Author: Naija Daily News

By Gab Efe, Guest Writer Recently, a prisoner pardoned by the Osun State Governor was caught stealing a television not long after his release. This incident lays bare a harsh truth: our government’s approach to prisoner pardons is flawed, driven more by political motives than genuine concern for those being released or the society they return to. We reside in a society that stigmatises. For numerous individuals, a pardon makes no difference. Once labelled a prisoner, they remain a suspect. Employers distrust them, neighbours gossip about them, and even family members may distance themselves. These people are forced to manoeuvre…

By Deborah Nnamdi The discovery of the decomposing body of 45 years old Preacher Esere Okilo in his residence, some 15 months after he was declared missing, has thrown residents of Jacob Beredugo Street along the Osiri axis of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State, into bewilderment. The body was discovered by one of his concerned female relatives, who was having accommodation issues and decided to check on the residence of his brother by looking through the window and found the decomposing body of his brother sitting on the toilet with only his singlet. The discovery, which occurred on Wednesday night, threw…

By Douglas Maha, Abuja A former Edo State Governor and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has fingered retired military generals for the widespread illegal mining operations in Nigeria. Speaking at a Senate Committee session on Thursday, Oshiomhole warned that Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts could fail unless the government takes stronger action against illegal mining. During the submission of a report by Senator Sampson Ekong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Oshiomhole criticised the federal government for its inconsistent approach to tackling illegal activities. He pointed out that while military forces are deployed to…

Republican Congressman Andy Ogles has proposed a bill to amend the U.S. Constitution, allowing former President Donald Trump to seek a third term. Ogles submitted the resolution on Thursday, arguing that Trump is uniquely capable of addressing the nation’s challenges and restoring its global standing. “He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness.” He must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal,” Ogles stated. Under the 22nd Amendment, no individual may be elected president more than twice. Ogles added, “We must provide Trump…

A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 flight from Lagos to Washington Dulles declared an emergency on Thursday, prompting the captain to make an urgent return to Lagos. We learned that after establishing a return course, the crew maintained the emergency transponder code 7700, signaling distress to the control tower until landing safely. The aircraft, registered as N27903, is a 13-year-old widebody jet operated by the US-based airline. It was carrying 245 passengers, 80 flight attendants, and three pilots. Reports indicate that some passengers sustained injuries during the incident. Images and videos shared by passengers with our correspondent showed food and luggage…

Kenya has announced that citizens from nearly all African countries can now visit without prior authorization, following a new cabinet directive. Previously, travelers were required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online—criticized as a “visa in disguise.” However, on Tuesday, the cabinet confirmed the ETA will no longer be required for “all African countries except Somalia and Libya,” citing security concerns. The government stated that this decision aligns with efforts to boost tourism, support open skies policies, and enhance regional integration. Despite the visa-free policy, Kenya dropped 17 places to rank 46th out of 54 nations in the 2024…

By Douglas Maha, with agency reports The United States has initiated a large-scale deportation operation, with hundreds of migrants detained and others deported via military aircraft, according to a statement from the White House. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that 538 individuals identified as “illegal immigrant criminals” were arrested as part of the operation. Additionally, she stated that “hundreds” of individuals had been flown out of the country on military aircraft. These actions are part of the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to enforce stricter immigration policies. The operation follows a series of executive orders signed by…

By Sodeeq Kamsela National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje and eminent jurist Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, SAN, are among the prominent Nigerians President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed as board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a Secretary to the Board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services. The appointment was revealed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson on Friday. The statement directed the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive. Full ListNATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT– Hon. Hillard Eta Chairman…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has said that as of 1st January, 2025, it has disbursed N116.184 billion for the upkeep of students across 176,252 beneficiary institutions in the country. Speaking on Thursday in Abuja during the budget defence session with Senator Dandutse Muntari, APC, Katsina South, and Hon Gboyega Isiaka-led National Assembly Joint Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyer, clarified that out of N116.184 billion, N37.7 billion was expended on institution loans, said that the education loan fund was, however, given a paltry N58.4 billion budget envelope for…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) says only 6,000 consultants are left in the country. The association’s President, Prof. Muhammad Mohammad, said this on Thursday during the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting in Ilorin. The meeting was themed, “Policy Making for Quality Healthcare Services: Engaging Policy Makers for Quality Healthcare Delivery”. Mohammad explained that 6,000 consultants remain as of February 2024, noting that data showed that about 1,300 left Nigeria in the last five years. According to him, the number will continue to dwindle as the retirement age for medical consultants is 60…