Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Donald Trump Enlists British SAS Hero Christian Craighead As Personal Bodyguard. In a bold enhancement to his security detail, US President Donald Trump has recruited Christian Craighead—a former British SAS operator famed as “Obi Wan Nairobi”—as his personal bodyguard. The move, confirmed by sources close to the White House this week, underscores Trump’s continued emphasis on trusted, high-calibre protection nearly two months into his second term. Craighead, a 48-year-old veteran hailing from North East England, rose to international prominence during the 2019 DusitD2 hotel complex attack in Nairobi, Kenya. On 15 January of that year, while off-duty and shopping…

Aruna Quadri Ascends To Africa’s No. 1 Spot In Table Tennis Rankings. In a momentous achievement for Nigerian sport, Aruna Quadri has reclaimed his position as Africa’s top-ranked table tennis player, cementing his status as one of the continent’s most formidable talents. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) confirmed the latest rankings update, with Aruna surging to the pinnacle of African table tennis following a series of stellar performances on the global stage. The 36-year-old Nigerian star, renowned for his explosive forehand and unrelenting attacking style, has long been a trailblazer in the sport. His ascent to the No.…

Uncertainty Surrounds Rivers State As Military Moves Into Government House. Rivers State has been plunged into a state of uncertainty following reports that the whereabouts of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara remain unknown, just as military trucks rolled into the Government House in Port Harcourt late last night. The dramatic developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing political crisis that has gripped Nigeria’s oil-rich state, leaving residents and observers on edge. The military deployment came hours after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday evening, 18 March 2025, suspending both the governor and…

Israel Resumes Military Operations In Gaza After Ceasefire Breakdown. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel has resumed combat operations in Gaza with “full force” following the collapse of the ceasefire with Hamas. Speaking in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu stated that Israel had made significant efforts to extend the truce and facilitate the return of hostages but accused Hamas of rejecting all proposals. The Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes overnight, marking the most intense bombardment of Gaza since the ceasefire first took effect in January. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 400 Palestinians have been…

NASA Capsule Safely Returns Stranded Crew To Earth Nine Months After Space Mission. A NASA space capsule carrying astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams has successfully landed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida, marking the end of their latest mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft, which had been travelling at speeds of over 17,000mph, made a dramatic re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere before deploying its parachutes and splashing down safely. The capsule is now set to be retrieved by a recovery vessel, after which the crew will be airlifted back to land via helicopter.…

President Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency In Rivers State. President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing prolonged political instability and security concerns. The declaration, effective from 18th March 2025, comes after months of unresolved tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the state’s House of Assembly. In his address to the nation, President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the crisis, stating that efforts by various stakeholders, including his personal interventions, had failed to resolve the situation. He emphasised that democratic governance cannot thrive amid such political turmoil, which has stalled development in…

President Tinubu Convenes Emergency Meeting Amid Rivers State Crisis. President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over an emergency meeting with key National Assembly leaders and top security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following rising political tensions in Rivers State. The meeting comes as concerns grow over the standoff between factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Lawmakers aligned with Wike are reportedly pushing for Fubara’s impeachment, adding to the political instability in the oil-rich state. Although the official agenda has not been disclosed, it is widely believed…

PenCom Introduces New Policy For Faster Pension Benefit Payments. The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has announced a new policy aimed at expediting pension benefit payments for retirees. The policy, set to take effect from 1 June 2025, eliminates the need for Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to obtain PenCom’s approval before processing and disbursing benefits. Key Highlights of the Policy: – Faster Processing: PFAs will no longer require PenCom’s approval before processing pension payments, significantly reducing delays. – Quicker Application Handling: PFAs must process eligible applications within two working days once all necessary documents are submitted. – Swift Benefit Payments: Pension…

Diezani Alison-Madueke Accuses EFCC Of Misleading Courts, Seeks Halt To Property Auction. Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of misleading the courts with misrepresented and suppressed facts in a bid to confiscate her properties. She has also urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to prohibit the agency from auctioning her assets. Through her legal counsel, Mike Ozekhome, Alison-Madueke argued that the EFCC violated her fundamental human rights by denying her a fair hearing. She is seeking a court order compelling the anti-graft agency to recover all her properties that have…

Kogi Central Constituents Demand Immediate Reinstatement Of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Concerned Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have strongly rejected the suspension of their Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as illegal and a violation of their democratic rights. The group has called for her immediate reinstatement, warning against any attempt to recall her from office. In a statement released on Monday by Hon. Abdulrahaman Badamasiuy, the Coordinator and Convener of the group, the constituents reaffirmed their unwavering support for Akpoti-Uduaghan, who they insist remains their legitimate representative in the Senate. The group argued that the suspension deprives…

NYSC Corps Member Raye Apologises For Controversial ‘Lagos Is Smelling’ Remark. TikToker and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, widely known as Raye, has publicly apologised after sparking controversy with her remark that “Lagos is smelling.” Raye made the statement in a viral video as part of a 30-day rant challenge aimed at drawing attention to the economic hardship faced by Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. However, the comment stirred mixed reactions, with some Nigerians supporting her stance while others argued that her words violated NYSC regulations. In a follow-up post, Raye expressed surprise that…

EFCC Arraigns Nigerians, Chinese Nationals Over Alleged ₦3.4 Billion Fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three individuals and a company before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged ₦3.4 billion fraud and conspiracy to destabilise Nigeria’s economic structure. The defendants, identified as Huang Haoyu, Friday Audu, An Hongxu, and their company, Gentting International Ltd, appeared before Justice Daniel Osiagor on a 12-count charge of cybercrime. They pleaded not guilty to all charges. According to the prosecution, led by Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, the alleged offences were committed in 2024 in Lagos. The defendants…