Author: bibncollar

The Group of Seven (G7) nations on Friday urged Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or risk further sanctions. In a draft statement, the G7—comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States—stressed the importance of strong security measures to uphold any ceasefire agreement. “G7 members called for Russia to reciprocate by agreeing to a ceasefire on equal terms and implementing it fully,” the statement read. Senior diplomats have approved the draft, but it still requires ministerial approval, according to G7 officials. “They emphasised that any ceasefire must be upheld and underscored the need for robust…

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has stated that international students on visas will be deported if their presence is deemed not in the best interest of the country. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Vance indicated that deportation numbers are expected to rise as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies efforts to remove illegal migrants. He noted Trump’s impatience with the current deportation process and assured that removals would increase. When asked whether legally admitted foreign students could also be affected, Vance confirmed, citing national security concerns. “This is not fundamentally about free speech. Yes, it’s about national security, but…

A coalition of youth members within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has strongly opposed the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of attempting to seize control of the party for his personal political ambitions. El-Rufai, who recently resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), formally joined the SDP this week amid ongoing political realignments. However, his move has sparked internal resistance, particularly from the SDP Youths and Supporters Coalition, which insists that his entry threatens the party’s democratic principles. In a statement on Friday, the coalition’s president, Comrade Abdulsamad Bello, described El-Rufai as “unfit and…

President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s economic policies, stating that they were necessary to safeguard Nigeria’s future and prevent financial collapse. In a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu made these remarks on Thursday at the State House in Abuja while receiving a delegation of former National Assembly colleagues from the aborted Third Republic, where he served as a senator representing Lagos West. The president lamented that for five decades, Nigeria had been depleting resources meant for future generations while also subsidizing fuel consumption in West African countries. He stressed that this unsustainable practice made it increasingly difficult…

Former senator Nicholas Tofowomo has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step aside to allow for an impartial investigation into sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Speaking to journalists in Okitipupa on Friday, Tofowomo, who represented Ondo South in the ninth National Assembly, argued that Akpabio “cannot preside over his own case.” The controversy stems from a dispute between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan over seating arrangements during a plenary session, which led to the latter’s six-month suspension from the Senate on March 6. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has since accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and petitioned…

The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will start afresh on March 21, 2025, before a new judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja. It was reported that Justice James Omotosho will preside over the case, replacing Justice Binta Nyako. Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the development, stating that the legal team is prepared. However, he revealed that they have yet to be served with the specific charges Kanu will face in the new trial. Kanu has been facing legal proceedings over his push for the actualization of Biafra. In September 2024,…

Nigeria’s immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, has dismissed speculations that he has left the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Buhari reaffirmed his commitment to the party, stating unequivocally that he remains a loyal member. “Without referring to any individual, issues, or ongoing discussions within the party, former President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated, as he has many times before, that he is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and should be addressed as such,” the statement read. Buhari further emphasized his dedication to the party that twice elected him…

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, have issued a stern warning to Nigerians against the abuse and illegal trading of the Naira. Speaking at a security workshop in Abuja on Thursday, which brought together law enforcement agencies, Cardoso revealed that recent investigations uncovered widespread cases of Naira abuse across major commercial cities, including Abuja, Asaba, Awka, Benin, Ilorin, Kano, and Ibadan. “Our findings indicate that a premium of 20 to 40 percent is being charged on banknotes during illegal transactions,” Cardoso stated. “In a recent case, N2.3…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to reject a ceasefire proposal but is afraid to admit this directly to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking in his evening address on Thursday, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of setting preconditions for a ceasefire to stall or prevent it entirely. “He is, in fact, preparing a rejection because Putin is afraid to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy stated. According to him, Russia is deliberately attaching conditions to the ceasefire to prolong the conflict. “That’s why…

The naira extended its losing streak against the dollar for the fourth consecutive trading session, marking its steepest depreciation in 48 hours. According to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the naira fell to ₦1,554.85 per dollar on Thursday, down from ₦1,543.91 recorded on Wednesday—representing a ₦10.92 drop at the official market. Similarly, in the black market, the naira weakened further to ₦1,590 per dollar on Thursday, a ₦5 decline from the previous day’s rate of ₦1,585. The continuous decline suggests that the naira is rapidly reversing its previous months of appreciation and stability, despite intervention measures by…