The federal government will launch FreeTV, a national digital television platform, on June 17 as part of efforts to expand access to
digital broadcasting across the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, the government said the platform would provide Nigerians with free access to more than 100 national, regional
and state television channels without monthly subscription charges.

According to the federal government, the initiative is part of Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme and aligns with “President
Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises digital inclusion, job creation and access to opportunities”.

FreeTV will offer a range of programming, including news, sports, movies, music, children’s content, educational programmes, and
dedicated Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo language channels.

The service will be accessible through satellite and terrestrial transmission, as well as the FreeTV mobile application, enabling
users in urban and rural communities to access digital television services.

The government said Nigerians would not need to purchase new television sets to access the platform, provided they have compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders.

Households already using compatible free-to-air decoders may not need additional equipment.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Charles Ebuebu, director-general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), said the platform would improve access to digital content while creating opportunities for local creatives and media professionals.

“FreeTV speaks directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of Renewed Hope towards expanding access, creating opportunity and
ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, can benefit from the digital economy,” Ebuebu said.

“With FreeTV, families across Nigeria can enjoy quality digital television without a monthly subscription, while our local content producers, technicians and young creatives gain new platforms and new jobs.”

The NBC said the platform would also support Nigeria’s creative economy through regional production studios in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin.

The studios are expected to create opportunities for content creators, editors, camera operators, sound engineers, technicians and other
professionals within the broadcast value chain.

The commission added that Nigeria’s final analogue switch-off remains scheduled for December 31, 2028, and encouraged citizens to
confirm decoder compatibility and download the FreeTV mobile application ahead of the rollout.

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Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has responded to reports alleging that he is shielding the convicted
leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

In an interview with Nevon News hosted by Rufai Oseni, the former Anambra Governor said he openly criticises every wrong done in Nigeria,
including the South East.

During the interview, Rufai told Obi that his critics are alleging that he does not criticise Kanu

Rufai said, ” Your critics allege that you don’t come out openly to criticise whatever is done wrong by Nnamdi Kanu because he is from
your place.”

But Obi responded saying, “that is nonsense, absolute nonsense. They don’t follow me because if you follow me, I criticise whatever
things that are wrong, whether in the East, North, or anywhere.

“But in criticising it, I keep saying that we should look at it holistically”.

On whether Nnamdi Kanu has done anything wrong to deserve his sentencing, Obi said “Nobody is perfect.”

According to him, “we all have the wrong side of us but I’m saying that in building the future, we use the experiences of things we didn’t
do well to do it better.

“Every human being has done wrong things in the past, whether it is Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho or Peter Obi, we have all done
something wrong.”

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An Imo North senatorial aspirant, Isaac Nwachukwu, has dragged the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Federal High Court in Owerri, seeking to be declared the party’s authentic candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Nwachukwu, in a suit filed on Wednesday through his counsel, Cajethan J. Oguzie, accused the NDC of unlawfully substituting his name with another aspirant despite his emergence as the consensus candidate and substantial financial contributions to the party.

According to court documents, Nwachukwu paid ₦25 million to the NDC ₦20 million as party support and ₦5 million for the nomination/expression of interest form for the Imo North Senatorial District ticket.

He claimed that after being screened, cleared, and ratified as the consensus candidate, his name was inexplicably replaced.

Key reliefs sought by the plaintiff include:

A declaration that he is the rightful consensus candidate of the NDC for the Imo North Senatorial Zone ahead of the 2027 election.

An order restraining the NDC from fielding any other candidate for the zone.

A perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognising or accepting the candidacy of any other person except Nwachukwu for the position.

In an affidavit in support of the originating summons, Nwachukwu alleged irregularities in the handling of funds, claiming that his ₦20 million contribution was wrongly allocated to another aspirant, Matthew Omegara, while Omegara’s payment was credited to him.

He stated that he participated fully in the party’s screening exercise and was declared the winner of the primary process before the substitution occurred.

The aspirant further claimed that he was invited to a meeting by the NDC’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, where he was informed that some Imo State party leaders considered him not popular enough to fly the party’s flag.

When contacted, the NDC’s Imo State spokesperson, Dr Charles Akano, said he needed authorisation from party leaders before commenting on the matter. He later stated that he had not yet received approval to speak on the issue.

The case is seen as one of the early legal tussles within the relatively new NDC as opposition parties position themselves for the 2027 polls. The court is yet to fix a hearing date.

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has charged Nigeria to emulate South Africa in its
borrowing patterns.

Obi gave the charge on Thursday in a post on his verified X handle, noting that borrowing itself is not a bad thing but the transparency is
utilising the borrowed funds.

The former Anambra State governor described the South African pattern as what accountable borrowing should look like, noting that the
purpose is clear, the projects are identifiable, and the expected benefits to citizens are measurable.

According to him, such investments directly improve living conditions, enhance productivity, and stimulate economic growth.

“I have consistently maintained that borrowing, in itself, is not a bad thing. Every nation borrows. The critical issue is not the act of
borrowing, but what the borrowed funds are used for and whether citizens can clearly see and measure the impact of such borrowing in their daily lives.

There is a lot to learn in the open and transparent manner in which South Africa handled its recently secured $1 billion loan from the New
Development Bank, with a clearly defined purpose.

“This is indeed what accountable borrowing should look like; the purpose is clear, the projects are identifiable, and the expected benefits
to citizens are measurable. Such investments directly improve living conditions, enhance productivity, and stimulate economic growth.

In Nigeria, however, the opposite is the case: public debt has risen dramatically under the current administration, and its deployment is
shrouded in secrecy from the people who will indeed pay back the loan. Today, our total public debt has increased from about ₦87 trillion in 2023 to nearly N200 trillion.

Yet, despite this unprecedented accumulation of debt, Nigerians are often left without a clear and detailed account of how these
borrowings are being deployed to improve critical sectors such as education, healthcare, power, security, and infrastructure.

Borrowing must never become an end in itself. Every loan obtained in the name of the Nigerian people must be tied to specific, productive investments capable of generating economic value, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and improving the welfare of citizens.

Good governance demands transparency and accountability. The government must be able to clearly explain what was borrowed, where it was invested, and what measurable outcomes have been achieved. The ordinary Nigerian should be able to see and feel the benefits of every debt incurred on their behalf.

At a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with rising costs of living, unemployment, insecurity, and declining purchasing
power, fiscal discipline and prudent management of public resources are no longer optional; they are imperative.

“Every borrowing decision should answer one simple question: How does this improve the life of the ordinary Nigerian? If that question
cannot be convincingly answered, then we risk merely transferring today’s burdens to future generations,” he wrote.

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The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has designated Sunday, June 14, 2026, as a nationwide “Black Sunday” in honour of victims of
terrorist attacks and other forms of violence across the country.

The association also announced a three-day national prayer programme scheduled to run from June 12 to June 14.

Speaking after the National Church Denominational Leadership Summit 2026, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stressed that prayers alone
would not resolve Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

He said urgent and practical measures are needed to address the crisis and restore safety across the nation.

Okoh called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity, describing the situation as critical and requiring immediate intervention.

He also advocated the speedy establishment of state police
and the decentralisation of the country’s security architecture to enable
faster and more effective responses to threats.

The CAN president further demanded the unconditional release
of all kidnapped victims and urged authorities to ensure justice for those
affected by insecurity.

Details later…

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Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has expressed strong optimism that the Boko Haram insurgency will soon be defeated.

The governor made the declaration in an Easter message issued on Sunday, April 5, 2026, through his media aide, Dauda Iliya, while felicitating with Christians in Borno and across Nigeria.

Zulum described Easter as a sacred season that symbolises sacrifice, forgiveness, and love.

He urged residents to sustain the existing religious harmony between Christians and Muslims in the state.

“It is heartening to observe the level of religious harmony between Christians and Muslims in the state. I urge all residents to sustain this spirit as we continue to take deliberate steps towards achieving lasting peace,” he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving security and the welfare of the people.

He noted that his government has scaled up palliative distribution to over 300,000 families to ease the impact of current economic hardship.

Zulum also called for unity and restraint, especially during the present political climate.“I want to remind us that Borno belongs to all of us.

We must shun divisive tendencies, especially during this political period. We have embarked on a collective journey of recovery, and we must not allow enemies of peace to derail our progress,” he added.

He commended traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Nigerian Armed Forces, other security agencies, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters, and vigilantes for their sacrifices and recent successes in the fight against insurgency.

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More than three-quarters of Premier League fans would like to see VAR scrapped and even more believe it has a detrimental impact on the matchday experience, according to a survey by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).

Many candidates scheduled to sit for the 2026 mock unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) were left stranded on Saturday after a technical failure disrupted the exercise nationwide.

The exam, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), failed to commence several hours after candidates arrived at designated computer-based test (CBT) centres.

Many candidates reportedly arrived by 6am at various locations, but the examination did not begin until 1:30pm, which triggered frustration among parents and students.

The development happened days after JAMB warned that candidates who fail to show up after indicating interest would be sanctioned, noting that this would deprive other candidates of the chance to participate in the exercise.

The incident has sparked widespread concern, outbursts, and backlash among Nigerians, particularly on social media.

Folosele Leye, an X user, said the CBT centre used during the mock exam of his daughter had poor network connectivity.

“Living Stone CBT Centre, Akobo, Ibadan, where my daughter was posted for her UTME mock exam. The network and computer systems were very
poor, making it difficult for students to take their exams in both batches,” Leye wrote.

Chiboi, another social media user, said the situation isfrustrating, said the technical failures and poor coordination heighten stress levels for candidates.

See tweets below.

This is frustrating but, sadly, not surprising. UTME is supposed to test readiness, not patience.
Technical glitches and poor coordination don’t just waste time, they increase stress for students who are already under pressure. It also raises the bigger question: if a mock exam… https://t.co/gT7htRqjry

— kie 🇺🇸🇳🇬 (@mr_chiboi) March 29, 2026

Technical glitches have officially become part of national life. UTME included.

— Dozie (@DozieOfficial1) March 29, 2026

JAMB keeps repeating the same server glitches year after year like it’s a tradition. If they can’t even handle a simple mock exam without stranding thousands of kids for hours, how are we trusting them with the real UTME that determines futures? Maybe it’s time to scrap this CBT…

— Affiliate_stanley (@Stanleyade01) March 29, 2026

@JAMBHQ , please endeavour to address the issues raised by candidates before the main UTME exams . I mean, we all paid for this .
😭😭

— Gelatinium (@Dannycruz0011) March 29, 2026

am expressing dissatisfaction with Living Stone CBT Centre, Akobo, Ibadan, where my daughter was posted for her UTME mock exam. The network and computer systems were very poor, making it difficult for students to take their exams in both batches.

— Folowosele Leye (@FolowoseleLeye) March 28, 2026

Aprokorepublic

Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro will appear Thursday in a New York court for the second time since his capture by US forces in an extraordinary nighttime raid.

Maduro, 63, and wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail for almost three months after American commandos snatched the pair from their compound in Caracas in early January.

The stunning operation deposed the strongman who had led Venezuela since 2013 and has since forced the oil-rich country to largely bend to the will of US President Donald Trump.

Maduro has declared himself a “prisoner of war” and pleaded not guilty to the four counts of “narco-terrorism” conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.

Thursday’s hearing at 11:00 am (1500 GMT) will likely see Maduro push for the dismissal of his case as lawyers tussle over who will pay the former leader’s legal fees.

Venezuela’s government is seeking to cover the costs, but because of Washington’s sanctions, his lawyer Barry Pollack must obtain a US license that has not been issued.

Pollack argued in a court submission that the license requirement violated Maduro’s constitutional right to legal representation and demanded the case be thrown out on procedural grounds.

– Deadly raid –

Detained in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison known for unsanitary conditions, Maduro is reportedly alone in a cell with no access to the internet or newspapers.

A source close to the Venezuelan government said the incarcerated Maduro reads the Bible and is referred to as “president” by some of his fellow detainees.

He is only allowed to communicate by phone with his family and lawyers for a maximum of 15 minutes per call, the source added.

“The lawyers told us he is strong. He said we must not be sad,” said his son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, adding his father told him: “We are fine, we are fighters.”

Maduro and his wife were forcibly taken by US commandos in the early hours of January 3 in airstrikes on the Venezuelan capital backed by warplanes and a heavy naval deployment.

At least 83 people died and more than 112 people were injured in the assault, according to Venezuelan officials. No US service members were killed.

– US pressure –

At his first US court appearance in January, Maduro struck a defiant tone as he identified himself the president of Venezuela despite being captured.

The South American country is now led by Delcy Rodriguez, who had been Maduro’s vice president since 2018.

Under US pressure, she is grappling with leading a country saddled with the world’s largest proven oil reserves but an economy in shambles.

Rodriguez has since enacted a historic amnesty law to free political prisoners jailed under Maduro and reformed oil and mining regulations in line with US demands for access to her country’s vast natural wealth.

This month, the State Department said it was restoring diplomatic ties with Venezuela in a sign of thawing relations.

Security is expected to be heightened around the New York courthouse for Thursday’s hearing.

Presiding over the case is Alvin Hellerstein, a 92-year-old judge credited with overseeing several high-profile trials during his decades on the bench.

AFP

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