Kamal Yalwa

Kemi Badenoch: People Have No Right to Turn Our Streets Into Theatres of Intimidation

Kemi Badenoch: People Have No Right to Turn Our Streets Into Theatres of Intimidation

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has delivered a fiery address at the Conservative Party Conference, warning that Britain must not allow its streets to become “theatres of intimidation” and urging national unity rooted in shared values and culture. Badenoch, who is widely viewed as one of the leading voices of the Conservative Party’s new generation, used her speech to attack both Labour and Reform UK, accusing them of peddling “simplistic answers” and divisive politics. “One flings around the word ‘racist’ and will not be realistic about what is going wrong,” she said. “The other whips up outrage, offering simplistic answers that will fall apart on first contact with reality. That is not serious politics.” She argued that neither Labour nor Reform offers the leadership Britain deserves, describing the two parties as “two sides of the same coin.” Calling for “national unity,” Badenoch said Britain needs “a strong common culture rooted in our history, our language, our institutions, and our belief in liberty under the law.” “Britain is a multiracial country — that is part of our modern story,” she added. “But it must never become a multicultural country where shared values dissolve, loyalty fragments, and we foment the home-grown terrorism that we saw on the streets of Manchester this week.” Badenoch also rejected the populist politics of tearing down institutions, saying: “Britain needs deep change, but I reject the politics that everything must go, that everything must be torn down, that everything is broken. If we leave it to Labour or Reform, Britain will be divided.” Concluding her speech, she declared the Conservative Party “under new leadership and with renewed purpose.” “We have listened, we have learned, and we have changed,” she said. “Yes, we have a mountain to climb, but we have a song in our hearts — and we are up for the fight.”

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DSS Apologises, Releases Wrongfully Detained Journalists in Jos

DSS Apologises, Releases Wrongfully Detained Journalists in Jos

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released two journalists from Jay 101.9 FM in Jos, Plateau State, after they were wrongfully arrested on Saturday during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the state. President Tinubu was in Jos to attend the funeral of the mother of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to security sources, the journalists — Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang — were detained by overzealous operatives but were released after the DSS Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, learned of the incident and ordered their immediate release. The Nation reported that the DSS promptly contacted Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to convey the Director-General’s apology over the “unfortunate misunderstanding.” “The Director assured the NUJ President that the new DSS leadership treasures the importance of a free press in a democracy and has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. Any officer found culpable will be appropriately sanctioned,” the source said. The source added that the new DSS leadership is focused on correcting inherited excesses within the Service. “The DG is correcting the wrongs he inherited, including overzealousness. He has not hesitated to admit errors whenever the Service makes mistakes. We’ve seen several instances where the DSS apologised and even compensated victims of wrongful arrests,” the source added. He further described Mr. Ajayi as a “lover of human rights and press freedom,” recalling that the DSS previously apologised to the management of TVC over alleged harassment and intimidation of one of its reporters. The latest action by the DSS has drawn commendation from media circles, with the NUJ leadership urging security agencies to maintain professionalism and respect for journalists in the discharge of their duties.

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Akwa Ibom Government Denies Withdrawing Security Aides from Former Governor Udom Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom State Government has denied reports claiming that security personnel attached to former Governor Udom Emmanuel have been withdrawn. The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, described the reports as false, misleading, and politically motivated, insisting that no such directive was ever issued by Governor Umo Eno or any official of his administration. Speaking with journalists on Saturday night, Umanah clarified that the deployment, reassignment, or withdrawal of police officers lies solely within the authority of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the State Commissioner of Police, not the state government. “I can tell you on good authority that the Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past Governor,” he stated. Umanah further explained that all former governors of Akwa Ibom State remain entitled to their legally approved security details, adding that no complaints or reports of withdrawal have been received from any of them or their aides. “To the best of our knowledge, there has been no complaint or report from any former Governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,” he said. The Commissioner urged members of the public to disregard the misinformation, reaffirming that Governor Eno remains focused on peace, unity, and good governance in the state. “Governor Umo Eno is committed to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, continue to enjoy full protection and the benefits of the law,” he concluded.

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Five Killed as Russia Launches Massive Overnight Drone and Missile Strikes Across Ukraine

Five Killed as Russia Launches Massive Overnight Drone and Missile Strikes Across Ukraine

At least five people were killed overnight as Russia launched a large-scale wave of drone and missile attacks across multiple regions of Ukraine, targeting civilian and energy infrastructure in one of the heaviest bombardments in recent weeks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Russian forces fired about 50 missiles and 500 attack drones, striking several regions including Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, and Kirovohrad. “The Russians struck with cruise missiles, Shaheds, and Kinzhals among other things,” Zelenskyy said. Local officials confirmed that one person was killed in Zaporizhzhia, while four members of a family, including a 15-year-old girl, died in Lviv after a drone strike destroyed their home. Lviv’s mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the city was left without power, and public transport was suspended amid widespread fires and damage. Residents were urged to stay indoors due to heavy smoke. In the nearby village of Lapaivka, resident Mykola Dmytrotsa described the devastation: “All windows were blown out, doors and everything inside too. No doors, no windows, no roof.” Local officials reported that 10 homes were completely destroyed and dozens more were damaged beyond repair. Regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi said the assault was “the largest attack on Lviv since the start of the war.” Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko condemned the strikes, accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting residential areas and energy facilities: “Moscow continues to strike homes, schools, and energy facilities – proving that destruction remains its only strategy.” The latest assault follows another deadly attack on Saturday in which 30 people were killed on a passenger train in Sumy, which Zelenskyy described as “savage.” Poland and NATO Respond Poland said it scrambled fighter jets alongside NATO allies as part of a “preventive measure” to secure its airspace. The move followed reports of Russian drones entering Polish airspace in early September, and similar airspace violations in Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, and Denmark in recent weeks. In Denmark, officials accused Russian naval vessels of tracking Danish ships and aircraft “in an aggressive way,” while Belgium reported 15 unidentified drones over a military base on Friday. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Russia’s latest strikes as “terror attacks on civilians,” saying the EU was preparing a new sanctions package and would support Ukraine “for as long as needed.” Lithuanian foreign minister Kestutis Budrys joined calls for nations to stop purchasing Russian energy, arguing that such revenues “fuel Moscow’s war machine.” “We must stop feeding its imperial appetite and put an end to state terrorism,” Budrys said on X. Analysts say Russia’s intensified strikes come as retaliation for Europe’s increasingly firm pro-Ukraine stance. Samuel Ramani, a fellow at the UK-based defence think tank RUSI, told Al Jazeera that Moscow views Europe as an “incorrigible adversary” while seeking to maintain limited engagement with Washington. “The Russians are using a variety of tactics — GPS jamming, drones, and even hot air balloons — to signal their discontent,” Ramani said.

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We Have Nothing for Winter’: Afghan Families Face Grim Months After Deadly Earthquake

We Have Nothing for Winter’: Afghan Families Face Grim Months After Deadly Earthquake

A month after a devastating earthquake killed nearly 2,000 people in eastern Afghanistan, survivors say they are bracing for a harsh winter without shelter, food, or adequate aid. Sky News travelled through the remote, mountainous Mazar Dara valley in Nangarhar Province, where entire villages were reduced to rubble by the midnight quake — one of the worst the country has ever seen. In Wadir, a village in Nurgal District, eight-year-old Rahmanullah stood by the grave of his six-year-old brother, Abouzar, who died as their home collapsed. His older brother managed to pull him from the wreckage moments before the roof gave way. “He took my hand and said, ‘get up or the building will fall on you,’” Rahmanullah recounted. The earthquake struck as families slept, killing mostly women and children. Makeshift graveyards filled with white flags now mark where generations were buried together. The quake came amid Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis, compounded by widespread poverty, drought, and the near-total withdrawal of Western aid since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. This year, the United States cut nearly all funding, forcing hundreds of health facilities to close and leaving millions without consistent food supplies. Despite international sanctions, locals praised the Taliban’s immediate response, including rescue missions and medical evacuations by helicopter. Rows of white tents now line the valleys — signs of emergency aid that managed to reach the isolated region. But as temperatures drop, many fear the worst is yet to come. “We don’t have anything for winter,” said Mohammad Salem, a 45-year-old father who injured his leg in the quake. “Our children are living in tents. They lie in the dirt. Everything we had is destroyed.” In the nearby village of Andarlackhak, Ajeebah, a mother of ten, lost five of her children in the disaster. Sitting in a tent with her surviving son and daughter, she said quietly, “I didn’t want to bury them… but what could I do?” Humanitarian agencies warn that thousands remain vulnerable as malnutrition spreads and freezing temperatures approach. With women barred from working and aid channels shrinking, the challenge of survival looms larger than ever.

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Monaco 2-2 Man City: Dier’s Late Penalty Denies Haaland Hat-Trick Heroics

By Kamal Yalwa | October 1, 2025 | Champions League Manchester City were left frustrated in Monaco after Eric Dier’s controversial 90th-minute penalty earned the hosts a 2-2 draw in their Champions League league phase clash, denying City what looked like a deserved victory. City had dominated proceedings, hitting the woodwork twice and registering 18 shots, but failed to kill the game off after Erling Haaland struck twice in the first half from just seven touches. The Norwegian forward opened the scoring after 14 minutes with a clever lob over goalkeeper Philipp Köhn, only for Jordan Teze to rifle in a spectacular equaliser moments later. Haaland restored City’s lead before the break with a powerful header from Nico O’Reilly’s cross, taking his tally to 11 goals in this season’s competition. Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders both struck the bar, while Haaland spurned a glorious chance for his hat-trick. Their profligacy proved costly when VAR intervened late on: referee Jesús Gil Manzano was sent to review a high boot by substitute Nico Gonzalez on Dier at a set-piece. Despite City protests, the spot-kick was awarded and Dier coolly converted past Gianluigi Donnarumma. The result extends City’s winless away run in the Champions League to 12 months, dating back to their victory over Slovan Bratislava last October. Manager Pep Guardiola cut a frustrated figure post-match: “We didn’t defend the free-kick perfectly. We touched the ball first, it touched the opponent too, but it was given. Many things were against us tonight.” Haaland, despite his brace, was equally critical: “I don’t think we played good enough. We don’t deserve to win. We needed more energy. In the second half we allowed them to come back.” City now sit mid-table in the league phase standings, while Monaco celebrated a hard-earned point despite being second-best for much of the contest. Player of the Match: Erling Haaland (Man City)Final Score: Monaco 2-2 Manchester City

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Oba of Benin Warns Folashade Ojo-Tinubu: ‘Iyaloja-General Title Does Not Exist in Benin’

By Kamal Yalwa October 1, 2025 | Benin City The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has cautioned Mrs. Folashade Ojo-Tinubu, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, against referring to herself as Iyaloja-General within the Benin Kingdom, stressing that the title is foreign to Benin culture and traditions. The monarch issued the clarification on Tuesday when Ojo-Tinubu, who is nationally recognised as the Iyaloja-General of Nigerian market women, paid a courtesy visit to his palace in Benin City. During the visit, Ojo-Tinubu informed the monarch that she was in Edo State to inaugurate Pastor (Mrs.) Josephine Isi Ibhaguezejele as the Iyeki-General of the state. Responding, Oba Ewuare II explained that the correct title in Benin tradition is Iyeki — not Iyaloja. He noted that the Iyeki plays both administrative and cultural roles in every market and must be selected by traders before being confirmed by the palace. “The title of Iyaloja is foreign to Benin. Here, our markets have Iyeki, who serve not just as leaders of traders but also perform cultural duties tied to shrines within the markets,” the monarch said. The Oba stressed that Benin remains the custodian of its unique cultural heritage and cannot adopt external titles or practices that conflict with its traditions. He revealed that the matter had been discussed extensively with his chiefs and other knowledgeable persons. To further clarify, Chief Osaro Idah, speaking on behalf of the palace, explained that each market has its own independent Iyeki, such as in Oba Market or Ogiso Market, and none holds authority over the other. “The novelty of a ‘General Iyeki’ is alien to Benin custom. Iyeki is particular to each market. After selection by the traders, the person is brought to the palace for confirmation. The Iyeki does more than coordinate traders; they also perform roles in shrines on behalf of the palace,” he said. He added that while the Iyaloja may be recognised in Yoruba land and other parts of Nigeria, it has no place in Benin culture, where traditional institutions remain firmly rooted in ancestral practices.

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El-Rufai Slams Tinubu Government as Nigeria’s Most Failed Administration

El-Rufai Calls for Federalism, Elite Consensus to Secure Nigeria’s Future

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on Nigerians to embrace true federalism, credible elections, and an elite consensus as the foundation for the country’s stability and progress over the next 65 years. El-Rufai made this appeal while engaging clergy, professionals, and citizens in Owerri, the Imo State capital, where he stressed the urgent need for a shared national vision to address Nigeria’s lingering structural challenges. He noted that despite democratic gains since the return to civil rule in 1999, public participation in elections has drastically declined. “Voter turnout has fallen from over 60 percent in 2003 to barely 27 percent in 2023, reflecting growing estrangement from the electoral process,” he observed. According to him, Nigeria, projected to surpass 400 million people by 2050, remains structurally fragile despite being the world’s most populous Black nation. The former FCT Minister listed widespread poverty, youth unemployment, inflation, and rising public debt as urgent issues that threaten the country’s stability. He emphasized that the solution lies in forging a new elite consensus — an agreement among political leaders, business stakeholders, and civil society on the nation’s direction. “Nigeria needs an elite consensus to define our national priorities, strengthen federalism, and restore faith in the electoral process,” El-Rufai said.

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