General news

• International exchange programmes: an honest reality check

  04-07-2026 15:18 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Do you dream of travelling and working abroad? Are you ready to trade your cosy little room for a mattress on the floor with ten strangers in the same space? Advertising brochures paint a picture of the Garden of Eden, but the reality of international exchange and employment programmes often turns out to be an honest reality check – where the bet is your nerves, money and health.We decided to conduct our own investigation and check the information about different international programmes:
  
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• Traders lament ‘overnight’ demolition of Mowe/Ofada market, seek Ogun govt’s intervention

  04-07-2026 16:41 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By James OgunnaikeTraders at the Mowe/Ofada market in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have accused the state government of demolishing the market without giving them any notice, alleging that goods valued at over N500 million were destroyed in the exercise.The affected traders claimed that the demolition was carried out around 2:00 a.m. on Friday, before they arrived at the market to commence the day’s business activities.Speaking with journalists during an inspection of
  
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• Daddy Freeze hails Pastor Bolaji Idowu for helping flood victims in Lagos

  04-07-2026 16:35 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By John AlechenuMedia personality Ifedayo Olarinde, better known as Daddy Freeze, has hailed Pastor Bolaji Idowu after a video of the Christian cleric helping residents stranded by flooding in Lagos surfaced online.The video clip, which has been trending on social media, showed Pastor Idowu stopping his car when he noticed people wading through floodwaters.Daddy Freeze said the pastor did not just offer them a ride, he also changed his route to make sure they got to their destinations safely.Sp
  
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• UNIOSUN berates Army over insensitivity to assault victims trauma

  04-07-2026 16:31 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo The management of Osun State University, UNIOSUN, have berated the Nigeria Army Deport of being insensitive to the trauma of its students allegedly assaulted by its personnel.It would be recalled that some new recruit from the Army Depot in Osogbo allegedly stormed students community at Oke-Baale, molesting girls and assaulted some boys. Meanwhile the Army pledged to probe the incident with a view to punishing the suspects, claiming it arrested five suspects.Howev
  
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• Atiku alleges ₦8.8tn off-budget spending, demands probe of Tinubu administration

  04-07-2026 16:09 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an immediate investigation into what he described as alleged off-budget public expenditure amounting to about ₦8.8 trillion, following findings contained in the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV consultation on Nigeria.In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, Atiku said a Reuters report published on July 1, 2026, quoting the IMF, indicated that public expenditures equivalent to about 2 per cent o
  
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• Former champion Rybakina crashes out at Wimbledon

  04-07-2026 16:03 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina suffered a shock third-round exit in a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 defeat against Elise Mertens on Saturday.Rybakina was hoping to follow her Australian Open triumph in January by winning Wimbledon for the second time.But the world number two was unable to emulate her 2022 victory at the All England Club as Belgian 25th seed Mertens produced a major upset on Court One.Rybakina, 27, also endured a disappointing early departure from the recent French Open, losing to Yu
  
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• Arewa Think Tank urges Tinubu to ignore allegations against Gbajabiamila

  04-07-2026 15:25 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ibrahim Hassan-WuyoThe Arewa Think Tank has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow recent allegations involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to influence decisions concerning members of his administration.Addressing journalists in Kaduna, the Convener of the group, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, described the reports surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) as politically motivated and called on Nigerians to re
  
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• Kidnapped worshippers rescued in Ekiti — Police

  04-07-2026 15:17 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Police Command in Ekiti says the victims abducted during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eda-Oniyo, on April 28 have been rescued.The command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti by its police public relations officer, SP Sunday Abutu.According to the statement, the victims were rescued through sustained intelligence-led operations and coordinated efforts involving the Nigeria Police Force, the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hu
  
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• 2027 Elections: Oba Akiolu warns against thuggery, violence

  04-07-2026 15:08 via vanguardngr.com
  
  .Tasks APC chairmen on hard work, integrity.Predicts Tinubu’s victory .Meets 36 APC chairmen in Iga-Idungaran Palace By Olasunkanmi Akoni The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has urged Nigerians, especially the youth not to allow themselves be used as tools for violence during the forthcoming 2027 general elections in the interest of progress and development of the nation. Akiolu, however, predicted a convincing victory for the President in the 2027 Presidential election,
  
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• Ranked: The 8 least educated countries in the world – and three most educated

  04-07-2026 15:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Education remains one of the strongest indicators of a country’s development, influencing economic growth, health outcomes, innovation and social mobility.While global literacy has risen to about 87.7%, significant disparities remain, with several countries still recording literacy rates below 50% due to conflict, poverty, inequality and weak education systems.At the other end are nations that have invested heavily in education, producing some of the world’s most educated population
  
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• Bundibugyo Ebola toll hits 454 as Congo outbreak spreads

  04-07-2026 14:41 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Chioma ObinnaThe World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over a rapidly escalating outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a deadly Ebola strain, which has killed 454 people and infected 1,481 others in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and France, fuelling fears of a broader regional health crisis.WHO said the outbreak, driven by sustained transmission in Congo’s conflict-ridden eastern provinces, is evolving rapidly and poses a severe threat to neighbouring c
  
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• Hosts Canada, Mexico and USA thrive in their World Cup

  04-07-2026 14:28 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Canada have already made World Cup history, while Mexico and the USA are also on course to beat their best ever runs in the tournament as home advantage has paid dividends.AFP Sports looks at how all three co-hosts have thrived while others have struggled with the sprawling tournament spread over three countries and 17 cities.MexicoSwept along by fanatical support in the stadiums and the streets, Mexico have already ended a 40-year wait to win a knockout game by beating Ecuador to make the last
  
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• C’River govt, PDP guber candidate trade words over alleged tax probe

  04-07-2026 13:38 via vanguardngr.com
  
  .tax is statutory obligation – CommisionerBy Ike Uchechukwu, CALABARThe Cross River state government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, on Friday exchanged words over allegations of a tax witch-hunt.Archibong who spoke with newsmen in Calabar, alleged that the state government was using tax measures to silence opposition voices, an allegation the government has denied.He claimed that the government was planning to clamp
  
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• Lagos Police arrest suspected Eiye cultist, recover ammunition

  04-07-2026 13:35 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Esther Onyegbula Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 27-year-old suspected cultist, Yusuf Lamina Adigun, and recovered a locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge during a routine stop-and-search operation in the Ijaiye/Ojokoro area of Lagos.The Police said the suspect was apprehended as part of the Command’s sustained efforts to combat cultism and other violent crimes across the state.According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Publ
  
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• Tinubu media centre shares AI image of first lady selling akara

  04-07-2026 13:32 via vanguardngr.com
  
  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has stirred fresh reactions after sharing an AI-generated image depicting First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, days after her remarks about small-scale businesses sparked widespread criticism.The image, posted on Friday, portrays the First Lady operating a roadside akara stand while wearing an apron with the inscription, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”The post came shortly after Mrs Tinubu suggested in an
  
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• Enugu trains top officials on anti-corruption compliance, financial regulations

  04-07-2026 13:26 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Enugu State Government has organized a two-day capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening compliance with anti-corruption policies and regulatory financial frameworks among public officials.The training, which began yesterday, was targeted at elected officials, appointees, principal officers and senior government officials to promote transparency, accountability and adherence to public financial management regulations.Speaking during the training, Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah
  
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• Kogi recovers 1,000 rustled livestock from late Battijo, other bandits

  04-07-2026 13:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Soni DanielKogi State Government, in collaboration with federal and local security forces, has recovered no fewer than 1000 livestock from bandits.The successful operation was carried out in conjunction with the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Hybrid Forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and hunters.The security operation targeted the remnants of the criminal network of the late bandit kingpin, K
  
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• UK’s Starmer warns successor he will have to stay on international stage

  04-07-2026 13:04 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Britain’s outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer warned his probable successor Andy Burnham in an interview released Saturday that he cannot ignore international turmoil and just concentrate on the country’s domestic problems.In his first interview since announcing his resignation on June 22, Starmer said his successor as leader of the ruling Labour party could not spend less time on turbulent international affairs.So far, former Manchester mayor Burnham is the only candidate to take
  
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• Anambra didn’t show interest in 2024 Hope-Governance loan – World Bank

  04-07-2026 13:01 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Vincent Ujumadu The World Bank has confirmed that Anambra State did not express interest to participate in its 2024 Hope-Governance Programme, contrary to what the state government described as misleading media reports alleging that the state was denied the loan facility due to poor performance benchmarks.In the bank’s Implementation Status & Results Report on Nigeria Hope-Governance (P181476), dated July 07, 2025, 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory have expressed int
  
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• Anambra didn’t show interest in 2024 Hope – Governance loan – World Bank

  04-07-2026 13:01 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Vincent Ujumadu The World Bank has confirmed that Anambra State did not express interest to participate in its 2024 Hope-Governance Programme, contrary to what the state government described as misleading media reports alleging that the state was denied the loan facility due to poor performance benchmarks.In the bank’s Implementation Status & Results Report on Nigeria Hope-Governance (P181476), dated July 07, 2025, 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory have expressed int
  
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• CPI defends security agencies, blasts Sowore’s derogatory comments

  04-07-2026 12:36 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Centre for Public Integrity (CPI) has strongly condemned the continuous attacks on the Department of State Services (DSS) by activist Omoyele Sowore, describing his criticisms as hypocritical and detached from the current realities of the reformed security agency.In a statement signed by Comrade Job Samuel Danfulani, the Centre noted that Sowore, who currently enjoys his full fundamental human rights under the present leadership of the DSS, has chosen to repay the agency’s professiona
  
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• Ebonyi NDC denies endorsing PDP governorship aspirant for 2027

  04-07-2026 12:09 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Says ex-members expelled over financial impropriety, anti-party activities behind moveBy Anayo OkoliThe Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ebonyi State has distanced itself from a purported endorsement of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.The party insisted that it remains committed to fielding and supporting its own governorship candidate in the state.The Ebonyi State Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Enyinnaya Udensi
  
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• Kwara court fixes July 22 for Saraki’s arraignment over alleged defamation

  04-07-2026 12:01 via vanguardngr.com
  
  …Says offence is triable by courtBy Demola Akinyemi, IlorinA Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has fixed July 22, 2026, for the arraignment of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over alleged defamatory statements against Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.Justice M.O. Folorunsho, in a ruling on Friday, held that the alleged offence is triable by the court, adding that, “this court is blessed with territorial jurisdiction to hear this case.”The Kwara
  
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• PFIPC scandal about public accountability, not one man – Kwankwasiyya Movement

  04-07-2026 12:00 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Hadiza YusufThe Kwankwasiyya Movement has said the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has gone beyond the actions of one individual and has become a matter of public accountability that requires full explanation from the Federal Government.This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed.According to the statement, the movement said the controversy raises serious question
  
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• Pope urges Europe to protect migrants 

  04-07-2026 11:54 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Pope Leo XIV on Saturday pressed Europe to do more to protect and integrate migrants as he visited Italy’s Lampedusa island, a major port of call for those risking the perilous crossing from Africa.His trip to the migration frontline was a stark message to both EU and US leaders in a period of both growing intolerance and indifference.The Catholic Church’s first US pope, who has clashed with President Donald Trump’s administration over its treatment of migrants, chose to
  
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• ‘Show us the drug dens’: South Africa rejects Nigeria’s compensation demand

  04-07-2026 11:53 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ayobami OkerindeThe South African government has pushed back against Nigeria’s plan to seek compensation for properties abandoned by Nigerians fleeing recent xenophobic attacks, insisting that only legally registered assets can be recognised while controversially calling on Nigeria to identify alleged “drug dens” linked to its citizens.South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, made the remarks during a press briefing on Friday.According to a vid
  
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• South Africa rejects Nigeria’s compensation demand over xenophobic attacks

  04-07-2026 11:43 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The South African government has rejected Nigeria’s request for compensation for citizens who abandoned their businesses and properties after fleeing renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.Nigeria had indicated that it was compiling records of properties and businesses left behind by returnees as a basis for seeking compensation from South African authorities.Earlier this week, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, said the Federal Government had begun docu
  
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• Kebbi Hisbah arrests 25 youths in hotel raid over alleged immoral acts

  04-07-2026 11:32 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Operatives of the Kebbi Hisbah Board, under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, have arrested 25 youths in Argungu town for alleged involvement in immoral acts.The Director of Shariah of the Board, Sirajo Kamba, confirmed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.He said: “On July 3, the Kebbi Hisbah Board carried out a raid at a hotel in Argungu and successfully apprehended 25 suspects allegedly involved in immoral activities.&ldquo
  
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• Mali hit by new wave of coordinated attacks

  04-07-2026 11:22 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Jihadists and their separatist Tuareg allies hit Mali with fresh coordinated attacks Saturday, striking multiple towns and a prison, according to the army, residents and security sources.The fighting, which started around 5:00 am (0500 GMT), came more than two months after the same groups staged attacks against the ruling junta in which the country’s defence minister was killed.The attacks were reported in Gao, Anefis, Aguelhok and Sevare, as well as a prison in Kenieroba.Mohamed Elmaoulo
  
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• NiMet predicts 3-day sunshine, cloudiness nationwide

  04-07-2026 10:54 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and cloudiness from Saturday to Monday across the country.NiMet’s weather outlook released on Friday in Abuja predicted sunny skies with patches of clouds over the northern region on Saturday.It forecast chances of thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains over parts of Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna States during the morning hours.By the afternoon and evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts o
  
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