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 SOARING BEYOND THE SKIES: NAF LAUNCHES AI & SPACE TECH ERA AT 61ST ANNIVERSARY COLLOQUIUM The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in collaboration with the Bradford-Redunchintala Centre for Space Artificial Intelligence, on 19 May 2025, held a historic International Colloquium as part of activities marking its 61st Anniversary, ushering in a new era of strategic innovation in space science and artificial intelligence. Speaking at the event, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar emphasized that the colloquium is a strategic milestone in line with his command philosophy which is to transform the NAF into “an agile and resilient force that effectively meets the airpower demands of national security in all operational environments.” The CAS noted that that the “Colloquium is more than a ceremonial event. It is the foundation of a strategic partnership to harness the power of space science and artificial intelligence for the enhancement of our national development ...

  Six Abducted As Armed Bandits Invade Kaduna Community Armed bandits have reportedly abducted six individuals in the early hours of Sunday in Hayin Gizo, a remote area in the Garun Kurama district of Lere Local Government Area, Kaduna State. According to a local source, the attackers stormed the community around 1:30 a.m., brandishing weapons and terrorizing residents in an operation that lasted until about 3:00 a.m. “The kidnappers took six able-bodied men and a woman,” the source said. “They later released the woman due to her poor health condition.” Among the abducted are two Igbo traders residing in the area. The source urged security agencies and compassionate citizens to intervene swiftly to ensure the victims' safe return. He described the abductees as subsistence farmers struggling to make ends meet, appealing to the kidnappers for mercy, as their families are unable to afford any ransom. Lere and neighboring local government areas—Kauru, Kachia, Zango Kataf, and Jema’a—ha...

 BENUE-BORN JUDGE REPLACES INYANG AS ABUJA HIGH COURT CHIEF JUDGE  ...Approves redeployment of other judges. 18th May, 2025     |     8:26 PM  The Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho has replaced Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Abuja division of the court who was suspended for one year by the National Judicial Council (NJC). Justice Ekwo’s court has been taken over by Justice M. G. Umar who was moved from Enugu judicial division to Abuja. Similarly, four other judges have been redeployed from their current divisions to other divisions. No reason was adduced for the action of the Chief Judge, made public in a statement on Sunday by the Director of Information of the Court, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher . The statement indicated that the redeployment takes immediate effect Those redeployed are; Justices M. G. Umar from Enugu judicial division to Abuja, Tijjani Garba Ringim, from Gombe division to Yo...

 Shettima Commends Gov Abiodun, Describes Gateway Games Opening Ceremony as Masterpiece  Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the opening ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games as a masterpiece event and an awesome outing that he has not witnessed anywhere before. Shettima also described sports as a unifier, capable of turning the nation away from the echoes of war and ensuring the togetherness of every Nigerian irrespective of their tribe, tongue, and religion. The Vice President made the remarks while speaking with journalists at the Gateway International Airport on his way back to Abuja after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the opening ceremony of the NSF at the MKO Abiola Sport Arena, Abeokuta. Senator Shettima, who commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for passionately showcasing the state to the world through the sports festival, said that the federal government cannot stop thanking the state for hosting nearly 20,000 Nigerians f...

 Suspected Rapist Machetes 14-Year-Old Girl into Coma in Abia A 14-year-old girl, Felicia, is in a coma after being brutally attacked with a machete by a suspected rapist, Chinazum Ubani, in Obete Nchina Village, Ntighauzo community, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State. The incident occurred when Felicia and her peers were fetching firewood in a bush, where Ubani allegedly attempted to rape her. According to reports, Felicia resisted the assault, prompting Ubani to attack her with a machete, inflicting deep cuts on her head, leg, and hand. He fled the scene, leaving her in a pool of blood. Felicia’s companions, who escaped the attack, alerted her family. Her father, Chijioke Anaba, said a search party found her unconscious due to severe blood loss and rushed her to a hospital. Anaba alleged that the Eastern Ngwa Division of the Nigeria Police demanded N30,000 to register the case, despite visiting Felicia in the hospital. He expressed fears that Ubani, a resident of the sam...

 Ballon d’Or 2025 to Feature Equal Awards for Men and Women The Ballon d’Or award ceremony, scheduled for September 22, 2025, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, will feature an equal number of awards for male and female footballers for the first time, organizers announced on Monday. France Football magazine and UEFA confirmed the addition of three new women’s categories: best women’s goalkeeper, best young women’s player, and top women’s scorer for club or national team. This brings the total to six awards for male players and six for female players, alongside the gender-neutral Socrates Award, which recognizes actions promoting solidarity. Nominees for all categories will be announced in early August. The announcement follows last year’s controversy, when Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony after learning their Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior did not win the best men’s player award, which was awarded to Manchester City’s Rodri. The 2025 ceremony aims to mark a new era of gender...

  Multiple Feared Dead in Second Fatal Crash on Karu Bridge in Abuja A devastating accident on Karu Bridge along the Nyanya-Keffi road in Abuja has left several people feared dead, marking the second fatal crash at the same location within 24 hours.  According to eyewitnesses, the collision involved a trailer and a vehicle transporting sachet water, popularly known as “pure water.” The incident has heightened concerns about road safety on this heavily trafficked route. Emergency response teams are currently at the scene, working to assist victims and manage the situation. The exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed at this time. Authorities have yet to release an official statement, but the recurrence of deadly accidents on Karu Bridge has sparked urgent calls for improved safety measures along the corridor.  More details are expected as the situation develops.

 TCN snubs local manufacturers, awards Chinese firms over N160bn contracts Transmission Company of Nigeria has snubbed local manufacturers to award two Chinese firms electricity metre manufacturing contracts worth over N160 billion. The president of the Association of Metre Manufacturers of Nigeria, Durosola Omogbenigun, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. This comes as TCN, through a World Bank loan, contracted two Chinese companies to supply 1.25 million metres, worth over $100 million despite calls to patronise local manufacturers. AMMON expressed concerns at the pace of the contracts’ execution by the Chinese companies, noting that only 75,000 metres out of 1.25 million have been delivered so far. According to AMMON, despite the questionable contract execution performance in the first procurement by TCN, the agency has planned to embark on another World Bank procurement of 1.55 million metres from a foreign company. AMMON reacting said, TCN ignoring local firms for foreign...

 I will not contest against Tinubu in 2027 – Wike   Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculations about a possible 2027 presidential run, firmly stating that he will not contest against President Bola Tinubu. Wike recently sparked political debate by calling on his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South — a move that many interpreted as a sign he might be preparing to challenge Tinubu.  However, in an interview with BBC News Pidgin published over the weekend, the former Rivers Governor set the record straight. “I will not contest. Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?” Wike said, reiterating his loyalty to the current administration. He further emphasised that no opposition candidate presently stands a realistic chance against President Tinubu. “I will not contest again. I cannot contest against someone I am working with. Who will win except him?” he added.

 Lagos begins enforcement of ban on single-use plastics July 1 The Lagos State Government has said it will begin the full enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics on July 1. The Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement on X on Monday. He explained that the state government had been intentional and strategic with 18 months of dialogue, engagement and transition. Wahab noted that within the space of almost 18 months, the government had a series of stakeholders’ engagements with marketers and producers of these products. The state government in January 2024, banned the use of Styrofoam across the state, a decision that elicited reactions from residents, especially traders in deal in the sale of the product. But the commissioner said the government had given an ample time to align with global best practices, noting that what is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become standard in Lagos. “We re-emphasised this stand during a courtesy visit by managemen...

  GOV. SANWO-OLU COMMISSIONS LBIC/MEGAMOUND GREATER LAGOS APARTMENTS AT OBELE-ONIWALA AND CROWN EXQUISITE HOMES AT IPONRI IN SURULERE, ON MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025 Aerial view of the LBIC/Crown Exquisite Homes, at Iponri, Surulere, officially commissioned by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, May 19, 2025. Inset (l-r): Chairman, Crown Exquisite Homes, Mrs. Adebukola Okusaga; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Managing Director/CEO, Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) Plc, Mr. Olusola Faleye; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Board Chairman, LBIC, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran and the SSG, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin during the commissioning.  Aerial view of the LBIC/Megamound Greater Lagos Apartments, Obele-Oniwala, Surulere, officially commissioned by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, May 19, 2025. Inset (l-r): Managing Director/CEO, Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) Plc, Mr. Olusola Faleye; Deputy Governor of Lagos Stat...

 AUDITOR-GENERAL, ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL SIGN 2024 LAGOS STATE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The State Auditor-General, Dr. Muyiwa John Adetola and his counterpart, the Accountant-General, Dr. Abiodun Muritala and other stakeholders recently met in the conference room of the Office of the State Auditor-General, Alausa. Ikeja and signed the Lagos State Audited Financial statements for the year 2024. In his remarks, the State Auditor-General, Dr. Muyiwa Adetola warmly welcomed the Accountant General/Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office, the Permanent Secretary, Debt Management Office, Mrs. Rukayat Alake Sanusi and Directors in the Office of the Auditor-General and the State Treasury Office to the signing of the 2024 financial statements for Lagos State. He equally appreciated Dr. Olufunke O. Tayo-Makanjuola, the Director, Government Accounts, and her team's impact, contributions, and commitment thus far. The Audited Financial Statements, he said, are crucial for ensuring accountabil...

 Police arrest officer caught in viral video assaulting driver in Lagos 19th May 2025 Police Inspector caught in viral video assaulting driver in Lagos The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Inspector Obic Modestus, a police officer seen in a viral video violently assaulting an Uber driver. The video which was shared by X user, Oyindamola, who identifies as #dammiedammie35 , showed the officer repeatedly beating the driver. He wrote, “A new video of Nigerian police men violently assault!ng an Uber driver. Please spread this video cos this is someone’s father they’re beat!ng like an animal like this.” Responding to the video on Monday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated, “The Police Officer, Inspector Obic Modestus, has been summoned by the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) #LagosPoliceNG. He will be handed over to the Provost Department for appropriate disciplinary measures. “The Lagos State Police Command, under CP Ol...

  Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Move Ahead with Ending Protected Legal Status for Some Venezuelans May 19, 2025 — Washington, D.C. In a landmark 5-4 decision issued this morning, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with its efforts to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Venezuelan nationals, reversing lower court rulings that had blocked the move for years. The ruling clears the path for the government to terminate TPS protections that have shielded certain Venezuelans from deportation and allowed them to work legally in the United States. The program was initially granted in 2021 due to the political and humanitarian crisis under Nicolás Maduro’s regime but has been subject to repeated legal challenges since. Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, stated, “The executive branch retains broad discretion in matters of immigration and foreign policy. While the humanitarian concerns are real, they do not overr...

ANAMBRA POLICE COMMAND WADES INTO DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ANAMBRA STATE CORRESPONDENTS CHAPEL AND NIGERIA UNION JOURNALISTS ANAMBRA STATE COUNCIL The Anambra State Police Command, today, 19th May 2025, waded into the differences between the Anambra State Correspondents Chapel and the Nigeria Union of  Journalists Anambra State Council. This is aimed at resolving the issues at stake and to allow a smooth transition of leadership. The intervention of the Commissioner of Police, *CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD* aims to promote unity and stability within the bodies as all the parties have agreed to resolve their differences by allowing journalists to focus on their professional duties. The *CP* sued for calm and sought further cooperation among the parties, especially some interested personalities even as the deliberations is ongoing.  *SP Tochukwu Ikenga* Police Public Relations Officer Anambra State Police Command, Awka 19th May 2025  

 Illinois- Three Fairview Heights police officers were shot late Saturday night.  Fairview Heights PD were called to the report of a suspicious individual prowling near homes on Potomac Drive. Officers arrived on the scene a little before 10:00 p.m. and made contact with an individual who matched the description of the prowler. Officers reported the suspect was involved in what they described as a "domestic situation". As police arrived on the scene and began to intervene, the suspect opened fire on the officers. One officer was struck in the face, while another was shot in the arm. A third officer was struck in the back, luckily his Kevlar vest prevented the bullet from penetrating the officer.  The suspect was subdued, however, two additional officers were injured while making the arrest.   The officer who was shot in the face was rushed to a nearby hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. She is listed in critical but stable condition. The officer stru...

 Peter Obi Dismisses 2027 Coalition Rumors, Focuses on Fighting Hunger and Poverty Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has dismissed speculations of a potential coalition with other opposition leaders to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election, stating that his only priority is a “coalition” against hunger, poverty, and the poor state of healthcare and education in Nigeria. Speaking during a visit to the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kubwa in Abuja on Monday, Obi emphasized that he is not driven by personal ambition. “The only coalition I am interested in is the one against hunger, poverty, and the bad state of healthcare and education in the country. I am not desperate for any position,” Obi declared. He rejected claims of an agreement to run as a vice-presidential candidate in 2027, calling such speculations “politics of selfish ambitions” that hinder Nigeria’s progress. Obi, who placed third in the 2023 election behind Tinubu and PDP’s Ati...

 2025 Admission: Nigerian varsities may accept 140, 150, 160 JAMB scores – Report The low pass rates in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), have left thousands of Nigerian students anxious and uncertain about their academic futures. The disappointing results have raised concerns among candidates aspiring to secure admission into top-tier universities, with many now reassessing their options amid heightened competition and expected adjustments to cut-off marks. As the admission season approaches, students and parents are grappling with critical decisions regarding school choices, catchment areas, and departmental requirements. The uncertainty has driven candidates to explore alternative institutions and courses that align with their scores and career goals, as securing a university spot becomes increasingly urgent. Online reports indicate that several universities will accept JAMB scores as low...

 Saraki Accuses Buhari Administration of Harassing 8th National Assembly Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has accused the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari of harassing, blackmailing, and silencing the 8th National Assembly to stifle its legislative efforts. Speaking at the 2025 Reunion Gala of the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) in Houston, Texas, Saraki claimed the Buhari-led executive deliberately frustrated his leadership, preventing the passage of laws beneficial to Nigerians. “We were like orphans,” Saraki said, alleging that the executive bullied and assaulted the legislature, while elites and ordinary citizens remained silent. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Yusuf Olaniyonu, Saraki asserted, “The legislature under my leadership was silenced, harassed, assaulted, bullied, and blackmailed, and the executive deliberately frustrated the passage of good laws, initiatives, and recommendations that would have been highly beneficial to our soc...