Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

ICPC Chairman Calls For Transparent Judicial Appointments To Combat Corruption In Africa. Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has urged greater transparency in the appointment of judges as a vital step in tackling corruption across Africa. Speaking on Monday at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Lower Usuma Dam, Bwari, Abuja, Dr. Aliyu delivered a compelling lecture titled “Non-State Actors and Anti-Corruption Efforts in Africa” to participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 18 (EIMC 18). Dr. Aliyu stressed that appointing credible, principled judges is…

Non-Academic University Unions Reject Nigeria’s N50bn Allocation Formula, Demand Fairness. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-academic unions in Nigerian universities has vehemently rejected the Federal Government’s approved formula for distributing N50 billion to university-based unions, labelling it as “grossly unfair, provocative, and unacceptable.” The decision was announced in a joint statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU). Signed by NASU General Secretary Peters Adeyemi and SSANU National President Mohammed Ibrahim, the statement expressed deep dismay over the government’s…

ICIEC Bolsters Nigeria’s Infrastructure Drive With Focus On Private Sector Growth. In a significant step towards advancing Nigeria’s infrastructure ambitions, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the nation’s economic agenda. On Monday, a high-level ICIEC delegation, led by Director of Legal Affairs Mr Hassan Idris, met with Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, in Abuja to discuss deepening financial collaboration and accelerating the delivery of critical infrastructure projects. During the meeting, Minister Edun underscored the vital role of risk mitigation tools…

Unity Cup 2025 Kicks Off In London: Nigeria’s Super Eagles Ready To Soar. The highly anticipated Unity Cup 2025 begins today at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, bringing together four footballing powerhouses—Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago—for a thrilling celebration of African and Caribbean football and culture. The tournament, returning after a 21-year hiatus, promises intense rivalries, elite talent, and a vibrant showcase of diaspora communities, with Nigeria’s Super Eagles poised to defend their legacy as two-time champions. The Unity Cup, dubbed “The Best in the West – The Afro Classico Contest,” kicks off with a Caribbean showdown as…

Car Ploughs Into Crowd At Liverpool FC Victory Parade, Injuring Dozens. A joyous celebration of Liverpool FC’s Premier League triumph turned to tragedy on Monday evening when a car crashed into a crowd of fans during the club’s victory parade, injuring nearly 50 people, including four children. The incident, which occurred on Water Street in Liverpool city centre just after 6pm, has left the city in shock. Merseyside Police confirmed that 27 individuals were taken to hospital, with two—a child and an adult—suffering serious injuries. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram told BBC Radio 5 Live that four people…

UN Rules Russia Responsible For MH17 Disaster, Families Seek Justice. In a landmark decision, the United Nations’ aviation agency has ruled that Russia was responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of all 298 passengers and crew on board, was caused by a Russian-made missile, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded. The passenger plane, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over the conflict-ridden Donbas region of Ukraine amid clashes between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces. The majority of the victims…

NAFDAC Condemns VeryDarkMan’ Inciting Remarks Over Drug Market Raids. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has strongly criticised a popular social media commentator, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for comments deemed to incite defiance against federal regulatory protocols. The agency’s condemnation follows a viral video in which the influencer allegedly misrepresented NAFDAC’s enforcement operations at Onitsha Bridge Head Market, potentially breaching Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act. In a statement issued on Monday by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency accused VDM of encouraging his audience to disregard its regulatory processes. “What this perpetrator has done is…

Saudi Arabia Bars Sheikh Gumi From Hajj, Deports Him To Nigeria. Saudi Arabian authorities have deported prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, preventing him from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. The Kaduna-based cleric, who arrived in Medina on Saturday, 24 May 2025, aboard an Umza Air flight, was denied entry despite holding a valid visa, citing his controversial political views. In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Monday, 26 May 2025, Sheikh Gumi confirmed the development, stating, “Due to some reasons related to my views on world politics, the authorities in Saudi Arabia do…

EFCC Launches Probe As Hackers Plunder Billions From Six Nigerian Banks. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated a high-stakes investigation following a series of sophisticated cyberattacks that have seen hackers siphon off billions of naira from six major Nigerian banks. The announcement, made on Monday, 26 May 2025, has sent shockwaves through the country’s financial sector, highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria. According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the agency has recovered over N20 billion of the stolen funds, though the exact amount pilfered remains undisclosed. The cyberattacks, described as highly coordinated, targeted the…

President Tinubu Offers Lifeline To FCT Property Owners With 14-Day Grace Period For Ground Rent Payments. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened to grant property owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) a 14-day grace period to settle outstanding ground rent debts and avoid the revocation of their property titles. The announcement follows the enforcement action initiated on 26 May 2025 against 4,794 properties in the FCT, revoked for non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration for the FCT, revealed that the affected properties include those owned by government institutions, corporate…

China Gifts Chad A Stunning 30,000-Seat Stadium In N’Djamena. In a remarkable gesture of international goodwill, China has completed the construction of a state-of-the-art 30,000-capacity stadium in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, entirely free of charge. The Mandjafa Stadium, a gleaming symbol of China’s ongoing commitment to fostering ties with African nations, was officially opened on 23 May 2025, marking a new chapter for sports and community engagement in Central Africa. The stadium, fully funded by the Chinese government at an estimated cost of $154 million, is designed to host major football matches and other sporting events, positioning Chad…

Lagos State Government Successfully Relocates Okobaba Plank Market, Provides 260 Flats For Traders In Agbowa. In a significant step towards urban development and improved living conditions for local traders, the Lagos State Government has announced the successful relocation of the Okobaba Plank Market from its longstanding location in Ebute Meta to a modern, purpose-built facility named Timberville in Agbowa, Epe. Alongside this move, the government has provided 260 two-bedroom flats to accommodate the traders and their families, ensuring a seamless transition to the new site. The relocation, which forms part of the state’s broader urban regeneration strategy, was…