My Blog

Category: News

  • Obi praises Zulum’s dedication, laments growing insecurity in Borno.

    Obi praises Zulum’s dedication, laments growing insecurity in Borno.

    The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party,  Mr Peter Obi has decried the  rising insecurity in Borno, lauding Gov. Babagana Zulum for his commitment in handling the challenge.

    Obi, a former governor of Anambra, in his X handle on Tuesday, said that the security situation in the Marte area of the state is unsettling and called  for emergency action.

    According to him,  the apparent commitment of   Zulum, who had courageously relocated to the troubled area is  laudable.

    “The security situation in Borno state  is concerning and very unsettling.

    “What is happening in the Marte area of the state is not just a local emergency; it is a national alarm bell that must not be ignored.

    “Zulum, by choosing to spend the night in a town under threat, has once again, demonstrated what leadership should look like; present, proactive, and people-centred.

    “His courage is not for commendation alone; it is a challenge to those in authority to match words with decisive action,” he said.

    Obi said everything possible must be done to  support the state and  prevent an entire local government from falling into the hands of terrorists.

    He revealed that over 300 communities are  exposed, while more than 20,000 of them  were displaced yet again.

    He explained that these were not just numbers, they are families, children, and communities whose hopes are hanging by a thread.

    He said that Zulum had raised critical concerns that insurgents were regrouping around Lake Chad and the Mandara Hills; that Marte is on the verge of collapsing and that the window for action is closing.

    “These are facts. And it is not enough to acknowledge them; we must respond with urgency and sincerity.

    “We cannot afford to continue this culture of delayed response and distant governance.

    “Our security forces need reinforcements, our displaced citizens need protection, We  must show the will to act swiftly and consistently.

    “I have always maintained that Nigeria works best when leadership is driven by compassion, competence and courage.  and Zulum had shown  all three,”  he added.

    He stressed that this is not about politics, but  the people, and about protecting the soul of our nation. 

  • Financial crisis hits UN, cuts spending, freezes hiring, scales back services

    Financial crisis hits UN, cuts spending, freezes hiring, scales back services

    The UN says it has been forced to cut spending, freeze hiring and scale back some services as the global organisation faces a worsening cash crisis.

    Member States on Monday, urged members to pay up, warning that the deepening financial crisis threatened the world body’s ability to carry out vital work.

    The General Assembly’s Fifth Committee met throughout Monday to discuss the multilateral organisation’s financial health.

    With a growing shortfall in contributions, member states owed $2.4 billion in unpaid regular budget dues and $2.7 billion in peacekeeping.

    Officials warned that the non-payment of contributions risked eroding the UN’s credibility and its capacity to fulfil mandates entrusted to it by member states.

    Switzerland’s delegate, speaking also on behalf of Liechtenstein, said “Each delay in payment, each hiring freeze, each cancelled service chips away at trust in our ability to deliver”.

    One proposed solution was to allow the UN to temporarily keep unspent funds at year’s end, instead of returning them to member states as credits.

    Currently, this return is mandatory, even if the funds arrive late in the year, giving the UN little time to spend them.

    The suggested change would be expected to act as a buffer to keep operations running, particularly in January when payments tend to lag.

    Delegates also backed limited use of “special commitments”, which is emergency funding tools, early in the year to bridge gaps caused by delayed contributions.

    While these fixes might help, several speakers, including delegates from Kazakhstan, Norway and the United Kingdom, emphasised that the root cause was the continued late or non-payment of dues.

    Norway noted that such temporary measures would not solve the underlying problem and urged member states to support bold financial reforms.

    The European Union stressed that the crisis was not abstract,  adding they were real operational risks and the burden could not fall solely on countries that paid on time.

    Singapore, speaking for the Southeast Asian group of nations, ASEAN, echoed concerns that the UN’s liquidity problems had become routine.

    It cited the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s (ESCAP) need to shut its offices for three months and suspend travel and hiring.

    Particularly troubling to many delegates was the fact that one country, unnamed in the meeting but widely known to be the U.S. was responsible for over half of all unpaid dues.

    The U.S. under President Donald Trump, is reportedly withholding the funds due to the UN for political reasons.

    Russia called for more transparency in how the UN managed cash-saving measures, cautioning against actions taken without member states’ input.

    Catherine Pollard, the UN’s top management official, noted that since May 9, a handful of countries had paid in full across several budget categories, while the number of nations who had paid in full for the regular budget stood at 106 for the year.

    As of May 19, the UN records showed only 61 countries had met all their UN’s obligations in full.

    The message from member states on Monday clearly states that without broad, timely financial support, the UN’s ability to serve the world, especially in times of crisis, is at serious risk.

  • Readiness 2030: EU agrees on €150bn defense loan fund

    Readiness 2030: EU agrees on €150bn defense loan fund

    Further to its new defense strategy codenamed Readiness 2030, EU member countries have agreed to establish a loan fund worth 150 billion euros (169.5 billion dollars).

    The fund shall be deployed to finance arms purchases, according to a report by The Financial Times on Monday, citing officials familiar with the decision.

    The fund will be backed by the national budgets of EU member states. While member countries had already expressed support for the initiative, the agreement is expected to be formally signed on Wednesday.

    On March 19, the European Commission unveiled a new defense strategy, initially called ReArm Europe, later renamed Readiness 2030, aiming to raise EU defense spending to 1.5 per cent of GDP.

    The strategy’s estimated cost is 800 billion euros over the next four years, with 650 billion euros to come from national budgets and the remaining 150 billion euros through loans.

    To support this plan, the European Commission would offer budgetary concessions to member states and reallocate some regional development funds toward defense spending.

    The move came amid rising tensions in Europe. Russia had consistently raised concerns about NATO’s growing military presence near its western borders, calling it a threat to regional stability.

    The Kremlin had stated that while Russia posed no threat to other nations, it would respond to actions it considered potentially dangerous to its security.

    In a 2024 interview with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow had no intention of attacking NATO countries.

    He accused Western leaders of exaggerating the Russian threat to distract from domestic issues.

  • Shadow Govt: DSS drags Prof. Pat Utomi to court

    Shadow Govt: DSS drags Prof. Pat Utomi to court

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has sued renowned academic and politician, Prof. Pat Utomi over his plan to establish “a shadow government” in the country.

    The DSS, in a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, prayed the court to declare the move as an attack on the constitution.

     The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the fresh suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, Utomi, the 2007 Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is sued as sole defendant.

    The security outfit, in the suit filed on May 13 by Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, contended that the move by Utomi was intended to create chaos and destabilise the country.

    The DSS argued that not only was the planned shadow government an aberration, it constituted a grave attack on the constitution and a threat to the democratically elected government that is currently in place.

    It expressed concern that such a structure, styled as a “shadow government,” if left unchecked, may incite political unrest, cause inter-group tensions, and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements, all of which would pose a grave threat to national security.

    The plaintiff, therefore, urged the court to declare the purported “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” being planned by Utomi and his associates as “unconstitutional and amounts to an attempt to create a parallel authority not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

    It is also sought a declaration that “under Sections 1(1), 1(2) and 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, the establishment or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is unconstitutional, null, and void.”

    The plaintiff prayed the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining Utomi, his agents and associates “from further taking any steps towards the establishment or operation of a ‘shadow government,’ ‘shadow cabinet’ or any similar entity not recognized by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

    The plaintiff, in its grounds of argument, hinged its prayers on the fact that Section 1(1) of the Constitution declares its supremacy and binding force on all persons and authorities in Nigeria.

    It added that Section 1(2) prohibits the governance of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

    According to the DSS, Section 14(2Xa) states that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government through the constitution derives all its powers and authority.

    It contended that Utomi’s proposed shadow government lacked constitutional recognition and authority, thereby contravening the aforementioned provisions.

    The plaintiff further stated in a supporting affidavit that it is the principal domestic intelligence and security agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria statutorily mandated to detect and prevent threats to the internal security of Nigeria, including subversive activities capable of undermining national unity, peace and constitutional order.

    The DSS added that it is statutorily empowered to safeguard the internal security of Nigeria and prevent any threats to the lawful authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Its constituent institutions.

    It stated that it has monitored, “through intelligence reports and open source material, public statements and interviews granted by the defendant, Professor Patrick Utomi, in which he announced the purported establishment of what he themed a ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet, ’comprising of several persons that make up its ‘Minister.’

    “The ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ is an unregistered and unrecognised body claiming to operate as an alternative government. contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    “The defendant (Utomi), through public statements, social media, and other platforms, has announced the formation of this body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government of Nigeria.

    “While inaugurating the ‘shadow cabinet’, the defendant stated that it is made up of the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio to be led by Dele Farotimi; the Policy Delivery Unit Team consisting of Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo and Obi Ajuga: and the council of economic advisers.

    “Based on the intelligence gathered by the plaintiff, the activities and statements made by the defendant and his associates are capable of misleading segments of the Nigerian public, weakening confidence in the legitimacy of the elected government, and fueling public disaffection,” it said.

    The DSS said in the discharge of Its statutory duties, it had gathered intelligence confirming that the defendant’s actions pose a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

    “The defendant’s actions amount to an attempt to usurp or mimic executive authority, contrary to Sections 1(1), 1{2), and 14(2Xa) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended), which exclusively vests governance in institutions duly created under the constitution and through democratic elections.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria has made several efforts to engage the defendant to dissuade him from this unconstitutional path, including statements made by the Minister of Information, but the defendant has remained defiant.”

    The agency said it would be In the interest of justice, national security and the rule of law for the court to declare the existence and operations of the defendant unconstitutional and illegal.

    The suit is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.

  • Diphtheria: Enforce mandatory nationwide immunisation, Reps tell Health Ministry

    Diphtheria: Enforce mandatory nationwide immunisation, Reps tell Health Ministry

    The House of Representatives has tasked the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant agencies under its policy supervision with enforcing mandatory diphtheria immunisation across the country.

    The concerned agencies under the ministry were listed to include the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

    This resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Bitrus Laori (PDP–Adamawa) during plenary on Wednesday.

    The House called for compulsory diphtheria vaccination, testing, and treatment across all healthcare centres in Local Government Areas nationwide.

    Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium species, affecting the nose, throat, and skin, and in severe cases, the heart.

    The disease forms a thick, grey coating at the back of the throat, making breathing difficult. However, it is easily preventable through vaccination.

    Leading the debate, Laori described diphtheria as a growing public health concern, noting that the first major outbreak in Nigeria occurred in Borno State in 2011, claiming 21 lives.

    He explained that diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, and overcrowded, unsanitary environments, making children and individuals with weakened immune systems particularly vulnerable.

    According to Laori, the current resurgence of the disease poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s already overstretched public health system.

    He added that while diphtheria had been virtually eliminated in countries like the United States and across Europe due to high vaccination coverage, it continued to thrive in parts of Africa with low immunisation rates.

    “Diphtheria primarily threatens unvaccinated individuals who travel internationally or come into contact with infected persons.

    “In countries like Niger, Gabon, and Mauritania, outbreaks have been controlled effectively due to early detection, lab confirmation, and the availability of antitoxins and antibiotics.”

    “In contrast, Nigeria faces a dire situation, with thousands of reported cases and deaths due to insufficient vaccination,” he added.

    Laori revealed that between May 2022 and February 2025, Nigeria recorded 41,978 suspected diphtheria cases across several states, including Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Katsina.

    He noted that Kano and Yobe accounted for the highest numbers, with 24,062 and 5,330 cases respectively.

    Laori said most infections were in children aged 1 to 14, and only 19.7 per cent were fully vaccinated, adding that the outbreak resulted in 1,279 deaths during that period.

    He warned that without urgent intervention, the fatality rate could rise, and the disease could spread beyond currently affected states.

    He also emphasised the need to address low vaccination rates, ineffective treatment options, and delays in diagnosis, which continued to fuel the outbreak.

    The House further urged the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to intensify public awareness campaigns on the dangers, symptoms, and modes of transmission of diphtheria to help curb the spread and reduce fatalities.

    In his ruling, Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, mandated the Committee on Health and Health Institutions to assess the capacity of healthcare facilities to respond to the diphtheria outbreak.

    The committee is to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

    He also instructed the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation of the resolution.

  • PDP attempts reconciliation

    PDP attempts reconciliation

    Appoints former Senate President, Saraki to head 7-member Reconciliation Committee

    The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) and former governors have named former Senate President Bukola Saraki as the head of a seven-member reconciliation committee.

    The PDP-GF Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, announced this while briefing newsmen after the forum’s crucial meeting with former governors, on Sunday night in Abuja.

    Mohammed said that the seven-member committee was mandated to reconcile aggrieved members ahead of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting schedule for May 27 and the forthcoming national convention in August.

    “We are here with all the governors elected under the party, that are still in the party and a substantial number of former PDP governors, with our leaders, the chairman of the party, and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

    “We discussed some of the issues relating to our party, some existential issues, of cours,e that have been circulating in the media and among us, so that we will be able to navigate smoothly for the NEC scheduled to take place on May 27 and by August, we will have an early convention.

    “So many issues and reports have been made, and it is an opportunity to close ranks, and to make sure that at least there is no ill feelings, there are no qualms, there are no misgivings between the leaders of the party.

    “Governors of the party have reached out to our colleagues who have been there before, who have more experience.

    ”Whatever suggestions or opinions they may have, will go a long way in giving an added impetus to the actualisation of our NEC, and our convention that is scheduled to take place on specific days.

    “We want to reassure our teaming supporters that the PDP is working, the PDP is united,” Mohammed said.

    Answering questions on the recent defection of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and others to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed said the party was working not only to strengthen it structures, but also reclaim its states.

    “Well, this is some of the manifestations in a democratic set-up like this that we have, and this is what is forcing us to come together.

    “Rather than diminishing and weakening, it is making us stronger, and we will make sure at least those chapters where we have history, where we have structure, are not left alone.

    “They will be able to produce governors of the PDP by the grace of God, because we will be providing the level playing field in the next convention that is coming up” he said.

    On what specific issues were discussed at the meeting, Mohammed said:”I cannot tell you all the issues that we discussed.

    ”We discussed unity. Definitely there are some ill feelings, and we are not here to hide things under the carpet. You know some of them.

    “Some of the litigations in court, some of the misgivings between party members, and of course, we wouldn’t want to blame the APC for causing crisis, but they are likely to be the ones. We are not saying they are,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other members of the committee are governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, and Peter Mba of Enugu State.

    Other members are Sen. Seriake Dickson, Sen. Ibrahim Dankwambo, and former governor of Abia State, Chief Okezie Ikpeazu.

    Others in attendance of the meeting held at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, include governors of Enugu, Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Osun and Oyo states.

    Others are the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike, and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi.

    Others  are Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom, Gabriel Suswam, Seriake Dickson, Sam Egwu, Liyel Imoke, Achike Udenwa, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Adamu Muazu and Idris Wada.

    Also at the meeting were party acting National Chairman of the party, Urmar Damagum, and other members of the PDP National Working Committee, including the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade. 

  • President Tinubu bags lifetime African achievement award

    President Tinubu bags lifetime African achievement award

    President Bola Tinubu has bagged the Lifetime African Achievement award from the Millennium Excellence Foundation based in Ghana.

    Tinubu while receiving the award commended patron of the Foundation, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, for the invitation extended to him and the success of the event put together by the Foundation.

    The president represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, received the award as special guest of honour during the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Excellence Prize, in Kumasi, Ghana.

    Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during the Millennium Excellence Prize ceremony, in Kumasi, Ghana. (Source: NAN)

    Tinubu said, “I salute the visionaries who have nurtured this institution for a quarter of a century and also celebrate the values of honour, integrity, service, and excellence that underpin its work.

    “Specifically, the organisers for identifying and celebrating Africa’s shining lights, individuals whose lives and work had lifted the continent and inspired generations.

    “It is no small achievement to have honoured such illustrious figures as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Prof. Wole Soyinka, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr Mo Ibrahim, among others.”

    He charged the young generation of Africans to rise with courage towards contributing their quota in making the African continent a more united, peaceful and prosperous one.

    He emphasised the need for such contribution to be carried out in the area of science,  technology, education, governance, entrepreneurship and arts.

    He further called on Africans to always work closely together in shaping their shared destiny, while urging the event organisers to continue to inspire excellence, uphold values of leadership with service and invest in the youth to foster collaboration across borders.

    “The award ceremony had from inception in 1988 remained a beacon of inspiration and recognition across the continent.

    “It’s mission of identifying, celebrating and supporting those who had distinguished themselves in the pursuit of African development resonated deeply with the aspirations of Nigeria and indeed, all African nations,” he added.

    The event featured presentation of the Lifetime African Achievement Prize to Tinubu, the global intra-African trade excellence in Africa to the President/Chairman, African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), Dr Benedict Oramah.

    Also, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, received the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize for Governance and Public Service, the Founder/Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, received African Excellence in Business, while Mr Dumo Lulu-Briggs, received African Traditional Leadership and Business Excellence award. 

  • Ceasefire: Zelensky says will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he expects Russia to implement a ceasefire and that he will personally be waiting for President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye on May 15.

    Zelenskyy announced this on Telegram, Turkish news agency, quoting Ukrinform, said on Sunday.

    “We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy.

    “There is no point in prolonging the killings,” the Ukrainian President stated.

    Zelensky added: “I’ll be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally.”

    “I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” he emphasised.

    According to the report, on May 10, Ukraine, together with its allies — France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland — proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

    Should Russia reject it, Ukraine’s allies plan to tighten sanctions against Moscow.

    Later, Putin proposed holding direct negotiations with Ukraine “where they were interrupted” in 2022

  • NYCN constitutes Nasarawa State caretaker executive committee

    The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), has constituted a caretaker committee led by Comrade Solomon Damina-John, to temporarily steer the affairs of its Nasarawa State chapter following a court order stopping its elective congress.

    Amb. Sara-Igbe Sukubo, National President, NYCN, announced this during a press conference on Saturday in Lafia.

    Represented by the Deputy National President, Amb. Innocent Nduanya, the president, said the decision to appoint the caretaker committee followed an order by a Nasarawa State High Court temporarily stopping the elective congress scheduled to be held on May 10.

    She said the appointment of the committee was to ensure that there was no vacuum pending the resolution of the litigations over congress.

    “The appointment takes immediate effect, pending further notice and the resolution of the ongoing litigation regarding the elective congress of the NYCN in the state,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Dr Ibrahim Alhassan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, had issued a statement on behalf of the Commissioner, Mr Yakubu Kwanta, suspending the elective congress.

    According to the statement, the suspension was in obedience to an interim injunction issued by a State High Court sitting in Keffi, restraining the conduct of the exercise.

    The restraining order follows an ex-parte motion filed by one Muhammad Jaafar-Loko and seven others.

    Alhassan also cited a pending court case at the State High Court, Obi, which was instituted by a former Chairman of the Council, Comrade Idris Ojoko, over his alleged illegal removal, as a reason for suspending the electoral congress till further notice.

    The permanent secretary added that the decision was in obedience to the rule of law and maintenance of peace, as entrenched in the culture of the Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration. 

  • Breaking News: First American Pope Emerges

    Breaking News: First American Pope Emerges

    The First American, Robert Prevost has been elected as Pope.

    Robert Prevost has been elected as successor to Pope Francis.

    A short while earlier, the white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the voting process has concluded and the cardinals have chosen a successor to Pope Francis.

    A moderate who was close to Pope Francis and spent years as a missionary in Peru, he becomes the Catholic Church’s 267th pontiff, taking the papal name Leo XIV.