Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will today hand over more than 250 brand new patrol vehicles, hardware, communication gadgets, and protective gear to the police as part of efforts to enhance security operations across the state.

Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, Jubril Gawat, shared the development on his X account, stating that the event will take place at Lagos House, Ikeja, during the Lagos State Security Trust Fund’s 18th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security.

In his post, Gawat wrote: “Governor of Lagos State, Mr @jidesanwoolu, will today hand over 250+ brand new patrol vehicles, hardware, communication gadgets, and protective gear to the police to boost security operations in Lagos State. The event is ongoing at Lagos House, Ikeja, for the Lagos State Security Trust Fund 18th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security with the Governor.

“Themed “Data and Technology-Driven Security: The Way Forward.”

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for second reading the 2025 appropriation bill of N49.7 trillion presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday.

Members took turn to commend the President for the budget, describing it as ambitious, while some warned that the parameters for the budget were not realistic, calling for proper implementation and monitoring.

Leading the debate on the bill, House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere said President Tinubu admitted during the budget presentation that Nigerians were going through rough times, but added that for once, Nigerians are seeing a government that is ready to refocus the Nigerian economy.

He said the budget has made adequate provision for the education sector as well as security, health and infrastructure, adding that with the determination of the government, the country will soon begin to see foreign investments in the country.

Ihonvbere applauded the determination of the government to reduce inflation to 15 percent in 2015, saying the target was realizable if all Nigerians contribute their quota, pointing out the President has demonstrated serious courage and leadership in moving the nation forward.

Former Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Idris Wase wants proper implementation and monitoring of the security budget, adding that doing so can put an end to the security challenges in the country.

He said: “We should follow up the utilization of the security budget to ensure value for money”, and called for the speedy passage of the budget to ensure that what is allocated to the various constituencies are implemented.

He decried the challenge in the health sector especially in the area of funding and infrastructure.

But Jeremiah Umoru questioned the criteria used in allocating money to the South West Development Commission whose board has not been constituted, while the North Central and South South Development Commission whose establishment bills are currently with the President are left out.

Wale Hammed commended the President for his infrastructural drive as shown in the Lagos to Calabar and Sokoto to L:agos road projects, saying “in 1985 when I went to Sokoto to study, we were told that there will be a road from Sokoto to Lagos. I spent seven years there and the road was not constructed. It has remained like that over the years. Now, the road is being constructed.”

He also applauded the government for paying attention to capital budget, which he said is almost at par with the recurrent expenditure in the budget.

Also contributing, Babajimi Benson said with adequate security in the country, Nigeria will be able to unlock its potentials, adding that the N4.9 trillion budgeted for the security sector does not include the potentials of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.

He said: “With the reforms in DICON, a lot of countries are interested in investing there and very soon, Nigeria will become a producer of military hardwares.”

But minority leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda said the budget was overtly over ambitious inspite of the President’s optimism about the budget, adding that if well implemented, the budget portend something good for the Nigerians.

Chinda said however that Nigerians must not lose site of the fact that the budget is merely a projection, adding that while considering whether the projections are realizable, the indices on ground must be considered.

He said: “Our indices are not completely correct. So, it is not yet uhuru. The plan to reduce inflation from about 35 percent to 15 percent is over ambitious and I don’t see how we can achieve that. If we are able to achieve security in 2025, will that improve food security in 2025. I don’t think so. We can be looking at 2026 for food security.

“The budget for security will not take us to the promise land. In terms of revenue generation, the revenue sources remained the same. The concern is that we let us not over tax the people again. We should be talking about expanding the revenue sources, tighten the tax net.

“The issue of revenue target is key, while the amount for deficit appear to be too high. With this figure, I don’t see how Nigerians will not go to bed hungry in 2025. How do we achieve an exchange rate of N1,500 when we have market forces dictating the exchange. What are the things on ground that will crash the exchange rate?

Chinda said although the budget appear beautify, there is much more to be done to ensure that the target is achieved, while warning that environmental sustainability must be properly taken care in the budget.

Some members also called for increased allocation to the zonal development commissions to actualize the intention for which they were established.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo state, which claimed the lives of several children and left many others injured.

The incident, which has plunged the nation into mourning, occurred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement issued by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Oyo state, as well as to the grieving families.

“President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the affected families and offers prayers that the Almighty God will grant peace to the souls of those who have departed in this unfortunate event,” the statement read.

The President also directed relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the tragedy, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.

“It is imperative to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to this painful incident,” he stated, calling for a full assessment of the circumstances surrounding the stampede.

In addition to demanding accountability, President Tinubu urged the Oyo State Government to implement stringent safety measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

This includes a comprehensive review of safety protocols at public events, strict enforcement of regulations, and regular audits of event venues.

The President further appealed to event organizers to prioritize safety, especially for children, stressing the importance of professional security, protocol, and logistics.

“Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives,” he asserted.

In a bid to offer Nigerians some relief as the holiday season approaches, Dangote Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit to N899.50 per litre.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, on Thursday.

The latest reduction aims to ease transportation costs during the festive period, a time when Nigerians often face increased travel expenses.

Announcing the special purchase offer, Chiejina said consumers can now buy an additional litre of fuel on credit for every litre purchased in cash, provided they secure a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.

“To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on PMS. From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM.

“Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank,” Chiejina said.

The refinery thanked Nigerians for their continued patronage and reiterated its commitment to supplying high-quality, environmentally friendly petroleum products at competitive prices.

Chiejina emphasised that the Dangote Refinery is ending Nigeria’s dependence on substandard and blended imported petroleum products, which have historically harmed human health, machinery, and the environment.

A late Wednesday night fire that occurred in the Ogbosisi Timber Market in the Onitsha area of Anambra State, has left several goods destroyed.

An X user identified as Omaletocracy shared videos of the fire incident in a post.

The video showed some traders trying to salvage their goods while the fire rages.

He captioned the video as “Head bridge mkt Onitsha is on fire 18/12/2024.”

Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday morning, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that no lives were lost in the incident.

Ikenga noted that the area was cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from looting.

Ikenga said, “the swift response of the Police and Fire service operatives to the outbreak at Ogbosisi on 18/12/2024 by 8.45 pm brought the situation under control.

“Meanwhile, police operatives have cordoned off the scene of the incident to prevent hoodlums from taking undue advantage of the situation to loot properties and goods of individuals in the area.

“The command has, however, begun an investigation into the cause of the fire incident and notes that no life was lost. Also, the worth of goods destroyed is yet to be ascertained.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has fast-tracked TikTok’s challenge to a law that could lead to its ban in the country, scheduling oral arguments for January 10.

The move highlights the case’s importance, as it involves balancing free speech rights with national security concerns.

The contentious law, formally named the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, mandates that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, divest the app to a non-Chinese entity or face a ban in the U.S.

The Supreme Court has allotted two hours for the January hearing, directing both sides to submit briefs by December 27 addressing whether the legislation violates the First Amendment.

The law was signed by President Joe Biden earlier this year following bipartisan concerns over the app’s potential threat to national security.

TikTok argued that the legislation infringes on free speech protections, while the Biden administration and lawmakers have highlighted potential risks tied to its Chinese ownership.

According to the New York Times, officials have expressed fears that TikTok could expose sensitive user data to the Chinese government or serve as a vehicle for covert disinformation campaigns.

However, no concrete evidence of such actions has been made public.

Critics of the app’s operations also point out that U.S. platforms like Facebook and YouTube are blocked in China, while TikTok itself operates under strict restrictions in the country.

The Nigerian army has presented houses to 20 wounded in action soldiers in Abuja in continuation of efforts to advance the welfare of its personnel.

Defence chief Christopher Musa presented the keys to the beneficiaries on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Nigerian Army Housing Units under the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme.

Mr Musa charged other services to key into the project and provided housing units to all ratings and airmen.

Mr Musa described the project as a true testament to the untiring efforts of late army chief Taoreed Lagbaja, who had continuously advanced the welfare of army personnel.

He commended army chief Olufemi Oluyede for continuing the scheme and ensuring that more houses would be built for interested subscribers.

Mr Musa said the project aligns with the vision of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate Scheme of President Bola Tinubu, which is that every citizen deserves a home, adding that the military personnel must not be left out.

He urged the Nigerian army to embark on more projects of this kind in Abuja and other parts of the country, adding that such projects would foster overall development, enhance security and bring socio-economic benefits to the residents.

Mr Oluyede said Mr Lagbaja initiated the project as part of his sound administration philosophy.

He said the late army chief believed that soldiers were the bedrock of the army, made soldiers the foundation of his command philosophy and prioritised the completion of the project.

Mr Oluyede said the project represented a landmark achievement in the service’s ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare and well-being of soldiers and their families.

He said the Idu Abuja phase 1 of the AHOOAS project is a pilot project, and it took only 15 months of direct labour to complete.

Governor Dikko Radda inaugurated an ultra-modern pharma-grade warehouse on Wednesday to improve the accessibility of essential medicines and vaccines in Katsina.

Inaugurating the facility in Katsina, Mr Radda announced his administration’s commitment to strengthening the health sector and ensuring access to quality healthcare services.

The governor, however, lauded the collaborative efforts of UNICEF, the Global Fund and the federal government in making the project a reality.

“This pharma-grade warehouse is a testament to our dedication to improving healthcare infrastructure in Katsina state. It will not only ensure the efficient storage of medical supplies but also guarantee timely distribution to healthcare facilities across the state,” Mr Radda said.

The UNICEF chief of the Kano Field Office, Rahama Mohammed-Farah, described the facility’s establishment as a significant milestone in strengthening the state’s healthcare services.

Mr Mohammed-Farah said UNICEF was committed to supporting the Katsina state government in strengthening its health system.

“Our collaborative efforts aim to improve access to quality healthcare services for children, women, and families across the state,” he said.

Mr Mohammed-Farah said UNICEF, in collaboration with Global Fund and the federal government, upgraded 22 medical warehouses across 21 states to an ultra-modern pharma-grade standard with the Traceability Initiative for Device Procurement.

“This state-of-the-art facility will provide a secure, climate-controlled environment for the storage and distribution of essential medicines and vaccines.

“This will help ensure timely and equitable access to life-saving commodities, reducing stockouts and improving health outcomes for children and families across Katsina state,” he said.

The warehouse, he said, would also enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the health supply chain, thereby enabling the state government to better plan, manage, and distribute essential medicines and vaccines.

Humanitarians have continued to assess the impact of Tropical Cyclone Chido in Mozambique and to support affected families.

The storm struck over the weekend, affecting at least 184,000 people.

According to authorities, some 45 people have been killed and a further 500 injured, primarily in Cabo Delgado province.

More than 35,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged. Almost 50 health centres and nearly 150 schools were also damaged and are no longer functioning.

On Wednesday, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York that the UN and its partners had been mobilising support for the most affected families in Mecufi district in Cabo Delgado.

“They have reached 2,000 families with food, shelter and other essential supplies. Mobile medical teams are being deployed across the most impacted districts to deliver essential health services.

“Efforts are also underway to combat waterborne diseases by distributing chlorine and water purification materials, as well as providing information on cholera prevention,” he said.

Mobile teams have also been deployed to support unaccompanied children who have been separated from their families, he added.

Tropical Cyclone Chido hit Mozambique after pummeling the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte on December 14, resulting in “catastrophic consequences” for the population, the World Meteorological Organisation said on Tuesday.

Chido had wind speeds of more than 200 kilometres per hour and gusts of more than 225 kilometres per hour, accompanied by torrential rainfall and dangerous waves reaching more than five metres in height.

It was the strongest storm to hit Mayotte – an archipelago between Madagascar and Mozambique’s coast – in at least 90 years, according to the French meteorological services, Météo-France.

Thousands are feared dead, and French President Emmanuel Macron has declared a national mourning period.

WMO said Chido took an unusual track as the storm skirted Madagascar, which would potentially have weakened it. The tropical cyclone subsequently made landfall over Mozambique on December 15 before weakening, bringing heavy rainfall there and in neighbouring Malawi.

The UN is also responding to the earthquake that struck the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu on Tuesday, killing nine people and injuring more than 200 others, according to authorities.

Humanitarians said the situation remains concerning, and a state of emergency has been declared for seven days.

Mr Dujarric said the Government has requested international assistance to complement the national response, and the UN and partners are mobilising resources.

The UN Humanitarian Affairs Office, OCHA, is deploying response teams to the area, which includes a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team.

The U.S. Secret Service has seized $860,000 from a Nigerian cryptocurrency account after investigations on a money trail indicated the funds were proceeds of a coordinated business email scam, according to court filings obtained by Peoples Gazette.

In accordance with U.S. laws, the U.S. Secret Service has applied for forfeiture in rem of the hundreds of thousands of dollars after tracking and linking the confiscated funds to fraud.

Secret Service Special Agent Jayson Bradshaw filed the forfeiture complaint in rem in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on October 2, 2024. An arrest warrant in rem was issued on October 10 by Judge Claude M. Hilton.

An arrest warrant in rem grants a government agency the authority to seize fraudulent assets including property without waiting for the defendants’ argument.

The Nigerian whose name was withheld for security reasons allegedly intercepted email correspondence between a couple who wanted to purchase a new house and the law firm managing the sale.

The victim referred to as Victim 1 in court filings residing in Reston, Virginia on April 17 transferred $966,500 as closing cost of the house to what he believed was the account number of the law firm conducting the sale.

He had previously been exchanging emails with the firm and did not suspect foul play when he sent the funds for the property in Denver, North Carolina on April 17.

What the victim did not realise was that his email had been getting intercepted by the suspected Nigerian scammer since April 2, court filings showed. The suspect was communicating with both parties, sometimes acting as the law firm and other times pretending to be the buyers.

“Unbeknownst to VICTIM 1 at the time, the law firm began receiving emails around April 2, 2024 from spoofed email accounts which were similar to VICTIM 1 and his wife’s true email accounts,” stated the motion seeking forfeiture.

Both parties did not suspect anything amiss until April 19 when the couple and their realtor went to the law firm for a scheduled 10:00 a.m. appointment, only to discover the law firm had fixed the meeting for 2:00 p.m.

The attorney in charge of the sale asked the couple when they intended to finalise payment for the property.

Taken aback by the question, the victim responded that they already completed payment two days earlier and sent the funds to a Bank of America account ending in -0822, “per the wiring instructions he received via email on or about April 16, 2024.”

His statement set off alarm bells and he immediately reached out to his bank, Charles Schwab & Company, to report the fraudulent transfer, particularly that money was sent to an unintended account.

Investigations showed how the Nigerian suspect transferred the funds first to another account domiciled in Bank of America before moving them to his crypto account on April 18.

In total “$960,000.00 in fraud proceeds were sent to the CRYPTO ACCOUNT,” court filings stated.

On April 18, the suspect made a crypto transaction of “1.588106 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at $98,276.94 in proceeds to address: bc1qz3ms6tlc2d4lkrp6q6al28tkknyzvaflqt4y72, via transaction ID: b8c5516bd2373553b795c825247c54cbe6787afd16e97b69f5d0beb639ef4df8.”

The transaction incurred a charge of $1,723.

The 1.5 BTC transaction reduced the crypto balance to $860,000 which the Secret Service has already seized and is now seeking its forfeiture to the U.S. government.

A money trail of 1.5. BTC transfer led investigators to Binance address 1LdEvfQGAY4stVWpCo4ynMt1NUVDbY7JZG. Binance KYC (Know Your Customer) checks on the account showed that it belonged to a Nigerian citizen living in Turkey.

“Binance provided “know your customer” information for the above address, which identified a Nigerian national operating in Turkey as the owner of the account,” court filings stated. Records showed the equivalent of $89,999.97 had been withdrawn from the crypto account.

The U.S. Secret Service contends for the forfeiture of the funds in line with Title 18, United States Code that states money obtained from proceeds of unlawful activity be surrendered to the government.

At least two people were killed and dozens injured in clashes between rival groups of devotees over control of one of the world’s largest annual Muslim congregation sites near Dhaka, Bangladesh, police said on Wednesday.

The International Tabligh Jamaat organises the event to inspire Muslims to deepen their faith and return to the religious practices taught by Prophet Muhammad.

The clashes broke out early Wednesday when a group loyal to Bangladeshi scholar Moulana Jubaer Ahmed attempted to block supporters of Indian scholar Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi from entering the Ijtema grounds.

Officer Habib Iskander, citing witness accounts, said the rival groups – armed with sticks and brickbats – engaged in a violent confrontation that lasted more than 30 minutes before police intervened.

The clashes left at least two people dead and 40 injured, he added.

The division between the two factions has been a source of tension in recent years.

Supporters of Mr Jubaer Ahmed accuse Mr Saad Kandhalvi, the great-grandson of Tabligh Jamaat founder Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi, of misinterpreting Islamic teachings.

Every year, tens of thousands of Muslims from across the globe gather at the Ijtema grounds in Tongi, 30 kilometres north of Dhaka, to participate in what is considered the world’s third-largest annual Muslim congregation following the Hajj in Saudi Arabia and the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Iraq.

The annual event, which generally avoids political discussions, has featured prayers, meditation, and lectures by Islamic scholars since 1976.

The three-day first phase of the congregation, known as Biswa Ijtema, is scheduled to take place from January 31 to February 2, to be followed by the second phase from February 7 to 9.

Pope Francis has revealed how British intelligence thwarted an assassination plot against him during his 2021 trip to Iraq by two suicide bombers.

The pontiff made this revelation in excerpts from his upcoming autobiography, published by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Tuesday, coinciding with his 88th birthday.

The book, titled ‘Hope’, is set for release in January 2025.

In the excerpts, Pope Francis narrated how he travelled to Iraq in March 2021 despite warnings against the trip.

The pope disclosed he was informed about two suicide bombers targeting events he was scheduled to attend upon arriving in Bagdad.

“A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading toward Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit,” the pontiff said. “A van, also speeding toward the same target, had the same intention.”

According to the Pope Francis, British intelligence swiftly alerted Iraqi authorities, allowing them to intercept and kill the attackers.

The pope further said that when he inquired about the bombers’ fate, an Iraqi official told him the bombers had been killed.

“The (official) replied laconically: ‘They are no more’. The Iraqi police had intercepted them and blown them up,” the pope stated.

The manufacturer of the recalled batch of Deekins Amoxicillin 500mg capsule is in custody, says the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

NAFDAC boss Mojisola Adeyeye confirmed this on Tuesday at a news conference in Lagos.

On December 11, NAFDAC notified the public of the recall of one batch of Deekins Amoxicillin 500mg capsule.

The product was allegedly manufactured by Ecomed Pharma Ltd. and marketed by DevineKings Pharmaceutical Ltd., with lot number 4C639001.

The drug batch was recalled following reports of serious adverse drug reactions received from a hospital that reported three cases from patients administered with the batch of Deekins Amoxicillin 500mg capsule.

Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic indicated for treating bacterial infections such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, and bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, skin, or urinary tract.

“The producer of the drug gave another company to contract the manufacturing for them and there’s nothing wrong with that but the contracted manufacturer was already in trouble.

“We’ve already shut the company down. Before you agree to do contract manufacturing for somebody, we must know. Before you go to a company to do contract manufacturing for you, you must tell us. Neither of them told us, so we shut them down,” stated Ms Adeyeye.

The NAFDAC director-general explained that Deekins Amoxicillin “has been tied to that contract manufacturer, so we invited them to our office where the contract manufacturer said they just manufactured samples for registration.”

She added, “Manufacturers are expected to show some samples before manufacturing but the spread of the product is more than a few packets that they claimed to have manufactured.

“The manufacturer is already in custody. The drugs are still being tested in the laboratory to know what is inside and to determine if there will be more charges against the person.”

A young Nigerian man has been sentenced to death by hanging for stealing a fowl in Osun, says Governor Ademola Adeleke.

However, reprieve came the way for the convict as Mr Adeleke vowed to grant him pardon.

“I have received the report of a case of a young man reportedly sentenced to death by hanging in Osun state for stealing a fowl.

“Consequently, I have directed the attorney general and commissioner for justice, Osun state, to commence full investigation into the matter and initiate processes to grant prerogative of mercy to the young man,” the Osun governor announced.

Mr Adeleke added, “Osun is a land of justice and equity and must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of lives. I assure members of the public that this matter is receiving my direct attention with every sense of urgency also attached to our response to the matter.”

Veteran actor Yinka Quadri has been honoured with the Islamic chieftaincy title, Osupa Adini, a remarkable recognition of his contributions to the Islamic community.

This prestigious title is associated with Ma’had Thaqofat Arabic and Islamic Studies, and was bestowed upon him under the leadership of Chief Imam Fadeelat Sheikh Ibrahim Omodola of Araromi Central Mosque.

Quadri expressed his heartfelt gratitude for this honor, acknowledging the support of his spiritual father, Fadeelat Sheikh Ahmad Hanafy.

He also thanked his friends and family for their unwavering support, stating that they are the best anyone could ask for.

“Yesterday, I was bestowed with an islamic chieftaincy title of OSUPA ADINI , Ma’had Thaqofat Arabic and Islamic studies under the leadership of the chief host, Fadeelat Sheikh Ibrahim OMODOLA (Chief Imam of Araromi CENTRAL MOSQUE ) and the spiritual Father , FADEELAT SHEIKH AHMAD HANAFY.

‘I truly appreciate all of my friends and family for always standing by me, through thick and thin. You’re the best anyone could ask for,” he wrote on Instagram.

In a move aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s education sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Aisha Garba, a renowned international development specialist, as the new Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

This was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Garba, a Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank, brings over 24 years of experience in advancing educational initiatives across Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Kenya, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Her extensive career has been marked by designing and managing impactful education programs, driving reforms, and fostering human and economic development.

With more than 15 years at the World Bank, Garba has demonstrated expertise in leading large-scale education reforms from inception to execution and impact evaluation.

She has also built a reputation for her work in fragile and conflict-prone environments, leveraging her skills and network to deliver sustainable education solutions.

Garba’s track record includes contributing to Nigeria’s achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in education.

She has also consulted for global organizations such as the Department for International Development (DFID), Regent Foundation, and Muslim Aid Organization, among others.

An alumna of Petra American University in Jordan, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Computer Studies, Garba went on to obtain a Master’s in International Development from the University of Birmingham in the UK.

In her new role, President Tinubu expects Garba to lead UBEC in delivering the government’s vision of providing quality education for Nigerian children and enhancing their competitiveness on the global stage.

The appointment underscores Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s basic education sector as part of his broader agenda to inspire “Renewed Hope” for the nation’s future.

Israel plans to maintain “security control” in the Gaza Strip even after a ceasefire, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.

This means that after dismantling the military and administrative capabilities of the Palestinian militant Hamas organisation, Israel’s army would retain “full freedom of action,” akin to the situation in the West Bank, Mr Katz posted on social media platform X.

In the West Bank, Israeli troops regularly conduct raids in cities technically under the security control of the Palestinian authority.

“We will not tolerate any organisation of terror against Israeli communities and Israeli citizens from the Gaza Strip,” Mr Katz said. “We will not allow a return to the reality of before October 7.”

The massacre committed in Israel by Hamas and other militant groups from the coastal area on October 7 last year resulted in 1,200 deaths and more than 250 people abducted, triggering the Gaza war.

Since then, Israel has been fighting Hamas in Gaza, where, according to Palestinian sources, more than 45,000 people have been killed so far.

Hamas demands a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip and an end to the war as conditions for a ceasefire.

However, Israel aims at all costs to prevent a resurgence of the Islamist organisation after the war.

The Iranian embassy in Damascus will remain closed for the time being following the political upheaval in Syria, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Tehran on Tuesday.

“A reopening of the Iranian embassy in Syria is not imminent, as this initially requires political and security-related preparations,” Esmail Baghaei said, according to the news agency ISNA.

He added that Iran will take the necessary steps once these concerns are resolved.

In the upheaval following the overthrow of long-time Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, insurgents stormed the Iranian embassy in Damascus and, according to Iranian media reports, thoroughly devastated it.

For Tehran, al-Assad was a strategically important ally in its self-declared resistance front against arch-enemy Israel.

Syria also served as a corridor for Iranian arms shipments to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

Iran had, therefore, also generously supported al-Assad financially and militarily – and branded the Syrian alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) now in control in Damascus as terrorists.

The Rajnandgaon police have arrested a Nigerian national, simply identified as Johnson, in India over an alleged marriage scam, Etvbharat has reported.

The suspect, said to be around 40 years old, allegedly wooed a Chhattisgarh woman using a fake profile he uploaded on a matrimonial website and duped her of Rs 15,72,000 after promising to marry her.

The police stated that the suspect, who had been secretly living in Delhi after the validity of his visa and passport expired, lured the victim through her profile and lied to her about being a UK-based businessman planning to move his business to India.

According to the police, the suspect reached out to the victim through an associate, falsely claiming he was stopped at Delhi airport and needed money to exchange UK currency in his possession.

The Additional Superintendent of Police of Rajnandgaon police station, Rahul Dev Sharma, said the suspect blackmailed and cheated the victim with the help of his accomplice.

Mr Sharma said the victim’s attempts to call the suspect afterwards failed as his phone was switched off, prompting her to realise she had been cheated and to lodge a fraud case against him at Dongargarh Police Cyber Cell.

“We started an investigation on the complaint of the applicant. With the help of a cyber cell, it was found that the accused lives in Delhi. Our team raided his Delhi accommodation and arrested him. Accused Johnson is a resident of Nigeria. He has cheated many girls so far. We are trying to gather further information through interrogation,” said Mr Sharma.

A laptop and four mobile phones have been recovered from the suspect, and his bank account has also been frozen

A 22-year-old woman was on Tuesday, arraigned in an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, over alleged stealing of gallons of palm oil.

The defendant, Confidence Onyekachi, is standing trial before the Magistrate L.K.J Layeni, on a one-count charge of stealing.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Simon Uche, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on December 10, at Market St. in Ojo.

She was alleged to have stolen six gallons of palm oil belonging to a nominal complainant, Amaka Okonkwo.

The goods were valued at N594, 000.

Mr Uche said the offence contravened the provisions of section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The magistrate granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case to January 27, 2025 for mention.