General news

• Vatican excommunicates six ultraconservative bishops over ordination

  02-07-2026 12:38 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Vatican excommunicated six bishops from the ultraconservative Society of St Pius X on Thursday, while warning that any lay believers who “formally adhere” to the breakaway Catholic group would suffer the same fate.The Vatican decree comes a day after the traditionalist group consecrated four new bishops, openly defying a plea from Pope Leo XIV to desist and exacerbating a rift dating from 1988 when the group earlier consecrated four bishops.Calling the ceremony “an act of
  
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• Mixed reactions trail FG’s decision to replace NYSC khaki with Adire

  02-07-2026 15:19 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ayobami OkerindeThe federal government’s decision to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with Adire fabric has sparked mixed reactions, with many Nigerians divided over whether the move promotes local industry or undermines one of the scheme’s strongest national symbols.Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, confirmed the change on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the initiative was designed
  
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• Courts can’t be hijacked, Atiku lauds Judiciary’s courage over ADC leadership

  02-07-2026 15:15 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Omeiza AjayiABUJA: The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has commended the Nigerian judiciary for demonstrating courage, independence and fidelity to the Constitution in the face of what he described as sustained attempts by desperate political actors to weaponise the courts against the opposition.Reacting to the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Liman, which struck out the suit challenging the leadership of the ADC
  
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• Third evacuation flight from South Africa arrives Friday — FG

  02-07-2026 15:01 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Favour Ulebor, AbujaThe Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will depart Johannesburg at midnight on Thursday with 271 returnees on board.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:
  
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• Lagos 2027: Rhodes-Vivour explains how he’ll contest without Obi’s influence

  02-07-2026 14:54 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said his 2027 governorship bid will not depend on the political influence of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi or the Obidient movement, insisting that years of grassroots mobilisation have positioned him for the contest.Rhodes-Vivour, who spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, was responding to questions on how he intends to prosecute hi
  
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• HIV Cases in Lagos Reach Highest in Nigeria: Why More People Are Choosing Private STI Screening

  02-07-2026 14:50 via vanguardngr.com
  
  If you live in Lagos—or visit the city often—this is worth your attention.According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025, Lagos recorded the highest number of HIV diagnoses in Nigeria in 2025, with 10,430 cases documented through testing.As Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos sees millions of people living, working, and connecting every day. But another factor is also driving these numbers: many people still del
  
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• Tinubu committed to closing Niger Delta Education gap, says Otuaro

  02-07-2026 14:46 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By John AlechenuABUJA — The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the human capital deficit in the Niger Delta through sustained investment in education.Otuaro stated this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), United Kingdom, in Abuja.The ARU delegation was led by its Regional Director for Africa, Dr Nana Adom, alongside the Senior Admissions Manager, E
  
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• Arise drags APC to court over Ekiti North primary, insists he won lawfully

  02-07-2026 14:05 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Rotimi OjomoyelaADO-EKITI — Former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Arise, has confirmed that he has instituted a court action challenging the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for the district, insisting that he lawfully won the exercise.Speaking in an interview in Ado-Ekiti, Arise said he approached the court immediately after the primary in line with the timelines stipulated in the Electoral Act, adding that he was the
  
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• NYSC reforms: Corps members to wear Adire instead of khaki — FG

  02-07-2026 13:59 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ayobami OkerindeThe federal government has confirmed that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will replace its iconic khaki uniform with Adire fabric as part of sweeping reforms recently approved for the 53-year-old scheme.Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the move is aimed at promoting local production and ensuring government spending supports the Nigerian economy.Reca
  
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• Alleged fake agency: Tinubu’s govt held hostage by fraudsters, Atiku declares

  02-07-2026 13:58 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Omeiza AjayiABUJA: Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has declared that the Presidency’s attempt to explain away the scandal surrounding the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council PFIPC has exposed a government held hostage by fraudsters operating from within the very institutions established to protect the Nigerian state.In a statement on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Comm
  
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• Navy arrests member of vehicle theft syndicate in Abuja

  02-07-2026 13:39 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Nigerian Navy has nabbed a member of a motor theft syndicate linked to more than 50 stolen vehicles across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
  This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho
  Folorunsho said Naval Base Abuja operatives carried out the operation as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the FCT’s security architecture through intelligence-led
  
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• NUC approves unbundling of UNN Mass Comm programme

  02-07-2026 13:29 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the unbundling of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) into five new undergraduate programmes with effect from the 2026/2027 academic session.
  This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Nsukka by Mr Inya Egwu, the acting Public Relations Officer of UNN.
  According to him, the newly approved full-time programmes are B.Sc. (Advertising), B.Sc. (Broadcasting), B.Sc. (Development Communication Stu
  
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• Court affirms Mark-led leadership of ADC, dismisses Abejide’s suit

  02-07-2026 13:28 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday affirmed Sen David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).Justice Musa Liman, in a judgment, also dismissed the suit filed by Rep. Leke Abejide challenging Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary of the party for lacking in merit.Justice Liman upheld the preliminary objections filed by ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark and Aregbesola, which challenged Abejide’s suit.The judge held that the cou
  
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• Former Spain midfielder Cazorla retires at 41

  02-07-2026 13:24 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Former Arsenal and Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla retired from football at the age of 41 on Thursday after more than two decades in the game.The diminutive Asturian helped his local team Oviedo reach La Liga in 2025 and played his final season with them in the Spanish top flight.“Now that everything is ending, when the boots are being hung up, and the noise is turning into silence, everything fits together, because the ending wasn’t just anywhere — I was at home,” said Ca
  
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• Incoming CIIN president hinges administration on technology, compulsory insurance

  02-07-2026 13:23 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Rosemary IwunzeThe in-coming 53rd President/Chairman of Council of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Akinjide Orimolade, has said that his administration will be driven by three strategic pillars which are technology; enforcement of compulsory insurance; as well as building.Orimolade, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited, stated this at his pre-investiture press briefing in Lagos yesterday.Orimolade stated that the three pillars represent t
  
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• Police confirm 18 killed in Niger land dispute

  02-07-2026 13:20 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Police Command in Niger has confirmed the killing of 18 people following a land dispute in Angwan-Baago community, Katako District, Rafi Local Government Area of the state.The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.He said the crisis, which began on Monday, escalated on Wednesday.According to him, suspected armed men, on Monday, shot dead a 25-year-old man, Ibrahim Musa, in Godoro Village.He said that some local
  
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• West Ham’s Fernandes joins Spurs

  02-07-2026 13:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  West Ham’s Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes has joined Spurs after the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League, the clubs announced on Thursday.Fernandes, 21, arrived in London in 2025 and his move across the capital city is worth a reported club record fee of 85 million pounds ($113.4 million).The one-time international arrives as Roberto de Zerbi attempts to re-build a Spurs squad who narrowly avoided dropping to the Championship last season.“Spurs is a massive club
  
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• Edinson Cavani quits Boca Juniors

  02-07-2026 12:59 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Veteran Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani has announced his departure from Boca Juniors after three years.The 39-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Manchester United player joined the Argentine side in July 2023 from Valencia.“As a coach of mine once taught me, the journey is the reward. And the journey has been magnificent,” Cavani said in a video posted on his Instagram account without announcing his retirement from club football.Known as “El Matador,” Cava
  
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• Court upholds Mark-led leadership of ADC, dismisses Abejide’s suit

  02-07-2026 12:57 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday affirmed Sen. David Mark’s leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).Justice Musa Liman, in a judgment, also dismissed the suit filed by Rep Leke Abejide challenging Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as national chairman and national secretary of the party for lacking merit.Justice Liman upheld the preliminary objections filed by ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark and Aregbesola which challenged Abejide’s suit.The judge held that the cou
  
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• Why Tinubu doesn’t read prepared speeches during public engagements — Ex-SA

  02-07-2026 12:53 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Efe OnodjaeA former Special Assistant to then Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, and now a professor at Lagos State University, Professor Dapo Thomas, has explained why President Bola Tinubu prefers not to read prepared speeches during public engagements.Thomas made the revelation in excerpts from his autobiography, Lagos Boys and Lagos Politics, scheduled for launch on July 9, 2026 and made available to vanguard.
  According to him, although Tinubu would sit with him to proofread, edit and ag
  
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• Atiku’s aide, others react as presidency defends Gbajabiamila

  02-07-2026 12:52 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ayobami OkerindeFresh reactions have continued to trail the presidency’s defence of the chief of staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to an alleged appointment-for-cash scandal, with opposition figures, lawyers and other Nigerians calling for an independent investigation and, in some cases, his resignation.The calls came hours after the presidency dismissed allegations by one Adeniyi Matthew, who claimed Gbajabiamila demanded billions of naira from th
  
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• Balogun fourth player to score goal, receive red card at World Cup [Full List]

  02-07-2026 12:46 via vanguardngr.com
  
  USA forward Folarin Balogun etched his name into FIFA World Cup history on Thursday after becoming only the fourth player to score a goal and receive a red card in the same knockout match.The 24-year-old found the back of the net as the United States secured a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in their Round of 32 clash at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.However, Balogun’s evening took a dramatic turn later in the match when he was shown a straight red card for stepping on the ankle
  
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• US-based Nigerian engineer pleads guilty to diverting $1.64m to family’s bank account

  02-07-2026 12:38 via vanguardngr.com
  
  A former building inspector with the City of St. Louis, Adebanjo Popoola has pleaded guilty to diverting about $1.64 million meant for repairing dilapidated buildings to himself and his relatives.Popoola, 57, admitted to three counts of wire fraud in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Tuesday.According to court documents as reported by the US Attorney Office, Popoola oversaw key aspects of two city-funded rehabilitation programmes, Stable Communities STL and Prop NS, while serving as a bui
  
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• FG hails end of Oyo teachers’ strike, says dialogue saved learning

  02-07-2026 12:27 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Joseph ErunkeThe Federal Government has welcomed the suspension of the teachers’ strike in Oyo State, describing the breakthrough as a significant victory for dialogue and a major boost to uninterrupted learning for thousands of pupils across the state.The government said the resolution, achieved through sustained negotiations involving the Federal Ministry of Education, the Oyo State Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, at the national, zonal and state
  
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• Tyson Fury to fight Wach in Thailand ahead possible Joshua clash

  02-07-2026 12:22 via vanguardngr.com
  
  British boxer Tyson Fury has said he will take on Mariusz Wach in a charity match in Thailand this month, ahead of an anticipated clash with Anthony Joshua.The 37-year-old two-time world heavyweight champion announced on his Facebook page on Wednesday that he “will be fighting Mariusz Wach live and exclusive here in Pattaya, Thailand”.The 12-round bout will take place on July 24, he said.Fury last retired after his second successive loss to world champion Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk at
  
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• Death toll from Russia’s heaviest strike on Kyiv rises to 17

  02-07-2026 12:10 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The death toll from a Russian drone and missile strike on Kyiv early Thursday has risen to 17 people, Ukraine’s state emergency service said.“The death toll in Kyiv has increased to 17 people! Emergency and rescue operations continue at the site of the Russian strike,” it said in a post on Telegram.AFP
  The post Death toll from Russia’s heaviest strike on Kyiv rises to 17 appeared first on Vanguard News.
  
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• Troops kill six terrorists, recover arms in Plateau

  02-07-2026 11:53 via vanguardngr.com
  
  …Confirm Attack on NIPSSBy Golok Nanmwa, JosTroops of Operation Enduring Peace have neutralised six suspected terrorists in separate operations across Plateau State, recovered locally fabricated rifles and confirmed the latest attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, where one suspected attacker was killed.The Joint Task Force disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by its Media Information Officer, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, saying the oper
  
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• Iran chief negotiator calls to avenge Khamenei death with massive funeral turnout

  02-07-2026 11:48 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called on Thursday for massive turnout at Ali Khamenei’s funeral to avenge the supreme leader’s death in US-Israeli strikes at the start of the war.“I invite all the Iranian people… to write a glorious page in the history of Islamic Iran through your presence” at the funeral ceremonies starting Saturday, said Ghalibaf, who is also Iran’s parliament speaker.“The nation’s call for vengeance mus
  
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• Soldiers dismantle illegal arms factory, recover AK-47 rifles in Kebbi

  02-07-2026 11:41 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Haruna AliyuTroops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing syndicate in Kebbi State, recovering five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and arresting two suspected gun makers allegedly supplying weapons to terrorist groups.The operation, carried out on the strength of credible intelligence, targeted a secluded compound reportedly used by the suspects to manufacture and store the firearms away from the attention of sec
  
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• India asks Meta to hold WhatsApp username rollout over fraud fears

  02-07-2026 11:23 via vanguardngr.com
  
  India has asked Meta to hold off launching its username feature on WhatsApp in the world’s most populous country, citing concerns over fraud and impersonation, media reports said Thursday.The move comes as authorities in India grapple with a spike in cybercrime, with scammers exploiting low digital safety awareness among millions of internet users.WhatsApp, owned by US tech giant Meta, said Monday that users worldwide would be able to connect via unique usernames instead of sharing their
  
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