The Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, said the crescent of Shawwal has been sighted.

It also added that Eid al-Fitr will now be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025 to mark the beginning of the new Islamic month.

This disclosure was made on Haramin’s official Facebook page, an official platform for the Muslim community across the world.

“The crescent moon for the month of Shawwal 1446 was sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025.”

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has criticised Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf over the arrest of two journalists, Buhari Abba, an online editor with Kano Times, and Ismail Auwal, a freelance journalist.

A statement on Friday by NUJ’s national secretary, Achike Chude, disclosed that the police detained the journalists over a report critical to the state’s Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Waiya.

“We were distressed to learn of the arrests of two journalists by the police in Kano State ostensibly on the order of the commissioner of Information Ibrahim Waiya.

“The police arrested Buhari Abba, an online publisher, and Ismail Auwal, a freelance journalist, over a report deemed critical to the Commissioner,” it said.

The union noted that the journalists arrested did not commit any offence that could have led to their arrest. It said their arrest was an attack on press freedom, as they only expressed their opinion.

“We can assure your Excellency that the two journalists in question did not contravene any law that they could be charged with except that they expressed an opinion that someone did not agree with,” the NUJ said.

The union said that before Mr Yusuf assumed office as the governor, the media and the state government had been quite cordial and mutually respectful.

The NUJ demanded the immediate release of the two journalists and called on the governor to end the intimidation of pressmen in the state.

It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding professional ethics, holding the government and its officials accountable, and urged the governor to do the same at all levels.

“We will continue to do that with respect and maturity and, most importantly, give all sides a fair hearing and, if possible, constructively engage with the state government in its mission of making the state better for all.

“May your Excellency continue to give us his hand in fellowship even as we ask your Excellency to prevail on your officials to show expected respect for journalists,” the union stated.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his 73rd birthday, describing him as a rare gift to humanity.

In a congratulatory message issued on Friday by his special adviser on media and publicity, Gboyega Akosile, Mr Sanwo-Olu, praised Mr Tinubu as an enigmatic, tested, and trusted democrat.

“On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke, my family, the government and people of Lagos State, and the entire leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, I congratulate our leader and benefactor, President Bola Tinubu, on his 73rd birthday,” Mr Sanwo-Olu said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu lauded Mr Tinubu’s lifelong dedication to public service, emphasising his contributions to Lagos State, Nigeria, and democracy as a whole.

“President Tinubu has dedicated the greater part of his adult life to serving humanity, particularly Lagos State and Nigeria. He is passionate about the growth and development of our country. As a democrat and advocate of good governance, he has consistently worked with other pro-democracy groups and individuals to drive positive change and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.”

He acknowledged Mr Tinubu’s pivotal role in shaping modern Lagos, crediting him for laying the foundation that had transformed the state into an economic powerhouse.

“He is undoubtedly the father of modern Lagos. His tenure as the first governor in the Fourth Republic transformed Lagos significantly.

“His financial expertise and economic intellect, which he applied as governor from 1999 to 2007, propelled Lagos to great heights. Today, Lagos stands as Africa’s second-largest economy with a GDP of $259 billion,” he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu commended Mr Tinubu’s leadership at the national level, highlighting his bold economic decisions and commitment to good governance.

“In less than two years as President, he has delivered dividends of democracy and good governance across Nigeria through his Renewed Hope Agenda. His visionary leadership has ensured progress in all regions of the country.”

He further praised Mr Tinubu’s charisma, courage, and patriotism, noting his dedication to nation-building.

He said, “Since assuming office, he has demonstrated unparalleled patriotism, integrity, honesty, and courage in steering the country in the right direction.

“He has made bold and audacious decisions, implementing policies aimed at addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.”

As Mr Tinubu marks his 73rd birthday, Mr Sanwo-Olu prayed for his continued strength, wisdom, and good health.

“As our leader turns 73, we pray that God grants him the strength, wisdom, and good health to continue serving and leading Nigeria toward political and economic prosperity,” Mr Sanwo-Olu prayed.

At least 144 people have been killed, and more than 730 were injured in the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, according to the head of the country’s military government.

A strong aftershock of 6.4 magnitude also hit Myanmar, with tremors felt across Thailand and in China.

According to military government officials, the quake triggered the collapse of buildings hundreds of miles away in Thailand.

At least three people have died in the nation’s capital, and authorities are racing to free 81 people believed to be trapped under the rubble of an under-construction high-rise in the city, officials said.

Myanmar, one of Asia’s poorest nations, is reeling from a civil war sparked by a 2021 military coup. Weak infrastructure makes it ill-equipped to deal with major natural disasters.

Swathes of the country are run by a patchwork of militias, making it extremely difficult to gather reliable information. The military also regularly cuts communications in conflict zones.

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and soldiers clashed on Thursday afternoon resulting to gun battle at the popular Banex Plaza, Abuja.

The clash occurred just hours after the United States Embassy in Nigeria issued a security alert, warning its citizens about planned IMN protests in Abuja and other major cities on Friday.

In the advisory, the US Embassy cautioned that demonstrations could lead to disruptions such as roadblocks, traffic congestion, and possible confrontations.

“The Islamic Movement of Nigeria has called for demonstrations in Abuja and other major cities on Friday, March 28, 2025. Heavy traffic and other disruptions are possible. Based on past occurrences, protests may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations,” the embassy stated.

The security warning listed potential protest locations, including Banex Plaza, Berger Junction, Unity Fountain, the National Human Rights Commission Head Office, Eagle Square, Area 10 Shopping Plaza, the National Mosque, Al-Noor Mosque, and Fouad Lababidi Mosque.

Details of the incident is sketchy as at when filing this report.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Public Relations Officer, SO Josephine Adeh were futile as call and messages put across were not responded to.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has expressed his condolences to the family of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, over the death of their first child, Mrs Bisola Kola-Daisi.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Friday by Mr Gboyega Akosile, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, particularly commiserated with Mrs Florence Ajimobi, describing the incident it as tragic and shocking.

Sanwo-Olu also sympathised with the husband of the deceased, Mr Idris Kola-Daisi, and his family, urging the entire family, friends and associates of the deceased to take her death as an act of God.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Kola-Daisi, was, until her death, a Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu.

“The death of a loved one is very painful, as it is irreparable, but we must always take solace in God, especially if the deceased has lived a good life, just like the late Mrs Bisola Kola-Daisi.

”I sympathise with former Oyo State First Lady, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, the widower of the deceased, Mr Idris Kola-Daisi and the entire Ajimobi and Kola-Daisi families over Mrs Bisola Kola-Daisi’s departure.

”I pray that God will grant the late Mrs Bisola Kola-Daisi eternal rest and grant the family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and avert such tragedy in the family,” he said.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 2,250 personnel to ensure the safety of lives and property during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

The NSCDC commandant in Lagos, Adedotun Keshinro, gave the figure in an interview on Friday.

Mr Keshinro said the deployment of personnel followed the federal government’s declaration of Monday and Tuesday public holidays to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.

He said the deployed officers and men were drawn from various departments, units, divisions and area commands of the NSCDC across Lagos.

“This is to ensure that lives and property are safe and secure as well as to protect critical national assets and infrastructure before, during and after the celebration,” he said.

He listed the assets and infrastructure, including manholes, telecommunication cables, fibres and masts, CCTV cameras, electricity transformers, oil and gas pipelines and water pipes.

Mr Keshinro felicitated Muslims and urged peace, love, and unity among Lagos residents, which was in line with the teachings of the Quran.

The commandant warned vandals and other criminals to repent or face the wrath of the law.

Novak Djokovic turned on the style to take his place in the last four of the Miami Open with an impressive 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) win over American Sebastian Korda, becoming the oldest man to reach a Masters 1000 semi-final.

The 37-year-old Serb made a strong start against Korda, breaking early to get a first set advantage that he never let slip but Korda showed great resilience in the second set, taking the contest to a tie-break.

But the fourth seed, looking for his seventh Miami Open title but first since 2016, again came up strong, sealing the win with a powerful ace.

Djokovic, who will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Friday, had no doubt what had been the key to his success after winning 84% of his first-serve points.

“One word, serve. I was serving very well, probably the best serving performance, not just here, but in a long time,” he told reporters.

“Eleven aces, when I needed to find the first serve. It makes life easier on the court when you are feeling your serve. I needed it in the second set when I think Korda was feeling his ground strokes much better.”

A victory at Miami would be a landmark 100th singles title for the 24-time Grand Slam champion and he said he’s glad to be refinding a top level.

“I am obviously playing the best tennis I have played in quite some time. It’s great when I experience tournaments like this and performances like this. It motivates me and encourages me to keep going for more,” he said.

Czech teenager Jakub Mensik marched into his first Masters semi when he defeated France’s Arthur Fils 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.

Fils had enjoyed one of the biggest wins of his career on Wednesday when he defeated top seed Alexander Zverev but he struggled to repeat the feat against the impressive 19-year-old Mensik.

The towering Czech’s big serve was too much for Fils, who had come through three-set battles with Frances Tiafoe and Zverev and showed signs of tiredness.

“It feels incredible. I think the biggest result so far in my career, so I’m glad I just kept going since the first round,” said Mensik.

“That’s the key, to keep the focus during the two weeks, because it’s always tough. The job is not done.”

Mensik broke out to an early 4-1 lead but then let Fils back into the contest with the 20-year-old Frenchman forcing a tie-break.

But having survived that comeback from Fils, Mensik was rock solid in the second set as he powered his way to victory in 75 minutes.

Mensik, ranked 54th in the world, will next face American third seed Taylor Fritz, who came through an enthralling battle with Italian Matteo Berrettini with a 7-5, 6-7 (7/9), 7-5.

Berrettini looked buried in the second set tie-break when he trailed 6-3 but his booming serve and some incredible returns gave him the opportunity of a deciding set. In total, Berrettini saved six match points in the second set.

It was nip and tuck with the pair on serve until Fritz, working hard on the baseline, broke to go 6-5 up and then held on for the win.

“Obviously gave myself a lot of chances throughout the match. I wish I could have made it happen in the second set,” said Fritz.

“I think I made it extremely tough for myself. He raised his level and played really well in the third, so I had to work, you know, extra hard to win the third set and raise my level, as well.

“After not closing it out, not winning those match points, I think I showed one of my biggest strengths in resetting and being able to win the third.”

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in conjunction with the Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has donated food items to fire victims in six communities.

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The communities are in Arochukwu, Bende, Ohafia, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South local government areas (LGAs).

The communities suffered severe fire outbreaks that destroyed private and public property worth millions of naira and injured many people between the last quarter of 2024 and January.

In a speech at the formal handover of the items to representatives of the communities in Umuahia on Thursday, the executive secretary of SEMA, Sunday Jackson, said the gesture was intended “to cushion the effect of the fire on the victims.”

He described the magnitude of the fire outbreaks as “overwhelming and far above the capacity of the communities to cope with.”

The SEMA boss said that after assessing the extent of the damage in the affected communities, he wrote to NEMA, and it responded.

The head of operations, NEMA, Owerri Office, Nnamdi Igwe, conveyed the condolences of the agency to the communities and individuals affected by the fire outbreaks.

Mr Igwe admonished the representatives of the affected communities to ensure that the items got down to the actual victims of the incidents.

“No matter how small the items may be, the intention is for the people to have a feeling that the federal government cared and responded to their needs at the trying moments of their lives,” Mr Igwe said.

In a vote of thanks, one of the representatives of the benefiting communities, Ken Nwachukwu, thanked SEMA and NEMA “for doing the needful to cushion the effect of the incidents on the victims.”

The Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday sentenced two men to death by hanging for armed robbery.

The defendants, Olusegun Folorunso, 53, and Ajayi Dele, 51, were arraigned before Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi on a three-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Kunle-Shina Adeyemi, told the court that the defendants committed the crime on August 24, 2022, along Erio-Ekiti.

He said the defendants, armed with guns and cutlasses, robbed one Ajogbeje Ayodeji of his ash-coloured Hyundai Sonata, phone, and laptop.

He told the court, “On the same day, they also robbed Oluwasegun Oke of his phone.”

He said the charge contravened Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Testifying before the court, Mr Ayodeji said, “Around 4:00 a.m., my two brothers and I were travelling from Erio-Ekiti to Ido-Ekiti when we saw a barricade on the road.

“As we tried to figure out what was happening, the defendants, armed with guns and cutlasses, appeared and pointed their guns at us, ordering us to lie face down.

“They took my car key, laptop, and our phones before driving away in my car. I reported the case at the Aramoko Police Station and later at the Rapid Response Squad in Ado-Ekiti. A few days later, I received a call that the armed robbers had been arrested in Ibadan.”

To prove the case, the prosecution called five witnesses and presented several exhibits, including the defendants’ statements,

The other exhibits were one locally made single-barrel gun, one locally made double-barrel gun, and six live cartridges.

The defence counsels, Adeyinka Opaleke and Ezekiel Agunbiade, did not call any witnesses but pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Delivering judgement, Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi found them guilty of the charge.

Mr Ogunyemi ruled, “In this case, I uphold the prosecution’s argument that there is sufficient evidence to infer a common intention between the defendants, warranting their conviction for conspiracy to commit armed robbery. On count one (conspiracy), the defendants are each sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. On count two (armed robbery), the defendants are to be hanged by the neck until they are dead. May God have mercy on your souls.’’

The Federal government has expressed anger over the shooting of an Immigration officer by a Chinese businessman in Minna, Niger state, describing the incident as unacceptable.

The government said it was a slap on the face of Nigeria for such an incident to happen when the Immigration officer was going about his routine duty to demand work permit for staff members of the Chinese company.

“We are going to take this matter up with the Chinese government. An Immigration officer on routine duty visited a Chinese Company, and asked routine questions on work permit only for the Chinese businessman involved to ask his security detail to shoot the Immigration officer, and the security detail did so.

“This is unacceptable. We are going to go tough on that businessman and the Chinese authorities,” the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo stated this in Abuja on Thursday.

The Minister spoke at a stakeholders sensitisation workshop on the implementation of the Nigeria Visa policy (NVP) 2025, at the Continental Hotel, Abuja.

According to Tunji-Ojo, the development alone is an attack on Nigeria, asserting “it will never happen in China for a Nigerian businessman to order the shooting of a Chinese Immigration officer. This will not be tolerated here in Nigeria.”

The Minister said the Immigration officer, who was on official duty, had visited the Chinese company in Minna, Niger state, to check the list of the company’s expatriates, but the owner of the company ordered a security officer in the premises to shoot the government official.

Tunji-Ojo said: “I won’t go to China as a Nigerian, open a company and tell my security to shoot a government official in uniform. It’s never done anywhere in the world.

“These officers put their lives on the line. These officers serve this country with their all. And you will not come from anywhere and ask them to shoot them in their fatherland.

“It will no longer happen. We will take it up with you. Because that company, we (Nigerian government) have the power to withdraw their business in Nigeria and declare them illegal,” Tunji-Ojo said.

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has disassociated himself from a series of AI-generated videos making waves on social media.

The videos, which promote drugs and scholarships, have caused confusion and misled many by falsely claiming to be endorsed by the renowned pastor.

In a statement the cleric on his X page, Adeboye emphasised that the videos are not linked to him in any way.

The statement reads: “I have been made aware of disturbing AI-generated videos circulating online, falsely advertising certain drugs and scholarships that are intended to deceive and mislead people.

“These videos are NOT from me, and I want to make it clear that I have no involvement in such promotions.I urge all of you, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, to be vigilant and not fall for these fraudulent schemes.

“They are designed to exploit your trust for selfish gain. Please do not share or engage with these posts.I encourage you to report these fake accounts and videos immediately on all social media platforms. Together, we can ensure that such deception does not spread further.

“These Malicious acts by ‘Africa Health Centre’ and ‘Church-Funded Scholarships’ is being dealt with already by the relevant authorities as we will not allow God’s name to be used in vain for such wickedness.

“Let us continue to stay in the truth, walk in love, and remain focused on the genuine work of the Kingdom.”

The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar celebration due to security concerns in the state.

Emir Bayero made this announcement while briefing newsmen at his Nasarawa Mini palace in Kano on Wednesday night.

He said that the peaceful coexistence of the people takes precedence over the Durbar celebration.

Emir Bayero had initially planned to hold the Durbar celebration, which would have coincided with his fifth year anniversary on the throne.

He noted that respected Islamic Clerics, elders, stakeholders, and his council members advised him to cancel the celebration to maintain peace.

Emir Bayero urged the people of Kano to use the Sallah celebration period to visit families and friends, and to observe the festivities in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

He prayed for Allah’s blessings and mercy during the month of Ramadan, hoping that the people of Kano would receive forgiveness and mercy.

The police command in Delta State said it has killed five persons suspected to be members of a kidnap syndicate in the state.

The spokesman for the command, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in Warri on Wednesday.

Mr Edafe said that the suspects were killed on Friday during a gun duel with the operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT).

He said that the incident occurred inside the Uwiamughe forest in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Edafe said that the CP-SAT was led in the operation by ASP Julius Robinson, following credible information.

“Acting on credible information, the police team trailed and arrested the leader of a kidnapping syndicate at the DSC roundabout in Warri. The arrest and interrogation of the suspect led to the arrest of two other suspects at Otovwodo Park in Ughelli,” he said.

Mr Edafe said that preliminary investigation showed that the suspects were allegedly responsible for the series of kidnappings and armed robberies in Uwiamughe, Otu-Jeremi, Warri, Ughelli, and environs.

“Acting on the strength of their confessions, the suspects led the operatives to Uwaimughe Forest, where they hide their weapons. Upon exit from the forest, some hoodlums suspected to be members of the syndicate engaged the police in a gun duel. During the gun duel, five of the hoodlums sustained gunshot injuries while others escaped,” he said.

The police spokesman said that the injured suspects were taken to the hospital and later died while receiving treatment.

Mr Edafe said that items recovered from the suspects included one AK-47 rifle, one pump action gun, and three locally made guns.

Others were two magazines, 60 rounds of Ak-47 live ammunition and 17 rounds of live cartridges.

Mr Edafe said that the three arrested suspects and the recovered weapons were in the custody of the police.

He added that effort was in top gear to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.

A bill seeking amendment to the 1999 Constitution to grant control of natural resources— oil fields, minerals and natural gas — to states, on Wednesday, passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The proposed legislation was sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and three other lawmakers, aiming to grant states greater autonomy over the exploration, management and revenue generation of natural assets.

The bill specifically seeks to transfer control and exploration of these resources from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent Legislative List in the Constitution.

This development came years after a similar bill got stalled at the second reading on the ground that decentralisation could result in disparities among states.

The current bill was referred to the committee on constitution amendment and should return to the third reading if approved.

The bill, if eventually becomes a law, might grant the states the opportunity to regulate resource extraction, issue mining and oil exploration licences and collect revenues independently.

Several other bills passed through second reading at both chambers as part of the broader moves by the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution which had been in place for almost three decades.

The death toll from the wildfires sweeping through south-eastern South Korea has risen to at least 22, with authorities fearing the numbers could continue to climb.

The official news agency Yonhap reported on Wednesday that at least 18 people had died in the south-east of the country since Tuesday afternoon.

Over the weekend, four first responders had lost their lives while battling the fires, with one person missing and two people sustaining serious injuries.

According to Yonhap, around 5,000 firefighters and more than 140 helicopters are currently in action to combat the fires, which have already destroyed some 17,000 hectares of forest.

Authorities have declared at least four counties in the region disaster zones.

The fires, which began on Friday in Sancheong County, about 250 kilometres south-east of Seoul, have caused significant destruction, with several historical sites destroyed.

Goun Temple in Uiseong, built in 681, was destroyed, Yonhap reported, adding that national treasures stored in the ancient temple had been relocated before its destruction.

The historic Hahoe village, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage site in 2010, was also threatened by the flames.

Authorities had ordered evacuations to protect residents.

According to officials, the fires were fuelled by dry winds and a prolonged drought.

Wildfires are not uncommon in South Korea during dry spells.

In recent years, both average temperatures and extreme weather events have increased in the country, significantly increasing the risk and severity of fires.

Experts view the increase in wildfires as a sign of the ongoing effects of climate change.

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four people, including a native doctor and a teenage girl, for their alleged role in the killing of two siblings.

The children were drugged and killed at the Ogbodo Pipeline area of Rukpokwu in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

One of the suspects, 27-year-old Aniekan Uko, allegedly lured the children to a location, drugged them, and then killed them. He also drained their blood.

A lawyer helping with the police investigation, Linda Ojims, said the children were coming back from church when Uko stopped them and took them to an uncompleted building.

Ojims said the suspect may have hypnotized the children, making them follow him willingly.

She explained that after luring them, he gave them a drink that made them fall asleep, then raped and murdered them.

Ojims said, “The children were coming back from church. So along the line, the suspect, I don’t know whether he hypnotised or lured them, took them to an uncompleted building. He then induced the drink he gave to them. The children slept, he raped and murdered them.”

The police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday.

Iringe-Koko said officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit acted quickly and arrested the main suspect and his accomplices on March 23, 2025. She described the case as “horrific.”

According to the police boss, Uko confessed to the crime and said he got involved in ritual killings after visiting a native doctor.

He said he had seen the native doctor perform similar rituals for others in exchange for wealth and was told to provide fresh human remains and blood for ritual purposes.

The police said the victims, Chizaram Onuche and Chidinma Onuche, both seven years old, were killed in an uncompleted building.

During the arrest, officers recovered important evidence, including a bottle containing the victims’ blood. Investigators also found a kitchen knife used for the murder, an empty can of Black Bullet, which was used to drug the victims and a spoon used to collect their blood.

The victims’ bodies have been taken to the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, assured the public that the suspects would face justice.

Adepoju urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

He said, “Investigations are ongoing to uncover further details and possible accomplices. The safety and security of all citizens remain our top priority.”

Meanwhile, Ojims praised the police for arresting the suspects and urged them to ensure justice is served.

She emphasised the importance of a proper trial and called on the authorities to prosecute the case thoroughly.

She said, “I’m also helping in the investigation of the matter. I know that the police are investigating it. All I expect from them is to do the needful because this matter is of public interest and that of justice.

“If these perpetrators were not caught, we don’t even know what would have happened next. It could have been any other person I know. So I’m looking up to the police to do a diligent job because justice for one is justice for all.”

Ojims also urged the police to prepare their findings and ensure the case is properly prosecuted in court.

She said, “The children need justice because they didn’t do anything wrong. So the police should, after the investigation, prepare their findings and file the matter to court. We are also ready to follow up. And I pray that they also help in sanitizing the society through this medium.”

Shops and goods estimated to be worth multi-million naira have been burnt during a night fire incident that occurred at the popular Iweka Road, close to Ochanja market, Onitsha, Anambra State.

Our correspondent gathered that the fire, which started at about 8.30pm on Tuesday, razed many shops, burning goods and property to ashes.

Although the cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained, it was gathered that the fire raged for several minutes before the arrival of firefighters, as some of the traders had gone home.

Confirming the fire incident on Wednesday, the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, led by the state fire chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, said it received a distress call at about 9.40pm and immediately deployed a crew of firemen and firefighting equipment to the scene.

Chiketa said, “Anambra State Fire Service at about 9.40pm on Tuesday, March 25, received a distress call about a raging fire outbreak at the popular Iweka road, close to Ochanja Market, Onitsha.

“Immediately, a crew of firemen and firefighting equipment were deployed to the scene of the fire outbreak. They fought gallantly and contained the incident, stopping the fire from further escalation.

“The incident affected four shops, and many others were saved in a two-storey building. These shops contained furniture materials such as leather, foam and others.

“The cause of the fire outbreak has not been ascertained. The crew of firemen withdrew from the incident’s scene at 03:05 h3.05am) of the next day, Wednesday 26th March.”

“The Nigerian government has been supporting MSMEs through funding and capacity-building initiatives. However, the question remains: Are Nigerian entrepreneurs ready to maximize these opportunities? Do they meet the eligibility criteria?” he asked.

Director-General (DG) of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, represented by Peter Adeshina, stated that the training aimed to educate small business owners on structuring their enterprises to access available opportunities.

“SMEs are critical to economic prosperity and growth, and our role is to support them. A business clinic is like a medical clinic—when you visit, you receive treatment, feel revitalized, and can then expand and succeed.

“Our objective here is to provide guidance on structuring businesses for growth. Currently, finance in Nigeria is costly due to high interest rates. However, there are measures SMEs can take to secure affordable loans and grants.

“For instance, formalising a business—something as simple as registering it—can determine whether one can access opportunities or not. Business owners should also open dedicated business accounts to establish a credit history, making them more trustworthy to investors,” he advised.

He expressed optimism that the training would enhance SMEs’ operations.

“At the end of this event, we expect SMEs to function more effectively. With the information provided, they will be able to restructure their businesses, abandon ineffective practices, and embrace growth.

“Accessing SMEDAN opportunities requires registration with the agency. Fortunately, SMEDAN has state offices nationwide where business owners can seek support. We anticipate that, after this exercise, more entrepreneurs will be better positioned for success,” he added.

The Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Adeshile Deji, encouraged the trainees to engage in continuous capacity-building programs from relevant agencies to enhance their skills and business operations.

Russia and the U.S. managed to quickly agree on a list of objects that are subject to a temporary moratorium on attacks on energy system during talks in Riyadh on March 25.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made this known on Wednesday.

“It is thankful to these contacts that were possible to quickly agree on a list of Russian and Ukrainian facilities that fall under the temporary moratorium on attacks on the energy system,’’ Peskov said.

The moratorium on strikes on Russian and Ukrainian energy systems must be respected, the official said.

He added that it was a good step forward and was formed thanks to dialogue between Moscow and Washington.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order regarding the moratorium is in effect and is being implemented by our armed forces,’’ Peskov said.

At the same time, Ukraine’s attempts to strike Russian energy facilities were well known, the official said, adding that Kiev has repeatedly demonstrated its inability to negotiate.