Author: Aminu Ridwan

Kwara State has made history by emerging as the overall champion of the 2025 President’s Senior School Debate Competition — its first time winning the prestigious national contest. The 26th edition of the competition, held from June 24 to 27 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, featured top schools from across the country. Kwara’s delegation outshined rivals in several rounds, ultimately defeating Rivers State in the final. Welcoming the triumphant team on Friday, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, credited the achievement to ongoing education reforms and the government’s investment in teacher welfare. “This milestone reflects the…

Controversial social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), on Monday led a protest at the gate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s office in Abuja. According to PUNCH Online, primary school teachers across the FCT have been on strike since March 24, 2025—over 90 days—citing the failure of Area Council Chairmen to implement the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000. As part of the protest, VDM arrived at the scene dressed in school uniform alongside several children, also in uniform. He conducted a mock class session in front of the Minister’s office, teaching the children…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has strongly criticized Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration over its decision to spend N63.5 billion on the renovation of the Agodi Government House, describing the move as extravagant, insensitive, and a potential threat to the state’s economy. The criticism follows the recent approval by the Oyo State Executive Council of the hefty sum for the refurbishment of structures within the Government House. In addition, N132 million was sanctioned for hiring professional gardeners to maintain green spaces, while N14.3 billion was approved for the purchase of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) for Ladoke Akintola…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently refer the escalating violence and human rights violations in Benue State to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The organization urged the President to seek ICC intervention over what it describes as widespread and systematic violence, including unlawful killings and grave breaches of international humanitarian and human rights laws. In a letter dated June 21, 2025, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP also called on the President to consider extending such referrals to other states facing similar crises, or alternatively, request the ICC Prosecutor…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, led three former governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Those in attendance included Wike’s political allies and members of the now-defunct G5 group—Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). The G5, a faction of aggrieved PDP governors, had distanced themselves from the party’s leadership during the build-up to the 2023 general elections. Although details of the meeting were not made public, it is believed to be…

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated plans to impose visa restrictions on Nigeria and 35 other countries, according to a report by The Washington Post. An internal memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, dated Saturday, outlines a proposal for a sweeping travel policy targeting countries that fall short of new U.S. State Department requirements. The listed countries have been given 60 days to comply with the new benchmarks or risk facing entry bans or tightened visa controls. The proposal, which primarily affects African nations, includes Nigeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt, and…

As Nigeria continues to grapple with evolving security threats, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has called on newly passed-out recruits of the Nigerian Army to remain steadfast and combat-ready in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. Speaking at the Passing Out Parade of the 88 Regular Recruits Intake at Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna State, on Saturday, where 6,195 recruits completed their training, General Oluyede stressed the need for professionalism, resilience, and unwavering courage in the face of adversity. He reminded the recruits of the army’s core values—discipline, loyalty, integrity, selfless service, courage, and respect for…

The Oyo State chapter of the Child Protection Network (CPN) has distributed relief materials to 32 homes and organisations across Ibadan, in a bid to support vulnerable and less privileged children under their care. Speaking during the exercise, State Coordinator of CPN, Dr. Rosemary Odigbo, appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and philanthropists to extend their generosity to disadvantaged children in society, emphasizing that such gestures help them live more meaningful lives. She explained that the initiative reflects CPN’s core mission of uplifting vulnerable children through collective efforts. Dr. Odigbo also acknowledged BoxAid Global as a vital partner in the initiative, noting…

The Kwara State Government has announced a partial closure of the Post Office to Challenge section of Muritala Mohammed Way, beginning Sunday, June 15, 2025, to enable asphalt laying as part of the ongoing road upgrade project. The state’s Commissioner for Works, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, disclosed that while the road will remain open to traffic, diversions will be implemented to manage vehicular movement. He advised motorists to anticipate delays, exercise caution, and comply with traffic officials. “We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the public’s cooperation,” Olododo stated. “This upgrade is crucial for improving the road’s functionality and…

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has urged President Bola Tinubu to reopen investigations into the unresolved assassinations of notable Nigerians, including journalist Dele Giwa, former Attorney-General Bola Ige, and pro-democracy activist Kudirat Abiola. Addressing a group of journalists in Lagos on Saturday, Soyinka emphasized the importance of resolving these long-standing cases, suggesting that some Nigerians—both within and outside the country—may hold key information that could illuminate the circumstances surrounding the killings. His comments came as part of his reflections on Nigeria’s Democracy Day, marked annually on June 12. This year’s commemoration saw President Tinubu address the National Assembly and bestow…