Author: Olaoluwa Vincent Ajayi

The immediate past Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation in Kano State, Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar-Mata, has described Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as a “total betrayal” of both the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the people of Kano State. Kofar-Mata was the first political appointee to resign after the governor reportedly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His action opened the floodgates, as several commissioners and aides loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso followed suit, quitting the cabinet in protest. In his recent interview with the Vanguard,  Kofar-Mata says the governor’s decision amounts…

Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has revealed that he was among those targeted by officers accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, saying the conspirators planned to shoot him if he resisted arrest. Musa made the disclosure on Sunday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, days after the military announced that 16 officers arrested in October 2025 would face trial over an alleged coup plot. According to the former Chief of Defence Staff, he became aware that he was listed as a direct target of the plotters. “I was also a target. I was supposed to be…

The global stature of Nigerian music legend Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti has been further affirmed as the Recording Academy posthumously honoured the Afrobeat pioneer with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his extraordinary contributions to music, culture and political expression. The prestigious award, reserved for artistes whose creative output has left an indelible mark on world music, celebrates Fela’s enduring influence nearly three decades after his death in 1997. The Academy said his work continues to inspire generations of musicians across Africa and the world, noting that his fearless artistry reshaped the role of music as a tool for social change.…

The release of a vast new tranche of Jeffrey Epstein documents by the US Department of Justice has once again cast a harsh light on Prince Andrew’s association with the convicted sex offender, revealing emails that appear to contradict his previous denials and including photographs that further damage his reputation. In one email from February 2011, the then-Prince Andrew wrote to Epstein: “This week is all about me,” adding that he was “about to go into my annual retreat for the next eight days” and thanking Epstein for apparently helping to resolve a financial issue for his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.…

The governor of Taraba State in north-eastern Nigeria has formally defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move welcomed by senior federal officials as a boost for national unity and development. Agbu Kefas was officially received into the APC by Vice-President Kashim Shettima during a ceremony in the state capital, Jalingo, on Saturday. Mr Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, hailed the switch as a “moment of pride” for the party and the country. “The APC was built as a meeting point for people committed to development,” Mr Shettima said. “Today,…

The United States Mission in Nigeria has temporarily suspended regular updates on its official social media platforms following a lapse in US government funding, while reassuring the public that passport and visa services will continue as circumstances allow. The Mission announced the development in a statement posted on its verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday. It said routine updates would be paused until full government operations resume, although urgent safety and security information would still be shared when necessary. Despite the funding lapse, the Mission stressed that scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at US…

The United Nations is facing an unprecedented financial crisis that could push the organisation into bankruptcy by mid-year, Secretary-General António Guterres has warned, following sweeping funding cuts and payment refusals by the United States under President Donald Trump. In a letter dated January 28 and seen by Reuters, Guterres said the UN was at risk of “imminent financial collapse” and could run out of cash as early as July if member states fail to meet their financial obligations. He blamed the crisis on unpaid assessed contributions and existing budget rules that require the UN to return unspent funds, limiting its…

All Progressives Congress (APC) has revised its 2025/2026 activity schedule, extending the ongoing nationwide membership e-registration exercise to February 8, 2026, and excluding Rivers, Osun, Ekiti states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from its forthcoming party congresses. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists in Abuja after the 183rd meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC). He also announced that the APC National Convention, earlier slated for March 17, will now hold from March 27 to March 28, 2026. Morka explained that the membership e-registration exercise, which was initially scheduled to run…

Lagos-based technology entrepreneur Precious Nwagbara has been nominated and won the Young Tech Entrepreneur Award by New Daily Prime, in recognition of her outstanding innovation, leadership, and contributions to youth empowerment within Nigeria’s technology ecosystem. The nomination acknowledges Kalu’s role as Founder and CEO of Precious Kalu & Co, a technology-driven enterprise that has, over the past three years, delivered impactful digital solutions in brand strategy, social media management, and mentorship for young professionals and emerging businesses. According to New Daily Prime, the award reflects Kalu’s exceptional ability to harness technology to solve real-world problems, create employment opportunities, and promote…

Nigeria is poised to strengthen its global influence in the coming decades, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, has said, emphasizing that peace, resilience, and institutional stability are critical to the country’s growth and international standing. Montgomery made the remarks in Abuja during the inaugural Annual Learning and Adaptation Event of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme. The forum brought together senior government officials, security agencies, development partners, and civil society leaders to review strategies for reducing violence and enhancing climate resilience across northern Nigeria. Read related news from New Daily Prime: Tinubu declares…