
Comedian Kevin Chinedu, known as Kevinblak and for his character Governor Amuneke, disclosed that officials from a political party offered him money to change his satirical skits that criticize politicians and governance. He shared this information during an interview on ARISEtv's Arise 360 program. Chinedu stated that the offer came when he was facing financial difficulties after his wife's Caesarean section. He recounted being told they would "change his life" with dollars, and that his colleagues were also involved. He declined to name the party, referring to it only as "Amuneke's party." Despite the financial strain and the promise of a "life-changing sum" if he traveled to Abuja, Chinedu stated he refused the offer, adhering to his personal principles against being influenced by money. He also mentioned that his friends, who share similar principles, had also been approached and refused such offers.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadInsecurity is a major obstacle preventing life-saving vaccines from reaching children of immunization age in some local government areas of Niger State. This was highlighted by officials from the Niger State government and UNICEF during a meeting with representatives from the Republic of Korea regarding a partnership grant. The grant focuses on maintaining and strengthening immunization and essential services in 10 prioritized LGAs in the state. Dr. Ahmed Tsofo, UNICEF Health Specialist from the Kaduna Field Office, noted that Nigeria has the highest burden of zero-dose children globally, with 2.1 million, and identified six states, including Niger, as contributing to this. He stated that insecurity hinders efforts to reach these children. Dr. Murtala Bagana, Niger State Commissioner for Health, attributed the burden to insecurity and the number of hard-to-reach communities. He urged the 10 LGAs—Bida, Chanchaga, Edati, Gurara, Katcha, Kontagora, Mariga, Rafi, Suleja, and Wushishi—to take ownership of the program to strengthen routine immunization and outreach. Dr. Inuwa Junaidu, Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, mentioned challenges like cross-border banditry and other forms of insecurity from neighboring states. He affirmed that with support from the Korean government and UNICEF, they aim to identify, enumerate, and vaccinate all zero-dose children within an eight-month period to reduce the burden in Niger State.
Must ReadAt the 2026 Nowa Omoigui Memorial Lecture, stakeholders discussed the need for stronger families and functional institutions with renewed public trust to address insecurity in Nigeria. The virtual event, moderated by veteran journalist Reuben Abati, focused on "Holding the Centre: Family, Institutions, and Public Trust in an Age of Insecurity." Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, emphasized that effective institutions are central to national stability, warning that weak structures lead to insecurity and a loss of confidence in government. He cited the rise of internet fraudsters and bandits as examples of institutional failure and linked jungle justice to the inability of government agencies to perform their duties. Dr. Charles Omole noted that despite significant budgetary allocations to defense, insecurity continues to displace millions of Nigerians, recommending peace-building initiatives, youth empowerment, proper funding for peace missions, and stronger family support systems. Dr. Boluwaji Omabolu highlighted water scarcity and sanitation challenges as overlooked drivers of instability, affecting education and healthcare. Dr. Osahon Enabulele identified leadership failure and declining public confidence in governance as major contributors to insecurity, calling for electoral reforms and measures to rebuild trust. Participants agreed that military action alone cannot solve insecurity, stressing the need for holistic r

The Lagos State Government has issued comprehensive cybersecurity guidelines to bolster digital safety across businesses, public institutions, and residents, aiming to deepen trust in the state's digital economy. The framework, detailed in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso, outlines practical measures to mitigate cyber risks and improve resilience in public and private sector operations. These guidelines are described as a decisive step in Lagos' mission to become a SMART, secure, and globally competitive digital hub, especially as its technology ecosystem expands. The government noted that Nigeria loses over $500 million annually to cybercrime, underscoring the urgency for coordinated safeguards. The statement highlighted that Lagos, as Africa's fastest-growing technology ecosystem, faces increasing exposure and heightened vulnerability to cyber threats due to its rapid digital transformation. The new guidelines, accessible via the state's official portal, offer clear, practical, and scalable cybersecurity best practices for small businesses, large enterprises, and Ministries, Departments and Agencies. They align with national frameworks such as the Cybercrime Act 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021. The government emphasized that these provisions are advisory, not mandatory, designed to empower stakeholders with practical, context-specific guidance. Lagos remains focused on

The All Progressives Congress has announced its timetable for the 2027 general elections, scheduling presidential primary elections for May 16, 2026, and governorship primaries for May 23, 2026. According to Felix Morka, APC National Publicity Secretary, presidential aspirants will pay N100 million for expression of interest and nomination forms, while governorship aspirants will pay N50 million. Senate aspirants will pay N20 million, and House of Representatives aspirants N10 million. State House of Assembly aspirants will pay N6 million. Female aspirants, youths, and persons with disabilities are required to pay only for the expression of interest form and 50 percent of the nomination fees. The sale of forms will occur from April 25 to May 2, with a submission deadline of May 4. Screening for presidential aspirants is set for May 9, and other aspirants will be screened between May 6 and May 8. Primary elections for the House of Representatives are on May 18, the Senate on May 20, and State House of Assembly on May 21. Morka affirmed the party's commitment to credible and transparent primary elections. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party's National Executive Committee, backed by Nyesom Wike, also adopted a timetable for its 2027 activities, despite ongoing internal factional disputes. The PDP declared an end to its internal crisis and expressed confidence in the new National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed. The African Democratic Congress is considering a c