General news

• Better deal for indigenous sailors

  08-07-2026 07:15 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Nigeria cannot keep applauding its seafarers once a year and then abandoning them to harsh working realities at sea. The renewed call for better welfare is timely because, without sailors, there is no maritime trade, and without maritime trade, the wider economy suffers.The demand for improved welfare is driven by a few hard facts. Maritime transport carries more than four-fifths of global trade by volume, yet the Nigerian sailor often works in conditions that fall short of global best practice
  
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• Africa’s last chance? Four big stories of Globe Cup 2026 quarterfinals

  09-07-2026 17:09 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The biggest football tournament is entering its final stretch. Eight of the strongest national teams are competing for the trophy,  but for millions of fans in Africa, there’s only one question: Can Morocco continue its historic run?Following the elimination of Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Algeria, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Atlas Lions remain the continent’s last hope. Four quarterfinal matches await, and each is worth watching.France vs Morocc
  
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• Manchester United confirm location of new 100,000-seater stadium near Old Trafford

  09-07-2026 17:08 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyeManchester United have confirmed the proposed location of their new 100,000-seater stadium, marking another major step in the club’s ambitious plan to build what is expected to become the largest football stadium in the United Kingdom.The club announced in an official statement on Thursday that the new stadium will be built about 350 metres north-west of the current Old Trafford, placing it at the heart of a new Stadium District within the wider Trafford Wharfside reg
  
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• Coalition urges FG to borrow for productive investments

  09-07-2026 17:07 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
  The Economic and Fiscal Justice Coalition (EFJC) has tasked the Federal Government to adopt a “Borrow Better” framework by ensuring it borrows only for productive assets and not for recurrent consumption.This was contained in a position paper presented to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, in Abuja on Wednesday, a copy of which was sent to Vanguard today.The coalition, in the position paper presented by
  
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• Meet Nigeria-eligible defender, Idris Fabiyi who signed for Manchester United

  09-07-2026 17:02 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Manchester United have announced their latest intake of academy scholars, with Nigerian-eligible defender Idris Fabiyi among the youngsters handed first-year scholarship contracts by the Premier League club.The scholarship marks an important stage in the development of academy players in England, where Premier League regulations require footballers under the age of 17 to begin the season on scholarship terms before becoming eligible to sign professional contracts after turning 17.Fabiyi is one
  
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• Miyetti Allah leader, Bodejo docked, remanded in EFCC custody over $2.33m fraud

  09-07-2026 17:01 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Soni DanielAbuja: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday, arraigned the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo before Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for fraud.Bodejo was arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of $2.33 million.The prosecution counsel Wahab Shittu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, drew the attention of the court to a 12-count charge application dated June 24, 2026 and filed June 25, 2026, u
  
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• US travelers to now submit Nigeria visa applications at embassy, third-party scrapped

  09-07-2026 16:53 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has terminated its contract with its third-party visa processing partner in the United States, forcing applicants to now submit their paperwork directly to Nigerian diplomatic missions.Prior to the sudden change, Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services) managed the collection and processing of Nigerian visa applications across its various centers in the US.However, a statement released on Thursday by NIS Public Relations Officer Akinsola Akinlabi confirme
  
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• State police no longer an option; challenge is how to make it work — Ex-CDS

  09-07-2026 16:53 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Luminous Jannamike, AbujaFormer Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), on Thursday declared that the debate over state police should now move beyond whether Nigeria needs it to how it can be made to work, saying the country’s priority is building a professional and trusted policing system that avoids the failings of the federal model.His message was simple: the question is no longer whether state police should exist, but whether Nigeria can get the structure right.For Ira
  
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• CPPI petitions NASS for electoral act review on political party nomination fees

  09-07-2026 16:25 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Samuel OyadonghaYENAGOA — The Citizens Platform for Political Inclusion (CPPI), a coalition of citizens, public policy advocates and democratic governance stakeholders, has submitted a petition to the National Assembly seeking amendments to the Electoral Act on the regulation of political party nomination fees.The group also confirmed that it has issued pre-action notices to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Niger
  
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• Nigeria’s solid minerals exports reached ₦354bn in 2025 – SMDF

  09-07-2026 16:22 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Sector Generated Over ₦108bn for Federation in Two Years, Grew 33.5% in 2025By Gabriel EwepuABUJA — The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, says Nigeria’s solid minerals exports reached ₦354 billion in 2025, as the sector recorded significant growth under ongoing reforms.Shinkafi disclosed this while delivering the keynote address, titled “Building Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Futu
  
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• Reps seek review of Nigeria–South Africa relations over xenophobic attacks

  09-07-2026 16:16 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Gift ChapiOdekinaABUJA — The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to strengthen diplomatic engagement with South Africa following reports of renewed xenophobic attacks and the deaths of Nigerians in the country.The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau), during plenary on Thursday.Moving the motion, Gagdi expressed concern over repor
  
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• Senate approves N403.1bn Police Trust Fund budgets for 2025, 2026

  09-07-2026 16:12 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Henry UmoruABUJA — The Senate has approved a total of N403.1 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years.The approved budgets comprise N170,103,487,540.56 for 2025 and N233,963,594,010.18 for 2026.The approval followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs by the committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), on behalf of the Chairman, Senator Abdulhamid Mallam Madori (Jigawa East).Accor
  
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• Evacuation Flight: 282 Nigerians to arrive from South Africa today

  09-07-2026 16:05 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Favour Ulebor, AbujaThe Federal Government has announced that the fourth evacuation flight conveying another batch of stranded Nigerians from South Africa is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Thursday.According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is carrying 284 passengers, includi
  
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• Gbenga Hashim sues Accord, INEC, urges court to uphold him as party’s presidential candidate

  09-07-2026 15:45 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
  The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to July 14, 2026, a suit filed by Accord Party presidential aspirant, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, seeking to be recognised as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.The suit came up on Thursday amid the presence of supporters of the plaintiff, who gathered at the court premises in solidarity.In the originating summons, Olawepo-Hashim named the Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Co
  
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• France urges calm among fans during World Cup game against Morocco

  09-07-2026 15:45 via vanguardngr.com
  
  France has urged its football fans to be responsible as their team prepares to face  African champions Morocco on Thursday in a World Cup quarter-final, after previous high-profile matches led to unrest.Morocco won independence from France in 1956 and has a mostly settled relationship with the former colonial power, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Moroccans or French citizens of Moroccan descent.Several members of Morocco’s national team this year were born in France and pl
  
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• ABSU governing council inaugurates search c’ttee to recruit new VC

  09-07-2026 15:37 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Steve OkoThe Governing Council of Abia State University (ABSU), has inaugurated a search team to commence the process of recruiting the institution’s 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor.Speaking during the inauguration at the Council Chamber, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu, said the exercise was in compliance with Section 12(2)(b) of the Abia State University Law, “which mandates the constitution of a Search Team to identify and nominate qualifi
  
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• LP crisis threatens 2027 preparations — Chieftain

  09-07-2026 15:36 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Secretary of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, loyal to  the Julius Abure-led faction, Mr Sam Okpala, says the party’s internal leadership crisis has slowed preparations for the 2027 general elections.Okpala said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, while speaking on efforts to  reposition  the party ahead of the elections.He said members of the faction were awaiting the Supreme Court’s final decision on the matter before taking
  
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• Gombe Govt assures support after fire destroys ECWA Church auditorium

  09-07-2026 15:27 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ben NgwakweGOMBE — The Gombe State Government has assured the Christian community of its support following the fire that destroyed the multi-million-naira auditorium of the ECWA Gospel Church, located off Ashaka Road in Gombe metropolis.The fire, which occurred on the night of July 7, 2026, razed the church auditorium and destroyed electronic equipment, furniture, roofing, the pastoral office and other property, leaving the congregation without a place of worship.Leading a government d
  
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• Anambra introduces tax waiver scheme for voluntary asset, income declaration

  09-07-2026 15:21 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Vincent UjumaduThe Anambra State Government has launched the Voluntary Assets, Income Declaration and Tax Regularisation Scheme (VAIDS), offering taxpayers a limited opportunity to regularise their tax records without incurring the full penalties associated with non-compliance.The scheme, which runs from July 6 to September 5, 2026, is open to individuals, businesses and other organisations with outstanding tax obligations.The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor
  
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• Natasha urges deployment of digital intelligence to combat terrorism

  09-07-2026 15:11 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Juliet UmehSenator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has called on Nigeria’s security agencies to deploy digital intelligence and smart technologies to combat terrorism and banditry, arguing that online activities should provide valuable leads for law enforcement.Speaking during the ARISE News Town Hall on State Police on Thursday, the senator expressed concern over the increasing use of social media by suspected criminal groups to publicise their
  
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• You can’t build 36 state police forces on weak national police — Ukeje

  09-07-2026 15:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Luminous JannamikeABUJA — Former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, on Thursday warned that Nigeria risks building state police on a weak foundation, insisting the country must first rebuild and strengthen the Nigeria Police Force before creating 36 new state policing institutions.Speaking at the ARISE News Town Hall on State Police in Abuja, Ukeje said the growing pressure to establish state police reflected Nigerians’ frustration with worsening insecurit
  
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• List of countries that don’t need visa to enter Canada in 2026

  09-07-2026 15:00 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has updated its travel frameworks to clarify the specific entry documentation international visitors need based on their nationality and mode of transport.
  The new guidelines divide global travelers into distinct categories, explicitly outlining who can enter the country visa-free, who needs electronic clearance, and who must obtain a traditional visa.Under the regulations, a small group of individuals can cross Canadian borders without a traditional
  
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• 2009 FG/ ASUU Agreement: CONUA expresses solidarity with NAMDA over strike threat

  09-07-2026 14:56 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adesina WahabThe Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has expressed solidarity with the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics, NAMDA, over its call to the Federal Government to quickly conclude negotiation with it over the implementation of the 2009 Agreement signed by university workers with the FG.
  This is just as CONUA added that it is also in support of NAMDA’s threat to embark on industrial action if the FG fails to meet the demands of the union.
  In a statement
  
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• Court awards N100m damages against Police over death of 22-year-old in Calabar

  09-07-2026 14:54 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ike UchechukwuCALABAR — A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has awarded N100 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force and four other respondents over the death of 22-year-old Onyekachi Mba, who died after an incident involving police officers attached to the Cross River State Government House.Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu delivered the judgment on Thursday in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed on October 10, 2025, by the deceased’s counsel, Chief Roland Nbubuka.Th
  
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• Anambra rated 100% in Open Government Partnership ranking

  09-07-2026 14:43 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Vincent UjumaduAnambra State has been rated 100% healthy in the July 2026 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria subnational status ranking.The rating is the highest possible standing any state can attain on the platform’s rigorous, nine-point framework for measuring how genuinely open, accountable, and citizen-driven a government truly is.Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr Christian Aburime said in a statement that Anambra’s rating is a well-earned scorecar
  
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• World Cup 2026: ‘Nobody can question referees’ integrity’ — FIFA refereeing chief Collina

  09-07-2026 14:32 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyeFIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, has firmly rejected allegations of bias in Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that “nobody can question” the integrity or independence of the tournament’s match officials.According to Reuters, Collina made the remarks in an interview published on FIFA’s official website on Thursday, responding to complaints from the Egyptian Football Association,
  
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• ‘Nigerians earning N60,000 are better off than many living abroad’ — Bwala

  09-07-2026 14:16 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications, has said many Nigerians who relocated abroad in search of better opportunities are facing difficult economic conditions despite possessing university degrees and earning salaries in foreign currencies.Speaking during an appearance on The Morayo Show, Bwala argued that the reality for many Nigerians who emigrated, particularly to the United Kingdom, is far different from the expectations that drove them to leave t
  
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• PFIPC scandal: Stop running, prove allegations against Gbajabiamila, Wike tells Adeyemi

  09-07-2026 14:08 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Omeiza Ajayi, AbujaThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged the self-acclaimed Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, to stop evading scrutiny and substantiate his allegations against the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, rather than go into hiding.Speaking during a media chat monitored on Thursday in Abuja, Wike said those closest to the seat of power, particularl
  
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• US releases list of countries no longer eligible for visa waiver

  09-07-2026 13:53 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The United States, US has updated its Visa Waiver Program (VWP), confirming that travelers who have visited or hold dual nationality with certain countries are no longer eligible to enter the country under the visa-free scheme.The Visa Waiver Program allows most citizens of participating countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without first obtaining a visa. Eligible travelers must, however, obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (
  
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• Russia to take on World Athletics at CAS over ban

  09-07-2026 13:50 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Russian athletics federation announced Thursday they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) challenging World Athletics extending the blanket ban on their track and field athletes.“Russian Athletics notes that World Athletics’ decision affects the fundamental interests of athletics in Russia and restricts Russian athletes’ right to compete, on grounds that Russian Athletics considers discriminatory,” read the federation’s statement.World Athlet
  
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