General news

• Our sister, Ruth first, by Owei Lakemfa

  19-06-2026 02:04 via vanguardngr.com
  The World Cup 2026 opened on Thursday, June 11, with Mexico playing South Africa. It appeared the entire Africa turned out against our sister African country. In the 1990s, this would have been the reverse. That was when South Africa held a lot of promise for the human race as it busted Apartheid and announced the death of that evil system.Indeed, South Africa produced some of the best Africans in contemporary history: Nelson and Winnie Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Govan Mbeki, Joe Slovo, Walter
  
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• Info Minister rallies media, DSS, security agencies against terrorism, fake news

  19-06-2026 05:29 via vanguardngr.com
  By Joseph Erunke and Gift ChapiOdekinaABUJA—Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, yesterday, said that Nigeria’s battle against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and disinformation cannot be won without a strong alliance between the media and security agencies, warning that fake news has become a major threat to national security.Speaking at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in collaboration wi
  
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• Insecurity: Govs seek swift establishment of state police

  19-06-2026 05:21 via vanguardngr.com
  —Say there’s need for state police to be constitutionally aligned with federalism, citizens’ rights
  —State attorneys-general to review proposed constitutional amendments, frameworks for state police
  By Henry UmoruABUJA — The 36 state governors in the country have again thrown their weight behind the immediate establishment of state police, to be constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights.The governors, under the aegis of the Niger
  
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• Naija negativity, by Donu Kogbara

  19-06-2026 02:14 via vanguardngr.com
  Fatalism is the belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable. Fatalists assume that mere mortals are powerless to influence the future and that all events are decided by fate and outside human control.This type of thinking is common amongst religious people – and most Nigerians are religious or at least superstitious; and I can see why so many Nigerians are convinced that free will is incompatible with the existence of an omniscient God who has foreknowledge of a
  
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• They’re coming to America, by Azu Ishiekwene

  19-06-2026 02:11 via vanguardngr.com
  Journalists like to think that the world would be finished without them. Nothing illustrates this vanity more than the joke by my old school journalism teacher that even when the world ends, reporters will be there to tell those in paradise what is happening on the other side.This illusion deprives the profession of its sanity. It keeps reporters chasing an endless news cycle where bad news is good copy. A moment’s respite creates a sense of guilt and panic, and rest can sometimes fe
  
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• Self-help on insecurity, the Ohuhu, Abia way as solution, by Adekunle Adekoya

  19-06-2026 02:09 via vanguardngr.com
  LAST week, I asked fellow Nigerians, readers of this column what else we can do about insecurity that we haven’t done. It was a rhetorical question. Truth is there’re lots we can do that we haven’t done. Are we no longer Nigerians? The most resilient group of peoples in the world? Are we not the ones that flourish where others flee? We are Nigerians! Remember, when armed robbers took this country hostage and laid serial sieges, how did we respond?
  With the central po
  
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• The cold mathematics of capital: Why media hyperbole is the greatest threat to the new Olokola vision

  19-06-2026 02:06 via vanguardngr.com
  By Kunle Odusola-StevensonThere is an old, uncompromising axiom in institutional finance: capital is a coward. It does not move on emotion, it does not capitulate to political applause, and it flees at the very first whisper of instability or regulatory unpredictability.The recent high-profile engagement between the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has rightfully ignited strategic optimism across the
  
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• Awujale: Ogun govt, Olisa disown viral letter naming five princes

  19-06-2026 00:40 via vanguardngr.com
  …..Selection process remains suspended – GovtBy James OgunnaikeOgun State Government on Thursday dismissed a viral letter purportedly written by the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, to Governor Dapo Abiodun, recommending five princes for consideration as the next Awujale of Ijebuland.The government called on members of the public to disregard the document, insisting that the process for selecting a new Awujale remains suspended, emphasising that no official commun
  
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• Video: ‘I was nervous’ – Tems performs at Obama Center

  19-06-2026 00:36 via vanguardngr.com
  Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, joined an array of international music icons at the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, delivering a performance that drew applause from guests at the high-profile event.The ceremony, held on Wednesday at John Lewis Plaza on the centre’s 19-acre campus, formally dedicated the $850 million facility ahead of its public opening on June 19. Community celebrations are expected to continue throug
  
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• Obi seeks transparency in Nigeria’s borrowing, cites S’Africa’s $1bn loan

  19-06-2026 00:33 via vanguardngr.com
  By Henry UmoruPresidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 polls, Peter Obi has asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, tell the country how the nation’s mounting debt is being utilised, pointing to South Africa’s transparent handling of a recent $1 billion development loan as a model worthy of emulation.The former Anambra State governor said that the South African government openly came up with projects the loan would finance, i
  
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• Alexx Ekubo’s death huge loss to Abia – Gov Otti

  19-06-2026 00:05 via vanguardngr.com
  Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has described the death of a renowned Nollywood actor, Alexx Ekubo, as a profound loss to Abia, Nigeria’s entertainment industry and millions of admirers across the world.Otti stated this on Thursday during the funeral service held in honour of the late actor at the Mary Slessor Technical College Ground in  Arochukwu Local Government Area of the state.The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Caleb Ajagba, said that the late actor was more than an ent
  
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• Lagos fixes June 29 start date for 2026 junior WAEC exam

  18-06-2026 23:52 via vanguardngr.com
  Lagos State Government has announced that the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), popularly known as the Junior WAEC, will commence on June 29 and end on July 6, 2026.The announcement was made by the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education through the Lagos State Examinations Board in a statement released on Thursday.According to the board, the examination is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 29, 2026, and conclude on Monday, July 6, 2026.The Registrar of the Lag
  
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• IGP visits NIPSS over deadly attack

  18-06-2026 23:45 via vanguardngr.com
  Olatunji Disu, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), on Thursday visited the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, over the recent attacks on the institute by gunmen.Disu was represented by Isyaku Muhammed, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Training and Development.The representative of the IGP is also the coordinating DIG for the North-Central zone of the country.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that gunmen on Tuesday mor
  
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• Switzerland beat Bosnia-Herzegovina to close on World Cup last 32

  18-06-2026 23:28 via vanguardngr.com
  Super subs Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas fired Switzerland to a 4-1 win over 10-man Bosnia-Herzegovina in a late rush of goals in Los Angeles on Thursday.The result gave the Swiss a strong chance of reaching the knockout round as one of the top two teams in Group B.They had been controlling a largely tepid stalemate at the SoFi Stadium until coach Murat Yakin rang the changes in the 72nd minute, bringing on the pair of forwards who immediately transformed the game.Bosnia’s attempted cle
  
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• Oriyomi Hamzat alleges plot to demolish Agidigbo FM

  18-06-2026 22:53 via vanguardngr.com
  By Adeola BadruPopular Ibadan-based broadcaster, founder of Agidigbo FM, and Accord Party governorship aspirant, Oriyomi Hamzat, has alleged that there are plans to plant hard drugs within the premises of his radio station and frame him for criminal activities as a pretext for sealing or demolishing the media outfit.Hamzat made the allegation in a video that has since gone viral on social media, claiming that unnamed individuals were orchestrating schemes aimed at implicating him and jeopardisi
  
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• OOU student shot dead by suspected robbers

  18-06-2026 22:36 via vanguardngr.com
  By James OgunnaikeOlabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, was on Thursday thrown into mourning following the killing of a 100-level student by people suspected to be armed robbers.The deceased, identified as Lawanson Anthony Abiodun, was a student of the Department of Arts and Social Science Education.The tragic incident reportedly occurred during an armed robbery attack in Ago-Iwoye township, sending shockwaves across the university community and prompting the institution&rsq
  
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• FG inaugurates presidential task force on Ebola preparedness

  18-06-2026 22:14 via vanguardngr.com
  By Johnbosco AgbakwuruThe Nigerian government has expressed its commitment to sustaining the country’s current zero-case status for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) while positioning the country to play a leading role among African nations in epidemic preparedness and response.Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is also Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness, stated this at the inauguration of the Task Force on Thursday at the State House.
  
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• Plateau killings: Mutfwang urges unified response to terrorism, banditry, cybercrime

  18-06-2026 21:40 via vanguardngr.com
  By Golok NanmwaGovernor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has called for stronger collaboration, enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated responses among federal and state actors to tackle Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges.The governor made the call on Thursday while declaring open the 2026 Federal and States Security Administrators Meeting (FSSAM) in Jos, a strategic gathering of security administrators from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, senior gove
  
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• Liverpool agree deal to sign Newcastle interest Munoz from Osasuna

  18-06-2026 21:24 via vanguardngr.com
  Liverpool have won the race to sign Spain forward Victor Munoz from Osasuna for a reported fee of £34.5 million ($45.5 million).Munoz, who is currently on World Cup duty, completed a medical at Spain’s base in Tennessee and has agreed a six-year contract with the Premier League club.The 22-year-old will become the first signing for Reds boss Andoni Iraola since he replaced the sacked Arne Slot.“Liverpool FC have agreed a deal to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna, subject to a suc
  
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• Liverpool agree deal to sign Munoz from Osasuna

  18-06-2026 21:24 via vanguardngr.com
  Liverpool have won the race to sign Spain forward Victor Munoz from Osasuna for a reported fee of £34.5 million ($45.5 million).Munoz, who is currently on World Cup duty, completed a medical at Spain’s base in Tennessee and has agreed a six-year contract with the Premier League club.The 22-year-old will become the first signing for Reds boss Andoni Iraola since he replaced the sacked Arne Slot.“Liverpool FC have agreed a deal to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna, subject to a suc
  
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• Why I approved US deal despite having different view – Iran’s supreme leader

  18-06-2026 21:11 via vanguardngr.com
  Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday that he had approved a deal with the United States to end the Middle East war despite having a “different view”, without elaborating.“In principle, I had a different view (about the memorandum of understanding), but I issued my permission due to the commitment that the honourable (Iranian) president, as the chairman of the Supreme National Security Council, gave me on behalf of himself and other members to
  
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• Ex-presidents, celebrities, but no Trump, turn out for Obama Center

  18-06-2026 21:05 via vanguardngr.com
  All living US ex-presidents — with the notable absence of current White House occupant Donald Trump — joined a star-studded lineup Thursday for the opening of Barack Obama’s presidential center in Chicago.The modernistic center celebrating 64-year-old Obama’s legacy as the first Black president opens to the public on Friday.Thursday was for celebrities including Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey, alongside performances by Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and
  
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• Ebola outbreak hits 894 cases in one month

  18-06-2026 20:56 via vanguardngr.com
  The current Ebola outbreak across Uganda and the DRC has reached 894 confirmed cases and 204 confirmed deaths, with 74 recoveries reported in the first month since the declaration on May 15, 2026.Dr Wessam Mankoula, Acting Head of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Division at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), said this on Thursday during a webinar on the Ebola update.Mankoula is also the Regional Director of the Northern Africa Regional Coordinating Centr
  
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• Ex-INEC boss Yakubu arrives Doha as Nigeria’s new Ambassador

  18-06-2026 20:36 via vanguardngr.com
  By Omeiza AjayiABUJA: Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has arrived in Doha to assume duties as Nigeria’s ambassador to Qatar, stepping from one of the country’s most contentious domestic offices onto one of the world’s most strategically consequential diplomatic stages.Yakubu, who concluded his tenure at the helm of the electoral commission late last year, was among the ambassadorial appointees named by President
  
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• Lagos records lowest building collapse rate in 20 years

  18-06-2026 20:32 via vanguardngr.com
  Lagos State recorded the lowest incidence of building collapse in the last two decades in 2025.The state government attributed the achievement to improved regulatory enforcement and stakeholder collaboration.The General Manager of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory (LSMTL), Mrs Olayinka Abdul,  disclosed this on Thursday during a sensitisation campaign with market leaders at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat.Abdul was represented by the agency’s Director of Business
  
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• Shinkafi to Matawalle: Account for Zamfara gold reserve

  18-06-2026 20:24 via vanguardngr.com
  By Luminous JannamikeABUJA—A former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Zamfara North senatorial aspirant, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has demanded a full account of the Zamfara State Gold Reserve Initiative launched under former Governor Bello Matawalle, seeking details of the quantity of gold acquired, where it is being held, and what was handed over to Governor Dauda Lawal in 2023.The demand has renewed scrutiny of the state-backed gold reserve unveiled
  
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• Police bust telecom fraud syndicate, arrest suspects over ₦7.7bn data scam

  18-06-2026 20:22 via vanguardngr.com
  By Kingsley OmonobiThe Nigeria Police Force, through the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), has made significant breakthroughs in the investigation of a major cybercrime case involving computer-related fraud, unauthorised access to computer systems and theft of telecommunications services.The Police Public Relations Officer of the NPF-NCCC, DSP Unwana Imah, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that investigations revealed the involvement of both internal an
  
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• South Africa, Czech Republic keep hopes alive after 1-1 draw

  18-06-2026 20:21 via vanguardngr.com
  Teboho Mokoena’s penalty kept South Africa’s dream of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday.Michal Sadilek’s early opener had the Czechs on course for just their second World Cup win as an independent nation.But Mokoena’s late spot-kick kept both teams in the hunt for the last 32, although they will almost certainly have to win their final Group A fixture to advance.Both sides move
  
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• Tinubu commissions Abuja airport bypass vows no community will pay price of Devt

  18-06-2026 20:12 via vanguardngr.com
  By Omeiza AjayiABUJA: President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commissioned a 7-kilometre access road bypassing the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, declaring that no Nigerian community should be made to bear the cost of national development without recompense.Represented at the ceremony by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the President said the project — which runs from Bill Clinton Drive to Tungan Madaki Settlement and includes a four-span bridge — w
  
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• Army Chief urges graduating recruits to crush terrorists, bandits, kidnappers

  18-06-2026 20:09 via vanguardngr.com
  By Kingsley OmonobiThe Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged graduating recruits under the Restore Hope Initiative to confront terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements threatening Nigeria’s peace and security with courage, professionalism and discipline.The charge was delivered on Thursday at the graduation ceremony of the Restore Hope Programme for the 90 Regular Recruit Intake held at the Depot Nigerian Army Shooting Range in Zaria.I
  
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