MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire philanthropist and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has seen her fortune shrink by $3.69 billion so far in 2025. The decline comes as Amazon’s stock price has fallen more than 12% since the start of the year, reflecting broader volatility in the tech sector. Scott, 55, remains one of Amazon’s largest individual shareholders, holding a 1.3% stake in the company. As of May 10, Amazon shares were trading at $193.06, down 12.33% from January. According to Bloomberg, Scott’s net worth now stands at $36.5 billion-a 9.2% drop since the beginning of the year. Much of Scott’s wealth is tied to her Amazon holdings, which she received as part of her 2019 divorce settlement with Bezos. At that time, she was granted 25% of the couple’s jointly held Amazon shares, but relinquished her interests in The Washington Post and aerospace company Blue Origin, and gave Bezos voting control over her Amazon shares. A Princeton graduate and published novelist, Scott was one of Amazon’s earliest employees, playing a key role in the company’s formative years. In recent years, she has become known for her rapid and large-scale philanthropic giving. Since 2020, Scott has donated more than $14 billion to educational institutions, social justice groups, and community nonprofits across the United States-often with little fanfare and minimal bureaucracy. Many of these charitable gifts are now listed as liabilities against her net worth, reflecting the significant impact of her philanthropy on her overall fortune. Scott’s other assets, including cash reserves and private holdings from her divorce settlement, remain less transparent. Despite the recent decline in her wealth, MacKenzie Scott remains one of the world’s richest women. She continues her philanthropic work through a limited liability company known as Lost Horse. Scott previously remarried Dan Jewett, a Seattle science teacher, and the couple jointly signed the Giving Pledge in 2021, though reports in 2023 indicated they had separated.
Enugu State to launch state airline, 100 CNG buses, and smart transport programme by May
Enugu State is set to make history this May with the launch of a state-owned airline, a 100-unit fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, and a smart transport programme-marking a major leap forward in mobility, sustainability, and economic development for the region. The announcement, made over the weekend by Commissioner for Transportation Dr. Obi Ozor after a State Executive Council meeting, signals the government’s commitment to transforming Enugu into a modern transport hub and positioning the state as a destination for tourism and investment. Enugu Air, the state’s new airline, will debut with three aircraft-two of which have already arrived, with the third expected by the end of May. Commercial operations are set to begin before the administration’s second anniversary on May 29, 2025. The airline is expected to boost regional connectivity, create jobs, and attract investment, with the long-term goal of establishing Enugu as a key player in Nigeria’s aviation sector. “We are starting off with the initial three aircraft, and two of the aircraft are already on ground. The third one will be on ground by the end of this month,” Dr. Ozor confirmed. “We are hoping to start the commercial operations before the second year anniversary of this administration.” The state’s mass transit initiative is also set to roll out 100 CNG-powered buses, with 50 already stationed at Okpara Square and the remaining 50 arriving in the coming weeks. All buses will commence commercial operations before the end of May, providing cleaner, more efficient transportation for residents. Supporting this fleet are five new ultramodern bus terminals-two at Holy Ghost and one each at Gariki, Abakpa, and Nsukka-designed to serve as major transit hubs and improve passenger convenience across the state. The Enugu Smart Transport Programme will launch within the next 150 days. This initiative will digitize ticketing, optimize routes, and introduce over 2,000 electric vehicles into the state’s transport ecosystem, furthering the administration’s commitment to sustainability and digital transformation. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a CNG and electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Enugu, which will support local vehicle production, maintenance, and the broader clean-energy transition. These transport projects are part of a larger development push by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, which also includes upgrades to tourism sites and sports facilities in preparation for the 2026 National Sports Festival.
NIPOST partners with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to boost international mail delivery
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has entered a direct partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to enhance the efficiency and reliability of its international mail services. This collaboration, announced by Postmaster-General Tola Odeyemi on May 12, 2025, marks NIPOST’s first direct international mail agreement in years. Previously dependent on multiple third-party handlers, NIPOST faced delays, high costs, and logistical challenges in delivering international mail. The new partnership with KLM is set to eliminate these issues, offering faster delivery times, reduced risks of loss or damage, and lower handling charges. Customers will also gain access to KLM’s extensive global network spanning over 200 countries. Odeyemi highlighted that clearing longstanding debts owed to international carriers was key to securing this deal. “We are actively working to rebuild global trust, and this partnership is only the first of many doors that will reopen,” she said. The improved international mail system is expected to benefit Nigerian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises involved in export and online sales, by providing more affordable and reliable shipping options and opening new opportunities in global markets. “A more capable, transparent, and globally connected NIPOST is here. We are not just delivering mail, we are delivering solutions and moving Nigeria forward,” Odeyemi concluded. This development comes amid ongoing reforms at NIPOST, including a shift to digital licensing for logistics companies and the elimination of cash payments at post offices starting July 1, 2025. These changes aim to increase transparency, improve service quality, and position NIPOST as a modern, globally connected logistics provider.
Air Peace aircraft collides with Antelope on Abuja runway, causing flight disruptions
An Air Peace aircraft was grounded after hitting a large antelope while taxiing on the runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, leading to significant flight delays and cancellations. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident, explaining that the collision resulted in the death of the animal and left the aircraft marked as Aircraft on Ground (AOG), necessitating immediate engineering inspections and repairs. NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, acknowledged the disruption and described such unforeseen wildlife incursions as challenging factors that occasionally impact flight schedules. “Flights scheduled to operate with this aircraft were naturally disrupted. Engineers are currently assessing and repairing the plane to restore service,” Achimugu said. He also emphasized the airline’s responsibility to communicate transparently with passengers, provide refunds where applicable, and ensure their welfare during the disruption. The NCAA has warned that failure to meet these obligations could result in sanctions against the airline. A source close to Air Peace said that the incident occurred during landing and that the aircraft was promptly inspected and repaired following standard aviation procedures. “It was not a major issue,” the source noted, aiming to reassure the public about safety and operational readiness. In response to the incident, the NCAA has pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding the runway intrusion to enhance wildlife management and prevent future occurrences that could jeopardize flight safety.
NDLEA arrests woman smuggling cocaine at Port Harcourt Airport
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a woman attempting to smuggle more than two kilograms of cocaine to Iran through Port Harcourt International Airport. Ihensekhien Miracle Obehi was detained on Sunday, May 11, as she prepared to board a Qatar Airways flight to Iran via Doha. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Obehi concealed the drugs in multiple ways: three wraps were hidden in her private part, two parcels were stashed in a false bottom of her handbag, and she had swallowed 67 pellets of cocaine. “During her search, she was found to have inserted three wraps of cocaine into her private part, with two large parcels hidden in false compartments of her handbag, while she had also swallowed 67 pellets of the Class A drug,” Babafemi said. Obehi told investigators she intended to swallow 70 pellets but could not continue after 67, prompting her to hide the remaining three internally. The total weight of the cocaine seized was 2.523 kilograms. The NDLEA placed Obehi under observation, and over several days she expelled all 67 pellets. The agency says this arrest is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking through Nigeria’s airports. In related operations, NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, intercepted a British national with 37.6 kilograms of cannabis and seized large quantities of other illicit drugs in Lagos, Kaduna, Kwara, Bauchi, and Kano states. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) praised officers for their vigilance and commitment to reducing drug trafficking and abuse nationwide. The agency continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization programs in schools and communities across the country.
Court orders final forfeiture of N1.29 billion stolen from Sterling bank in system glitch case
The Federal High Court in Ikoyi has ordered the permanent forfeiture of N1,292,798,746.81 stolen from Sterling Bank Plc due to a system glitch, directing that the funds be returned to the Federal Government in favor of the bank. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched an investigation after Sterling Bank reported a theft totaling N2.5 billion. The probe traced the stolen money to multiple accounts held by individuals and a company, including M Sharif Inter-Trading and Marketing Company Ltd. and several accounts linked to Mustapha Abubakar and associates. On March 12, 2025, the court granted an interim forfeiture order and invited any interested party to contest the claim. Following no opposition, Justice D.I. Dipeolu ruled the EFCC’s motion meritorious and finalized the forfeiture. The theft occurred through exploitation of a system glitch at Sterling Bank, allowing criminals to withdraw funds unlawfully. The EFCC has also arrested five suspects, including some bank staff, charged with conspiracy, hacking, and money laundering related to the incident. The suspects allegedly used insider information and cyber tools to divert over N1.2 billion into fraudulent accounts. A similar incident in 2024 involved a system glitch at TAJ Bank Ltd, which led to freezing accounts in other financial institutions and reversing over N139 million credited erroneously. The EFCC continues to urge banks to strengthen security frameworks to prevent such incidents and protect customers’ funds.