The Edo State Government, through the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), is addressing a significant infrastructure deficit in the state’s primary and secondary education sector. During an inspection of ongoing projects in schools in the Edo South Senatorial District, SUBEB Chairman Mrs. Onomen Goodness Briggs highlighted the severe lack of infrastructure, such as furniture and overcrowded classrooms, where pupils often sit on the floor.

Briggs stressed the importance of community involvement in protecting school facilities from vandalism and emphasized that the state government, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, is undertaking extensive renovations and constructions across 100 schools, with fencing as part of the plan for enhanced security. In addition, about five schools have been renovated already, and improvements include essential furniture such as chairs and tables.

The government aims to complete renovation works in schools within the next one to three weeks, with an ongoing focus on ensuring security measures like fencing and security posts around schools. Briggs called on residents, teachers, and students to be vigilant and report any acts of vandalism, highlighting that the security of these school facilities is a shared responsibility.

Nasir El-Rufai’s comments about the potential for his arrest and detention reveal a tense political atmosphere surrounding him. His statement reflects the pressures and threats that have been placed on him by political adversaries. Despite these challenges, El-Rufai appears resolute in his plans to return to Nigeria, reinforcing his defiance against what he perceives as intimidation tactics aimed at pushing him into exile.

His past experiences with detention, as he mentioned, underscore his resilience, having faced similar situations before without backing down. His comments also reflect a larger political struggle involving his relationships with President Bola Tinubu’s supporters and the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially after criticizing the party’s internal democracy.

His decision to stay involved in the political landscape and plans to return to Nigeria for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs signifies his determination to continue playing an active role in Nigerian politics despite the personal risks and pressures.

Security in Ondo State has become a growing concern due to the presence of unfamiliar individuals in border areas and forests. Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, the Amotekun Corps Commander, highlighted the troubling influx and the subsequent rise in criminal activities like kidnappings. Despite these challenges, he reassured the public that Amotekun is dedicated to strengthening security, citing their quick response to the recent kidnappings in Akure North.

In cases like these, it’s important to remain alert, and Amotekun’s efforts to track down the perpetrators show their commitment to reducing these incidents. Hopefully, these steps will lead to improvements in safety and security across the state.

Abraham Waroh, the Benue North East Zonal Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly criticized Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration for failing to address the state’s ongoing security issues. During an interview with journalists, Waroh expressed disappointment that despite Alia’s promises to tackle insecurity, the situation has worsened, particularly with the increasing threat of killer herdsmen.

Waroh described the current security situation as a “cancerous tumor” that has severely impacted the state, especially in areas like Sankera, which he claimed are under occupation by herdsmen, forcing many residents to flee. He also pointed to the recent killings in Otukpo, where mass burials were conducted for victims, as a tragic reflection of the administration’s inaction.

While Waroh emphasized that the PDP plans to take over leadership in 2027, he also stated that the party is willing to cooperate with Alia’s administration in the remaining years of his tenure to help steer the state forward, despite their criticisms.

Joe Igbokwe’s statement has sparked controversy, particularly due to the sensitive nature of the issues surrounding security in the South-East of Nigeria. By shifting the blame away from Fulani herdsmen and onto the Igbo people themselves, he has taken a stance that could be seen as divisive and inflammatory. The security situation in the South-East has been marked by violent events, often attributed to groups like IPOB, but Igbokwe’s generalization that it is Igbo people themselves causing the destruction is a sharp departure from the more common narrative.

The situation in the South-East is undoubtedly complex, with various factors contributing to the unrest, including political tension, economic issues, and, as Igbokwe suggests, internal conflicts. His comments may further fuel the debate on the causes of violence in the region, particularly around the roles of different groups and how the political class addresses these issues.

Igbokwe has been vocal about his criticism of IPOB and their activities, especially the violence and disruption caused in the region, and his remarks seem to be a reflection of his frustration with the ongoing instability. However, framing the crisis as purely an Igbo issue may be seen as oversimplifying the situation and could alienate those seeking a more nuanced approach to resolving the conflict.

The executive order signed by President Donald Trump regarding the suspension of prosecutions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) marks a significant shift in U.S. policy toward global business practices. The FCPA, which was enacted in 1977, has been a cornerstone in the U.S. effort to combat international corruption by prohibiting American companies from bribing foreign officials to secure business deals.

In the order, Trump directed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to halt prosecutions under the FCPA, pending revised enforcement guidelines. This decision is based on the assertion that U.S. companies are at a competitive disadvantage because they are prohibited from engaging in practices that other global companies might use to gain an edge, leading to what the White House describes as an “uneven playing field.” The goal of the executive order is to boost American competitiveness abroad by easing these restrictions.

However, the move has raised concerns among anti-corruption advocates. Transparency International, which has long praised the FCPA for its role in the fight against global corruption, warned that this could undermine the U.S.’s leadership in combating corruption. Gary Kalman, the executive director of Transparency International US, argued that the order could potentially eliminate one of the most important tools in the U.S.’s anti-corruption efforts, calling it a dangerous step backward.

This development is part of a broader trend under the Trump administration, which has seen several executive orders aimed at reshaping U.S. foreign and domestic policies, including the dismantling of agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The long-term impact of this executive order remains to be seen, especially in terms of its implications for U.S. businesses, international relations, and global efforts to curb corruption.

The Jigawa State Police Command is taking significant steps to enforce the third-party vehicle insurance policy, as mandated by the Insurance Act 2003. This initiative, in line with the directive from the Inspector General of Police, aims to ensure that all vehicles on the road are covered by insurance, especially to protect third parties in the event of accidents.

The move will likely promote road safety and help with financial recovery or compensation in the event of damages or injuries. It’s also a reminder for vehicle owners in the state to ensure they have valid insurance from licensed insurance entities authorized by the National Insurance Commission.

It’s good to see that the police are being urged to maintain professionalism and respect human rights during the enforcement process. What do you think about this move?

The recent Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s natural gas production facilities in the Poltava region highlight the ongoing damage to the country’s critical energy infrastructure. Although there were no casualties, the attack has led to significant disruption in gas supplies, with nine settlements in the Myrhorod district losing access to gas.

Naftogaz, Ukraine’s state-run oil and gas company, has confirmed the damage to its production facilities and assured that efforts are underway to stabilize the gas supply in the affected area. This attack is part of a broader trend where Russia has shifted its focus from attacking the electricity sector to targeting gas storage and production sites. This is particularly critical as Ukraine’s gas production is concentrated in the eastern and central regions, which are near the frontline areas of the ongoing conflict.

Additionally, the state-run gas transmission system operator has noted an increase in the need for natural gas imports, which rose slightly from 16.3 million cubic meters to 16.7 million cubic meters. Concerns are also being raised about Ukraine’s gas reserves, which are nearing critically low levels, posing a significant challenge to daily consumption and potentially threatening the stability of the country’s energy supply in the near future.

President Donald Trump is emphasizing the importance of ending the war in Ukraine, with his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin being a significant part of that narrative. Trump describes the war as a “bloodbath” and has expressed a desire to stop the ongoing conflict, citing his team’s talks with Putin. While Trump didn’t reveal the frequency of his discussions with Putin, his remarks suggest an ongoing dialogue about peace efforts.

On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that various communications could be happening through different channels, though he didn’t confirm specifics, indicating that some conversations may not be publicly known.

The context is critical here, as the war in eastern Ukraine began in 2014, following political upheaval in Ukraine and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Since then, there has been ongoing conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists, with international efforts to mediate peace but limited success.

It seems like there’s still a lot of diplomatic activity behind the scenes that isn’t always fully disclosed to the public. What do you think about Trump’s involvement in trying to end the war?

Donald Trump has been actively pushing for the release of details surrounding two separate assassination attempts against him in 2024, a topic that brings a lot of intrigue given the circumstances.

The involvement of the Secret Service, and the fact that Trump is making these claims about information being withheld due to Biden, seems to highlight the ongoing tension and complex nature of security, information sharing, and political dynamics surrounding his campaign. This kind of public statement could also have significant implications for his public image and his supporters, who might rally behind him in light of the incidents.

The two assassination attempts, involving Thomas Crooks and Ryan Routh, are chilling, and Trump’s desire for transparency into the background of those involved—such as the multiple cell phones and foreign apps—raises questions about potential links to foreign influence, security risks, and the wider context of national security during his campaign.

What do you think about Trump’s demand for this information to be released? How do you feel about the Secret Service’s role in managing such sensitive matters?

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the State of Israel are indeed considering a joint commission to enhance bilateral relations, focusing on sectors like security, agriculture, health, education, and film production. The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, expressed Israel’s readiness to deepen trade relations with Nigeria and collaborate on various fronts, including technology transfers such as drip irrigation to boost food security. Additionally, there were discussions about expanding cooperation in Nollywood production, an industry that has gained significant success globally.

Nigeria also contributes notably to religious tourism in Israel, which has led to calls for granting citizenship to Nigerians who have resided in Israel for five years without a criminal record. Furthermore, there were condolences offered to Israel for the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, with hopes for de-escalation and the release of hostages.

The joint commission is seen as a potential way to assess and drive these bilateral relations forward, and both countries are eager to explore more opportunities for cooperation.

This is a concerning development. The abduction of Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), marks a serious and alarming event. The fact that gunmen in vehicles abducted him in the evening suggests that the assailants were well-prepared and had planned the operation carefully. It’s especially unsettling that his family is reportedly still in shock, underscoring the emotional and psychological toll such incidents take on loved ones.

The call for immediate action by the Nigeria Police Force, particularly by the Igbo National Council (INC), shows a strong desire for a swift resolution to the situation. It’s crucial that authorities move quickly not only to secure Igboayaka’s safe release but also to bring those responsible to justice.

It would be interesting to see how the authorities in Imo State respond to this, as their reaction will likely affect the ongoing investigation and potentially send a signal about the state of security in the region. This could also have political and social implications for local leadership, especially regarding safety concerns in Imo State.

Is there any update from the Imo Police Command or the community’s reaction to this event?