A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has urged Nigerians not to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election, accusing him of playing ethnic politics. Lawal made the remarks during a telephone interview with the PUNCH on the night of Wednesday, 23 July, 2026 while reacting to the controversy surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket in Adamawa State. He alleged that Atiku was behind moves to replace the party’s governorship candidate, Suleiman Omar, with Tukur Modibbo. “Atiku Abubakar wants to replace Suleiman Omar as the governorship candidate of the African…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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Mild drama occurred in Edo State as an alleged altercation between a bride and her mother-in-law over food reportedly led to the collapse of a marriage. A viral video of the drama which gained traction on Friday, originated from a July 20 broadcast by Independent Television and Radio, Edo State. According to the broadcaster, the incident occurred during a wedding reception after food had run out. A couple from the groom’s family reportedly arrived late, leaving only the portion of food the bride had reserved for her parents. The report alleged that the groom’s mother quietly asked the bride if…
Reprieve came the way of President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday, 24 July, 2026 as South African court presided over by Judge Andre le Grange stopped impeachment proceedings against him over a scandal involving half-a-million dollars stashed in a sofa at his ranch. Ramaphosa asked the Western Cape High Court to stop the work of a parliamentary impeachment committee until his review of a November 2022 report that found he “may have committed” serious violations and misconduct. He has denied any wrongdoing and ruled out resigning over the incident since the allegedly undeclared stash of foreign currency came to light after…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, 24 July, 2026 announced that it has handed over N108 million recovered from an alleged fraud involving two former employees to Karren Walters Attorneys in Lagos, reports thegazzellenews.com. The commission, which made the announcement through a statement on Friday, 24 July, 2026, said the funds, presented in bank drafts, formed part of money recovered during an investigation into an alleged case of abuse of office, forgery, stealing and diversion involving two former employees of the company. According to the anti-graft agency, investigations revealed that the suspects, Nkechi Gladys Megai, who is currently…
The United States on Thursday, 23 July, 2026 announced new tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including Nigeria, over what it described as their failure to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour. The measures, announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday, imposed tariffs of either 10 per cent or 12.5 per cent, depending on each country’s forced labour import policies. According to the USTR, the decision followed investigations launched in May 2026 under Section 301 of the Trade Act into 60 of the United States’ largest trading partners. The agency said it…
Seventy six years –old Bangladesh’s President, Mohammed Shahabuddin, a,close ally of former premier Sheikh Hasina, resigned from the largely ceremonial role on Friday, 24 July, 2026 citing ill health, according to a letter seen by AFP. President Shahabuddin confirmed he was stepping down in a call with AFP. “Yes, I have resigned,” Shahabuddin said when asked about widespread speculation that he planned to step down before completing his full term ending in 2028. He did not provide further details. In a resignation letter to the speaker of parliament, seen by AFP, Shahabuddin cited his deteriorating health. “Due to worsening physical…
Popular American R&B superstar, Chris Brown on Friday, 24 July, 2026, pleaded guilty to affray, a public order offence, over a 2023 nightclub altercation in London, bringing an end to the possibility of a trial on more serious charges. The 37-year-old singer entered the plea on Friday, at Southwark Crown Court in London after the charge was read to him. “Guilty,” Brown replied while standing in the dock dressed in a beige suit and dark brown tie. The guilty plea means he will no longer face trial on additional allegations, including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possession…
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, on Friday, 24 July, 2026 predicted that Artificial Intelligence could become more intelligent than the combined capabilities of all humans within the next five years, just as he also handed down warning that the technology’s rapid advancement may be impossible to stop. Musk made the projection during an interview with The Economist published on Friday, 24 July, 2026 saying AI would eventually outperform humans in almost every field, with the exception of the human experience itself. According to him, development of advanced AI would most likely usher in an era of unprecedented abundance rather…
By Bashir Adefaka Defending Islam in today’s world can be an extraordinarily difficult and lonely responsibility, particularly when the struggle is not only against external misconceptions and hostility but also against internal divisions, betrayal and the actions of individuals who, knowingly or unknowingly, create additional burdens for the Muslim community. My Nigerian experience has taught me that the challenges confronting Islam and Muslims are often more complex than they appear on the surface. In many instances, those who claim to defend the faith are forced to contend simultaneously with external critics and internal actors whose actions sometimes weaken the very…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola A renewed push to improve the quality of basic education in Lagos gathered momentum as the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in partnership with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), commenced the distribution of 15,675 teaching and learning materials to public primary schools across the state’s 20 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs). The distribution exercise was flagged off on Thursday, 23 July, 2026 at LASUBEB’s Multi-Purpose Hall, Maryland, Ikeja. Beyond the conventional instructional materials, the exercise also covered the distribution of HOPE EDU learning resources for Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE) centres…