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 Anambra Upgrades 130 Primary Health Centres, Recruits 1,000 Health Workers ‎ ‎By Ezumezu Nonyelum ‎ ‎ ‎The Anambra State Government says it has upgraded 130 primary health centres across the state as part of efforts to improve access to quality healthcare. Each facility has been equipped with solar power, a reliable electricity supply and a 30 KVA generator to ensure uninterrupted medical services. ‎ ‎The government said the initiative aligns with its policy of providing at least one fully functional primary health centre in every political ward and one general hospital in each of the state's 21 local government areas. ‎ ‎As part of the healthcare expansion, the Soludo administration has constructed five new general hospitals: Okpoko General Hospital in Ogbaru, Solution Specialist Hospital in Fegge, Onitsha, Solution Rehabilitation Centre in Nibo, Ekwulobia General Hospital in Aguata, and Solution General Hospital in Anaku, Anyamelum. It also rehabilitated Umueri General Hospital,...

 Ebola-caused deaths in DRC reach 438 The official death toll in an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo now exceeds more than 400, according to official figures released on Thursday. The highly infectious disease has claimed 438 lives among the 1,406 people confirmed infected –  a fatality rate of just over 31% – since the outbreak was declared on May 15, the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) said in its latest report, AFP reported. The outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus for which no vaccine or specific treatment exists. Clinical trials are due to begin. The centre of the outbreak – whose true scale is hard to assess – was in the northeastern Ituri province, where more than 83% of deaths have occurred. The province borders Uganda and South Sudan. The virus has also spread to the neighbouring provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.

ICC 'concerned' over withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger The International Criminal Court has voiced concern over the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, saying it undermines the global pursuit of justice. The Hague-based ICC prosecutes individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The three military-led West African states pulled out of the court last year, calling it “an instrument of Neo-colonial repression in the hands of imperialism.” The three former ECOWAS members formed the Alliance of Sahel States in 2024. The ICC’s Assembly of State Parties, which represents the countries that make up the court, said it regretted their departure. Countries leaving the court “risks undermining the collective pursuit of justing and weakening global efforts to end impunity,” the body said in a statement, AFP reported. The court has 125 current members but several major powers including China, India, Russia, the US and Israel have not joined.

 EFCC Arraigns Woman  for Alleged Identity Theft in Enugu The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned a woman,  Mbah Chidinma Sophina, before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, on a three-count charge, bordering on possession of fraudulent documents, forgery and identity theft. Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Mbah Chidinma Sophina, sometime between 1st of January, 2026 to 30th of April, 2026 at Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, had in your possession, a document asserting that you are Florence-Gweh Togba Doaryenneh, which to your knowledge contained a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 6 1 (3) of the same Act”. Count two reads: “That you, Mbah Chidinma Sophina, some...

 Emefiele:  $6.2m Released by CBN for Foreign Election Observer Mission was Pure Theft- Witness The trial of the former governor the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, before Justice H.Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, continued on Thursday, July 2, 2026, with the 14th Prosecution Witness, PW14, Okpoziakpo Eloho, informing the court that the $6,230,000 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars) released by the apex bank on the instruction of the defendant for the purpose of foreign election observer mission with no further details attached, was “pure theft.” Led in evidence by prosecution counsel and Director, Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness, a Commissioner of Police in the Fraud Unit of the Force Headquarters, Abuja, stated that “The entire money was released. We saw the approval of the governor” He told the court that the purpose of the release was simply to steal. “It was pure theft. It was stolen, otherwi...

 LASG DISMISSES MISLEADING HIV REPORT, ASSURES CITIZENS OF GOVT COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING HIV RESPONSE    ...Agency clarifies widely reported figures as 2018 diagnosed cases, not new infections   The Lagos State Government has assured the public that it remains firmly committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of every resident, particularly in ensuring that every resident has access to quality HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care services.   The Government further dismissed what it described as misleading reports in some media about the number of infections in Lagos.   The assurance and clarification were given by the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, during a press conference on Thursday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.   Dr. Animashaun stated unequivocally that Lagos State's HIV response remains strong, proactive, evidence-based, and firmly on course. ...

 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Donate $26 Million to Charities Across the U.S. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have donated a total of $26 million to a range of charities across the United States this week, according to Page Six. The contributions were made in the days leading up to the couple’s upcoming wedding and were directed to organisations in multiple cities. In New York, recipients included City Harvest Food Rescue Center, Food Bank for NYC, New York Cares, Education Through Music, Answer the Call – New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund, Musical Mentors Collaborative, After-School All-Stars New York and Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone. Additional donations were made to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Harvesters in Kansas City, Missouri, The Store in Nashville, Helping Harvest in Reading, Pennsylvania, and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Representatives for Swift and Kelce, whose combined net worth is estimated at $2.8 billion...

 Alleged $700m Fraud: How Impersonator of Olukoyede’s Aide was Arrested- Witness   The Second Prosecution Witness,  PW2, Akeem Lasisi in the trial of Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim before Justice J.O Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory,  FCT,  High Court, Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, narrated how his team arrested the defendants who allegedly impersonated officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with Joshua, the first defendant, claiming to be the Personal Assistant of the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede in a bid to defraud the former Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko of $USD700 million. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Joshua alongside Hashim on amended four-count charge, bordering on impersonation, conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence the sum of $700,000, (Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). At Wednesday`s proceedi...

 ‎Anambra Plans New Tenancy Law to Regulate Rents and Agent Fees ‎ ‎By Okeke Joesphine ‎ ‎Governor Chukwuma Soludo has on June 30, responded to growing public concerns over rising house rents and multiple charges imposed on tenants across Anambra State. ‎ ‎For years, residents have complained about the increasing cost of securing accommodation, with many tenants burdened by additional expenses such as agency fees, legal fees, agreement charges, and other related payments demanded during the rental process. ‎ ‎In a move aimed at addressing these challenges, the Anambra State Government has announced plans to introduce the Anambra Rent and Tenancy Law. The proposed legislation is designed to regulate tenancy practices, promote transparency within the housing sector, and provide stronger protection for tenants, particularly low-income earners. ‎ ‎Speaking on the initiative, Gov. Soludo acknowledged the difficulties many residents face in accessing affordable housing. The administratio...

 ANAMBRA HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE CRACKS DOWN ON MIDDLEMEN IN RETIREMENT BENEFITS PROCESSING By MaryAnn Chukwuma. The Anambra State Head of Civil Service, Ngozi Anuli Iwouno, Esq., mni, has intensified efforts to safeguard the integrity of retirement benefits processing by warning retiring officers against patronizing middlemen and unauthorized agents promising to fast-track their entitlements. In a circular issued from the Office of the Head of Service on July 1, 2026, Iwouno expressed concern over increasing reports of fraudulent individuals exploiting intending retirees while also highlighting delays caused by incomplete retirement documentation. She directed all officers due for retirement to ensure their files contain all required documents, including bank statements covering the last three months before retirement and functional telephone numbers for easy communication. The Head of Civil Service advised intending retirees to carefully verify that all necessary documents have bee...

 Minister Clarifies NYSC Uniform Proposals, Says No Decision Taken The Minister of Youth Development has dismissed reports suggesting that a specific fabric has been chosen to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniform, describing them as misleading. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Minister addressed reactions following his appearance on Channels Television earlier in the day, where he discussed ongoing reforms of the NYSC scheme. “For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara,” the Minister said. “My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.” He emphasised that the government is still evaluating various options for a potential new uniform that would meet several key criteria, including professional outlook, un...

 Court Affirms Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit The Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) headed by Senator David Mark, dismissing a suit challenging the appointments of Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s national chairman and national secretary. Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Musa Liman struck out the suit filed by House of Representatives member, Leke Abejide, describing it as lacking merit. The court upheld the preliminary objections raised by the ADC, its former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, agreeing that the case was not one the court had jurisdiction to entertain. Justice Liman held that the dispute concerned the internal affairs of the party and was therefore non-justiciable. The judge further ruled that Abejide lacked the legal standing to institute the suit, having failed to demonstrate that his rights had been violated by t...

 Burna Boy Gets Emotional at 35th Birthday as Mama Burna Demands a Wife, Not Another Car Afrobeats powerhouse Burna Boy recently celebrated a major milestone as he clocked 35, surrounded by the warmth of his family, close friends, and team. Known for his tough exterior and energetic stage presence, the Grammy-winning superstar showed his vulnerable side during an intimate, emotional birthday surprise. An Emotional Milestone for the 'African Giant' In a heartwarming video that has quickly gone viral, the "Last Last" singer appeared visibly moved, lowering his head as his family gathered around him. His mother and manager, Bose Ogulu (popularly known as Mama Burna), along with his sisters, were seen comforting and embracing him during the deeply personal moment. The close-knit bond of the Ogulu family was on full display, reminding fans that behind the global superstar is a son and brother who deeply values his roots. Mama Burna's Hilarious Birthday Demand The emoti...

 No Politics Here: Zlatan Ibile Shuts Down 'City Boy Movement' Mention at MAPOLY Award Event Nigerian Afrobeats star Zlatan Ibile has sparked widespread praise online after firmly distancing himself from a political group during a recent award ceremony. The "Zanku" crooner, born Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael, made it clear that he would not allow his brand or celebratory platforms to be used for political mobilization. The incident occurred during a homecoming-style event held at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where the singer was being honored for his achievements. While presenting a certificate on stage, the President of the Students' Union Government (SUG) made the unexpected move of inviting a representative of the "City Boy Movement" to join them. At the mention of the group a prominent youth mobilization wing backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2027 re-election agenda Zlatan immediately grabbed the microphone, int...

 YCee Ignites Online Debate: Why Viral 'Luxury Akara' Skit Isn't Satire, According to the Rapper A heated debate has erupted across Nigerian social media, pitting popular rapper YCee against thousands of content consumers regarding the true nature of a viral comedy skit. At the heart of the controversy is content creator Gilmore’s widely acclaimed "luxury akara" video, which many have lauded as brilliant satire. However, YCee emphatically disagrees, asserting that despite its popularity and humor, the skit falls short of being genuine social commentary. The viral clip, which has captivated audiences, draws its inspiration from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent advice to Nigerians. Her call encouraged citizens to embrace humble small businesses such as selling akara (bean cakes), roasted corn, or kulikuli. Gilmore’s creative response reimagined this concept, envisioning an ultra-modern, upscale akara business where customers pay using cryptocurrencies like Ethereu...

 How Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle reportedly feel about Prince William and Prince Harry’s ongoing rift The ongoing rift between Prince William and Prince Harry has placed their families in a delicate position, with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle reportedly following their husbands’ lead.  According to insiders, both women are waiting for William and Harry to decide how to move forward, with Kate expressing hope that her children might eventually build a relationship with their cousins. Meghan, meanwhile, is said to let Harry take the lead on royal matters, emphasizing that they remain united as a team. If reconciliation does happen, it may take time. Sources close to the brothers believe they will eventually patch things up, though the process will likely be gradual. Former royal aides and biographers have echoed this optimism, noting Harry’s redeeming qualities and William’s focus on his own family.  King Charles, however, has reportedly felt caught in the middle o...

 Taylor Swift wedding guests begin arriving in New York as strict invite rules surface Taylor Swift’s wedding guests have started arriving in New York ahead of her planned ceremony with Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden. British presenter Graham Norton and his husband Jono McLeod were seen landing at JFK on Wednesday, with luggage in tow. Phoebe Waller-Bridge also arrived in the city with family members, while Dua Lipa had already been spotted in New York. Norton’s attendance follows Swift’s appearance on his BBC chat show in October, where she referenced her engagement and said she was struggling with the guest list because she intended to invite “anyone I’ve ever talked to.” During the same interview, she invited Norton to the wedding. Domhnall Gleeson, who appeared on the same episode, had joked on air about wanting to feature in one of Swift’s music videos. He later appeared in her track “Opalite,” filmed in London in November alongside Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, Jodie Turn...

 Nara Smith Reveals Daughter Whimsy Lou Was Diagnosed with Cancer Nara Smith has disclosed that her 2-year-old daughter, Whimsy Lou, was diagnosed with cancer late last year. The content creator shared the update in an Instagram Reel on Wednesday, explaining that she and her husband, Lucky Blue Smith, sought medical attention after noticing something unusual on their daughter. She did not reveal the type of cancer or provide details about Whimsy's current condition. Smith said the family initially visited an emergency room, where doctors were unable to determine the cause of the concern. She said their pediatrician later recommended that Whimsy be taken to a children's hospital for further evaluation. According to Smith, her daughter underwent X-rays, ultrasounds and a biopsy before doctors confirmed she had cancer. She said the family was informed that the disease had spread and that Whimsy needed to begin chemotherapy immediately. "When we took her into our pediatrician,...

 Kate Middleton Returns to Wimbledon for 2026 Championships Visit Kate Middleton attended the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on Thursday, July 2, making a visit to the All England Club in London as the tournament continued. The Princess of Wales, 44, arrived in a bright blue pantsuit, with her hair styled in a tied-back ponytail, as she carried out a series of engagements linked to the event. She began her visit at the Wimbledon queue, where she met tennis fans who had camped overnight in hopes of securing tickets to matches. She also spoke with members of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’s Honorary Stewards, who volunteer each year to manage the queue and assist spectators. Kate later met with children taking part in Shine Camera Club, a photography programme designed to build confidence among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. She joined the group as they photographed scenes around the grounds and learned more about the initiative’s work. The Princess, who i...

 Northern Nigeria hunger reaches worst levels in nearly a decade, WFP says More than 17 million people across nine conflict-hit states in northern Nigeria face severe hunger, the U.N. food ​agency said on Thursday, warning that violence and funding ‌cuts are driving food insecurity to its worst level in nearly a decade. The latest food security analysis showed the number of people facing crisis, ​emergency or catastrophic hunger had risen by almost two ​million from previous projections, the World Food Programme (WFP) said ⁠in a statement, Reuters reported. The findings underline the deepening humanitarian cost of insecurity in Africa’s most populous country, where Islamist insurgents in the northeast and armed gangs in parts of the north have displaced communities, kept farmers from their fields and restricted aid access. Borno state, the epicentre of a long-running Islamist insurgency, ‌has ⁠more than 3 million people who are acutely food insecure, including more than 750,000 fac...

 Lady Louise Graduates from University of St Andrews with English Degree Lady Louise has graduated from the University of St Andrews with a degree in English. The 22-year-old daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, received her degree during a graduation ceremony in Scotland on Thursday, July 2. During the ceremony, she was announced as "Louise Mountbatten-Windsor," the surname used by members of the British royal family, rather than by her royal title. Lady Louise enrolled at the University of St Andrews in September 2022 after choosing to study English. Like her cousin, Prince William, who attended the university from 2001, she kept a relatively low public profile throughout her time on campus. According to previous reports, Lady Louise is expected to take a gap year before deciding on her next career steps. Her graduation comes during Royal Week in Scotland, where she is also scheduled to receive her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from her fa...

 14 schoolchildren laid to rest in Pakistan as police investigate tutoring center roof collapse that killed 14 and injured eight    Mourners gathered Wednesday in Lahore, Pakistan, to bury 14 schoolchildren killed when the roof of a tutoring center collapsed a day earlier, as authorities continued investigating whether negligence during construction work caused the tragedy. The collapse also injured eight other children, who remain hospitalized in stable condition. Investigators believe the tutoring center was operating inside an aging building, and preliminary findings suggest the unfinished second-floor roof gave way because of poor construction. Police have arrested at least two people, including the building's owner, as the investigation continues. Senior police official Kamran Faisal said early evidence points to negligence by both the owner and construction workers. "We are still investigating to determine exactly whose negligence resulted in this tragic incident," ...

 FBI says all three Nancy Guthrie kidnapping ransom notes are fake The FBI has determined that all three ransom notes tied to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie are fake, according to a federal law enforcement official familiar with the investigation. The messages include two ransom notes sent to media outlets in early February, shortly after Guthrie was reported missing, and a third email sent last week claiming the sender knew the suspects and possessed proof of their identities. Investigators said none of the messages are believed to be genuine, though officials have not disclosed how they determined the latest email was fraudulent. The first note demanded millions of dollars in cryptocurrency and included payment deadlines. A second message claimed Guthrie had died and was buried outdoors. The third email alleged the sender had information identifying those responsible for the alleged kidnapping. Last week, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos publicly questioned the credibility of ...

 UPDATE: TROOPS OF OPERATION ENDURING PEACE NEUTRALIZE TERRORIST ELEMENTS, ARREST SUSPECTED GUN RUNNER AND RECOVER FABRICATED RIFLES IN PLATEAU STATE As part of the ongoing deliberate offensive operations against terrorist elements operating across Operation ENDURING PEACE Joint Operations Area, troops of sector 6, at the early hours of Friday, 26 June 2026, conducted a decisive operation at the Gero Highground in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The operation was initiated following the report of several nefarious activities of suspected terrorists within the area. Approaching the Highground, the troops came under fire from the terrorists hideout who were using livestock as a shield. Troops immediately held their position and called for reinforcement, the timely arrival of the reinforcement forced the terrorists to withdrew off the engagement area. Troops exploited the situation, established pursuit against the retreating terrorists and neutralized some of the ter...

 WE WILL SUSTAIN CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL OCCUPANTS ON OKOKOMAIKO-ORILE ROAD MEDIAN, ENFORCE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS - LASG The Lagos State Government on Wednesday reaffirmed its determination to permanently rid the Okokomaiko–Orile road median of illegal traders and squatters declaring that the encroached median has been designated for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project and must remain free for its intended purpose. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab made the declaration during an inspection of the ongoing dislodgement exercise being carried out in compliance with the directive of the Governor of Lagos State to clear all illegal structures and commercial activities obstructing the road median along the busy highway. Speaking during the inspection, Wahab said the visit was to assess the level of compliance and evaluate the progress of the exercise, noting that the State Government had consistently engaged the traders over the years without lasting s...

 ‘I Won’t Work Against APC,’ Former Kaduna Speaker Zailani Says After Primary Defeat Former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Zailani, has reaffirmed his commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he will remain loyal to the party despite losing the Kaduna Central Senatorial District ticket in the party’s recent primary election. Speaking in an interview that has gained traction on social media, Zailani said he has no intention of undermining the APC or its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the party played a major role in his political journey by giving him opportunities to serve as Majority Leader, Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and Acting Governor. “The APC has done so much for me. Everything I achieved politically came through the party, so I have no reason to work against it,” he said. Zailani stressed that rather than dwell on the outcome of the primary, he would focus on supporting the ...

 OLUSEGUN OLA OSINKOLU IS WANTED BY THE EFCC. The public is hereby notified that OLUSEGUN OLA OSINKOLU, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Conspiracy, Forgery and Obtaining Money by False Pretence. Osinkolu, 61, is an indigene of Ekiti State, and his last known address is: 3, Chucks Onyebuchi, Lekki Phase 1, Victoria Island, Lagos State. Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its lbadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, llorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov. ng or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.  Dele Oyewale Head, Media & Publicity.  AFONUGHE MORRISON EJAKPOMEWHE IS WANTED BY THE EFCC  The public is hereby notified that AFONUGHE MORRISON EJAKPOMEWHE, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Econom...

 BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND  PRESS RELEASE  The Editors,  POLICE SECURE CONVICTION OF 2 SUSPECTS OVER HOUSE BREAKING AND THEFT IN LIMAN KATAGUM Sequel to a diligent investigation and prosecution, the Bauchi State Police Command has secured the conviction of two suspects for criminal conspiracy, trespass, house breaking, and theft in Liman Katagum, Bauchi LGA. According to a report received at Liman Katagum Division on 27th June, 2026 at about 1400hrs, a male resident of Bandan Village reported that about one month ago, two persons criminally conspired, trespassed into his house, and stole several items. The suspects were identified as: Iliyasu Musa, male, and Ibrahim Isah, male, both 28-years-old, and residents of Baluwa Village. The stolen items include: - One Infinix Hot 10 Play valued at ₦89,000 - One keypad Tecno phone valued at ₦15,000  - One keypad Itel phone valued at ₦15,000 - Cash sum of ₦20,000 - One power bank valued at ₦30,000 - Two T-shirts valued ...