FG Inaugurates Three New Cancer Centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Benin

FG Inaugurates Three New Cancer Centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Benin

By Kamal Yalwa : July 26, 2025 The Federal Government has inaugurated three advanced oncology centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Benin, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to expand access to cancer treatment and address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. The centres, located at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina; the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu; and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, were commissioned as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. Speaking at the inauguration ceremonies, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the Tinubu administration is committed to transforming cancer care in Nigeria through “unprecedented investments” in modern treatment facilities and diagnostic capabilities. “These new centres demonstrate the President’s resolve to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce the burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases across the country,” Prof. Pate stated. He emphasized that the new facilities would enhance early diagnosis, provide state-of-the-art treatment options, and serve as hubs for training medical professionals in oncology care. Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who joined Prof. Pate in celebrating the achievement. The new centres form part of a broader strategy to decentralize specialized healthcare services and bring quality cancer treatment closer to communities nationwide. Prof. Pate noted that additional investments would soon follow in diagnostics and clinical workforce development. This development aligns with the Tinubu administration’s health reform agenda, which prioritizes improved access, equity, and quality in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

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Oshiomhole Clarifies Comment on Peter Obi’s Visit to Edo, Says Media Exaggerated Narrative

Oshiomhole Clarifies Comment on Peter Obi’s Visit to Edo, Says Media Exaggerated Narrative

By: Kamal YalwaJuly 26, 2025 Former Governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has addressed the controversy surrounding remarks about Peter Obi’s recent visit to a state-owned facility in Edo, stating that the media exaggerated the incident. Speaking during a public engagement, Oshiomhole said there was no personal rift between him and the Labour Party presidential candidate, whom he described as a former colleague and someone he still holds in high regard despite their differing political views. “I think the media tried to exaggerate it,” Oshiomhole said. “You know, people who don’t talk too much must choose how they communicate. The essential message was clear: Obi and I know each other well, and I like him—I still do—but politically, we don’t agree.” The Senator narrated how, in early June, he was invited to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to deliver a lecture. In anticipation of the trip, he made efforts to notify the Enugu State Governor out of respect and protocol, even though he is no longer a serving governor. “I asked my orderly to get the phone number of the Governor. When he finally reached the Governor’s ADC, I requested that my visit be conveyed to His Excellency and that I would appreciate security support from the airport to Nsukka. There’s no law mandating this—it’s simply about decency and mutual respect.” Oshiomhole recounted a similar precedent from his time as Governor of Edo State when former President Olusegun Obasanjo—despite their strained relationship during Oshiomhole’s time as Nigeria Labour Congress President—formally informed him of a visit to Edo State and requested logistical and security support. “Obasanjo came to my residence, and when the media asked why, he said, and I quote: ‘Whomever you think you are, when visiting a state, there is a constitutional authority in that state. Out of respect, you inform the Governor.’” He stressed that Peter Obi, though well-intentioned, should have extended the same courtesy when visiting a government-owned nursing school in Edo State—an institution fully built, funded, and maintained by the state government. “It’s not a private facility. It’s owned 100% by the Edo State Government. So, even if Obi has good intentions, as a former Governor, he should understand the importance of protocol and decency in such cases.” Oshiomhole concluded by stating that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s concerns were not about seeking permission, but a matter of basic courtesy and administrative order. “Maybe it was a question of how people interpreted the Governor’s choice of words. But the message was clear: if you’re coming to a state facility, it’s just respectful to notify the sitting Governor. It’s not about protocol or permission—it’s about decency.”

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Atiku’s Media Aide Accuses Tinubu of Favoritism Towards Christians, Sparks Religious Backlash

Atiku’s Media Aide Accuses Tinubu of Favoritism Towards Christians, Sparks Religious Backlash

By Kamal YalwaJuly 26, 2025 A political storm is brewing following a controversial statement by Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar, a media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in which he accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of favoring Christians in key appointments across his administration. In a widely circulated message, Na’ibi claimed that President Tinubu’s government has disproportionately handed top federal positions to Christians, despite running a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket. He suggested that Muslims must “rise up and take over the country” from what he referred to as a “Christian government.” The statement has sparked outrage and renewed religious tensions in the political space, with critics accusing Atiku’s camp of fueling division and promoting an anti-Christian agenda. A counter-narrative has since emerged, highlighting the religious identities of high-profile Christian appointees under the Tinubu administration. The list includes: Observers note that the religious composition of Tinubu’s cabinet and appointees reflects a diverse, multi-faith balance—contrary to accusations of sectarian bias. “This administration’s appointments are arguably among the most inclusive Nigeria has seen in recent years,” a political analyst commented. “To frame this as anti-Muslim or pro-Christian is disingenuous and dangerous.” Meanwhile, the presidency has yet to issue an official response to Na’ibi’s remarks. However, civil society groups and interfaith organizations have urged political actors to refrain from incendiary language capable of destabilizing the country’s fragile unity. Political tensions are expected to rise further as Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, with religion and ethnicity once again taking center stage in national discourse.

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Replit AI Coding Tool Accused of Wiping Production Database, Fabricating Users, and Lying to Developer

Replit AI Coding Tool Accused of Wiping Production Database, Fabricating Users, and Lying to Developer

By Kamal YalwaJuly 26, 2025 A widely used artificial intelligence coding assistant from Replit has come under fire after reportedly wiping a production database, fabricating thousands of fictional users, and concealing bugs—prompting fresh concerns over the safety and reliability of AI tools in software development. The alarming incident was brought to light by Jason M. Lemkin, tech entrepreneur and founder of SaaStr, who shared his experience in a video posted to LinkedIn. “I am worried about safety,” Lemkin said. “I was vibe coding for 80 hours last week, and Replit AI was lying to me all weekend. It finally admitted it lied on purpose.” According to Lemkin, the AI assistant disregarded explicit instructions not to alter code, proceeded to make unauthorized changes, generated over 4,000 fake user records, and even produced fabricated reports to mask the issues. “I told it 11 times in ALL CAPS DON’T DO IT,” Lemkin added. He said attempts to enforce a code freeze were futile, as the AI continued modifying code without authorization. “There is no way to enforce a code freeze in vibe coding apps like Replit. There just isn’t,” he lamented, adding that seconds after he posted about the issue, Replit AI violated the freeze again. The developer noted that even running a unit test carried the risk of triggering a database wipe, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the AI tool. Ultimately, Lemkin concluded that Replit’s platform is not production-ready, particularly for non-technical users seeking to build commercial software. With more than 30 million users globally, Replit is a key player in the AI-assisted coding space. Its tools are marketed to help developers write, test, and deploy code more efficiently using generative AI. In response to the controversy, Replit CEO Amjad Masad took to X (formerly Twitter) to apologize, calling the situation “unacceptable” and pledging significant improvements. “We worked around the weekend to deploy automatic DB dev/prod separation to prevent this categorically,” Masad said, noting that staging environments are in development, alongside a new planning/chat-only mode to allow users to strategize without risking their codebase. Masad also confirmed that Replit will reimburse Lemkin for the disruption and conduct a full postmortem to understand the AI failure and improve their systems. “I know Replit says ‘improvements are coming soon,’ but they are doing $100m+ ARR,” Lemkin said in a follow-up post. “At least make the guardrails better. Somehow. Even if it’s hard. It’s all hard.” AI Coding Under Scrutiny The incident comes amid growing excitement—and skepticism—around AI-powered software development. A trend dubbed “vibe coding”, reportedly coined by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy, encourages developers to let AI handle the heavy lifting while they “give in to the vibes.” Startups like Anysphere, creators of the AI code tool Cursor, recently raised $900 million at a $9.9 billion valuation, claiming their platform generates over a billion lines of code daily. Yet critics say the reality is far from perfect. Developers complain that AI often produces unreliable or poor-quality code, with one Redditor comparing the experience to: “The drunk uncle walks by after the wreck and gives you a roll of duct tape before asking to borrow some money to go to Vegas.” Security is also a growing concern. AI-generated code can introduce vulnerabilities, and malicious actors have taken notice. One vibe coding extension—downloaded over 200,000 times—was discovered to run PowerShell scripts that gave hackers remote access to users’ systems. As AI becomes more embedded in coding workflows, experts warn that the industry must balance innovation with robust guardrails and ethical design—or risk trading efficiency for chaos.

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Over 220 UK MPs Urge Starmer to Recognise Palestine as a State

More than 220 British MPs have signed a cross-party letter urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to formally recognise Palestine as an independent state, significantly increasing pressure on Downing Street to shift its current position. The letter, coordinated by Labour MP and International Development Committee Chair Sarah Champion, calls the move a moral and historic responsibility, citing Britain’s colonial-era role in Palestine and its authorship of the 1917 Balfour Declaration. “British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine,” the letter states. “Since 1980, we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility.” The push comes amid intensifying humanitarian concerns in Gaza, where ongoing conflict has triggered severe food shortages, rising malnutrition, and allegations of targeted violence by Israeli forces. Earlier this month, around 60 Labour MPs privately appealed to Foreign Secretary David Lammy to act immediately. The growing number of signatories now reflects deeper frustration with what critics see as the UK government’s reluctance to back recognition despite its long-standing support for a two-state solution. In response, Prime Minister Starmer issued a statement on Friday describing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “unrelenting,” calling for a regional peace plan that includes eventual Palestinian statehood. “Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis,” he said. International Pressure Mounts The UK’s hesitance now stands in contrast with France, whose President Emmanuel Macron announced his government would formally recognise Palestine at a UN conference in September. This has amplified pressure on the UK to act in concert with key allies. “They said they wanted to be in lockstep with allies, but this means that position won’t hold,” a Labour MP told reporters. US President Donald Trump, however, dismissed Macron’s announcement, saying: “What he says doesn’t matter… He’s a good guy, but that statement doesn’t carry weight.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the French decision, calling it a reward for terrorism following the October 7 attack, and warning that a Palestinian state could become “another Iranian proxy” and a direct threat to Israel. UK Government Defends Position Technology Secretary Peter Kyle defended the UK’s stance, saying the government supports eventual statehood but insists that recognition must happen within the framework of a long-term peace process. “We want Palestinian statehood… but right now, we’ve got to focus on easing the extreme, unwarranted suffering in Gaza,” he said on Friday. The Foreign Office reiterated its support for a two-state solution, stating it will recognise Palestine only when it can “make the most impact” in support of peace. An emergency meeting with French and German officials was also convened Friday to address what Starmer called a “human catastrophe” in Gaza, underscoring the urgent diplomatic and humanitarian dimensions of the crisis.

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Top Boy Actor Micheal Ward Charged with Rape and Sexual Assault

British actor Micheal Ward, known for his role as Jamie in the Netflix hit series Top Boy, has been charged with multiple sexual offences, including two counts of rape. The 27-year-old has also been charged with two counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault, all relating to a single alleged victim. The offences are reported to have occurred in January 2023 . Ward, who lives in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, is scheduled to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on 28 August, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In a statement released through his representatives, Ward denied the allegations, saying, “I recognise that proceedings are now ongoing, and I have full faith that they will lead to my name being cleared.” Catherine Baccas, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South, emphasised the seriousness of the matter: “We remind all concerned that proceedings against the suspect are active and he has a right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.” Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, who is overseeing the Metropolitan Police investigation, stated that specialist officers continue to support the complainant. Ward rose to fame with critically acclaimed roles in Blue Story, The Old Guard, and Empire of Light. He was awarded the BAFTA Rising Star in 2020 and received Best Supporting Actor nominations for his performances in Small Axe (2021) and Empire of Light (2022). He is also set to appear in the upcoming American film Eddington, starring alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, scheduled for release in the UK this August. Beyond acting, Ward has a significant public profile, with over a million followers on Instagram. He participated in last year’s Soccer Aid charity match and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023.

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NPFL: Shooting Stars Appoint New Head Coach

Nigerian Premier Football League side, Shooting Stars Sport Club of Ibadan also known as 3SC has appointed Nurudeen Aweroro as the new Head Coach of the Oluyole Warriors. The club announced the appointment via her official Twitter now X on Friday. The club wrote; “Nurudeen Aweroro is the new Head Coach of Shooting Stars SC “A CAF Licensed tactician with experience from Remo Stars, MFM FC & Ikorodu City, Coach Aweroro is set to lead the Oluyole Warriors to glory. “Welcome to Ibadan, Coach! “Let’s all rally behind him.” The young tactician left his role at Ikorodu City to take charge of the Oluyole Warriors. The tactician guided Ikorodu City to fourth position in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season. Aweroro took charge of the Oga Boys midway through the season following the sacking of Mike Ozegbage.

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Mission X: Super Falcons Set to Lift 10th African title in Rabat

Nigeria will take the battle to Morocco from the blast of the whistle as they intend to give no inches or allow room for error in Saturday’s 13th Women AFCON Championship Match inside the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. The presence of hosts Morocco guarantees a full house at the magnificent facility in Morocco’s administrative capital, but the Super Falcons will be in no mood to be brow-beat or shouted out of sync as they fight to notch up their superlative numbers, including picking up a record-extending 10th continental title. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade is firmly on track for the Player of the Tournament award, and forward Chinwendu Ihezuo is also in contention for the Top Scorer’s award with her three goals, one behind Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak. Both teams boast title-loving veterans and ambitious young blood, and there is no dearth of motivation or encouragement from both Governments and the football fraternity. Like most championship games of this nature, the match may be decided from the dugout. Morocco’s Spanish coach Jorge Vidal led his country to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Down Under two years ago, and there is hardly a bigger line that can be included in a coach’s resume than a World Cup triumph. He has led the Atlas Lionesses with a firm hand and injected pace and purpose into their game, and they appear even stronger than the team that defeated nine-woman Super Falcons after a penalty shootout in a semi final match in Casablanca three years ago. Yet, the attention of pundits across the globe has been drawn to the person of Coach Justine Madugu, previously seen only as assistant at major competitions, who is now dictating the pace of things at Africa’s flagship women competition. Madugu has brought to enduring reality the tactical philosophy of ‘take it one game at a time’, playing to his team’s strength in each game, and despite loads of cynicism about his capabilities before the commencement of the tournament, four of his five opponents (bar the Lady Fennecs of Algeria who played the Super Falcons when the nine-time champions had already secured passage to the knockout stages) have left for the dressing room with bleary eyes. Surely, he will play to his strength in this final match as well, meaning that all calculations, expectations and projections of the opposition will be blown to smithereens. The Confederation of African Football, on Thursday, appointed Namibian official Antsino Twanyanyukwa as referee for Saturday night’s potentially-explosive encounter.

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