Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Legal Experts Urge Nigerian Governors To Sign Death Warrants To Uphold Justice. Legal experts and former judicial officials in Nigeria have called on state governors to sign death warrants for inmates convicted of capital offences, arguing that their reluctance is undermining the criminal justice system and contributing to rising crime rates. The plea comes amid growing concerns over prison overcrowding and the prolonged detention of death row inmates. Speaking at the Nigeria Human Rights Conference in Enugu, former Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, emphasised that governors’ failure to sign death warrants for…

US To Implement Visa Bonds Of Up To $15,000 For Select Foreign Visitors. The United States is set to launch a pilot programme requiring certain foreign nationals applying for tourist or business visas to pay bonds of up to $15,000, according to a US State Department announcement. The initiative, which targets visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates, aims to ensure compliance with visa terms and is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to address illegal immigration. Starting on 20 August 2025, the 12-month programme will apply to B-1 business and B-2 tourist visa applicants from nations…

Nigeria Faces Fuel Price Hike As NNPC Raises Petrol Price Amid Economic Hardship. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced an increase in the pump price of petrol, setting new rates at N915 per litre in Lagos and N955 per litre in Abuja, according to recent reports. This adjustment, effective from Monday, 4 August 2025, marks a significant rise of N50 per litre in Lagos from the previous N865 and N65 per litre in Abuja from N890, adding further pressure on Nigerians grappling with rising living costs. The price hike was observed across NNPC retail outlets,…

“Chikungunya Outbreak Grips China”: 7,000 Cases Reported In Guangdong. China is grappling with a significant outbreak of the chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne illness, with over 7,000 cases confirmed in Guangdong province since July, according to health officials. The surge in infections has prompted swift action from authorities, with measures reminiscent of those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak, centred in the city of Foshan, has seen nearly 3,000 cases reported in the past week alone, marking it as China’s largest chikungunya outbreak in nearly two decades. The virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, causes high fever, severe joint pain,…

Horrific Attack On Female Hostel At Federal University Of Lafia Leaves Community In Shock. A devastating attack on a female hostel near the Federal University of Lafia in Nasarawa State has left the local community and university officials reeling. Reports indicate that on the night of 26 July 2025, a group of heavily armed bandits stormed student-populated areas, including Akunza, Gandu, and Burkan Kwato, allegedly raping 30 female students and injuring several others with machete wounds. The assault has sparked widespread outrage and urgent calls for improved security measures around the university. Witnesses described a coordinated invasion by the…

Jonathan Proposes ‘Hall of Shame’ In Abuja To Expose Nigeria’s Troublemakers. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has sparked a national debate with a bold proposal to establish two buildings in Abuja dedicated to displaying images of individuals who have contributed to Nigeria’s socio-political and economic woes. Speaking at the launch of a book by former Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase in Abuja on 18 February 2025, Jonathan suggested that these structures would serve as a stark reminder for future generations, ensuring that the descendants of those responsible for the nation’s challenges recognise their forefathers’ roles. Jonathan’s remarks came…

Israel Orders Full Military Occupation Of Gaza. The Israeli government has directed its military to launch a full-scale occupation of the Gaza Strip, deploying maximum force in a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict. The announcement, made late Monday, marks a dramatic shift in Israel’s military strategy, moving from targeted operations to a comprehensive ground offensive aimed at seizing and holding the entire territory. According to Israeli officials, the decision follows stalled negotiations with Hamas over the release of hostages taken during the 7 October 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others abducted. Prime Minister Benjamin…

Zelensky Claims Chinese Mercenaries Fighting For Russia In Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Chinese mercenaries are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine, a claim that could escalate tensions between Kyiv and Beijing. The statement, made during a frontline visit to the Kharkiv region on Monday, marks a significant accusation amid the conflict, now in its fourth year. Zelensky reported that Ukrainian troops observed foreign mercenaries, including individuals from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and several African countries, participating on the Russian side. “We will respond,” he vowed, without elaborating on specific actions. He…

NiMet Forecasts Thunderstorms And Potential Flash Floods Across Nigeria. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a three-day weather forecast, predicting thunderstorms and widespread rainfall across the country from Monday to Wednesday, with a risk of flash floods in several states. The agency’s outlook, released on Sunday in Abuja, highlights the likelihood of significant weather events as Nigeria navigates the peak of its rainy season, urging residents to take precautions to ensure safety. On Monday, NiMet expects morning thunderstorms with moderate rainfall in parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states in the northern region.…

Nigerian Teen Shines As World’s Best In TeenEagle Global English Language Competition. Seventeen-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu from Yobe State, Nigeria, has achieved a remarkable feat by being named the top performer in English language skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London, United Kingdom. Representing Nigeria through the Nigerian Tulip International College, Yobe, Nafisa outshone competitors from 69 countries, surpassing 20,000 participants in the prestigious competition. The TeenEagle Global Finals, accredited by Brooke House College, test students aged 8 to 18 on various aspects of English proficiency, including persuasive speaking, writing, spelling, and knowledge quizzes. Nafisa, competing in…

AAUA Staff Member Abducted In Ondo State. Gunmen kidnapped Mr Omoniyi Eleyinmi, a staff member of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), from his home in Supare-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday evening. The incident occurred shortly after Mr Eleyinmi, who serves as the Faculty Officer in the Faculty of Education and is a member of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), returned from work. According to a source from the university, who requested anonymity, the abduction took place around 7:00 p.m. along the Akungba-Supare road. Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen stormed…

Nigeria Unveils N500,000 Rent-Based Tax Relief For Tenants In 2025. The Nigerian government has introduced a significant reform to its personal income tax system, replacing the longstanding consolidated and personal relief allowances with a new rent-based deduction capped at N500,000 annually. This change, enshrined in the Nigeria Tax Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on 26 June 2025, aims to ease the financial burden on tenants, particularly low-income earners, and is set to take effect from 1 January 2026. The initiative, to be implemented by the newly established Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), marks a shift towards a more…