Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

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…

FCTA Enforces Ground Rent Compliance, Seals China Cultural Centre And NAPTIP Headquarters In Abuja. The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has taken decisive action to enforce compliance with land use regulations by sealing the China Cultural Centre and the headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Zone 5, Abuja, on 26 May 2025. The closures, part of a broader crackdown on unpaid ground rent, were prompted by the failure of the respective property owners to settle outstanding dues, with the China Cultural Centre owing 19 years of ground rent and NAPTIP’s headquarters similarly…

FIRS Rebuts FCTA Claims Over Ground Rent, Alleges Unfair Targeting. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has fiercely contested the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) claim that it failed to pay ground rent for 25 years, leading to the sealing of its Wuse Zone 5 office in Abuja on Monday, 26 May 2025. The tax agency insists it has settled all dues up to 2023 and has accused the FCTA of maliciously targeting it during a critical period for Nigeria’s tax reforms. In a statement shared via X, Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive…

President Tinubu To Attend ECOWAS 50th Anniversary Celebration In Lagos. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart Abuja for Lagos on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, to join fellow West African leaders in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The milestone event, which celebrates the regional bloc’s golden jubilee, will take place at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos. As the current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu is expected to deliver a keynote address highlighting the organisation’s significant achievements over the past five decades. The event will also feature a…

Suspected Suicide Bomb Explosion Rocks Mogadishu Barracks In Abuja. A suspected suicide bomb explosion has struck near the Mogadishu Barracks in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, causing alarm in the city’s Asokoro district, one of the most secure areas of the capital. The incident, which occurred on Monday May 26 2025, has left authorities scrambling to assess the damage and investigate the circumstances surrounding the blast. According to preliminary reports from local police, the explosion took place in the vicinity of the Mogadishu Cantonment, formerly known as the Sani Abacha Barracks, a military facility located close to the presidential palace. Eyewitnesses…

Erik ten Hag Appointed As Bayer Leverkusen Manager In Bold New Chapter. Bayer Leverkusen have officially appointed former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as their new head coach, succeeding Xabi Alonso, who has departed for Real Madrid. The 55-year-old Dutchman signed a two-year contract until June 2027, marking his return to management after being sacked by Manchester United in October 2024, following a challenging stint that saw the club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League. Ten Hag, who previously managed Ajax to three Eredivisie titles and a Champions League semi-final in 2019, expressed enthusiasm for his…

Former Arsenal Star Tomáš Rosický On Road To Recovery After Heart Scare. Former Arsenal midfielder Tomáš Rosický is expected to make a full recovery following a health scare that saw him admitted to intensive care last Tuesday due to heart-related issues. The 44-year-old, currently serving as sporting director at Sparta Prague, was rushed to hospital in Prague but has since been discharged and is now recovering at home. In a statement released by Sparta Prague, the club confirmed that Rosický’s hospitalisation did not require surgical intervention, and his condition is now stable. “Our sporting director, Tomáš Rosický, was unexpectedly…

Nigeria Launches Air Cargo Corridor To Boost Trade With East And Southern Africa. In a significant step towards enhancing intra-African trade, the Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor. The initiative, inaugurated on Sunday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, aims to slash logistics costs by 50% and streamline trade between Nigeria and key markets in East and Southern Africa. Spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in partnership with Uganda Airlines, the corridor aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives to boost regional economic integration. The…