The buses, distributed through the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Students’ Engagement, Comrade Asefon Sunday Dayo, were expected to promote a more efficient and affordable transportation system for students.

Speaking during the hand-over of the busses on Friday, Asefon said the initiative was part of a broader promise made by President Tinubu to support students in Nigeria.

Asefon emphasised that while the gesture was significant, it was just the beginning, noting that in the past, some students had to hire buses at exorbitant costs, sometimes up to N200,000 to events.

According to him, with the new buses, students will only pay a token fee, making it much more affordable. “The buses are not just for transport, they also provide students with the confidence that they are using vehicles dedicated to their needs.”

Additionally, Comrade Asefon stated that the maintenance of the buses will be closely monitored, with any issues to be promptly addressed by his office. He said schools will also take responsibility for maintaining buses stationed at their campuses, ensuring the longevity of the initiative.

The President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for the unprecedented move, stating that it would significantly ease the cost of transportation for Nigerian students.

He stated that the initiative is the first of its kind in NANS’ history, with over 20 buses being distributed to various zones.

He emphasised that the achievement was made possible through constructive dialogue and leadership, without the need for protests.

“It is going to be very useful to Nigeria students, it will ease the cost of transportation in their campuses.

“So, we are happy and I want to thank the President for this gesture, and this is the first time it has ever happened in the history of NANS, since NANS has been founded,” Emonefe stated.

Former spokesperson of the Labour Party, Kenneth Okonkwo has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leaders are now servants to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Okonkwo said the main opposition party should blame itself for the crisis destabilising it, blaming the leadership chaos on the appointment of Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT by the APC government.

According to Okonkwo, President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Wike reduced PDP’s political standing as an opposition party.

Speaking on Channel Television’s programme on Friday, Okonkwo a popular Nollywood actor turned politician, blamed PDP for accommodating some members, who worked against the party in the 2023 elections.

He said, “Look at what is going on in the PDP. For instance, some people came out as G5 and worked against the interest of the party, not covertly but overtly, and everyone saw it. You accommodated them and then gave excuses for them.

“Normally, when you accept such things, it would start graduating, now they want to take over the party and they’ve been given an appointment.

Then they would go ahead to hijack the party and when they hijack it, the true members of the party would become servants to the servant because their main leader is now a servant to the APC by being a minister in the APC and the remaining ones are servants to that leader, meaning the PDP is now a servant of servant to the APC.”

Portuguese international, Cristiano Ronaldo, received a unique birthday tribute in New York City on Thursday as fans gathered at the Times Square to perform his iconic “Siu” celebration.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner turned 40 on February 5, just days after scoring his 922nd and 923rd career goals in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 victory over Al Wasl.

Ronaldo’s famous celebration, first seen in 2013 with Real Madrid, remains a global fan favorite.

“I started to say ‘si,’ it’s like ‘yes,’ when I was in Real Madrid,” he explained via FourFourTwo.

“I just scored the goal and it just came out.”

Ronaldo’s birthday also followed a headline-making interview with El Chiringuito, in which he criticized misconceptions about the Saudi Pro League compared to MLS.

“People talk too much and give opinions without knowing,” he said, adding, “Because it’s Saudi Arabia, people look down on it… You have to give it the credit it deserves.”

Despite his comments, MLS is preparing for a major 2025 season, with stars like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez entering their final contract years at Inter Miami.

The Labour Party (LP) said the kidnap and assassination of Hon. Justice Azuka, a lawmaker in Anambra State, shows that the State Governor, Dr Chukwuma Soludo has lost the will to enforce law and sanity in the state.

The national leadership of the Labour Party stated this while reacting to the assassination of Azuka, a lawmaker representing Onitsha 1 North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, on the Labour Party platform.

The lawmaker was abducted on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 by gunmen while returning home on Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha.

However, his decomposing body was found around the 2nd Niger Bridge on Wednesday.

Reacting to the discovery of the Azuka’s corpse, national publicity secretary of Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, said under Soludo’s watch, Anambra has become a war state where life has suddenly become nasty, brutish and short.

He added that the present leadership has completely lost the will-power to enforce law and sanity.

The party spokesman also said the Labour Party candidate in the last governorship election in Anambra State, Obiora Agbasimelo was recently abducted while campaigning and that his whereabouts remains unknown.

Ifoh said, “We are presently traumatized by this death and that of other deaths that have become a daily occurrence in Anambra State, a state that is gradually assuming a hobbesian status under the administration of Prof. Charles Soludo. Anambra has fully assumed the state of war, where life has suddenly become nasty, brutish and short because the present leadership has completely lost the will-power to enforce law and sanity.

“We are pained because not long ago, the Labour Party candidate in the last governorship election in Anambra State, Obiora Agbasimelo was abducted while campaigning and as we speak, his whereabout is still unknown. Neither the security agencies nor the government could account for his disappearance and his family is left traumatized.”

Ifoh said the whole essence of a government is to provide security and well-being for the people; that constitutional provision is lacking in Anambra State at present.

He added that it is unbelievable and unspeakable that a personality as high as a legislator could be abducted for over a month and the government was incapable of rescuing him.

“Though, information has it that the police has made arrests of some suspects, we are however calling for a proper and deeper investigation to unravel the real culprits. We are not by anyway suggesting political motive.

“That would be left for the security agencies to determine, however, we are not unmindful of the circumstances that led to his regaining his mandate after a court ruling ousted the previous winner, from another party who was initially declared the winner of the 2023 election.

“We are therefore calling on all our party members in Anambra State to maintain peace and allow the security agencies to diligently carry out their duties. We also encourage them not to be dampened by this unfortunate incident but rather remain focused on the activities ahead.

“On behalf of the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, National Executive Committee and the state executive committee, we pray that the Almighty God will grant the deceased eternal rest. We also condole the immediate family and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

When you intend to travel out of the country either to study or stay for some time, your host country needs to be sure you can sponsor yourself for the trip and also fend for yourself when you get there. Documents you need as proof of financial stability for a visa application are like a certification to ascertain that you have all the money you claim. That is, there must be evidence that shows that you have the money to meet your expenses whether to study, relocate, or for any other reason.

One notable thing is that if your family is involved; maybe your wife and or your children, definitely your financial capability must be high.

1. Bank statement

The most essential document you must tender to any country’s embassy is your bank statement. It is a record that contains all your financial transactions over a specific period. The account must bear your name and the details should be older than six months. Most banks include the following information:

• Transaction description.

• Transaction date.

• The deposits made into the account (credits).

• The sum taken out of the account (debits).

• Account balance.

2. Not having enough funds

It is possible not to have enough funds (it depends on the country) that can make you eligible to apply for a visa. There are other ways you can solicit help such as spouse sponsorship, employer sponsorship, moneylenders, or family and friends.

3. Employer sponsorship

Employer sponsorship is another document that can serve as proof of your financial stability. You have to provide an employment letter from the company that hired you, your account that has details of how you’re paid, and a sponsorship letter from your company. All these credentials can help you secure a visa.

4. Spouse sponsorship

Any document that can prove your relationship with your spouse is what you would tender at the embassy. Spouse sponsorship apart from employer sponsorship is one of the most common ways of getting help for a visa application.

5. Family and Friends

Your family and friends can be of great help to you by lending you money.

6. Moneylenders

There are different money lending fintech companies in Nigeria now. What they need from you is your phone number, Bank Verification Number, and guarantors’ details. But this kind of fund comes with a lot of interest.

Leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta North senatorial district yesterday resolved to commence legal processes to retrieve the party’s senatorial mandate from Senator Ned Nwoko who recently defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party leaders stated this at a meeting summoned and presided over by the Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme.

Nwoko, who represents the senatorial district, formally left PDP on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, citing crisis within his former party. He has since joined the APC.

Nwoko’s defection comes amid the State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s denial of defection plans to the APC.

However, the motion for the retrieval of the mandate from Nwoko was moved at the meeting by the member representing Ika federal constituency at the House of Representatives and seconded by the Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, (DSHA), Hon. Emeka Nwobi.

The motion was put to a voice vote by the deputy governor and it was adopted by the people.

Addressing the party leaders, the deputy governor, Onyeme, said all elected and appointed officials of the state government are PDP ambassadors.

Onyeme urged the leaders to be in touch with the grassroots and ensure members are not dissuaded by the opposition parties.

He said their political offices are platforms to serve humanity, the PDP and Delta State, noting that Delta North is the party’s bride which should jealously guard to maintain its dominance.

He told the PDP leaders to embark on various forms of empowerment programmes and directed the PDP senatorial and local government chairmen to ensure that they attended party activities and meetings.

Onyeme emphasised the need for elected and appointed officials to always go to the wards and council areas and asked council chairmen to jettison the habit of staying in Asaba.

“Delta North should remain PDP dominant Senatorial District. We must consolidate our position as the main determinant for all elections in Delta state.

As the debate continues to heat up around the alleged misappropriation of funds by the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, another group has come out to charge the anti-graft agency to do its job by arresting him.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday and signed by Barr Gideon Jato and Bro Sunday Adoka, President and Secretary, respectively, of Northern Christians Accord (NCA), the group reiterated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was long overdue to arrest Mallam El-Rufai.

The group wondered why the EFCC was yet to act, even after a series of petitions were submitted at the national headquarters after the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted El-Rufai and some key officials of his government of embezzling N423bn.

The Kaduna State Assembly ad-hoc committee probing the financial dealings of former Governor El-Rufai‘s eight-year administration in June 2024 indicted him and some key members of his cabinet for alleged corruption in the awards of contracts and management of both domestic and foreign loans obtained by his government.

In the report submitted to the House by the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Henry Danjuma, it said that there was evidence of several cases of corruption in the running of the affairs of the Government, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in Kaduna State from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023.

After adopting the report, the House recommended, amongst other things, that the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service withdraw the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account domiciled at Zenith Bank as Security for N20,000,000,000.00 guaranteed in 2023 forthwith and request the bank to refund all monies deducted on account of the purported illegal guarantee together with the accrued interest thereof.

The House also recommended that all the Commissioners of Finance and the Accountants General of the State from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thorough investigation.

Subsequently, in July 2024, a group under the auspices of Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG) filed petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Mallam El-Rufai and his men over an alleged N423 billion fraud.

Seven months after the indictment by the Parliament and the attendant petitions to the anti-graft agencies, no action has been taken to arrest or probe the former Governor.

„We perceive this as an affront and total disregard to the rule of law and a great insult to the sensibility of the people of Kaduna State, especially the institution of the State House of Assembly.

„For the EFCC and ICPC to have closed their eyes and shut their ears against the indictments, petitions and cries of Kaduna people only means they support corruption in Nigeria and, as such, shielding El-Rufai.

“It is very glaring that the law in Nigeria is centrifugally positioned to favour some people and witch-hunt others. We remember how the EFCC was battling day and night a few months ago, looking for the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, over a petition from a group in the state.

“But the same EFCC has brazenly become blind, deaf and dumb over the El-Rufai issue, despite the indictment by the House of Assembly and having received a series of petitions from various groups. In the case of Kogi State, the Assembly did not indict the former governor, but the EFCC went for him, arrested him, and arraigned him. However, Kaduna is a special case that cannot be handled because El-Rufai is untouchable.

“The man alleged to have stolen N80bn is already standing trial. Why is it taking EFCC and others years to prosecute a man indicted for almost N500bn?

“The Northern Christians Accord is giving the EFCC and other agencies responsible for the arrest, prosecution and recovery of the N423 billion confirmed by the Assembly to have been embezzled by El-Rufai to do the needful and save themselves and the nation of this monumental embarrassment.

“Failure to do so, we shall not hesitate to create awareness about the complacency of the agencies, both within Nigeria and to the international community. We shall also mobilise our members across the 19 northern states to march to the headquarters of EFCC and National Assembly“, the group added.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says its operatives have arrested one Rabiu Aliyu Salisu for allegedly defrauding Deborah Woods, a US national, of $597,000.

Speaking during the parade of suspects on Thursday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said Salisu fraudulently used the identity of an American citizen to carry out the alleged fraud.

Adejobi said operatives of the cybercrime centre also arrested two suspects identified as Saidu Adam Usman and Yusuf Umar for allegedly creating fictitious accounts to commit N400 million fraud.

The force spokesperson said 82 suspects were arrested for internet fraud and other cyber related crimes in January 2025.

“Among these cases is the arrest of two individuals, Saidu Adam Usman ‘m’, and Yusuf Umar ‘m’, in connection with the creation and distribution of compromised financial accounts used to facilitate fraudulent transactions amounting to over four hundred million naira,” Adejobi said.

“The suspects created Moniepoint profiles using pre-registered SIM cards and email addresses and then distributed to local accomplices across different states for KYC verification, fraudulently obtaining bank verification numbers (BVNs) and KYC details from individuals.

“Upon completion of the KYC process, the suspects would change the passwords to secure them for their unknown foreign contractor.

“Another significant arrest is that of one Rabiu Aliyu Salisu AKA Rabo, involved in identity theft, computer-related fraud, and money laundering.

“The suspect had fraudulently assumed the identity of an American citizen, presenting himself as Matthew Ramsey, and defrauded one Deborah Woods, an American national, of $597,000.

“Following a filed petition for criminal defamation, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and falsehood, the force also secured the arrest of one Idowu Smart Emmanuel, who eventually admitted to his crimes and confessed that his allegations were false.”

Federal workers associations in the US have asked a federal high court in Washington to stop the Donald Trump administration from shutting down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The lawsuit was filed by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

The workers hinge their suit on the argument that USAID is a creation of congress which cannot be dismantled by the executive branch of government.

USAID is the world’s foremost development agency responsible for billions of dollars in US aid projects across the globe. Its scope of operations include healthcare, disaster relief, nutrition, and sex education.

Trump and Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and head of the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have targeted USAID as part of a wide ranging move to shrink the federal workforce and save taxpayer funds.

On February 5, USAID announced that it was placing all directly-hired staff globally on administrative leave after DOGE staffers forcefully gained access to its headquarters and database.

The agency also said personnel posted overseas would be recalled within 30 days.

On Thursday, the Trump administration presented a plan to dismantle USAID — which would see the agency reduced to 300 staff from 10,000.

Democrats in congress have described the administration’s moves as unconstitutional.

In their suit, the workers are asking the court to compel the Trump administration to reopen USAID buildings, return employees to work and restore funding.

They said government officials “failed to acknowledge the catastrophic consequences of their actions, both as they pertain to American workers, the lives of millions around the world, and to US national interests”.

Trump intends to effectively dismantle USAID and move the organisation’s operations to the State Department.

Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, said USAID must align its programmes with policies of the Trump administration to move forward.

“The United States is not walking away from foreign aid. It’s not,” Rubio said on Wednesday during a visit to Guatemala.

“We’re going to continue to provide foreign aid and to be involved in programmes, but it has to be programmes that we can defend.

“It has to be programmes that we can explain. It has to be programmes that we can justify. Otherwise, we do endanger foreign aid.”

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has arrested Adam Imam Yusuf, a Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Kogi State, over the alleged diversion of more than N3 billion.

Yusuf, who had been at large until now, was taken into custody from his residence in Gwagwalada, Abuja, and is set to face prosecution.

ICPC investigations revealed that the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (rtd.), allegedly orchestrated the fraud through Yusuf and former Brigadier General Ishaya Bauka Gangum (rtd.).

The alleged scheme reportedly involved the diversion of public funds using 92 fictitious companies that were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

An investigation by the ICPC traced these funds to Lahab Integrated, Gate Coast Properties, and other affiliated companies, leading to the acquisition of over 18 properties, including filling stations.

Four of these properties have been forfeited to the government so far, while legal proceedings continue regarding the remaining assets.

The ICPC is also intensifying efforts to apprehend other suspects who remain at large