Author: Vincent Osuwo

The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has said President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to prioritize the protection of Christians in Nigeria targeted by ISIS-linked groups. Speaking during a press briefing at the White House on Wednesday, Hegseth stated that Trump gave the directive about a year ago after learning about attacks on Christians in Nigeria. “Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those…

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, placated the fears of abducted teachers and students’ family members, assuring that his administration was making serious efforts to secure their release. Makinde made this pledge while hosting the state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, and other Muslims at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, the state capital, for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Makinde said, “The challenges that we have, especially in Oyo with our schoolchildren being kidnapped, we are working round the clock to ensure that the children are reunited with their families. “So, I also use this opportunity to say to those…

Senator Ned Nwoko has vowed to challenge the outcome of the party’s senatorial primary in court, insisting that he won the exercise based on results and evidence allegedly gathered from the wards. Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, Nwoko, who rejected the declaration of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as winner of the senatorial primary, alleged that the results announced did not reflect the actual votes cast during the exercise. According to him, midway during the primary, party executives directed that no results be published at the ward level but rather be compiled and announced later at the…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Jigawa State was thrown into confusion on Wednesday, as allegations of irregularities, violence, and malpractice forced officials to postpone the primary elections for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential seats indefinitely. The Chief Returning Officer, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Zaki Ahmed, who was sent from the ADC national headquarters to oversee the exercise, informed journalists at the Tashir Guests Palace in Dutse, where the collation exercise was taking place, that unresolved complaints and irregularities made it impossible to continue. “Results had been received from 19 out…

President Bola Tinubu joined Muslim faithful on Wednesday to observe Eid prayers at Dodan Barracks in Lagos state. The President was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; the Deputy Governor and the Lagos APC governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat; and other Muslim faithful. Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, revealed this in a post on his X handle on Wednesday. He wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside former Governor of Lagos…

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to embrace love, tolerance, and unity as Muslims around the country commemorate Eid-el-Kabir. Tinubu met with journalists on Wednesday after attending Eid prayers at the Dodan Barracks prayer ground in Lagos. The president thanked God for allowing Nigerians to celebrate another Eid-el-Kabir and urged citizens to reflect on the season’s lessons. “Well, we thank God, Almighty Allah, who has provided for us and kept us to see another year, another Eid-el-Kabir. “We thank Him for His mercy, and we must learn from the lessons of this season by showing love to one another. No…

Israel announced on Wednesday that it had assassinated Mohammed Odeh, the new chief of Hamas’ armed branch in Gaza, after killing his predecessor earlier this month, despite a continuing ceasefire. Since Hamas’ October 2023 attack, Israel has deliberately targeted the organization’s leaders in Gaza and around the region. Odeh is the fourth commander of Israel’s Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades since the conflict began in Gaza. The Israeli military and the Shin Bet domestic security agency confirmed Odeh’s murder on Tuesday, stating that he was appointed chief of the brigades following the May 15 shooting of Ezzedine al-Haddad. Israeli Defense Minister Israel…

Former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel announced his retirement on Wednesday owing to a significant shoulder injury. The 39-year-old Dane, son of legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, injured his shoulder during a Europa League match for Celtic against Stuttgart in February. The following month the goalkeeper underwent surgery to try to save his career, but to no avail. “When my contract with Celtic expires in June, I will end my career as a professional footballer,” Schmeichel told Danish television channel TV2. “It’s a decision that has been taken for me after consulting several surgeons, who are specialists with relation to my…

The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to embrace the virtues of faith, sacrifice, unity, and compassion as Muslims across the country and the world celebrate Eid-el-Kabir. Obi made the call in a message shared on his X on Wednesday to commemorate the Islamic festival. In his goodwill message, the former Labour Party chieftain congratulated the Muslim Ummah, describing Eid-el-Kabir as a sacred occasion that reflects obedience to God, love for humanity, and commitment to the common good. “I warmly felicitate with the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and across the world as they…

The Federal High Court in Abuja reserved judgment on Tuesday in the trial of five persons accused of being involved in the terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022, that murdered 41 parishioners. Over 140 people were also injured in the attack, and the Department of State Services requested and received an accelerated hearing on the matter at the start of the trial. Justice Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, set a date for judgment that will be notified to the parties once the prosecution and defense counsels have delivered their final written…