Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. On April 23, the staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) began an indefinite nationwide strike to protest poor salaries and unmet welfare agreements. The strike, led by unions including NUATE and AUPCTRE, has disrupted weather services critical for aviation. Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest domestic airline, suspended operations, citing safety concerns, particularly the absence of CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, which are vital during heavy rains. Other airlines, including United Nigeria Airlines, continue operations using alternative global weather sources. NiMet workers argue that some staff still earn below the 2019…
Author: Esther Salami
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has announced plans to reduce his involvement in Donald Trump’s administration following a sharp fall in Tesla’s profits. The decision was prompted by investor pressure and global consumer backlash against Musk’s relationship with the former U.S. president, particularly his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration initiative aimed at reducing federal spending and cutting the government workforce. On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Tesla reported a 20% decline in revenue and a 71% decrease in net profit for the first quarter of the year, compared to the same period in 2024.…
A terror attack in the scenic town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir has left 26 tourists dead and several others critically injured. The assault was carried out by four unidentified gunmen armed with automatic weapons and unfolded at Baisaran meadow, approximately 5 km from Pahalgam town. It is being described as one of the worst civilian massacres in the region in recent years. The attack occurred on Tuesday afternoon, when gunmen suddenly emerged from nearby forests and began firing indiscriminately at a group of tourists. Eyewitness accounts describe a harrowing scene of chaos and terror, as the attackers, some reportedly…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Niger State Governor Umar Bago has ordered a crackdown on thuggery in Minna following a surge in violence that has claimed over 10 lives in 2025. Responding to public outcry, the governor issued a series of strong security directives. These include the arrest and fining of individuals with dreadlocks, a ban on commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. (with exceptions only for medical emergencies), and the demolition of homes found to be harbouring criminals or selling illicit drugs. Governor Bago also mandated the arrest of local leaders…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja Monday night after an 18-day working visit to Paris and London, where he engaged in high-level talks on security and economic development. His return comes amid the growing violence in Plateau, Benue, and other states, with over 120 people killed during his absence. Tinubu is expected to meet with service chiefs and top officials to address the security crisis. Meanwhile, the Presidency blamed state governors for poor funding of security despite receiving significant security votes. Presidential aide Daniel Bwala criticized governors for their token efforts…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former political adviser to President Tinubu, has become a vocal critic of the administration. He warned that the North will no longer vote blindly in 2027. Speaking in Zaria, he said that northerners demand accountability and clear plans from any presidential hopeful. He criticized the government’s failure to address northern insecurity and poverty, claiming disillusionment is widespread. His remarks, made public via a viral video, have drawn sharp responses. The APC dismissed them as personal and politically biased, citing his family ties to the opposition. Presidency officials, including…
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced. The pontiff passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. local time at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, just a day after addressing thousands of faithful during Easter celebrations in St Peter’s Square. The news was delivered by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, who stated with sorrow: “Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His…
Controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, defeated fellow entertainer Speed Darlington in a celebrity boxing match on Friday night. The much-hyped event, tagged “Chaos in the Ring,” took place at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, drawing in hundreds of fans and celebrities. The beef began when Speed Darlington reportedly offered Portable ₦500,000 to perform at his show. Portable rejected the offer, publicly mocking Akpi and calling him a “poor being.” The spat spiraled into a war of words on social media, eventually leading to a challenge in the boxing ring. By the end of the first…
The Nigeria Police Force has successfully extradited Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as “Killaboi”, from Doha, Qatar, to Nigeria over the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan. The fugitive was returned to Nigeria in the early hours of Saturday, April 19, 2025, through coordinated efforts involving the Federal Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, Force Headquarters, and Qatari judicial authorities. According to police investigations, the incident occurred on July 13, 2023, at Nnayereugo’s residence located at No. 24A Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos.…
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has leaped into digital transformation by launching its maiden Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for school candidates, while simultaneously cracking down on examination malpractice with the revocation of 574 school licences nationwide. Speaking at a press conference at WAEC’s National Office in Yaba, Lagos, the Head of the Nigeria National Office, Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut, announced that a record-breaking 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools are scheduled to sit for the 2025 CB-WASSCE, set to commence on April 24 and run until June 20, 2025. WAEC has revoked the licenses of 574…
Thousands of international students, including hundreds from Nigeria, are facing growing uncertainty after Harvard University openly defied a series of demands from the Trump administration. The standoff now threatens the university’s ability to enroll foreign students and maintain its federal funding. On April 15, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump declared on his Truth Social platform that Harvard University should be stripped of its tax-exempt status, alleging the Ivy League institution was promoting “terrorist-supporting ideology” and encouraging a “hostile learning environment” for Jewish students. “Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds,” Trump…
The UK government has imposed a temporary ban on travellers bringing meat and dairy products from the European Union into Great Britain. The move aims to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious virus that affects livestock in parts of Europe. The restriction, which came into effect on Saturday, April 12, applies to all meat and dairy products, regardless of whether they are packaged, duty-free, or included in sandwiches. It affects all individuals arriving in England, Scotland, and Wales, but excludes Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey), and the Isle of Man. The banned items…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz has arrived in Lagos to attend the much-anticipated wedding of Priscilla Ojo, daughter of Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo, and fellow Tanzanian singer Juma Jux. The event, taking place today, April 17, 2025, has generated significant buzz on social media. Diamond Platnumz shared clips of his journey, including his private jet flight and his arrival in Lagos, where Juma Jux warmly received him amidst a flurry of paparazzi. Meanwhile, Iyabo Ojo turned heads at the ceremony, stunning in a vibrant green, gold, and brown lace gown with…
I asked AI a simple question: “How would you destroy young minds today?” The response wasn’t just chilling — it was disturbingly familiar. The answer was a clear, step-by-step breakdown of how modern systems — social media, entertainment, education, and even parenting — are already doing the work. Here it is: That’s a heavy question — but a powerful one too. You’re thinking critically about the negative influences affecting young people today. If we’re speaking hypothetically or as a thought experiment, the best way to understand how to protect minds is to understand what harms them. So, if someone wanted…
Engagement rumours surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez were resurrected after the model posted a photo of a large ring on her left finger. However, the couple has not officially confirmed any engagement. Rodriguez, 31, posted the image to her Instagram story on Monday, flaunting a massive rectangular, translucent jewel with the caption in Arabic: “And keep evil away from us, Amen.” The same phrase is tattooed on her hand. Despite the mounting speculation, sources confirm that the couple is not engaged. Reports from The Mail suggest that the Portuguese football legend, currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi…
The Maldives has officially banned the entry of Israeli nationals, citing “resolute solidarity” with the Palestinian people as the war between Israel and Hamas continues to devastate the Gaza Strip. The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 14, after President Mohamed Muizzu ratified legislation passed by the Maldivian parliament. According to a statement from the President’s Office, the move is “a firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.” “The Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” the statement read, adding that the ban should be…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. President Bola Tinubu has ordered Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to take decisive action and end the cycle of violence plaguing the state, following a night attack that killed 52 people in Zike village, Bassa LGA. A family of eight was among the victims. Tinubu described the killings as unacceptable and pledged federal support to resolve the decades-long ethnic and religious tensions. Christian leaders are organizing a “Peace Walk” protest on April 21, demanding justice and an end to the unrelenting bloodshed. Amnesty International condemned the attack, calling it a “grave…
Pop superstar Katy Perry, CBS anchor Gayle King, and four other remarkable women safely returned to Earth after a suborbital journey aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin New Shepard rocket on Sunday. The six-member, all-female crew blasted off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas after 8:30 a.m. local time (14:30 BST). The flight lasted approximately 11 minutes. It soared more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) above the Earth, crossing the Kármán line, which is the internationally recognized boundary of space. Joining Perry and King on this mission were: Lauren Sánchez, journalist and Bezos’ fiancée Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories: The National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL) has strongly condemned calls for the arrest of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula, following the Bishop’s passionate plea to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee about the growing persecution of Christians in Nigeria. At a press briefing in Makurdi, NACL President Polycarp Aande labeled the calls as misplaced, ill-conceived, and unwarranted, defending the Bishop’s right to speak on behalf of persecuted Christians. He cited alarming statistics, noting that 124 priests were kidnapped between 2018 and 2024,…
Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, marked his 50th birthday on Saturday, April 12, 2025, with a series of events in Abuja. The celebration, themed “50 for 50,” featured multiple activities spread across several days in a grand event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. In an Instagram post on April 12, the celebrant wrote: “12.04.25 Happy Birthday, Obi Cubana. 50yrs! 50for50.” He also shared a family portrait with his wife, Ebele Iyiegbu (Lush Eby), and their five sons, all dressed in traditional Igbo attire. He captioned the photo: “My greatest achievement isn’t in…
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, a helicopter crash occurred when a Bell 206 aircraft fell into the Hudson River, resulting in the deaths of all six passengers on board. The victims include Agustín Escobar, 44, President of Siemens Spain; his wife, Merce Camprubí Montal, 42, a global marketing manager at Siemens Energy; and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The family was visiting from Barcelona, Spain, and arrived in New York earlier that day. The sixth victim was the helicopter’s pilot, a 36-year-old male whose identity has not yet been officially released. Timeline of Events (local time) 2:59…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories: 1. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) conducted its 2025 UTME Mock exam on Thursday, with over 211,000 candidates participating nationwide in various Computer-Based Test centres. JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, while monitoring the exercise in Abuja, announced that results will be released on Friday. He explained that the mock exam serves as a test run for the main UTME, scheduled for April 25, and allows JAMB to assess its readiness and try out new strategies. Oloyede warned against examination malpractice, revealing that JAMB has created a decoy website to trap…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, April 10, led a series of tributes celebrating Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, as he marked his 68th birthday. In a statement issued by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President commended Dangote’s “resilience and unwavering commitment to Africa’s economic transformation,” and praised his contributions to key sectors including cement manufacturing, agriculture, and oil refining. “Aliko Dangote’s life embodies hard work, generosity, and faith in Nigeria’s potential. His willingness to invest in people and nation-building reflects profound business ingenuity and love for humanity,” President Tinubu stated. The President further lauded the Dangote Refinery, described as…
Jamiu Ninilowo, a young chess player from Ikorodu, Lagos, has won the gold medal at the 2025 United Nations Chess Tournament in New York. Defeating more than 200 USCF-rated players, his win includes a $500 scholarship. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Jamiu expressed gratitude to Tunde Onakoya, the Chess in Slums Africa team, and others who supported his journey. “Yes! I did it! Not just for myself, but for Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” he wrote. “All thanks to God, Tunde Onakoya, and Chess in Slums. I will forever be grateful.” Onakoya posted earlier this week, “Today,…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP) is facing a deepening leadership crisis following an April 4, 2025, Supreme Court ruling that nullified a Court of Appeal judgment recognizing Julius Abure as national chairman. Lamidi Apapa, citing this ruling and his position as the most senior deputy national chairman, declared himself acting chairman and announced a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting for April 14, 2025. Meanwhile, Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti, backed by the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, reaffirmed their support for a 29-member caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi…
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, April 7, in a highly anticipated diplomatic encounter. However, the meeting’s aftermath has raised eyebrows in Jerusalem. While the encounter was intended to project unity between the two allies, reactions from Israeli political circles have been conspicuously muted, suggesting internal discomfort with some outcomes. During a press appearance, Trump voiced his continued support for Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza and issued a pointed warning to Iran, declaring, “They are on notice—there will be consequences if they do not cooperate.” However, not…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of defunct Diamond Bank, Pascal Dozie, has died at age 86 after battling age-related illness. He also served as chairman of MTN Nigeria and Pan-Atlantic University. Born in 1939 in Imo State, Dozie held degrees from the London School of Economics and City University, London. He also founded the African Development Consulting Group and was honored with the national award, Order of the Niger (OON). He is survived by his wife, Chinyere, and five children. 2. The Presidency has denied viral reports claiming President Bola Tinubu has…
As the world marks World Health Day 2025 under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO) have raised alarms over the reduction in global aid and its devastating consequences for maternal and newborn health, with Nigeria ranking among the most affected countries. A new UN report titled “Trends in Maternal Mortality” reveals that despite a 40% drop in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2023, progress has slowed dramatically and is now threatened by cuts to humanitarian health funding, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the withdrawal of U.S. aid under President Donald Trump.…
President Donald Trump’s recent move to impose a 20% tariff on European Union (EU) goods has sparked a major global trade dispute, triggered market crashes, and caused mass protests across the U.S. and abroad. The new tariffs, announced last week, mark the latest escalation in what economists call a full-blown trade war. In a Truth Social post on Sunday night, Trump has doubled down: “Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN… Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!” The EU has responded by finalizing its list of retaliatory tariffs, targeting American exports like…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Between March 28 and April 2, 2025, brutal attacks by gunmen on motorcycles devastated multiple communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, including Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai. At least 52 people were reportedly killed, over 1,820 displaced, and many homes and properties were destroyed. Survivors described the assaults as sudden and indiscriminate, with entire families fleeing for their lives. President Bola Tinubu condemned the violence in response, directing security agencies to apprehend the attackers and instructing the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to deliver relief…
