NEWS

Several Islamic nations, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Indonesia, have condemned Israel’s approval of a death penalty law targeting Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, warning that the move threatens regional stability. The criticism came in a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.  “This legislation constitutes a dangerous escalation, particularly given its discriminatory application against Palestinian prisoners,” the statement read, adding that such measures risk further exacerbating tensions and undermining regional stability. The law, passed by Israel’s parliament earlier this week, mandates the death penalty for Palestinians convicted by military cour...

Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has reiterated that dialogue with bandits and terrorist groups remains, in his view, the most practical solution to Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity. In a Facebook post shared on Thursday, Gumi expressed concern that for decades, Nigeria has neglected its most vulnerable citizens, leading to deep-rooted socio-economic inequality. He argued that this imbalance has made many young people susceptible to recruitment by forces seeking to destabilize the country. According to him, the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor has created a pool of easily influenced youths who become tools in cycles of violence, often tied to the exploitation of Nigeria’s resources. Gumi also criticized the political elite for what he described as indifference to...

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday received the President of the Republic of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, at the State House, Abuja. Déby arrived at about 2 pm, marking his first official visit to Nigeria since Tinubu attended his inauguration in N’Djamena on May 23, 2024. The 42-year-old Chadian leader assumed office following the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, who was killed by rebels on April 20, 2021, while leading troops during the Northern Chad offensive. He was subsequently proclaimed leader of a Transitional Military Council, initially promising a return to civilian rule within 18 months. However, the transition period was later extended, and Déby was sworn in as transitional president in October 2022 before securing victory in the May 2024 president...

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 2,280 personnel across the 16 local government areas of the state to ensure a peaceful Easter celebration. The State Commandant, Bala Bawa Bodinga, said the move was aimed at preventing any breakdown of law and order during the festive period. Bodinga explained that the large-scale deployment was designed to preempt potential disruptions and forestall activities of criminal elements. He noted that the Corps remained committed to safeguarding lives and property, adding that no effort would be spared in ensuring a hitch-free celebration. In a statement issued in Ilorin by the command’s spokesman, Ayoola Michael Shola, the commandant assured residents of a visible and strategic securi...

Pope Leo XIV and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Nigerian pastor and televangelist Chris Oyakhilome has condemned the stance of Pope Leo XIV on the Iran war. The Pope delivered a Palm Sunday homily in St. Peter’s Square, in which he described Christ as the “King of Peace” and said that God does not hear the prayers of leaders who wage war. He reflected on Jesus’ revelation of himself as the King of Peace, even as violence loomed around Him. “As Jesus walked the Way of the Cross, we walk with Him and contemplate His passion, which He bore for the sake of humanity as a gift of love. “He remains steadfast in meekness, while others are stirring up violence,” said the Pope. “He offers Himself to embrace humanity, even as others raise swords and clubs.” However, speaking live at the Gl...

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Shu’aib Aliyu as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund. Aliyu replaces Ahmed Aminu, who resigned his position to pursue the 2027 governorship election in Adamawa State. The President also approved the renewal of the appointment of Sule Abdulaziz as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria for a second and final term. The appointments take immediate effect. According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Aliyu is a seasoned academic and administrator with extensive experience in research and institutional leadership. “His appointment underscores the President’s commitment to ...

The Lagos State Task Force has launched an anti-crime patrol unit to combat criminal activities and environmental violation across the state. The launch followed the ban by the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, on the agency’s enforcement of traffic violations in the state. The agency stated that the round-the-clock anti-crime patrol unit represented a strategic initiative designed to proactively detect, deter and neutralise criminal intent before it becomes a threat to public safety. Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, emphasised that the establishment of the unit was necessary to eliminate criminal elements posing serious security threats to residents and visitors within the state. He said the new unit will function as a standby ...

Nancy Metayer Bowen, the vice chair of Florida’s Democratic Party, who was reportedly planning a run for Congress, has been found de@d in her home. According to the NY Post, the 38-year-old was found de@d on Wednesday morning, April 1, and her husband was arrested in connection with the suspected domestic violence incident. Her husband, 40-year-old Stephen Bowen, was arrested in what police are probing “as a domestic violence incident,” authorities said during a press conference later in the day. The exact manner of Metayer Bowen’s death is still unclear. Police have not released any further details. Metayer Bowen, a first-generation Haitian-American, showed prowess on the political stage even before her storied career in Florida. After graduating from Johns Hopkins ...

The United States on Wednesday, April 1,  lifted sanctions on Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed leadership after her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro, was removed in a January military operation. Her name was removed from the US Treasury’s sanctions list, signaling a major shift in Washington’s approach and recognition of her authority. Rodríguez welcomed the move, describing it as part of improving ties between the two nations. "We trust that this progress will allow for the lifting of the sanctions currently in force against our country, and make it possible to build and guarantee an effective binational cooperation agenda for the benefit of our peoples," she added. Relations between Washington and Caracas have improved since Maduro’s ouster, with Rodríguez working closely with Do...

The governor of Plateau state, Caleb Mutfwang, has stated that the identity of those who carried out the dastardly act in Angwam community in the state last Sunday, March 29, i yet to be ascertained. Governor Mutfwang disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday, April 1. The governor said he came to brief President Tinubu on the development and the measures taken so far by the state government. “What happened on Sunday evening was quite unfortunate, but the situation has been brought under control now. We’ve been able to evacuate corpses to the mortuary. Some families have already buried their de@d ones.  We imposed a curfew, which we relaxed this morning (Wednesday) fr...