Author: Damilola Olufemi

Vice President Kashim Shettima was among dozens of African and international leaders gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday as President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi assumed the chairmanship of the African Union (AU) for 2026. President Ndayishimiye took over from President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola at the opening ceremony of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU. The high-level meeting attracted 49 African leaders, alongside global partners such as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior…

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with member states of the African Union (AU) to advance health security and sovereignty across the continent. Speaking on the sidelines of the 39th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the vice-president said Africa must reduce its dependence on fragile global supply chains and shifting international priorities in safeguarding public health. According to a statement by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima stressed that Nigeria is prepared to collaborate broadly within the Union to turn health sovereignty into measurable outcomes. “Nigeria stands ready to collaborate with every member state of our Union…

Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he deliberately chooses to appear “weak” in order to preserve peace and stability amid the protracted political crisis in the state. Fubara made the remarks on Friday in Lagos while receiving the 2025 Man of the Year award from New Telegraph. In a speech reflecting on the burdens of leadership and the toll of political conflict, the governor dedicated the award to his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. “I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it. I also dedicate this award to somebody…

Late American financier, Jeffrey Epstein, once considered venturing into Nigeria’s crude oil trade but ultimately pulled back due to concerns about possible fraud, OilPrice.com has reported. The energy news platform referenced a 2010 email correspondence between Epstein and a contact identified as David Stern, in which the pair reportedly examined how Nigerian crude oil cargoes are lifted and marketed. According to OilPrice, their exchange delved into the operational and transactional hurdles tied to Nigeria’s state oil firm, now operating as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. The report said Epstein grew uneasy about the structure of the proposed transactions…

Turkish authorities have arrested 16 adult content creators allegedly connected to OnlyFans, which is banned in the country, on suspicion of money laundering. According to a statement from the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office on Friday, the arrests followed coordinated raids carried out on Thursday. During the operation, investigators reportedly confiscated assets valued at 300 million Turkish lira (approximately $6.9 million). The seized assets include two companies, 10 real estate properties and 14 vehicles. In its statement, the prosecutor’s office said, “Obscene images and videos were shared in violation of regulations on the platform OnlyFans, which is banned in Turkey, and…

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has announced that, from February 25, 2026, visitors who require a visa to enter the United Kingdom will no longer be issued physical visa documents. The agency disclosed the development in a post on X on Friday, stating that eligible travellers will instead receive an electronic visa, known as an eVisa, which must be accessed online before departure. “From 25 February 2026 visitors to the UK, who need a visa, will get an eVisa only. Create your UKVI account and view your eVisa, before you travel to the UK,” the statement read. According to…

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has claimed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) enlisted operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest him upon his return to Nigeria. There was mild tension on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when security operatives attempted to detain the former governor after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt. Earlier, his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, had alleged that security personnel approached el-Rufai shortly after he disembarked but he refused to follow them because they did not present a formal invitation. In an interview with the BBC…

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised a proposed move by lawmakers in the United States Congress to impose sanctions on certain Nigerian Muslim leaders and organisations, describing the initiative as unfair and one-sided. Last week, five US legislators introduced a bill seeking visa restrictions and asset freezes against former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, among others. Reacting in a statement published Thursday and titled, “US sanctions on Muslim figures in Nigeria…

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, with governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls scheduled for March 6, 2027. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the election timetable in Abuja on Friday. The announcement followed amid growing concerns over the delayed passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. INEC had on February 4 indicated that it had completed work on the election timetable and schedule of activities despite the delay. The commission noted that it had submitted its timetable to…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to weaken the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by allegedly deploying the judiciary against the opposition party. He made the allegation on Thursday night during a solidarity visit to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, following claims that security operatives attempted to detain him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Earlier on Thursday, Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to el-Rufai, alleged in a post on X that security agents approached the former governor shortly after he arrived in Abuja from Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday. According to Adekeye, el-Rufai…