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AKPABIO’S GATE: Senate turns down Live Coverage As Natasha Appears Before Panel

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It’s glaring that Senator Godswill Akpabio’s days as president is fast closeby as the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions out fear has rejected calls for live television coverage of its proceedings as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central appears before the panel over alleged misconduct on Wednesday.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Neda Imasuen disclosed this during an interview on Arise News TV’s ‘The Morning Show’.

Explaining the committee’s decision, Imasuen emphasised the need to maintain focus on the issue at hand without external distractions.

“On the issue of the media, we also want to be very careful so that we don’t overplay things. It is a matter within the Senate, and to make it a media affair may even be distractive to us.

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“My committee room can only take so many people—not many—and the committee has about 23 or 24 members. We want to stay focused on the issue before us and not be distracted by any other matter.”

He assured that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan would be given a fair hearing, stating: “Distinguished Senator Natasha has privileges just like any other senator, and her privileges will be protected. She will get a fair hearing in this matter as far as I am there. She is my friend, and no one will trample on her rights.”

When questioned about the ongoing controversy regarding alleged sexual misconduct in the Senate, Imasuen declined to comment, citing legal constraints.

“The issue of sex in the Senate is already before a law court, I believe, and that makes the whole conversation subjudice. I cannot comment on any matter that is before a law court, and as a lawyer myself, I have to respect that privilege.”

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The committee chairman also addressed concerns about sitting arrangements in the Senate, which have reportedly contributed to tensions.

He referenced the Senate’s procedural rules, stating, “The matter before us in the committee is about seating arrangements. I can only direct you to Order Six of our rule book, which regulates the activities of the Senate. It clearly states that seats are allocated to senators just like our offices, and from time to time, anything can happen to necessitate the reallocation of seats.”

Senator Imasuen dismissed claims of gender-based discrimination in Senate proceedings, asserting that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, does not single out female senators for unfair treatment.

“There are four female senators in this Assembly, and I will tell you straight up that I am very close to at least three of them. I sit next to Senator Ireti Kingibe, and I consider her a friend.

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“The issue in question does not concern sexual harassment. It is a matter of privilege, and I do not believe it was directed at any individual because of their gender. There are many times I raise my hand to speak, and the Senate President does not recognise me while recognising someone behind me. But he cannot entertain every senator’s opinion at every sitting. It is his prerogative.

“The Senate President, in my opinion, has not made any sexual remarks to any of the female senators, and I don’t think any of the female senators have complained about sexual harassment against him or anyone else. We joke a lot in the Senate, I must let you know that,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Imasuen urged Nigerians to allow the committee to handle the case without undue interference.

“Everybody should be patient and allow us to handle the case before us,” he said.

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SAD! ISWAP terrorists reportedly k!ll 2 sons of Police Inspector

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Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) have reportedy launched a deadly attack on Buni Yadi in Gujba local government area of Yobe State, killing two children of a Police Inspector, Mallam Jibril Mohammed, setting their corpses and house on fire.

A credible intelligence source confirmed that the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday around 1am in the Shuwari Baban Layi area of the town.

One of the resident who did not want his name in print said the assailants infiltrated the town and targeted the home of Inspector Mohammed of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and started shooting sporadically.

Another security information confirmed that the terrorists set the house ablaze and killing two of the police officer’s children before escaping.

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LEADERSHIP gathered that upon receiving intelligence report on the attack, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI swiftly mobilised to the scene.

However, the terrorists fled upon sighting advancing troops, abandoning their bicycles in the process. (LEADERSHIP)

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CRYPTO: Trump to Host Top Industry Leaders

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U.S. President Donald Trump will host top crypto industry leaders at the White House on Friday, marking a significant shift in the administration’s approach to digital assets.

The summit comes as the cryptocurrency sector enjoys renewed momentum following Trump’s election victory.

The event, led by Trump’s newly appointed “crypto czar,” Silicon Valley investor David Sacks, will bring together prominent figures in the space, including Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Reports suggest that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Michael Saylor, the head of Bitcoin investment firm MicroStrategy, will also be in attendance.

Trump’s engagement with the industry has been personal as well as political. In January, he launched his own “Trump” memecoin in partnership with the exchange platform World Liberty Financial, following a similar move by former First Lady Melania Trump.

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These ventures have drawn accusations of conflicts of interest.

During his campaign, the crypto community overwhelmingly backed Trump, pouring millions into his effort to unseat Joe Biden, whose administration had taken a more skeptical stance on digital currencies and imposed tighter regulations. Now, industry players are looking for policies that will accelerate crypto adoption and provide long-sought legitimacy.

The summit comes at a crucial time for the sector, which continues to grapple with the fallout from the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. Its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, was convicted of fraud and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.

For advocates, cryptocurrencies represent a financial revolution, offering an alternative to centralized banking and serving as a hedge against inflation and political instability. Bitcoin, the world’s most traded digital asset, is increasingly compared to gold as a store of value.

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However, critics warn that digital assets remain highly speculative and vulnerable to abuse. Law enforcement agencies have raised concerns over their potential use in money laundering, while the rise of “memecoins” – cryptocurrencies based on internet trends or celebrities rather than technical innovation – has fueled worries about market manipulation and pump-and-dump schemes.

Despite his past skepticism, Trump has now positioned himself as a champion of crypto innovation, declaring his intent to make the United States a global leader in digital finance. The upcoming summit is expected to set the tone for his administration’s policies on the industry moving forward.

The summit comes as the cryptocurrency sector enjoys renewed momentum following Trump’s election victory.

The event, led by Trump’s newly appointed “crypto czar,” Silicon Valley investor David Sacks, will bring together prominent figures in the space, including Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Reports suggest that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Michael Saylor, the head of Bitcoin investment firm MicroStrategy, will also be in attendance.

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Trump’s engagement with the industry has been personal as well as political. In January, he launched his own “Trump” memecoin in partnership with the exchange platform World Liberty Financial, following a similar move by former First Lady Melania Trump. These ventures have drawn accusations of conflicts of interest.

During his campaign, the crypto community overwhelmingly backed Trump, pouring millions into his effort to unseat Joe Biden, whose administration had taken a more skeptical stance on digital currencies and imposed tighter regulations. Now, industry players are looking for policies that will accelerate crypto adoption and provide long-sought legitimacy.

The summit comes at a crucial time for the sector, which continues to grapple with the fallout from the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. Its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, was convicted of fraud and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.

For advocates, cryptocurrencies represent a financial revolution, offering an alternative to centralized banking and serving as a hedge against inflation and political instability. Bitcoin, the world’s most traded digital asset, is increasingly compared to gold as a store of value.

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However, critics warn that digital assets remain highly speculative and vulnerable to abuse. Law enforcement agencies have raised concerns over their potential use in money laundering, while the rise of “memecoins” – cryptocurrencies based on internet trends or celebrities rather than technical innovation – has fueled worries about market manipulation and pump-and-dump schemes.

Despite his past skepticism, Trump has now positioned himself as a champion of crypto innovation, declaring his intent to make the United States a global leader in digital finance. The upcoming summit is expected to set the tone for his administration’s policies on the industry moving forward.

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Wike in Italy, to meet with Lombardy Region’s President, agribusiness investors

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Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday arrived Milan, Italy, ahead of official engagements with the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana.

Wike is also expected to meet with agribusiness investors in the country.

The minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, announced this in a statement in Milan.

The statement said Wike departed Abuja on Tuesday night and arrived in Milan around 4:30 a.m. yesterday. He was received by the Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy of Nigeria in Italy, Ambassador Mustapha Mohammed.

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“While in Milan, the FCT minister will hold a meeting with the President of Lombardy Region on Thursday, and also meet agribusiness investors.

“Lombardy is adjudged as the first region of Italy in terms of economic importance, with a population of about 10 million people. It is the second most populous region of the European Union (EU) and the second region of the European Union by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“The FCT minister’s meeting with the Attilio Fontana will centre on seeking collaboration and evaluating possible prospects in the areas of Agriculture and Vocational Education, as well as strategic development partners with the Lombardy Region.

“Subsequently, Wike will meet investors in agribusiness and experts in vocational training, with a view to unlock new opportunities.

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“The FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, as well as the Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr. Udo Samuel Atang, and Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multi-Lateral Cooperation, Benedict Daudu, accompanied the Minister on the trip,” the statement said.

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