shipping. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those involved,” said Arsenio Dominguez, head of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO).He added: “It is particularly troublesome that the most recent attack has taken place in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden area,” noting that continuing attacks on shipping “only serve to escalate tensions and threaten global supply…

Shoprite’s Sixty60 generated R25.5 billion ($1.6 billion) in sales in the year ended June 2026, as the retailer’s on-demand digital platform grew 34.5% during the 12 months. Sixty60 is growing nearly five times faster than Shoprite’s core South African supermarket business, which grew 7.1% over the same period, the Group noted in its operational update on Wednesday.  The numbers show how the retailer is turning its vast physical store network into infrastructure for a rapidly expanding digital commerce business. The broader Shoprite Group has almost 3,000 stores across South Africa, giving Sixty60 a vast physical network from which to fulfil…

Nigerian Startups can win up tp $30,000 in ECOWAS Startup Awards 2026, see how to apply below. NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Economic Community of West African States has opened applications for the second edition of the ECOWAS Startup Awards, offering a combined $65,000 in cash prizes to innovative businesses across West Africa. Nigerian startups that meet the eligibility requirements can compete for the top prize of $30,000. The ECOWAS Commission announced the programme as part of efforts to identify, celebrate and support high-impact startups while promoting digital entrepreneurship, regional integration and sustainable economic development.  The 2026 competition follows the inaugural ECOWAS Startup Awards…

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2026 – Vinpearl has officially been named the strongest hotel brand globally in 2026 by Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy, with its brand value surging 86% to US$381 million. This marks the first time a Vietnamese brand has claimed the No. 1 position in global hotel brand strength and entered the Top 50 Most Valuable Hotel Brands in the World. Vinpearl’s remarkable breakthrough not only elevates the stature of the company, but also helps establish a new position for Vietnamese tourism on the international stage. With a Brand…

The military has recorded a 213 per cent increase in the number of terrorists and associates who have surrendered to troops in the North East in the last one week. This came against the backdrop of sustained operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) which have degraded terrorist capabilities and disrupted their logistics and supply networks across the theatre. The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, who disclosed this in a statement released on X yesterday, said the operations included coordinated ground actions, engagements against identified terrorist positions and efforts to disrupt terrorist…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has deployed Ishyaku Mohammed, a deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), to coordinate security operations for the 15 August Osun governorship election. This was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anitie Iniedu. Mr Disu said the deployment was part of operational measures of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process in Osun State. “The DIG will coordinate the police component of the election-security arrangement and work closely with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security…