Governor Zulum presenting a cheque of N30,000,000.00 to the family of late Lt. Col. Thomas Ebisingha Alari serves as a poignant reminder of duty, sacrifice, and appreciation for those who serve their country.
2. Governor Zulum’s commitment to supporting the families of fallen heroes reflects a vital aspect of leadership also showing gratitude towards those who have made significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
3. Such acts inspire hope and underline the importance of honoring those who have bravely given their lives.
Six years ago, at just 24, Jerry Isaac Mallo, a fabrication engineer from Jos, Nigeria, stunned the world by unveiling the Bennie Purrie, Nigeria’s first carbon fiber sports car. Built from scratch, this sleek red beast went viral🇳🇬
Growing up in Plateau State, Jerry’s passion for cars sparked at age 5, crafting toy cars from trash. By 18, he built his first life-size car from recyclables. His mantra? Make it the best. This hustle led to a scholarship at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, to study engineering.
While in the UK, Jerry saw Africa’s untapped potential: rich resources, skilled hands, and a massive market for luxury vehicles. He dropped out to return to Nigeria, determined to fill the void in local manufacturing. Talk about betting on your vision!
In 2019, the Bennie Purrie debuted at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with Gov. Simon Lalong as chief guest. Made of fiberglass (not carbon fiber, as Jerry clarified), it featured a 2.0L engine, 130 horsepower, and a 0-120 km/h sprint in 12 seconds.
Safety first: its body shatters like glass on impact to protect occupants.
Why fiberglass? Jerry prioritized safety over convention, using fibers that break like bottles, paired with a tubular chassis for rugged Nigerian roads. Four radiators kept it cool in scorching heat. This wasn’t just a car—it was a statement.
But Jerry’s vision wasn’t just about fast cars. As CEO of Bennie Technologies Ltd. (founded 2016), he tackled Nigeria’s immediate needs first: agriculture. His company, Bennie Agro, built tractors, rice destoners, and grinding machines to mechanize farming.
Jerry’s agro innovations didn’t stop there. He produced ventilators and hygienic hand-washing machines during COVID-19, addressing Africa’s shortage of medical equipment. No government or NGO funding—just pure grit and ingenuity.
His work earned accolades: the 2017 National MSME Award and 2018 MSME recognition for Bennie Technologies. The Plateau State government backed his ventures, amplifying his impact. Jerry’s not just building machines; he’s building a legacy.
Fast forward to 2024, Jerry unveiled the Bennie Sternum, a new sports car prototype, calling it “a true African child” born from teamwork at Bennie Automobile. His X post (@jerry_mallo) radiates pride in collaboration: “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Despite financial hurdles, Jerry’s pushing to take the Sternum to market. In a 2024 Voice of America interview, he shared his struggle to secure funds but remains undeterred. Why? Building something authentically his own is what fuels him.
Jerry’s growth isn’t just in products—it’s in mindset. He’s self-taught, learning from YouTube, Google, and mentors. He told Punch Newspapers, “I don’t think 25 is young. I feel old!” His hunger to learn and innovate keeps him ahead.
From agriculture to automotive, Jerry’s also dipping into construction, with Bennie Technologies designing machines to simplify processes. His vision? To make Nigeria a manufacturing giant, rivaling global brands like Ferrari or Lamborghini.
The X community can’t stop buzzing about Jerry. @AfricaFirsts noted his tractor assembly at 22 and sports car at 24. @Joe__Bassey and @AfricanHub_ hailed him as a trailblazer. His story inspires youth across Nigeria and Africa to dream big.
What’s next for Jerry? He’s promised more innovations, telling Punch, “You should just wait. You will see it all.” With no international funding yet, his journey proves passion and teamwork can move mountains. Nigeria’s Bill Gates? Maybe. Africa’s innovator? Definitely.
Nigerian lady cries for Justice after her Kids were permanently expelled from their school all because she stood her ground and said she wasn't going to pay additional N15k for their school party after she had paid her kids school fees.
Just in: Nigerian lady cries joy for Justice after her Kids were permanently expelled from their school all because she stood her ground and said she want going to pay additional N15k for their school party after she had paid her kids school fees pic.twitter.com/j1mIzaLbKG
— Gossip Mill Nigeria (@GossipMillNaija) May 16, 2025
The management of Aunty Joy School told the teachers to give me back my school fees. They said they’re chasing my kids out because I complained and refused to pay for the party.
We were given different accounts for tuition and party fees. We paid for tuition, but they issued a party levy receipt instead. Now they’ve asked the teachers to bring my child’s things out because we complained about the ₦15,000 party fee.
Federal Government of Nigeria Sukuk Offer for Subscription
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has launched a new N300 billion Sovereign Sukuk bond with a promise to sustain its effort to provide funding for road infrastructure in the country.
The agency, while launching the new Sukuk on Monday, said it was determined to narrow the country’s estimated N18 trillion road infrastructure deficits.
The issuance is part of efforts to diversify the government’s funding sources and accelerate the pace of infrastructural development, it stated.
This is even as the Director-General of DMO, Patience Oniha, said the debt-to-GDP ratio remains within an acceptable limit at 50 per cent. It argued that it is within the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stipulation. She said public debt sustainability is not just about the size of the debt, but also about growing revenues and expanding the GDP.
Between 2017 and December 2023, the government raised over N1.09 trillion from six series of Sukuk to invest in the construction or rehabilitation of roads across the country.
So far, over 4,100 kilometres of roads and nine bridges across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory have been either constructed or rehabilitated.
The new N300 billion Sukuk is a seven-year bond due 2032. It is a non-interest, alternative instrument designed in the form of annual rental income. The annual rental income is 19.75 per cent.
DMO, which oversees Nigeria’s government debt issuances and management, said the offer, which opened on Monday with a minimum subscription of N10,000, will close on May 20, 2025.
It is also being offered at N1,000 per unit, subject to a minimum subscription of N10,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter. The rental payment will be made half-yearly, while the bullet repayment will be made on the maturity date.
Oniha referred to recent macroeconomic improvements, including the upgrade of Nigeria’s credit outlook by the global ratings agency, Fitch, adding that the developments are indicative of the progress made in both fiscal and monetary management.
According to her, sustainable development is a journey and not something that happens in one day.
“Current policies are steering the country in the right direction. There’s more transparency now. FX supply has improved, and the rates have become more stable. Some of the measures were difficult at first, but the benefits are beginning to show,” she said.
Oniha said the government recognised the need to issue more Sukuk bonds, given the increasing success and strong investors’ appetite for the alternative non-interest bonds.
According to her, the Sukuk initiative by DMO has been increasingly successful, given the strong level of awareness that has been created. She attributed the success of the Sukuk issuances to the increased confidence from market participants, given that the Sukuk bonds are tied to specific projects that can be tracked.
“Looking ahead, we recognise the need to upscale issuances to include other standalone projects beyond road infrastructure, but more importantly, we are looking to support projects that are revenue-generating to service the Sukuk,” Oniha said.
On the N300 billion Series VII Sukuk, Oniha said it was part of approved borrowings by the government to cover budgetary shortfalls and was officially encapsulated in the debt records.
She reassured investors about the structure and sustainability of Nigeria’s debt, noting that the country’s external borrowing was sourced from a diversified pool including multilateral institutions like the World Bank and African Development Bank, bilateral partners such as China, India, and Germany, and commercial markets such as the Eurobond space.
“Over 60 per cent of our external debt is from multilaterals and bilaterals, which offer more favourable terms than commercial debt,” she said, adding that this diversification reduces the country’s exposure to market shocks and provides stability.
I'm beginning to think that the FUNAAB phone thief is not a student. If he was a student, he shuld have graduated long ago. I heard he struck again this morning.
Ike Ekweremadu (born 12 May 1962) is a Nigerian politician and a lawyer who hails from Enugu State and served in the Senate of Nigeria for Enugu West from 3 June 2003 to 5 May 2023. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party, and was the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate for three (3) consecutive (6th, 7th and 8th) senate.
On 23 June 2022, Ekweremadu and his wife were charged in the UK with conspiring to arrange the travel of a 21 year old into the UK in order to harvest organs. He was found guilty on 23 March 2023 at the Old Bailey. On 5 May 2023, he was sentenced to nine years and eight months imprisonment.
The nominations, covering film, television, and digital content, recognise works released between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
Among the top contenders, Lisabi: The Uprising, Skeleton Coast, House of Ga’a, and Freedom Way secured multiple nominations across various categories, including Best Movie and Best Director.
In the acting categories, Gideon Okeke (Tokunbo), Stan Nze (Suspicion), Femi Adebayo (Seven Doors), and Adedimeji Lateef (Lisabi: The Uprising) were nominated for Best Lead Actor, while Chioma Chukwuka (Seven Doors), Bimbo Ademoye (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre), and Uche Montana (Thinline) are among those vying for Best Lead Actress.
Below is the full list of nominees:
Best Digital Content Creator Iyo Prosper Adokiye
Maryam Apakagi-Greene
Elozonam Ogbolu, Hoviare Freedom, Chiamaka Uzokwe
Jide Pounds Ibitoye
Ariyiikedimples, Brain Jotter
Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie Gone (West Africa)
Everything Light Touches (West Africa)
The Immersive Alarm (East Africa)
Deadbeat (East Africa)
Mwananga (Southern Africa)
Rivals in Time (Southern Africa)
Best Unscripted M-Net Original Nigerian Idol
Pastor Wants A Wife (Zambia)
Overall Best
Husband Material
The Queens of Kopala
Best Scripted M-Net Original Uriri
All Mine
My Fairytale Wedding
Italo
The Caller
Kam U Stay
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) Seven Doors
Lisabi: The Uprising
Kaka
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Mai Martaba
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) The Caller
Makosa Di Tangu
Sabotage
Wa Milele? (Forever?)
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa) Walvis Tale
The Vow
Mwizukanji
Man of Gold
Lukas
Best Indigenous M-Net Original Mai Shayi
The Caller
Show Me The Way
Ebighi Ebi
Subterranea
Onye Agbata Obim
Amoanimaa’s Era
Best Short Film Sukari
Brukaci
What Are You Truly Afraid Of?
In Bloom: ‘Afefe’
The Incredible Sensational Fiancee of Seyi Ajayi
Best Supporting Actress Meg Otanwa – Inside Life
Tina Mba – Suspicion
Ireti Doyle – All’s Fair in Love
Ini Dima-Okojie – Skeleton Coast
Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride
Omoni Oboli – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
Darasimi Nnadi – Aburo
Best Supporting Actor Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life
Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni – Lisabi: The Uprising
Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors
Femi Jacobs – Freedom Way
Richard Mofe-Damijo – Christmas In Lagos
Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion
Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a
Efa Iwara – Princess on a Hill
Best Lead Actress Chioma Chukwuka – Seven Doors
GbugbemI Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride
Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo
Uche Montana – Thinline
Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury
Hilda Dokudo – The Uprising: Wives On Strike 3
Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Best Lead Actor Gideon Okeke – Tokunbo
Bucci Franklin – The Weekend
Femi Branch – House of Ga’a
Thapelo Makoena – Skeleton Coast
Bimbo Manuel – Princess On A Hill
Stan Nze – Suspicion
Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors
Adedimeji Lateef – Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Editing Inkabi
Christmas In Lagos
Skeleton Coast
Soft Love
Lisabi: The Uprising
Princess On A Hill
Best Cinematography Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land)
Inkabi
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos
Skeleton Coast
Soft Love
Lisabi: The Uprising
Agemo
Best Sound/Sound Design Inkabi
Seven Doors
Freedom Way
Lisabi: The Uprising
Ajakaju: Beast Of Two Worlds
Suspicion
Best Score/Music Inkabi
Freedom Way
Seven Doors
Soft Love
Skeleton Coast
Best Art Direction Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Christmas In Lagos
Farmer’s Bride
Seven Doors
The Man Died
Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Costume Design Toyin Ogundeji – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Bolanle Austen- Peters, Yolanda Okereke, Juliana Dede, Gloria Oyu – House Of Ga’a
Oluwatoyin Balogun, Oyeade Adeimpe Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising
…Security source says operatives closing in on suspects
Owerri – Tension gripped communities in Imo State on Thursday as unidentified gunmen set ablaze over six trucks, buses, and private vehicles along the Owerri-Okigwe Road.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours at Umuna in Onuimo Council Area, has sparked fear among residents and commuters. An eyewitness reported that the attack appeared to be linked to the enforcement of a sit-at-home order, although the reason for the assault remains unconfirmed.
“We saw them burning vehicles and shouting that people should obey the sit-at-home order,” said a resident of the Umuna community.
Following the attack, widespread fear spread across neighboring council areas, including Okigwe, Obowo, Isiala Mbano, and Ehime Mbano. Many motorists traveling towards Enugu State were forced to seek alternative routes for safety.
Eyewitness videos circulating on social media showed at least six trucks engulfed in flames along the Umuna Road. Some nearby buildings reportedly caught fire due to the spreading blaze.
The incident comes just days after another group of gunmen, suspected to be armed herders, kidnapped over 26 passengers along the Owerri-Aba Road. The abduction occurred last Tuesday evening between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., with victims reportedly dragged into a forest in Ngor Okpala Council Area.
A villager, who requested anonymity, confirmed that more than two buses were attacked, and passengers were forcibly taken into the forest. “Our people are now living in fear. Some of us have not gone to the farms since this happened,” the resident said.
Local leaders have called for stronger security measures to protect the community. “We need a strong security network to guard ourselves. This is getting out of hand. We must work closely with security agencies to find a lasting solution,” a community leader stated.
As of the time of filing this report, Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Henry Okoye, had not responded to inquiries.
Many killed as gunmen block highway, raze vehicles
Many people were killed on Thursday morning when gunmen blocked a highway in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, south-east Nigeria.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the gunmen flagged down and razed several vehicles along Okigwe-Owerri Road between Umuna and Amuro communities.
Multiple sources told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday that the hoodlums killed many residents, especially when security operatives engaged the assailants in a shootout.
Music/Radio › Mr. P X Stonebwoy - ODO Remix (official Video) by nlfpmod(mod): 11:27am On May 20, 2025
