Author: Olukayode Oke

Petitioners Remain Resolute As INEC Halts Recall Process Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discontinuing the recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, petitioners from Kogi Central Senatorial District have vowed to press on with their efforts, insisting the lawmaker no longer represents their collective will. INEC announced on Thursday that the recall process had been halted due to a shortfall in the number of verified signatures. Of the 250,000 signatories reportedly collected by the petitioners, only 208,132 were authenticated—falling short of the required 237,278 signatures by 29,146. This threshold represents 50 per cent of…

Defence Headquarters Debunks Claims Of Niger’s Withdrawal From MNJTF, Reaffirms Commitment To Regional Security. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has refuted reports suggesting that the Republic of Niger has withdrawn from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), stressing that such a development would pose serious threats to regional stability. Speaking during a bi-weekly media briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Markus Kangye, stated that the MNJTF remains a vital security collaboration among Lake Chad Basin countries. He warned against misinformation and urged stakeholders to prioritise unity in the face of common threats. “The…

Afenifere Warns Against Indigene Status Bill, Cites Risk Of Ethnic Tension And Violence. The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has cautioned the Nigerian government against passing the proposed Indigene Status Bill, warning that such a move could heighten ethnic tensions and incite communal violence across the country. The bill, currently undergoing consideration in the House of Representatives, seeks to confer indigeneship on individuals who have resided continuously in a particular area for at least 10 years, or through marriage. Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and six other lawmakers, the bill recently passed its second reading. Afenifere’s National Publicity…

Armed Man Shot Dead By Police Outside Milton Keynes Railway Station. A man has been shot dead by police outside Milton Keynes Central railway station following reports that he was armed with a knife and possibly a firearm. The incident occurred at approximately 12:55 BST, prompting an immediate response from Thames Valley Police (TVP) armed officers. According to police, the suspect, described as a white male, was challenged outside the station before moving quickly towards officers with a knife. In response, a single shot was fired. Despite immediate life-saving efforts at the scene, the man was pronounced dead at…

South Korean Constitutional Court Removes President Yoon From Office After Martial Law Scandal. South Korea’s Constitutional Court has officially removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, upholding his impeachment in a landmark ruling delivered on Friday. The decision follows months of national unrest and controversy after Yoon’s brief declaration of martial law last December. The dramatic ruling was read out at 11 a.m. local time by Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyungbae, who confirmed that all eight justices unanimously agreed to oust the president. The court found Yoon guilty of having “betrayed the trust of the people” and “severely violated…

Sanwo-Olu Urges Lagosians To Avoid Victoria Island Amid Bridge Closure. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has advised residents who do not have essential business on Victoria Island to stay home to help ease the severe traffic congestion caused by the closure of the Independence Bridge for repairs. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu urged Lagosians to reconsider their travel plans for the coming weeks. The closure of the bridge, which connects to Marina, has led to significant gridlock on major roads across the city.  Essential Repairs to Last Until May   The federal government had previously announced that the…

Trump Initiates Major Staff Purge At White House National Security Council. US President Donald Trump has overseen the dismissal of several high-ranking officials from the White House National Security Council (NSC) on Thursday morning. This action, described by sources as the first significant purge of his renewed presidency, signals a bold reshaping of the administration’s national security apparatus. Reports indicate that the firings took place with immediate effect, though the precise reasons remain unclear. According to three individuals familiar with the matter, speaking to Reuters, the sacked officials included senior figures such as David Feith, who served as Senior…

Police Arrest Syndicate For Trafficking Girls To Mauritania. The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, has arrested a syndicate allegedly involved in the trafficking of young girls from Nigeria to Mauritania for prostitution and sexual exploitation. The Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), CSP Umma Ayuba, confirmed the arrest in a statement released in Lagos yesterday. She revealed that the operation took place on March 22 in the Meiran area of the state, where officers apprehended two suspects. According to Ayuba, operatives of the Zonal Intelligence Response Squad (ZIRS), led by SP Francis Kpoughul, raided the syndicate’s base, leading…

FG Pledges End To Era Of Unemployable Graduates. The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to producing employable graduates by urging tertiary institutions to align academic programmes with local economic, social, and environmental needs. This initiative aims to address Nigeria’s challenges of unemployment and climate change. Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, made this call during an interactive session with Rectors of Federal Polytechnics and Provosts of Federal Colleges of Education. He emphasised the need for institutions to ensure that graduates acquire industry-relevant skills essential for the nation’s industrialisation and sustainable development. To strengthen technical education, the government…

Barcelona And Real Madrid Set Up Thrilling El Clasico In Copa del Rey Final. Barcelona secured their place in the Copa del Rey final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, paving the way for a mouth-watering “El Clasico” showdown against arch-rivals Real Madrid. The triumph marks Barcelona’s first appearance in the final of Spain’s oldest football competition in four seasons, reigniting one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries. Ferran Torres proved the hero for the Catalan giants, scoring the decisive goal in the first half at the Metropolitano Stadium. The strike ensured Barcelona progressed with…

EU Demand Over Serbian Deputy PM Labelled As “Shameless Interference”. Serbia has branded the EU’s call to exclude Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin from the country’s new cabinet as an “unacceptable, gross, and shameless interference” in its sovereign affairs. The statement, which has ignited diplomatic tensions, comes amid ongoing discussions about Serbia’s political future and its complex relationship with the EU. The controversy erupted when EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos publicly stated that Vulin, a prominent figure known for his pro-Russian stance, should not be part of Serbia’s incoming government. Kos argued that his inclusion would undermine Serbia’s path…

Court Strikes Out Suit Challenging Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Project. The Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko, has struck out a lawsuit challenging the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project. The suit, filed by some indigenes of the Okun-Ajah community and other concerned property owners in Lagos State’s Eti-Osa Local Government Area, was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Delivering his ruling on 24th March, Justice Aluko ordered that the case, marked FHC/L/CS/1488/2024, be transferred to the Lagos State High Court, which he deemed the appropriate forum for adjudication. The plaintiffs in the suit,…