THE family of Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, an Abuja-based lawyer, is saddened to announce her brutal death at the hands of still-to-be-identified kidnappers in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory on Monday, 5th January 2026. Before her abduction, Barrister Nwamaka was on the phone with her sister Anthonia, who briefly interrupted the call to attend to a client. When she reverted, the barrister’s phone was still live, and Anthonia could hear her sister’s distress cry before the phone suddenly went dead and unreachable. Anthonia alerted her elder sister, Maureen Chigbo, and other family members, who called the lawyer’s number repeatedly to…
Author: orientalnewsng
Officers from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, in a landmark collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), delivered a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks by intercepting 30 slabs of high-grade cocaine totaling 30.1 kilograms. The contraband was meticulously concealed onboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged general cargo vessel, at the bustling Greenview Terminal within Apapa Port, Lagos Nigeria’s premier maritime gateway. The operation unfolded on Friday, January 2, 2026, marking the very first working day of the new year. Acting on credible intelligence, joint teams conducted a thorough search of the…
The Board and Management of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc STI have announced the appointment of Dr. Lucas A. Durojaiye as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Company, following the retirement of the immediate past MD/CEO, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka, in December 2025. Mr. Soyinka served the organization meritoriously for 27 years, including his last 10 years as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, during which he contributed to the growth and stability of the company. He has since formally exited the services of the underwriting firm. The appointment of Dr. Lucas A. Durojaiye has received the approval of the Board…
Yemisi Izuora Heirs Energies, has completed the acquisition of the entire 20.07 per cent equity stake (120.4 million ordinary shares) previously held by Maurel & Prom S.A. in Seplat Energy Plc (Seplat Energy) at a price of GBP3.05 pence per share, valuing the transaction at approximately US500 million. The acquisition represents a further milestone in Heirs Energies’ long-term strategy to strengthen indigenous participation in strategic assets and accelerate sustainable energy development and security for Nigeria and Africa. Commenting on the transaction, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Energies, said: “This acquisition reflects our strong belief in Africa’s ability to own, develop, and…
Yemisi Izuora Key transformation is underway in Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) following Transgrid Enerco Limited acquisition of a 60 per cent controlling interest in the company. The DisCo is expected to transit into a range of new deals that would involve infrastructure projects to achieve quality service delivery. The transaction which is valued at about N360 billion, was initially expected to close by April 2025, and was finalised on December 30, making it one of the largest privately negotiated takeovers in Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector since the 2013 privatisation. West Power & Gas Limited (WPG), the former core investor, had…
Uche Cecil Izuora Geometric Power, has experienced full gas supply after recent nationwide gas crisis that caused most Nigerians to celebrate Christmas without light. This fact was made known by the Southeast zone of the Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria (ECAN). In a statement signed by the Southeastern ECAN chairman, Engr Joe Ubani, and the secretary, Comrade Chris Okpara, the association revealed that the 188MW Geometric Power Plant in the Osisioma Industrial Layout of Aba resumed full operations on Monday following normal natural gas supply from its partner, Heirs Energies Ltd. “We have it on good authority that two of…
Yemisi Izuora Aradel Holdings Plc, an indigenous integrated energy company, says its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aradel Energy Limited, has successfully completed the acquisition of an additional equity interest in ND Western Limited, following the fulfilment of all regulatory and contractual conditions precedent. The transaction, previously announced on 24th October 2025, involved the acquisition of a 40 per cent equity interest in NDW from Petrolin Trading Ltd. With the completion of the transaction, Aradel Energy Limited’s shareholding interest in NDW increased from 41.67 per cent to 81.67 per cen, and NDW has become a subsidiary of Aradel Energy Limited. The acquisition also…
Uche Cecil Izuora Nigeria exported about 33.23 million barrels of crude oil to the United States of America, between January and August 2025. The value of the export is estimated at $2.57 billion to earning the country Africa’s largest exporter of crude oil to the United States. This development underscores growing relevance in the U.S. energy supply chain even as its domestic refining capacity expands and reshapes regional oil flows. Data released by the U.S. Mission show that between January and August 2025, Nigeria shipped 33.23 million barrels of crude oil to the United States, valued at about $2.57 billion,…
By Sola Adebawo The harmattan wind usually carries a certain crispness this time of year in Nigeria, swirling through the streets of towns and villages with a sense of shared anticipation. It is a season where the air feels lighter, thick with the scent of jollof rice, chicken and the warmth of neighborly gestures. Yet, beneath the festive lights, a quiet tension has flickered online: a debate over the simple act of sharing a meal. In recent weeks, voices from the fringes of religious scholarship have attempted to draw lines across the dinner table. Some extremist Islamic clerics have issued…
Ken Okeke Nigerian Government confirmed on Friday that it provided the United States with intelligence on extremists before the Christmas Day strikes by US forces against what President Donald Trump said were ISIS militants in the northwest of the country. The US strikes come after both countries were locked in a diplomatic dispute over what Trump characterized as mass killings of Christians amid the west African country’s myriad armed conflicts. “It’s Nigeria that provided the intelligence,” Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar told broadcaster ChannelsTV, saying he was on the phone with US State Secretary Marco Rubio. “We spoke twice. We…