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Author: Promise Odejide

  • Naira Opens Week at ₦1,347/$ as Dollar Demand Keeps Pressure on FX Market

    The Nigerian Naira began trading on Monday, April 20, 2026, at about ₦1,347.33 per US Dollar at the official window, showing slight depreciation as demand for foreign exchange remained steady across markets.

    Market movement

    At the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira averaged ₦1,347.33/$ in early trading, reflecting a mild drop compared to last week’s close.

    Traders said demand for the Dollar, especially for imports and international payments, continued to put pressure on the local currency despite relatively stable liquidity conditions.

    Parallel market rates

    In the parallel market, the Naira traded higher than the official rate, maintaining the usual gap between both segments.

    Across major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, Bureau De Change operators quoted buying rates around ₦1,395 and selling rates near ₦1,405 per Dollar.

    The relatively stable spread suggests that retail Dollar supply remains sufficient, limiting sharp fluctuations.

    What is driving the trend

    Analysts linked the Naira’s performance to persistent foreign exchange demand and ongoing adjustments within Nigeria’s FX framework.

    They also noted that stable crude oil prices have helped support external reserves, providing some cushion against major volatility.

    However, underlying demand for foreign currency continues to shape short-term movements in the market.

    Outlook

    For businesses and investors, the current trend points to gradual adjustments rather than extreme swings.

    Market watchers say close monitoring of FX movements remains key, as even small shifts could impact pricing, trade, and investment decisions.

     

  • UK-Based Nigerian Father Dies in Sleep Same Day He Buried His Own Father

    A United Kingdom-based Nigerian man, identified simply as Herbert, has been found dead in his apartment in Thornaby, days after losing his father in Nigeria, in a tragic incident that has left his family and community in shock.

    What we know

    Herbert, a father of three, reportedly died in his sleep last week, leaving behind his wife and young children.

    The incident came just days after he lost his father in Nigeria, a development that had already placed emotional and financial strain on him.

    Details of the incident

    According to a post shared on X by a user known as “The Stress Manager,” Herbert had committed significant financial resources to ensure his father received a proper burial, despite being unable to travel.

    The post revealed that he passed away on the same day his father was laid to rest.

    “Herbert, a calm and devoted Nigerian husband and father of three young children… passed away suddenly in his sleep in Thornaby,” the post read.

    Heartbreaking discovery

    The situation took a more distressing turn after it was revealed that Herbert’s children were the ones who discovered his lifeless body at home while their mother was away.

    “No child should ever experience that,” the post added.

    Family seeks support

    Following the incident, Herbert’s family has appealed for financial assistance to cover funeral expenses and the cost of repatriating his remains to Nigeria.

    A former president of Nigerians in the UK, Benjamin Kuti, also confirmed the development and urged members of the Nigerian community to support the bereaved family.

    A fundraising campaign has since been launched, with £2,633 raised out of a £7,000 target as of the time of filing this report.

  • “Pay Tithe or Stay Broke” — Ibiyeomie Doubles Down on Prosperity Teaching

    Popular cleric, David Ibiyeomie, has stirred fresh debate after insisting that tithing remains a core requirement for anyone seeking financial prosperity.

    His position on tithing

    Speaking during a recent sermon, the founder emphasised that covenant wealth is rooted in spiritual principles, with tithe forming the foundation.

    According to him, anyone who ignores tithing cannot claim to be operating within divine principles of wealth.

    “You can’t say you are walking in covenant if the foundation is not in place. The foundation for the covenant is tithe,” he said.

    He compared neglecting tithe to building a house without a solid base.

    Biblical backing

    Referencing Malachi 3:10, the cleric urged believers to remain consistent in their giving, stressing that obedience brings stability.

    “You have to pay correct tithe if you don’t want your life to be tight,” he added.

    Reveals personal giving

    Ibiyeomie also disclosed details of his personal financial commitments, describing them as “quality offerings.”

    “The minimum offerings I give on Sundays is $12,000 and the minimum I give on weekdays is $2,000. If you don’t give me offering I’ll still be stinkingly rich,” he said.

    He argued that generosity is directly tied to prosperity, while stinginess leads to poverty.

    “Stinginess is the gateway to poverty and giving is the gateway to prosperity. Every poor man is stingy,” he stated.

    Mixed reactions trail comments

    His remarks have since triggered mixed reactions online. While some supporters agree with his teachings on giving, critics have questioned the strong link between financial contributions and wealth.

  • Davido Says He Won’t Let His Kids Do Music, Reveals Why

    Afrobeats star, Davido, has said he does not want any of his children to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, citing his personal experiences and desire for a more stable future for them.

    Why he made the decision

    The singer made the revelation during a viral interview on The Breakfast Club, where he spoke about family, legacy, and the kind of life he wants for his children.

    According to him, he would rather have his kids work within his father’s business empire than face the pressures of the entertainment world.

    “I would prefer my kids to work with my dad instead of doing entertainment,” he said.

    Family influence

    Davido pointed to moments spent with his father, Adedeji Adeleke, especially during family gatherings, as a key influence behind his thinking.

    He said seeing his father’s happiness around his grandchildren made him reflect on what truly matters in life.

    “Every Christmas, my dad takes all the grandkids with him… his happiness is seeing his grandchildren. That’s when I realised what life is about,” he added.

    Lessons from his own journey

    The singer also recalled how his father initially opposed his decision to go into music, a resistance he said affected him at the time.

    “My dad not wanting me in entertainment really killed my joy until he saw that I was serious,” he said.

    Despite eventually succeeding, Davido noted that the journey was not easy, which is why he hopes to guide his children toward more stable career paths.

    Looking ahead

    While he followed his passion against the odds, Davido said he does not want to put his children through similar struggles, choosing instead to steer them toward opportunities within the family business.

  • Peller Apologises After “Civil Servants” Comment Triggers Backlash

    Popular content creator, Peller, has apologised following widespread criticism over his recent remarks about civil servants.

    Backlash over viral comment

    The controversy started after a video surfaced where he suggested that luxury destinations like the Maldives are not for civil servants, adding that he reportedly spent about ₦30 million on the trip.

    The comment quickly sparked reactions online, with many Nigerians calling him out over the statement.

    His explanation

    Reacting to the backlash, Peller admitted he did not fully understand the term “civil servants” when he made the comment.

    “I didn’t know the meaning of civil servants. It’s now they told me about civil servants. Please, you guys should forgive me,” he said.

    He explained that he picked up the phrase from a car dealer in Abuja who often used it, which influenced his own usage.

    Fear over NYSC plans

    The influencer also expressed concern about how the controversy could affect his future, particularly his plans to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    “I just realised civil servants are corpers, NYSC people, and I want to serve. Please, I’m sorry. It shouldn’t be that you people will reject me when I’m about to go for NYSC because of my comment,” he added.

    Mixed reactions trail apology

    His apology has continued to generate mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians expressing sympathy while others criticised his lack of understanding.

    One user wrote, “He no even understand wetin him talk before,” while another added, “Civil servants no be only corpers.”

  • Shekarau Dumps PDP After Consultations, Moves Toward APC

    Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending his latest stint with the opposition party.

    Resignation confirmed

    Shekarau announced his exit on Sunday at his residence along Mundubawa Avenue in Kano, following days of consultations with his political allies, including members of his Shura group.

    In a resignation letter dated April 19 and addressed to the PDP Chairman of Giginyu Ward in Nassarawa Local Government Area, he stated that his decision takes immediate effect.

    “Accept this letter please as notice of my resignation from my position as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with effect from today,” he wrote.

    Reason for exit

    The former governor said his decision came after extensive deliberations with his political group on the need to pursue their ambitions on a different platform.

    “This decision follows wide and extensive deliberations within my political group to pursue our political career in a different political party,” Shekarau added.

    Fresh political direction

    Copies of the letter were also sent to the Kano State PDP Chairman and the PDP Chairman in Nassarawa Local Government Area, signalling formal communication across party structures.

    Although he did not officially name his next destination, APC posters were reportedly seen around his residence, suggesting a likely move to the ruling party.

    Background moves

    Shekarau, who governed Kano State between 2003 and 2011 under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), had previously defected to the PDP in 2014 after the ANPP merged with other parties to form the APC.

    His latest move comes days after reports that the APC leadership reached out to him as part of ongoing political realignments.

  • “Don’t Kill to Rule” — Pastor Paul Enenche Sends Warning to Leaders Ahead of 2027 Elections

    The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, has issued a strong warning to political leaders, urging them to seek power only through the will of the people as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections.

    His message

    Speaking during a sermon, Enenche stressed that leadership must be rooted in public acceptance, not force, manipulation, or financial inducement.

    He criticised politicians who push themselves into power despite being rejected by the people, describing such actions as shameful.

    “People say they don’t want you, yet you spend money to impose yourself on them. Is that not a shame? Somebody should lead because you are wanted,” he said.

    Warning against election malpractice

    The cleric cautioned against electoral malpractice, including vote-buying and rigging, insisting that leaders must not resort to violence to gain power.

    “They don’t want you. Clear out. Don’t contest at all. Don’t rig to lead. Don’t kill to come into power. Let them need you,” he added.

    Call to speak out

    Enenche also urged Nigerians and religious leaders not to remain silent in the face of injustice, warning that silence could be interpreted as support for wrongdoing.

    He encouraged citizens to speak boldly against poor leadership and hold those in power accountable.

    Growing political conversations

    His remarks come amid increasing conversations around leadership accountability and electoral integrity as political activities begin to build ahead of the 2027 general elections.

  • Bayern Munich Clinch 35th Bundesliga Title with 4-2 Win Over Stuttgart

    Bayern Munich have been crowned 2025/26 Bundesliga champions after a 4-2 victory over Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, sealing a record-extending 35th league title with four games to spare.

    How it was sealed

    Bayern only needed a point heading into the fixture but went a step further with a commanding performance in front of their home fans.

    The result, combined with Borussia Dortmund’s earlier defeat, confirmed Vincent Kompany’s side as champions, extending their dominance in German football.

    Match highlights

    The hosts took control early and maintained their attacking intensity throughout the game, scoring four goals in a display that reflected their season-long form.

    Stuttgart managed to find the net twice but were unable to match Bayern’s firepower across the 90 minutes.

    Season dominance

    Bayern’s title run has been defined by consistency and attacking strength. After 30 matches, they have recorded 25 wins, four draws, and just one defeat.

    Their goal tally stands at 109 scored and 29 conceded, underlining a clear gap between them and the rest of the league.

    Key performers

    Harry Kane has played a central role in the campaign, finishing as one of the league’s top scorers, while players like Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise have contributed to Bayern’s attacking depth.

    Under Kompany, the team has combined high pressing with clinical finishing to maintain control across the season.

    What it means

    This latest title marks Bayern’s second consecutive league win and their 13th in the last 14 seasons.

    With the Bundesliga secured early, attention now shifts to other competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal.

     

  • Haaland Punishes Arsenal as Title Hopes Take Another Hit

    Manchester City secured a crucial 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Erling Haaland’s second-half strike proving decisive in a result that tightens the Premier League title race.

    How it unfolded

    City opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Rayan Cherki after a well-worked move, but Arsenal responded almost immediately as Kai Havertz equalised just two minutes later.

    Both sides created chances in an open first half, with Arsenal showing resilience despite missing key attacker Bukayo Saka.

    Decisive moment

    The game was settled in the 65th minute when Haaland finished calmly from inside the box to restore City’s lead.

    The goal ultimately separated both teams in a tightly contested encounter.

    Late push from Arsenal

    Arsenal pressed for another equaliser in the closing stages, introducing fresh legs including Gabriel Martinelli, but were unable to break down City’s defence.

    Despite creating opportunities, they lacked the cutting edge needed to get back into the game.

    What it means

    The result reduces the gap at the top of the table and gives Manchester City renewed momentum in the title race.

    For Arsenal, the defeat represents a setback in their push to maintain their lead, with crucial fixtures still ahead.

     

  • Eight Rescued Benue Kidnap Victims Identified as UTME Candidates After Initial Denial

    Eight of the passengers rescued from the Benue Links bus abduction have been confirmed as candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), days after earlier claims suggested otherwise.

    Fresh details on rescued victims

    The victims were among those kidnapped on April 15, 2026, while travelling to Otukpo to sit for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

    They regained freedom early Sunday after spending about three days in captivity, with at least three of them identified as female candidates.

    Arrival in Makurdi

    Following their rescue, the victims were taken to the Benue State Government House in Makurdi by the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari.

    They were accompanied by their parents and guardians ahead of an official reception by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

    Sources said the victims appeared visibly exhausted as documentation processes commenced.

    How the abduction happened

    The incident occurred when gunmen intercepted a state-owned Benue Links bus on Wednesday night, abducting several passengers.

    Many of those taken were reportedly young travellers heading to Otukpo for the UTME.

    Contradiction with earlier claims

    The confirmation that some victims are examination candidates comes after earlier statements by authorities denying that any JAMB candidates were among those abducted.

    The development has raised fresh questions as investigations into the incident continue.