Some residents of New Nyanya in the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have attributed the high rate of teenage pregnancy to poor parental upbringing and neglect.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with journalists in New Nyanya on Tuesday, also attributed the problem to moral decadence among teenagers.

They also said that because of poverty, some parents also encourage their female children to engage in immoral acts to meet family needs.

A housewife, Victoria Simeon, said parents, especially some mothers, have failed in their responsibilities in training their female children.

According to her, it is obvious that mothers are closer to their children than their fathers, and they are supposed to guide and teach the child moral values.

Ms Simeon added that it had been proven that neglected children were more likely to get pregnant.

She said, “It is, however, crucial that parental guidance is very important for children to prevent any form of abuse.”

She said that neglecting children could also result in emotional, sexual, and physical abuse of the child.

“Neglected children are likely to have the highest rate of teenage pregnancy, as well as being at the risk of dropping out of school,” she stated.

A civil servant, Ben Okorocha, said that one of the major reasons for pregnancy among teenagers was poverty, adding that it made most people do things without knowing the implications.

Mr Okorocha explained that poverty contributed massively, as some of the girl children were exposed to hawking on the streets daily.

He stated, “Parents should be dedicated to their children, particularly their girl child, and show concern in their day-to-day activities. Moral decadence has become the order of the day; we are in a generation where morality is no longer given priority and parents are no longer concerned about how they bring up their children.”

He stressed that the kind of food that being consumed by children of this generation was a thing of concern because it makes them grow abnormally.

Also, a businessman, Elvis Onyibe, advised parents to be close to their children, adding that education without sound moral upbringing could be counterproductive.

“We need to know who they communicate with, what they eat, what they wear, even how they think.
All these are positive traces in child development; this can go a long way in shaping the development of a child and reducing crimes in society,’’ Mr Onyibe said.

According to him, it is necessary for parents to know what their children eat wear and how they go about it.

He said, “We also need to engage them regularly and build confidence, ask them questions, and know who their friends are.”

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Arab states have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s widely condemned plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza and take control of the enclave.

During a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, Mr Abdelatty emphasised the need to expedite Gaza’s reconstruction while Palestinians remained there.

A statement from the U.S. State Department, following the meeting, did not directly address Mr Trump’s plan but stressed the importance of close cooperation for Gaza’s governance and security, stating that Hamas should never again govern Gaza or threaten Israel.

According to Egypt’s foreign ministry, Mr Abdelatty expressed hope of working with the new U.S. administration to achieve “comprehensive and just peace and stability” in the region.

He also met with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, where he reiterated similar points.

The Palestinian leadership, supported by neighbouring Arab states, rejected any proposal to displace Palestinians from Gaza; a region they see as part of an independent state.

This has been a long-standing concern since the Israel-Gaza conflict intensified in October 2023.

Mr Trump’s initial suggestion on January 25 that Egypt and Jordan should accept Palestinians from Gaza sparked significant backlash.

His later proposals for a U.S. takeover of Gaza and the potential permanent displacement of Palestinians had been widely criticised, with rights advocates and the United Nations calling it ethnic cleansing.

The ongoing Israeli military assault, which has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians in the past 16 months, has caused immense suffering, displacement, and a hunger crisis in Gaza.

Operatives from the Rivers State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) have arrested a notorious cultist and armed robbery suspect and recovered some weapons.

The suspect and leader of a cultist gang, was said to have been terrorizing farm lands at Uzo Afor road in Okahia Community, Elele, Etche LGA.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the gang’s activities caused widespread panic and tension in the community.

She said earlier last year, the same gang engaged police operatives of the command on a gun duel, but away when they could not withstand the superior firepower of the police.

She said on 30th, January, 2025, at about 0630hrs, operatives arrested 35-year-old Innocent Chigozie in his hideout through coordinated intelligence.

Iringe-Koko said during interrogations, the suspect confessed to owning the recovered exhibits, one automatic pump action gun and two live cartridges.

“The suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody. An investigation is ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons”, she said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed new transaction fees for Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), set to take effect on March 1, 2025.

A circular, signed by John Onojah, the acting director of the financial policy and regulation department, explained that the revised charges aim to address increasing operational costs and enhance the efficiency of banking services.

This review marks the first change in ATM transaction fees since 2019 when the CBN reduced the withdrawal fee from N65 to N35.

According to the CBN, the updated fees are in line with Section 10.7 of the ‘CBN Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (2020).’

The statement reads, “In response to rising costs and the need to improve the efficiency of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) services in the banking industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed the ATM transaction fees prescribed in Section 10.7 of the extant CBN Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, 2020 (the Guide).”

“This review is expected to accelerate the deployment of ATMs and ensure that appropriate charges are applied by financial institutions to consumers of the service,” the CBN added.

Under the new rules, customers withdrawing from their own bank’s ATMs (on-us transactions) will still enjoy free withdrawals.

However, withdrawals from on-site ATMs (ATMs located at bank branches) will incur an N100 fee per N20,000 withdrawn.

For withdrawals at ATMs belonging to other banks (Not-on-Us transactions), an N100 fee plus a surcharge of up to N450 per N20,000 withdrawal will apply.

The CBN emphasized that the surcharge is the income of the “ATM deployer/acquirer and must be disclosed to consumers at the point of withdrawal.”

For international withdrawals using debit or credit cards, banks, and financial institutions are now allowed to charge a “cost-recovery charge equivalent to the exact amount charged by the international acquirer.”

Additionally, the CBN stated that the three free monthly withdrawals for Remote-On-Us (other bank’s customers/Not-On-Us consumers) will no longer apply under Section 10.6.2 of the Guide.

The apex bank has urged all financial institutions to ensure compliance with the new guidelines before the March 1, 2025, implementation date.

Eric Council, 25, of Athens, Georgia, entered a guilty plea today to one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft in United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Council was arrested on October 17, 2024, in connection with his role in a conspiracy to hack into the X account of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and publish fraudulent posts in the name of the then-SEC Chairman.

The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, SEC Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office, Criminal and Cyber Division.

Council’s plea was entered before U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson in the District of Columbia. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. His sentencing is scheduled for May 16, 2025.

According to court documents, from at least January 2024, Council conspired with others to carry out Subscriber Identity Model (SIM) attacks, commonly referred to as “SIM swaps,” in exchange for money.

A SIM card is a chip that stores information identifying and authenticating a cell phone subscriber and connects a physical cell phone to a mobile carrier’s cellular and data network. A SIM swap attack is a form of sophisticated fraud where criminal actors fraudulently induce a mobile carrier to reassign a mobile phone number from a victim’s SIM card to a SIM card and telephone controlled by a criminal actor attempting to access valuable information associated with the victim’s telephone. Members of SIM swapping groups conduct SIM swaps for the purpose of defeating multifactor authentication and/or two-step verification security features for internet connected accounts, such as social media and virtual currency accounts.

After convincing a mobile carrier to reassign a phone number to a new SIM card in the criminal actor’s control, members of the conspiracy generate password reset security authentication codes for online accounts and those codes are in turn sent to the telephone in the control of the criminal actor. Members of SIM swap groups share the security reset codes with one another to unlawfully access a victim’s internet connected accounts and complete the fraud.

On or about January 9, 2024, Council, and others, executed a SIM swap of the mobile phone account associated with the @SECgov X account, the official account of the SEC. The purpose of this SIM swap was to gain unauthorized access to this government account in order to make fraudulent posts.

Before January 9, a member of the conspiracy had identified the authorized user for the phone number linked to the official @SECgov X account. Council received instruction from a co-conspirator to perform the SIM swap on this phone line, along with information to make the needed fake ID, that is, an image of an ID card template with the authorized user’s name on it but Council’s face, and information purporting to be the user’s date of birth and social security number.

Council used his portable ID card printer to create a physical ID which he used to impersonate the victim at an AT&T store in Huntsville, Alabama. Council provided false information to the AT&T store employee to explain why he needed a replacement SIM card. Council obtained the SIM card linked to the victim’s phone line and walked to a nearby Apple store where he purchased a new iPhone to use in the crime. He inserted the SIM card to activate the phone, received the @SECGov X password reset codes on this new phone linked to the victim’s SIM card and used his personal cell phone to take a photo of the @SECgov X account reset code to share with his co-conspirators. After passing along the password reset codes, Council drove to Birmingham, Alabama and immediately returned the iPhone for cash.

A member of the conspiracy used the reset code to gain access to the @SECGov X account and issue a fraudulent post in the name of the then-SEC Chairman, falsely announcing SEC approval of Bitcoin (BTC) Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). The price of BTC increased by more than $1,000 following the post. Shortly after this unauthorized post, the SEC regained control over their X account and confirmed that the announcement was unauthorized and the result of a security breach, which caused the value of BTC decreased by more than $2,000.

Council also admitted to attempting to perform additional SIM swaps in June 2024 in Alabama. In June 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at an Athens, Alabama, apartment where he resided. Agents recovered a fake identification card and a portable ID card printer. They also recovered a laptop computer.

Pursuant to the search warrant, agents searched the laptop and discovered templates for additional fake identification cards stored on the laptop along with internet searches for “SECGOV hack,” “telegram sim swap,” “how can I know for sure if I am being investigated by the FBI,” “What are the signs that you are under investigation by law enforcement or the FBI even if you have not been contacted by them,” “what are some signs that the FBI is after you,” “Verizon store list,” “federal identity theft statute,” and “how long does it take to delete telegram account.”

Council admitted to receiving approximately $50,000 from members of the conspiracy to perform SIM swap during the previous six months.

This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, the SEC-Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Fraud Section’s Market Integrity and Major Frauds Unit of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Significant assistance was provided by the FBI’s Birmingham Field Office.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Rosenberg, CCIPS Trial Attorney Ashley Pungello, and Fraud Section Trial Attorney Lauren Archer. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant United States Attorney John Hundscheid from the Northern District of Alabama.

The Nigeria Police Force and the British Embassy have launched a collaboration to enhance security and combat crime in Kogi.

The partnership began on Monday with a meeting between police commissioner Miller Dantawaye in Kogi and a British Embassy delegation.

The delegation, led by Andrew Marshall, discussed intelligence-led operations and counter-kidnapping strategies with Mr Dantawaye.

Mr Marshall highlighted the need for effective intelligence gathering to track criminal activities. He described crime as a major obstacle to peace and societal progress.

In response, Mr Dantawaye assured the delegation of the police’s commitment to strengthening security measures and acknowledged the importance of international cooperation.

The police chief pledged to intensify efforts, including robust stop-and-search operations and strategic intelligence sharing.

He also encouraged the British embassy to provide intelligence on criminal activities to enable swift responses from law enforcement agencies.

According to him, the visit marks a significant step toward reinforcing security partnerships and improving crime-fighting strategies in Kogi.

Dantawaye added, “Collaboration with foreign partners is crucial, given their advanced security capabilities and resources.”

Corruption threatens to “derail” global cooperation to tackle climate change, graft watchdog Transparency International warned in a report on Tuesday.

Its “Corruption Perceptions Index” for 2024 showed that many countries involved in climate action — either as hosts of the United Nations climate summits or because they are most at risk from rising temperatures — scored poorly or worse than before.

“Corrupt forces not only shape but often dictate policies and dismantle checks and balances,” Transparency International CEO Maira Martini said in a statement.

“We must urgently root out corruption before it derails meaningful climate action.”

Graft could see funds intended to tackle global warming diverted to other ends and weaken the implementation of environmental regulations, the group said.

The annual report assigns countries with a greater perceived risk of public sector corruption a lower score on a scale from zero to 100.

Brazil, for example, the host of this year’s UN COP 30 climate talks, received a score of 34, its lowest-ever rating.

The convener of the previous summit for international climate action, oil-producing Azerbaijan, scored just 22.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates, which appointed the head of the state oil firm to chair the COP it hosted in 2023, had a relatively better score of 68.

The report also highlighted declining scores in wealthier countries, which have often taken a leading role in talks, including Canada (75), New Zealand (83) and the United States (65).

Corruption in these countries “undermines global progress the most,” the report said.

“These nations hold the greatest responsibility to lead on ambitious climate goals, reduce emissions at scale, and build resilience worldwide,” it said.

Among the countries most exposed to climate change were also some of those with the worst scores on the index, such as South Sudan (eight), Somalia (nine), and Venezuela (10).

“Marginalised people usually have fewer options for adapting to extreme weather and pollution, leaving them most in need of government support,” the report said.

The report said one solution would be to have better “metrics and frameworks for climate transparency and accountability” to track progress and ensure proper fund use.

The Federal Government has hiked the processing fees for new private universities to N25m, a memo issued by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu said on Monday.

The previous processing fee was N5m.

The Commission said the move was part of its efforts at repositioning private universities in Nigeria to better meet the needs of the citizenry and for better coordination of the development of the Private University Education sub-sector of the Nigerian University System.

It also said it has identified the need to review the guidelines for the establishment of private universities.
The memo read, “This is to ensure that newly established private universities are positioned to meet the challenges of the 21 Century. Pursuant to the above and in line with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission hereby informs Promoters of proposed Private Universities in particular and the general public as follows:

“The Commission hereby suspends further processing of; All inactive applications including those of private open universities (i.e. those that have not made progress on their applications or made submissions to the Commission for upwards of two years), and applications at the stage of submission of Letters of Intent only.

“The Fee for purchase of Application Forms for the Establishment of a Private University is hereby reviewed from One Million (N1,000,000.00) Naira to (Five Million (N5,000,000.00) Naira; the Processing Fee for Application for the Establishment of a Private University is hereby reviewed from Five Million (N5,000,000.00) Naira to Twenty-Five Million (N25,000,000.00) Naira.

“The NUC will convey the reviewed Processing Fee of Twenty-Five Million (¥25,000,000.00) Naira to applicants that have purchased Application Forms only. They are also expected to effect payments within a period of thirty (30) working days or risk forfeiture of their pending applications.”

After months of negotiations, unions and producers in Germany have agreed on collective bargaining rules for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in film and television production.

The agreement was announced by the German producers’ alliance, the services union Verdi, and the actors’ union BFFS on Monday.

The Verdi union said the new regulation was intended to ensure that digital replicas of actors are not used without their consent.

In the future, the consent of the actors would be required and they would be entitled to remuneration.

The agreement, intended to supplement the industry’s collective agreement, would come into force on March 1.

It would initially apply until June 30, 2026.

It regulates so-called generative AI, which learns patterns from training data and makes new content with the help of algorithms.

The spokesperson for the board of the producer’s alliance, Björn Böhning, believed that the AI collective agreement sets a benchmark.

“For the first time, an industry in Germany has set itself rules for the use of generative AI, and we can be proud of that,’’ he said.

Verdi board member Christoph Schmitz-Dethlefsen added that the agreement meant more protection and cooperation, enforcing the duty of transparency and the idea of financial compensation.

The collective agreement is to be evaluated every six months and, according to Verdi, would become the basis for regulations on the use of generative AI in other areas of the film industry.

Parliamentary workers in Abia on Monday commenced an indefinite strike over the state government’s non-implementation of legislative financial autonomy.

The workers, operating under the aegis of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), barricaded the entrance to the assembly complex.

They barred people from entering the premises and hung the union’s banner, with the inscription of the strike notice at the main entrance gate.

The state chairman of the association, Sunday Kalu, told journalists that the action was in compliance with the directive from PASAN’s national body.

Mr Kalu said the strike followed the expiration of the ultimatum issued on November 19, 2024, and January 30, over the non-implementation of financial autonomy, consolidated legislative structure (CONLESS), and administrative autonomy.

He said the union went on a warning strike in 2023 but later suspended it after negotiation with the government, adding that nothing had changed to date.

“The government constituted a commission after much demand, but it is not functioning,” he said.

According to Mr Kalu, the implementation of the financial autonomy is in line with section 121 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“But up until now, we are still begging the executive to pay our salary and allowances.

“We have a service commission that is supposed to give us our administrative autonomy, but the commission is somehow handicapped.

“The file of every worker in the House has been moved to the office of the head of service.

“Our activities are being stalled; we can’t get our promotions, and as a civil servant, one can’t do anything with their file.

“The same thing applies to financial autonomy and CONLESS, but all our efforts to make the government listen to us have failed,” Mr Kalu said.

The Nigeria Governors Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, and the PASAN national executive had, on November 20, 2023, signed a memorandum of understanding.

Part of the agreement was the full implementation of financial autonomy of the state assemblies and CONLESS, beginning in January 2024.

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the suit by Governor Siminalayi Fubara seeking to remove 27 State House of Assembly members on the grounds of their alleged defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Justice Uwani Abba-Aji delivered the judgment following the dramatic withdrawal of the appeal by Mr Fubara through his lead counsel, Yusuf Ali.

Mr Fubara, in the notice for withdrawal of the case, informed a three-man panel of justices of the court that events have overtaken his suit and that the lawmakers are their friends.

The request to withdraw the contentious suit was not opposed by the Rivers States House of Assembly and its speaker, Martin Amaewhule.

Mr Olanipekun, however, demanded outright dismissal of the suit on the premise that parties had filed and exchanged their brief arguments and thus joined issues with each other.

He argued that the proper order to be made in the circumstances is the dismissal of the case, which the court agreed with.

Following no objections from the parties, the apex court dismissed it and awarded N2 million each against Mr Fubara to be paid to the House of Assembly and Mr Amaewhule.

Addressing journalists shortly after the dismissal of the suit, Ken Njemanze said the coast has finally been cleared for the 27 lawmakers to take over the House of Assembly fully.

Mr Njemanze said all steps taken by Mr Fubara in the absence of the 27 lawmakers, including the presentation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets to only four lawmakers, have become a nullity.

The Court of Appeal had, on October 10, 2024, dismissed Mr Fubara’s appeal on the same matter.

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, presided over by Justice James Omotosho on January 22, 2024, also nullified the passage of Rivers State’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four members of the House of Assembly.

The court had described the bill’s passage by the four lawmakers, led by Ehie Edison, as an aberration and illegality.

It consequently ordered Mr Fubara to re-present the budget to the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly.

The suit filed by the 27 members of the assembly, loyal to the former governor of the state and FCT minister Nyesom Wike, got the blessings of the lower court.

Listed as defendants of the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 are the National Assembly, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the clerk to the National Assembly. Others include Mr Fubara, Mr Edison, the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, and the inspector general of police.

Mr Omotosho, while ruling on an ex parte motion by the 27 legislators, issued an interim order restraining Mr Fubara and his agents from obstructing the pro-Wike legislators from carrying out their constitutional duties.

He also restrained the governor from removing/redeploying the clerk of the Assembly and withholding funds meant for the assembly, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The governor had also prevented the pro-Wike legislators from sitting by demolishing a part of the assembly complex and withholding funds for legislative functions.

Delivering judgment, Mr Omotosho had held that the four lawmakers’ passage of the budget and other actions taken while the November 30, 2023 order subsisted amounted to a nullity.

He said the governor acted like a tyrant in the manner the assembly complex was partially demolished and funds for legislative activities withheld.

The judge had issued an order restraining Mr Fubara from frustrating the assembly, led by Mr Amaewhule, from sitting or interfering in its activities.

He also described Mr Fubara’s redeployment of the clerk and deputy clerk out of the assembly as unlawful, stating that the action amounted to an affront on separation of power.

The judge ordered the clerk and the deputy clerk to resume office immediately and unhindered.

Apart from asking Mr Fubara to promptly release all monies standing to the credit of the assembly, he also ordered the inspector general of police to deploy his operatives to the assembly complex immediately.

The judge had also barred the National Assembly from taking over the assembly or accepting or treating any request by Mr Fubara on any matter affecting the legislature.

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry has announced plans for a return to civilian rule in the country.

The foreign ministry said this in a statement posted on X Monday after the national army gained ground in conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.

A strategic plan for the post-war phase has been developed under the leadership of the de facto ruler Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan.

“The plan envisages forming a transitional government, appointing a civilian prime minister and initiating a national dialogue with political and civil society groups.

“The process should lead to free and fair elections,” it said.

The foreign ministry called on the RSF to lay down their arms if they wanted to participate in the political dialogue.

This includes the withdrawal of the militia from the capital, Khartoum, the state of West Kordofan and the region of Darfur.

The Sudanese Army recently reclaimed large areas of territory from the RSF in the greater Khartoum area.

The army says it has also been able to regain control in the states of Sennar, Gezira and the strategically important city of Umm Ruwaba in North Kordofan, thus securing important supply routes.

However, the RSF still retains the upper hand in the western regions of Darfur and West Kordofan.

The foreign ministry called on the international community, particularly the United Nations, the African Union and the Arab League, to support the strategic plan because “it represents a national consensus for restoring peace and stability in the country.”

The armed conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 and has involved bloody fighting between the army, led by al-Burhan, and the RSF militia of his former deputy, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.

The UN says more than 12 million people have been displaced or fled to neighbouring countries to escape the fighting.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Gbadebo Sodiq for allegedly breaking into a house and stealing property worth N373,000, in the Eleweran area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The spokesman for the command, CSP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday.

According to Odutola, a report of a break-in was received on Saturday, and properties worth N373,000 were stolen.

“On February 7, 2025, at approximately 10:30 am, one Akeem Saka, male, residing at Eleweran, Abeokuta, reported to the station that his home had been burglarized.

“He stated that the thief or thieves entered his residence and stole One Infinix Smart 9 valued at N148,000, One Oppo F9 valued at N120,000, One small Techno phone valued at ₦30,000, and a bag containing N75,000”, the statement partly read.

Odutola disclosed that the complainant revealed to the detectives that he suspected his tenant, a female and that the Anti-Crime Section arrested two suspects, one Ewatooyin Adebayo and Mariam Atobatele, for questioning.

“The complainant suspected his tenant, who had been outside the premises on February 6, 2025, at approximately 10:30 PM. The Anti-Crime Section promptly initiated an investigation, leading to the arrest of two suspected individuals, Ewatooyin Adebayo, female and Mariam Atobatele, female, who were brought to the station for questioning”, she added.

According to the spokesperson, investigations revealed that one of the arrested suspects left the door unsecured, allowing Gbadebo to gain access to steal.

She further stated that Gbadebo admitted to the crime, and the phones were recovered.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the arrested ladies did not properly secure the front door before leaving that night, which allowed one Gbadebo Sodiq male, of No. 3 Anobe Community, Somorin Obantoko, to access the house and steal the three phones.

“The actual thief was apprehended at Lafenwa while attempting to sell the stolen phones. The suspect has admitted to committing the crime, and the three phones have been recovered.

“The suspect is currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing”, she stated.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, says the seeming fights among politicians are not real but only to entertain Nigerians.

Speaking during his 60th birthday thanksgiving service at St. Martins’ Catholic Church, Isan Ekiti, on Sunday, Fayemi downplayed the perception of animosity between political figures, emphasising that many of the supposed rivalries exist only on social media.

“So, all these things you read on social media are for your entertainment,” he said. “Many will wonder why Governor Segun Oni is here. During his birthday, I spent the entire day with him, and Governor Ayodele Fayose too would have been here without hesitation if he was around.”

He said irrespective of political political differences, Ekiti politcians are not enemies.

He said, “The vision we have always had is a state that will not be separated by political divide. We might belong to different political parties, but there is one party that we collectively belong to—that is the Ekiti Party, Ekiti Progressive Party—and our governor is carrying on with that.”

Reflecting on his journey, Fayemi said his 60th birthday was a moment of gratitude and rededication to service. “I am a product of grace, and I have so many reasons to be thankful to God at 60,” he said.

“I also want to thank our governor for making me proud. it could have been otherwise. Things could have gone awry, but he is also a product of grace and that is why in spite of the travails that one might experience in the world of politics, we have a very cordial relationship based on mutual love and mutual respect.”

Prominent Nigerians, led by President Bola Tinubu, celebrated the former governor and ex-minister for his contributions to governance.

Tinubu, in his tribute, commended Fayemi’s role in the 2013 merger of opposition parties that formed the All Progressives Congress.

“As a two-term governor, he (Fayemi) served the people amid severe economic challenges. There is no doubt that he made his mark in the governance of Ekiti State,” Tinubu stated. “Dr. Fayemi has exemplified service as an academic, author, administrator, and development expert. As he turns 60, I wish him continued health and fulfillment in the years ahead.”

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, described Fayemi’s 60th birthday as a celebration of “a life dedicated to service and excellence.”

He said, “The only thing I am going to say is to thank you for your support and for handholding me. Thank you so much for all you have done for Ekiti people, thank you so much for all that you have done for your mentees all over the world. I thank Erelu Bisi Fayemi and Folajimi for sharing you with us. We are proud of you, Ekiti people are immensely proud of your achievements; it has been 60 years of progressive impact.”

The event attracted dignitaries including the first civilian Governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; former Governor Segun Oni; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye; wife of the Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye; former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Oladokun.

Others present were former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Chairman, CAVISTA Holdings, Mr. John Olajide; Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group, Hon. Wale Osun; APC Chairman in Ekiti State, Sola Elesin; serving and former members of the National Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, and members of the State House of Assembly.

Investigators have discovered the bodies of 28 migrants next to a detention facility in the desert in southern Libya.

The Libyan Attorney General’s Office discovered the grave north of the city of Kufra, where dozens of migrants had been detained, according to a statement issued Sunday.

Security forces freed 76 migrants from the facility.

A gang had presumably “deprived illegal migrants of their liberty, tortured them and subjected them to cruel, degrading and inhuman treatment.”

Kufra is located in south-eastern Libya in a desert area not far from the Egyptian and Sudanese borders.

The security situation in Libya remains risky after years of civil war.

Armed groups, some of which work with state agencies, operate criminal networks for human trafficking, in which migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are systematically exploited.

There are repeated reports of the most serious human rights violations, including unlawful killings, forced recruitment, forced labour and human trafficking for sexual purposes.

British King Charles paid tribute to Namibia’s former President Sam Nujoma, who died at the age of 95, saying his “lifelong commitment to freedom and democracy” was “inspirational” and his “contribution to history was immense.”

Mr Nujoma, who led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990 and served as its first president for 15 years, died on Saturday, President Nangolo Mbumba announced.

In a statement on Sunday evening, the UK monarch said, “My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of former President Sam Nujoma today.

“President Nujoma’s contribution to history was immense, through his leadership of the long struggle for independence, and his subsequent service of 15 years as the Founding President of the Republic of Namibia.”

He explained that Namibia is a valued member of the Commonwealth and reflected on a visit his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made to the country in 1991.

“I recall with particular gratitude how much Her late Majesty The Queen enjoyed Her State Visit to Namibia in 1991, hosted so graciously by President Nujoma,” the king said.

He added, “His lifelong commitment to freedom and democracy, overcoming so much adversity on that journey, was truly inspirational.

“It is a testament to the legacy of Dr Nujoma that the Republic of Namibia, as a valued member of the Commonwealth of Nations, still maintains and embodies the values of peace and democracy, which its founding president so keenly promoted and protected.

“Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with the former First Lady, Kovambo Nujoma, their family, and the people of the Republic of Namibia at this dreadfully sad time.”

Nigeria has expressed its condolences to the government and people of Namibia over the passing of Sam Nujoma, the founding president of Namibia.

Mr Nujoma, a revolutionary leader and key figure in Namibia’s liberation struggle from South African rule, died on Saturday at the age of 95.

In a statement on Sunday, foreign affairs minister Yusuf Tuggar described Mr Nujoma as a towering figure in the struggle for liberation and unity of Africa.

“The revolutionary leader who guided Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990 and subsequently served as its first president for 15 years reportedly passed away peacefully on Saturday night in the nation’s capital, Windhoek.

“The departed elder statesman was a visionary leader, a Pan-Africanist and a relentless freedom fighter who dedicated his life to the emancipation of Namibia from colonial rule.

“His unwavering commitment to justice, equality and self-determination not only shaped the destiny of Namibia but also inspired generations of Africans in the fight against oppression and injustice,” the statement said.

According to the statement, Nigeria shares in the grief of Namibians.

“We remember Nujoma as a true friend of Nigeria, steadfast ally in pursuing African solidarity and cooperation; his legacy as a freedom fighter and statesman will forever remain source of inspiration for the continent.

“Therefore, in this time of mourning, Nigeria stands in solidarity with the people of Namibia and reaffirms our commitment to strengthening bonds of friendship and partnership between our two nations. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” it stated.

Mr Nujoma, who had served as Namibia’s first democratically elected President from 1990 to 2005, prioritised national unity and implemented a policy of reconciliation that encouraged white Namibians to remain in the country and contribute to the economic growth.

The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, has dismissed three officers for alleged conspiracy, abduction and extortion of unsuspecting victims.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, announced this in a statement on Friday.

The police spokesperson identified the dismissed officers as Jonas Nnamdi, James Daniel, and Ifeanyi Emeka.

Chinaka said Nnamdi was a sergeant attached to Police Area Command in Aba, while Daniel, a corporal, was attached to the Department of Operations of the police in Umuahia and Emeka, also a corporal, was attached to Eziama Divisional Police Headquarters in the state.

She said the three officers were arrested on January 29 after they were found to be armed with an electric baton, an assault rifle, and a Beretta pistol.

Chinaka added that the officers were apprehended alongside two other unnamed civilians by a divisional police officer in the Abayi Area of the state.

She said, “The officers allegedly conspired and hired a minibus, abducted some civilians along Port Harcourt Expressway, threatened and extorted them and thereafter demanded extra money from their families for their release.

“An investigation/orderly room trial was initiated by the (state police) command, and the investigation confirmed their involvement in the unprofessional conduct which is prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of officers of the Nigeria Police Force, leading to their dismissal.

“Their official accoutrements have been retrieved by the command’s Provost, and they cease to be members of the force.”

The police spokesperson said the dismissed officers and their civilian accomplices have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for prosecution.

Chinaka said the commissioner has reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct, assuring Nigerians that the command will not condone the activities of bad eggs in the force.

She added that the command remains committed to the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ensuring a professional, service-driven, and rule-of-law-compliant police force.

The European Union on Saturday said it is complementing the efforts of the Nigerian government to improve and strengthen democracy across the country by supporting programmes that build the capacity of young people in politics and governance.

Through the Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme, the EU said it funds Yiaga Africa’s Constituency Office Internship Programme.

The 3-month programme according to a statement by the EU which started in December 2024, and is expected to end in February this year, provides an excellent opportunity for young individuals committed to democratic development and eager to deepen their understanding of legislative processes and effective constituency engagement, to gain hands-on experience in the operations of constituency offices and legislature-constituent relations.

According to the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, the EU believes that a thriving democracy is built on responsible leadership and active citizen engagement.

“Young people, therefore, play very significant roles in developing Nigeria’s democracy by actively participating in the electoral and governance processes, and contributing to guidelines, policies, and frameworks that ensure free, fair, credible, and transparent elections.

“Furthermore, by placing these interns in the constituency offices of lawmakers, the programme not only offers them the chance to understand the legislative process, but provides an opportunity for them to engage with lawmakers, contribute meaningfully to policy discussions, and be part of constituency engagement.”

“Hence, it is important to provide platforms for these young and vibrant minds to actively engage and be a part of the country’s governance process. The time for making excuses is over. The moment people start making excuses not to act ethically, democratic institutions are undermined. Rather than criticising democracy, we must focus on ethical decisions that shape its practice,” he said.

Highlighting the impact of the programme in strengthening the relationship between lawmakers and their constituencies, Yiaga Africa’s Programme Manager, Yetunde Bakarei, said, “The Constituency Office Internship Programme encourages youth participation in the democratic process, ensuring that young people are involved in shaping policies that affect them.

“We would like to say thank you to the EU for the support that we receive that enables us to do the work that we do, which allows us to deploy young people to constituency offices. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the EU and the young people who continue to apply and take advantage of opportunities like this.”

One of the interns, Olaiya Oluwadamilola, while expressing passionately about how the programme has shaped both her professional and personal life, said, “This internship has not only enhanced my communication skills and boosted my confidence, but it has also inspired me to give back to my community and pursue a career in politics.”

Salihu Gode, another intern, praised the EU’s vision for inclusive governance and harped on the importance of mentorship, which she believes is essential for her career development and political ambition.

“With the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired, I’m confident that I can drive meaningful change in my community and contribute to Nigeria’s democratic growth,” she said.

Gode also expressed her commitment to empowering women and promoting female participation in politics—an area the EU actively supports.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration plan to dismiss roughly 2,700 employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

On Friday, Judge Carl Nichols of the U.S. District Court in Washington granted some requests sought by the largest U.S. government workers’ union and an association of foreign service workers who are suing to stop the Trump administration from closing the agency.

The one-week injunction granted by Mr Nichols, nominated by Mr Trump during his first term, will prevent the government from going ahead with their plan to put 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave starting from Saturday.

He also ordered the reinstatement of 500 others who had already been furloughed.

According to Reuters, it also barred the administration from relocating USAID humanitarian workers stationed outside the United States.

Mr Nichols said in his ruling noted that the unions made a “strong showing of irreparable harm” if the court did not intervene, noting he would consider a longer-term pause on the plan after a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

However, he rejected the unions’ request to order the reopening of USAID buildings and restore funding for agency grants and contracts.

“The major reduction in force, as well as the closure of offices, the forced relocation of these individuals were all done in excess of the executive’s authority in violation of the separation of powers,” Karla Gilbride, a lawyer for the unions, said at a court hearing earlier on Friday.