The absence of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally in Kafanchan, Kaduna South Senatorial District, raised eyebrows, fueling speculation about his political stance.

Once considered the political mentor of the current governor, Uba Sani, El-Rufai’s no-show added to the intrigue surrounding the event.

Despite being highly publicized, the rally reportedly welcomed over 22 notable defectors from opposition parties and witnessed a significant turnout.

However, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, who currently represents Kaduna Central in the 10th Senate, was absent and openly dismissed the gathering as a “rented crowd.”

According to him, the rally was merely a face-saving attempt by Governor Uba Sani to cover up the lack of genuine grassroots support.

Taking to Facebook on Saturday, Usman challenged the governor’s popularity, questioning why an election had not been conducted in the state to gauge actual support.

“APC is like Papalolo in Kaduna State. If you truly knew you had the support of your rented crowd, why didn’t you allow the conduct of election in at least one ward within the State?” he wrote.

He further pointed out that “even the governor could not cast his vote at his polling station during the time.”

 [NaijaNews]

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on his 65th birthday.

In a statement which Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued on his behalf, Tinubu described El-Rufai as an administrator, scholar, and politician.

“He is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and highly regarded for his resourcefulness and brilliance.”

“He served as governor of Kaduna State for eight years, and prior to elective office, he had served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007.

“President Tinubu celebrates Mallam El-Rufai on this occasion and commends his endeavours for democracy; his meritorious service to the nation, and mentorship of the younger generation.

“The President acknowledges Mallam El-Rufai’s role in the dialogues leading up to the formation of the APC and his contributions to the success of the party in the three consecutive elections of 2015, 2019, and 2023.”

Onanuga said President Tinubu wished El-Rufai good health and strength for continuous service to the nation.

El-Rufai was among those saying pencilled down to serve in Tinubu’s government before the dynamics changed.

Although nominated minister, the senate failed to clear him during screening.

He has since been critical of the APC government and its policies.

[DailyTrust]

Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke on Sunday raised the alarm that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, is planning to cause mayhem in the state from Monday, February 17, 2025.

Adeleke made the allegation during a press conference on Sunday.

It was gathered that Oyetola is spearheading moves to enforce a court order which reversed the sack of local council chairmen, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

Adeleke alleged that Oyetola is conspiring with several law enforcement agents, including the State Commissioner of Police and the State Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, to destabilize the state.

Adeleke said: “I called this press conference to alert the national and global audience about a deliberate plot to create chaos and anarchy in Osun State.

“I invite you all to expose a fascist anti-democratic agenda designed to enforce a non-existing court judgment on our local governments.

“This evil plot is being spearheaded by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola in active collaboration with the Osun state Commissioner of Police, the Osun state Director of DSS and the State Commandant of the Civil Defense Corps.

“Before I continue this address, let me affirm that I know Mr. President to be a true democrat, a lover of rule of law, and a believer in the sanctity of the judicial process.

“I know, as a matter of fact, that Mr. President will never authorise a dictatorial violation of the constitution irrespective of who is involved. It is crucial to add that Mr. President will never support any action that is capable of generating bloodbath and bloodshed.

“I, however, regret to inform Mr. President and the public that Mr Gboyega Oyetola has concluded an arrangement to cause mayhem in Osun State starting from Monday.

“He is issuing illegal directives to security operatives to enforce illegality simply because he is the nephew of Mr. President.

“I chose to alert the nation before my people are killed or maimed by a minister dropping the name of Mr. President in connivance with the Osun State security operatives obeying unlawful orders.

“The bone of contention is the brazen effrontery to return to office council chairmen sacked by a subsisting court judgment using a different court decision, which has no consequential order.

“Let me make it clear that the said council chairmen were sacked before I was sworn in as governor of Osun State, contrary to the lies being peddled, that the chairmen and councilors were sacked by my Executive Order.”

[DailyPost]

The Ekiti State Police have arrested Jimoh Abdulrahman for allegedly assaulting his wife, Mrs Akintunde Bidemi Taiwo, a nursing mother.

The incident gained widespread attention after a viral video surfaced, showing the brutal attack.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, confirmed that the arrest took place on Saturday following an order from the Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Eribo.

The case has been transferred to the Gender-Based Violence Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation and subsequent arraignment.

Abutu detailed the arrest, stating, “On February 15, 2025, at approximately 19:00 hours, the Ekiti State Police Command arrested Jimoh Abdulrahman, who had severely assaulted his wife, Mrs Akintunde Bidemi
Taiwo, a resident of Nova Area, Ado Ekiti.”

Following a tip-off and the circulation of the disturbing viral video, Commissioner Eribo instructed the Divisional Police Officer at Oke-Ila, Ado Ekiti, to take immediate action.

“The operatives from the Oke-Ila division moved swiftly to apprehend the suspect, and the case has now been handed over to the GBV Unit of the State CID for further investigation and legal proceedings,” Abutu concluded.

[Punch]

PTML Terminal, the largest multipurpose terminal in West Africa, recently made history with the arrival of the MV Great Cotonou, the first Con-Ro (Container-Roll-on/Roll-off) vessel, which reached Lagos from Shanghai, China, in a record 27 days.

The operators of the terminal said this milestone marks a significant advancement in maritime trade between China and Nigeria, reducing transit times and enhancing logistics efficiency.

Owned by global shipping giant Grimaldi Group, which also operates PTML Terminal, the MV Great Cotonou is set to transform regional trade by offering the fastest transit time on this route—just 27 days.

Unlike other shipping services that require transshipment at intermediary ports, this direct service ensures faster and more reliable delivery for Nigerian importers, eliminating delays and additional handling costs.

With this innovative service, Nigerian businesses can now receive not only containerized cargo but also vehicles—including cars, vans, trucks, and project cargo—all on the same vessel.

This unique multimodal transport solution presents a substantial logistical advantage, streamlining supply chains and reducing overall costs for importers.

PTML Terminal is well-equipped to handle this new service, boasting state-of-the-art facilities, easy port access, and a dedicated workforce to ensure seamless operations.

The terminal’s highly efficient cargo-handling capabilities will further enhance the benefits of this direct shipping route.

The vessel’s arrival was commemorated with a high-profile welcoming event attended by key figures in the maritime industry. Among those present were Andrea Grimaldi, representing the Grimaldi family, alongside Giampaolo Vitale, Line Manager, and Salvatore Califano, Director of Grimaldi. PTML’s Managing Director, Ascanio Russo, also attended the event, emphasizing the significance of this milestone.

Speaking at the event, Russo stated: “The arrival of the Great Cotonou at PTML represents a pivotal moment for Nigerian importers.

“This service will significantly reduce transit times and logistics costs while offering unmatched convenience by accommodating various types of cargo in a single shipment.”

“We have the infrastructure, the expertise, and the human capital, and we will offer great service to our importers and exporters.

“The arrival of this ship and this new service will definitely create many more opportunities for our terminal, workers, host community, and Nigeria as a whole.

“This is the largest container-RoRo ship coming to Africa, and we have upgraded our facilities to receive this kind of vessel.

“We have recently acquired a massive mobile harbour crane costing more than USD 10 million. Additionally, we had to upgrade our infrastructure, including the quayside, with an investment exceeding USD 5 million just to accommodate these ships,” Russo said.

Also speaking, Andrea Grimaldi said, “Our goal is to create a fast and efficient trade link between Shanghai and West Africa, particularly Lagos.

“The Great Cotonou offers a direct connection with a rapid 27-day transit. We are starting with Shanghai, but as demand grows, we plan to expand our coverage to other Chinese ports and beyond.”

With this groundbreaking development, Nigerian businesses and logistics operators now have access to a faster, more efficient, and cost-effective trade link with China

The direct Shanghai-to-Lagos route reinforces Lagos as a key hub in global maritime logistics, strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading player in West African trade.

As PTML Terminal continues to expand its service offerings, the launch of this direct shipping route, the operators of the terminal said, stands as a testament to its commitment to enhancing trade, boosting economic growth, and providing world-class logistics solutions in Nigeria.

[TheNation]

‘The Switch,’ a movie produced by Sandra Okunzuwa and directed by Okey Ifeanyi, premiered on Prime Video in January 2025.

The film, centered around domestic violence, was a compelling watch with thought-provoking themes. While there were some pitfalls here and there, the themes and cast performances make it a compelling watch. This movie could have been even more impactful with tighter pacing and attention to detail.

SYNOPSIS 

Two couples agree to switch partners for a month, but discover that the grass isn’t always greener.

THE STRONG POINT OF THE FILM

The most intriguing aspect of the movie was its themes. While domestic violence has been explored in films before, ‘The Switch’ stands out in raising awareness of the issue while weaving in other compelling themes. Love, regret, self-esteem, self-worth, friendship, and betrayal were deeply explored, making the story relatable. At some point, I found myself murmuring, ‘You never know the value of what you have until you lose it,’ because the film captured that sentiment so well. The thought-provoking themes strengthened the movie.

The actors knew their craft and delivered their roles flawlessly. Despite the cast being fewer than ten, their performances carried the story effortlessly. Their expressions, dialogue, and delivery made the emotions feel real. For instance, in the scene where Stephanie confronted Pablo, cursing him out, the pain and regret in her voice and expression were palpable. It was one of those moments that truly resonated. The cast brought their A-game.

The cinematography of the movie was also decent. While it was not groundbreaking, it effectively complemented the story, capturing the emotions and intensity of each scene.

THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM 

However, the movie was not without its flaws. The storyline was quite predictable from the moment the switch was suggested, and the outcome felt obvious. Beyond that, the premise did not seem plausible, especially within the Nigerian setting. The idea that someone would willingly swap partners with a friend just for the sake of “exploring” felt far-fetched.

Additionally, the makeup in the movie was noticeably inconsistent. While the bruises from the beatings were well done initially, they were not applied with continuity in mind. In some scenes, they appeared darker, in others, lighter, and at times, they were completely absent.

The film’s slow pacing was another weak point. Some scenes felt unnecessarily dragged out, making the runtime of over two hours feel longer than needed for the storyline. The plot could have been tighter with better pacing, ensuring the story remained engaging without losing momentum.

FINAL VERDICT

‘The Switch’ gets a 6/10.

[TheCable]

Cryptocurrency prices stabilized last week even as geopolitical risks increased and the US published strong consumer inflation data. 

Bitcoin BTC-0.72%Bitcoin remained below $100,000, while some altcoins like Mantra OM0.14%MANTRA and PancakeSwap CAKE4.14%PancakeSwap surged. 

The top catalyst for most cryptocurrencies will be the Federal Reserve minutes scheduled for Wednesday. These minutes will provide more information about the last meeting and what to expect later this year. 

The top cryptocurrencies to watch this week will be FTX Token FTT-1.11%FTX, Tapswap, and Pi Network.

FTX Token in focus as payouts start

The FTX token will be in the spotlight this week as the FTX Estate starts distributing over $16 billion to its creditors. Qualified creditors who have completed the pre-distribution requirements will start being paid on Monday. They will then receive the payouts within 1 to 3 businesses. BitGo and Kraken will handle these distributions.

The FTX Token price has remained under pressure ahead of these distributions, dropping from the year-to-date high of $4.3855 to below $2.40. It is also consolidating at the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages. 

A bearish flag pattern points to a potential retreat after the distributions start.

The crypto community on X.com had a lot to say about FTT’s trajectory.

CryptoBull told its 32,000 followers to “keep an eye on [FTT].”

FTT, a utility token for trading fee discounts, collateral for derivatives, and participation in staking and buyback programs, was founded in 2019 by Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) and Gary Wang. FTT was designed as

By November 2022, FTX collapsed after revelations of financial mismanagement and misuse of customer funds, leading to bankruptcy. The FTT token plummeted from around $25 to near zero, as its value was deeply tied to FTX’s solvency.

Bankman-Fried was later convicted of fraud and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund. While the media speculates whether the US government will invest in crypto, let’s take a broader look at the past and the potential future of Bitcoin BTC-0.65%Bitcoin.

What formed Bitcoin’s trends?

Over the last 17 years, Bitcoin’s price climbed from $0 to a historic high of $110,000, yet its trajectory has been anything but linear. In 2010, for instance, you needed five thousand BTC just to buy a pizza. The dawn of the infamous Silk Road marketplace in 2011 contributed to an early price spike. When the US authorities took down the marketplace, the subsequent US Senate public hearing unexpectedly propelled Bitcoin’s price from several hundred dollars to over $1,200 per coin.

Then came the first altcoin season, fueled by the arrival of Ethereum ETH-0.12%Ethereum in 2016 and the initial coin offering boom ending in 2017. This period pushed Bitcoin to an unbelievable high of $20,000. After its first crypto winter of 2017–2018, Bitcoin gradually rebounded. The rise of decentralized finance and the explosion of nonfungible tokens injected renewed energy as innovative projects and enthusiastic adopters bid up prices again. Although Bitcoin itself was not the driving force behind DeFi—Ethereum’s smart contracts took that role—Bitcoin remained the main gateway for crypto investments, with its “wrapped” version appearing on decentralized exchanges and automated market makers from 2018 to 2020. NFTs also accompanied Bitcoin’s climb. After a modest rollback, COVID-19 struck, and governments all over the world poured out a rain of freshly printed money to their citizens, fueling another wave of investor interest.

Just as it appeared trends were slowing, institutional investors entered the scene. Traditional financial institutions began embracing Bitcoin, launching exchange-traded funds around 2022, which peaked in popularity between 2024 and 2025. This broadened access for both retail and institutional investors and reinforced Bitcoin’s status as “digital gold.”

National wealth funds

Now, with rumors swirling that the US government might soon hold direct crypto investments through newly initiated Sovereign Wealth Funds, it’s worth considering what would happen if this becomes reality. 

Undoubtedly, the United States would set a global precedent for other countries. This trend could shape the next two to five years and potentially send Bitcoin’s price skyrocketing, perhaps fulfilling the wildest dreams by reaching $1,000,000 per coin. There is a catch, though. Even the most powerful financial organizations can suffer from short-sightedness.

What drives Bitcoin’s value?

Bitcoin never fully became the “electronic cash” envisioned in Satoshi Nakamoto’s white paper. Its Silk Road era may have been its golden age for real-world transactions. For clarity, it remains the go-to option for shady trades worldwide. In legitimate markets, Bitcoin functions primarily as a store of value—a speculative asset traded by investors with little regard for its original utility.

We’ve seen it evolve through multiple eras, and we now stand on the threshold of potentially the biggest one yet: national investments. Many governments already own some BTC, often seized from criminal enterprises. Still, if treasury departments jump in late, they might miss significant profits, while early movers like El Salvador could enjoy a larger windfall. Each trend so far has expanded Bitcoin’s investor base, but what could surpass the participation of institutional organizations, superannuation funds (yet to embark), and national treasuries? Eventually, you run out of buyers on Earth—there’s certainly no one on the Moon to continue the trend once Bitcoin gets there.

That is why I consider it short-sighted to expect that Bitcoin’s speculative value will continue to be fueled by these trends indefinitely. Those who could shape Bitcoin’s future and make its use truly sustainable, beyond mere speculation, unfortunately, show few signs of having a long-term vision. My prediction is that they will quietly exit before the trend turns downward.

Alternative (sustainable) future

Many question Bitcoin’s reliability, but such skepticism often relies on flawed assumptions. Bitcoin is neither centralized nor vulnerable: it has operated as a publicly accessible ledger for over 17 years without major disruptions—an unparalleled feat.

If national treasuries recognize Bitcoin’s resilience, it could pave the way for long-overlooked applications. Bitcoin has the potential to evolve into a robust application platform similar to Ethereum. While some engineers debate this, I believe their skepticism stems from a lack of in-depth expertise in this area.

Imagine leveraging Bitcoin’s blockchain for a national land registry, a decentralized alternative to ICANN’s TLD system, or even a voting system for democratic countries. Bitcoin’s higher fees could be justified by its unprecedented security—particularly for mission-critical public and private systems that handle valuable assets. While cheaper, less secure blockchains may appeal to speculative or experimental projects, Bitcoin is designed for scenarios where reliability trumps cost.

Conclusion

I’ve long advocated for building dApps and smart contracts on Bitcoin (and I am deeply involved in the technical side), contending that its high fees are a worthwhile trade-off for top-notch security. It’s for the “big boys”—sectors where reliability is non-negotiable. If national treasuries finally embrace Bitcoin as the ultimate digital store of value, it will open the door to its true utility as the digital fortress for the most critical pieces of public infrastructure—its price will never turn back, literally reaching the Moon and even Mars.

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem is surging, with its top cryptocurrencies leading the market’s gainers at last check early Sunday morning.

Over the past seven days, XRP has climbed 11.8%, while Sologenic (SOLO) and Coreum (COREUM) soared 21.6% and 21.4%, respectively.

The rally highlights growing momentum for XRPL-based assets, outpacing Polkadot (DOT) and Kusama (KSM), which are up 3.4% and 2.9%.

Built for fast, low-cost cross-border payments and asset tokenization, XRPL is a decentralized blockchain with a built-in decentralized exchange (DEX), trust lines for asset issuance, and sidechains for expanded functionality. Its ecosystem is expanding, with non-fungible token (NFT) support, smart contract integration (Hooks), and DeFi applications gaining traction.

Ripple, a key contributor to XRPL, has been driving institutional adoption, while the XRPL Foundation and developer community continue to enhance the network’s capabilities. The recent surge in XRPL-related tokens suggests growing confidence in its ecosystem as tokenization, payments, and DeFi innovation accelerate.

Why? For starters, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently acknowledged Grayscale’s 19b-4 filing for an XRP exchange-traded fund, or ETF.

Analysts now project a surge in institutional investment if and when it’s approved.

Polymarket bettors like the odds. According to the website, where crypto holders can gamble on real-world events, there’s an 81% chance of approval this year, according to Cointelegraph.

JPMorgan analysts also reported that a spot XRP ETF could bring in up to $8 billion in institutional money. Should the XRP ETF get the green light, it’ll rank alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum — already spot ETF-approved — as a top cryptocurrency attracting institutional investors.

Grayscale plans to transform XRP Trust into a tradable ETF, once approved the conversion would increase liquidity and accessibility for investors all around the world.

The SEC’s acknowledgment is one step in the approval process. The fact that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is hobnobbing with politicos in Washington, D.C. this past week has certainly helped boost the chances as well.

Currently, XRP’s price is trading at $2.78, with a 24-hour trading volume of $3.5 billion. As for the other top cryptocurrencies, here’s a look at their seven-day trajectories:

[crypto.news]