Author: Damilola

The United States has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, marking another major step by President Donald Trump to restrict immigration into the country. Confirming the development on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the US State Department said, “The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt disclosed on X that the affected countries include Somalia, Russia, and Iran. Somalia has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism, particularly after immigrants were linked to a funding scandal in Minnesota. Leavitt shared a Fox News report indicating that…

Nigerian gospel artiste Bunmi Akinnaanu, widely celebrated for her hit song ‘Omije Ojumi’, has died. Her passing was confirmed on Tuesday through a brief statement posted on Instagram by fellow gospel singer Ayo Melody on behalf of Bunmi’s family. The post included a photo of the late singer and a video of her remains, revealing that she passed away in a Lagos hospital. “With great sadness we announce the passing of Evangelist Olubunmi Akinnanu Adeoye (OMIJE OJUMI), who passed away on 12th January 2026 at a Lagos hospital in Nigeria. May God grant her eternal rest,” the statement read. Her…

The Ugandan government has disrupted internet access across the country as it prepares for Thursday’s presidential election. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported a nationwide connectivity shutdown beginning Tuesday evening. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) defended the move, saying it was “to mitigate the rapid spread of misinformation.” The blackout started at 18:00 local time, though authorities have not specified when service will resume. Voice calls and basic SMS messaging are expected to continue despite the disruption. NetBlocks warned that the measure could reduce transparency and heighten the risk of vote manipulation. Thursday’s election is a rematch of the 2021 contest…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified moves to broaden its political reach ahead of the 2027 general election, urging former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, and other high-profile political figures to align with the party. The call followed the inauguration of the ADC’s North-East Zonal Congress Committee, an exercise the party described as part of a renewed strategy to strengthen its internal framework, entrench internal democracy, and reposition itself as a viable national alternative. Details of the development were contained in a communiqué issued on Tuesday by the party’s factional National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, after the inauguration…

Anti-government demonstrations in Iran have intensified, with rights organisations and security sources reporting that more than 2,000 people have been killed since the unrest began. The protests erupted on December 28 in Tehran after a sharp collapse of the national currency, but quickly spread across cities and towns nationwide. What started as economic protests has since evolved into a broader challenge to Iran’s clerical leadership. Anger on the streets has been driven by worsening living conditions, which many Iranians blame on poor governance, Western-imposed sanctions, and long-standing restrictions on civil freedoms. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA),…

Controversial singer, Portable, was arraigned on Monday at the Federal High Court in Ota, Ogun State, on nine-count charges involving assault, theft, causing harm, and resisting arrest. He was arraigned following a viral video on Sunday showing him in police custody, over an alleged attack on his estranged partner Ashabi Simple and other police officers, including some other persons at the singer’s bar located in Iyana Ilogbo area of the state on New Year’s Day. Portable was also accused of stealing a Mercedes-Benz E300, with dealer number Wally Dex Auto, valued at N12 million and belonging to Ileyemi Damilola, one…

The White House says United States President Donald Trump is weighing possible air strikes against Iran in response to a violent crackdown on protesters, while keeping diplomatic channels open. Speaking on Monday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was disturbed by reports of civilians being killed and had not ruled out military action. “One thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table. And air strikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander in chief,” Leavitt told reporters, adding that “diplomacy is always…

Peter Obi has raised concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence, arguing that Nigeria is facing severe socio-economic challenges without visible leadership. In a statement shared on his X handle on Monday, Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, said the country was in the midst of a national emergency and accused the President of spending extended periods outside Nigeria while critical issues worsened at home. “Where is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” Obi asked, describing the question as a “critical demand for accountability in a national emergency.” He alleged that about 140 million Nigerians…

The Federal Government has inaugurated a N40 billion close circuit television camera centre for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos state. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the surveillance facility was constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. Speaking at the inauguration on Sunday, the minister of works, Sen. Dave Umahi, said the administration inherited the Third Mainland Bridge and other key bridges in poor condition when it assumed office in 2023. “When we came on board in 2023, we met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge, both on the pavement, surface, infrastructure…

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, to participate in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026). The president left Abuja on Saturday ahead of the annual event, which runs from January 12 to January 18. The summit, established by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, serves as a global platform for dialogue on sustainability and development. Tinubu touched down in Abu Dhabi at about 4 am local time, where he was received by Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, minister of state in the UAE ministry of foreign affairs. The 2026…