People Are Dying Just Trying to Get Food: Desperation Grows in Gaza Amid Continued Israeli Bombardment

Gaza City – July 7, 2025 — The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened drastically as Israel’s unrelenting bombardment continues, with at least nine people killed in strikes on a UN-run school and a residential building in Gaza City, while others were gunned down near an aid distribution site in Rafah. According to Al Jazeera, the al-Shafi school, where hundreds of displaced Palestinians were sheltering, was hit at around 2:15am. “We heard the sound of something devastating explode in the hall,” said survivor Zahwa Salmi.“People were shouting: ‘There is no god but Allah! Help us, someone!’ But then we no longer heard any sound from them.” In southern Rafah, nine Palestinians, including three children, were reportedly shot dead near a Global Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution point. Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said witnesses described the horrific scene where people were too afraid to retrieve the bodies, fearing they might be shot too. “The number of Palestinians killed while trying to get food has now crossed 700,” Mahmoud reported. “This is happening in a place where enforced dehydration and starvation is widespread.” He criticized the GHF operations as “performative” and lacking genuine humanitarian structure or safety protocols. Global Aid Official: ‘Hardest Situation I’ve Ever Seen’ The World Food Programme’s Deputy Executive Director, Charles Skau, who just completed his fourth visit to Gaza since the war began, called the level of human suffering “indescribable.” “It’s hard to find words to describe the level of desperation I have witnessed,” Skau said. “People are dying just trying to get food.” He urged an immediate ceasefire, citing the success of past humanitarian operations during earlier truces: “During the previous ceasefire, we delivered over 8,000 trucks of food in just 42 days. We can do it again—if the violence stops and all entry points are opened.” Mounting Death Toll and Humanitarian Collapse The continued blockade and bombardment have pushed Gaza deeper into catastrophe, with widespread hunger, lack of medical care, and the destruction of critical infrastructure. International outcry has been growing, with human rights groups and aid agencies warning of a full-scale famine if urgent action isn’t taken. Despite global appeals, no new ceasefire agreement has been reached, and military operations continue in densely populated areas. As conditions deteriorate, humanitarian officials warn that Gaza is on the brink of collapse, and time is running out to save millions of lives.

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Labour Party Faction Moves to Expel Peter Obi Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities

By Kamal Yalwa: Abuja | July 8, 2025 Abayomi Arabambi, the factional National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), has declared that the party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, will soon be formally expelled for alleged anti-party activities. In a strongly worded statement, Arabambi accused Obi of fraternising with rival political platforms, a move he described as unconstitutional and disloyal. He insisted that Obi had already been suspended before further engaging in acts that contradict the party’s constitution. “You don’t join a political party and at the same time put your leg in another. He knows it is unconstitutional to belong to two political parties,” Arabambi said. He criticised Obi’s alleged association with what he called the “Yahoo Yahoo coalition”—a veiled reference to the new ADC-led opposition alliance featuring key figures like Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Peter Obi, and others. Arabambi also dismissed the legitimacy of any caretaker committees or parallel party structures formed under Obi’s influence, asserting that both the Labour Party’s internal constitution and Section 222 of the Nigerian Constitution prohibit such arrangements. “We are convening a NEC meeting where he (Obi) will be expelled. The expulsion will be recommended at NEC and ratified at our national convention in line with our constitution,” he stated. The statement further deepens the crisis within the Labour Party, which has been plagued by internal factional battles and leadership disputes since the conclusion of the 2023 elections. While Peter Obi has yet to formally respond to these expulsion threats, his recent political moves, including attendance at opposition strategy meetings, have raised questions about his next political alignment ahead of the 2027 elections. The Julius Abure-led LP faction, to which Arabambi belongs, insists it is the only constitutionally recognised leadership of the party. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to issue an official statement regarding the legitimacy of either faction.

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NCAA Approves Enugu Air for Domestic Flights Hours After Launch

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially granted Enugu Air approval to commence domestic flight operations, just hours after the Enugu State Government unveiled its new air fleet. In a statement issued by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, the approval aligns with the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s 5-Point Agenda, which aims to expand indigenous airlines, streamline aviation business processes, and implement broad sectoral reforms. While Enugu Air awaits the finalization of its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), it will begin operations in collaboration with XEJET, which has been designated as its operational partner. “Pursuant to this partnership, XEJET has completed a full variation process to incorporate the EMB 170 aircraft into its Operations Specifications (OpsSpecs),” the statement noted. The certification aligns with the NCAA’s stringent five-phase certification procedure, making XEJET fully authorized to operate scheduled commercial flights on behalf of Enugu Air under existing guidelines. Achimugu added that ticket sales are already underway via the XEJET platform, accessible through a redirect on the Enugu Air official website. He reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to fostering a regulatory environment that supports indigenous airlines while maintaining safety, security, and consumer protection standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

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Igbo Group Backs Creation of Anioma State, Submits Memo to Senate Committee

A prominent pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ndi Asuu Bia Social Cultural Organization, has formally endorsed the creation of Anioma State from the existing Delta State, submitting a memorandum to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution to that effect. The group, which is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), said the proposal seeks to redress decades-long marginalization and disparities in state representation affecting the Igbo ethnic group. This push aligns with the growing momentum behind the Anioma State creation bill, spearheaded by Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North in the National Assembly. According to reports, Nwoko has already secured the support of over 80 serving senators. In a detailed four-page memorandum jointly signed by Chief Onyenwemadu Kingsley Kainebi (President), Ofochi Benjamin-Atagana, Esq. (Secretary), and Chief Cosmas Agada Chikeobi (Chairman, Local Organising Committee), the group called for specific constitutional amendments. The memo urged the National Assembly to amend Section 3(1) of the 1999 Constitution to include Anioma as Nigeria’s 37th state, as well as First Schedule, Part I, to list its Local Government Areas and Capital City. The group emphasized that the creation of Anioma State would bring much-needed balance to Nigeria’s geopolitical structure, noting that the Southeast zone currently has only five states, while other zones have six or more. According to the group, the name “Anioma” reflects the tribal identity of the dominant Igbo subgroups in the region. They also stressed that calls for the state’s creation date back to Nigeria’s First Republic. “Creating Anioma State will help reunite Anioma people with their kith and kin in the Southeast, bring governance closer to the grassroots, and eliminate long-standing marginalization,” the submission read. The group urged the 10th National Assembly to adopt the proposal in the spirit of equity, fairness, and national unity.

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18-Year-Old Girl Raped by Top Official in Lagos: Family Member Seeks Justice Amid Victim’s Plea for Silence

LAGOS — An 18-year-old girl has allegedly been raped by a high-ranking government official in Lagos, sparking outrage and calls for justice from a concerned family member. The incident reportedly occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, July 6, 2025. According to a close relative, the victim had gone to meet the man at her mother’s restaurant, where he had previously promised to help secure employment for a member of her family. She later entered his vehicle to discuss the matter, but was allegedly assaulted inside the car. The victim, who has remained withdrawn since the incident, only disclosed the attack days later to her cousin, with whom she currently lives. She begged for secrecy, fearing backlash from both her family and society, and requested only emergency contraceptives to prevent a possible pregnancy. “She told me there was no full penetration but that he ejaculated on her. She’s terrified, not just of the stigma but of being blamed by our family, who often condemn victims rather than protect them,” the relative said. The accused is said to be a well-connected public official, raising concerns about potential attempts to suppress the case. The cousin, visibly angry, expressed frustration at the culture of silence and the power imbalance that allows such acts to go unpunished. “This is not just about my cousin. This is about a broken system. I want justice, but I also don’t want to make things worse for her. She’s scared, and right now I’m the only one she trusts,” he said. Health experts have warned that even without penetration, sexual assault victims may still face risks of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Activists are urging the family to seek immediate medical attention and legal guidance from certified rape crisis centers. The incident has reignited conversations around sexual violence, the culture of victim-blaming, and the urgent need for reform in how such cases are handled—especially when powerful individuals are involved. Efforts are currently underway to connect the victim with trusted support services, though no official report has yet been filed with authorities.

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ADC Coalition: Obidients Free to Support Obi, I Have Right to Back Atiku — Dele Momodu

ABUJA — Media mogul and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Dele Momodu, has reaffirmed his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as his preferred presidential candidate under the emerging opposition coalition. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Momodu emphasized that his support for Atiku does not invalidate the loyalty of Obidients — supporters of Peter Obi — or any other aspirants within the ADC framework. “My best choice is Atiku, and that’s what I expect Obidients to say about Obi, and Amaechi’s supporters to say about Amaechi,” Momodu said. “This is a game of numbers, and the north remains the most aggrieved region today.” He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of pushing for a southern candidate to emerge within the opposition, claiming it stems from fear of Atiku’s political strength. “They are afraid of Atiku. That’s why they keep promoting campaigns of calumny against him,” he alleged. Momodu stressed the importance of democracy within the coalition, calling on all aspirants to submit themselves to the party’s primary process. “I have never told anyone not to support Obi. He is a very good friend of mine,” he said. “But let everyone go to the field. Let Obidients campaign for Obi, Atikulates for Atiku, and Amaechi’s supporters for him. Let the people decide.” Reiterating his admiration for Atiku, Momodu said the former vice president remains, in his view, a strong example of the leadership Nigeria needs, especially as the ADC prepares to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections.

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Tinubu Vows Fiscal Discipline, Transparency as Lawmakers Demand Tougher Oversight

By Kamal Yalwa: Abuja, July 8, 2025 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prudent fiscal governance and transparent use of public funds, pledging to redirect national resources into critical sectors to restore public trust and drive inclusive development. Speaking through the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, at the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance on Monday, Tinubu defended the controversial fuel subsidy removal, saying it has enabled the government to fund social safety nets, public transportation, and infrastructure. “A subsidy that disproportionately benefited the affluent and encouraged smuggling was neither equitable nor strategic,” the President said. “We are now redirecting those funds into impactful, people-oriented projects.” He also highlighted key reforms under his administration, including new tax laws designed to expand the tax base, simplify compliance, and enhance revenue collection through digitisation. “We are laying the foundation for a self-sustaining economy that gradually moves away from dependence on oil revenues,” Tinubu noted, citing initiatives like the National Credit Guarantee Company to empower SMEs and grow non-oil exports. On monetary policy, Tinubu praised the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) efforts in stabilising the naira and curbing inflation, stressing better coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities to remove structural bottlenecks, especially in the food supply chain. Lawmakers Demand Accountability, Slam Audit Gaps Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Abdul Ningi, called on public agencies to respect legislative oversight, warning that failure to honour audit queries and legislative summons was “an affront to democracy.” “PACs are not just committees; they are constitutional bodies empowered to summon any individual over the use of public funds,” he said. “Non-compliance must stop.” House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, represented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, decried the over ₦300bn in unresolved audit infractions, revealing persistent non-compliance among MDAs. “Audit recommendations must be implemented with consequences for mismanagement,” he said, noting that fiscal responsibility cannot exist without enforcement. The Speaker also advocated for full digitisation of public financial management systems, including real-time expenditure tracking, automated audit tools, and wider public access to audit reports to boost transparency and citizen engagement. Public Accounts Committees Demand Reform Senate PAC Chairman, Senator Ahmed Wadada, stressed the need to “reimagine Nigeria’s fiscal framework” in response to declining revenues and rising public mistrust. “Every Naira must count—for education, health, infrastructure, and national stability,” Wadada said, citing poor budget implementation, untracked funds, and weak reporting systems. House PAC Chairman, Bamidele Salam, called for a “complete recalibration” of fiscal governance systems, adding that public service must align with constitutional obligations and measurable results. “Fiscal transparency must not remain an elite exercise—it must become a democratic right,” he said. The conference, themed “Fiscal Governance in Nigeria: Charting a New Course for Transparency and Sustainable Development,” brought together lawmakers, government officials, and audit experts to discuss Nigeria’s path toward financial integrity and institutional accountability. As fiscal reforms continue under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stakeholders agreed that achieving sustainable development would require not only policy reforms but also strict oversight, citizen participation, and measurable service delivery outcomes.

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Breaking: Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Olakulehin, Dies At 90

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has joined his ancestors at the age of 90. Vanguard has learnt that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, passed away in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, exactly one year after he ascended the throne. Born on July 5, 1935, Oba Olakulehin’s death comes just two days after he marked his 90th birthday. He was officially presented with the staff of office by Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on July 12, 2024, becoming the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland. Details later.

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