Tinubu Celebrates Wike On His 58th Birthday

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13. President Tinubu celebrated with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage. The President described Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results. President Tinubu acknowledged the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road. The President commended Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments. President Tinubu thanked the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT. “Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers. “I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.

Read More

Nigerian Socialite Roseline Ajesola Arrested in North Carolina Over Alleged $247,000 Fraud Scheme

Authorities in Wake County, North Carolina, have arrested Roseline Iyewande Ajesola, a Nigerian-American woman and prominent Lagos socialite, over allegations of financial fraud involving more than $247,000. According to arrest warrants issued by the Morrisville Police Department, Ajesola, who resides in Katy, Texas, is facing four felony counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretense, classified as a Class C felony under North Carolina law. Investigators allege that Ajesola falsely presented herself as a financial broker and convinced a victim to transfer large sums of money into a bank account under her control. The funds were allegedly forwarded to another party shortly after the transfers were made. Court documents indicate that four transactions are linked to the alleged scheme: $52,000, $130,000, $60,000, and $5,000. The transfers reportedly occurred on February 26, 2025, bringing the total amount involved to over $247,000. The arrest has attracted widespread attention online following the circulation of her mugshot on social media. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed whether additional suspects may be involved.

Read More

There’s No Christian Genocide in Nigeria, Tinubu Says, Blames Insecurity on Criminality and Extremism

President Bola Tinubu has rejected claims that Christians are being specifically targeted in Nigeria, stressing that both Christians and Muslims face the same threats from terrorism. He made the remarks on Friday in Abuja while inaugurating the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting, themed “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community.” Tinubu was represented at the event by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. According to Tinubu, the country’s insecurity stems from historical, economic, and criminal factors, not religious persecution. He said terrorism in Nigeria is driven by criminality and extremism, affecting all citizens regardless of faith. His statement comes after former US President Donald Trump claimed that Christians in Nigeria were being persecuted and threatened military intervention if the government did not act. Trump had labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” prompting the government to send a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to brief US lawmakers on the nation’s security challenges. Speaking at the NASFAT event, Tinubu said: “In recent times, the Federal Government and other persons of goodwill have had to address unfounded allegations. These allegations are not only false but harmful, and capable of inflaming passions and disrupting the peaceful coexistence we continue to build as a nation. Nigeria’s response was clear, firm and measured. We reaffirmed that our nation does not foster or tolerate policies or actions aimed at persecuting any religious group. Muslims and Christians alike have been victims of terrorism in Nigeria. Muslims and Christians alike stand shoulder to shoulder in condemning violence from any quarter. “As President, I reiterate with all sense of responsibility and fidelity to the Constitution that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism—challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome.” He emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting national unity, religious freedom, and the security of every citizen, warning against narratives that could sow division. “Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity and the ability of its people to coexist peacefully while practicing different faiths,” he said. He also commended NASFAT for its work in fostering moderation, tolerance, and service to humanity as tools for national unity. Keynote speaker Dr Nurudeen Lemu urged Muslims to remain steadfast in faith and optimistic despite the country’s challenges.

Read More

NELFUND Applauds Dangote Foundation’s N100bn Annual Education Scholarship Programme

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has commended the Aliko Dangote Foundation for launching a landmark N100 billion annual scholarship programme designed to support more than 1.3 million Nigerian students in public secondary and tertiary institutions over the next decade. The initiative was unveiled in Lagos, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. NELFUND described the programme as a significant private-sector intervention that complements the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing efforts to expand access to quality education nationwide. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, praised the Dangote Foundation for its visionary leadership and alignment with national education reform objectives. He noted that the scholarship scheme, which includes a strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), will help ease financial pressures on students while contributing to the development of a skilled, future-ready workforce. “On behalf of NELFUND, we commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting collaborative approaches that strengthen Nigeria’s education sector,” Sawyerr said. “This landmark initiative will significantly boost national education financing and ensure that no Nigerian is denied access to education due to financial limitations.” NELFUND also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Dangote Foundation and other stakeholders to guarantee transparency, efficiency and maximum impact in the implementation of the scholarship programme. The Fund emphasised the importance of strong partnerships between government, the private sector and development partners in building a sustainable and inclusive education system, in line with President Tinubu’s call for shared responsibility in national development. NELFUND congratulated the Dangote Foundation once again and expressed confidence that the initiative will have a lasting positive impact on Nigeria’s education sector.

Read More

Bandits Use Advanced Technology To Evade Security, Says Bosun Tijani

Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, has disclosed that bandits are using advanced technology to evade surveillance, making it difficult for security agencies to track their activities. Speaking with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday night, Tijani explained that monitoring the communications of these criminal groups is far more complex than most Nigerians realise. He said bandits deliberately route their calls through multiple towers, a tactic that allows them to stay ahead of security operatives. “The reason why the president actually pushed us to invest in towers in those areas is that we realised there was a special kind of technology that they were using to call,” Tijani said. “They were not using the normal towers; they bounce calls off multiple towers. That is why they enjoy living in areas that are unconnected.” The minister added that the federal government is also working to upgrade Nigeria’s satellites to enhance monitoring and intelligence gathering. “Because if our towers are not working, our satellites will work,” he said. Tijani stressed that the situation underscores the urgent need for significant investment in telecommunications infrastructure. “If you go to China, they have over four million 5G towers. The total number of towers we have in Nigeria is just about 40,000,” he noted. His comments come as insecurity surges across the country, particularly in the north, with recent incidents including the abduction of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states and attacks on churches in Kogi and Kwara states. The ongoing wave of kidnappings and killings has sparked public concern, leading the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to announce a nationwide protest set for December 17.

Read More

LASU Issues Warning Against Unauthorised Skits, Requires Approval For Filming On Campus

Lagos State University (LASU) has issued a stern warning to students, staff, and visitors against producing offensive or unauthorised skits on campus, following a prank video that simulated a bandit attack. The incident on December 5, titled “Bandits Prank on Lasuites,” showed individuals dressed as bandits storming the Ojo campus, causing panic among students and passersby before it was later confirmed to be staged. In a statement on Friday, LASU spokesperson Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile expressed concern over the rising use of university premises for content that is inappropriate, offensive, or misrepresents the institution’s values. “The Lagos State University has observed with concern the increasing unauthorised use of its campuses and facilities for content creation activities, particularly by students. While the university encourages creativity and responsible self-expression, some of the content being produced is offensive, inappropriate, and misrepresents the values and image of the institution,” the statement read. The university stressed that such activities could harm its reputation and undermine its standing as a centre of learning and character development. LASU has directed that anyone wishing to conduct filming—whether skits, short films, promotional videos, or any audiovisual recordings—on campus, hostels, or adjoining facilities must first obtain approval from the Centre for Information and Public Relations. Additionally, the university banned the use of drones on campus without formal authorisation from its security department, citing safety and privacy concerns. “As a responsible institution committed to maintaining the sanctity of the university environment as a hub of knowledge, research, and innovation, all cinematographic activities on LASU campuses now require prior approval,” the statement concluded.

Read More

Nigeria Immigration Service To Suspend Passport Digital Platform Temporarily For Maintenance

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that its Passport Digital Platform will be temporarily unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. Spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi said on Friday that the maintenance will run from 12:00 a.m. on December 12 to 6:00 a.m. on December 14, 2025 (GMT). “The Nigeria Immigration Service is conducting routine maintenance on its Passport Digital Platform to improve system performance and enhance the user experience. During this time, users may encounter service interruptions, slower response times, or limited access to certain NIS Passport Services,” the statement read. The NIS urged the public to exercise patience, noting that the maintenance is necessary to ensure a secure and efficient digital passport system.

Read More
Aliko Dangote Becomes First African To Reach $30 Billion Net Worth

Aliko Dangote Pledges 25% Of His Wealth To Foundation, With Family Approval If He Passes

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to donate 25% of his wealth to the Aliko Dangote Foundation, reinforcing his role as a leading philanthropist. The pledge was made during the launch of the Foundation’s new education initiative in Lagos. Dangote said his family, including his mother and three children, have approved the arrangement to ensure the commitment continues in the event of his passing. “My mother and my three children have already signed off on this deal should anything like death happen to me,” he stated. As part of the initiative, Dangote plans to invest ₦100 billion in 2026, supporting more than 155,000 learners across Nigeria. He will also provide ₦590 million annually to a school for orphaned girls in Maiduguri to guarantee its ongoing operation.

Read More