News
I Fled Ukraine Capital City To Avoid Putin’s Elimination –Pastor Adelaja (Video)
A Nigerian pastor based in Kyiv, Sunday Adelaja, said he and his family fled the war-wracked capital city of Ukraine, to avoid being eliminated by Russian forces who have a list of influential people as targets.
The founder of the Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for all Nations made the revelation in a video post on his verified Facebook page on Saturday.
He said, “This is the first time I and my family have been able to have a place to put our heads in the last 48 hours. We’ve been travelling, sometimes we walk, sometimes we run, sometimes we are in a car, sometimes we are in a long queue of people who want to escape from Ukraine.
“I wanted to stay back and send my wife to get out of the country but I got an information two days ago that in a few days, the Russians will enter Kyiv.
“From the American intelligence, we got to know that they have a list of people for elimination. These are not ordinary but influential people who have public opinion and that I am on the list.
“I know that I am on the list because I was already a persona non grata in Russia since 2005. I have been a personal enemy of Vladimir Putin for close to 20 years now. He banned me from going to Russia, so I know I would be on the list.”
The PUNCH had reported that at least 5,600 Nigerians including students reside in the war-torn country but the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Friday said there can be no evacuation of Nigerians in Ukraine until the airports in the European country, which is under attack by Russia, are reopened.
Meanwhile, more than 150,000 Ukrainians have fled the country since the start of Russia’s invasion, said the United Nation’s High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
After months of military buildup and brinkmanship on its border with Ukraine, Russia invaded its ex-Soviet neighbour with a multi-pronged attack on Thursday, threatening to destabilise Europe and draw in the United States.
Several areas across Ukraine came under attack on Thursday morning after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the start of a “special military operation” and warned of bloodshed unless Ukrainian forces lay down their arms.
The coordinated assault came days after Putin announced that Moscow would officially recognise the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, ordering the deployment of Russian troops there.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has, however, been seen by the West as a protest for Kyiv not to join the European Union and to quit any alliance with The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Putin’s aggression in the last 48 hours has drawn the ire of the EU, the United States, the United Kingdom, amongst a host of others that have slammed strict economic sanctions against Moscow and sent military supports and humanitarian aids to the Ukrainians.
As the war enters the third day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ruled out any act of cowardice or surrender, insisting that Ukraine will push back Russia till the last minute even as Ukraine’s Health Minister, Viktor Lyashko, on Saturday announced that 198 civilians including children have been killed, and 1,115 wounded by Russian forces from land, sea and water.
Video:
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
-
News1 day agoNo Solar Permits Needed For Private Homes In Lagos, SSA Confirms
-
News22 hours agoMass Burial For 30 ISWAP Insurgents Following Lethal NAF Strikes In Borno
-
News2 days agoCourt Sentences Dismissed NECO Employee To 24 Years Over Fake Diploma
-
News1 day agoLagos Sets Rules, Penalties For April 25 Sanitation Relaunch
-
News21 hours agoUnity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
-
Breaking News2 days agoTinubu Appoints New Ministers, Sacks Edun, Dangiwa In Minor Shake-Up
-
News16 hours agoOyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
-
News18 hours agoWale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
