Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

President Bola Tinubu has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 88th birthday as “controversial” while eulogising the latter’s contributions to nation-building. Tinubu in a statement signed on Wednesday, also described the former statesman as an “extraordinary leader ” whose contributions to Nigeria’s development remain indelible. According to Tinubu, Obasanjo’s regular interventions in national affairs, although sometimes controversial, have helped shape public policies and put leaders in check. “Sometimes controversial, former President Obasanjo’s regular interventions in national affairs have helped shape public policies and acted as a check on leadership. “At 88, the former president is still gaining strength. I pray…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the French government are set to strengthen their cooperation in tackling financial crimes. The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by Lieutenant General Regis Colombet, Director of Security and Defence Cooperation at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja. Colombet highlighted France’s extensive experience in establishing specialized academic and training centres, citing the Cyber School in Dakar, Senegal, and an Academy in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, dedicated to counterterrorism training. He said the collaboration will be particularly in the areas of asset tracking, cybercrime investigation,…

The US economy is set to experience some “disturbance” from tariffs, President Donald Trump said Tuesday, as trade tensions flare after he imposed sweeping levies on Mexico, Canada and China. Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress came after he pushed forth with tariff hikes on the three countries over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. This drew a sharp rebuke from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and retaliatory levies. China responded too with countermeasures, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum similarly promised pushback. “Tariffs are not just about protecting American jobs. They’re about protecting the soul of our country,” Trump…

Football pundit, Jamie Carragher, has addressed criticism over his previous comments regarding the Africa Cup of Nations, which many perceived as dismissive. The former Liverpool defender came under fire after suggesting that Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or were slim because he was not competing in a “major tournament,” referring to AFCON. Speaking on a broadcast show after Tuesday’s Champions League, Carragher acknowledged that his choice of words was poorly phrased. “What I would never want to be described as, as a pundit, would be ignorant or disrespectful. That was never my aim, whether that’s to a player,…

Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has claimed that if not for the “Peter Obi effect,” he would have emerged victorious over Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the 2023 Lagos State governorship election. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate argued that the unexpected surge of support for the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos shifted the political landscape, making it difficult for the PDP to compete effectively. “The 2023 election came with this tsunami that nobody ever expected, and it was there for everybody to see,” Jandor said. He explained that after…

Real Madrid claimed a small edge on city rivals Atletico Madrid with a tight 2-1 Champions League last 16 first-leg win on Tuesday. Julian Alvarez levelled for Atletico after Rodrygo Goes sent the hosts ahead, but Brahim Diaz stroked home the winner for the record 15-time winners to delight the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who lost in the 2014 and 2016 finals against their bitter rivals, kept stars Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe quiet but still came up short. The Rojiblancos played it safe in the final stages, seeming to accept their one-goal disadvantage for the second leg…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel over allegations of a N700 billion fraud. The arrest occurred on Tuesday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, following an invitation to the former governor. Emmanuel, who served from 2015 to 2023, faces accusations of money laundering, fund diversion, and financial mismanagement during his tenure. Impeccable sources informed Vanguard that the arrest stemmed from a petition by the civil society organisation Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT). The petition alleged that Emmanuel received over N3 trillion from the Federation Account but left…

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of six Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs). In a statement on Tuesday, the commission’s spokesman Ikechukwu Ani also announced the promotion of the Commissioner of Police Enugu State Command, Uzuegbu Kanayo to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG). The new DIGs are Sadiq Abubakar, Commandant Police Academy, Wudil, Kano; Benjamin Okolo, former AIG, Zone 16, Yenagoa and presently AIG Department of Information Communication Technology, Force Headquarters Abuja; and Williams Adebowale, Commandant, Police Staff College Jos. Others are Bzigu Bali, AIG FCID, Annex Enugu; Idegwu Ukuoma, AIG…

A bill to abolish the dichotomy and discrimination between Bachelor’s Degree holders and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives. According to the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, the bill sought to replace HND with Bachelor of Tech so that graduates of polytechnic would be able to compete favourably with other university graduates. The bill, which was sponsored by a member, Fuad Laguda from Lagos State, also emphasised the importance of technical education. Speaker Abbas said the position taken by all boards of polytechnics in Nigeria is “the abolition of HND and in place of…

David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has been killed by kidnappers in Abuja. Citing sources, counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, said Parradang was abducted in the Area 1 axis of Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday. Makama said after being trailed from a bank where he had withdrawn money, the assailants took the cash from him before eventually killing him. “The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over security in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly regarding the increasing cases of kidnappings and targeted attacks,” Makama said in a post. Parradang, who served in the NIS…