Author: Vincent Osuwo

Godson Oghenebrume, a Nigerian sprinter, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison by US Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick after pleading guilty to having a handgun while on an F-1 student visa. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana announced this in a statement posted on its website on Tuesday, noting that Oghenebrume, who was admitted to the United States on a non-immigrant F-1 student visa, is also subject to removal or deportation upon completion of his sentence. “A Nigerian national residing in Baton Rouge was convicted for possession of a firearm by an alien…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licences of 46 microfinance banks across the country, citing their failure to meet key regulatory requirements for continued operations. The apex bank confirmed this in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Hakama Sidi-Ali, acting director of corporate communications. The revocation takes effect on July 1, 2026, with the permission of CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso. According to the statement, the action was conducted in accordance with the authorities granted to the CBN under Sections 12 and 13 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020. “The Central Bank…

Former Minister of Science and Technology Uche Nnaji was arrested on Wednesday at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, shortly after arriving from Enugu on a chartered flight. Official airport sources confirmed the arrest, noting that Nnaji will be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation. The arrest follows an ongoing ICPC investigation over claims that the former minister faked his academic certificates. In mid-June, a Federal High Court in Abuja gave the anti-corruption agency authorisation to arrest Nnaji as part of its investigation into the alleged certificate fabrication. The court also authorised…

President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s significant reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the revisions are aimed at training young Nigerians with practical skills, boosting employability, and positioning them as drivers of national development. In a post on his official X account on Wednesday, Tinubu described the reforms adopted by the Federal Executive Council on Monday as the most significant since the NYSC was founded in 1973. According to the president, the revamp carries out a promise he made at his inauguration to provide real possibilities for young people and assure their central position in his…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) have submitted their presidential tickets to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal for the 2027 general election. ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi disclosed on Wednesday that the party had successfully uploaded the names and particulars of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi. In a post on his X page, Abdullahi described the submission as another milestone in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections. “We are pleased to announce that we have successfully uploaded the names and particulars of the African Democratic…

US and Iranian officials will on Wednesday hold indirect technical talks on their deal aimed at ending the Middle East war, a diplomat with knowledge of the talks told AFP. “US and Iranian officials are to hold indirect technical talks on Wednesday in Doha with Qatari and Pakistani mediators on the memorandum of understanding building on the progress made at the Lake Lucerne Summit,” the diplomat said. The US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who met with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday, would not attend the technical talks, according to the diplomat. “Everyone…

The governor of Kaduna State Uba Sani, has said that President Bola Tinubu has done more for Northern Nigeria than any prior leader, citing infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare initiatives as examples of the administration’s dedication to the region. The governor also refuted claims that the North would not back Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, claiming that the president will receive more votes in the region than he did in the 2023 election. Sani mentioned this during an interview with ARISE Television on Tuesday. “Let me be very frank with you. And when I talk, I talk on the basis of data…

Gunmen kidnapped Rev. Samuel Gbinde, a pastor, and two members of his congregation from their home in Benue State. The gunmen attack was revealed in a statement made on Tuesday by the Executive Committee of the Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar (NKST) Church.  According to the church, the victims were kidnapped by the gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday from the pastor’s home at NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State. “It is with a heavy heart, yet with unwavering confidence in the sovereignty of Almighty God, that we announce the unfortunate abduction of…

No fewer than two people died on Wednesday during massive celebrations in Mexico City as the national team advanced to the next round at the World Cup. A 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died of asphyxiation, the city’s health ministry announced. Authorities are yet to confirm the death of a third person, reported by local media. The celebrations occurred after Mexico defeated Ecuador in their first World Cup knockout game since 1986, advancing the co-hosts to the round of 16. According to local estimates, over a million people gathered in Mexico’s local streets, primarily around the Angel of Independence…

The World Bank has granted a new $1.25 billion loan to Nigeria under its Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration program, despite public worries about the country’s mounting debt burden and repeated recommendations for the federal government to cut external borrowing. The clearance was revealed in a statement made by the World Bank on Wednesday, along with the unveiling of Nigeria’s new Country Partnership Framework for 2026-2032. The bank stated that the new framework would guide its support for Nigeria over the next six years, with a focus on creating jobs by unlocking private sector-led growth. “The World Bank…