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World’s Richest Man Bezos Completes Successful First Space Jaunt

Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, soared about 66.5 miles (107 km) above the Texas desert aboard his company Blue Origin’s New Shepard launch vehicle on Tuesday and returned safely to Earth, a historic suborbital flight that helps to inaugurate a new era of private commercial space tourism.

Jeff Bezos
“Best day ever,” Reuters quoted Bezos as saying after the space capsule touched down, kicking up a cloud of dust on the desert floor.
The 57-year-old American billionaire, wearing a blue flight suit and donning a cowboy hat, was joined by three crewmates for a trip to the edge of space lasting about 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
After landing and exiting the space capsule, Bezos and the other crew members exchanged hugs and popped champagne, spraying each other.
“Astronaut Bezos in my seat – happy, happy, happy,” Bezos said in response to a mission control status check after the crew members buckled back in aboard New Shepard’s capsule following a few minutes of weightlessness in space.
Bezos, founder of ecommerce company Amazon.com Inc, and his brother Mark Bezos, a private equity executive, were joined by two others.
Pioneering female aviator Wally Funk, 82, and recent high school graduate Oliver Daemen, 18, become the oldest and youngest people to reach space.
The fully autonomous 60-foot-tall (18.3-meters-tall) gleaming white spacecraft, with a blue feather design on its side, ignited its BE-3 engines for a liftoff from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One facility about 20 miles (32 km) outside the rural town of Van Horn.
There were generally clear skies with a few patchy clouds on a cool morning for the launch.
The flight came nine days after Briton Richard Branson was aboard his competing space tourism company Virgin Galactic’s successful inaugural suborbital flight from New Mexico.
Bezos gave a thumbs-up sign from inside the capsule after landing on the desert floor.
He stepped out to cheers from family members and Blue Origin employees and gave high-fives to some of the roughly two dozen people on hand.
He founded Blue Origin two decades ago. This was the company’s first crewed flight to space.
New Shepard was designed to hurtle at speeds upwards of 2,200 miles (3,540 km) per hour to an altitude reaching the so-called Kármán line – 62 miles (100 km) – set by an international aeronautics body as defining the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space.
After the capsule separated from the booster, the crew unbuckled for the few minutes of weightlessness.
The capsule then returned to Earth under parachutes, using a retro-thrust system that expelled a “pillow of air” for a soft landing.
The mission was part of a fiercely competitive battle between Bezos’ Blue Origin and Branson’s Virgin Galactic to tap a potentially lucrative space tourism market the Swiss bank UBS estimates will be worth $3 billion annually in a decade.
Branson got to space first, but Bezos flew higher – Virgin Galactic managed an altitude of 53 miles (86 km) – in what experts called the world’s first unpiloted space flight with an all-civilian crew.
The flight coincides with the anniversary of Americans Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin becoming the first humans to walk on the moon, on July 20, 1969.
New Shepard is named for Alan Shepard, who in 1961 became the first American in space.
Funk was one of the so-called Mercury 13 group of women who trained to become NASA astronauts in the early 1960s but was passed over because of her gender.
Daemen, Blue Origin’s first paying customer, is set to study physics and innovation management at college in the Netherlands.
His father, who heads investment management firm Somerset Capital Partners, was on site to watch his son fly to space.
New Shepard is a rocket-and-capsule combo that cannot be piloted from inside the spacecraft.
It is completely computer-flown and had none of Blue Origin’s staff astronauts or trained personnel onboard.
Virgin Galactic used a space plane with a pair of pilots onboard.
The reusable Blue Origin booster had previously flown twice to space.
The launch represented another step in the race to establish a space tourism sector that Swiss investment bank UBS estimates will reach $3 billion annually in a decade.
Another billionaire tech mogul, Elon Musk, plans to send an all-civilian crew on a several-day orbital mission on his Crew Dragon capsule in September.
On Twitter, Musk wished the Blue Origin crew “best of luck” hours before the launch.
Blue Origin aims for the first of two more passenger flights this year to happen in September or October.
Bezos has a net worth of $206 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
He stepped down this month as Amazon CEO but remains its executive chairman.
News
SERAP Challenges CBN to Publish Local Government Allocations

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to immediately disclose whether it has commenced the direct disbursement of allocations to the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, following the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment nullifying state governors’ control over LGA funds.
In a letter dated 10 May 2025 obtained by our correspondent, addressed to the CBN Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group also demanded that the bank “widely publish the amounts, if any, so far sent directly to each of the local governments” and provide a detailed explanation of any payments already made—particularly to LGAs in Rivers State.
The group stated: “We are writing to request you to use your good offices and leadership position to immediately disclose whether the CBN has commenced the direct disbursement of allocations to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria from the Federation Accounts with the CBN, and to widely publish the amounts, if any, so far sent to each of the local governments.”
This request follows a Supreme Court judgment declaring the practice by governors and the FCT Minister of retaining and disbursing LGA allocations unconstitutional and unlawful.
The court ruled that no governor or agency has the authority to interfere with allocations meant for LGAs from the Federation Account.
Citing this judgment, SERAP argued: “Local government councils are entitled to a direct payment from the Federation Account of the amount standing to their credit in the said Federation Account. States should not be collecting, receiving, spending or tampering with the local government council funds from the Federation Account meant for the benefit of the councils.”
The advocacy group expressed concern that despite the ruling, many state governors have continued to “starve local governments of funds and put them in peril,” thereby undermining their autonomy and capacity to function as the third tier of government.
In the letter, the group warned that if the CBN fails to act within seven days, it would take legal action.
“If we have not heard from you by then, the Incorporated Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the CBN to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter stated.
SERAP referenced a past revelation by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who in December 2022 described how governors allegedly short-changed LGA chairmen.
“If the money from the Federation Account to the state is about N100 million, N50 million will be sent to the chairman, but he will sign that he received N100 million. The chairman will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with,” Buhari had said.
The organisation argued that the CBN has a constitutional and statutory obligation to protect the financial interests of all tiers of government.
“The CBN ought to act in the public interest to protect the allocations in the Federation Account and the public funds disbursed from that Account directly to each of the constitutionally recognised three tiers of government,” it said.
Highlighting the March 2025 revenue distribution by the Federation Account Allocation Committee, SERAP noted that a total of N1.578 trillion was shared among the three tiers of government. It queried whether the LGAs had received their fair share directly, as mandated by the court ruling.
“Ensuring that all restrictions against direct disbursement of allocations from the Federation Account to the 774 councils are lifted will comply with the orders by the Supreme Court and stop states and the FCT from tampering with the allocations ahead of the 2027 general elections,” SERAP warned.
The group further argued that Nigerians have a legal and moral right to know how their money is being managed, referencing several legal frameworks, including the Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold the information. Nigerians are entitled to the right to receive information without any interference or distortion, and the enjoyment of this right should be based on the principle of maximum disclosure,” SERAP stated.
The group also reminded the CBN that “the Freedom of Information Act is applicable and applies to public records in the Federation, including those kept by the CBN.”
News
CFUIS Expands to Nigeria, Boosting U.S. Immigration and Business Opportunities

Center for U.S. Immigration Services (CFUIS), a premier legal firm specializing in U.S. immigration law and global mobility, has officially launched operations in Nigeria—marking a strategic move to bridge Africa’s talent and business potential with opportunities in the United States.
Led by Nigerian-American attorney Dr. Martins I. Imudia, the expansion positions CFUIS as a trusted legal and business partner for individuals and organizations across the continent seeking expert guidance on U.S. immigration, workforce mobility, and international expansion.
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and having other offices at Bradenton, Clearwater, Dearborn, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami and Orlando.
CFUIS offers a full suite of immigration services, including employment and family-based petitions, naturalization, deportation defense, and global mobility consulting. Under Dr. Imudia’s leadership, the firm has become known for its culturally sensitive, results-driven approach that not only simplifies complex legal processes but also opens doors for global opportunity.
Whether advising multinational companies on workforce mobility or assisting individuals seeking lawful permanent residency, CFUIS provides tailored solutions grounded in empathy and precision.
The new Nigeria office will serve as a vital gateway for clients looking to access U.S. markets, relocate talent, or expand their business footprints.
Dr. Martins I. Imudia is a seasoned legal practitioner born in Oza-Nogogo, Delta State, Nigeria. A respected authority in immigration and global development, he is also the CEO of Siotoh Holdings LLC, a diversified business group overseeing ventures such as Siotoh Academy, Siotoh Global Mobility, and Otawise Technologies.
His business interests are rooted in innovation, entrepreneurship, creating economic opportunities and economic empowerment—creating practical solutions for a rapidly evolving global economy.
Beyond legal and business pursuits, Dr. Imudia is a champion of humanitarian development and a philanthropist.
He founded the Imudia Foundation to support vulnerable populations through healthcare access, social infrastructure projects, and community empowerment.
In a continued demonstration of this commitment, he co-founded Oza Invest Limited to drive capital investment and economic revitalization in his hometown, bringing a practical model of sustainable development to life.
For Dr. Imudia, service to mankind is the highest calling. His guiding philosophy revolves around leveraging his skills and resources for the common good. Whether through legal advocacy, business initiatives, or philanthropic efforts, he remains steadfast in his mission to uplift communities, empower individuals, and create lasting social impact.
In his latest initiative, Dr. Imudia has partnered with the Delta State Government to establish a vocational training school aimed at addressing unemployment and equipping youth with in-demand, job-ready skills.
The school, a project of Siotoh Academy, is now accepting registrations and offers a unique opportunity for individuals and families seeking long-term economic stability through practical education.
This initiative reflects his ongoing commitment to creating long-term solutions for unemployment and underdevelopment.
By investing in vocational training, Dr. Imudia hopes to empower a new generation with the tools and knowledge to become self-reliant, productive members of society.
The vocational school stands as a testament to his belief in education as a cornerstone of economic empowerment and social transformation.
According to Dr. Martins I. Imudia, “Our expansion into Nigeria is not just about legal services—it’s about unlocking global opportunities for individuals, empowering communities through education, and building a future where Africa plays a leading role on the world stage.
“Our work is a testament to the power of combining expertise with purpose, driving change across borders and inspiring a new generation of globally minded leaders.”
News
Tomato ‘Ebola’ May Disrupt Nigeria’s Agric Value Chain- Rewane

Bismarck Rewane, renowned economist and chief executive officer of the Financial Derivatives Company, has warned that the recent outbreak of the tomato leaf miner, commonly referred to as “Tomato Ebola,” is a disruption to Nigeria’s agriculture value chain.

Bismarck Rewane, CEO, Financial Derivatives Company
Speaking on Channels Television’s Business Morning programme on Thursday, Rewane emphasised that the impact of the outbreak extends far beyond tomatoes, triggering a cost ripple effect across the broader food basket.
“The effect of an increase in the price of tomatoes leads to cost elasticity which means that the price of other substitutes will begin to increase, including the price of carrots, the price of tomato paste, price of tomato puree and other things.
“One for the reddening, two for the effect and the thickening on the sauce you’re making.
“However, because tomato is a perishable commodity, it also means that if there is tomato ebola, then the price has increased, and also the supply has reduced, it has a knock-on effect on so many other things,” Rewane explained.
He added that Nigeria’s lack of food storage and preventive mechanisms has worsened the crisis, causing severe supply chain disruptions.
Rewane’s comments come amid a sharp increase in the price of tomatoes, with a 50-kilogramme basket of the commodity which used to sell for N5,000, now selling for N10,000 to N30,000, thereby compounding food inflation and straining household budget.
The Federal Government said Nigeria has so far lost over N1.3 billion to the outbreak of the invasive pest in key tomato-producing states like Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna.
Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, explained that the outbreak has significantly disrupted tomato supply chains, causing a surge in prices.
He noted that the outbreak of tomato Ebola highlights the fragile nature of Nigeria’s horticultural systems, and that the invasive pest can destroy tomato crops within 48 hours, resulting in catastrophic yield losses.
He added that this crisis highlights the urgent need for integrated pest management strategies, investment in resilient crop varieties, and enhanced support for farmers to safeguard the country’s food supply chains.
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