Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Oyo State Government Withdraws Charges Against Queen Naomi Over Tragic School Stampede. The Oyo State Government has officially withdrawn criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan. The charges were in connection with the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of over 35 children during a festive event in December 2024. Following the court’s decision on Thursday, the defendants were visibly relieved, smiling and exchanging pleasantries as they walked free from the legal proceedings. Attorney-General…

Senate Approves Tinubu’s State of Emergency in Rivers State. The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State, following a closed-door session on Thursday. This decision came hours after the House of Representatives also backed the declaration, albeit with key amendments to the original proclamation. House of Representatives Introduces Modifications During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, lawmakers supported the emergency rule through a voice vote but insisted on critical adjustments. The House ruled that the National Assembly, rather than the Federal Executive Council, should assume legislative…

Canada Sees Sharp Rise In Deportations, Reaching Highest Levels Since 2015. Canada has recorded its highest number of deportations since 2015, with nearly 7,300 individuals removed from the country by 19 November 2024. This represents an 8.4% increase compared to the previous year, as the government works to manage a growing backlog of refugee claims and enforce immigration policies. According to data cited by Immigration News Canada (INC) and obtained by Reuters, deportations in 2024 also marked a 95% rise compared to 2022, reflecting a significant shift in immigration enforcement. Rising Deportation Figures and Backlog The Canada Border…

Atiku, El-Rufai Leads Opposition Coalition To Challenge Tinubu In 2027. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and El-Rufai alongside other prominent political figures, has announced the formation of a new opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election. Speaking at a press conference at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku, flanked by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Labour Party spokesperson Yunusa Tanko, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha, confirmed the coalition’s objective. When asked if the gathering marked the launch of a movement to remove Tinubu from…

Rhodes-Vivour Launches ‘Our Lagos’ App To Empower Residents. Former Lagos State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has unveiled a new mobile application, Our Lagos, aimed at providing economic opportunities and policy information for residents of the state. Speaking at the launch event, which marked the second anniversary of the 2023 general elections, Rhodes-Vivour reflected on the election’s challenges, citing reports of voter suppression and violence documented by both local and international observers. However, he emphasised that his focus remains on empowering Lagosians beyond politics. The Our Lagos app offers access to grants, skills development programmes, job opportunities,…

Teenager Jailed For 49 Years After Murdering Family And Planned Mass Shooting In Luton Town. A 19-year-old man, Nicholas Prosper, has been sentenced to a minimum of 49 years in prison for the brutal murders of his mother, brother, and sister in Luton last year. Prosper killed his family—Juliana Falcon, 48, Kyle Prosper, 16, and Giselle Prosper, 13—at their home in September, before planning to carry out a mass shooting at his former primary school on Friday 13th, a date he deliberately chose. A Chilling Crime The court heard that Prosper had intended to kill his family in…

Security Operatives Arrest Suspect As Trans–Niger Pipeline Resumes Operation After Rivers Explosion. Security agencies have arrested a suspect linked to the recent explosion on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) Right of Way in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Council, Rivers State. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, raised concerns over pipeline vandalism and its impact on oil production. Meanwhile, operations have resumed on the TNP in Bodo, Gokana Local Council, following temporary disruptions caused by the explosion. Breakthrough in Investigation The arrest was made possible through credible intelligence gathered by the covert team of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL). According…

Miedema Double Ends Chelsea’s Unbeaten Streak As Man City Seize Champions League Advantage. Manchester City handed Chelsea their first defeat of the season as Vivianne Miedema’s second-half brace secured a crucial 2-0 victory in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final. The defeat ended Chelsea’s remarkable 31-game unbeaten streak, which stretched back to last May, and marked manager Sonia Bompastor’s first loss since taking charge at the club. Miedema Makes the Difference Coming on as a half-time substitute, Dutch striker Miedema proved to be the decisive factor for City. She broke the deadlock on the hour…

Federal Government Reaffirms Commitment To Stability Amid Rivers Crisis. The Federal Government has reiterated its dedication to maintaining national stability, warning that it will not hesitate to take decisive measures should any state’s actions threaten the country’s economic and political order. This follows the recent declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. President Tinubu swore in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the new Sole Administrator of Rivers State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The move aims to restore peace and order in the state amid rising tensions. Speaking after the ceremony,…

Amaechi Condemns Suspension Of Elected Officials In Rivers State. Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to suspend elected state officials in Rivers State, describing it as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and a brazen attempt at a power grab.” Amaechi, who governed Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, argued that the President’s actions violate the Nigerian Constitution, particularly Section 188, which outlines the legal procedure for removing a state governor. He maintained that a democratically elected governor cannot be removed through a presidential proclamation. “I unequivocally condemn the…

Tragic Tanker Explosion Rocks Abuja, Many Feared Dead. A devastating tanker explosion occurred last night near Karu Bridge on the Abuja-Keffi expressway, leaving several people feared dead and many others injured. The tragic incident, which took place during the evening rush hour, caused widespread panic as thick black smoke billowed into the sky, disrupting movement on the busy route in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The explosion was triggered when a petrol-laden tanker lost control and crashed on the bridge, igniting a fire that quickly spread to nearby vehicles. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as motorists and passengers fled…

FG Urges MDAs To Support National Action Plan On Human Rights. The Federal Government has called on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), along with other stakeholders, to fulfil their roles in implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) on human rights. At an inter-agency consultative workshop on the NAP’s implementation, the Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) pledged to end the public parading of criminal suspects. Speaking at the event, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), stressed that the initiative aims to enhance human rights enforcement in line with both national and…