NEWS

In a written message delivered on Thursday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared that the United States has suffered a "disgraceful defeat" in its recent military campaign against Iran.  The message, which was broadcast on state television, marks a defiant stance as the region enters what Khamenei described as a "new chapter" for the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Khamenei’s assessment comes exactly two months after the initiation of what he termed the "largest military deployment and aggression by the world’s bullies in the region." He asserted that Washington’s strategic objectives have failed, despite the intense naval and aerial operations conducted over the past several weeks. The Supreme Leader's remarks follow a series of high-sta...

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Joseph Tegbe as Minister of Power, subject to confirmation by the Senate. This was contained in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday. “His nomination is expected to strengthen further ongoing efforts to reform the power sector, enhance grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement read. The nomination, which has been transmitted to the Senate for screening, follows the resignation of former minister Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down to pursue elective office. Tegbe, an indigene of Oyo State, is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over three decades of experience across the public and private sectors. He pre...

U.S. congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has said it is possible that the United States has already had a gay president, questioning common assumptions about the nation’s political past. Speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill, she responded to a question about whether the country would first elect a woman or an openly gay president by challenging the premise, noting it assumes no former president may have had same-sex attraction. Although she did not mention any specific names, her comments align with long-standing discussions about Abraham Lincoln. Some historians have referenced Lincoln’s close bond with Joshua Speed in debates about his personal life. The subject has also been explored in works like Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln, which examines claims ...

The federal government has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening education crisis, disclosing that approximately 15 million children are currently out of school.  The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, revealed the figure at the 2026 Basic Education in Nigeria Bootcamp in Jos, Plateau State, where he emphasized that accurate data is the backbone of effective reform.To address the gap, the ministry is expanding the Digital National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) and accelerating the rollout of the Learner Identification Number (LIN) to track students in real time. Dr. Alausa noted that nearly one million out-of-school children have already been mapped for reintegration into formal schools or alternative learning pathways.“Reliable data remains t...

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted that the ongoing conflicts involving Ukraine and Iran could be resolved within a comparable timeframe, following a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Describing the conversation as “frank and businesslike,” Trump indicated that progress may soon be made in ending the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, while also touching on tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. During the discussion, Trump reportedly suggested a limited ceasefire in Ukraine. In response, Putin is said to have proposed a temporary halt in fighting to align with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9. Trump expressed confidence that a resolution could come quickly, adding that he believes Putin has long been willing to strike a deal but was prev...

A member of staff at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, in Lagos, Frank Omorojie, returned a lost purse containing cash and important travel documents to its owner at the departure hall of Terminal 2. The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 29, at the Rwanda Air check-in area, where Omorojie reportedly discovered the misplaced item. The purse contained $1,700, a Nigerian and British passport, as well as a credit card. Omorojie reported the recovered item to Aviation Security, AVSEC, personnel without hesitation. Following standard airport procedures, the recovered belongings were properly documented and transferred to the Customer Service unit, which quickly made a public announcement to locate the owner. A Nigerian passenger scheduled to travel to...

A grand jury has indicted Susan Hutson, the sheriff of Orleans Parish, following an investigation into the dramatic escape of 10 inmates from a jail in New Orleans. According to reports by the New York Post, Hutson is not accused of directly assisting the inmates in their escape. The prisoners reportedly broke out through a hole behind a toilet, triggering a weeks-long manhunt before all were eventually recaptured. However, Liz Murrill stated that a state investigation found the escape was largely due to poor oversight and mismanagement within the sheriff’s office. The grand jury issued a 30-count indictment against Hutson, including charges of malfeasance, obstruction of justice, and falsification of public records. Authorities say her failure to meet basic legal obligations...

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced a Lagos-based socialite and drug kingpin, Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popularly known as Ariket, to 45 years’ imprisonment for the unlawful exportation of 1.595 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia. The judge specifically handed down a 15-year sentence on each of the three counts bordering on conspiracy, possession, and illegal exportation of cocaine. The court, however, ordered that the sentences should run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve 15 years effective from 19 May 2017, the date of her arrest. The court had earlier found Ogbuaya guilty on all counts but adjourned sentencing following a request by her counsel. The case, marked FHC/L/124C/2017, stemmed from the arrest of Ogbuaya’...

Dubai has introduced new residency visa guidelines for property investors, scrapping the long-standing minimum investment requirement for single-property buyers in a bid to make its real estate market more accessible. Under the updated policy announced by the Dubai Land Department, individuals who fully own a property can now qualify for a renewable two-year residency visa, regardless of the property’s value. The change marks a major departure from previous rules, which required a minimum investment of AED 750,000—effectively excluding many mid-level and first-time investors. The reform is expected to attract a wider range of foreign buyers, particularly those looking to enter Dubai’s property market at more affordable price points. Officials say the move is part of a broader s...

Social media discussions have intensified following the circulation of a private video involving Nigerian internet personality, Eniola Fagbemi, popularly known as Sisi Alagbo. In the wake of the controversy, some online users have raised questions about the timing of her recent promotional activities, particularly her marketing of certain herbal products. Critics on various platforms have speculated—without evidence—that the situation may have been used to boost visibility and attract attention to her brand. The claims, however, remain unverified, and there is no concrete proof to support allegations that the video was intentionally released for publicity purposes. Others have cautioned against jumping to conclusions, urging the public to respect privacy and avoid spreading unconfirm...