Fola Badmus

Aruna, Goda Join Star-Studded Cast at WTT Star Contender in Slovenia

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Hana Goda are among the elite players set to compete at the WTT Star Contender Ljubljana 2025, taking place in Slovenia. The WTT Star Contender Ljubljana 2025 boasts a prize pool of $300,000 and offers valuable ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking points. The singles champions will receive $17,000 and 600 points, while the doubles champions will take home $5,500 and 600 points. This highly anticipated event, hosted at Hala Tivoli in Ljubljana, has attracted a star-studded lineup of table tennis greats. Aruna, currently ranked 24th in the world and the highest-ranked African player, is seeded No. 14 in the men’s singles and has received a bye into the second round (last 32). He is expected to face the winner between Japan’s Shunsuke Togami and China’s Xu Haidong on Friday, June 20. Similarly, Goda, seeded No. 15 in the women’s singles, also received a bye into the second round. She is set to face the winner between Japan’s Sakura Yokoi and South Korea’s Joo Cheonhui. Some of the world’s best players will battle it out over five events in what promises to be a week-long table tennis spectacle. Leading the charge in the men’s singles is Brazilian star and 2025 World Championships runner-up, Hugo Calderano. Known as the “Thrill from Brazil,” Calderano returns to Slovenia with bold ambition, looking to defend his title from last year’s triumph. Joining him are global heavyweights including Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, winner of the Men’s Singles title at WTT Star Contender Doha 2025; Felix Lebrun, champion at WTT Champions Montpellier 2024; and Slovenian home favourite Darko Jorgic. In the women’s singles, Japan’s Miwa Harimoto headlines the field after claiming the title at WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025. Her compatriot Hina Hayata is also back to defend her title from last year’s Ljubljana tournament. Other strong contenders include South Korea’s Shin Yubin, seeking her first WTT Star Contender title, as well as Romania’s Bernadette Szocs and China’s Qian Tianyi, both of whom are expected to make deep runs in the competition.

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Tinubu to Embark on Vacation to Saint Lucia Amid Rising Insecurity at Home Starting June 28

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Nigeria on June 28, 2025, for a combination of official engagements and a private vacation in Saint Lucia, according to Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre. Speaking during a pre-cabinet briefing on Monday, Pierre confirmed that June 30 and July 1 will be reserved for formal meetings with Caribbean leaders, while the rest of Tinubu’s stay will be a personal holiday. The visit is described as historic, with efforts to deepen ties between Africa and the Caribbean, especially given the shared ancestral heritage between Nigeria and many Caribbean nations. To commemorate the occasion, leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)—which includes Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia—have been invited to participate in high-level talks. Topics expected to be discussed include economic development, education, infrastructure, and diplomatic cooperation. Tinubu’s upcoming trip comes amid widespread national mourning over the recent massacre of over 200 Nigerians in Benue State, raising public concern over the timing of his vacation. It also follows his two-week working visit to Paris in April, drawing renewed scrutiny over the president’s frequent foreign travels amid deepening domestic crises

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Troops Kill Eight Terrorists in Katsina Recover Weapons

Troops of the 17 Brigade under Operation Fasan Yamma have killed eight terrorists in a fierce gun battle along the Kurfi–Batsari Road in Katsina State, the Defence Headquarters confirmed on Thursday. The confrontation occurred on Wednesday near the Forward Operating Base in Kurfi, according to a statement issued by Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations. Soldiers thwarted the terrorists’ planned attack, recovering five AK-47 rifles, six magazines, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the operation. One soldier sustained injuries and is receiving treatment at the 17 Brigade Medical Centre, Kangye said, adding that troops’ morale remains high and the area is currently calm. The Defence Headquarters commended the troops for their bravery and assured Nigerians of the military’s continued commitment to national security.

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Nigeria Introduces Real-Time Oil Export Monitoring to Curb Theft and Boost Revenue

Nigeria’s oil regulator has announced new export regulations requiring producers to obtain an export permit, vessel clearance, and a unique identification number to enable real-time tracking of crude oil cargoes, according to documents seen by Reuters. The move is part of a broader government strategy to curb oil theft, under-declaration, and revenue leakage at export terminals, which have long plagued Africa’s largest oil producer. “The new guidelines represent a significant step toward a more transparent, accountable, and efficient oil export regime in Nigeria,” said a spokesperson for the regulator. Previously, oil producers were only required to notify customs to receive an export permit, a system experts say was vulnerable to manipulation. Under the new Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation, exporters must now file advance cargo details including consignee, port of destination, tonnage, and estimated time of arrival. Energy lawyer Ayodele Oni noted the changes were necessary to address systemic issues of “under-reporting, theft, revenue loss, and data mismatches” in the oil sector. The regulator warned that non-compliance could attract penalties of up to $20,000, underscoring the administration’s drive to tighten oversight and improve fiscal accountability in the petroleum industry.

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Yelewata Massacre: A National Wake-Up Call for Leadership Justice and Security Reform

By High Chief Hon. Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich (Egberipapa)National Leader, Simplicity Movement The recent massacre of over 200 Nigerians in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, is not just a tragedy—it is a national emergency that should shake the conscience of every Nigerian. What transpired was not merely a security lapse, but a colossal failure of foresight, coordination, and justice. We must not allow this horror to pass like so many others—forgotten and unpunished. I extend my deepest condolences to the grieving families, the people of Yelewata, and the entire Benue State. No community should ever have to endure such carnage. What we have witnessed is the erasure of entire families, the burning of homes, and the shattering of livelihoods—yet again. This massacre is part of a pattern of escalating mass violence in Nigeria that continues to go largely unpunished. It is long past time for us to rise as a people and say: Enough is enough. A Call to the President I urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to treat this moment as a historic opportunity for bold and corrective action. Nigerians are not only asking for empathy—they are demanding decisive leadership that transforms our security architecture from reactive to proactive, from opaque to accountable. The recent admission by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, that some personnel have allegedly leaked classified intelligence to terrorists is deeply troubling. While courageous, this confession demands an immediate institutional response—not silence. Even more alarming are viral videos circulating on social media showing helicopters with police markings allegedly delivering supplies to terrorists and uniformed men fraternizing with armed groups. While these clips await official verification, the continued lack of transparency or investigation only deepens public distrust. Six Urgent Recommendations for the President 1. Establish an Independent Judicial Inquiry into the Yelewata MassacreLet a credible, transparent panel of jurists, security experts, and civil society members investigate the Yelewata killings and other attacks. The findings must be made public and followed by swift action. 2. Audit and Reform the Intelligence CommunityWe need a comprehensive audit of our intelligence system. Preventing terror must start with accurate, actionable intelligence—driven by technology and local collaboration. 3. Cleanse and Reposition the Armed Forces and PoliceWhile we honor the sacrifices of our uniformed forces, saboteurs must be removed. Ethical training, command accountability, and anti-corruption enforcement are urgent. 4. Empower Communities with Early Warning and Local Security NetworksCommunity leaders should be empowered with direct communication lines to security commands. Community policing, local vigilante support, and whistleblower protections should be formalized. 5. Establish a Federal Victim Support and Restoration FundYelewata and similar communities must receive trauma care, housing, agricultural support, and sustainable rebuilding. This is not a handout—it is justice and reintegration. 6. Rebuild Public Trust Through TransparencyInitiate regular national security briefings to inform the public. Nigerians need clarity—not rumors. Trust is built through truth, and transparency is the beginning of healing.

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When Mourning Becomes a Carnival a Nation Loses Its Soul – Peter Obi

In the wake of the senseless killings of over 200 innocent Nigerians in Benue State, and devastating floods in Niger State that claimed a similar number of lives, many Nigerians pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to visit the affected communities—not with pomp, but with compassion and solemnity. But the President’s recent visit to Benue has drawn widespread criticism for its tone-deaf execution, more akin to a political rally than a condolence mission. Instead of a somber and reflective presence, the President arrived in celebratory agbada, as if attending a commissioning ceremony, not a region reeling from mass death. The state government declared a public holiday, not for mourning, but seemingly to organize fanfare. Schools were shut down, and children who lost classmates and loved ones were lined up in the rain to perform songs and dances for a presidential audience. This rehearsed pageantry in the face of tragedy has sparked outrage. “Condolence visits have become carnivals,” one commentator lamented. “We are not at war, yet our nation is bleeding—and we are clapping.” Critics argue that resources expended on optics—banners, music, security logistics—could have been used to provide relief supplies, trauma counselling, and medical support for grieving communities. Citing examples from abroad, critics point out how President Ramaphosa of South Africa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India have responded to similar crises with dignity and direct action, not staged crowds and celebration. “These were human beings—children, mothers, fathers—whose blood cries out for justice,” the statement continues. “We must ask: what kind of people have we become, when grief is met with spectacle?” As Nigeria continues to grapple with growing insecurity and environmental disasters, there are growing calls for empathy-based leadership, one that puts people before politics.

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Iran Denies Seeking White House Meeting With Trump

Tehran, Iran — The Iranian government has dismissed recent claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Tehran sought a meeting at the White House during his administration. In a statement issued on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry labeled the allegation as “baseless and self-aggrandizing,” insisting that at no point did Iranian officials request a direct meeting with Trump or seek to visit the White House. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has never pursued or requested a meeting with former President Trump. Any suggestion otherwise is a fabrication aimed at domestic political gain,” the ministry stated. Trump had claimed over the weekend that Iranian leaders were eager for talks and had reached out for a possible meeting at the White House, suggesting it was evidence of his administration’s strength. The rejection comes amid renewed diplomatic and military tensions between Iran and the United States, particularly in light of escalating confrontations across the Middle East.

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Israel Intensifies Gaza Assault: Dozens Killed in Strikes on Aid Sites and Residential Areas

Gaza Strip — Israeli forces have killed at least 70 Palestinians and wounded hundreds more during an assault on civilians gathered for food in Khan Younis on Tuesday, marking the deadliest single day at aid distribution points since the conflict escalated. According to Palestinian health authorities, the attack—carried out with tank fire, drones, and machine guns—targeted desperate civilians along a major road in southern Gaza where aid had been expected to arrive. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 89 Palestinians have been killed across the enclave since dawn, with the toll rising. Elsewhere in the Gaza Strip, Israeli air strikes continued to pound residential areas, displacing families and killing dozens: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — a controversial relief initiative backed by Israel and the United States — has been operating distribution points since May 26, but has drawn criticism over a surge in violence around aid areas. Hamas condemned the Israeli military’s continued bombardment of residential neighborhoods and aid collection points, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting civilians under the guise of humanitarian aid coordination. International rights organizations have renewed calls for immediate ceasefires, protection of civilian infrastructure, and safe access to humanitarian relief, warning of catastrophic hunger and mass displacement in the war-ravaged enclave. No official comment has been released by the Israeli military regarding Tuesday’s widespread attacks.

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