NEWS

Vice President Kashim Shettima has opened up on how some persons tried to pitch him against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu barely three months after coming into power.  Speaking at the event of formerr Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Shettima said the individuals, whom he refused to name but said are from Borno State, told Tinubu that he was plotting to k!ll him and take over power.  “The president said their story did not add up. He said when you gave me those clothes, I was an aspirant. I would not have been the candidate, neither were you going to be Vice presidential candidate,” he said. “Some people told him after election that I was planning to use the clothes to k!ll him and take over. However, Tinubu wore the clothes after that because he is not fetish.” S...

The death toll from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to an estimated 131 fatalities from 513 suspected cases, according to the country’s health minister, Samuel Roger Kamba. The latest figures mark a significant increase from previous official estimates, which reported 91 deaths from 350 suspected infections. The outbreak, driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has already prompted the World Health Organization to declare an international health emergency. No approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists for the Bundibugyo variant of the virus, which is one of the less common strains of Ebola. \ “We have recorded roughly 131 deaths in total and we have around 513 suspected cases,” Kamba said during an appearance on Congolese nat...

Togo has announced the removal of visa requirements for citizens of all African countries visiting the nation for short stays of up to 30 days. The policy was announced on Tuesday, May 19, in a statement issued by Togo’s Ministry of Security through its official X account. According to the ministry, the decision forms part of efforts aimed at promoting African integration, mobility and cooperation across the continent. Under the new arrangement, African nationals holding valid national passports will be allowed to enter Togo without obtaining a visa for visits lasting up to 30 days. “Togo takes a historic step in strengthening African integration. Henceforth, all nationals of African states holding a valid national passport may enter Togolese territory without a visa, for a stay of u...

The Nigeria Police Force says it has rescued 30 Malian nationals from what it described as a human trafficking and fraudulent exploitation syndicate operating in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory. In a statement issued on Monday, May 18, police spokesperson Anthony Placid said the victims were held at residential locations in Mararaba and Karu while 13 suspects linked to the network were arrested. According to the police, the suspected syndicate leader was identified as Abdul Ngaki. Other suspects arrested included Fatimah Kulibali, Ahmad Kasango, Sidibe Musa, Muhammad Dembele, Saidu Traore, Ali Koulibaly, Abdul Ngeki, Ahmed Sirma, Laya Bando, Aisha Dembele, Abi Togo and Awa Tesure. Placid said investigations began after intelligence reports emerged concerning the disa...

The Osun State University has secured full accreditation for 29 academic programmes from the National Universities Commission. This is contained in a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ademola Adesoji, on Tuesday in Osogbo. Adesoji explained that all academic programmes presented for accreditation in October/November 2025 received full accreditation. He said the development affirmed the institution’s growing reputation as one of the country’s fast-rising and academically stable universities. He stated that the approval was conveyed in a letter signed by the NUC Director of Accreditation, Abraham Chundusu, following the accreditation exercise conducted across various disciplines in the institution. Adesoji said the accredited programmes covered ...

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), in partnership with the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), has implemented a new Taxpayer Identification (Tax ID) system for all taxable persons in the country. The announcement was revealed on Monday, May 18, in a notice shared via the agency’s X handle. According to the NRS, the initiative is backed by Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, which mandates every taxable person to obtain a Tax ID. The agency said the new system is aimed at strengthening tax administration, improving transparency, and streamlining service delivery across federal and sub-national tax authorities. “The Tax ID will serve as a single, unified identity for all taxpayers, enabling seamless interaction with tax authorities at both federal an...

The Trump administration is proposing increasing the refugee admissions ceiling for fiscal year 2026 to 17,500 for White South Africans, according to an emergency determination sent to Congress. Last year, the administration restricted the number of refugees allowed to enter the country annually to 7,500, with a focus on White South Africans, slashing the previous year’s ceiling of 125,000 and excluding some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.  Trump has justified the administration’s decision to resettle Afrikaners in the US by citing claims that “a genocide is taking place” in South Africa, saying that “White farmers are being brutally killed and their land confiscated.” South African authorities have strongly denied such claims. Investigations into the claims of W...

Iran has confirmed that it responded to a fresh peace proposal from the United States aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between both nations. Iranian authorities said discussions are still ongoing despite local media reports describing Washington’s demands as too harsh and unrealistic. The conflict, which began on February 28, has seen both countries exchange proposals in search of a resolution, while a fragile ceasefire has remained in effect since April 8. Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, said Tehran had already communicated its concerns to the US side through a Pakistani mediator. Baqaei maintained that Iran’s demands, including the release of frozen Iranian assets and the removal of longstanding sanctions, remai...

Public school teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, withdrew their services and suspended all academic activities on Monday morning [1]. The industrial action follows the recent abduction of several educators and pupils, and the subsequent killing of a teacher by suspected terrorists. The protesting teachers marched through the streets displaying placards with various inscriptions. They urged all tiers of government to intensify security operations and secure the immediate release of the remaining captives. The demonstration was triggered by the recent mass abduction in the Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that continues to spark widespread outrage and anxiety among education stakeholders and residents across Oyo State [1]. Addressing the situation after a high-level security ...

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has officially sworn in 18 commissioners recently screened and cleared by the Anambra State House of Assembly. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Executive Council Chambers of the new Government House, also known as Light House, Awka. Addressing the newly sworn-in commissioners, Soludo emphasised that their appointments were strictly a call to rigorous work, sacrifice, and public accountability rather than personal celebration. He admonished them to immediately focus on the task of governance and reminded them that the decisions they make will directly impact the lives of over nine million residents of Anambra State. “I charge you to run your respective ministries with a high level of prudence and synergy. I formall...