General news

• Fubara presents N1.85trn 2026 budget

  10-07-2026 13:19 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Daniel AbiaRivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented a proposed budget of N1.854 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing it as a “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development.”Presenting the Appropriation Bill before lawmakers on Friday, Governor Fubara said the budget was designed to consolidate the gains of his administration in infrastructure development, human capital advancement, security and economic growth, while e
  
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• Iran Guards claim strikes against Oman, Bahrain

  13-07-2026 11:41 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Monday claimed strikes against Bahrain and Oman, saying they destroyed radar systems in Oman and targeted US military facilities on the southern edge of Manama.“In addition to targeting US military facilities and infrastructure in Juffair, Bahrain, where fires are raging, the navy of the Revolutionary Guards has… targeted and destroyed the long-range airborne FPS radar and the ship-detection radar in the Sultanate of Oman,” said a statemen
  
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• Breaking: FG suspends planned increase in WAEC, NECO registration fees

  13-07-2026 11:15 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Joseph Erunke, AbujaThe Federal Government has suspended the proposed review of registration fees for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), and the National Examinations Council (NECO), Senior School Certificate Examination, (SSCE), bowing to widespread public concerns and opting for extensive consultations with stakeholders.The Federal Ministry of Education announced on Monday that it had withdrawn its June 18, 2026 letter communicating the proposed fee adju
  
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• ‘Jurassic Park’ star Sam Neill dies aged 78

  13-07-2026 11:05 via vanguardngr.com
  
  “Jurassic Park” star Sam Neill died in Australia on Monday aged 78, his family said in a statement that described the beloved actor’s death as “sudden and unexpected”.The New Zealander had in recent years undergone treatment for lymphoma but declared this year that he was cancer free.“It is with immense sadness that the whanau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13 July, in Sydney Australia,” the statement read, using the New Zealand Ma
  
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• Alleged certificate forgery: Ex-Minister Nnaji pleads not guilty, gets N20m bail

  13-07-2026 11:03 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, AbujaThe Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, granted N20 million bail to the former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, after he pleaded not guilty to a six-count certificate forgery charge the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed against him.The anti-corruption agency alleged that Nnaji, who was a minister in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet from August 16, 2023, to October 6, 2025, before he resigned, forg
  
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• Nigeria meets 104% of OPEC quota as crude oil production hits 74-month high

  13-07-2026 10:59 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Nigeria’s crude oil production rose to an average of 1.56 million barrels per day in June 2026, exceeding the country’s quota set by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and reaching its highest level in more than six years.The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) disclosed this in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu.According to the commission, Nigeria produced an average of 1,735,398 ba
  
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• Plateau, Benue killings: Nigeria cannot prosper while innocent blood flows – Obi

  13-07-2026 10:39 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, has condemned the latest killings in Benue and Plateau states, saying Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development while innocent citizens continue to lose their lives to violence.Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his X handle on Monday following reports of fresh attacks in parts of Benue and Plateau states that left several people dead.The former Anambra State governor described th
  
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• Yamal aims to steal Mbappe’s World Cup thunder in semi-final showdown

  13-07-2026 10:20 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Lamine Yamal is hoping to emulate Kylian Mbappe by winning the World Cup as a teenager, but first his Spain side will have to get the better of France and their superstar captain in Tuesday’s semi-final.When Mbappe scored in France’s win over Croatia in the deciding match of the 2018 tournament, he was just 19 years and 207 days old. He therefore became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after a 17-year-old Pele in 1958.Mbappe’s love affair with the World C
  
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• Gunmen kidnap Oyo school headmaster, demand N30m ransom

  13-07-2026 10:16 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adeola BadruA 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Matthew Kolawale Owoade, popularly known as “Onaiye”, has allegedly been abducted by unidentified gunmen.Vanguard gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.According to the victim’s son, Mr Abiola Owoade, his father was returning from a visit to his farm when he was intercepted and abducted b
  
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• Eight killed in suspected terrorist attack in Benue community – Police

  13-07-2026 10:12 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The police in Benue have confirmed the killing of eight persons in a suspected terrorist attack on a rural community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Cletus Nwadiogbu, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.Nwadiogbu said the victims comprised five adults and three children.He said he had spent most of the day in the affected community alongside other security personnel to assess the situation and restore
  
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• Police rescue 12 kidnap victims, arrest 15 suspects in nationwide operations

  13-07-2026 09:12 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Kingsley OmonobiABUJA — The Nigeria Police Force on Monday said its operatives rescued 12 kidnapped victims, arrested 15 suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other exhibits in coordinated operations across 11 states within the last 24 hours.According to a police situation report, the operations targeted kidnapping, armed robbery, vandalism, impersonation and other criminal activities.In Niger State, police tactical teams, working with local vigilantes, engag
  
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• SDP hails rescue of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers, mourns slain soldier

  13-07-2026 08:40 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Henry UmoruABUJA — The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has commended Nigeria’s security forces for the successful rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, while mourning an Army officer who lost his life during the operation.In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party praised the intelligence-led, multi-agency operation that led to the rescue of the victims after more than 56 days in captivity.The SDP des
  
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• FG approves reviewed Scheme of Service for NiMet

  13-07-2026 08:33 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Federal Government has approved the reviewed Scheme of Service for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), a move aimed at strengthening the agency’s career structure, improving staff welfare and enhancing its capacity to deliver on its meteorological mandate.The approval was conveyed to the Director-General of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, in a letter dated July 9, 2026, from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), signed on behalf of the Director of Organisation
  
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• Otti directs immediate rehabilitation of Ironsi’s alma mater

  13-07-2026 08:31 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Steve OkoUMUAHIA—Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has ordered the immediate rehabilitation of Ibeama Primary School, Ndume Otuka, the alma mater of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, the late Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, as well as the road leading to his ancestral home.
  Otti gave the directive at the weekend during a civic reception held in honour of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Nmeregini, at the school premises in Umuahia North Local Govern
  
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• Osun gov poll: APC deputy gov candidate, Adeleke clash over religion

  13-07-2026 08:29 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Shina AbubakarOSOGBO — THE Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the August 15 Osun governorship election, Mr Benjamin Adereti, yesterday, described Governor Ademola Adeleke as a religious hypocrite, whose religous identity is questionable.
  Adereti, who spoke at the 70th anniversary celebration of Union Baptist Church, Osogbo, said the APC is not playing politics with religion, saying it has direction in the religious identity of its candidates.
  Addres
  
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• Why akara and kulikuli trap always succeed

  13-07-2026 07:56 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Dele Sobowale
  It is another election year; and suddenly, “free” money is being given at every convenient gathering. Givers, usually politically exposed individuals, call it empowerment; their paid megaphones in the media hail the altruism and, naturally expect widespread gratitude. Those of us, who have experienced this sort of grand deception before, know the truth from our history. The flow of funds will stop after the elections. The First Lady’s recent N50,000
  
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• Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, July 13, 2026

  13-07-2026 07:48 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Nigerian naira traded at around ₦1,382.33 to the United States dollar at the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) on Monday, July 13, 2026, according to available market data.The latest official rate represents the benchmark exchange rate used in the formal foreign exchange market.Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s NFEM platform showed the most recent published official market rate before Monday’s trading at ₦1,379.62 per dollar on July 10, indicatin
  
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• Stock market rebounds as investors gain N9.3trn in 5 days

  13-07-2026 07:18 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Peter EgwuatuThe Nigerian stock market recorded a strong rebound closing bullish last week’s trading with investors gaining N9.342 trillion.The Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, had recorded a loss of over N1.8 trillion previous week following a wave of selloffs that had hit the market since last week of June, 2026.Breakdown of trading last week shows that the NGX market capitalisation, which reflects the total value of stocks listed on the Exchange, closed at N156.444 trillion from
  
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• Oriire schoolchildren: How arrest of kidnappers’ family members led to rescue of victims

  13-07-2026 04:36 via vanguardngr.com
  
  •Why terrorists’ proposed exchange was rejectedBy Dapo AkinrefonLAGOS — FRESH details have emerged on the intelligence-led operation that culminated in the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted from Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, with security sources disclosing that the arrest of family members of the kidnappers proved to be a decisive turning point.39 schoolchildren and seven teachers were ab
  
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• Nigeria’s worsening crime numbers

  13-07-2026 04:22 via vanguardngr.com
  
  In the past decade, Nigeria’s name has become increasingly associated with crime, insecurity, and institutional decay, at home and abroad. Official corruption, weak institutions, terrorism, banditry, and the routine kidnapping of schoolchildren for ransom have normalised a national crisis that has eroded public trust and damaged the country’s global standing. The crimes not only persist; they have also become predictable.
  Security failures assail defenceless communities, while the s
  
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• No governance without consultation: Demilitarizing and demythologizing the Nigerian Government, by Owei Lakemfa

  13-07-2026 03:54 via vanguardngr.com
  
  I did not expect my column ‘When uneducated minds change the education system’ to attract so much reaction. A parent said that in my review of the new education curriculum imposed in September 2025, I did not draw sufficient attention to some facts. The most fundamental, she said, is that government imposed new trade subjects on the approximately 1.8 million SSS3 students taking their final examinations in the 2025/2026 session without their having a foundation or being pr
  
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• 2027 VP: Congratulations to Shettima, By SULEIMAN A. SULEIMAN

  13-07-2026 03:34 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Just 18 minutes after it was posted online by a national paper last Friday, I saw a breaking news story saying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had officially renominated Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 election.The story was a pleasant surprise for me because I had earlier decided I was going to write about the same issue for my column this week under the title “Tinubu’s strategic ambiguity on Shettima.” I was going to use that establ
  
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• After 56 days in captivity our children may not return to schools — Oriire parents

  13-07-2026 03:32 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adeola Badru, IBADANThe traumatic experience of spending 56 days in captivity has left many parents and relatives of pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State reluctant to send their children back to the affected schools, despite their successful rescue.Read Also: Oriire Schoolchildren: How arrest of kidnappers’ family members led victims’ rescueWhile expressing gratitude to God, the Federal Government, security agencies and everyone who contr
  
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• How strategic collaboration is rewriting narrative on youth drug abuse

  13-07-2026 03:26 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By ODUNAYO SANYALeadership, in its truest essence, is not about the titles we hold or the executive seats we occupy; it is about the responsibility we assume for the future of our communities. According to John Maxwell, a leader is one who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way. As we commemorate World Drug Day (June 26), we are collectively confronted with a sobering reality that demands that we intentionally create the conditions for Nigerian youths to thrive. This year&rsqu
  
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• Afe Babalola to receive Honourary Doctor of Laws from American and Canadian Universities

  13-07-2026 03:18 via vanguardngr.com
  
  This year’s Convocation Ceremony of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, will enjoy a tinge of uncommon international flavour as two foreign universities, Trinity Western University, Canada, and Trinity International University, USA, will be conferring on ABUAD’s Founder, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, their Honoury Doctor of Laws Degrees on October 21, 2026.This was made known over the weekend by Dr. Philip Laird, the Senior Vice President, Global Engagement & Governme
  
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• Oil cartels, tanker operators, enforcement agencies blamed for Apapa, Kirikiri gridlock

  13-07-2026 03:11 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Udeme Akpan, Godwin Oritse & Efe Onodjae Oil cartels, independent petroleum marketers, tanker owners, drivers, transport unions and some enforcement agencies have been accused of sustaining the perennial traffic gridlock in the Lagos’ Apapa and Kirikiri corridors, crippling businesses, disrupting residents’ daily lives and hampering economic activities. Read Also: Banks slash lending, cut N5.4trn across key sectorsFindings by Vanguard showed that thousands of b
  
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• North West Development Commission unveils projects for 30,000 farmers, 10,000 youths

  13-07-2026 02:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The North West Development Commission (NWDC) is embarking on major interventions across agriculture, healthcare, education, youth empowerment and security in the seven North West states, beginning full-scale implementation in the second half of 2026.Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, disclosed this while presenting the NWDC’s mid-year performance report to the Senate Committee on the North West Development Commission.Prof. Ma’aji s
  
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• Black weekend: Family of nine, 18 others killed in Benue, Plateau

  13-07-2026 02:54 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Peter Duru & Golok Nanmwa, MAKURDI/JOSIt was a bloody weekend in Benue and Plateau states as suspected terrorists killed no fewer than 27 persons, including nine members of the same family and a two-month-old baby, in attacks that have renewed fears over worsening insecurity in the North-Central region.Read Also: Oriire Schoolchildren: How arrest of kidnappers’ family members led victims’ rescueIn Benue State, suspected armed herdsmen killed at least 18 persons in separa
  
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• What should stop ex-priest, Anokwuru, from hooking up with a helpmate?

  13-07-2026 02:38 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ugoh Sam-Okobi The article titled “Why is Anokwuru Christian Uche still parading himself as a priest of the Catholic Church?”, published on social media a few days ago by Kingsley Uzoma, raises issues that, in my view, deserve a more balanced consideration.Rather than dwell on personalities, it is important to examine the facts surrounding Dr. Christian Uche Anokwuru’s departure from active priestly ministry and his subsequent decisions. As someone close to Anokwu
  
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• FG raises WAEC, NECO fees to N50,000 per candidate

  13-07-2026 02:38 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adesina Wahab & Omeiza AjayiThe Federal Ministry of Education has given approval for the National Examinations Council, NECO and the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, to increase registration fee for their Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, SSCE, to N50,000 per candidate, beginning in 2027.Read Also: Banks slash lending, cut N5.4trn across key sectorsThe increment drew the ire of National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and for
  
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