A 24-year-old Nigerian named Oside Oluwole, also known as “Khoded,” has broken a world record certified by the Guinness World Records (GWR) for the longest videogame marathon playing a soccer game. He achieved this feat by playing Dream League Soccer 2023 continuously for 75 hours, surpassing the previous record of 50 hours set by Englishman David Whitefoot in 2022.

Oluwole, who is a qualified biochemist and currently works as a car dealer, undertook this record attempt to raise funds for a local hospital in his hometown of Ijebu Ode. Unlike previous record holders who played FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer, Oluwole played the mobile game Dream League Soccer 2023 on his iPhone, which was connected to a TV screen. Throughout his marathon, he played over 500 matches.

During the attempt, Oluwole followed the rules stipulated by GWR, taking five minutes of rest after each hour of gaming, during which he could eat, nap, or use the toilet.

Reflecting on his achievement, Oluwole expressed enjoyment and satisfaction despite the challenges, emphasizing that the experience was fulfilling and successful. He now aims to pursue additional world records by playing soccer video games, including popular titles on gaming consoles like FIFA and PES series.

President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, as confirmed by the White House in a statement on Thursday. Despite being vaccinated and boosted, he is experiencing mild symptoms. Following an event in Nevada, where the positive test result emerged, Biden will self-isolate at his private residence in Delaware. Despite his illness, he intends to continue fulfilling his presidential duties during this period.

Biden’s physician noted that he has developed upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and a cough. While awaiting confirmation from a PCR test, Biden has already begun treatment with the COVID-19 drug Paxlovid. This is Biden’s second bout with COVID-19; his first occurred two years ago, resulting in only mild symptoms.

Given Biden’s age of 81, there are concerns about his susceptibility to severe illness from COVID-19. This development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of his mental and physical fitness as he faces the prospect of running for re-election in the upcoming presidential elections in November.

In 2023, Nigerians emerged as the largest group of African asylum seekers in Canada, according to recent data. They were followed by Kenyans, Congolese, Ugandans, Ethiopians, Ghanaians, and Senegalese. This statistic underscores the significant number of Nigerians seeking asylum abroad, reflecting challenges such as insecurity and economic instability back home.

Over the years from 2016 to 2023, a staggering 664,384 Nigerians sought asylum globally, with notable concentrations in countries like Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Italy, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Portugal. These figures highlight the widespread impact of issues such as banditry and insecurity, particularly in Nigeria’s northern regions, prompting citizens to seek refuge elsewhere.

In 2023 alone, 68,852 Nigerians applied for asylum, contributing to Canada’s significant intake of African asylum seekers during that year. This trend underscores the complex socio-political dynamics driving migration from Nigeria to other parts of the world.

In response to the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship scheduled for August, a coalition of Concerned Northern Youths and Students from 19 Northern states has decided to withdraw their participation. The coalition, represented by Jibril Sani Bello, the National Coordinator, made this announcement in Kano, citing concerns about the organizers and the unclear aims of the protest.

Bello emphasized that while they acknowledge the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians, past protests have negatively impacted students’ academic pursuits. He pointed out instances where protests led to significant delays in academic calendars at universities like Kano State University of Science and Technology and Uthman Danfodio University in Sokoto.

Expressing uncertainty about the intentions behind the upcoming protest, Bello urged students to prioritize their education and future success. He highlighted government efforts such as providing interest-free educational loans and called for expanding scholarship opportunities to ensure a smoother academic journey for students.

In conclusion, Bello emphasized the coalition’s decision to withdraw from the protest, urging caution among students and emphasizing the need for clarity and peaceful intentions from protest organizers.

Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has expressed concerns over the rising prices of locally sourced crude oil due to the practices of international oil companies (IOCs). According to Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil & Gas at DIL, these IOCs are offering crude oil at prices above the official rates set by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). This situation has been a persistent challenge for DIL’s efforts to secure crude oil for its refinery operations.

Edwin commended NUPRC for its interventions and the publication of Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) guidelines aimed at bringing transparency to the industry. He emphasized the importance of diligently implementing these guidelines to enable DIL to directly procure crude oil from Nigerian producers as stipulated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

However, despite these measures, IOCs allegedly continue to frustrate DIL’s efforts by offering crude oil cargoes at premiums ranging from $2 to $4 per barrel above the official NUPRC prices. For instance, in April, DIL reportedly paid $96.23 per barrel for Bonga crude, which included premiums like NNPC’s National Single Pricing (NSP) and additional trader premiums.

Edwin highlighted discrepancies between these prices and market rates tracked by platforms like Platts and Argus, urging NUPRC to reassess the pricing issue. He reiterated DIL’s stance that such practices by IOCs force them to consider importing crude from other countries, including the United States, which incurs higher costs.

This ongoing issue underscores DIL’s struggle to operate its refinery efficiently and competitively within Nigeria’s regulatory framework, amid challenges posed by pricing practices of IOCs in the country’s oil industry.

The Bankers Committee is close to completing a major renovation and upgrade of the National Theatre in Lagos, aiming to restore national pride and enhance cultural infrastructure. The project, initiated in July 2021 and approved by the Federal Government, includes comprehensive improvements to facilities such as HVAC systems, fire safety standards, power, water supply, and sewage systems. Upgrades also cover interior design with AVL installations, stage engineering, lifts, solar power, new furniture, and artwork restoration. The complex now boasts expanded facilities including a 4,000-seater main bowl, banquet hall, cinemas, VIP areas, and extensive amenities. The initiative aims to create a vibrant creative hub, fostering job creation, income generation, and showcasing Nigerian talent globally in arts and entertainment.

The recent reports alleging that Umara Zulum, the son of Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, was arrested in India for allegedly killing a Chinese man in a nightclub fight over a woman have been strongly refuted by the Borno State Governor’s Media Unit. The reports, which circulated on social media and some news platforms, claimed that Umara had been involved in a fatal altercation where he allegedly smashed a bottle on the head of the Chinese man, leading to his death.

In response, the Media Unit clarified that these reports are categorically false and termed them as “misinformation” and “defamatory content.” According to a statement issued by Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Governor Zulum was not even in India during the alleged incident. He was on a one-month vacation in Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj and subsequently attended the ASUWAN forum conference in Egypt.

The statement emphasized that Umara Zulum was neither arrested nor charged with any crime, nor was he involved in any unlawful activities anywhere. The Media Unit called on platforms like Nairaland and others to retract the false information and issue an apology within 24 hours to avoid legal action. It also urged the public to be cautious about consuming and sharing information from unverified sources and blogs.

In conclusion, the Borno State Governor’s Media Unit stressed the importance of responsible journalism and factual verification, highlighting the potential harm caused by the spread of false information to Governor Zulum’s family.

President Bola Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s strides in the renewable energy sector during the African Natural Resources & Energy Investment Summit, 2024, held in Abuja. Represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria has attracted over $2 billion in investments in renewable energy, marking it as a rapidly growing sector in the economy.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to further enhance private sector participation in renewable energy, aiming to manufacture locally produced solar panels and batteries to bolster the sector’s growth. He emphasized the importance of balancing this transition with the continued significance of the petroleum industry in Nigeria’s energy landscape.

“While we embrace renewable energy sources, we recognize the crucial role of oil and gas in our economy,” Tinubu stated, underscoring strategic priorities such as increasing oil production to 2.1 million barrels per day by December 2024, enhancing infrastructure investment, combating theft, and ensuring environmental accountability.

Furthermore, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s dedication to responsible resource management, focusing on minimizing ecological impact while maximizing national benefits. The summit also featured discussions led by Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who outlined reforms aimed at improving transparency, regulatory clarity, and investor confidence in Nigeria’s natural resources sector.

The event was attended by key dignitaries including Senator Mohammed Sani, Ministers of Environment and Steel Development, and officials from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, highlighting a collaborative effort to harness Africa’s natural resources for sustainable economic development.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recently conducted an auction of properties and assets seized from drug cartels, a significant move in its efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. The auction, held in Abuja and overseen by NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), emphasized the agency’s commitment to transparency and due process.

According to reports from the event, NDLEA ensured that the auction followed strict guidelines, with prices set close to government estimates. The assets, which included high-end buildings and landed properties across various states like Lagos, Ondo, Anambra, and Adamawa, were seized during raids and operations targeting drug manufacturing and trafficking activities.

Brig. Gen. Marwa underscored the importance of the forfeiture process under the 2022 Proceeds of Crime Act, noting that it prevents criminals from benefiting from their illegal activities. He highlighted that such measures serve as a deterrent to criminal enterprises and aid in rehabilitating individuals affected by drug-related activities.

The auction’s transparency received praise from observers including the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). They applauded NDLEA’s efforts and urged the agency to sustain its rigorous approach in tackling drug trafficking and organized crime in Nigeria.

The residents of Abuja have voiced their concerns to the FCT administration about the lack of shelters at bus stops, especially as the rainy season exacerbates their predicament. Many residents, like Miss Kameela Abdulhadi, have shared stories of missing important events due to being drenched by rain while waiting for public transport without shelter. She recounted missing a job interview because of the rain catching her unprepared.

Mrs. Vivian John from Dutse Alhaji highlighted the impracticality of relying solely on umbrellas during heavy rain and windstorms, which can destroy them or render them ineffective. She emphasized the need for shelters at bus stops to provide refuge during inclement weather.

Similarly, Samuel Adeshina, a youth corps member, described a harrowing experience when heavy rain forced him to seek shelter under a pedestrian bridge while commuting to Maitama. His health, being a sickle cell carrier, was adversely affected by exposure to the elements.

The situation is compounded by the observation that most buildings in Abuja are high-rise and lack balconies that could serve as emergency shelters. Residents are urging the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to prioritize the construction of shelters at bus stops to mitigate the hardships faced during rainy days.

The Imo State House of Assembly has recommended the immediate removal of Chief Judge Justice Theresa Chikeka over allegations of age falsification. This decision came after an ad hoc committee investigated a petition from a civil society platform accusing the CJ of altering her date of birth from October 27, 1956, to October 27, 1958.

During the investigation, the committee invited the petitioners, the Head of Service, the Secretary of the Imo Judicial Service Commission, and the CJ. While others attended the hearing, the CJ did not appear. The Nigerian Law School and Imo HOS reportedly confirmed the alleged alteration of her date of birth.

Based on these findings, the Imo State House of Assembly adopted the committee’s recommendation, citing gross misconduct under Section 292 (2) of the 1999 Constitution. The recommendation authorizes Governor Hope Uzodimma to remove the CJ and directed that the matter be forwarded to the National Judicial Council for further action.

A die-hard supporter of former US President Donald Trump has commemorated a dramatic moment in Trump’s recent rally by getting a $700 tattoo depicting Trump’s defiant fist-pumping gesture after what was described as an attempted assassination. The fan, identified as Dan, decided to permanently ink the image of Trump’s bloodied face and raised fist, symbolizing resilience and defiance amidst adversity.

The tattoo artist, Tim Lease from Orlando, Florida, who completed the intricate tattoo in three hours, was surprised by the request but took it on, given his client’s previous tattoos and their shared enthusiasm for American-themed art. Tim, described as a “well-educated conspiracy theorist,” emphasized that his work on the tattoo was motivated by its historical and pop culture significance rather than personal political beliefs.

Dan, reflecting on the incident that led to the tattoo, described it as a gut-wrenching moment as an American and felt compelled to mark Trump’s survival and subsequent gesture as a pivotal moment in history. He explained that the decision to get the tattoo was not immediate but came after deep consideration of the symbolism behind Trump’s defiant posture.

The tattoo has sparked various reactions online, with praise, criticism, and discussions about its significance in the context of American politics and culture.

The Federal High Court in Abuja recently nullified the impeachment of Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, reinstating him due to procedural irregularities in the impeachment process conducted by the Edo State House of Assembly. Following this judgment, Chief Dan Orbih, the National Vice Chairman, South-South of PDP, and Anselm Ojezua, a PDP Chieftain, have expressed their reactions.

Orbih congratulated Shaibu on his legal victory, highlighting his role in Shaibu’s political journey alongside Governor Godwin Obaseki. He called for all political stakeholders in Edo State, especially within the PDP, to embrace the judgment as an opportunity for renewed and constructive relationships.

Meanwhile, Ojezua emphasized the triumph of common sense and the rule of law in the judgment, criticizing the Edo State House of Assembly for what he termed as violating established rules in Shaibu’s impeachment. He urged Governor Obaseki to initiate reconciliation efforts within the PDP and with the broader populace of Edo State.

The judgment has significant implications for the political landscape of Edo State, potentially reshaping alliances and strategies within the PDP ahead of future electoral processes.