Author: Alade Adisa

The Canadian government has turned down 13,171 Nigerians who applied for refugee protection from January 2013 to December 2024. According to official data from the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, this number includes 811 Nigerians rejected in 2024. placing Nigeria among the top five countries with the most rejected claims. It ranked 5th. The report named others as; Mexico with 2,954 rejections, India (1,688), Haiti (982) and Colombia (723). The IMRB grants refugee protection in Canada if the RPD satisfactorily confirms that an applicant or claimant meets the United Nations definition of a Convention…

Trump reinstates funds for USAID-backed programmes in South Sudan, Sudan, and Congo ·The decision follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling ordering the reversal of the aid freeze ·Samaritan’s Purse received $19 million in previously frozen USAID funds for humanitarian efforts President Donald Trump’s decision to unfreeze the blocked funds follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling ordering the reversal of an aid freeze, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy. The restored funding will enable the resumption of key initiatives in healthcare, infrastructure, and development in South Sudan, Sudan and Congo. Samaritan’s Purse, the recipient organization, confirmed that $19 million in…

Zelensky visited Ukraine’s front-line Donetsk region on SaturdayVolodymyr Zelensky visited troops defending the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk on Saturday, as diplomats from Kyiv and Moscow prepared for ceasefire talks on Monday. In a trip designed to boost front-line morale, the Ukrainian president presented medals to teams of drone operators fighting to hold the key transport hub. The city has been the main focus of the Russian push in the Donbas region since the autumn, but in recent weeks there have been signs of a Ukrainian push-back. Part of that has been down to an increased use of drones, which…

The Afenifere National Youth Council (ANYC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the escalating killings and kidnapping menace in the Southwestern part of the country. ANYC has said that nothing short of that can stem the tide of insecurity in the hitherto peaceful region. President of the group, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, in a letter to the President, said the call followed a disturbing surge in abductions and the brutal killing of victims, which had become increasingly rampant across the country. Ojajuni, who spent 12 days in captivity after being kidnapped last month in…

French President Emmanuel Macron is actively exploring alternatives to putting European boots on the ground in Ukraine – his plan drawn up with Sir Keir Starmer. According to The Telegraph, the French president is considering the possibility of a mission to protect a future peace deal being led by the United Nations. The UK Prime Minister and Macron have been leading a push to form a “coalition of the willing” of NATO and EU states to form a peacekeeping force backed by US security guarantees. Sir Keir hosted 30 senior military leaders from European countries and beyond near London to…

The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, has continued to elicit mixed reactions across the country. The latest reponse to the emergency rule declaration is coming from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) which has declared its intention to take legal action against the Federal Government. New Daily Prime reported that on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; as well as members of the state House of Assembly for six months. He subsequently appointed…

Legendary United States-born heavyweight boxer, George Foreman has died at 76 years, his family has announced. Known as Big George in the ring, the American built one of the most remarkable and enduring careers in the sport, winning Olympic gold in 1968 and claiming the world heavyweight title twice, 21 years apart – the second making him the oldest champion in history aged 45, According to BBC. He lost his first title to Muhammad Ali in their famous Rumble in the Jungle fight in 1974. But Foreman’s professional boxing career boasted an astonishing total of 76 wins including 68 knockouts,…

Elon Musk visited the Pentagon on Friday for a briefing that President Donald Trump insists was focused on the tech mogul’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts, disputing a New York Times report that the meeting would include a discussion of plans for any potential war with China. “He’s there for DOGE, not there for China, and if you ever mentioned China, I think he’d walk out of the room,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office later in the morning when asked about Musk’s meeting. The Times was first to report Musk’s Pentagon briefing. Citing two U.S. officials, the…

Free-scoring Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen scored twice on Friday to revive Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico with a crucial victory over Rwanda’s Amavubi. Desperate for a win to salvage their qualification hopes in Group C, Nigeria finally secured their first victory after five matches, climbing to six points and moving up to fourth on the table. Despite the presence of Rwandan President Paul Kagame in the stands, the Super Eagles silenced the home crowd early. Osimhen struck in the 11th minute, capitalising on a perfect assist from Ademola…

The never-ending communal clash in Osun State got even worse on Friday with about 30 residents getting shot and several killed in the renewed land dispute between Ifon in Orolu local government and Ilobu in Irepodun council area of the state. According to reports, hundreds of people, especially children and women, were displaced in the ongoing land dispute. This is as Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke has imposed a fresh curfew on the two warring local governments. This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment. According to…