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 80% of out-of-school children are from northern Nigeria – NEF Chair Chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, has raised the alarm over the growing marginalisation of Northern Nigeria, warning that the continued sidelining of the region in federal budgeting and infrastructure development poses grave dangers to national unity and progress. Speaking during the ongoing Government-Citizens Engagement Forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna on Tuesday, the elder statesman described the region’s situation as nothing short of a national emergency, particularly in the areas of education, infrastructure, and economic inclusion. Abdullahi, a former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, lamented the failure of successive administrations to address the North’s growing population of out-of-school children. He blamed the crisis on inadequate funding and misplaced national priorities. “We have 20 million out-of-school children in Nig...

 Nigerian Ruling Class are splashing Billions, and urging Nigerians to endure Economic Hardship” - USA Mission In Nigeria The United States Embassy in Nigeria shared a news report on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, highlighting a perceived disparity between the economic hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians and the lavish spending by some members of the ruling class. The embassy shared a link to an article from "The Africa Report" titled "'Nigeria's ruling class splashes billions on government houses.'"  The report details how some state governors are allocating significant funds for the renovation or construction of government houses, even as President Bola Tinubu urges Nigerians to endure the economic hardship resulting from his policies, such as fuel subsidy removal and naira flotation. The US Embassy's post included quotes from transparency and accountability advocacy groups, emphasizing concerns about a "lack of fiscal responsibility" ...

 I was offered three ministerial slots to reject coalition — Ralph Nwosu Former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Nwosu, has alleged that ‘some people’ offered him three ministerial appointments to abandon the idea of transforming ADC into a coalition opposition party. Nwosu made the disclosure during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ADC on Tuesday, where the party officially handed over its leadership to former Senate President David Mark.  The meeting also announced former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the National Secretary of the party. “Some people tried to discourage us with promises of automatic ministerial appointments,” Nwosu said.  “They wanted to give me three ministerial slots so that I can take one and give two to others that I choose. But I said no. I chose a democratic future for Nigeria.” According to him, the attempt to suppress the coalition’s emergence was part of a broader scheme to create...

 Trump govt declares President Maduro wanted for drug trafficking with $25 million bounty “Help us take down Maduro and his cronies Diosdado Cabello Rondón & Vladimir Padrino López!” said the U.S. government. The U.S. authorities have declared Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his two allies, Diosdado Cabello Rondón and Vladimir Padrino López, wanted for drug trafficking. The U.S. Department of State in a statement on social media on Tuesday declared Mr Maduro and his allies wanted, offering a total of $65 million for information that would lead to their arrest and conviction. “@USTreasury just sanctioned Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist group. Run by the corrupt and contemptible Nicolás Maduro, it is responsible for trafficking drugs into the U.S.,” said the department. It added, “Help us take down Maduro and his cronies Diosdado Cabello Rondón & Vladimir Padrino López!” In a wanted poster of Mr Maduro, labelling him a “designated global terrorist cartel de los so...

 Gunmen Kill Only Son of APGA Women Leader in Anambra Tragedy struck in Awka, Anambra State, as Martins Onyekesi, the only son of Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, the Anambra State Women Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was murdered by gunmen. Martins, who owned a popular fish barbecue joint in the city, was reportedly attacked in his home by unidentified assailants. Eyewitnesses say the gunmen shot him and took him away to an unknown location. Hours later, they called his mother, instructing her to come and retrieve her son’s body. The motive for the attack remains unclear, but the incident has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over rising insecurity in the state. Mrs. Onyekesi, fondly known as Adaejejemba, is said to be devastated by the loss. Sympathizers have continued to visit the family home in Awka to offer condolences. Security agencies have been urged to launch a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.

 Coca-Cola Sells Chivita, Hollandia to UAC UAC of Nigeria PLC has agreed to acquire Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) from The Coca-Cola Company, pending regulatory approval. The deal strengthens UAC’s presence in Nigeria’s consumer goods sector, while Coca-Cola focuses on an asset-light model. Chivita and Hollandia remain market leaders, with UAC pledging to drive further growth.

 KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND 28TH JULY 2025                PRESS RELEASE OPERATION KUKAN KURA: NOTORIOUS ROBBERY SUSPECT BARGA, 14 OTHER THUGS ARRESTED, 4 MOBILE PHONES RECOVERED   ... As the Command Sustains the Fight Against All Forms of Criminal Activities ... The Kano State Police Command has arrested fifteen (15) suspects in a crackdown on thuggery-related crimes, carried out by Tactical teams in Sheka, Ja'oji, and Kurna Quarters on 26th July 2025. 2.  This is part of the ongoing "Operation Kukan Kura", a special security initiative launched by the Command CP to detect and proactively nip in the bud any threat of criminal activity, aligning with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, to promote community-oriented policing. 3.  The suspects, aged between 14 and 28 years, were arrested in possession of four (04) robbed mobile phones belonging to different victims.  The sus...