June 2025 | Page 13 of 37

Continental Fencing Heavyweights Storm Nigeria for 23rd African Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Egypt and Tunisia, two of Africa’s fencing powerhouses, have arrived in Nigeria ahead of the 23rd African Fencing Championships, which will take place at Charterhouse Lagos from Wednesday, June 25, to Sunday, June 29. The five-day, 12-event tournament will feature top fencers from across the continent, all vying for the 12 gold medals up for grabs in both individual and team events. Egypt, the most decorated nation in African fencing, has arrived with the largest contingent. Their squad is headlined by the El-Sayed brothers—Olympic bronze medallist Mohamed El-Sayed and world junior champion Mahmoud El-Sayed. Mohamed, 22, claimed bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and also won gold at the 2022 Mediterranean Games. His younger brother, Mahmoud, recently clinched gold at the 2025 Junior World Championships in Wuxi, China, and currently holds the world No. 1 junior ranking. The Egyptian team, which landed in Lagos aboard an EgyptAir flight from Cairo, is determined to defend the overall title they secured in 2024. Tunisia, another fencing powerhouse, has also touched down in Lagos with a strong squad led by Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Farès Ferjani. The 27-year-old is the reigning champion in the individual men’s sabre and will also lead Tunisia’s men’s sabre team. Other participating nations, including Mauritius, Angola, Rwanda, South Africa, Guinea, Morocco, Libya, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal, are expected to arrive on Tuesday, June 24, ahead of the tournament’s opening day. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Fencing Federation has expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from corporate sponsors and individuals, particularly Charterhouse, the host venue, which also staged the 2024 World Cup. Federation President Adeyinka Samuel stated: “We are truly grateful for the support from government agencies and corporate bodies in helping to put Nigeria on the global fencing map through the hosting of this continental championship. Charterhouse has been a steadfast partner since the 2024 World Cup, and their continued support is deeply appreciated. We hope this inspires other institutions to follow their lead.”

Iran Vows Retaliation Against US as It Launches More Strikes on Israel

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Tehran, Iran – Iran has vowed a decisive response to the United States following Sunday’s airstrikes on its Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. As tensions spike in the region, Iran launched a fresh wave of drone and missile attacks on Israel, with explosions reported in Ashdod, Lachish, and several other areas. Iran’s military leaders say the US has now fully entered the conflict. General Abdolrahim Mousavi accused Washington of violating Iran’s sovereignty and warned of further retaliation. Meanwhile, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s retaliatory efforts, said the attacks on Iran were designed to prop up a “dying Zionist regime,” adding that Tehran will expand its range of legitimate targets. Israel responded with extensive air raids across Iran, striking airports, missile storage sites, and even central Tehran. Key sites hit included Mehrabad Airport, parts of Shahid Beheshti University, and a technical facility used for live TV broadcasting. Over 400 Iranians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the escalating conflict, according to Iran’s health ministry. Following US President Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear sites were “obliterated,” Iranian officials warned they may target American military bases and are debating exiting the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Lawmakers have signalled support for suspending ties with the IAEA, pending a decision by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

At Least 10 Killed in Massive Russian Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Kyiv, Ukraine – A large-scale Russian missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s capital and surrounding areas killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens more early Monday, in one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, officials said. According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 352 drones and decoys, 11 ballistic missiles, and 5 cruise missiles overnight. While most were intercepted or jammed, several projectiles struck residential buildings, hospitals, and even a metro station entrance being used as a bomb shelter. The head of Kyiv’s military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, described the attack as another “massive” and deliberate strike on civilian areas. “The Russians’ style is unchanged – to hit where there may be people,” he said, confirming damage across six of Kyiv’s 10 districts and ongoing rescue operations under rubble. Separate strikes in other regions also caused casualties. In Chernihiv, a drone attack killed two and wounded ten, including children. In Bila Tserkva, southwest of Kyiv, one person was killed and eight injured. Ukrainian authorities fear more casualties may be found as search efforts continue.

Nigeria Ranks 7th in World for Kindness to Strangers — UN Happiness Report

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Nigeria has been ranked the 7th friendliest country to strangers in the world, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report released by the United Nations in partnership with the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and Gallup. The report assesses 147 countries based on overall life satisfaction and prosocial behaviours, such as volunteering, helping others, and charitable giving. Despite its strong showing in informal generosity, Nigeria ranked 105th overall in happiness, indicating low levels of life satisfaction due to poor institutional trust, economic challenges, and systemic shortcomings. The report pointed out a common pattern in several African countries: a wide gap between spontaneous personal kindness and confidence in public systems. Data on trust showed Nigeria ranking 33rd in likelihood of a lost wallet being returned by a stranger, but falling to 71st if found by a neighbour, and a dismal 126th if found by the police. The report concluded that in countries with fragile institutions, “helping strangers likely becomes the most direct and effective form of benevolence.” Nigeria also placed 45th globally in charitable donations, reflecting a strong culture of direct, person-to-person support over structured giving through institutions. Other countries with similar patterns of informal generosity include Jamaica, Liberia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Venezuela, all of which made the top 10 for friendliness to strangers.

Nwaoboshi’s Defection to APC Rooted in Power Struggle with Okowa

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Former Delta North Senator, Peter Nwaoboshi, popularly known as “Oracle,” joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2021 amid fears that then-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was plotting a return to the Senate in 2023. Nwaoboshi, once a key ally of Okowa during the 2014 PDP primaries, sensed political danger if he remained in the PDP. Despite their past collaboration, the two politicians had a history of being in opposing camps. In 2011, as PDP chairman in Delta State, Nwaoboshi supported Mariam Alli over Okowa for the Delta North Senate seat. Okowa would eventually win that race and serve from 2011 to 2015 before becoming governor. After Nwaoboshi decamped to the APC, the PDP suspended him, citing repeated public attacks on Okowa. Ironically, Okowa did not contest the Senate seat in 2023, having been picked as the PDP vice-presidential candidate alongside Atiku Abubakar. Okowa’s absence from the Senate race opened the door for Ned Nwoko, who received the governor’s blessing to vie for the Delta North senatorial seat on the PDP platform—an opportunity that reshaped Delta North politics. Read Also: Legal Troubles Derail Nwaoboshi’s 2023 Senate Ambition Senator Nwaoboshi was considered a formidable candidate for a third Senate term until legal troubles stemming from a loan transaction upended his plans. In 2022, the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal convicted him on charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The case, centered on a business loan and the alleged fraudulent purchase of a Delta State property, led to a seven-year prison sentence. This conviction effectively removed Nwaoboshi from the 2023 election scene. While he maintained his innocence, the timing proved politically fatal. It wasn’t until after the election that the Supreme Court overturned the conviction, ruling that the EFCC had no jurisdiction in the civil matter and that Nwaoboshi had been wrongfully prosecuted. The court described his conviction as a violation of his constitutional rights. By then, however, Ned Nwoko had already secured the Senate seat, while Nwaoboshi was serving time. His arrest and subsequent incarceration ensured he could not contest or campaign effectively, leaving his political rivals with an open field.

NNPCL Board Faces Criticism Over Foreign Retreat Amid Economic Hardship

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Lagos, Nigeria – Public criticism has trailed the recent decision by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to hold a management retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, amid growing economic strain at home. The retreat, attended by members of the board and top management, has sparked outrage among Nigerians who view the trip as wasteful and insensitive. Observers note that the decision raises serious questions about priorities at the state-owned oil company, especially under the leadership of newly appointed CEO, Bayo Ojulari. Many had hoped Ojulari’s tenure would mark a break from the past and usher in an era of reform, but the Kigali trip has instead drawn comparisons to previous controversial retreats — including a similar event held in Qatar during Mele Kyari’s administration. Critics argue that NNPCL’s top officials should be focusing on domestic challenges rather than expensive trips abroad. With the country grappling with high fuel prices, a weakened naira, and widespread unemployment, the optics of the foreign retreat have been widely condemned as tone-deaf. Some have questioned whether such retreats yield any tangible benefits or are simply a continuation of a culture of excess. Concerns have also emerged within the organization itself. Sources suggest that Ojulari is facing internal resistance, struggling to assert his authority and drive much-needed reform. The recent resignation of the Chief Corporate Communications Officer is being seen by some as an indication of internal dissatisfaction and leadership challenges. Analysts warn that unless strong, transparent leadership is established, NNPCL may remain locked in a cycle of inefficiency and unaccountability.

Iran Calls for UN Security Council Meeting Over US Strikes

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Iran’s UN delegation has officially requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the U.S. military strikes. In a letter submitted Sunday, Iran warned of global consequences if the attack goes unpunished. “Silence in the face of such blatant aggression will plunge the world into an unprecedented level of danger and chaos,” Araghchi warned during remarks in Istanbul. The letter, published by Iranian state media, urged the Council to take immediate steps under the UN Charter to prevent a repeat of what Iran calls a criminal act of war. Iran is hoping to rally international opposition to what it sees as American unilateralism and Israel’s militarism, calling on other nations to condemn the attack and support a return to diplomacy.

Satellite Images Reveal Extensive Damage at Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site After US Strikes

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Satellite imagery has confirmed significant structural damage at Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility following coordinated U.S. airstrikes that also hit Natanz and Isfahan. The strikes, authorized by President Donald Trump, marked a dramatic escalation in military action targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In a national address, Trump described the strikes as “spectacularly successful,” stating that U.S. forces used advanced “bunker buster” bombs to penetrate the heavily fortified Fordow site. The operation, he said, was conducted in full coordination with Israel and aimed at dismantling Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons ambitions. This latest move comes over a week after Israel initiated attacks on Iranian sites, accusing Tehran of nearing atomic bomb capability—a claim Iran has strongly denied. Trump’s decision to openly join Israel’s campaign has intensified fears of a broader regional war. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and under international oversight. The UN’s nuclear watchdog has also dismissed claims that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon, casting further doubt on the justification for the strikes.