NEWS

The United States Department of State has announced plans to release a limited-edition commemorative passport to mark America’s 250th anniversary, featuring an image of Donald Trump, a move that would make him the first sitting president to appear in a U.S. passport. According to officials, between 25,000 and 30,000 of the special passports will be issued, with availability expected shortly before July 4 at the Washington passport office. While these will be the default option for in-person applicants there, standard passports will still be available through other application routes. The commemorative passport will include customised artwork while retaining standard security features. Trump’s image will appear on an interior page alongside a gold version of his signature, while the c...

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that the agency once investigated Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, over alleged fraud. Speaking on Wednesday at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja, Olukoyede disclosed that the probe lasted six months and focused on suspected money laundering before the cleric was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing. According to him, the investigation was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions highlighting unusual inflows of foreign currencies into Eze’s domiciliary account. “We act based on intelligence and petitions. At a point, we noticed an account receiving heavy inflows—dollars and pounds coming in from countries like Colombia, the United...

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed Mahmoud Isa Yugudu as a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The confirmation was carried out on Wednesday during plenary at the National Assembly in Abuja, after the Senate considered a report presented by its Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions. Chairman of the committee, Adetokunbo Abiru, stated that the nominee showed strong competence and relevant experience during the screening process. “We carefully screened the nominee and found him worthy of the position,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s approach to borrowing, stating that taking loans remains a legitimate tool for economic development if properly managed. Speaking during a recent engagement, the President noted that borrowing should not be viewed negatively, stressing that what matters most is the country’s ability to utilise funds effectively and ensure repayment. “If we have to borrow money, we will, because borrowing is not leprosy; we just have to work hard to be able to repay it,” Tinubu said. He explained that governments across the world rely on borrowing to finance infrastructure and key development projects, adding that Nigeria would not be an exception in pursuing growth. The President emphasised that his administration is focused on strengtheni...

President Tinubu has approved a parcel of land in Abuja for each of the 70-Ambassador designate. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Abuja this morning, April 29. , Wike said; ‘’When I was coming this morning, Mr President called me and said 'Look, these Ambassadors will be leaving Nigeria and he believes that from time to time they ill come to Abuja to brief him on what i happening in the country where they serve and he believes that most of them do not have a place in Abuja and o he will encourage them to see how they can put up here they can stay in Abuja when they come back home. Mr President directed that before you leave this morning, each of you should have your forms filled for land allocation in Abuja ...

France has urged its citizens in Mali to leave the country “as soon as possible” following a surge in coordinated attacks and a rapidly deteriorating security situation. In updated travel guidance, the French foreign ministry described conditions as “extremely volatile” and warned against all travel to Mali regardless of purpose. French nationals still in the country were advised to arrange departure using available commercial flights, remain indoors where possible, limit movement, and stay in close contact with relatives. The warning comes after a wave of attacks over the weekend involving Islamist militants and Tuareg separatist groups. Clashes and explosions were reported in multiple locations, including the capital, Bamako, as well as in northern and central regions. Fighting ...

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to urgently step in to protect Nigerian students in South Africa amid rising xenophobic tensions. In a statement released on Wednesday, the association’s Vice President for External Affairs, Aneke Kenechukwu, expressed worry over what he described as increasing hostility toward foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians and other Africans. NANS warned that the situation poses a serious threat to lives and undermines the principles of African unity and cooperation. “Nigerian students in South Africa are living in fear and uncertainty,” the statement noted, stressing that their safety should be treated as a matter of urgent national importance. The group urged the Nigerian government to take ...

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have successfully rescued five (5) students of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, who were abd%cted by armed criminals in the Sapade area of Ogun state. The incident occurred on 27th April 2026 at about 2255hrs, when Ipara division received a distress report of a suspected k!dnapping.  Confirming their rescue, the spokesperson of the command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said while acting promptly, a patrol team was deployed to the scene where an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle was discovered abandoned. He stated that the vehicle was observed with visible bullet impacts and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered from within. ‘’Further examination of the scene revealed an identity card belonging to a student o...

A corps member identified simply as Lohina Bamaiyi Ajegena has d!ed a few days after she arrived the orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Maiduguri, Borno State.  It was gathered that Lovina d!ed on April 27, 2026 after falling ill a few days into the orientation programme.  Lovina's colleagues confirmed the sad incident on Facebook. Narrating the events that led to her d3ath, a colleague, Augustine Pamela said she had met Lovina at a motorpark where they had gone to book a car for the camp and then went on to become friends.  However, six days into the orientation programme, Lovina fell sick and she had to nurse her.  In the process, Pamela said she also fell ill and they were both taken to the same hospital where Lovina pas...

The Imo State Government has introduced a new policy banning the frequent replacement of textbooks in both public and private schools across the state. The directive, issued through the Ministry of Education (Primary and Secondary), also places restrictions on graduation ceremonies for certain class levels. According to the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, BTO Ikegwuoha, the move is aimed at easing the financial pressure on parents and guardians amid current economic challenges. In a statement released to the press, the commissioner emphasized that all school operators—private proprietors, principals, and head teachers—must comply immediately or risk penalties, including the withdrawal of operating licenses. Under the new rules, graduation ceremonies are banned fo...