Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

An Israeli military commander said Friday that troops in the country’s north were preparing for “a decisive offensive” against Lebanon’s Hezbollah after months of deadly cross-border exchanges. Israeli forces have traded near-daily fire with Hamas ally Hezbollah since the Palestinian militant group’s October 7 attack on southern Israel started the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s commanding officer in the north, Major General Ori Gordin, told troops that “we have already eliminated more than 500 terrorists in Lebanon, the great majority of them from Hezbollah”, an army statement said. According to an AFP tally, more than nine months of…

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday, said that intelligence at the disposal of the Force has revealed that foreign mercenaries are involved in the proposed nationwide protest. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Egbetokun urged all Nigerians to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group. Egbetokun said, “We have been monitoring development surrounding protest threats. While some groups call for violent protests, emulating Kenya’s recent events, others advocate for peaceful demonstrations. “However, some individuals promote peaceful protests with violent undertones, raising concerns about their sincerity. We have our history of violent protests in Nigeria, and I…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday praised athletes from his war-battered country for their preparations to compete at the Paris Olympics despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv says it is fielding its smallest-ever Olympic team at any summer Games this year as a result of Russia’s invasion, now in its third year. “We are proud of our team — the men and women who, despite this war of aggression, managed to prepare for the Olympics and show the spirit of all Ukrainians,” Zelensky wrote on social media. “They have our will to win and Ukrainian character,” he added. Mykhailo…

 As part of the moves to strengthen the regulatory function of the National Identity Management Commission, the National Assembly has embarked on repealing and enacting the NIMC Act No. 23.  The NIMC Bill represents a significant legislative endeavour to enhance the efficacy and inclusivity of the Identity Management System. This updated and comprehensive bill embodies several proposed amendments designed to improve the effectiveness and inclusiveness of the Nigeria ID System. The amendments seek to fortify the foundational framework of the NIMC and its operations by; expanding the Scope of Registrable Persons. The benefit to the country is a more comprehensive…

The Federal Government, on Friday, said it has secured the conviction of no fewer than 125 Boko Haram terrorists and financiers at a two-day mass trial held at Kainji, Niger State. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who disclosed in a press statement that was signed by his media aide, Mr Kamarudeen Ogundele, said the convicts were found guilty of charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, as well as cases adjudged as acts of criminality by the International Criminal Court, ICC. The defendants were convicted at special court sessions that…

The House of Representatives said that it would ensure that Federal Universities were removed from the Band A electricity tariff plan to lessen the huge electricity bill. Rep. Abubakar Fulata, the Chairman, House Committee on University Education, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja after the committee’s oversight of Northeast Federal Universities. Some of the federal universities visited, according to him, include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and Federal University Kashare, Gombe State. He said that efforts were being made to remove universities and other tertiary institutions from the Band A group of electricity users. Fulata said the…

Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, has blamed President Bola Tinubu for the current challenges bedeviling Nigerians that have sparked a planned protest nationwide. In an open letter to the president posted on X, Momodu expressed concern over the difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians and the perception that the President’s approach to governance has shifted. “Unfortunately, things have not been easy for Nigerians (except members of the privilegentsia) since you realized your lifelong ambition. And let me be frank Sir. You caused it all. You did not realize that a country is much more complicated than a State “I’m sad…

Members of the 3rd Republic House of Representatives have also called on organisers of the planned nationwide hardship protest, to shelve their plans. The group joins various bodies, individuals, government agencies and others who have called for the cancellation of the protest. In a statement on Friday, the group said it is saying “No” to the protest. “Today, we stand before you to address and add our voice, to say No to the impending critical issue in Nigeria today- The planned protest. “While the right to protest is an integral part of any democracy, it is essential to acknowledge the…

OpenAI has announced the prototype of its new search engine, SearchGPT, which aims to provide users with fast and timely answers along with clear and relevant sources. The company plans to eventually integrate SearchGPT into its ChatGPT chatbot. This development is seen as a potential challenge to Google’s dominant position in the search engine market. Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, there have been concerns among Alphabet investors about OpenAI’s potential to capture market share from Google by offering new ways for consumers to seek information online. SearchGPT is designed to allow users to search in a more…

Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold has expressed his gratitude to rapper Olamide for giving him a chance at the YBNL music label. Olamide established YBNL in 2012 after releasing his second studio album, ‘YBNL’. Adekunle Gold achieved his first music hit with ‘Sade’ in 2015, a high-life cover of One Direction’s ‘Story of My Life’. He was signed to YBNL the same year, releasing his debut album ‘Gold’ before eventually leaving the label after his contract expired. In a message on X (formerly Twitter), Adekunle thanked Olamide for his significant role in his career, revealing that he designed the YBNL logo…