The US Federal Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday accused North Korea of being behind the theft of $1.5 billion worth of digital assets last week, the largest crypto heist in history.

“(North Korea) was responsible for the theft of approximately $1.5 billion USD in virtual assets from cryptocurrency exchange, Bybit,” the FBI said in a public service announcement.

The bureau said a group called TraderTraitor, also known as the Lazarus Group, was behind the theft.

It said they were “proceeding rapidly and have converted some of the stolen assets to Bitcoin and other virtual assets dispersed across thousands of addresses on multiple blockchains.”

“It is expected these assets will be further laundered and eventually converted to fiat currency,” the FBI added.

Lazarus Group gained notoriety a decade ago when it was accused of hacking into Sony Pictures as revenge for “The Interview,” a film that mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

North Korea’s cyber-warfare programme dates back to at least the mid-1990s.

It has since grown to a 6,000-strong cyber-warfare unit known as Bureau 121 that operates from several countries, according to a 2020 US military report.

The United States will begin removing transgender troops from the military within 30 days unless they obtain a waiver on a case-by-case basis, the Pentagon said in a Wednesday memo.

The memo became public as part of a court filing in a case challenging President Donald Trump’s late January executive order that was aimed at barring military service by transgender personnel.

“Service members who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria will be processed for separation from military service,” the memo read.

These troops may be “considered for a waiver on a case-by-case basis, provided there is a compelling government interest in retaining the service member that directly supports warfighting capabilities,” it said.

To obtain such a waiver, troops must show that they have never attempted to transition, as well as demonstrate “36 consecutive months of stability in the service member’s sex without clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.”

Transgender Americans have faced a roller coaster of changing policies on military service in recent years, with Democratic administrations seeking to permit them to serve openly, while Trump has repeatedly sought to keep them out of the ranks.

The US military lifted a ban on transgender troops in 2016, during Democrat Barack Obama’s second term as president.

Under that policy, trans troops already serving were permitted to do so openly, and transgender recruits were set to start being accepted by July 1, 2017.

But the first Trump administration postponed that date to 2018 before deciding to reverse the policy entirely.

Trump’s controversial restrictions — which underwent changes in response to various court challenges — eventually came into force in April 2019 following a protracted legal battle that went all the way to the nation’s top court.

Trump’s Democratic successor Joe Biden moved to reverse the restrictions just days after he took office in 2021, saying all Americans qualified to serve should be able to do so.

After returning to office in January, Trump issued an executive order executive order that again took aim at transgender military service, saying: “Expressing a false ‘gender identity’ divergent from an individual’s sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service.”

Transgender issues have roiled US politics in recent years, as states controlled by Democrats and Republicans have moved in opposite directions on policies ranging from medical treatment to what books on the topic are allowed in public or school libraries.

First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday distributed farm tools and resources to equip and empower 200 trained farmers in Anambra State to enhance productivity and support local agriculture.

Mrs Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, made the distribution in Awka under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Agricultural Support Programme.

Among the tools distributed were grinding machines, wheelbarrows, poultry and piggery resources, seeds, organic fertilisers, piglets, farm boots, spray knapsacks, watering cans, and cages, among others.

Two hundred farmers from the 21 local government areas were trained in drip irrigation installation, piggery, vegetable farming, poultry farming, and poultry feed production.

She said, “On behalf of the wife of the President and National Chairman of RHI, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, I welcome you to the Agricultural Support Programme. After today, your lives will have a greater impact, one that will not only benefit you but also your family, community, Anambra State, and our dear country at large. This programme is a medium-scale agro-support initiative that targets individuals who have the right passion to venture into lucrative agro-businesses.

“You have been trained in feed processing, vegetable farming, drip irrigation installation, poultry farming, and piggery to develop your skills and become financially sustained.”

The first lady urged the farmers not to sell the tools but to use them wisely and work hard to make the best use of them.

“The expectation is that you will not just become employed but ultimately lead a network of people who will benefit from your businesses. We have trained you. Now, it is your turn to train others so we can end unemployment and poverty, build financial independence, create better income platforms, raise financial growth, and grow our economy,” she said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Afam Obidike, stated that the governor’s wife’s pet project, the Healthy Living Initiative, would monitor to ensure the farmers utilise the equipment effectively.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Agriculture, Forster Ihejiofor, appreciated the government’s support for the agricultural sector, describing it as the key to a secured future.

Some of the farmers who expressed their gratitude to the first lady said the training and tools would significantly improve and expand their farming skills and businesses.

A drip irrigation farmer, Ijeoma Mmaobi from Aguata, stated that the government’s support would greatly impact her farm productivity and livelihood.

A poultry feed producer from Nnewi, Boniface Ezeife, thanked the government for prioritising their needs and ensuring the accessibility of resources critical to modern farming practices.

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has expressed disappointment over the Muslim-Muslim ticket that brought President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima into office in the 2023 general election.

The council also lamented that Muslim communities, particularly in Yorubaland, have not benefited from having two Muslims at the highest levels of government, contrary to the widespread belief that it would favour them.

Speaking at a pre-Ramadan lecture held in Kaduna on Tuesday, the President of the SCSN, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiyyatullah, said millions of Muslims remain politically marginalised across Nigeria, especially in the South-West, where they overwhelmingly supported the ticket.

“We have seen Nigerians vote for leaders of the same Islamic faith into the presidency without turning the country into a perpetual battlefield. However, we have not seen justice and equity extended to all communities, regardless of their faith,” Hadiyyatullah stated.

“We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the South-West and advise those who seek to divide the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to find other pursuits. The Ummah looks to us for guidance and assurance that their faith will not be sacrificed on the altar of political opportunism and greed. Many Muslims feel betrayed for voting this administration into power.

“For over two decades, the council has played a pivotal role in addressing insecurity and ethno-religious crises in Nigeria. In the past year, we have engaged with major security stakeholders, including the intelligence community and other strategic actors. These developments demand urgent and decisive action from the government,” he said.

Hadiyyatullah also expressed concern over the worsening socio-economic conditions in the country, which he described as “increasingly unbearable”.

He noted that the adverse effects of government policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, have led to skyrocketing costs of living, making food, transportation, and essential goods unaffordable for many Nigerians.

“The depreciation of the naira, high inflation, and stagnant wages have further eroded the purchasing power of citizens. The council has consistently advised the administration to adopt policies that alleviate these hardships.

“However, it is alarming that, within a short period, the government has introduced multiple new taxes and tariffs, including a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs, a 4% FOB charge on imports, a 15% NPA tariff, a 100% hike in ATM charges, and proposed electricity tariff increases.”

The SCSN president further reiterated the council’s commitment to advocating for the easing of these draconian policies to protect the interests of the poor and vulnerable.

In the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu chose Shettima as his running mate.

The Muslim-Muslim ticket generated outrage from some quarters, even within the ruling party.

Shortly before the announcement of Shettima, Ibrahim Masari, who had previously served as a placeholder for the vice-presidential slot, announced his withdrawal from the position.

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has expressed disappointment over the Muslim-Muslim ticket that brought President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima into office in the 2023 general election.

The council also lamented that Muslim communities, particularly in Yorubaland, have not benefitted from the impacts of having two Muslims at the apex helms of affairs, contrary to the widespread belief that it would benefit them.

Speaking at the pre-Ramadan lecture held in Kaduna on Tuesday, the President of the SCSN, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiyyatullah, said millions of Muslims remain politically marginalised across Nigeria, especially in the South-West, where they overwhelmingly supported the ticket.

“We have seen Nigerians vote for leaders of the same Islamic faith into the presidency without turning the country into a perpetual battlefield. However, we have not seen justice and equity extended to all communities, regardless of their faith,” Hadiyyatullah stated.

“We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the South-West and advise those who seek to divide the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to find other pursuits. The Ummah looks to us for guidance and assurance that their faith will not be sacrificed on the altar of political opportunism and greed. Many Muslims feel betrayed for voting this administration into power.

“For over two decades, the Council has played a pivotal role in addressing insecurity and ethno-religious crises in Nigeria. In the past year, we have engaged with major security stakeholders, including the intelligence community and other strategic actors. These developments demand urgent and decisive action from the government,” he said.

Hadiyyatullah also expressed grave concern over the worsening socio-economic conditions in the country, which he described as “increasingly unbearable”.

He noted that the adverse effects of government policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, have led to skyrocketing costs of living, making food, transportation, and essential goods unaffordable for many Nigerians.

“The depreciation of the Naira, high inflation, and stagnant wages have further eroded the purchasing power of citizens. The Council has consistently advised the administration to adopt policies that alleviate these hardships.

“However, it is alarming that, within a short period, the government has introduced multiple new taxes and tariffs, including a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs, a 4% FOB charge on imports, a 15% NPA tariff, a 100% hike in ATM charges, and proposed electricity tariff increases.”

The SCSN President further reiterated the Council’s commitment to advocating for the easing of these draconian policies to protect the interests of the poor and vulnerable.

Recall that in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu chose Shettima as his running mate.

The Muslim/Muslim ticket generated outrage from some quarters, even within the ruling party.

Shortly before the announcement of Shettima, Ibrahim Masari, who had hitherto served as a ‘placeholder’ for the VP slot, announced his withdrawal from the position.

The Federal Government on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the sudden death of Nigerian professional footballer, Abubakar Lawal, in Uganda.

The Federal Government, in a statement issued by the acting spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the entire Nigerian football community.

Lawal, who was a former Nigerian Under-20 International footballer, was playing for Vipers Football Club in Uganda at the time of his death.

He was also a final-year Business Administration student at Cavendish University in Uganda.

Lawal, was reported to have fallen from the third floor of Voicemall Shopping Arcade in Kampala on Monday morning.

In response to the tragedy, FG has directed the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala to work closely with Ugandan authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lawal’s death.

The government has ordered a thorough investigation, including an autopsy, to determine the cause of death.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured the public that it would continue to provide necessary consular assistance to the deceased’s family, ensuring their welfare is prioritized during this difficult time.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Abubakar Lawal, a Nigerian professional footballer, in Uganda.

“In this moment of grief, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and the entire Nigerian football community during this difficult time.

“The Ministry has been in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala, Uganda, which is working closely with local authorities to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

“We are committed to ensuring that a thorough and transparent investigation is conducted, including an autopsy to verify the cause of death. The Ministry has also directed the High Commission in Kampala to provide all necessary consular assistance to support the family and ensure that justice is served,” the statement read in part.

The Ministry also reaffirmed the strong relationship between Nigeria and Uganda, expressing confidence that the Ugandan authorities would handle the matter with sensitivity and professionalism.

The Federal Government urged Nigerians to remain patient as the investigation unfolds, calling for restraint and discouraging speculation that could hinder the ongoing inquiry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged to continue monitoring the situation closely to safeguard the interests and well-being of Nigerians abroad.

“The Ministry wishes to buttress the fact that Nigeria values the strong bilateral relations with Uganda, therefore we are confident that the Ugandan authorities will handle this matter with utmost seriousness and sensitivity.

“We call for calm and patience as the investigation unfolds and urges the public to refrain from speculation that could hinder the process.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to monitor the situation closely, while we remain resolute and committed to protecting the welfare and rights of all Nigerian citizens abroad,” the statement concluded.

Former President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, has been hospitalised in Shanghai, China for vestibular neuritis, an inflammation of the nerve responsible for balance.

AFP reports that her team disclosed this on Tuesday.

The 77-year-old economist, who now leads the New Development Bank, was reportedly “responding well to treatment” and is expected to be discharged in a few days.

According to AFP, Rousseff was admitted to the Shanghai East International Medical Center on February 21 “due to a case of vestibular neuritis,” an inflammation of the nerve that controls balance.

Despite her hospitalisation, she has continued her work. She was appointed to head the NDB by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2023.

Donald Trump ordered an investigation on Tuesday into possible levies on US copper imports, with officials citing a need to rebuild domestic production and safeguard national security — the latest salvo of the president’s tariff threats.

Since taking office in January, Trump has announced sweeping duties that could hit both allies and adversaries while also targeting sectors like steel and aluminum – moves that may reshape global supply chains.

The imposition of tariffs or other barriers on copper could fuel trade tensions with Chile, the biggest US supplier accounting for about 35 percent of imports, as well as Canada.

Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order tasking his commerce secretary with studying copper imports in order to end unfair trade.

“Tariffs will help build back our American Copper Industry, and strengthen our National Defense,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform shortly after the signing.

“Our great American copper industry has been decimated by global actors attacking our domestic production,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in a statement.

“To build back our copper industry, I will investigate the imposition of possible tariffs,” Lutnick added.

The world’s biggest economy has been increasingly dependent on copper imports to meet domestic consumption needs.

Copper is used in military hardware like aircraft, but growing demand for the metal is also linked to a boom in artificial intelligence and data centers.

Lutnick said Tuesday: “It’s time for copper to come home.”

US officials did not commit to a deadline for the investigation or potential tariff rate.

The probe will take place under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, the same tool used to justify steep tariff hikes on steel and aluminum imports previously.

Such probes focus on the harm that certain imports – in this case copper and derivatives – could have on US national security.

These investigations can take months and do not necessarily result in action, though US officials said Lutnick would move quickly, “in Trump time.”

With copper, considering both mining and refinery production, the United States produces just a fraction of what countries like Chile and China do, a White House official said.

While the United States sits on ample copper reserves, it lacks smelting and refining capacity, the official added.

On Tuesday, Peter Navarro, Trump’s senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, accused China of using a model of industrial overcapacity and dumping among means “to gain control of the world’s copper markets.”

Besides tariffs aimed at specific sectors, Trump has also announced and paused sharp tariff hikes on major trading partners Canada and Mexico.

More than 230,000 people have signed a petition demanding the government to revoke Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship and passport over claims that the billionaire is engaging in practices that go against Canada’s national interest.

The petition alleged that Mr Musk had “become a member of a foreign government that is attempting to erase Canadian sovereignty.”

Mr Musk is also a U.S. citizen and an ally of President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly sought the annexation of Canada to make it the United States’ 51st state.

Mr Musk did not appear bothered by the petition.

“Canada is not a real country,” said Mr Musk in a now-deleted X post.

The relationship between Canada and the U.S. has become volatile since Mr Trump’s second coming.

He has continued to refer to Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as ‘Governor Trudeau’.

Abia Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, says that from March 1, Abia education marshals, an education task force, will hunt pupils not in school during school hours.

Mr Ubochi disclosed this on Tuesday while taking questions from reporters after a press conference ahead of the Abia schools transformation programme launching on February 26.

He said the programme’s theme is “AbiaFIRST”, which stands for “Fostering Innovation and Reform for School Transformation” in the state.

The commissioner said pupils not found in school during school hours would be arrested and used to apprehend their parents, who would be punished for not sending them to school.

According to him, the government would enforce school attendance by pupils because it has invested in giving them a better education.

Mr Ubochi said the planned transformation of Abia schools through innovation would begin with 221 out of 1,600 schools.

“The transformation is real, but the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. We plan to reach out to all the schools that have challenges at the same time, but we have to start somewhere.

“We have marked out 221 schools, 10 primary schools and five secondary schools from each of the 17 local government areas,” he said.

He said the government, recognising the challenge vandalism posed to public schools, engaged communities to assist in securing their schools.

Mr Ubochi said schools with minor infrastructure challenges would be fixed before the rains set in fully.

He said that pursuant to Governor Alex Otti’s free education policy, the principals and head teachers received imprest funds of N100,000 and N80,000 monthly.

Mr Ubochi said the improved welfare of teachers was part of the holistic project “Fostering Innovation and Reform for School Transformation”.

The commissioner noted that the extension of teachers’ service year and increment of their salaries were currently being implemented.

He, however, stressed that only physically fit teachers who could deliver as expected would be given the extension.

The Sabo-Yaba Magistrate Court on Tuesday discharged singer Abdulazeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, and his ally Samson “Sam Larry” Eletu in connection with the death of a Nigerian artiste, Ilerioluwa”Mohbad” Aloba.

The court said, instead, it was a nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, and Ayobami Sadiq who should be prosecuted for Mohbad’s death due to alleged recklessness and negligence.

The magistrate, E. Kubeinje, said the ruling was on the advice of the state’s Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), signed by its director, Babajide Martins.

The magistrate said the DPP had advised the court to strike out the names of Naira Marley, Sam Larry, Owodunni Ibrahim (alias Primeboy) and Mohbad’s manager, Babatunde Opere, for lack of evidence linking them to the death of Mohbad.

Kubeinje said the DPP had a prima facie case of the offence of reckless and negligent acts, contrary to section 251(e) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, against Ogedengbe and Sadiq, respectively.

She said the court agreed that an unlawful assault was carried out by Naira Marley, Sam Larry, Opere, and Primeboy on Mohbad, but the assault could not rise to the point of criminal responsibility in view of the deceased.

Kubeinje added that Mohbad had also previously withdrawn his complaint against Naira Marley, dated October 11, 2022, on assault, on the grounds that the matter had been settled amicably; hence, the defendants have no case to answer.

The court, thereafter, ruled that Ogedengbe and Sadiq should be prosecuted for recklessness and negligence, which contravened section 251(e) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

She also ruled that Sam Larry, Naira Marley, Primeboy, and Babatunde, respectively, have no case to answer in view of the demise of the deceased.

Kubeinje said the defendants should be released if still in custody.

The magistrate adjourned the case until March 24 for an update in view of the ruling.

A hit-and-run driver struck two siblings, aged 12 and 15, at the Ogundare bus stop along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Monday, February 24.

The incident occurred while the driver was traveling along the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.

The accident left the victims with severe injuries. Tragically, the 12-year-old succumbed to the injuries despite receiving medical treatment, while the 15-year-old remains hospitalized.

This information was contained in a statement by the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Tuesday, February 25.

The statement partly reads: “On Monday, February 24, 2025, at about 1535hrs, a yet-to-be-identified driver, while plying the BRT lane at high speed at Ogundare bus stop along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, hits two female pedestrians, siblings aged 12 and 15, on their way back from school.

“The accident victims sustained serious degrees of injuries and were quickly evacuated to Orile Agege General Hospital for treatment, where the 12-year-old sadly passed on while receiving treatment, while the other victim was later transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for further treatment.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh while disclosing that a speedy, detailed, and conclusive investigation has since commenced, hereby calls on road users, particularly motorists, to strictly comply with traffic rules/laws, speed limits, and safe driving practices.

“Meanwhile, CP Jimoh, on behalf of officers and men of the Command, commiserates with the family of the victims over the unfortunate incident and expresses confidence that the Command will get to the root of the matter and ensure justice is served.”

Police in Thailand have arrested a British man for overstaying his tourist visa by a record 25 years, a senior officer told AFP on Tuesday.

The 60-year-old, who has not been identified, entered the kingdom in early 2000 on a tourist visa and never left, evading previous police checks by claiming to be in the process of extending his visa.

He was finally caught in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Monday during a crackdown by immigration officials on overstaying foreigners — more than 9,000 days after arriving on a 30-day visa.

Officers checked during the operation on areas regularly frequented by foreigners and found the Briton, who failed to show his passport.

He admitted during questioning that he came to Thailand on a 30-day tourist visa in 2000 and stayed until he was arrested.

“After checking on his name on our immigration system, he entered Thailand in 2000 and never had any other stamp on our system since then,” a senior officer in the operation said.

“It was 9,135 days that he overstayed in Thailand — it is the record. The longest previous overstay was a Pakistani man with 10 years,” he said.

The man — who will be deported back to Britain — even managed to renew his passport in 2018, police said, adding that the new document was completely empty of immigration stamps.

Police said the man lived in Bangkok for 13 years, building a life with a Thai woman with whom he had a child.

They moved to Chiang Mai 12 years ago for economic reasons, although police said the man does not have a job and lives on money from his family in Britain.

Police said the man told them he previously avoided arrest by telling authorities he was extending his visa, which only the immigration bureau can check.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched an Artificial Intelligence training programme to equip 6,000 selected senior secondary school teachers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The initiative, organised by the National Senior Secondary Education Commission seeks to integrate AI into the educational system, enhancing teaching methods and empowering educators with the skills to prepare students for a technology-driven future.

At the flag-off ceremony of the training, as well as the unveiling of the minimum standards for senior secondary education in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, said the programme is a landmark in its collective commitment to equipping teachers with the skills necessary to prepare students for the rapidly evolving digital age.

“The world is undergoing a technological revolution, and Artificial Intelligence is at its core. AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality, transforming industries, economies, and societies.

“As educators, we must embrace this evolution and ensure our education sector is not left behind. The integration of AI into pedagogy offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance learning experiences, personalise education, and develop critical thinking skills among our students. Our goal is to prepare them for careers in a technology-driven world, where AI literacy will be as fundamental as reading and writing.

“This document, which was developed by NSSEC through extensive collaboration with stakeholders and approved by the National Council on Education, will serve as a guiding framework to ensure that senior secondary education across Nigeria adheres to high-quality standards. It is our blueprint for ensuring consistency, accountability, and measurable improvement in our education sector”, he stated.

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, said the world is moving rapidly towards a digital future, and Nigeria must not be left behind.

According to her, the introduction of AI into Nigeria’s education system will enhance both teaching methodologies and learning experiences, ensuring that our students are better prepared for global opportunities.

The Minister, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the Minister of State on Technical Matters, Dr. Clara Ujam, said the Ministry of Education, under the administration of President Bola Tinubu GCFR, has placed a high premium on education reforms aimed at ensuring Nigerian students are equipped with 21st-century skills.

“The AI in Pedagogy training is a vital component of these reforms, ensuring our teachers acquire the necessary skills to facilitate innovative and technologically-driven education.

“To our dedicated teachers, you are at the centre of this transformation. The knowledge and expertise you acquire through this training will have a ripple effect on our students, preparing them for a world where digital and AI skills are indispensable. I encourage you to embrace this opportunity fully and apply the knowledge gained to enrich classroom experiences.”

Also speaking, the executive secretary of NSEEC, Dr. Iyela Ajayi, said the official unveiling of the Developed Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education and flag-off of an online Google-sponsored AI in Pedagogy training of 6,000 Senior Secondary School Teachers across the country marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of excellence in education, bearing in mind the Renewed Hope Agenda on our nation’s education system.

“As we embark on this journey of national renewal under the visionary leadership of Mr President Bola Tinubu, we must recognise that education is not merely a tool for individual advancement, but the cornerstone of a prosperous and equitable society.

“What we are about to witness today is a reflection of our collective commitment to excellence, equity, and relevance in our senior secondary education system. As we all know, education is the bedrock of any progressive society, and the senior secondary level plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our young ones, preparing them for higher education, employment, and lifelong skills.

“The Virtual training programme, which is sponsored by Google Research and supported by Data Science Nigeria and Olabisi Onabanjo University Ogun State, is aimed at enhancing the AI pedagogical skills among senior secondary school teachers across the 36 states and the FCT. The training is packaged in five modules and is expected to run for a period of five weeks.

“On the other hand, the National Senior Secondary Education Commission, entrusted with the crucial responsibility of repositioning the Senior Secondary Education, provides intervention in the area of capacity building of teachers, provision of instructional resources, among others, and has developed Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria.”

The body of a 200-level Chemical Engineering student of the Federal University, Otuoke, who drowned in Ekoli Creek, Yenagoa, after allegedly attempting to swim across for a N300 bet, has been recovered.

The student’s remains were retrieved from the river on Monday evening, nearly 24 hours after he went missing.

Witnesses said he had jumped into the water but failed to resurface.

Grief-stricken students of the university held a candlelight procession in his honour on Monday night.

When contacted, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mercy Ekott, declined to comment, stating via text message, “Sorry, but I haven’t been authorised to speak on the matter.”

Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Musa Mohammed, said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

“The deceased had gone to the river with a friend to bathe. Unfortunately, in the process, he jumped into the water and drowned.

“We urge students, especially young people, to exercise caution around rivers, whether they know how to swim or not,” he said.

Sources alleged that the student had wagered he could swim across the creek, but midway through, he submerged and did not reappear.

Fire on Tuesday gutted some shops in the Ladipo market destroying goods worth millions of Naira.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.

He said that the agency received distress calls through its 767 and 112 emergency toll-free lines at about 00.09hrs concerning the fire outbreak.

”LASEMA immediately activated the state’s emergency response plans and response team from its Cappa Base.

”Upon arrival at 00.16hrs at the scene of the incident, it was discovered that a warehouse surrounded by shops was gutted by the fire.

”Investigations revealed that the inferno was caused by an electric power surge after public electricity power supply was restored to the area,” he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu said that there was no record of injury or loss of life during the incident.

”Valuable goods worth a fortune were however, destroyed by the inferno,” he said.

He said that the goods destroyed include electronics, generating sets, bicycles, auto spare parts, phones, and home appliances.

The permanent secretary said that occupants of the warehouse have been sensitised on the appropriate safety measures to take to prevent a re-occurrence in the future.

Iranian police have blocked several social media accounts, including that of a well-known blind dating show on Instagram, the Tasnim news agency reported on Monday.

The bans were in response to “complaints from families about social, cultural and moral damage’’ caused by the pages in question, Tasnim quoted a senior police officer as saying.

According to the report, those responsible, 15 people have been detained, summoned or warned.

Among those affected was the popular Iranian Instagram account “vinyvids,’’ which has 1.2 million followers.

The account hosts a YouTube dating show in which two strangers were asked personal questions by a presenter before rating each other.

The format is likely to have met with harsh criticism from conservative Islamic circles in Iran, where Instagram and YouTube are officially banned.

The social media sites can only be accessed in the country using virtual private networks (VPNs).

Young people in Iran are increasingly opposing the influence of clerical politics.

In autumn 2022, nationwide protests broke out under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom’’ following the death of the young Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.

Since then, many women in the country’s cities have defied the Islamic dress code as a sign of protest and self-determination.

Gunmen shot dead eight people in Mexico’s most violent state, authorities said Sunday.

The five women and three men, who have not been identified, were killed in the street on Saturday night in Guanajuato, the prosecutor’s office said.

Guanajuato is a thriving industrial hub and home to several popular tourist destinations, but it is also considered Mexico’s most violent state, according to official homicide statistics.

The gunmen have not been caught.

The shootings took place in the municipality of Cortazar, where in 2023 gunmen stormed a water park and killed seven people, including a child.

The National Guard arrested on Sunday a man in Guanajuato identified by local media as the leader of hitmen for the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel.

Violence in Guanajuato is linked to ongoing conflict between the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of the most powerful in the Latin American nation.

Drug-related violence has seen more than 480,000 people killed in Mexico since the government deployed the army to combat trafficking in 2006, according to official figures.

The management of the Federal University Dutsinmm Katsina State, on Monday, shut down the school following violent protests by students over an alleged killing of their colleague.

Reports said two students were allegedly shot by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force operating in the area, leading to the death of one.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue told our correspondent in Katsina on Monday morning that “some officials of the CJTF shot two students in error, thinking they were bandits’ informants.

“One of the students died on the spot while the other one was shot in the leg and has since been taken for medical attention in a nearby hospital.

“Following this development, students have been involved in violent protests since yesterday when the incident happened and they took to the streets in Dutsinma, burning vehicles as well vandalising property”.

Also speaking with PUNCH Online, a resident of the area, Mallam Usman, said the protesting students blocked the Dutsin-Ma–Katsina highway and set tyres on fire, drawing the attention of security forces.

“Military personnel and police officers arrived at the scene to restore order. The security forces reportedly employed a diplomatic approach, calming the situation without resorting to force.

“The demonstration extended into the town, with students chanting slogans and expressing their dissatisfaction over the incident”, the source said.

Meanwhile, the FUDMA Senate in a statement on Monday, announced the immediate closure of the school and directed students to proceed on a “one-week mid-semester break starting from Monday 24th”.

“The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, announced the decision of the Senate and advised the students to leave campus before 6.00 pm Monday, 24th February 2025.

“The management wishes the students a happy and peaceful mid-semester break,” the statement stated.

Also, the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq has confirmed the incident.

Sadiq stated, “Yes, I’m aware of the incident and I will release an official statement soon.”

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have manned the Federal High Court in Abuja, as the trial of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello on alleged fraud charges resumed on Monday.

The operatives were wielding various brands of guns and blocked one of the major roads leading to the court complex with one of their vehicles.

Apart from guns, dogs and other weapons have been fully deployed at the court entrance by the security men.

As of the time of this report, lawyers who felt uncomfortable with the intimidating presence of the EFCC operatives, especially being subjected to unnecessary checks, were murmuring aloud, wondering what prompted the takeover of the court.

Recall that the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Friday, December 13, 2024, granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.

This was after the former governor pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He is facing an alleged money laundering trial involving N80.2 billion but has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Joseph Daudu, SAN, is leading the defendant, while Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, heads the EFCC legal team before Justice Emeka Nwite.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has blamed the prolonged trials and prison congestion in the country on poor investigative processes, lack of thorough case preparation and delays in prosecution.

Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the police and other sister agencies to complete their investigations before filing charges to prevent the striking out of cases due to lack of evidence.

The CJN called for enhanced coordination among the police, the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary to ensure seamless prosecution of cases.

A statement by her Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media, Tobi Soniyi, said Justice Kekere-Ekun spoke in Abuja when she hosted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and his team.

The CJN expressed concern over non-compliance with court orders by some law enforcement agencies, saying such attitude weakens the integrity of the justice system.

She said the rule of law requires strict adherence to judicial decisions, adding that any act of disobedience undermines public trust in law enforcement and the judiciary.

Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the IGP to issue clear directives to police officers to ensure that they respect court judgments and orders and implement same without delay.

The CJN expressed concerns over threats to judges, court officials, and litigants, especially in high-profile or politically sensitive cases.

She sought Egbetokun’s support to ensure the security of judicial officers as well as prevent anyone from intimidating or harassing them.
Justice Kekere-Ekun called for enhanced police presence at court premises, particularly in areas prone to violence or unrest.

The CJN also expressed concern over increasing cases of unlawful arrests, prolonged detentions and extra-judicial actions.

She stressed the need for compliance with constitutional safeguards, including the right to legal representation, the right to be informed of charges, and the right to be promptly brought before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the police and other security agencies to protect the rights of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The CJN emphasised the need for enhanced compliance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 which, among others, prohibits arrests in lieu of culprits, inhumane treatment of suspects and provides for mandatory electronic recording of confessional statements.

She stressed that under Section 7 of the ACJA, it is illegal for the police to arrest family members or associates in place of a suspect.

Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the police to enforce internal disciplinary measures to ensure that its personnel do not engage in unlawful practices.

The CJN also urged the IGP to put in place mechanisms for monitoring and preventing police brutality, as well as ensuring that officers who violate these provisions are held accountable.

She reiterated the constitutional and legal obligations to treat suspects with dignity and ensure compliance with Section 8(1) of the ACJA, which prohibits torture, inhuman or degrading treatments.