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…

Aprokorepublic

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.

Aprokorepublic

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

Aprokorepublic

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has scrapped the
cash pooling requirement for international oil companies (IOCs), granting them
full access to their export proceeds.

Cash pooling is a financial arrangement where a company (or
regulator) centralises cash from multiple accounts into one place to manage it
more efficiently.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, the financial regulator
said the new policy supersedes earlier guidelines introduced in 2024, which
required banks to pool 50 percent of repatriated export proceeds on behalf of
IOCs, while the balance was retained for 90 days before repatriation.

However, under the revised framework, oil firms are now
permitted to access and repatriate 100 percent of their export proceeds.

The directive, signed by Musa Nakorji, director of the trade
and exchange department, takes immediate effect.

“IOCs are hereby granted unfettered access to their
repatriated export proceeds. The IOCs may repatriate 100 percent of their
export proceeds through the ADBs,” the circular reads.

The apex bank said the decision is aimed at further
liberalising the foreign exchange (FX) market in line with current realities.

The CBN asked authorised dealer banks (ADBs) to ensure
proper documentation of such transactions and submit monthly reports to its
trade and exchange department.

The bank said the directive overrides all previous circulars
relating to cash pooling.

The policy is part of broader efforts by the CBN to deepen
the Nigerian FX market and enhance efficiency in FX transactions.

On February 14, 2024, CBN placed limits on the transfer of
proceeds from crude exports by IOCs to offshore parent company accounts.

The apex bank said the transfer of export proceeds by the
IOCs has an impact on liquidity in the domestic FX market.

Two months later, the regulator said IOCs can sell their 50
percent balance of repatriated export proceeds in the Nigeria Foreign Exchange
Market.

Aprokorepublic

The Nigeria Army has described as an abuse of court process, a suit filed by a professor, John Ntui Ntuiabane, over a disputed property in the Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/C’S/2635/2025, the professor is seeking an interpretation of the right of citizens to own properties in Nigeria, among other prayers.

The suit also seeks to preserve the right of a retired deceased Major who was originally allocated the disputed property in Apo, which is now occupied by a retired Naval chief.

The disputed property is where Lt. Ahmed Yerima, a young Naval officer guarding the plot, had an altercation with the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nysesom Wike. The minister had led a team of Federal Capital Territory Administration officials to storm the disputed plot when the highly publicised altercation occurred.

In its preliminary objection, dated March 24, 2026, filed by human rights lawyer, Victor Giwa, the Army prayed the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that the suit is incompetent.

The Army also challenged the jurisdiction if the court to hear the suit.

“The suit is grossly incompetent, having been filed via Originating Process, highly speculative and hypothetical and academic in nature,” Giwa stated in the preliminary objection.

Giwa also argued that the claimant is struggling to seek a judicial decision on an academic question, and urged the Federal High Court to strike out the suit and assign it as a classroom handbook.

Listed as defendants in the suit by the plaintiff are Minister of Defence, Minister of State for for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff.

Others are Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, Lt Ahmed Yerima and the Attoney-General of the Federation.

Aprokorepublic

An Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, Olorogun Samson, has resigned his appointment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a resignation letter dated March 2, 2026 and uploaded on his handle on Wednesday, the aide said his decision followed consultations and the need to fully pursue his ambition to represent Ughelli South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly.

“With utmost respect and a heavy but hopeful heart, I write to formally tender my resignation as Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State.

“This decision comes after deep reflection, prayers, and consultation with my family and political leaders.

“Following the revised timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the political process has accelerated, and the demands of my aspiration to represent the good people of Ughelli South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly now require my full presence and dedication,” he stated.

Samson described his time in the administration as a privilege, appreciating the governor for the opportunity to serve and for the leadership lessons gained.

“Serving in your administration has been one of the greatest honours of my public life. The trust you reposed in me, the access, guidance, and leadership lessons I have received under you are privileges I will forever cherish. I do not take them lightly,” he added.

He noted that stepping aside was necessary to avoid any conflict between his official duties and political ambition, while pledging continued loyalty to the governor.

“It is in the spirit of loyalty, transparency, and respect for your office that I choose to step aside at this time, so that my political pursuit will in no way conflict with my duties or bring any discomfort to your administration.

“I remain your son and loyal supporter, deeply grateful for your confidence and kindness. I humbly seek your understanding and fatherly blessings as I take this next step in service to our people,” the letter read.

The development comes days after Oborevwori directed all political appointees intending to contest elective positions in the 2027 general elections to resign on or before March 31, 2026.

The directive, disclosed in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Eze Emu, said the move was in line with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission for party primaries.

Aprokorepublic

Supporters of Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, on Wednesday
blocked a parallel All Progressives Congress (APC) south-east zonal congress
holding in the state, allegedly backed by Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo.

The supporters, majorly youths, stormed the venue of the
congress and declared support for Mbah while calling for the halt of any
parallel gathering of the party in the south-east.

A video circulating on social media showed the youths
singing the popular “On your mandate” song associated with President Bola
Tinubu while expressing support for Mbah.

They also cordoned off the venue after forcing their way
into the premises by destroying a sliding door.

Uzodimma had earlier pulled out of the main congress
arrangement and reportedly organised a separate gathering elsewhere in Enugu
while other south-east governors held their own congress at a different
location.

A source told TheCable that Uzodimma had previously
controlled the APC structure in the zone when Enugu did not have a governor
from the party.

“Uzodimma brought the APC deputy national chairman, south,
and zonal woman leader because at the time, Enugu didn’t have an APC governor,”
the source said.

“Anything zoned to Enugu then, he controls from Imo. Now
Enugu has an APC governor, but he still wants to control everything.”

Another source said Uzodimma should focus on his own state
rather than attempting to influence party positions across the south-east.

“I support Peter Mbah. Hope should concentrate on Imo state.
We now have an APC governor in Enugu,” the source said.

“There is an NWC position zoned to Imo; nobody is dragging
that with him. But he wants to dictate who gets the positions in Abia, Enugu,
and Anambra.

“I know he is preparing for his future aspirations to have
his loyalists in place, but things don’t work like that.”

Later, another video circulated on social media showing the
governors, including Uzodimma, entering the congress venue after what appeared
to be a resolution of the dispute.

The zonal congress is being held simultaneously across the
geopolitical zones ahead of the APC national convention scheduled for March 27
and March 28.

Aprokorepublic