Author: Olaoluwa Vincent Ajayi

Seven inmates at the Ilesha Correctional Facility escaped in the early hours of Tuesday, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed late Tuesday night. Following the security breach, the federal government has launched a nationwide manhunt to track down and re-arrest the fleeing inmates. In an official statement issued on Tuesday night, the NCoS spokesperson, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Abubakar Umar, stated: “The force majeure, which occurred at approximately 02:00 hours on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, led to the escape of seven inmates.” Read Also: Ondo: Doctor, two others remanded to prison for procuring abortion, raping minor 12 Inmates escape…

The United Kingdom and the State of Israel share a deeply entangled history—one that is rooted in colonial legacies, wartime diplomacy, and a shared commitment to democratic values. Over the decades, the UK-Israel relationship has evolved through phases of tension, pragmatism, and strategic alignment. But recent events in Gaza have tested this long-standing alliance like never before, with Britain joining a growing list of countries reassessing their support amid mounting civilian casualties and humanitarian concerns. From Security Cooperation to Sanctions Security and defense cooperation have long been a cornerstone of the UK-Israel alliance. Both nations have shared intelligence on counterterrorism,…

By Alade Adisa The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday night dispelled rumours that there is instability in the Nigerian banking sector. The apex bank, in a statement described insinuations that some banks are experiencing difficulties as far from the truth. The bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, in a statement, said that certain publications and online reports to the contrary, were false and should be disregarded. “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to certain publications and social media reports containing misleading information regarding the operations of a regulated…

Nigeria’s naira remained stable against major foreign currencies on Tuesday, holding ground in a volatile global market marked by inflation concerns and tightening monetary policies across key economies. As of May 20, 2025, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) set the official exchange rates as follows: ₦1,610.97 to a US dollar ₦2,151.32 to a British pound ₦1,809.10 to a euro The naira’s performance signals a momentary pause in the depreciation trend that has characterized much of Q1 2025, with analysts citing marginal improvements in oil revenues and enhanced FX liquidity as contributing factors. Read More: Naira strengthens slightly as CBN…

An intensifying wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape, less than two years into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Findings by New Daily Prime suggest that beyond ideological realignments or internal party strife, the promise of automatic tickets and access to high-value federal contracts are at the heart of this political migration. Multiple sources confirm that several governors and senators from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition blocs are currently in advanced talks to defect. Although political cross-carpeting is common in Nigeria’s democracy, its scale and frequency…

In a ceremony rich with tradition and symbolism, Pope Leo XIV was formally inaugurated today as the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, presiding over a congregation of tens of thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square beneath a crisp Roman sky. The Pope, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, became the spiritual head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on 8 May, following the resignation of his predecessor. His election marks a new chapter for a Church facing complex global challenges—from declining participation in Europe to growing tensions in regions of conflict. This morning’s inauguration began with a moment…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday welcomed the newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, marking the monarch’s first official audience with the president since his coronation last month. Oba Owoade, who ascended the historic Yoruba throne on April 12, 2025, was received at the State House shortly after Jumaat prayers and following President Tinubu’s closed-door security briefing with service chiefs and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Sources within the presidency confirmed that the meeting was held behind closed doors, in line with protocol, but highlighted the symbolic importance of the royal visit,…

Vatican City, May 17, 2025 — In his first major public statement since ascending to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV on Friday affirmed the Catholic Church’s longstanding teachings on the sanctity of life and the traditional structure of the family. Speaking during his inaugural meeting with the Vatican diplomatic corps, Pope Leo declared that the family is “founded on the stable union between a man and a woman,” reinforcing the Church’s position on marriage. He further emphasized that both the unborn and the elderly possess inherent dignity as creations of God, offering a firm stance on issues surrounding abortion and…

By Alade Adisa A candidate who scored 326 in the recent UTME has been unexpectedly rescheduled to retake the exam, despite previously receiving what many would consider an excellent score. The news came to light after the candidate, posting under the handle @swagpriest2 on X (formerly Twitter), shared a screenshot of an SMS notifying him of the reschedule. “WTF, I got rescheduled… I’m not even in Lagos. Gosh, this country is so awful,” he wrote. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had earlier confirmed technical issues at some exam centers, leading to a mass rescheduling of affected candidates. However,…

Washington, D.C., May 16, 2025 — A federal judge in Pennsylvania has become the first in the United States to support former President Donald Trump’s controversial use of a centuries-old wartime law to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members, marking a rare legal victory in his ongoing immigration crackdown. Judge Stephanie L. Haines, a Trump appointee to the U.S. District Court, ruled that the 1798 Alien Enemies Act — a law historically invoked during wartime — could be legally applied to expel foreign nationals deemed threats to national security, even in the absence of an official war or military invasion. The…