Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has denied former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s allegations that the party’s whole structure has collapsed into the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The party, in a sharply worded statement signed by its State Chairman, Adamu Idris, in Kaduna on Monday, described El-Rufai’s claim as “spurious, misleading, and politically mischievous”. Contrary to El-Rufai’s claims, Idris stated that the SDP remained together in Kaduna and had no plans to dissolve into the coalition led by the former governor. The SDP chairman accused the former governor of attempting to foment dissension inside the party for…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has condemned the actions of one of its former staff, Olakunle Alex Folarin, who was recently spotted participating in a matchmaking programme on social media platforms hosted by popular entertainer Lege Miami. Following his dismissal for certificate falsification, the agency ordered his immediate arrest for retaining official property of the commission, including an identity card. Folarin worked as a driver for the commission’s Ibadan Zonal Directorate, according to a statement sent on Monday on its official X feed. He was, however, sacked after investigations revealed that he had faked his academic credentials. It…

Governor Hyacinth Alia has congratulated Hon Alfred Emberga, who was elected as the new Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly on Sunday, August 24, 2025. The election followed the resignation of the former Speaker, Hyacinth Dajoh, during an emergency plenary session in Makurdi on Sunday. In a statement on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia described Emberga’s election as a reflection of the confidence his colleagues have in his leadership. Alia expressed hope that Emberga’s administration will prioritise the development of laws and policies to improve the well-being of Benue…

The Osun State Police Command has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a lady named Bidemi Omole in Esa-Oke town, Osun State, at the home of her boyfriend, Yinka. According to sources in the town, Bidemi suddenly became ill after arriving at her boyfriend’s residence on Friday evening and died shortly thereafter. The incident, which occurred around 9:30 p.m., reportedly caused panic in the community, with many residents reportedly rushing to the suspect’s house in the Oke Esa Area as soon as word of the death spread. Taye, a resident of the neighbourhood where the incident…

The Ixchiq vaccination against the chikungunya virus has been halted by US health officials due to reports of “serious adverse events”, according to the drug’s French manufacturer on Monday. Ixchiq is one of only two vaccines licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration for the mosquito-borne virus, which is primarily found in tropical and subtropical climates but has lately been discovered in countries around the globe. Valneva, a French company, won US approval for the vaccine in 2023, but reports of side effects have spurred assessments, particularly of its use in older people, including by the European Medicines Agency…

Nollywood actress Priscilla Ojo and Tanzanian singer Juma Jux welcomed their first child, a newborn boy named Rakeem Ayomide Mkambala, in Canada. Iyabo Ojo verified the news in a message made on her social media platforms on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in which she expressed her excitement and appreciation for the mother and child’s safe delivery. Priscilla and Juma Jux, who married earlier this year with ceremonies held in February and May 2025, revealed their pregnancy in July. Three days ago, the couple held a blue-themed gender reveal party to officially confirm they were having a boy. The announcement elicited…

President Bola Tinubu landed in Brasília on Monday on a state visit to improve diplomatic and commercial ties. Senior Brazilian government officials, including envoy Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte and Brazil’s envoy to Nigeria, welcomed him at the Brasília Air Base. The significance of the visit was underscored in a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. He said, “The official welcome ceremony, with full military honours, will take place on Monday at the Planalto Palace. “The leaders will witness the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and address a joint press…

The management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, have suspended doctors, nurses, and security staff on duty at the university’s medical centre following the death of Miss Isabella Ajana, a 100-level Law student. The suspension was announced to them via a statement signed by the University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, which was made accessible to journalists on Sunday. Recall that Isabella reportedly died on July 8 after being denied immediate access to her diabetes medicine due to an alleged payment demand by her hostel manager. The deceased, a diabetic and Elmada Hostel tenant, was alleged to have experienced…

The Benue State House of Assembly elected Hon Alfred Emberger as its new speaker on Sunday. The appointment came immediately after the resignation of former Speaker Aondona Dajoh. The new speaker is one of four members suspended last Friday for attempting to oust the previous speaker. The house resolved to lift the four members’ suspensions during the plenary session on Sunday, which was presided over by the deputy speaker, Lami Danaldi-Ogenyi. The majority leader, Saater Tiseer, stated that the plenary was an emergency and presented a motion to lift the suspensions of the four members, which was seconded by Samuel…

Kilmar Ábrego García’s lawyers claim that US authorities warned him less than 24 hours after his release that he may be deported to Uganda due to his unwillingness to accept a plea deal in a criminal case. Attorneys for García said he declined an offer to plead guilty to people smuggling charges in exchange for deportation to Costa Rica, after it was evident he would be released from detention. His lawyers have now accused the US government of attempting to “coerce” him into pleading guilty by threatening to deport him “halfway across the world” to Uganda. The Salvadoran national was…