General news

• Guinness World Records certifies Saheed Osupa, Malaika-led Afrobeats orchestra feat

  08-07-2026 12:12 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Guinness World Records has officially recognised a concert staged by Dapper Live & Artists in Lagos as the world’s largest orchestra assembled for an Afrobeats performance.The global record-keeping body announced the achievement in a post on X on Tuesday, accompanied by a video from the event, which featured performances by Fuji icons King Saheed Osupa and KS1 Malaika alongside several Afrobeats stars.In the post, Guinness World Records wrote, “Largest orchestra for an Afrobeats
  
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• Police arrest two suspects after Bayelsa varsity student dies in suspected cult clash

  09-07-2026 17:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Samuel Oyadongha, YenagoaOperatives of the Amassoma Division of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested two suspects and recovered two locally made pistols and two rounds of 9mm live ammunition following a suspected cult-related clash in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.The arrests followed an incident that claimed the life of a 200-level student of Niger Delta University (NDU).The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the incident occurred
  
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• Tinubu seeks senate approval for secondary education reform bill

  09-07-2026 17:52 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Henry UmoruABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has transmitted the National Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to the Senate, seeking legislative approval for reforms aimed at strengthening the administration and governance of public senior secondary education in Nigeria.The executive bill was conveyed to the Senate through Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who read the President’s letter during Thursday’s plenary.According to the letter, the proposed legislat
  
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• Court fixes July 20 to resume trial of alleged Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists

  09-07-2026 17:47 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ikechukwu NnochiriABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned until July 20 the trial of two alleged commanders of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group.The defendants, Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Abubakar Abba, popularly called Mahmud Al-Nigeri or Isah Adam/Mallam Mamuda, are answering to terrorism charges preferred against them by the Department of the State Service (DSS).Ansaru, a breakaway faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group, w
  
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• FG’s reforms repositioning Nigeria for economic growth – Information Minister

  09-07-2026 17:45 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Federal Government says its reforms are repositioning Nigeria as a leading destination for investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth.The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said this in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, in Abuja on Thursday.The minister made the remarks in an exclusive interview published on July 8 by Impact Reports, a publication of the Los Angeles Times, focused on global development, business, investment and p
  
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• Flood claims one-year-old girl in Calabar

  09-07-2026 17:44 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ike Uchechukwu, CalabarA one-year-old girl has died after floodwaters triggered by a heavy downpour swept into her family’s apartment in Calabar, Cross River State.The rain, which began at about 2 a.m. on Thursday, inundated homes along Mayne Avenue, off Atu Street, in Calabar South Local Government Area, leaving residents counting their losses.According to residents, the child and her parents were asleep when floodwaters entered their home, submerging the room before they could respon
  
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• Arsenal sign former Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier on free transfer

  09-07-2026 17:32 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyePremier League champions Arsenal have signed former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer, the club confirmed in an official statement on Thursday.The 26-year-old French goalkeeper joins the Gunners after leaving Leeds, where he spent seven seasons and made 215 appearances in all competitions, keeping 70 clean sheets.Meslier began his professional career at French side Lorient before joining Leeds on loan in 2019. He helped the Yorkshire club secure promo
  
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• Customs grooms 100 deputy comptrollers for senior leadership roles

  09-07-2026 17:23 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau ChiefThe Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a Strategic Refresher Course for 100 Deputy Comptrollers as part of efforts to prepare a new generation of senior officers for higher leadership responsibilities and sustain ongoing reforms within the Service.The workshop, organised by the Human Resources Development Department in collaboration with the Customs Police Unit, began on Tuesday at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.Declaring the w
  
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• Soludo deepens national conversation on state police

  09-07-2026 17:19 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Vincent UjumaduGovernor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has intensified the national debate on state police, arguing that the issue is no longer whether it should be established but how it should be implemented effectively.Speaking at a town hall meeting on state police organised by Arise News TV, Soludo said the ongoing reforms to Nigeria’s federal structure under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not come as a surprise.He recalled that Tinubu, while serving as Governor of
  
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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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