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The Oyo State Police Command, in a major operation, uncovered a human trafficking ring in Ibadan, the State capital and rescued 83 individuals, including a child.
Naija Naija learnt that the victims were held for an undisclosed period in a house at the Orogun area of the state.
The police in a terse statement disclosed that the victims, believed to be nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo, were lured to Nigeria under the pretence of being offered employment opportunities.
The perpetrators reportedly extorted significant sums of money in dollars from the victims’ parents and relatives as part of the elaborate scheme.
The rescued individuals are currently at the Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, where authorities are conducting further investigations to ascertain the full details of the case.
Presidency Reveals Why Politicians Are Dumping Opposition Parties For APC, Speaks On Tinubu’s Involvement
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Aides to President Bola Tinubu have attributed the recent influx of political figures into the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the President’s effective leadership.
Naija News reports that the presidential aides claimed that Tinubu’s leadership has stabilised the party and positioned it as the safest political shelter ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, in an interview with Punch on Saturday, said, “He is not masterminding anybody to leave their party. He has made the party attractive to others who are willing to join. What he has done is to make the right decisions, even though tough, some of them painfully initially.
“A beautiful woman will always attract suitors. So, if you have made your house good, people whose houses are tattered and whose houses have no roof will naturally come to you, where they can get shelter.
“If people say they want to come and take shelter, we won’t chase them away, and that is politics. In politics, you add to your number. You don’t remove your number. Politics is about getting more people on your side, not sending people away from your side.”
A second presidency source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, blamed the defections on the collapse of PDP cohesion, arguing there were no inducements from the Aso Rock Villa.
“The opposition is in tatters. They have no semblance of organisation, and for any politician, what he cares about is how to win his election, how to remain relevant, how to be in the scheme of things. I don’t think the President has met with any of them privately,” the aide said.
A third source recalled Tinubu’s 16 years leading the opposition, urging the opposition to fix their parties to forestall further defections.
“People should not forget that the President himself was the leader of the opposition for 16 years. He remained the only surviving governor of his party, Alliance for Democracy.
“He stayed there, strengthening the party, and he galvanised the opposition to form what is today the APC and made it so strong that they could unseat a ruling party. They defeated the sitting president, which was unprecedented in Nigerian history.
“So, if those who say they want to take power from him cannot organise themselves, do you blame him for that?” the source said.
[NaijaNews]
Barrister Elizabeth Arinde, Head of the Legal Department, Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State has allegedly been kidnapped, DAILY POST reports.
She was reportedly kidnapped alongside the Director of Personnel Management of the local government on Friday.
Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch, S.M. Kosemani, who confirmed the development, said they were abducted while travelling from Oke-Ero to Ilorin.
“We are deeply concerned to inform you that Barrister Elizabeth Arinde, Head of the Legal Department at Oke Ero Local Government, has been kidnapped.
“According to reports, she was abducted alongside the DPM of the Local Government on Friday, April 25, 2025, while traveling from Oke Ero LGA to Ilorin.
“We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
“Please share this information widely to aid in her rescue and pray for her release alive,” the NBA branch chairman added in a text message which has gone viral.
Attempt to reach the spokesperson of the state police command SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi in Ilorin on Saturday, on the development proved abortive.
[DailyPost]
• Seizes 57 AK 47, six pump action, ammunition
Amajor in the British Army (name withheld) and his accomplices have been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with the smuggling into the country of over 50 AK 47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition, The Nation has learnt.
It was gathered that the suspects were picked up in Lagos and Asaba, Delta State Capital.
The Nation gathered that the British army officer, who is of Itsekiri descent, allegedly procured the weapons at the behest of one Collins.
Multiple sources in the agency confirmed over the weekend that the prime suspect, a Major in the British Army, and several of his associates connected with the illegal arms supply have been detained.
The British army officer was reportedly intercepted in Lagos as he attempted to cross Nigeria’s border en route to the United Kingdom, while his associates were apprehended in Asaba.
A source said: ‘’An Itsekiri serving in the British Army is alleged to have procured weapons and ammunition at the behest of one Collins to instigate unrest in Warri.
“During a covert exchange near Asaba in Delta State, operatives from the DSS Delta Command apprehended the arms supplier and several associates, seizing over 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition.
‘’Shortly thereafter, DSS agents in Lagos intercepted the British Major as he tried to cross Nigeria’s border en route to the United Kingdom.
“All suspects are now in DSS custody. The DSS will carry out a full and transparent investigation and hold anyone found plotting tribal conflicts to account.’’
The Nation gathered that the arms were procured by those allegedly opposed to the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.
A traditional ruler is also being discreetly investigated in connection with the matter, it was learnt.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had earlier presented the report on the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency to the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.
The INEC chairman’s representative, State Resident Electoral Commissioner Etekamba Umoren, at the presentation held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said that the fresh ward and polling unit delineation fieldwork was prompted by the Supreme Court judgment of December 22, 2022, which ordered it to conduct the exercise.
Copies of the delineation report were received by Chief Victor Okumagba, Dr. Andrew Igban and Dr Joe Bisina on behalf of the Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities, respectively.
In his address during the meeting, the INEC chairman noted that the meeting was the fifth engagement with the stakeholders since the apex court verdict, which mandated the Commission to carry out the exercise in the three local government areas in the Warri federal constituency.
He urged the stakeholders to study the report and respond to it appropriately, as the commission was ready to adopt the report as a working document in line with the Supreme Court directive.
However, the planned delineation has stoked tension in the state, with some groups and stakeholders opposed to the exercise.
Recently, scores of Ijaw youths marched to the INEC headquarters in Abuja in support of the exercise.
Drawn from the Gbaramatu, Egbema, Diebiri and Isaba communities, they said the INEC delineation exercise was fair and in line with the Supreme Court judgment.
They commended INEC for what they called a transparent process, which they said marked the end of years of political marginalisation of the Ijaw people in the constituency.
It will be recalled also that following the unveiling of the report, the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), at a press briefing in Asaba, Delta State capital, denounced the proposed delineation of wards and polling units by INEC, adding that if the proposed delineation is implemented, it will mark the end of Itsekiri nation politically.
The group’s scribe, Sir Amorighoye Mene, said the Itsekiri ethnic nationality will seek legal redress, describing INEC’s actions as anti-Itsekiri.
Reacting, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT) said the discovery, if true, has nothing to do with the proposed delineation exercise.
Its scribe, Sir Amorighoye Mene, who spoke in a telephone interview said: “I can tell you that if this discovery is true, it has nothing to do with the proposed delineation.
“More so, we have met with the National Security Adviser who has assured that government is seriously looking into the matter. So on our own part, there is no anxiety.
“Even our youths, who on the spur of the moment took over some oil facilities, have all been asked to withdraw and they have indeed withdrawn.
“Peace has returned. We are not preparing for any confrontation or struggle, certainly not under President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“The President has assured that his administration will address the injustice that has been perpetrated against the Itsekiri nation.
“We keep urging our people to remain peaceful. I repeat, the discovery of arms has nothing to do with the delineation.
“It has not come to that.”
[TheNation]
•Parties allege inducements, blackmail amid defection gale
•How Tinubu turned tide against opponents
There are strong indications that recent political moves by President Bola Tinubu are responsible for the defections of top opposition figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Sunday PUNCH noted that the APC and the President, who had been on the defensive against criticisms from the opposition and anti-Tinubu coalition groups, might have turned the tables around.
FRSC Commander Urges Public to Be Proactive Amid Ojodu Collapse Response
Insiders insisted that the change resulted from Tinubu’s recent moves.
However, while some sources and opposition figures claimed that the President deployed inducements and blackmail, his supporters said he provided good leadership, which made the party attractive to outsiders.
Masterstroke or mischief?
Feelers from the APC identified Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Aba Yusuf (Kano) and suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), as four new converts expected to join the party in the coming weeks.
“It is not a rumour. It is happening; those four governors – Eno, Mbah, Yusuf and Fubara — are on their way to joining the APC,” a source said.
Multiple sources at the ruling party secretariat in Abuja equally confirmed the development to Sunday PUNCH.
This comes barely three days after the defections of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and all members of the PDP in the state.
Their change of allegiance was announced last Wednesday by Senator James Manager, shortly after a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House in Asaba.
Another source, however, didn’t rule out mischief and blackmail in the arrangement.
He cited President Tinubu’s covert meeting with Fubara in London as one of such.
The meeting, confirmed by an online media platform, The Africa Report, was held at the insistence of the embattled governor, who was suspended from office after a declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
Sunday PUNCH could not confirm the details of the meeting, as presidential aides contacted said they were not part of the President’s latest trip.
A top source said, “It was at that meeting that we believed Fubara must have been coaxed into considering the idea of defection as part of the arrangement to return his mandate. We also have reasons to suspect that Governor Eno’s potential move to the APC is linked to his predecessor and godfather’s alleged corruption case with the EFCC.
“Kano’s case is already a done deal as Tinubu has started reconciling Ganduje and Kwankwaso. In the coming days, the news of Abba Yusuf’s defection will be made public because he will officially move to the APC with his mentor. We all know Kano is too big a state for Tinubu to ignore politically.”
Also, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Buba Galadima, claimed that a federal lawmaker under his party said President Tinubu gave him a N95bn ecological fund project.
He said, “At least if I don’t know anything, I know a serving lawmaker who declared that he was given N95bn, which is not in the budget, for an ecological project.”
Reacting, the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, denied allegations of inducement and blackmail.
He said, “How can we induce a governor to come and join our political party? There is no factual basis for those allegations. It is in the figment of their imagination and possibly a product of hallucination. The truth is that even before decamping, if they check online, they will realise Governor Sherif has, on several occasions, shown his preference for Tinubu’s presidency.
“He has never hidden his admiration. So, when the stakeholders met, they felt that rather than just supporting Asiwaju in 2027, they should join his party so they could work together. Less than two weeks ago, we were in Agbor when the chairman of NDDC and the Delta Unity Group defected to the APC.
“The only senator of the PDP in Delta, Senator Ned Nwoko, also defected to the APC. So, anybody watching the development knows that it was only a matter of time before the leadership of that place moved. I hope you also know that former Governor James Ibori is a friend of Asiwaju, and they have been collaborating since Tinubu became president. So, would he not want his party to join up with Asiwaju Tinubu?”
Opposition in disarray
The PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP are currently grappling with internal crises compounded by defections to the APC, which has left their parties in disarray.
According to some politicians, the crises are being sponsored to weaken the opposition ahead of 2027.
The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, had on March 11 alleged that the crises faced by opposition parties were being sponsored by “the government of the day.”
El-Rufai said the litigation, divisions, and factionalisation across opposition parties were all contrived by the ruling party to destabilise them.
PDP: A house divided
The PDP, the largest opposition party in the country, has been embroiled in controversies since the 2023 elections.
Sunday PUNCH noted that the crisis, largely between the camps of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has significantly weakened the party.
Wike, who worked against the PDP in the 2023 presidential election, has declared support for Tinubu’s 2027 bid.
Delta State Governor Oborevwori, his predecessor, Okowa, and many key members of the PDP also dumped the party for the APC last Wednesday.
Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, resigned from the PDP and joined the APC the same day.
Oke’s defection brings the number of opposition members in the National Assembly who had dumped their parties for the APC to 17 since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.
On Saturday, members of the Rivers State caucus in the National Assembly declared support for Tinubu’s second term.
Commenting on the defections, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said the defectors, especially the governors, were afraid that Tinubu might move against their elections.
He told Sunday PUNCH, “All of them are scared of Tinubu. They are afraid of what he will do to them, especially when he has the judiciary in his pocket. But we in the coalition don’t care about that.”
LP: One party, three chairmen
The Labour Party is also riddled with a leadership crisis, resulting in factionalisation and defections.
Currently, three individuals are laying claim to the leadership of the party.
Embattled National Chairman, Julius Abure; former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, leading a caretaker committee; and Lamidi Apapa are all claiming leadership of the party.
Amid the crisis, the LP lost key members to the APC.
They are Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi (Imo East Senatorial District), Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo State), Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West Federal Constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency, Kaduna State), and Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Cross River State).
NNPP: An undecided party
President Tinubu and the APC are said to be making moves to win over the NNPP leader and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Our correspondents gathered that Kwankwaso and many NNPP leaders might join the ruling party.
The National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, in an exclusive interview with one of our correspondents, confirmed that the party was considering its political options.
He said, “There are three cards on the table: either we remain in the NNPP and continue with those who joined us all the way, or we form some sort of coalition with Atiku and others, or we form an alliance with the ruling party. I am not saying any of these is the case now, but these are the three basic options that could happen.”
Meanwhile, the party has been losing some of its prominent members to the APC.
No fewer than four federal lawmakers of the NNPP, including Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano South Senatorial District), Yusuf Galambi (Gwaram Federal Constituency, Jigawa State), Mohammed Isimbabi (Toto/Gadabuke Constituency, Nasarawa State), Musa Ibrahim (Doma South Constituency, Nasarawa State), and Kabiru Rurum (Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency, Kano State), along with ex-Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Sha’aban Sharada, have joined the APC.
The CPC bloc
Members of the defunct Congress for Progress Change, largely made up of loyalists of former President Muhammadu Buhari, were reported to have planned to dump the APC for another party.
However, weeks after the defection plan, a faction of the bloc, led by former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, declared support for Tinubu, announcing that he and others on his side were not leaving the APC.
A recent report indicated that a leaked memo revealed that Al-Makura was being considered for the APC national chairmanship in exchange for helping to convince other CPC members to remain in the party.
Tinubu made party attractive —Presidency
Aides to the president attributed the influx into the APC fold to the president’s leadership, which they said stabilised the party.
They argued that the defections showed that the ruling party had become the safest political shelter ahead of 2027.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, on Saturday, said, “He is not masterminding anybody to leave their party. He has made the party attractive to others who are willing to join. What he has done is to make the right decisions, even though tough, some of them painfully initially.
“A beautiful woman will always attract suitors. So, if you have made your house good, people whose houses are tattered and whose houses have no roof will naturally come to you, where they can get shelter.
“If people say they want to come and take shelter, we won’t chase them away, and that is politics. In politics, you add to your number. You don’t remove your number. Politics is about getting more people on your side, not sending people away from your side.”
A second presidency source, who did not want to be identified, blamed the defections on the collapse of PDP cohesion, arguing there were no inducements from the Aso Rock Villa.
“The opposition is in tatters. They have no semblance of organisation, and for any politician, what he cares about is how to win his election, how to remain relevant, how to be in the scheme of things. I don’t think the President has met with any of them privately,” the aide said.
A third source recalled Tinubu’s 16 years leading the opposition, urging the opposition to fix their parties to forestall further defections.
“People should not forget that the President himself was the leader of the opposition for 16 years. He remained the only surviving governor of his party, Alliance for Democracy.
“He stayed there, strengthening the party, and he galvanised the opposition to form what is today the APC and made it so strong that they could unseat a ruling party. They defeated the sitting president, which was unprecedented in Nigerian history.
“So, if those who say they want to take power from him cannot organise themselves, do you blame him for that?” the source said.
[Punch]
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has unveiled an online registration portal and identity cards for members of his Obidient Movement, both in Nigeria and across the diaspora.
The movement’s National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, and Director of Strategic Communications and Media, Nana Kazaure, disclosed this in a joint statement on Saturday.
According to the statement, each identity card will feature a QR code for authentication and display the flag of the holder’s country of residence.
It partly read: “Obidient registration portal supports Nigerians and fellow Obidients living in the diaspora. You will observe that the ID has a flag on it. For example, if you’re not resident in Nigeria, the top right-hand corner will carry the flag of your country of residence.
“That way, we can all witness first-hand the embodying of our spirit of diversity, comradery, and unity and how far-reaching the messaging Obidient Movement is. The OBX is constant on the ID card. The Diasporan and Nigerian cards, all start with the same prefix which is the OBX.
“The QR code on the bottom right-hand corner is there to authenticate your card, which can be scanned with any QR scanner such as a smartphone, to give Obidients a secure and confident way of interacting with one another.
“So if you choose to support or do business with an Obidient, you can scan the QR code or verify the OBX ID online to confirm that the person is who and what they truly say they are and are who they truly claim to be.”
[Vanguard]
At least 12 people were killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists along Kirawa road and Bokko Ghide community in Pulka District, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State in the past 24 hours.
The Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, confirmed to Vanguard that two of the victims killed during the ambush along Kirawa road on Friday, April 25, 2025, were members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). The remaining 10 victims, all firewood scavengers, were ambushed and killed on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Timta condemned the spate of killings in Gwoza and other locations, expressing shock at the renewed attacks.
He warned that if these attacks are not addressed, they could undermine the Borno State Government’s ongoing efforts to reconstruct, rehabilitate, and resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs).
These latest attacks came just a day after Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, appealed to the military to intensify operations to eliminate insurgents from their enclaves. Governor Zulum made the call during a courtesy visit by a high-level Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and other military chiefs at the Government House in Maiduguri.
“It is unfortunate that two of my people, who are members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, were ambushed and killed along Kirawa road on Friday, while another 10 civilians who went to a nearby bush to scavenge firewood were killed today (Saturday), with two others sustaining serious injuries,” Governor Zulum said.
“We have since buried the victims today according to their religious rites, while the injured ones were evacuated to Maiduguri for treatment. Let me use this opportunity to pray to Allah to grant Aljanatul Firdaus to the souls of the departed, and quick recovery to the injured ones.”
Timta expressed concern that despite the efforts of the government and military to manage the over-a-decade-long Boko Haram crisis, more action is needed in terms of technological warfare and the use of sophisticated equipment to effectively combat the terrorists.
“I can confirm to you that these renewed attacks would demoralize our resilient people who have started warming up for this year’s cropping season, as many would be scared from going to their farms,” Timta lamented
‘Govt Has Abandoned Us’ – Benue Community Cries Out As Bandits Kill Seven Traders In Fresh Attack
AFOLABI
Armed bandits have reportedly killed five traders and injured seven others in a fresh attack at Yanriwa Market in the Kwande local government area of Benue State.
Naija News learnt that the armed gunmen invaded the market at about 3 pm when traders were transacting business and began shooting sporadically, leading to the death of five persons.
A resident of the community, Lawrence Akerigba, in an interview with Leadership Newspaper, lamented that the federal government reneged on its promise to deploy additional security operatives to the communities following the 2024 Christmas Day attack, where over 20 farmers were killed.
He explained that the herdsmen have blocked the Anwase road, where the Christmas attack and killings took place, “as I am talking to you, that road is no longer passable.”
Akerigba stated that most schools, churches and markets in the area have been shut due to the herdsmen’s activities.
He said, “Up till now, nothing of that nature has been done. Government has abandoned us to our fate.
“The attack by the herdsmen happened around 3pm in Liev 1 at Usambe in Ikyurav ya.
“However, the joy of selling turns bloody when the herdsmen invaded the market while people were buying and selling and started shooting at the people.
“Five persons were killed on the spot and 7 others sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. Some other people are still missing and the search is still ongoing.
“The security men on the ground are trying so much to prevent the attacks, but because they are few in number, their efforts are not much felt.”
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu State, will reopen from Monday.
Naija News reports that FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, made this known while speaking with journalists on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Orah said the re-opening followed the completion of emergency runway repairs at the airport, stressing that the runway is certified suitable for landings and takeoffs by the agency’s engineers.
FAAN appreciates all airport users and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation during the closure period, assuring the public that all measures were taken in the interest of safety.
Orah said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, will reopen for flight operations on Monday, 28th April 2025, following the completion of emergency runway repairs.
“On April 18th, 2025, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced that due to a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway, the runway would be shut down for emergency repairs.
“The work was scheduled to begin on April 22nd and conclude before reopening on May 6th, 2025. However, rehabilitation works on the runway have been completed, and the runway is cleared for landings and takeoffs by the engineers working with FAAN.”
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Uche Nwosu, cautioned the Federal Government on Saturday against promoting the idea of citizens obtaining firearm licenses, arguing that such a move would exacerbate the existing insecurity issues in the nation.
Nwosu, who previously served as Chief of Staff to former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, expressed his concerns during a virtual media briefing.
Naija News reports that Nwosu’s remarks were in response to a statement made on Friday by former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung, rights activist Omoyele Sowore, and other members of the Coalition of Nigerian Patriots, who advocated for the right of Nigerians to possess firearms for self-defense.
Nwosu countered this perspective, asserting that allowing citizens to acquire guns is not a feasible solution to the ongoing violence in the affected areas.
He said, “I don’t support people being encouraged to carry arms around because it will become a lawless country.
“Instead, I think more security agents should be deployed to those troubled areas so this problem can be solved.
“When individuals start carrying arms, it connotes trouble. Some people can easily get angry and allow such emotion to push them to do what they are not supposed to do.
“Besides, these bandits are sometimes from outside the country. They are not people from those communities.
“They come from outside, carry out their act and run back to where they are coming from. My other suggestion is that there should be community policing.
“There should be the courage to go down to the rural area in which, as I said, it’s one of the most difficult areas of the government.”
The APC leader also commended President Bola Tinubu for assigning his security chiefs the responsibility of stopping the violence and reinstating peace in the impacted communities.
He stated that this reflects the true essence of a leader who prioritizes the safety and well-being of his constituents.
“I also want to commend President Bola Tinubu. He has also put in the work to ensure that these killings stop.
“I have had meetings with the security chiefs and heard the NSA say that the President had given them directive that this killing has to stop and they are doing it,” he stated
More...
Media personality Chude Jideonwo has shared valuable insights into managing finances and making smart investment decisions.
In a recent interview, he emphasised the importance of storing wealth in assets that can be relied upon during difficult times.
He cited his experience of buying a house at 24 as a significant investment decision.
Chude also stressed the need for a practical approach to financial planning, sharing his experience of owning the same car for 10 years before purchasing a new one.
He cautioned against making life decisions based on social media influencers, emphasising that their financial situations may not be what they seem.
According to Chude, financial prudence is key, and individuals should never buy something that cannot be replaced immediately if lost.
He said: “I bought my first house at 24. I got one big money and I went to buy a house in Lekki. I just bought a new car last year. I had the same car for 10 years until the car was crying.
“I’ve never thought of car as a store of wealth. You have to store wealth, so that in time of trouble, you won’t land on the floor. Look, don’t make your decisions based on an influencer. In 10 years you might find out the person was broke all along.
“Don’t make decision of your life based on followers that will not be relevant to your life in five years. Economy is down, cost of living is up and perception is also up. Social pressure is a very powerful thing. But it is a problem. Never buy a thing that if you lose it you cannot replace it immediately. That means you cannot afford it”.
[TheNation]
Pope Francis was buried inside his favourite Rome church after a funeral mass in St Peter’s Square, the Vatican said on Saturday.
The Argentinian pontiff, who died on Monday aged 88, was laid to rest during a 30-minute burial ceremony which started at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT) at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in the Italian capital.
Details later…
AFP
As Canada continues to grow and diversify its economy, the demand for skilled workers across various industries is on the rise.
For those looking to immigrate and secure a Canadian work visa, choosing a profession in high demand can significantly improve the chances of approval.
1. Registered Nurse
Canada’s healthcare system continues to grow in response to an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. As a result, the demand for medical practitioners, particularly nurses, has surged. Canada offers multiple immigration options for skilled nurses, making this profession the top choice for those looking to immigrate.
Various nursing roles are in demand, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs/RPNs), and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs). Entry-level nurses in Canada earn an average of $58,499 annually, while more experienced nurses can earn up to $80,321 annually.
2. Web Developer
Web developers are essential for designing, coding, and maintaining websites and web applications. With the continued growth of the tech industry in Canada, skilled web developers are in high demand.
They work with front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and often use back-end languages like PHP, Python, or Node.js. The average salary for a web developer in Canada is approximately $70,221 per year, making this a lucrative field for those seeking a Canadian work permit.
3. Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and analyzing complex electrical systems. Due to the increasing demand for electrical expertise in various industries, electrical engineers are highly sought after in Canada. The average annual salary for electrical engineers is around $136,283, with entry-level positions offering lower pay. This field provides excellent opportunities for securing a work visa and long-term employment in Canada.
4. Truck Driver
Though it may seem surprising, truck drivers are in extremely high demand in Canada, where the need for transportation of goods across the country far exceeds the number of available drivers. Truck drivers do not necessarily need formal education but are compensated well due to the high demand. Truck drivers in Canada earn between $46,620 and $94,685 annually, making this profession a viable option for those seeking a work permit.
5. Welder
Welders are in demand across Canada, particularly for tasks such as manufacturing, heavy equipment repairs, shipbuilding, aerospace engineering, and infrastructure construction. With the ongoing growth of industries in Canada, the country expects to add 23,000 welding positions by 2028. Welders in Canada earn an average annual salary ranging from $45,000 to $75,000, making this a solid career choice for immigrants seeking work in the country.
6. Veterinarian
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[Vanguard]
A pressure group, Action Collective, has accused one Sandra Duru of spearheading a desperate campaign using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to discredit the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Teddy Onyejuwe, the group raised the alarm over a trending online video allegedly featuring the female Senator. Onyejuwe clarified that the video was an AI fabrication and urged the public to disregard any content linked to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan that does not originate from her verified platforms.
According to Onyejuwe, the smear campaign was the work of political opponents deploying Duru “as a pawn to mislead the public.”
“We call on Nigerians to ignore such content and to be vigilant about the growing use of digital manipulation to spread falsehood,” the statement read.
The group described Sandra Duru, who now reportedly goes by the alias ‘Professor Ngbeke,’ as a “serial fraudster with a longstanding reputation for deceit.” They alleged that Duru has operated through a network of fictitious NGOs and shell companies to defraud public figures, private individuals, and institutions over the years.
Tracing Duru’s history, the Action Collective claimed she first gained political access in Imo State through a relationship with Chantel Adanna Chinyere, whom she later allegedly betrayed. Her reputation, according to the group, became further tarnished during the 2011 elections after a series of smear campaigns against notable figures, including former Deputy Governor Eze Madumere.
“She is a master fabricator who uses forged letters, fake programs, and non-existent partnerships to lure unsuspecting victims,” Onyejuwe alleged.
The statement referenced several reports on Duru’s activities, including a June 10, 2020 article on Nairaland and an April 24, 2027 report on Secretsreporter.com, which linked her to numerous scams and acts of misrepresentation.
One notable case highlighted involved Chukwubuike Nelson Ubechi, who reportedly lost N1.2 million to a travel and training scam operated by Duru through her organization, the Pre-Adult Affairs Organisation (PAAO), falsely claimed to have international endorsements.
Beyond public fraud, the group alleged that Duru’s misconduct extended to her personal relationships, citing accusations of blackmail and emotional manipulation from her estranged husband, Emmanuel Ebuka Elobi, and his family.
“This is someone whose every move is laced with fraud, betrayal, and character assassination. She has used everything from fake marriages to AI tools in her crusade of lies,” the statement asserted.
The Action Collective urged media organisations, government agencies, and the general public to remain cautious and distance themselves from Duru and her alleged schemes. They also called for heightened skepticism towards any AI-generated material associated with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“This is a coordinated attempt by desperate political adversaries to discredit a highly respected public servant. We urge everyone to verify their sources and expose this woman’s deceit before more lives and reputations are destroyed,” Onyejuwe concluded.
[Leadership]