Author: straightnewsng.com

Aniefiok Christopher  A Non-Governmental Organisation known as the Street Mentors Network (S.M.N) has urged Akwa Ibom Government to end the criminalisation of street-connected children and strengthen child protection rights in the state. The Executive Director of Street Mentors Network, Miss Anita Michael made the call in Uyo during a press briefing and shareholders’ engagement marking the 2026 International Day of Street Children on the theme: Protect, Don’t Punish. According to her, the International Day of Street Children is not just a day of awareness, but a call to conscience and to remind all that street-connected children are not invisible, nor…

Press Release The Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio in championing a global shift from war to development, tasked Inter-Parliamentary Union members to defend peace, justice, and humanity. Addressing delegates at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held at Istanbul, Türkiye from 15 to 19 April, 2026, Akpabio said the gathering comes at a time of mounting global tension, with conflicts spreading across regions and testing the resilience of nations and institutions. Speaking under the Assembly’s theme, Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations, he warned that no region is immune to instability, citing ongoing conflicts across…

Press Release A new Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Akwa Ibom Command, has resumed official duty in the state. She is Mrs. Felicia Kalu who took over from Mr. Francis Ajatta, following his redeployment to Rivers State Command. Mrs. Kalu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from Abia State University, Uturu, and a Master’s degree in Communication Science from the University of Bucharest, Romania. She has held key positions within the Corps, including Acting Corps Secretary and Corps Librarian at the national headquarters. Until her posting to Akwa Ibom, Kalu had served as Acting Corps…

Edi Umoh Sporting Lagos has won promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following a 1-0 away win over Osun United at the Lanre Leke Township Stadium in Ileogbo on Thursday. This was as Akwa United failed to regain automatic promotion to the NPFL despite beating Solution F.C. 2-1 at Awka Stadium in Anambra State. The Lagos Island-based club defied a hostile atmosphere to win the all-important final day match, thanks to a first-half goal scored by Alex Leme. The Tech Boys finished top of the Nigeria National League (NNL) Conference B to secure one of four promotion…

Agency Report South African opposition politician Julius Malema bagged a five-year jail term on Thursday for firing ​a rifle in the air at ​a rally, a magistrate’s court ruled. Malema, 45, is one of ⁠South Africa’s most prominent politicians. He was convicted last year on five ​charges including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging ​a weapon in a public place over the 2018 incident at a stadium in the Eastern Cape province. The magistrate, Twanet Oliver, said: “It wasn’t … an impulsive act … It wasn’t anger. It was the event of the evening.” Malema’s lawyers ​applied for leave to appeal…

Ubani Monday Onyekachi As 2027 approaches, nominees for elective political offices would emerge as a matter of utmost importance to every discerning political observer, especially in light of the new Electoral Act 2026.  By all constitutional and electoral standards, internal party democracy remains the foundation of representative governance. Political parties are the constitutional vehicles through which candidates emerge, leaders are chosen, and democratic power is contested. It is for this reason that the Electoral Act 2026, like its predecessor, imposes mandatory obligations on political parties to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of their congresses, conventions, conferences, and primary…

Akakan Umoh Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 15.38 percent in March 2026, reflecting a slight increase from the 15.06 percent recorded in February. This is according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS. This means on a month-on-month basis, Nigeria’s headline inflation stood at 4.18 percent. Similarly, the country’s food inflation increased to 14.31 percent in March from 12.12 percent last month. “In March 2026, the Headline inflation rate rose to 15.38 percent, up from 15.06 percent in February 2026. Also read: Nigeria’s inflation jumped to 28.20% in November – NBS  “On a month-on-month basis,…

Edi Umoh Arsenal reach final four of the Champions League semi-final to face Atletico Madrid on April 29 in Spain, with the second leg of their semi-final taking place at the Emirates. The Gunners narrowly progressed past Sporting CP at the Emirates, reaching the last four for the second consecutive season. Mikel Arteta’s side claimed a 1-0 victory in Portugal before holding their visitors to a 0-0 draw at home. Last season, they were eliminated by PSG, and 12 months on will now face Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side were thrashed 4-0 by Arsenal earlier this campaign, but managed to overcome Barcelona…

Press Release ‎ ‎The remains of a Nigerian news editor, Dr. Godwin Aniekan Benson from Ikot Akpa Nkuk in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Àkwa Ibom, will be buried on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Benson passed into eternal glory at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, in December 2025 at the age of 52. ‎ Professional/Political ‎Careers Until his sudden demise, he was in an active service as News Editor, Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation – publishers of The Pioneer newspapers as well as a ranking member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). ‎ ‎He had served as Secretary of…

Agency Report U.S. President Donald Trump lashes at Pope Leo XIV that ‘‘he’s wrong on the issues,’’  noting ‘‘I don’t think he should be getting into politics. I think he probably learned that from this.’’ Speaking with CBS News, Trump noted that Pope ‘probably learned’ a lesson about politics after their feud over the Iran war. According to him, he decided to lash out at the American-born Pope after seeing a 60 Minutes segment that showcased the pontiff’s disapproval of the Iran War and Trump’s immigration agenda. Trump gave a blunt ‘no’ when asked if he had any plans to…