Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Trump Names Pam Bondi As Attorney General After Gaetz Withdraws. US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his choice for attorney general, following the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz from consideration. Bondi, a veteran prosecutor and long-time Trump ally, has a history of high-profile legal work and public support for the former president. Announcing the decision, Trump praised Bondi’s extensive experience in law enforcement, stating: “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on violent criminals and made the streets safe for Florida families.” Bondi served as Florida’s…

Biden Condemns ICC Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. US President Joe Biden has criticised the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing war crimes arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, calling the decision “outrageous”. The ICC judges stated there were reasonable grounds to believe the three men bore responsibility for crimes committed during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. European nations have shown divided responses to the warrants, with several expressing respect for the ICC’s independence. In contrast, Biden affirmed unwavering support for Israel, stating:…

Akwa United’s Paulinus Okon Makes Academic History. Akwa United midfielder Paulinus Okon has achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the first student in the University of Uyo’s Faculty of Engineering to graduate with First Class Honours in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Paulinus, who balanced a promising football career with rigorous academic pursuits, earned an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50. His outstanding performance secured him the title of Best Graduating Student in the department for the 2021/2022 academic session. The achievement was celebrated during the university’s 29th/30th convocation ceremonies in Uyo, where Okon was recognised for his…

Simon Ekpa Jailed In Finland For Terror-Related Offences. Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been sentenced to prison in Finland for inciting terrorism through social media. According to reports by the BBC, a district court in Päijät-Häme found Ekpa guilty of spreading terrorist propaganda in 2021 within the Lahti municipality. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also arrested four other individuals in connection with alleged terrorist activities. Ekpa, who holds dual citizenship in Nigeria and Finland, rose to prominence as the de facto leader of IPOB following the incarceration…

ACF Pledges Support For Northern Candidates In 2027 Elections. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a prominent northern socio-cultural organisation, has declared its intention to back northern candidates in the 2027 elections as part of efforts to address the region’s challenges. Speaking during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the ACF Secretariat in Kaduna, the group’s chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, stressed the urgency of rescuing the North from its current socio-economic and security crises. Osuman criticised the policies of the current administration, describing them as detrimental to the region’s interests. He called for individual and collective action to…

FG, States, And Local Councils Share N1.411 Trillion For October. The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has disbursed a total of N1.411 trillion among the three tiers of government for October 2024. The announcement was made during FAAC’s November meeting, chaired by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Mrs Oluwatoyin S. Madein, in Bauchi. According to a statement from Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, the allocation came from a gross revenue of N2.668 trillion. This amount included Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL),…

ICPC Begins Tracking Of N610 Billion Projects Across Kwara, FCT, And 20 States. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched the 7th phase of its Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Exercise, aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency in the execution of government-funded projects. According to a statement by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, this phase of the exercise began on Monday, 18 November 2024, and will cover 1,500 projects valued at N610 billion. The tracking spans 22 states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including Kwara, Niger, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna,…

Lakurawa Militants Kill Five Over Failed Marriage Proposal In Niger Republic. Suspected members of the Lakurawa terror group have reportedly killed five villagers in Gueza, a settlement in the Dosso region of Niger Republic, in a retaliatory attack linked to a failed marriage proposal. According to Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the violence began when militants strangled five individuals to death in the first phase of the attack. The killings were allegedly sparked by a personal dispute involving a Lakurawa leader. The publication reported that tensions arose after the village chief’s representative…

INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Governor Aiyedatiwa And Deputy. In a ceremonial event at the National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, Professor Kunle Ajayi, the INEC National Commissioner for Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, presented the Certificate of Return to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami. The ceremony marks the official conclusion of the governorship election process in Ondo State, following the election held on 16 November 2024. Professor Ajayi underscored the significance of the occasion, describing it as the culmination of a democratic process reflecting the will of…

Bill For Diaspora Voting Passes Second Reading In Nigeria’s House Of Representatives. A landmark bill seeking to amend the Nigerian constitution and grant citizens in the diaspora the right to vote during elections has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill, which has been lauded as a significant step towards inclusive democracy, aims to extend voting rights to millions of Nigerians living abroad. Advocates argue that this move would ensure all citizens have a say in shaping the nation’s future, irrespective of their location. During the session, members of the House deliberated on…

NSCDC Operatives Repel Boko Haram Ambush, Neutralise Over 50 Insurgents. A monitoring team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) tasked with safeguarding National Grid installations in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, successfully repelled a deadly ambush by Boko Haram insurgents. The operatives demonstrated exceptional courage and neutralised over 50 terrorists during the fierce encounter. The attack occurred on Monday at approximately 3:40 p.m. in the Farin-Kasa area of Chukun Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The NSCDC team, consisting of nine officers and 71 other ranks from various commands, was ambushed while returning from a surveillance…

Barcelona Secure Double Signing of African Talents Ibrahim Diarra And Arouna Traoré. Barcelona have successfully finalised the signing of two promising young talents from Mali: Ibrahim ‘Kaka’ Diarra, who turns 18 next month, and Arouna Traoré, aged 17. Both players have been recruited from Academie Africa Foot and will join Barça Academy, continuing the club’s tradition of nurturing young talent. The deal represents Barcelona’s commitment to scouting and developing footballers with exceptional potential. The two players are expected to enhance their skills within the academy’s renowned training programme, which has produced world-class players over the years. Both Diarra…