President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, marking a new phase for Nigeria’s electoral body following his confirmation by the Senate on October 16. During the ceremony, President Tinubu charged the new INEC chairman to uphold integrity and transparency in the conduct of elections across the country. He urged Amupitan to work towards restoring public confidence in the commission and ensure that Nigeria’s electoral process continues to evolve in line with global best practices.…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has been urged to investigate Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Emmanuel Aina after protesters stormed its headquarters in Abuja, accusing him of abuse of office and intimidation. The protesters, under the banner of the Centre for Human Rights and Advocacy in Africa Network (CHRAAN), called on the commission to take urgent action against AIG Aina for allegedly harassing an Abuja-based lawyer, Uche Anya, and unlawfully taking over his property. The group demanded that the PSC uphold justice and ensure accountability within the police force. According to the petition submitted to the commission, AIG Aina…
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced that his country possesses 5,000 Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles, asserting that the weapons are ready to counter any military threat from the United States. Speaking during a televised military event in Caracas, Maduro revealed that the missiles, known as Igla-S systems, have been strategically deployed across the country’s air defense positions to ensure national protection. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States following Washington’s deployment of stealth warplanes and naval ships in the Caribbean. The US government described the operation as a counter-narcotics mission, but officials in Caracas have denounced…
Meta Platforms Inc. has announced plans to lay off approximately 600 employees from its artificial intelligence division as part of a strategic reorganization aimed at streamlining operations and increasing efficiency. The affected teams include members of the Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) unit, AI product teams, and AI infrastructure groups. The restructuring is designed to simplify decision-making processes while maintaining the company’s focus on high-priority AI projects. Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, who joined Meta earlier this year from Scale AI, explained in an internal memo that smaller team sizes would reduce the number of conversations needed to make decisions and…
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has urged residents to take up arms and defend themselves against the increasing wave of bandit attacks across the state. He emphasized that his administration will not negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransom for victims, warning that such actions only encourage further criminal activities. During a visit to the communities of Rijau and Magama in Kontagora, recently affected by bandit attacks, Bago stressed the urgency of self-defense measures. He stated, “The state has reached a point where the people must stand up and defend themselves because ransom will only turn kidnapping into a…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has given the green light to a $1 billion modernization project for Lagos ports, a strategic move aimed at enhancing the country’s maritime infrastructure. The initiative seeks to upgrade existing facilities, improve cargo handling efficiency, and align port operations with international standards. Officials believe the project will significantly boost Nigeria’s capacity to handle increasing trade volumes. According to government sources, the modernization project is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026. Before the work begins, comprehensive engineering, environmental, and design studies will be completed to ensure the project meets technical and sustainability standards.…
Faith leaders and human rights advocates have raised concerns over the worsening religious violence in Nigeria, blaming state complicity and failure to maintain neutrality for the crisis. They warned that perceived government bias toward certain religious groups is creating an environment where attacks on citizens of different faiths are allowed to thrive. The warnings came during a one-day roundtable organised by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CAIN) in Abuja. Participants highlighted cases where state actors either directly or indirectly enabled perpetrators of religious violence, worsening insecurity and eroding trust in public institutions. Faith leaders expressed frustration at the lack…
The Osun State Government has officially appointed music superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, to chair the newly established State Sports Trust Fund. This strategic move aims to bolster sports development and infrastructure within the state. The announcement was made by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, during a meeting with the Executive Members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun Chapter, on Tuesday. Deputy Governor Adewusi emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing the sports sector through various interventions. These include the renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium to meet Olympic standards, a…
France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving his five-year prison sentence under special protection arrangements, with two bodyguards assigned to guard him in prison. The country’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, confirmed that the measure was taken due to the former leader’s status and ongoing security threats against him. Nunez explained that the bodyguards will be positioned in neighbouring cells within La Santé Prison in Paris, where Sarkozy is currently serving his sentence. He noted that the decision to deploy the security officers was in line with France’s protocol for protecting former heads of state even while in custody. “It’s…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that only 23 percent of rural communities in Nigeria currently have access to the internet, a gap it says is worsening the country’s digital divide. In contrast, urban areas enjoy 57 percent connectivity, leaving millions of rural Nigerians digitally excluded from essential opportunities in education, health, and business. Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed this during the Rural Connectivity Summit held in Lagos. He described the situation as a national development and security concern, emphasizing that access to digital connectivity is vital for inclusive growth. “A community without digital…
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has called on investors from the United Kingdom and other parts of the world to explore the state’s abundant natural and economic resources. He said Ondo has enormous potential for investment in oil and gas, agriculture, tourism, and solid minerals, making it a strategic hub for industrial and economic growth. Speaking during an investment promotion event, Aiyedatiwa explained that the state’s coastal location, fertile lands, and rich mineral deposits offer opportunities that can drive sustainable development and job creation. According to him, his administration is committed to creating a conducive environment where both local…
Cameroon’s main opposition leader, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has called on citizens to take to the streets in peaceful protests as the nation awaits the official announcement of presidential election results. Tchiroma, who contested against long-serving President Paul Biya, declared that his party’s data shows a clear victory for the opposition, despite the government warning against premature claims. In a video address released on Tuesday, Tchiroma insisted that the people of Cameroon had voted for change and urged the electoral commission to respect the will of the people. “Our victory is clear. It must be respected,” he said, warning that any…