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Plateau killings: Nigerians losing hope in government’s ability to protect them, says Kukah     Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto diocese, says Nigerians are losing hope in the government to protect their lives. Kukah said there is a war being waged against the Nigerian state and the people. The cleric, in a statement issued on Saturday over the recent attacks in Plateau state, wondered why the northern part of the country has become a “birthplace of so much bloodletting”. “Sadly, with time, Nigerians are gradually losing hope in the ability of their government to protect and secure them,” Kukah said. On Christmas Eve, over 150 people were killed in 17 communities in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, and Mangu LGAs of Plateau state. Several houses were destroyed by the gunmen during the attacks, leaving many residents displaced. After the attacks, the federal government promised that the affected communities and victims would get justice. ‘OBJECTS OF MOCKERY’ Kukah said the killers ...

Bolivian court rules that former president Morales cannot seek re-election.  Bolivia's Constitutional Court has disqualified former president Evo Morales from running for re-election in 2025, reversing a ruling that had let him seek a fourth term in 2019. It said on its website that term limits provide "an ideal measure for ensuring that someone does not perpetuate themself in power." Bolivia's first Indigenous president, Morales first took power in 2006 and was extremely popular until he tried to bypass the constitution and seek a fourth term in office in 2019. He won that vote but was forced to resign amid deadly protests over alleged election fraud, and fled the country. He returned after his then ally Luis Arce won the presidency in October 2020  

N’assembly passes 2024 budget, increases it by over N1trn The two arms of the national assembly on Saturday passed the 2024 appropriation bill, increasing its size from N27.5 trillion proposed by President Bola Tinubu to N28.7 trillion. The budget size was increased by N1.2 trillion. The bill was passed for the third reading at the senate after Solomon Olamilekan, chairman of the senate committee on appropriation, presented a report for consideration. The budget has  N1.7 trillion as statutory transfers, N8.7 trillion as recurrent expenditure, and N9.9 trillion as capital expenditure. The appropriation bill was passed for a third reading by the lower legislative chamber after Abubakar Bichi, chairman of the committee on appropriations, presented a report. While presenting his report, Bichi said a one-day town hall meeting where citizens made contributions to the money bill was held. The lawmaker said the national assembly joint committee on appropriations worked closely with the ex...

2 Dalmatians fought off 4 coyotes, protecting their human. Professional dog walker Josstin Lantadilla was out for a customary nighttime walk in Boston with two of his clients, Deena and Tasha, a pair of dalmatians owned by Jane Friedlander. As they walked along, Deena became agitated and started barking, this caused Josstin to glance over his shoulder where he noticed four coyotes quietly stalking the trio. After realizing they had been spotted, the 4 coyotes took the initiative and lunged at the leashed dalmatian duo. However, Deena and Tasha were not intimidated and brought the fight straight back at the coyotes. The two joined forces attacking the lead coyote and biting it's neck causing the coyotes to split up and flee back into the darkness. According to the pup's owner, Jane Friedlander, it's because of their breed stating, "They're meant to drive away coyotes, wolves, foxes or any other animal that might disturb a stable of horses."  Good job, Deena and...

LASG PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ADDlTIONAL 22 INDIGENT RESIDENTS  In its continuous effort and commitment to addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by citizens, the Lagos State Government, through the Special Adviser to Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPL&CE), Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen has presented Cheques to 22 indigent Lagosians to alleviate their financial burdens and improve their livelihoods. In his address at the presentation ceremony held on Friday at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Dr. Afolabi advised the beneficiaries to ensure that the fund is used strictly for their essential needs such as healthcare, education, housing and small business ventures as requested. He averred that the Office will follow up on the judicious use of the fund through its monitoring officers The State Government, he added, is determined to serve all and sundry while delivering the dividends of good governance to all Lagosians. More photos below....

Tinubu, Shettima's Wives Visit Akeredolu's Family In Ibadan The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in company with the wife of the Vice President,  Nana Shettima, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.  While speaking during the visit, Mrs Tinubu described the late Akeredolu as a great man, stating that Nigeria has lost one of her great men.  She said, "I keep asking when people ask someone, 'Is somebody alright or is he sick?' I said, 'Who is well?' We all have one ailment or the other, and it is only God that gives us each day to live by.  "He has done his best. He was a great, brave man, loved by my family, loved by my husband, and respected by my husband.  "We can only wish that the legacies he left behind could continue and endure. I wish his wife, his children, grand children and the family that God will comfort them and also ease their p...

Türkiye's thankless struggle: Fighting terror in northern Iraq and Syria In the aftermath of the recent terror attacks on Turkish military bases in northern Iraq, it has become imperative to revisit the reasons behind Türkiye's presence in the region and consider its potential next steps. Clashes with terrorists attempting to infiltrate the Operation Claw-Lock base area in northern Iraq last week resulted in the tragic loss of 12 Turkish soldiers. This attack was not the first of its kind. PKK’s first terror attack against Türkiye was back in 1984, since then the terror group has declared open war against the Turkish state. In total, PKK terror attacks have claimed over 40,000 lives. Initially a predominantly domestic issue, Türkiye's struggle against PKK underwent a significant shift following the Arab uprising, which created a power vacuum in Syria. Seizing its "right of self-defence" under Article 51 of the United Nations (UN) Charter, Türkiye announced the sta...