By: Lamara Garba The first batch of Kano State pilgrims who participated in the 2026 Hajj exercise has departed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Nigeria, marking the commencement of the return airlift operation that authorities say will see all pilgrims from the state evacuated within the next three days. The successful take-off of the inaugural flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, came ahead of the initial schedule earlier fixed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for June 24, a development attributed to the proactive efforts of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board and the state’s Hajj…
Author: National Update
By Our Correspondent The succession process for the highly revered Awujale stool has sparked intense debate across Ijebuland following the decision of the Ilamuren Council of Kingmakers (Afobajes) to submit the names of five princes to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for final consideration, instead of presenting a single candidate as tradition is widely believed to require. The development has generated widespread reactions from stakeholders, traditionalists and concerned residents, many of whom argue that the move departs from the established customs that have guided the emergence of Awujales for generations. In a letter addressed to Governor Abiodun and signed by…
By Ralph Omololu Agnana When the organisers of the Democracy Newsline Newspaper Award (DNNA) announced Senator Sunday Karimi as the recipient of the “Most Security-Conscious Senator in Nigeria” award in 2024, the decision reflected more than political popularity. It was a recognition of a legislator whose interventions in security have gone beyond motions and speeches to practical investments aimed at protecting lives and communities. The award, presented during the 14th anniversary celebration of Democracy Newsline Newspaper in Abuja, followed an opinion poll and assessment conducted by a team of independent evaluators. While Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin was named Northern…
A major fire outbreak on Thursday engulfed a commercial building housing a branch of Polaris Bank on Broad Street, Lagos Island, triggering panic among residents, workers and business owners in the area. The blaze, which reportedly started in the afternoon, sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky as emergency responders rushed to the scene to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures in the densely populated business district. As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding the cause of the fire remained unclear, while authorities had yet to confirm whether there were casualties…
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with a clearer account of how the nation’s mounting debt is being utilized, pointing to South Africa’s transparent handling of a recent $1 billion development loan as a model worthy of emulation. In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi said the approval of a $1 billion facility for South Africa by the New Development Bank demonstrated how governments can borrow responsibly while keeping citizens fully informed about the purpose and expected outcomes of such loans. According to him, South African authorities openly…
By Abdulkarim Abdulmalik In every election cycle, Nigerians are treated to a familiar political drama. Politicians who yesterday swore allegiance to one political party suddenly emerge in another, often singing a completely different tune. Governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, state legislators, and other political office holders move from one party to another with astonishing ease. What is even more remarkable is that these defections rarely provoke public outrage within the political class itself. Instead, they are celebrated as strategic victories and signs of political relevance. Yet beneath the celebrations lies a disturbing reality: the growing culture of…
***Says Obi Was Glad He Left A fierce war of words has erupted within Nigeria’s opposition camp after veteran journalist and politician, Dele Momodu, launched a blistering attack on former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, describing him as a political burden whose exit from Peter Obi’s circle was a welcome development. Momodu’s explosive remarks have added a fresh layer of intrigue to the ongoing realignments and power struggles ahead of the 2027 general election. The Ovation Magazine publisher accused Okonkwo of overestimating his political relevance, insisting that his celebrity status as a Nollywood actor created an exaggerated impression…
Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all bribery charges brought against her in the United Kingdom, ending a high-profile criminal trial that had lasted for more than a decade and attracted global attention. A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday returned not-guilty verdicts on six counts against the former minister, including five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. The charges related to allegations that she received luxury benefits from oil and gas industry figures in exchange for influence over the award of petroleum contracts while…
The Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association Nigeria (COSFAN) has unveiled plans to establish endowment funds in universities across the country as part of efforts to strengthen research, scholarship, and knowledge development in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. The initiative commenced with the inauguration of a ₦10 million endowment fund at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, in honour of renowned diplomat and statesman, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, in recognition of his contributions to peacebuilding, governance, and national development. Speaking at the event, COSFAN said the endowment programme is designed to support research activities in Nigerian universities and promote…
The trial of former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, suffered a setback on Wednesday after a Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse, Abuja, adjourned proceedings to July 28 due to the absence of critical banking records expected to be tendered as evidence. The court granted the adjournment after the prosecution informed it that a key bank statement central to the case had yet to be produced by the financial institution involved. Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, said efforts to obtain the document directly from the bank were unsuccessful,…