Author: bibncollar

Fellow Nigerians Today, we celebrate not only democracy but also the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.Elections and Democratic InstitutionsIn the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls…

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday moved swiftly to protect its institutional integrity, nullifying an arrest warrant issued by its Committee on Public Accounts against former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari. In the same vein, the upper legislative chamber formally distanced itself from remarks made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who had described the NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves” during the committee’s ongoing probe. The decision came after an extensive debate on a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. The motion was unanimously adopted, with senators emphasising strict adherence to…

The Senate on Thursday approved a fresh three-month extension for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, shifting the implementation deadline from June 30, 2026, to September 30, 2026.The move is intended to salvage ongoing projects and give Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) more time to fully utilise already released funds. This represents the third extension granted for the 2025 capital budget. The National Assembly had earlier moved the original December 31, 2025 deadline to March 31, 2026, and subsequently to June 30, 2026. Sponsor of the motion, Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Munguno, said the extension was necessary…

Nigeria and Ethiopia have signed a landmark Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement, enabling convicted nationals of both countries to serve their prison terms in their home nations under agreed legal conditions.The pact was signed on Thursday in Addis Ababa by Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and Ethiopia’s Justice Minister, Hanna Arayaselassie. The ceremony was witnessed by senior officials from both governments and facilitated by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and her Ethiopian counterpart, Gideon Timothewos.Describing the agreement as a reflection of shared commitment to justice, humanity, and international cooperation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the importance of family…

Authorities at the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) are mourning the loss of a 300-level Biochemistry student, Zaharadeen Nuhu, who was brutally killed by suspected thieves in an off-campus hostel attack.The incident occurred at a private hostel in Kalgo Local Government Area of Kebbi State. Nuhu, a native of Niger State, sustained severe machete injuries during the attack and was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Thursday, June 11, 2026. Announcing the tragic death in a circular issued on Thursday, the university’s Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Magawata, described the loss…

South Africa has begun repatriating 586 Nigerian nationals found to be living illegally in the country, with the first group of 268 deportees returning on Thursday.The South African Department of Home Affairs said all individuals processed for deportation were issued Emergency Travel Documents by the Nigerian High Commission to enable their return. The affected Nigerians were declared undesirable persons under the country’s Immigration Act and banned from re-entering South Africa for five years. The department praised the Nigerian High Commission for its cooperation during the documentation and repatriation process. A second flight carrying the remaining deportees is scheduled for 15…

Manchester City have tabled a British-record verbal offer worth £106 million ($142 million) for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with performance-related add-ons potentially pushing the total value beyond £120 million ($161 million), according to sources.Forest are understood to value the 23-year-old at £120 million before bonuses and have already turned down an earlier City proposal around the £85 million mark. The new bid would eclipse Arsenal’s £105 million capture of Declan Rice from West Ham in 2023, though it would fall just short of the overall British club-to-club record set by Alexander Isak’s £125 million move from Newcastle to Liverpool.Anderson,…

Farouk Aliyu, a prominent chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has dismissed suggestions by some party members that Nigeria’s worsening security situation is being orchestrated by the opposition, insisting instead that criminal elements are to blame.Aliyu urged the government to confront the crisis directly rather than engaging in partisan blame games. He stressed that insecurity should not be politicised, describing it as a national calamity affecting all citizens irrespective of political or ethnic lines.“I do not subscribe to those members of APC that think that this is work of opposition. It’s totally untrue. It’s not the work of…

A bill aimed at establishing state police and devolving policing powers to subnational governments to bolster Nigeria’s internal security architecture on Thursday successfully scaled second reading in the Senate.The legislation, which enjoys broad bipartisan backing across political lines, was referred to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution by Senate President Godswill Akpabio for further legislative scrutiny and refinement.Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who sponsored the bill, led the debate, underscoring the urgent need to address the Nigeria Police Force’s diminishing capacity to maintain internal stability in the face of escalating security threats.Nigeria continues to grapple…

The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 12, 2026, a public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebrations.The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.According to the statement, the declaration underscores the significance of June 12 as a defining milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey. It pays tribute to the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of Nigerians who fought for the restoration of democratic governance.“The Federal Government remains committed to preserving democratic ideals, including the rule of law,…