General news

• Imo plane crash: Two persons in critical condition – Source

  17-12-2025 10:53 via vanguardngr.com
  By Chidi NkwoparaOWERRI —- A chartered aircraft, with call sign, ASR, registration number 5N-SKR, a C-172 aircraft operated by Sky Power Kaduna, crashed at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, SMICA, Owerri, at about 8pm Tuesday night.A staff member of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, who spoke to Vanguard on strict grounds of anonymity, said that “the plane was on its way to Port Harcourt from Kaduna, made a crash landing at the threshold of Runway 17.”The sour
  
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• Assessing the relevance of traditional rulers (4), by Eric Teniola

  23-12-2025 02:53 via vanguardngr.com
  From last week continues the narrative on the emergence of Dr Moses Majekodunmi as administrator of Western Nigeria following the declaration of emergency rule. It also highlights the intrigues involved in the emergence of Olu of Warri, as well as the rivalry between NCNC and the Action Group.Olu of Warri Kingdom with the title Ogiame Erejuwa II. He succeeded his father Ginuwa II as Olu. Ginuwa II was a great grandson of Olu Akengbuwa the last Olu who died in 1848, he was crowned in 1936 af
  
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• Coups in West Africa and sustainability of democracy

  23-12-2025 02:52 via vanguardngr.com
  The recent failed coup attempt in Republic of Benin, allegedly led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, has once again drawn attention to a disturbing trend in West Africa: the resurgence of military interventions in governance.  Coming just days after soldiers reportedly seized power in Guinea-Bissau while a presidential election was underway, the incident underscores the fragility of democratic institutions in a region once regarded as a continental beacon of constitutional rule.Sinc
  
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• Abubakar Malami:  What manner of a suspect?

  23-12-2025 02:49 via vanguardngr.com
  By WALE OLAYINKA Nobel Laureate,  Wole Soyinka in one of his works,  The Man Died,  described a comical scene as “ dramaturgical fantasia”!   This phrase  aptly captures the public posturing of  the former Attorney – General and Minister of Justice,  Abubakar Malami,  SAN,  to his investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC.  Malami’s reactions,  disclosures  an
  
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• Time and Tide, by Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

  23-12-2025 02:47 via vanguardngr.com
   “There is only one thing more precious than time, and that is who we spend it on”— Leo Christopher.I sat through a discussion involving a few villagers from parts of eastern Kaduna State and western Katsina State in my home town, Zaria,  last week. A respected elder has been ill, and he is the type who would encourage a free flow of conversation. The one hour I spent listening to discussions around conditions and circumstances under which villagers in parts of
  
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• Nigeria, US partner on health security, primary care

  23-12-2025 01:58 via vanguardngr.com
  By Sola OgundipeThe Federal government of Nigeria and the United States government have signed a technical Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen bilateral health cooperation, strengthen health security, and build a more resilient and self-reliant health system for Nigerians.The agreement will enhance collaboration on the early detection, prevention, and control of emerging, re-emerging, and existing infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, while expanding access to qualit
  
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• Fibroid removal does not guarantee fertility — Expert

  23-12-2025 01:55 via vanguardngr.com
  By Sola OgundipeFor years, the presence of fibroids has been mistakenly linked to infertility. Similar to the past misperceptions, many women have unnecessarily endured anxiety and invasive procedures.An experienced gynecologist and fertility expert, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, has said that having fibroids does not mean a woman cannot get pregnant.Ajayi, who is the Founder/CEO of Nordica Fibroid Centre, Lagos, said despite the recommendation for fibroid removal as an infertility solution, the condition
  
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• Urologists decry double brain drain crisis in Nigeria

  23-12-2025 01:53 via vanguardngr.com
  •As robotic surgery debuts in Lagos, AbujaBy Sola OgundipeFresh concerns have been raised over the worsening internal and external brain drain of medical doctors and other health workers from Nigeria even as experts warn that tertiary hospitals are losing top specialists to private facilities at an alarming rate.While external Japa drains talent out of the country, internal Japa is also draining expertise from one part of Nigeria to another, leaving entire regions medically stranded and de
  
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• Occupational health: SOEHPON pushes for global standards in Nigeria

  23-12-2025 01:51 via vanguardngr.com
  By Sola OgundipeIn line with its drive to ensure occupational and environmental health practices meet global standards, the Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON) has renewed its call for stronger regulatory backing for occupational and environmental health practices in the country.The call came during the Society’s 2025 Annual International Conference themed “Advancing Occupational and Environmental Health Practice in Nigeria, designed as a
  
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• Youth, tech drive Nigeria’s healthcare transformation at STACK Fair

  23-12-2025 01:18 via vanguardngr.com
  By Sola OgundipeThe 2025 edition of the STACK Reform Health Fair delivered one of the most compelling demonstrations yet of youth-driven innovation and cross-sector collaboration in Nigeria’s health ecosystem.Held at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall, University of Lagos, the fair drew more than 550 students, professionals, innovators, and policymakers, filling the venue under the theme “Tomorrow’s Healthcare Today.”At the opening, Prof. Ademola Oremosu, Provost of the College of
  
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• Local pharma: Nigeria targets global antimalarial market as NIPRD pushes WHO prequalification

  23-12-2025 01:12 via vanguardngr.com
  By Chioma ObinnaNigeria’s drive for stronger healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical self-reliance has received a major boost as the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) steps up efforts to equip local drug manufacturers with the capacity to secure World Health Organisation prequalification for antimalarial medicines.The move is expected to enhance quality, cut import dependence, and position the country for global competitiveness.The renewed push came at
  
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• FG fulfils housing, land pledge to Super Eagles for AFCON 2023 performance

  22-12-2025 23:50 via vanguardngr.com
  The Federal Government has fulfilled its pledge of housing and land allocations to members of the Super Eagles following their runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that players have received certificates for the plots of land and housing units promised by President Bola Tinubu.According to the federation, the documents were presented to the players at the team’s camp in Fez, Morocco, on Monday.Niger
  
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• Education gets 25%, each ward N100m, as Uba Sani signs 2026 budget

  22-12-2025 23:32 via vanguardngr.com
  Governor Uba Sani has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, with education taking the largest share of 25% of the N985.9 billion budget of Kaduna State.Speaking at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the governor said that the budget “reflects our resolve to consolidate the gains we have made while laying even stronger foundations for sustainable growth.”Governor Uba Sani disclosed that ₦698.9 billion, representing 70.9 percent of the budget, has been devo
  
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• US to suspend visa issuance to Nigerians from January 1, 2026

  22-12-2025 23:24 via vanguardngr.com
  The United States will partially suspend the issuance of visas to Nigeriana from January 1, 2026.According to a statement by the U.S. Department of State on Monday, the suspension applies to nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all categories of immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the measure, alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Ga
  
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• Liverpool rocked by Isak blow after surgery on ankle injury

  22-12-2025 22:51 via vanguardngr.com
  Liverpool striker Alexander Isak faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the Premier League champions revealed he had surgery on an ankle injury that includes a fibula fracture on Monday.Isak, signed from Newcastle for a British record £125 million ($168 million) in September, suffered the injury in the process of scoring in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Tottenham on Saturday.The 26-year-old was tackled by Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven and limped off immediately after his goal.&
  
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• Oil spill: FG vows to enforce environmental laws in Ogoniland

  22-12-2025 22:32 via vanguardngr.com
  By Folarin Kehinde, AbujaThe federal government has vowed strict enforcement of environmental regulations in Ogoniland as it steps up efforts to address the oil spill at Yorla Well 14 in the Kpean community, Rivers State.The Director-General and Chief Executive of NOSDRA, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, stated this on Monday during an inspection visit to the spill site, where he led a high-powered federal delegation to assess environmental damage and ongoing remediation efforts.Engr Woke stressed that
  
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• Yuletide: NRC slashes train fares by 50%

  22-12-2025 21:50 via vanguardngr.com
  By Folarin Kehinde, AbujaThe Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has announced a 50 per cent reduction in train fares nationwide for the Yuletide season as part of efforts by the Federal Government to ease the cost of travel for Nigerians.Opeifa disclosed this on TVC News Breakfast shared on his X handle, noting that the discount will run from December 23 to January 4.According to him, the fare reduction is coming at a time when transportation costs ac
  
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• Russia pledges ‘full support’ for Venezuela against US ‘hostilities’

  22-12-2025 21:28 via vanguardngr.com
  Russia on Monday expressed “full support” for Venezuela as the South American country confronts a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers by US forces deployed in the Caribbean.The pledge from Moscow, itself embroiled in the war in Ukraine, came on the eve of a UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting Tuesday to discuss the mounting crisis between Caracas and Washington.In a phone call, the foreign ministers of the allied nations blasted the US actions, which have included strikes on alleged d
  
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• US conducts surveillance flights over Nigeria after Trump’s threat – Report

  22-12-2025 21:12 via vanguardngr.com
  The United States has been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November, flight tracking data and current and former U.S. officials show, signalling heightened security cooperation between the two countries, according to Reuters.The exclusive report on Monday said the purpose of the surveillance missions could not be immediately and independently confirmed.The operations come weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump warned in November that Washington
  
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• AFCON ’25: Foster grabs South Africa winner against Angola

  22-12-2025 20:28 via vanguardngr.com
  Burnley striker Lyle Foster scored on 79 minutes as South Africa edged Angola 2-1 in Marrakesh on Monday to win their opening match of an Africa Cup of Nations campaign for the first time in 21 years.Since beating Benin in the 2004 tournament, Bafana Bafana have drawn twice and lost four times when they debuted in different editions of the premier African football tournament.The opening Group B match had three distinct phases. South Africa started impressively and Oswin Appollis scored on 21 min
  
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• Netanyahu vows independence of commission of inquiry into Oct 7

  22-12-2025 20:19 via vanguardngr.com
  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed a government decision Monday to establish a commission of inquiry into the October 7 attack, assuring the public that it would not be subject to political influence.“Today the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the bill to establish a special state commission of inquiry,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.“This will be a balanced committee to investigate the events of October 7 and the circumstances that led to the
  
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• Army Chief orders troops in Kwara, Edo, Kogi to intensify offensive against criminals

  22-12-2025 19:44 via vanguardngr.com
  By Kingsley OmonobiThe Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has directed troops deployed across Kwara, Edo, and Kogi states to intensify offensive operations aimed at decisively flushing out kidnappers and other criminal elements.Lt. Gen. Shaibu issued the directive on Monday, 22 December 2025, while addressing officers and soldiers at Odugbo Barracks, Ibadan, during his maiden operational visit to the 2 Division Area of Responsibility.“Go after the kidnappers and
  
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• Trump removes dozens of career ambassadors appointed under Biden

  22-12-2025 19:42 via vanguardngr.com
  The Trump administration is removing dozens of ambassadors appointed under the Biden administration as part of a broad reshuffle to align the diplomatic corps with its foreign policy priorities.The heads of mission, mostly career diplomats, have been notified they must leave their posts by mid-January, according to the American Foreign Service Association, which represents State Department employees.Press reports said ambassadors from 30 countries will be affected, particularly in Africa.The re
  
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• Lagos court sentences man to 13 months community service for illegal waste dumping

  22-12-2025 19:40 via vanguardngr.com
  By Olasunkanmi AkoniA special Offences Mobile Court in Oshodi, Lagos State, on Monday sentenced 48-year-old Makinde Rasaq to 13 months of community service at Kirikiri Correctional Centre for illegally dumping waste in Lagos Island.Makinde, who was arrested with a Honda SUV filled with refuse, pleaded guilty to seven charges, including breach of peace, indiscriminate dumping of waste, non-patronage of Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators, illegal transportation of waste without a valid li
  
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• More Abducted Nigerian Children Are Released, Government Says

  22-12-2025 19:34 via nytimes.com
  A spokesman for the Nigerian government said the “remaining” students taken from a Catholic school had been freed, but the local diocese said that only a “second batch” had been released.
  
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• UK singer Chris Rea dies at 74, days before Christmas

  22-12-2025 19:32 via vanguardngr.com
  British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, best known for the 1980s festive hit “Driving Home for Christmas”, has died at the age of 74, his family announced on Monday.“It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris,” a spokesperson for his wife and two children said in a statement shared with UK media.“He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”A post on his official social m
  
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• Uba Sani signs 2026 budget, education takes lion’s share

  22-12-2025 19:30 via vanguardngr.com
  Governor Uba Sani has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, with Education taking the largest share of 25% of the N985.9 billion budget of Kaduna State.Speaking at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Monday, the Governor said that the budget ‘’reflects our resolve to consolidate the gains we have made while laying even stronger foundations for sustainable growth.’’Governor Uba Sani disclosed that ₦698.9 billion, representing 70.9 percent of t
  
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• ‘Oversabi Aunty’ earns N99.8m in opening weekend

  22-12-2025 19:17 via vanguardngr.com
  ‘Oversabi Aunty’ has recorded a strong debut at the Nigerian box office, grossing N99.8 million in its opening weekend to emerge as the second highest-grossing film of the weekend.Read Also: Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind The Scenes’ Crosses ₦512m in one weekThe movie, distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, also ranks as Nollywood’s second highest opening film of 2025, underscoring a solid start in cinemas nationwide.In a post shared on its official Insta
  
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• Gov Alia presents N605.5bn 2026 budget to Benue Assembly

  22-12-2025 19:11 via vanguardngr.com
  …Focuses on Rural Development and Livelihood SupportBy Peter Duru, MakurdiThe Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Monday presented a N605.5 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the Benue State House of Assembly, with strong emphasis on rural development, livelihood support, and sustained economic growth.Titled “Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth,” the proposal comprises N281.09 billion for recurrent expenditure
  
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• AFCON ’25: We’ve plans to stop Osimhen – Tanzania coach Gomandi

  22-12-2025 19:06 via vanguardngr.com
  By Enitan AbdutawabTanzania head coach, Manuel Gomandi, says his team has put a tactical plan in place to neutralise Nigeria striker, Victor Osimhen, ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations clash, while warning that the Super Eagles’ attacking depth remains a major threat.Speaking at the press conference on the eve of the group-stage encounter, Gomandi said Tanzania’s preparations have focused on limiting Osimhen’s influence but stressed that Nigeria’s attacking options mak
  
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