Author: Editor

Our Reporter, Abuja  Mr. Peter Obi, has explained why he was absent at the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which held on Tuesday, July 15, in Daura, Katsina State. He made this on disclosure Wednesday, via a post on his X handle. Obi, who visited the late President’s family on Wednesday to pay his respects, said his failure to attend the funeral was due to unforeseen logistical challenges beyond his control. “Yesterday morning, after a condolence visit to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, I tried to be in Daura, Katsina State…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the screening of 151 shortlisted candidates from the South-East for its 2025/2026 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) for Master’s and Ph.D. programmes. Mr. Uche Ikoku, Manager at the PTDF Centre for Skills and Development, Port Harcourt, disclosed this on Wednesday during the ongoing screening exercise at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC). Ikoku explained that the candidates, who reside in the five states of the South-East, indicated the zone as their preferred screening location. The exercise, which spans three days, is being conducted in line with PTDF’s mandate and…

Our Reporter, Abuja  Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing a deviation from the party’s founding ideals. Atiku announced his decision in a letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the PDP Chairman of his ward in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State. He attributed his resignation to the current “trajectory” of the party, which he believes no longer aligns with its original principles. In the letter, Atiku expressed appreciation for the roles he had played under the party’s platform, including serving two terms as Nigeria’s Vice President and…

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka The Federal Government has been urged to urgently implement and fully enforce the landmark judgment delivered by the ECOWAS Court of Justice on April 9, 2025, which declared aspects of Kano State’s blasphemy laws as violations of Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. Media Rights Agenda (MRA), which made the call, said compliance with the ruling was essential to upholding the rule of law and maintaining Nigeria’s reputation as a democratic nation committed to fundamental rights. The ECOWAS Court, in a unanimous decision by a panel of three judges in a suit filed by the Expression Now Human…

Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki  In a bold and uncompromising move to combat rising crime and drug abuse in Ohaozara Local Government Area, the Executive Chairman, Ajah Chinonso Consider, has declared a full-scale crackdown on hard drug use, trafficking, and associated criminal activities ravaging the youth and threatening community peace. Addressing residents and stakeholders in a passionate statement, the Chairman thanked the people of Ohaozara—particularly traditional rulers, religious leaders, town unions, and civil society groups—for their continued commitment to peace and development.  However, he warned that the growing menace of drug abuse, especially the use of methamphetamine (commonly known as Mkpuru Mmiri),…

By Okechukwu Ishienyi “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” — John 1:46 This rhetorical question, asked by Nathaniel in the Gospel of John, has transcended its biblical roots to become a metaphor for skepticism, bias, and the dismissal of people or places deemed too small, too obscure, or too insignificant to produce greatness. Nazareth, in its time, was not known for influence or affluence. It was the least expected place for the Messiah to emerge from. Today, this same question haunts us in different guises. It resurfaces whenever society questions the capacity of an individual or community to rise…

Our Reporter, New York  Kenyan-based American Risk Management Consultant, Declan Galvin, has narrated his experience from his recent trip to Nigeria alongside the popular political satirist and host of the Dr. Damages Show, Rudolf Okonkwo.  In an exclusive interview on 90Minutes Africa, the former editor at Sahara Reporters, said that even something as simple as obtaining a SIM card is a hectic process in Nigeria, whereas it is a seamless and straightforward process in other smaller African countries.  “We needed to get SIM cards in Nigeria, and it was a 2-hour ordeal. All of the fingerprinting and the IDs were…

Our Reporter, New York  A political analyst, Darlington Agomuo, has described the legacy of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari as very bad.  The lawyer made the assertion during an exclusive interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica on Sunday. The death of the former president, which occurred on Sunday, was received with mixed reactions within the country.  Barrister Agomuo said there is no way that anyone can succeed in rewriting the story of the late, onetime military head of state. He said that as the first chairman of the nation’s oil company, Buhari oversaw the alleged loss of $2.8bn in…

Agency Report President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, and Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine were among thousands of people who attended the funeral rites of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the remains of Buhari were conveyed to Nigeria by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. NAN also reports that the remains were brought aboard a Nigerian Air Force flight -FGT 001, which touched ground at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport,…

Our Reporter, Abuja  Former President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at his family compound in Daura, Katsina State, following Islamic funeral rites. The burial took place at about 5:50 p.m., shortly after a solemn funeral prayer at the Daura Central Mosque. The ceremony drew an outpouring of grief and tributes from across Nigeria and beyond. Among the dignitaries in attendance were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine of Niger Republic, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, businessman Aliko Dangote, and several serving and former government officials.…