Author: Prima News

No fewer than 30 permanent shops and 55 temporary stalls were destroyed when a fire gutted parts of Kasuwar Yan Katako, Rijiyar Lemo, in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State on Wednesday morning. The Kano State Fire Service said the incident occurred at about 4:28 a.m., following a distress call from Kabiru Nafi’u reporting a fire outbreak at the timber market. In a statement, the Public Relations Officer of the service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, said, “On arrival, our men found a timber market measuring about 500 by 500 feet engulfed in flames. About 30 permanent shops and 55…

By Henry Umoru ABUJA — Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) has urged members of the Senate and House of Representatives Conference Committee on the Electoral Act amendment bill to adopt the House of Representatives’ version of the proposed law, particularly on electronic transmission of election results. Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the former Bayelsa State governor said the House version reflected the consensus reached after nearly two years of consultations involving lawmakers, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), technical experts and other stakeholders. He cautioned that introducing what he described as weak provisos could undermine electoral integrity and further…

By Adedapo Adesanya The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has warned that operations of agencies under his ministry were being severely constrained by excessive deductions at source by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. He disclosed on Tuesday while presenting a N10.5 billion budget proposal for the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for the 2026 fiscal year. He lamented that the allocation was grossly insufficient to effectively execute the ministry’s wide-ranging mandate, critical to Nigeria’s trade, transport efficiency and food security. Mr Oyetola while defending the ministry’s budget before a joint sitting…

The New Nigeria Peoples Party on Wednesday expressed shock over a proposed bill before the United States Congress which named its National Leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, among individuals recommended for targeted sanctions over alleged religious freedom violations in Nigeria. The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (HR 7457), was introduced by Riley Moore (R-West Virginia) and co-sponsored by Chris Smith (R-New Jersey). The bill recommends visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against individuals and entities accused of involvement in religious freedom abuses. Those listed include Kwankwaso,…

Top European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas said Tuesday that she is drafting a list of concessions that she believes Russia must make to secure any long-term peace in Ukraine as U.S.-run talks to end four years of war show little sign of progress. Russian forces used cluster munitions in an attack on a market in Ukraine killing seven as envoys from Moscow and Kyiv met in Abu Dhabi last week for another round of U.S.-brokered talks. No breakthrough was made, although a new prisoner swap was agreed. After saying in 2024 that he could end the war in a day, then 100 days, U.S. President Donald…

Women in Chemistry has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission, the North East Development Commission, and other relevant agencies to prioritise education by equipping schools with functional science laboratories. Expressing concern over the poor state of science laboratories in many Nigerian schools, the group warned that “poor learning conditions are discouraging young girls from thriving in the sciences, particularly Chemistry.” In urging agencies to rise to the occasion, WIC lamented that “science is often studied in environments that are not conducive to effective learning, discouraging many students from excelling in chemistry and other science-related subjects.” The remarks were made…

High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk deplored the sentence imposed on Mr. Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, following his conviction on charges brought under security-related laws in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.On 15 December 2025, the High Court found Mr. Lai guilty of conspiracy to publish seditious material under the Crimes Ordinance, as well as two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under the National Security Law (NSL).  Mr. Lai has denied all charges. The court’s decisions are subject to appeal. Criminalising fundamental freedomsMr. Türk’s office, OHCHR, said…

One of America’s multi-talented music icons, Quincy Jones, is dead. Known for producing such musical legends, including Michael Jackson, news of his death was made public by his publicist, Arnold Robbinson, late Sunday. Quincy is also renowned for writing award-winning films and television series alongside collaborating with other entertainment legends, including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and many others. He was said to have died at his home within the Bel Air area of Los Angeles, surrounded by family members. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,. “And although…

Barcelona will be without both of their left wingers, Marcus Rashford and Raphinha, for the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg clash at Atletico Madrid on Thursday. Raphinha is still sidelined with a thigh strain, while Rashford did not train on Wednesday. The England international is suffering from a knee problem after receiving a knock in Barca’s 3-0 win over Real Mallorca on Saturday in La Liga. “Marcus is not able to play, he got a hit, and it’s painful, and we have to take care about this,” Flick told reporters on Wednesday. “I think this is not good news,…

The Sokoto Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of two fraudsters, Abdulrahman Abdullahi, also known as A.A. Sabo, and Bashir Muhammad, for offences bordering on obtaining by false pretence and cheating. The duo were arraigned on separate one-count charges before the Sokoto State High Court. Abdulrahman Abdullahi was prosecuted before Justice Abubakar Adamu, while Bashir Muhammad appeared before Justice Muhammad Bargaja.The prosecutions were handled by EFCC counsel Aliyu Bokani Usman and Yusuf Kolapo Saidu. According to the commission, the convicts were initially arrested and transferred to the EFCC by the Department of…