Union Bank responds to Cardoso’s remarks at MPC meeting with calm assurance

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Union Bank of Nigeria has issued a statement reaffirming its steadfast position in the course of ongoing regulatory engagements in response to recent media queries at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) 304th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press briefing. The bank’s affirmation comes in the wake of Governor Olayemi Cardoso’s clarification on the regulatory framework governing institutions under intervention while speaking on the complexities and structural considerations influencing the recapitalisation timeline. According to the CBN Governor, institutions currently under regulatory oversight are subject to unique circumstances that necessitate a differentiated…

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Ex-NNPC GM Jailed 87 Months in U.S. Over $2.1M Bribe

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A U.S. court has sentenced Paulinus Okoronkwo, a Nigerian-American and former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to 87 months in federal prison for accepting a $2.1 million bribe from Addax Petroleum, a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned Sinopec. The United States District Court also ordered Okoronkwo to pay $923,824 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to forfeit $1,039,997, the net proceeds from the sale of his Valencia, California, home. Okoronkwo, who previously practised immigration, family, and personal injury law in Koreatown, California, was convicted…

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President Tinubu Decorates Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector‑General of Police

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday formally decorated Tunji Disu with the rank of Acting Inspector‑General of Police, marking a significant leadership change at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force. The decoration ceremony was held around 4 p.m. at the State House, Abuja, where Mr. Tinubu personally pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform in the presence of key government officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. The immediate past Inspector‑General,…

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Driving Growth Through Sustainability: FirstBank’s Commitment

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Sustainability has become a critical priority for businesses and governments across the world, driving growth, innovation, and positive change. As the world grapples with climate change, social inequality, and economic uncertainty, organisations are recognising the importance of adopting sustainable practices that balance Environmental, Social, and Governance considerations. In Nigeria, the sustainability agenda has become a mainstay, with companies like FirstBank leading the charge. As the leading financial institution in West Africa, FirstBank has made significant strides in promoting sustainability/ESG, with notable achievements in renewable energy, financial inclusion, and environmental conservation.…

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Nasir El-Rufai Suffers Nosebleed in Detention, Wife Barred from Delivering Meal Directly – Aide Raises Due Process Concerns

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has reportedly suffered a nosebleed while in custody, as fresh concerns emerge over his welfare and the legality of his continued detention. The alarm was raised by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, who disclosed in a statement on Monday that the former governor has spent eight days in detention after voluntarily honouring an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026. According to Adekeye, El-Rufai was interrogated by the anti-graft agency and granted administrative bail. However, he reportedly remained…

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Fidelity Bank to Empower Women with Sustainable Entrepreneurship Skills with HAP 2.0

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Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship women-empowerment initiative, the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 (HAP 2.0). Designed to equip women with practical, income‑generating skills and structured pathways to entrepreneurship; HAP 2.0 will build on the success of its inaugural edition held in 2023. Speaking with journalists at a media chat to herald the launch of HAP 2.0, the Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, explained that the initiative has been enhanced to deliver greater impact. “HerFidelity Apprenticeship…

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NDLEA Arrests Real Estate CEO, 89kg of ‘Canadian Loud’ Found inside Apartment

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Mr. Kolapo Oladapo Raji, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, as part of a widening probe into alleged international drug trafficking and distribution networks. Raji, 57, was taken into custody on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at his Safe Court Apartment residence in Ikate, Lekki, Lagos, following sustained surveillance by anti-narcotics officers. The operation was said to have been triggered shortly after his return from the United Kingdom based on “credible intelligence” linking him to cross-border narcotics operations.…

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US Embassy Celebrates Nigerian Engineer Wendy Okolo for Leading Flight Safety Research at NASA Ames

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The United States Embassy has honoured Nigerian-born aerospace engineer Wendy Okolo for her pioneering contributions to flight safety research at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In a post shared on its official X platform, the embassy described Okolo as a trailblazing Nigerian-American scientist at the NASA Ames Research Center, applauding her groundbreaking work in advanced aerospace systems. Okolo, who earned her doctorate at the age of 26, currently leads cutting-edge research focused on flight safety and control optimisation. Her work at NASA Ames in Silicon Valley centres on…

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Kano Hisbah Arrests Nine Muslims for Eating Publicly on First Day of Ramadan

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Islamic police in Kano State have arrested nine Muslims for allegedly eating in public on the first day of Ramadan, as authorities intensified enforcement of fasting rules across the predominantly Muslim state. The arrests were carried out on Wednesday by the Hisbah, a religious police force that operates under Sharia law in Kano and several other northern states. Officials said the individuals — seven men and two women — were apprehended during routine patrols targeting cafes, restaurants, and markets to ensure compliance with fasting obligations. Kano, where Sharia law operates…

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Gunmen Attack Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu at APC Congress in Delta, Chaos Erupts in Ethiope West

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Violence disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government congress in Ethiope-West Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday as gunmen reportedly attacked the lawmaker representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu. Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, was said to have come under attack shortly after arriving at the venue of the party’s congress. Eyewitnesses said tension had been building at the venue ahead of the exercise, with rival groups allegedly engaged in heated exchanges before the arrival of the federal…

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