Author: Damilola

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makimde, has said politicians associating with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) linked to Nyesom Wike are effectively supporting the re-election of Bola Tinubu in 2027. Makinde made the remark on Sunday during a closed-door meeting with Bala Mohammed and Seriake Dickson at the Bauchi Government House. The Oyo governor said any engagement with Wike’s camp signals alignment with the president’s political ambition. “I came into the public domain to say that I was in a meeting with Wike and Mr. President, and he promised to hold the PDP for Mr. President towards…

President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that Nigeria has secured collaboration from France on military equipment and training following discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron. The president made this known on Sunday during a meeting with state governors at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, where he is observing the Eid al-Fitr celebrations after returning from a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom. Tinubu said Nigeria is ready to leverage its international goodwill and existing credit lines to strengthen its security capacity. “I can report to you, yesterday again, at a lengthy discussion with Emmanuel Macron, their collaboration with us for…

A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has decried rising insecurity in Nigeria, saying citizens should not be forced to live under the control of terrorists. In a post on his verified X account on Sunday, the former Anambra State governor described the current security situation as a breakdown of governance and humanity. Reacting to reports from Borgaja and other communities in Sokoto State, where armed groups allegedly ordered residents to vacate their homes, Obi said the development was deeply troubling. “What we are witnessing in Borgaja and other communities in Sokoto State, and indeed across our…

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has said it was unaware of the alleged sexual assaults during a festival in Ozoro, Delta State, citing the absence of an operational office in the state. The agency made the clarification on Saturday while responding to public criticism over its perceived silence on the incident, which has sparked nationwide outrage. A Facebook user, Chukwunenye Nweke, had questioned why the agency failed to act earlier if the festival had been in existence for years. Responding, NAPTIP said, “As you know, we cannot be everywhere at all times. Currently, we…

Nigeria’s minister of information, Mohammed Idris, says the country is prepared to play a role in supporting global stability, particularly in the energy sector, as geopolitical tensions persist in the Middle East. In a statement issued by his special assistant on media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris said Nigeria stands ready to contribute to global energy needs. “Nigeria is ever ready to contribute to energy security around the world. Whatever Nigeria can do to ease tension, it will do. The world needs oil, and Nigeria is there,” he said. Commenting on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent foreign engagements, the minister described the…

Saudi Arabia has declared five diplomats from Iran persona non grata, ordering them to leave the kingdom within 24 hours amid escalating tensions between the two nations. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Saudi foreign ministry said those affected include Iran’s military attaché, assistant military attaché, and three other embassy officials. The ministry said the move was prompted by continued attacks attributed to Iran on Saudi territory, warning that such actions risk further damaging bilateral relations. According to the statement, the attacks represent “a flagrant violation of all relevant international conventions, the principles of good neighbourliness, and respect for…

Members of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been granted greater personal discretion on the use of their own blood during medical procedures, following a doctrinal clarification announced by the group’s leadership. The new guidance maintains the long-standing prohibition on transfusions involving another person’s blood but allows individuals to decide whether their own blood can be stored and reused during surgery or treatment. In a video statement released on Friday, Gerrit Lösch, a member of the Governing Body, said the clarification is intended to give believers more autonomy in medical decisions. “Regarding the use of one’s own blood…a Christian must decide for himself…

A former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has said he should not be held accountable for the non-disclosure of individuals allegedly financing terrorism in Nigeria. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, the retired lieutenant general maintained that while the financiers are known within relevant circles, there are reasons authorities have not made their identities public. “You cannot say I should be responsible for naming the financiers of terror. “It’s not just about mentioning names; those agencies know why the names are not released. Action should be taken; these individuals are still within society today, and they…

The Presidency has clarified that the recent deportation agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom will apply strictly to Nigerian citizens and does not include foreign nationals. Under the arrangement, deportees are expected to include failed asylum seekers, convicted criminals, and individuals who have overstayed their visas. However, concerns had emerged over whether non-Nigerians could also be returned under the deal. In a statement on Friday, Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Temitope Ajayi, dismissed such claims. “Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are…

Widespread outrage has followed reports of the alleged rape and assault of young women during a festival in Oruamudhu community, Ozoro, in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State Videos circulating on social media show disturbing scenes of men forcibly tearing the clothes of young women and groping them in public. In one clip, a distressed woman is seen crying while trying to cover herself after her clothes were ripped, while another shows a woman being attacked while on a motorcycle. Some social media users claimed the incident was linked to a local festival reportedly known as Uruamudhu Aluejo,…