Author: bibncollar

Senior officials attending high-level talks have welcomed a fresh diplomatic opening aimed at reducing tensions with Iran, describing the development as a promising step toward greater stability across the Middle East.Attention at the meetings, however, swiftly pivoted to mounting concerns over China’s growing control of critical mineral supplies. Leaders warned that Beijing’s dominance in materials essential for electronics, renewable energy technologies, and defense equipment represents a significant strategic vulnerability for Western economies.The issue of mineral supply security has been elevated to a top priority on the G7 agenda. Diplomats said discussions are now centering on concrete measures to diversify sourcing,…

A Katsina State High Court has sentenced Hauwa’u Mukhtar to death by hanging for aiding terrorism by supplying arms to bandits. Justice A. B. Bawale, presiding over the case, handed down the sentence after finding Mukhtar guilty on terrorism-related charges. The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned her on a two-count charge. According to court proceedings, Mukhtar was arrested by DSS operatives at the Jibia motor park while allegedly transporting 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The ammunition was reportedly destined for a notorious bandit leader identified as Ado, who operates in the Dunburum forest in neighbouring Zamfara State. Security…

By Chinedu Agu The recent decision of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission [JSC] to narrow the list of candidates for the office of the substantive Chief Judge of Imo State to only Hon. Justice C.A. Ononeze-Madu and Hon. Justice E.O. Agada raises more questions than answers. Initially, in its communication to the Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri, the JSC invited comments on the suitability of four eminent judicial officers, namely: Hon. Justice I.O. Agugua [the Acting Chief Judge], Hon. Justice C.A. Ononeze-Madu, Hon. Justice E.O. Agada, and Hon. Justice L.C. Azuama. This was in their order of judicial seniority. After…

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to reach 4 per cent by the end of 2026, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said on Wednesday.Rewane, speaking at the 2026 PEARL Awards Corporate Summit in Lagos, also forecasted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would likely maintain its benchmark monetary policy rate at around 26.5 per cent throughout the year as authorities continue to battle inflationary pressures. He added that meaningful rate cuts are not expected until 2027, after the conclusion of national elections.Addressing the summit themed “Policy Reform and Corporate Competitiveness: Navigating Towards a Sustainable…

Gunmen launched a late-night assault on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, near Jos, killing three security personnel in a fierce exchange that was quickly contained by responding forces. The attack occurred around 11:40 p.m. on Monday when the assailants stormed the premises of Nigeria’s premier policy research institute and opened fire on security operatives. According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen attempted to force their way toward the residential quarters housing course participants. Security personnel, including soldiers and police officers, engaged the attackers in a gun battle, successfully preventing them from breaching deeper into the…

Nigeria is set to transform its border management by moving away from traditional manpower-based patrols to a sophisticated, technology-driven Smart Border Management System (SBMS) powered by drones, artificial intelligence, and real-time intelligence sharing.The initiative was highlighted in a proposal presented by Rear Admiral S.S. Lassa (rtd) at the National Boundary Commission’s High-Level National Workshop on “Border Security, Resilience and Cross-Border Cooperation” held in Abuja.Citing the Broken Windows Theory, Lassa warned that porous and poorly monitored border areas create fertile ground for serious crimes, including smuggling, terrorism, arms trafficking, and irregular migration.Nigeria’s borders span over 4,454 kilometres of land frontiers with…

Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass for the ages on Tuesday night, firing a brilliant hat-trick to equal the all-time World Cup goals record as defending champions Argentina kicked off their title defense with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium.The 38-year-old superstar, making history as the first player to appear in six World Cups, lit up the 69,045-capacity venue in his 200th international appearance. Messi’s dazzling display lifted him alongside Germany legend Miroslav Klose at the summit of the tournament’s scoring charts with 16 goals.From the moment the Argentine captain led his side out, the occasion crackled with…

The Federal Government has auctioned a prime six-floor hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, along with three other high-value properties seized from drug kingpins, generating a total of N6.148 billion.The assets were forfeited to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) through court processes. Director of Media and Advocacy for the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the outcome of the competitive bidding exercise on Tuesday.According to officials, eight forfeited assets were listed for auction. While four attracted winning bids above their reserved prices, the other four failed to meet the thresholds as no bidder offered up to the set amounts.At the bid-opening…

‏The Nigerian Senate has said it will examine recent comments by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) alleging irregularities in the committee report that recommended the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).‏ Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. He assured that the upper chamber would take a “cursory look” at any extraneous, spontaneous, or intentional remarks made by senators on the matter. Oshiomhole had earlier claimed that the names of at least three senators appeared on the committee report without their knowledge or endorsement. According to him, some lawmakers whose…

Three weeks after its controversial primaries, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) remains embroiled in accusations of vote-buying and high-handedness in its candidate selection process ahead of the 2027 general elections.On Tuesday, the party formally invited its disaffected aspirants to the national secretariat to sign an indemnity form, barring them from approaching the courts over the outcome of the primaries.The invitation, issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, reads: “You are invited to the media coverage of NDC candidates signing of indemnity form. Date: Tuesday, 16th June, 2026. Venue: NDC party Secretariat. Time: 2pm.”The move comes barely a week…