Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Tinubu Bolsters Security Strategy In High-Level Meeting With Service Chiefs. President Bola Tinubu convened a critical meeting with the National Security Agency (NSA), Service Chiefs, and heads of intelligence agencies at the Presidential Villa on Friday, 16 May 2025, to address Nigeria’s escalating security challenges. The gathering underscored the administration’s resolve to tackle the surge in terrorist activities linked to regional instability in the Sahel. Speaking to journalists after the closed-door session, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, provided insight into the discussions, affirming the military’s commitment to curbing insecurity. “We have reassured the President that we are…

Leah Sharibu’s Mother Marks Daughter’s 22nd Birthday With Hope Amid Seven Years In Boko Haram Captivity. Mrs. Rebecca Sharibu, mother of Leah Sharibu, the Christian schoolgirl kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2018, has commemorated her daughter’s 22nd birthday with a heartfelt message of sorrow, faith, and unwavering hope. The occasion also marks a sombre milestone: Leah’s seventh year in captivity, a period that has tested the resilience of her family and drawn global attention to her plight. Leah, then aged 14, was among 110 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State, on…

Nigeria Joins EBRD To Bolster Private Sector Growth In Landmark Move. Nigeria has officially been admitted as a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a significant milestone aimed at enhancing private sector access to international capital and driving long-term economic transformation. The announcement, formalised during the EBRD’s 2025 Annual Meetings in London from 13-15 May, marks Nigeria’s emergence as the bank’s 77th shareholder and the eighth African nation to join the institution. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, led a high-level Nigerian delegation to the London meetings, where he…

President Tinubu Welcomes Alaafin Of Oyo In Official State House Visit. President Bola Tinubu warmly received the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, and his wife, Olori Abiwumi Owoade, at the State House in Abuja on Friday, in a visit that underscored the enduring significance of Nigeria’s traditional institutions in fostering unity and cultural pride. The courtesy call, marked by an atmosphere of mutual respect, saw the President engaging with the revered monarch, who ascended the throne as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo in a grand coronation ceremony last month. Accompanying the Alaafin and his entourage were prominent…

Lagos State Contingent Escapes Unharmed In Bus Accident En Route To National Sports Festival. The Lagos State contingent travelling to the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State emerged unscathed from a bus accident earlier today. The incident occurred as the team journeyed to Abeokuta for the festival, which kicked off on 16 May and is set to conclude on 30 May 2025. The mishap took place when the bus encountered mechanical difficulties, leading to the accident. Emergency services acted swiftly, ensuring all athletes and officials were safely evacuated. Medical assessments confirmed no fatalities, with all individuals reported to…

Trump Highlights Gaza Humanitarian Crisis, Signals US Support For Aid. US President Donald Trump addressed the dire situation in the Gaza Strip on Friday, noting that “a lot of people are starving” due to an Israeli blockade hindering aid deliveries. Speaking from Washington, he emphasised the United States’ desire to help ease the suffering of Gaza’s residents. The blockade, enforced by Israel, has severely restricted the flow of food, medical supplies, and other essentials, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. President Trump’s remarks signal a potential shift in US engagement with the issue, as he underscored the need…

Historic Meeting Between Trump And Syrian President As US Lifts Sanctions. In a significant development, US President Donald Trump held talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara, the White House confirmed today. The landmark meeting, which marks a new chapter in US-Syria relations, comes just a day after President Trump announced the lifting of long-standing sanctions on Syria. The discussions, described as constructive by White House officials, focused on fostering stability in the region and exploring avenues for diplomatic cooperation. The decision to remove sanctions signals a shift in US foreign policy, aiming to engage with the Syrian government under…

Israeli Military Targets Hamas Leader Mohammad Sinwar In Southern Gaza Strike. The Israeli military launched a targeted strike in southern Gaza on Tuesday evening, aiming to eliminate Mohammad Sinwar, a senior leader of Hamas, according to Israeli military officials. The operation, which took place in Khan Younis, has yet to be confirmed as successful, with no immediate reports verifying Sinwar’s fate. The strike focused on an underground command and control facility beneath the European Hospital, where the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claimed Hamas operatives, including Sinwar, were operating. The IDF stated that the attack was carefully planned to avoid…

Explosives Hidden In Qurans: Customs Thwarts Shocking Smuggling Plot At Seme Border. In a dramatic operation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Seme Area Command has uncovered a brazen smuggling attempt involving explosive materials concealed within copies of the Quran. The seizure, which took place weeks ago along the Badagry–Lagos Expressway, has raised alarm over the audacity of smugglers and the potential threat to national security. During a routine inspection, NCS operatives intercepted five cartons containing suspected corrosive mercury, a hazardous substance, cunningly hidden inside Qurans. The illicit cargo was being transported in a red Toyota Avensis. Dr. Ben…

JNIM Claims 200 Soldiers Killed In Devastating Burkina Faso Attack. The Al Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a military base in Djibo, northern Burkina Faso, asserting that 200 soldiers were killed. The attack, which occurred on Sunday morning, saw hundreds of fighters overrun and destroy the base, according to security sources cited by Reuters. The assault also targeted a police station and a local market, intensifying the chaos in the town. On Tuesday, the SITE Intelligence Group, a US-based organisation monitoring Islamist militant activities online, reported JNIM’s claim of…

EU’s Proposed ‘Safe Third Country’ Reform Sparks Outrage. The European Commission is set to unveil a controversial reform of the European Union’s ‘safe third country’ concept today, triggering fierce criticism from migrants’ rights experts and EU lawmakers. The proposal seeks to dismantle the ‘connection criteria’ and eliminate the suspensive effect of appeals, meaning individuals could be deported to countries with which they have no ties, and appeals would not delay their removal. Critics have branded the move a “lethal blow to the right to asylum,” warning it undermines the fairness and safeguards of the asylum process. The reform is…

Ibadan Man Jailed For Illegal Naira Trading. In a landmark ruling, Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Oyo State Federal High Court in Ibadan has sentenced Ayorinde Festus Morakinyo to six months in prison for illegally trading naira notes, reinforcing the judiciary’s commitment to upholding Nigeria’s financial regulations. Morakinyo was arraigned on 26 March 2025 by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a single-count charge related to the illicit sale of naira notes. The charge stated that in December 2023, Morakinyo sold N1,000,000 in N1,000 and N500 denominations, issued by the Central Bank…