Author: Olaoluwa Vincent Ajayi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening democracy and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria, promising that these principles will remain a cornerstone of his administration. Speaking on Wednesday during an inter-faith breaking of the fast with leaders of political parties at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President said his government would continue to promote democratic values and good governance to ensure stability and unity across the country. The gathering brought together members of the National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), a…

A Jordanian asylum seeker accused of a violent assault has gone on the run after failing to return to court following a lunch break during his trial. Mustafa Al Mbaidin, 29, was attending proceedings at Bournemouth Crown Court when he was granted permission to leave the courtroom during the midday recess. The judge had ordered him to remain within the court building and its surrounding precincts. However, when the court resumed, the defendant was nowhere to be found. Judge Kerry Maylin issued a warrant for his arrest after concluding that Al Mbaidin had deliberately breached the conditions of his bail.…

Iran’s newly installed supreme leader has issued a stark warning to Gulf states, demanding the immediate removal of American troops from their territories or risk further military attacks. In his first public message since taking power, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, vowed that Iran would continue striking targets across the Gulf region unless countries hosting U.S. forces expelled them. The statement, broadcast on Iranian state television, comes amid escalating tensions following a wave of U.S.-Israeli air strikes against Iran that killed the country’s longtime leader and several members of his family on the first day…

British troops helped defend a coalition air base in northern Iraq after it came under attack from a swarm of Iranian drones, defence officials said on Thursday, in the latest sign of escalating tensions between Tehran and Western forces in the Middle East. The attack targeted the air base at Erbil on Wednesday night, where British and American personnel are stationed as part of an international mission against the Islamic State militant group. UK air-defence units shot down two drones approaching the base, but several others evaded defences and struck inside the compound, according to British military officials. No British…

Two members of Iran’s women’s football delegation have chosen to return home despite offers of asylum and safety assurances from the Australian government, a decision that has drawn global attention to the risks facing athletes who challenge authority in Iran. The pair — a player and a member of the team’s support staff — had earlier indicated they wanted to remain in Australia following concerns about their safety after the team refused to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. But Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke told parliament on Wednesday that one of the…

The British government has signalled it is prepared to release emergency oil reserves as tensions with Iran threaten to disrupt global energy supplies and push prices higher. Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the Treasury Select Committee that the United Kingdom is ready to take part in a coordinated effort with international partners if necessary. The move is aimed at stabilising the oil market and preventing a deeper energy crisis. Speaking to MPs, Ms Reeves said Britain was willing to support any joint action designed to protect supply. She explained that releasing strategic reserves could help calm the market and reduce pressure…

Bernard Doro, the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria, has officially flagged off the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Distribution programme in Plateau State, aiming to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households and strengthen social protection systems nationwide. The event took place on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos. Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Doro emphasized that the intervention reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to support vulnerable Nigerians and create sustainable pathways out of poverty. Describing the event as both professionally significant and personally meaningful,…

The Oluwo of Iwoland has urged Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, to pursue peace and embrace dialogue amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The monarch made the appeal in a statement on Monday while congratulating Khamenei on his emergence as Iran’s new leader at what he described as a critical moment for the region and the global community. Oluwo said the new leader’s actions could play a decisive role in determining whether the world experiences peace or deeper conflict. “Your administrative prowess will determine whether the world experiences peace or otherwise,” he said. “The world is groaning in…

Russia has pledged strong support for Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, while China has warned outside powers not to interfere in the country’s leadership transition. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Khamenei on Monday after he was chosen by Iran’s Assembly of Experts to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening stages of the current conflict. In a message released by the Kremlin, Putin offered what he described as “unwavering support” for Tehran and expressed confidence that the new leader would guide the country through a difficult period. The Russian leader said Mojtaba Khamenei…

Iran’s political future has been thrown into uncertainty after the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, a move that has already drawn sharp criticism from United States President Donald Trump. The 56-year-old cleric has taken over the powerful position following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in his Tehran compound on the first day of the ongoing war. Ayatollah Khamenei had ruled as Iran’s supreme leader for more than 37 years, making him one of the most influential figures in the country’s modern history. Mojtaba Khamenei survived the attack because he…