NEWS

A Nigerian woman, Amanda Azubuike, has made history as the first Nigerian woman to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army Azubuike, who was born in London, United Kingdom, to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Zimbabwean mother, recently achieved the milestone. Her journey into the military began early after she moved to the United States with her mother and sister, eventually becoming a U.S. citizen in April 1989. At 17, she joined the Air Force Junior ROTC program while attending high school in the U.S., laying the groundwork for a distinguished career. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas before beginning her Army service in 1994 as an aviator after completing the Army Aviatio...

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could carry out additional military strikes in Nigeria if violence against Christians continues. In an interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, Trump said the December 25 airstrike against Islamic State-linked militants in northwest Nigeria was intended to be a one-off operation, but added that more strikes could follow if the attacks persist. “I’d love to make it a one-time strike,” Trump said, “but if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.” The Christmas Day operation, which the US said was conducted at the request of the Nigerian government, targeted Islamic State affiliates and attracted international attention due to its timing. Trump described the action as a response to ...

Venezuela has begun freeing a significant number of political prisoners, including foreign nationals, a development praised by US President Donald Trump as a positive step toward cooperation following the removal of former leader Nicolas Maduro. The releases, which started on Thursday, mark the first such action since Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy, assumed leadership with backing from Washington. Trump has indicated he is willing to support her administration provided the United States gains access to Venezuela’s oil resources. In a social media post on Friday, Trump described the prisoner releases as a gesture of “seeking peace,” calling it a “very important and smart move.” He said relations between Washington and Caracas were improving and revealed that he had cancelled ...

Union jack flagon pole and Big Ben The United Kingdom has issued a renewed warning to Nigerians and other migrants against taking up jobs without proper authorisation, cautioning that anyone found working illegally will be arrested, detained and deported. UK authorities said enforcement actions against illegal employment have intensified nationwide, with immigration raids now taking place more frequently. Officials noted that enforcement teams are actively visiting workplaces to identify individuals violating immigration regulations. According to the UK government, migrants caught working without valid permission will face immediate action, including possible removal from the country. The Home Office stated that it remains committed to strict enforcement of immigration laws a...

Iran was thrown into a nationwide internet shutdown on Thursday night, January 8, as widespread anti-government protests swept across the country. Demonstrators took to the streets chanting slogans against the ruling theocratic system, fueled by mounting frustration over economic hardship and intensified security crackdowns. Authorities severed internet access and telephone services shortly after protests broke out in Tehran and other major cities. Despite the blackout, videos of the demonstrations continued to surface online as the unrest entered its second week. Cybersecurity analysts say such nationwide shutdowns are often imposed when authorities anticipate the use of lethal force, with the aim of curbing information flow and reducing international scrutiny. Protests have erup...

The Lagos State House of Assembly has approved a ₦4.4 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, following the adoption of the report from the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget. Committee chairman Sa’ad Olumoh presented the report during Thursday’s plenary, outlining the assumptions, projections, and structure of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, dubbed the “Budget of Shared Prosperity.” The budget marks the third cycle of the current administration and the final new-cycle budget of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term. It aligns with the state government’s development agenda, which is built on four strategic pillars: human-centric development, modern and adaptive infrastructure, a thriving 21st-century megacity economy, and governance that surpasses citizens’ expectatio...

Turkish Airlines has cancelled all five flights scheduled for Friday, Jan. 9, to the Iranian capital Tehran, amid protests against the rising cost of living, according to the Istanbul Airport app. Five other flights operated by Iranian airlines have also been cancelled, according to the airport app, while seven others remain scheduled. Turkish authorities have not commented so far on the situation in Iran, where protesters have challenged the authorities under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Iranian government was already battling an economic crisis after years of sanctions and recovering from the war against Israel in 2025. Rights groups have accused Iranian security forces of opening fire on demonstrators. Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said Thursday, Jan. 8, that sec...

The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, has tasked Governor Monday Okpebholo on sustained security efforts, strengthened governance and inclusive development in 2026. The State Chairman of the body, Dr James-Wisdom Abhulimen, gave the charge in the 2026 message to the Edo State Government, members of the organisation, as well as all stakeholders committed to good governance and sustainable development. According to him, security remains fundamental to development. Continued investment in professional policing, intelligence-led operations, and rural safety measures is crucial for protecting lives, enhancing productivity, and fostering an environment that attracts investment and opportunity. “As the administration consolidates its gains, we urge su...

The Chairman of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, has formally lodged a corruption complaint against Farouk Ahmed, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters. This was confirmed in a statement released by the Dangote Group’s media team on Friday. Dangote had previously approached the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) regarding Ahmed’s alleged misuse of $5 million for his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. That petition was recently withdrawn, though the ICPC pledged to continue its investigation. According to the statement, the decision to move the case to the EFCC was “a strategic step to expedite th...

Residents of Oloka village in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have continued to flee the community following a deadly bandit attack on the National Park Service office earlier this week, despite the deployment of heavy security personnel. Community members say fear, shock, and psychological trauma persist after suspected bandits struck on Tuesday, January 6, leaving at least five forest guards dead and forcing villagers to run for safety. Many houses remain locked, streets are largely deserted, and both commercial and social activities have come to a standstill. A resident, who spoke anonymously, described Oloka as virtually deserted, noting that many villagers had taken refuge in neighbouring communities, while those who remained did so largely because of the presence of se...