• US bans Ivory Coast supporters from World Cup

    Ivory Coast home-based fans have been denied visas to the United States, the president of the national supporters’ committee told AFP on Thursday.The run-up to the World Cup, which kicks off Thursday, has been dogged by the visa policies of the main host nation, the United States. Somali referee Omar Artan was turned away Sunday and some support staff for the Iranian team have been denied entry.The Ivory Coast supporters group, said Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the National Committ
  • June 12: Fubara reaffirms commitment to democracy, national unity

    By Daniel AbiaPORT HARCOURT — Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed that democracy remains the most suitable system of government for Nigeria, given the country’s rich ethnic, religious and cultural diversity.In a goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, Governor Fubara said June 12 represents far more than a historic date, describing it as a symbol of the enduring struggle, sacrifice and collective aspiration of Nigeria
  • Xenophobia: Onoh urges Africans to back Mexico against South Africa in World Cup opener

    By Denis AgboThe Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and former South-East Spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has called on Nigerians and Africans to support Mexico over South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup today.Onoh linked his appeal to allegations of xenophobia in South Africa.In a statement titled “Africa, Stand with Mexico Today: Let Us Boycott the Spirit of Xenophobia as We Did Apartheid in 197
  • Mathematician who predicted three World Cup winners names who win 2026 edition

    German mathematician Joachim Klement has forecast that the Netherlands will emerge as champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, continuing his unusual record of accurately predicting past tournament winners.Klement previously predicted Germany’s triumph in 2014, France’s victory in 2018 and Argentina’s success in 2022, making his model one of the most closely watched — and debated — in football analytics.He has previously admitted that his original aim was to prove tha
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  • UK defence minister resigns with stinging rebuke of PM Starmer

    British Defence Secretary John Healey sensationally quit on Thursday, accusing beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry of failing to commit enough money to protect the country.His shock resignation deals a fresh blow to Starmer and comes at a precarious moment for the embattled Labour leader, a week before a by-election which could prompt a bid to replace him.In stinging criticism, Healey warned that Starmer’s long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP) for funding
  • CBN’s new FX manual may raise Dollar liquidity, enhance market confidence

    By Emeka Anaeto, Business EditorThe implementation of the fourth edition of the Foreign Exchange Manual by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently launched in Abuja and will be taking off on June 1. The new manual is expected to deepen FX transparency, improve liquidity and strengthen market confidence and liquidity. The new policy also aligns with the CBN’s broader vision of ensuring that businesses and individual have equal access to FX in a transparent and liquid market.
    The recent
  • Senate dissociates itself from warrant of arrest issued against Mele Kyari

    By Henry UmoruABUJA — The Senate has distanced itself from the warrant of arrest reportedly issued against former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, by its Committee on Public Accounts.The upper legislative chamber declared that no Senate committee has the authority to independently issue, authorise or execute a warrant of arrest without strict compliance with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers
  • Labour Party fields 1,211 candidates for 2027 elections

    By John AlechenuABUJA — The Labour Party (LP) has ratified a total of 1,211 candidates to contest various executive and legislative positions across the country in the 2027 general elections.The candidates were approved on Thursday during a hybrid meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held at the LP National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja. The party also confirmed Dr. Sunday Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate.Presenting the report of the party’s pri
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  • High-profile ISWAP commanders surrender as troops sustain pressure in N/East operations

    By Ndahi Marama, MaiduguriTwo high-profile Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders identified as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar have laid down their arms and surrendered to troops of the Joint Task Force North East ‘Operation HADIN KAI’ (OPHK).The incident occurred on 8 June 2026, following sustained military pressure in the Theatre.This is as sources told our Correspondent that another high-profile terrorist, Mohammed Khalifa, a member of the ISWAP Shurah Council, was n
  • Buhari, not Tinubu highest borrower – Report

    Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
    As the debate over frequent borrowings by the current administration rages, Think Business Africa, a policy and communications group, has described Late President Muhammadu Buhari, not Bola Tinubu as the largest borrower, since the current democratic era from 1999 to date.
    The Tinubu administration has been criticised for its continuous borrowings, despite the removal of fuel subsidy and tax reforms that have significantly increased government revenue in the last t
  • Trump vows to take Iran oil terminals, launch new strikes

    US President Donald Trump vowed “very hard” strikes on Iran Thursday and promised to take the country’s key oil infrastructure, in what would be a major escalation in the war with the Islamic republic.Trump threatened “bigger, more powerful” attacks on what would be a third successive night, as he pushes Tehran to turn their increasingly nominal ceasefire into a permanent peace deal.“The United States will be hitting Iran… VERY HARD TONIGHT,” Tru
  • UEFA appoints Somali referee for Super Cup after World Cup snub

    BY Adegboyega AdeleyeUEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup just days after he was denied entry into the United States and ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup clash between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League champions Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12.Announcing the appointmen
  • NDC: ‘You looked insecure; in competition with Obi’ — Aisha Yesufu tackles Dickson

    Activist and member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has criticised the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, saying he appeared “insecure” and was acting as though he was in competition with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.Yesufu stated this in a post on X on Thursday while responding to comments made by Dickson during an interview on ARISE NEWS, where he defended the party’s leadership and addressed criticisms from
  • ‘88,000 practice open defecation; epidemic looms’ – Cross River LG raises alarm

    By Emma Una, CALABARA local government council chairman in Cross River State, Dr. Fred Okem has bemoaned the high rate of open defecation by residents of the area and warned that an epidemic looms if the practice is not stopped.Dr. Okem, the Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, said this while presenting the Cross River State law on Open Defecation to the councillors in the local government to adopt into a by-law.He sated that the high rate of waterborne diseases in the area is due to the op
  • Video: ‘They vowed to shoot remaining Africans’ — Nigerians recount ordeal in South Africa

    By Lamidi Bamidele & Nkiru NnoromSome Nigerian returnees from South Africa have recounted harrowing experiences of xenophobia, including extortion, discrimination and intimidation, urging fellow Nigerians still residing in the country to consider returning home.Read Also: South Africa slams 5-yr ban on 268 Nigerian returnees over illegal stayOne of the returnees, Mr. Chukwuemeka Chris Okeke, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government and individuals who facilitated their return, saying
  • ‘They vowed to shoot remaining Africans’ — Nigerians recount ordeal in South Africa

    A group of Nigerian returnees from South Africa have recounted harrowing experiences of alleged xenophobia, extortion, discrimination and intimidation, urging fellow Nigerians still residing in the country to consider returning home.One of the returnees, Mr. Chukwuemeka Chris Okeke, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government and individuals who facilitated their return, saying the situation in South Africa had become unbearable for many African migrants.“There is no place like home. W
  • 2027: New NDC media director pledges information-driven campaign for Obi/Kwankwaso

    The newly appointed New Media and Strategic Communications Director of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Theophilus Agada, has pledged to run an information-driven, issues-based campaign in support of the party’s presidential nominees, Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 elections.In a statement following his appointment, Agada expressed profound gratitude to the National Leader of the NDC, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, fo
  • Benue pensioners threaten to occupy govt house over unpaid gratuities, arrears

    …lament, we’ve become scavengers, beggars, destitutesBy Peter Duru, MakurdiHundreds of aggrieved pensioners under the aegis of the Concerned Pensioners Association of Benue State on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in Makurdi, threatening to occupy the Benue State Government House if their longstanding grievances over unpaid gratuities, pension arrears and pension harmonisation are not addressed.The aggrieved pensioners, some who carried their sleeping mats and bore placard
  • Reps pass state police bill as constitution amendment gains momentum

    By Gift ChapiOdekina, AbujaThe House of Representatives on Thursday passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill to establish state police nationwide, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s decades-long debate over decentralising policing and strengthening internal security.The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 20
  • Breaking: Reps pass state police bill as constitution amendment gains momentum

    By Gift ChapiOdekina, AbujaThe House of Representatives on Thursday passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill to establish state police nationwide, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s decades-long debate over decentralising policing and strengthening internal security.The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 20
  • Mexico shuts schools, orders remote work ahead of World Cup 2026 opener

    The Mexican government has ordered schools in Mexico City to suspend classes and directed federal employees to work remotely as the country prepares to host the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the measures in a decree aimed at reducing traffic congestion and ensuring smooth logistics for Thursday’s tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium.Under the directive, students in both public and private schools ac
  • Infinix Launches HOT 70 Series with Industry-First 12-Colorway Dynamic Shine Design

    HOT 70 Series debuts with an industry-first lineup of 12 trend-forward colorways under Infinix’s all-new Dynamic Shine Design. It’s the most fashion-forward HOT release to date, designed for the next generation of young users worldwideIn a smartphone market where devices increasingly look and feel the same, Infinix is taking a different approach. Today, the brand launched the new HOT 70, a lineup designed around a simple idea: smartphones should express personality, not just perform
  • Missing N210trn: Senate dissociates itself from warrant of arrest on Mele Kyari

    By Henry Umoru, ABUJAThe Senate has dissociated itself from the warrant of arrest issued against Mallam Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited, by its committee on public accounts.Read Also: Reps minority caucus elect Agbedi, Dasuki as leader, deputyThe Senate resolved that no committee shall purport to issue, authorise or execute a warrant except in strict compliance with the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers
  • Poverty, Illiteracy in North-West: ‘Let’s prioritise actions over announcements’ – Emir Sanusi

    By Hadiza YusufThe Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called for actions over announcements, raising concerns over the rising levels of poverty, poor education, and weak healthcare systems affecting millions of people in Nigeria’s North-West region.Read Also: Davido uses W’Cup stage to demand action for abducted Nigerian pupilsSanusi said this at a high-level policy dialogue in Kano on Wednesday. Also, he called on leaders to confront the harsh realities facing the region if mea
  • Labour Party affirms Okereke as flag-bearer; launches ‘believe again’ vision

    By John Alechenu, ABUJAThe Labour Party, LP, on Thursday confirmed Dr Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections as he rolled out an ambitious “Believe Again” vision built around a “Nigerians First” philosophy.Okereke’s ratification came during a hybrid meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, at the LP national headquarters in Utako, Abuja.Accepting the nomination, the candidate promised leadership that woul
  • How Afrobeat Is Finding a New Home in North Wales Through Emerging Artist Don Gz

    Afrobeat’s global rise has largely been associated with major UK cities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester. However, in recent years, a quieter cultural shift has been taking place in North Wales, where Nigerian-born artist Emmanuel Eze-Ogwa, professionally known as Don Gz, has been contributing to the genre’s growing visibility in the region.Rather than positioning himself solely as a performing artist, Don Gz has become part of a wider cultural movement introducing Afrobea
  • Argentina reclaims top spot in FIFA ranking as World Cup kicks off [Top 10]

    By Ayobami OkerindeDefending champions Argentina will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the highest-ranked team in the world, according to the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday.The expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, kicks off today, with South Africa facing Mexico in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opening fixture.Argentina reclaimed top spot following friendly wins over Honduras and Iceland. Spain remain second after recording a draw and a
  • US bans Ivory Coat supporters from World Cup

    Ivory Coast home-based fans have been denied visas to the United States, the president of the national supporters’ committee told AFP on Thursday.The run-up to the World Cup, which kicks off Thursday, has been dogged by the visa policies of the main host nation, the United States. Somali referee Omar Artan was turned away Sunday and some support staff for the Iranian team have been denied entry.The Ivory Coast supporters group, said Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the National Committ
  • Niger criminalises same-sex relations with jail terms

    Military-run Niger has enacted a new penal code criminalising for the first time same-sex relations, with heavy sentences of up to 20 years in prison, a legal source said Thursday quoting the official gazette.Although a taboo subject, same-sex relations had not been criminalised in Muslim-majority Niger, which follows several other African nations in toughening their anti-LGBTQ legislation.Under Niger’s new law, same-sex relations will be punishable by a jail term of between five and less
  • Reps minority caucus elect Agbedi, Dasuki as leader, deputy

    By Gift Chapi-Odekina, AbujaThe House of Representatives on Thursday completed the composition of its minority leadership following the unanimous nomination and endorsement of three lawmakers to fill vacant principal officer positions in the opposition caucus.The announcement was made on the floor of the House during plenary, where the minority members of the 10th House of Representatives presented a consensus list for the positions of minority leader, deputy minority leader and minority whip.A

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