Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Lagos Calls For Bold Action To Combat Global Plastic Pollution Crisis. Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has issued a clarion call for transformative action to tackle the escalating global threat of plastic pollution, urging residents and stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices to protect the environment. The appeal came during the 2025 World Environment Day celebrations held at the Ifako Ijaiye Secretariat in Ogba, Lagos, on Wednesday, 18 June 2025. Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, emphasised that safeguarding the planet demands more than mere awareness—it requires deliberate and…

Oyo State Cracks Down On Open Grazing, Seizes 58 Cows In Two Years. The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing its anti-open grazing law, with over 58 cows seized and numerous herdsmen prosecuted over the past two years for breaching the regulation. The announcement, made by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, underscores the government’s determination to protect farmlands and ensure food security in the region. Speaking at an inter-ministerial press briefing in Ibadan on Thursday, 19 June 2025, Olaleye declared that the anti-open grazing law, passed by the Oyo State…

EFCC Arraigns Man Over Alleged £3.5m Fraud In Lagos. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Ibrahim Abubakar before the Federal High Court in Lagos for an alleged fraud involving a staggering N5 billion (£3.5 million). The case, which unfolded on Thursday, 19 June 2025, has drawn significant attention as part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat financial misconduct in Nigeria. Abubakar appeared before Justice Alexander Owoeye, facing a two-count charge of conspiracy to steal and unlawful retention of criminal proceeds. According to the EFCC, the defendant was involved in a scheme that defrauded victims of…

Tension In Benue As Herdsmen Graze Farmlands, Youths Intercept Bus. Makurdi, Benue State – Tensions have flared in Benue State following reports of herdsmen grazing their cattle on local farmlands, prompting a dramatic response from angry youths who intercepted a bus carrying herders. The incident, which occurred in the Guma Local Government Area, has reignited longstanding grievances over land use and security in the region, as communities grapple with the devastating impact of recurring conflicts. According to local sources, the trouble began when herdsmen, allegedly Fulani, allowed their cattle to graze on farmlands in Yelewata and surrounding areas, destroying…

NDLEA Seeks Public Participation In The Fight Against Drug Trafficking. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a nationwide campaign to enlist public participation in combating drug trafficking, as announced by its Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retired), on 18 June 2025 in Abuja. Speaking at a community outreach event, Marwa emphasised that drug trafficking fuels insecurity, including banditry and insurgency, and urged citizens to report suspicious activities to the agency. The initiative comes amid rising drug-related crimes, with the NDLEA seizing over 3,000 tonnes of illicit substances, including cannabis and methamphetamine, in the first half of…

NAF Deploys More Aircraft To North-Central To Bolster Peace Efforts. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its operations in the north-central region, deploying additional aircraft to support peace efforts following the Yelewata massacre in Benue State, which killed over 200 people on 13-14 June 2025. Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, announced on 18 June that the NAF would increase aerial surveillance and precision strikes to deter armed groups and protect vulnerable communities. The deployment includes drones and fighter jets stationed at the Tactical Air Command in Makurdi, aimed at enhancing rapid response capabilities in Benue, Plateau,…

Nigerian Military Strikes Insurgents’ Camp In Gwoza, Hits ISWAP Commander. The Nigerian military conducted a successful operation on 17 June 2025, striking an insurgents’ camp in Gwoza, Borno State, and neutralising a senior commander of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP). The operation, led by the Nigerian Army’s 7 Division, targeted a hideout in the Mandara Mountains, where ISWAP has been regrouping after losing territory in 2023. The military confirmed the death of Mallam Idris, a key ISWAP logistics coordinator, whose elimination disrupts the group’s supply chain for weapons and explosives. The strike is part of ongoing counterterrorism…

Court Re-Schedules Ex-Senator Anyanwu’s N550 Million Defamation Suit Against Ex-Gov Ohakim. A Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled a hearing for a N550 million defamation suit filed by former Senator Samuel Anyanwu against former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim to 15 July 2025. The case, originally set for 18 June, was postponed due to the absence of the presiding judge, who was attending a judicial conference. Anyanwu, a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, alleges that Ohakim made false and damaging statements about his character during a 2023 political rally, accusing him of financial impropriety while serving as a…

Serie A Chief Blames Illegal Streaming For Italy’s Decline. Serie A President Lorenzo Casini has attributed Italy’s declining competitiveness in European football to the rampant issue of illegal streaming, which he claims costs the league over €500 million annually. Speaking at a conference in Milan on 18 June 2025, Casini argued that piracy deprives clubs of crucial broadcast revenue, limiting investments in talent and infrastructure. The Italian league, once Europe’s dominant force, has struggled to keep pace with the Premier League and La Liga, with only one Italian club, Atalanta, reaching a European final since 2010. Casini’s remarks come amid…

UN Agency Links Nigeria’s High Fertility Rate To Weak Reproductive Rights. A United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report, released on 18 June 2025, has linked Nigeria’s high fertility rate of 5.3 children per woman to weak reproductive rights, exacerbating poverty and straining public services. The report, presented in Abuja, highlights limited access to contraception, cultural barriers, and inadequate sexual education as key drivers. Nigeria, with a population of over 230 million, faces significant challenges in managing its growth, particularly in northern states, where early marriage and low female literacy rates are prevalent. The UNFPA urged the government to prioritise…

FCMB To Convert N23bn Loan To Equity To Exit CBN’s Forbearance Regime. First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has unveiled plans to convert N23 billion in loans to equity by 30 June 2025, as part of its strategy to exit the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) forbearance regime. The bank’s Managing Director, Yemisi Edun, announced on 17 June in Lagos that the conversion would involve restructuring non-performing loans into share capital, boosting the bank’s equity base to meet CBN’s new capital requirements. The move aims to strengthen FCMB’s financial position and enhance its ability to support Nigeria’s economic recovery, particularly in…

North Carolina Celebrates 14 June As ‘Igbo Day’ To Honour Nigerian Heritage. North Carolina – In a heartfelt gesture celebrating cultural diversity, Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina officially declared 14 June 2025 as ‘Igbo Day’ to recognise the rich heritage and contributions of the Igbo community. The proclamation, announced on 12 June 2025, encouraged residents across the state to join in observing this significant day, which took place last week, highlighting the vibrant Nigerian cultural legacy within the United States. The Igbo people, one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups, are renowned for their entrepreneurial spirit, cultural preservation, and…