Author: Prima News

In the traditional halls of Nigerian finance, capital was once defined solely by the strength of a balance sheet and the depth of physical vaults. However, as the industry transitions into a tech-enabled era, marked by a staggering 11.2 billion electronic transactions processed by NIBSS in 2024 alone, the definition of capital has undergone a fundamental shift. In 2026, ‘Character’ seems to have emerged as the most vital form of liquidity. In a market where digital fraud and systemic volatility can erode trust overnight, a bank’s commitment to regulatory compliance is no longer a ‘back-office’ function; it is the primary…

Asian equities declined on Friday and remained on track for a second consecutive weekly loss as the ongoing conflict involving Iran continued to push oil prices higher and unsettle global financial markets. Investor optimism over a possible resolution to the conflict has weakened in recent days, leaving markets increasingly concerned about the potential economic consequences of sustained geopolitical tensions. The continued rise in crude oil prices has intensified fears of higher inflation and tighter financial conditions across major economies. Oil prices remained close to the $100 per barrel mark during Friday’s session as Brent crude traded around $100.30 per barrel…

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended the indefinite strike it declared on Tuesday. The decision to suspend the strike followed the intervention of the union’s national leadership, according to a notice issued by the chapter chairperson, Idou Keinde, a professor. The university management had also said it is opening a dialogue with the union to address the concerns raised. The union confirmed that it is in dialogue with the university. “Members are enjoined to respectfully defer to our union’s national leadership and continue with their normal activities while this matter…

By Kingsley Omonobi Special Boat operatives of the Nigerian Navy under Operation Delta Sentinel have destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site within the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny Area of Operations in Rivers State. Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, while making this known on Friday, said operatives discovered 4 dug-out pits containing a cumulative 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil. He said, “Following the directive from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Nigerian Navy has intensified its efforts under Operation Delta Sentinel. ‘As part of ongoing efforts to…

Cameron Norrie believes his playing style can sometimes make life difficult for Carlos Alcaraz as the two prepare to meet at the Indian Wells Open. Norrie has been in strong form at the tournament, reaching the quarter-finals without dropping a set. Despite facing the world number one, he appears relaxed about the challenge ahead. Speaking to Tennis Channel, the Brit joked about suggestions that he could be the favourite. “I feel like you’re making me feel like the favourite,” Norrie laughed. “He’s completely destroyed me maybe four times in bigger tournaments!” Still, Norrie explained why he believes his style can…

 A suspect crashed his truck into the hallway of a Detroit-area synagogue where children were attending preschool on ​Thursday and was shot dead in a confrontation with security personnel, with no one else seriously injured, authorities said. The attack unfolded during a recent surge in U.S. antisemitic ‌incidents and in a period of heightened security concerns around Jewish and Muslim places of worship since U.S. and Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28, sparking an intensifying war across the Middle East. Separately, the FBI opened a terrorism investigation into an earlier Thursday shooting at Old Dominion University in…

A three-year-old party won Nepal’s general elections by a landslide, authorities said, positioning its candidate Balendra Shah to become the next prime minister, with a ​mandate for the rapper-turned-politician to restore political stability. The March 5 election was the ‌Himalayan nation’s first vote since demonstrations against corruption last September led by Gen Z protesters that killed 77 people and toppled the government. “If everything goes well, we can expect that it can give a stable ​government for five years,” said constitutional expert Purna Man Shakya, referring to splits over ​dividing up the spoils of office that doomed prior majority governments.…

A major U.S. arms package for Taiwan that includes advanced interceptor missiles is ready for ​President Donald Trump’s approval and could be signed after his trip to China this month, sources briefed on the discussions said. With a price tag of about $14 billion, ‌the arms deal would be the largest ever for the democratically governed island, which faces steadily rising military pressure from China. Sources familiar with the administration’s thinking told Reuters the deal was under wraps ahead of Trump’s planned trip to Beijing from March 31 to April 2 to meet President Xi Jinping, but could be announced after his return.…

Taiwan’s parliament authorised the government on Friday to sign U.S. agreements for four arms sales ‌packages worth some $9 billion, after officials warned that Taipei would go to the back of the queue if it missed the deadline, sending the wrong message to Washington. The back and forth on Taiwan’s defence spending has provoked concern in the United States, as it is the most important international backer ​and arms supplier of the Chinese-claimed island, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties. “This body upholds the principle ​of placing national security first and firmly defending territorial integrity,” parliament speaker Han Kuo-yu said, reading…

Kazakhstan holds a referendum on Sunday on a new constitution that some ‌critics say could allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to remain in charge of Central Asia’s largest economy beyond his current term limit of 2029. Tokayev, a former diplomat who has maintained good relations with Russia, the U.S. and China, has called the referendum “a ​truly historic moment” that moves Kazakhstan, an energy and minerals giant, away from a “super-presidential” system towards ​a greater separation of powers. But some analysts say the draft retains an excessively powerful ⁠presidency. “[It] significantly increases the powers of the head of state and does…