🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
PDP chieftain Dan Ulasi expresses hope for Nigeria after private discussions with Peter Obi
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Dan Ulasi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, stated in an interview on Arise TV on Thursday that Nigerians would feel hopeful for the country if they engaged in private conversations with former Anambra State governor Peter Obi. Ulasi remarked that Obi possesses a clear concept of his objectives and how to achieve them for the benefit of the people. He confirmed that Obi had visited his residence four times in 2026, including recently after an appearance at Coal City University in Enugu. Ulasi mentioned that he has known Obi since his time as chairman of the National Republican Convention when Obi ran for the governorship of Anambra State. Ulasi also expressed his frustration with the PDP, stating that he does not believe the party, as currently constituted, can credibly challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, especially with Nyesom Wike as its national leader. He indicated that he would consider leaving the party if his concerns are not addressed.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
A Plateau State High Court on Thursday remanded four suspects in Department of State Services custody in connection with the March 2026 killings in Angwa Rukuba Community, Jos North Local Government Area. The case was adjourned until April 30, 2026, for arraignment, which was delayed due to the absence of defense counsel. The incident on March 28, 2026, resulted in the deaths of over 30 people, including children, after suspected attackers invaded communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas. Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attacks, calling them attempts to destabilize the state and describing them as genocide. President Bola Tinubu also visited the state, met victims, and assured them that justice would be served. The four suspects, identified as Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar also known as Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim also known as Yaroro, among others, are alleged to have conspired to carry out the attack. They were arrested by the DSS between April 3 and April 10, 2026, and face charges including criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism. The State Attorney General, Philemon Daffi, filed the charges, stating the defendants conspired to plan, organize, facilitate, aid, and contribute money to the attack. The suspects requested an adjournment to secure legal representation, which the prosecution counsel and Solicitor General of Plateau State, Joel Tagven, did not object to, but requested the suspects remain in DSS custody. The presiding judge, Jus
The Lagos State Ministry of Housing has reiterated that residents of government-owned housing estates must obtain official approval before installing solar panels or making any external alterations to their units. This clarification follows a viral video showing ministry officials confronting a resident at the Lagos State Millennium Housing Estate, Ibeshe, over an unapproved solar panel installation. Abdulhafis Toriola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, stated that the approval requirement is detailed in the Letter of Allocation and Allottees Guide. He explained that government estates are social housing schemes with shared infrastructure, and these guidelines protect other flat owners, ensure building insurance, and allocate roof space fairly. Toriola noted that the policy was implemented due to structural and safety problems, including leaking rooftops and fire outbreaks, caused by unapproved solar panel installations. The Ministry emphasized that these regulations stipulate guidelines for installation, material quality, and personnel expertise to minimize risks to the entire building structure. The Ministry clarified that this policy does not apply to private property owners in Lagos. The viral video, posted around April 21, 2026, showed a resident expressing frustration over the permit requirement, leading to widespread criticism from viewers who mistakenly believed the policy applied to all Lagos residents. The Ministry urged allottees to comply with the approval
Must ReadTanzania's Energy Minister, Deograius Ndejembi, announced a proposed budget of $967.3 million for the energy sector in the 2026/2027 financial year, with $943.2 million allocated for development projects and $24.1 million for recurrent expenditure. The funding, sourced from both domestic $613.8 million and external $329.4 million sources, aims to expand energy infrastructure, support industrial growth, and improve service delivery. The minister reported an increase in installed electricity generation capacity to 4,522.54 megawatts in March 2026, up from 4,031.71 megawatts a year prior, with peak demand reaching 2,199.06 megawatts. Transmission lines expanded to 8,500.38 kilometers and distribution lines to 240,229.56 kilometers. Electricity access climbed to 85.5%, with 52.1% of Tanzanians connected to power. The government targets 8.3 million new customer connections by 2030, aiming for 75% connectivity. Ongoing projects include the 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project and other solar and hydro schemes. Transmission projects like the 400kV Chalinze–Dodoma line are also underway. Rural electrification efforts aim to connect all 64,359 hamlets on the mainland by 2030. The country is also expanding its compressed natural gas infrastructure, increasing CNG stations from nine to 18, and developing its gas sector, with output from Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay reaching 41,530.94 million cubic feet. Additionally, Tanzania has secured petroleum supplies and is expanding strategic s
Sony's artificial intelligence unit has developed an AI-powered robotic arm named "Ace" that can perceive, react to, and return shots from elite-level table tennis players. The research, published in the journal Nature, details how Ace, a bulky industrial robot, can make split-second decisions and execute agile movements. In initial tests, Ace won three out of five matches against elite players, with other matches being competitive. Sony AI noted that Ace continued to improve its performance, winning more recent matches against professionals with higher shot speeds and more aggressive shot placement. According to Sony AI, this development lays the groundwork for AI systems that can safely and reliably operate in dynamic physical environments, extending beyond previous table tennis robots that only reached amateur levels. Peter Stone, chief scientist at Sony AI, stated that AI operating at an expert human level in such conditions opens the door to a new class of real-world applications.