2025 | Page 14 of 262 | Trendbrio.com

VP Shettima Urges National Council on Skills to Embrace Unity, End Fragmentation in Skills Development

By: Kamal Yalwa: September 10, 2025 Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the National Council on Skills (NCS) and all relevant stakeholders to work collectively in advancing the federal government’s skills acquisition drive, declaring that the era of working in silos is over. Speaking during the 7th meeting of the NCS held Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima emphasised that building a future-ready workforce requires unified action across government agencies, ministries, and the private sector. He described skills development as a core pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. “Let me be clear about what this means. The era of operating in silos is over. We must move towards a new streamlined workflow that embeds collaboration directly into the process of curriculum development and funding,” the Vice President stated. He noted that the ongoing “skills revolution” is a national commitment and must be driven with purpose and synergy to unlock opportunities for Nigerian youth and workers nationwide—from the aspiring artisan in Kaura Namoda to mid-career professionals in Ebute-Metta. Shettima lauded Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for establishing and chairing the state’s first Council on Skills, calling it a model for other subnational governments to emulate. “We cannot build a future-ready workforce on a foundation of division,” Shettima stressed, urging the council to enforce a unified structure and eliminate institutional friction within the country’s skills ecosystem. He further emphasized that sustainable funding and implementation of the national skills agenda depend on strong inter-agency collaboration, not isolated action. Earlier in the meeting, Governor Uba Sani revealed that over 30,000 students were recently admitted into the Kaduna Vocational and Skills Development Institute. He thanked the Vice President for his continued support and dedication to job creation and skills development. Also speaking, Minister of Education Olatunji Alausa praised the Kaduna State Government’s efforts and announced that technical colleges have been directed to focus solely on relevant, practical courses for the upcoming academic year—aligning with the administration’s skills acquisition strategy. The council meeting reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to building a coordinated and inclusive framework to equip Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving economy.

INEC Confirms David Mark as National Chairman of ADC Amid Party Restructuring

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago02 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: September 10, 2025 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially confirmed Senator David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), bringing clarity to the party’s leadership amid recent internal disputes. The confirmation, reported by a TVC News correspondent, follows a period of mounting tension within the ADC over its national leadership. INEC’s recognition is expected to pave the way for stability and unity within the party ranks. Alongside Senator Mark, INEC also recognised several newly appointed national officers who were unveiled during a high-profile coalition event in Abuja this past July. The new leadership team includes: With its leadership now formally endorsed, the ADC is anticipated to launch a nationwide reconciliation and mobilisation campaign as it works to bolster its political standing ahead of the 2027 general elections. This latest development marks a significant shift in the party’s trajectory and signals a renewed focus on internal cohesion and national outreach.

African Union Chair Condemns Israeli Strike on Qatar, Urges Restraint

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago02 mins

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – September 10, 2025The African Union has joined the growing chorus of international condemnation following Israel’s airstrike on Qatar’s capital, Doha, which targeted a residential building reportedly housing Hamas officials. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, warned that the Israeli attack “risks endangering an already fragile situation in the Middle East.” Youssouf called for “restraint, respect for sovereignty, and the protection of civilians,” echoing longstanding AU principles on peace and conflict resolution. “Qatar has played a longstanding role in peace, mediation, and diplomacy,” he said, highlighting the Gulf nation’s role in facilitating ceasefire talks and regional dialogue. The AU chair emphasized the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts toward achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. The statement comes a day after the Qatari government denounced the strike as a “cowardly attack” and a “blatant violation of international law.” The incident marks the first known Israeli military operation on Qatari territory, raising concerns over further escalation in the broader Middle East conflict.

Qatar condemns ‘cowardly’ Israeli attack in Doha

Qatar Condemns Israeli Strike in Doha as Cowardly Attack on Sovereignty

Fola Badmus1 week ago1 week ago04 mins

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned an Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential building in the capital, Doha, which was reportedly housing Hamas officials. The attack, described by Qatari authorities as a “cowardly” act, marks the first known Israeli strike on Qatari soil. In an official statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari called the attack a “flagrant violation of international law” and warned that Qatar would not tolerate such aggression. “The State of Qatar affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and its continued tampering with regional security,” al-Ansari said, adding that investigations are ongoing and further details will be released. Casualties Confirmed Qatar’s Interior Ministry confirmed the death of Corporal Bader Saad Mohammed Al-Humaidi Al-Dosari, a member of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), who was killed while on duty at the targeted site. Several other security personnel were reportedly injured. Israel Confirms Operation Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strike, stating it was a “wholly independent Israeli operation” targeting top Hamas leaders. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility,” Netanyahu said on social media. The targeted building, located in a densely populated area of Doha, is surrounded by residential units and several foreign embassies. The explosions were felt across the city. Hamas Leadership Survives Despite the strike, Hamas officials confirmed that the group’s leadership survived what they described as an “assassination attempt.” The attack reportedly took place while Hamas negotiators were meeting to discuss a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Suhail al-Hindi, a senior Hamas official, labeled the strike a “cowardly assassination attempt” in remarks to Al Jazeera. Qatar’s Role in Mediation Undermined Qatar has long played a key role in mediating ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas, often working in partnership with Egypt and the United States. The targeted Hamas office in Doha was reportedly established at the request of the U.S. to facilitate diplomatic efforts. Al Jazeera correspondent Osama Bin Javaid noted the unprecedented nature of the strike, stating, “This is not a country at war. This is a country trying to establish peace.” Wider Conflict Escalates The attack in Doha comes amid escalating regional tensions. Israel continues to conduct military operations across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the occupied West Bank. According to rights groups, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed over 64,000 people since October 2023, prompting the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on war crimes charges. This latest strike is being viewed as a dangerous escalation, with potential implications for diplomatic mediation and regional stability.

South Africa vs Nigeria: World Cup qualifier – start, team news and lineups

South Africa vs Nigeria: Lineups, Team News and What’s at Stake in Crucial World Cup Qualifier

Fola Badmus2 weeks ago2 weeks ago06 mins

Bloemfontein, South Africa — A high-stakes clash awaits as Group C leaders South Africa host Nigeria in a pivotal CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. With only two matchdays remaining in the first round of African qualifiers, the outcome of this match could reshape the group standings and heavily influence who makes it to North America for the expanded 48-team tournament. Match DetailsWho: South Africa vs NigeriaCompetition: CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Group CVenue: Free State Stadium, BloemfonteinDate: Tuesday, September 9Kick-off: 6:00 PM local time (16:00 GMT)Live coverage: Al Jazeera Sport live text commentary from 13:30 GMT Group Leaders: South Africa’s Road to the World Cup Bafana Bafana come into the fixture unbeaten at home during this qualifying campaign, with solid wins over Benin (2-1), Zimbabwe (3-1), and Lesotho (3-0). They currently sit top of Group C with 16 points and a +8 goal difference, five clear of Nigeria. A victory on Tuesday would all but guarantee qualification, leaving only a minimal mathematical chance for rivals to catch up. But head coach Hugo Broos will be forced to reshuffle his defense after injuries to Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Brendon Moloisane. Kaizer Chiefs’ Thabiso Monyane is expected to deputise, while Lyle Foster, fresh off a goal and assist against Lesotho, will lead the attack. Nigeria’s Must-Win Mission For the Super Eagles, the road to World Cup qualification is narrowing. Currently third in the group with 10 points, Nigeria must beat South Africa to revive their chances of topping the group and qualifying directly. Their challenge, however, is complicated by the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen, ruled out due to a chin injury sustained during their 1-0 win over Rwanda on Friday. Head coach Eric Chelle is likely to turn to Tolu Arokodare to spearhead the attack, with Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi expected to provide attacking support. Cyriel Dessers and Samuel Chukwueze are also options off the bench. Group C Standings (After 7 Matches)South Africa: 16 pts (+8 GD)Benin: 11 pts (0 GD)Nigeria: 10 pts (+2 GD)Rwanda: 8 pts (-1 GD)Lesotho: 6 pts (-4 GD)Zimbabwe: 4 pts (-5 GD) What’s at Stake? Only the group winner qualifies directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The four best runners-up across the nine CAF groups will enter an intercontinental playoff for one final African spot. Nigeria must win against South Africa and in their remaining matches against Lesotho and Benin to have any hope of winning the group or securing a playoff place. Last Five Matches South Africa: W W W W WNigeria: D W D D W Head-to-Head Record Since 2004Played: 13Nigeria Wins: 6South Africa Wins: 1Draws: 6 The last time South Africa and Nigeria met in Bloemfontein was during the 2019 AFCON qualifiers, where Nigeria won 2-1. Predicted Starting LineupsSouth Africa (4-2-3-1): Williams (GK); Mdunyelwa, Ndamane, Monyane, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha; Nkota, Mbule, Appollis; FosterNigeria (4-3-3): Nwabali (GK); Aina, Fredrick, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyedika, Ndidi, Iwobi; Simon, Lookman, Arokodare How to Follow Follow Al Jazeera Sport for pre-match coverage from 13:30 GMT, followed by live text commentary, in-depth analysis, and post-match reactions. This clash is more than a qualifier — it’s a battle for continental supremacy and survival. Can Nigeria revive their campaign without Osimhen? Or will South Africa seal qualification at home in front of a roaring Bloemfontein crowd?

Supreme Court allows Trump to continue ‘roving’ ICE patrols in California

Supreme Court Backs Trump’s Roving ICE Patrols in California Sparking Legal and Civil Rights Concerns

Fola Badmus2 weeks ago2 weeks ago07 mins

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday sided with President Donald Trump’s administration, allowing federal immigration agents to continue controversial “roving patrols” across Southern California, despite lower court rulings that said the practice likely violates constitutional protections. The court’s unsigned order offered no explanation, but came over a forceful dissent from the three liberal justices—Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson—who warned the ruling paves the way for widespread racial profiling and civil rights abuses. Controversial Tactics Resume The case centered on aggressive immigration enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who allegedly stopped and interrogated Latino individuals—some of them U.S. citizens—at farms, bus stops, and other locations without reasonable suspicion. A federal district court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had previously restricted such stops, ruling that targeting individuals based largely on ethnicity or location likely violated the Fourth Amendment. Monday’s Supreme Court ruling lifts that restriction for now, affecting seven counties in Southern California. In a concurring opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh argued that ethnicity can be one of several factors used to establish “reasonable suspicion” in immigration enforcement, stating: “Apparent ethnicity alone cannot furnish reasonable suspicion… [but] it can be a relevant factor when considered along with other salient factors.” Kavanaugh also emphasized that ICE agents are allowed to “briefly stop the individual and inquire about immigration status.” Sotomayor: ‘Freedoms Are Lost’ Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s first Hispanic justice, issued a blistering dissent, condemning what she described as a “papers please” regime that targets people based on appearance, language, or low-wage employment. “We should not have to live in a country where the government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low-wage job,” she wrote. Sotomayor cited internal statements from DHS officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who called the district judge an “idiot” and vowed that ICE operations would continue unchanged. She also referenced inflammatory rhetoric from ICE leadership, including promises to “go even harder now” and social media videos showing raids at car washes and farms. “These are not brief stops,” Sotomayor wrote. “They involve firearms, physical violence, and detentions in warehouses—with no legal counsel.” ACLU and Civil Rights Groups Condemn Ruling The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which helped lead the legal challenge, called the decision “dangerous” and said it legitimizes racial profiling under the guise of immigration enforcement. “For anyone perceived as Latino by an ICE agent, this means living in fear of violent arrest and detention,” said Cecillia Wang, ACLU National Legal Director. Legal, Political Implications The ruling is the latest in a growing number of emergency appeals from the Trump administration to reach the high court since Trump began his second term in January. Many of these cases, including this one, have bypassed traditional appellate processes and arrived at the court with little public briefing or oral argument. Sotomayor criticized the court’s increasing reliance on such shadow docket rulings, writing: “The court’s appetite to circumvent the ordinary appellate process and weigh in on important issues has grown exponentially.” While the ruling is technically temporary—pending a full hearing—it will be widely interpreted as a green light for aggressive enforcement tactics across the country. Immigration advocates warn it could encourage ICE agents nationwide to resume or expand similar operations, using race and language as key triggers for stops. The Department of Homeland Security praised the ruling. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin called it “a win for the safety of Californians and the rule of law.” What’s Next? With the case now cleared for continued enforcement pending further litigation, immigrant communities in California brace for renewed ICE activity. Civil rights groups plan to continue legal challenges and increase public pressure on Congress to impose limits on immigration enforcement powers. Meanwhile, national attention will turn to whether the Supreme Court takes up the case formally—and if it sets new precedent on immigration stops and racial profiling.

French Government Collapses After PM François Bayrou Loses Confidence Vote

Fola Badmus2 weeks ago2 weeks ago05 mins

Paris, France — French Prime Minister François Bayrou has been ousted after losing a parliamentary confidence vote, deepening France’s political and economic crisis and leaving the country without a functioning government. In a dramatic vote on Monday, 364 lawmakers voted against Bayrou’s leadership—well above the 280 needed to topple the government—while 194 backed him. The vote was triggered by Bayrou himself in a last-ditch effort to push through a controversial €44 billion ($51 billion) austerity plan, which included scrapping two public holidays and freezing government spending. Bayrou, who served just nine months in office, is expected to submit his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday. He follows former Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who was also removed by a no-confidence vote in December 2024. Markets React, Fiscal Uncertainty Grows The collapse of the government has rattled financial markets. Yields on French government bonds have surged past those of Spain, Portugal, and Greece—countries once at the heart of the eurozone debt crisis. A potential downgrade of France’s credit rating, expected Friday, could further damage investor confidence. “You have the power to bring down the government, but you do not have the power to erase reality,” Bayrou warned lawmakers before the vote. “The burden of debt, already unbearable, will grow heavier and more costly.” Political Gridlock and Public Anger The political turmoil stems from President Macron’s snap election in 2024, which backfired and resulted in a fragmented parliament with no clear majority. Macron’s centrist coalition has since struggled to govern, losing ground to both far-right and far-left parties. Bayrou’s ouster has renewed pressure on Macron to either dissolve parliament or appoint a cross-party prime minister—an option fraught with political risk. Opposition parties on both extremes have already warned they would not support another centrist appointment and would likely trigger another no-confidence vote. Potential successors, including Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, are seen as unlikely to unify the fractured assembly. The Élysée Palace says Macron will name a new prime minister “in the coming days.” Protests Planned, Far Right Rising Public frustration is escalating. Demonstrators gathered Monday at a symbolic “Bayrou’s farewell party” in Clermont-Ferrand. Meanwhile, left-wing groups have called for nationwide protests on Wednesday under the slogan “Bloquons tout” (“Let’s block everything”), with major trade unions planning a national mobilization on September 18. Polls suggest another snap election would likely see the far-right National Rally emerge as the largest party, followed by the left-wing coalition. Macron’s bloc would trail in third place—further weakening his ability to govern. As France faces mounting debt, political paralysis, and widening public discontent, the path forward remains uncertain. “This is a crisis not just of leadership,” said one political analyst. “It’s a collapse of trust in the system itself.” Global Implications The timing of France’s instability comes as Europe grapples with ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Analysts warn that chaos in Paris could embolden adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. presidential hopeful Donald Trump—both known for deriding Europe’s unity and strength.

LIVE: Israel to move forces into Gaza City; deadly West Bank raids

Israel to Launch Ground Operation in Gaza City as Airstrikes Kill Dozens; Deadly Raid Hits West Bank

Fola Badmus2 weeks ago2 weeks ago03 mins

Gaza City / East Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israeli ground forces will soon enter Gaza City, following a series of heavy airstrikes that killed at least 52 people across the Gaza Strip on Monday, including 32 in Gaza City alone. In the early hours of the day, Israeli warplanes targeted residential areas, including the destruction of a high-rise building in Gaza City. Images from the scene showed widespread devastation as emergency workers searched through rubble for survivors. Netanyahu, in a televised statement, warned civilians in Gaza City to evacuate immediately, stating that military operations would intensify in the coming hours. “Anyone who stays behind is risking their life,” he said. The escalation comes amid continued fighting in the occupied West Bank. In occupied East Jerusalem, six people were killed and several others wounded in a shooting attack that Israeli authorities have blamed on two Palestinians from the West Bank. The assailants were reportedly shot dead by Israeli police at the scene. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials and rights groups have condemned what they call a systematic campaign of displacement, pointing to Israeli military operations and settlement expansion across Palestinian territories. Mustafa Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian politician and activist, said ongoing raids and settler activity are “eliminating any chance for a Palestinian state,” further eroding hopes for a two-state solution. The Israeli military has intensified operations in both Gaza and the West Bank in recent weeks, citing security threats. However, the death toll continues to rise, drawing concern from international observers and humanitarian groups about the scale of civilian casualties and displacement.