News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream II corps members to use their service year to create meaningful impact in their host communities. The appeal was made during the swearing-in ceremony of newly deployed corps members across the nation.

The Board Secretary noted that the one-year NYSC programme offers a unique opportunity for young graduates to foster national unity and contribute to community development.

“I encourage you to make a difference through projects that improve lives and leave lasting legacies. Exceptional corps members will be recognized and honored for their dedication and innovation,” he stated.

He also assured corps members of their safety, noting that the government is collaborating with security agencies to ensure their protection throughout the service year.

Additionally, he encouraged them to embrace the orientation programme and serve with patriotism, while highlighting opportunities for outstanding corps members to work with the Board upon request.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), as he marks his 83rd birthday, commending his pivotal role in Nigeria’s transition to democracy and his enduring contributions to national peace.

In a statement, Tinubu praised Abubakar’s leadership in steering Nigeria from military rule to democracy in 1999, calling it a defining moment in the nation’s history.

He also lauded the retired general’s ongoing work with the National Peace Committee in fostering dialogue and credible elections. “General Abubakar is a patriot of uncommon integrity whose service continues to inspire,” Tinubu said. “His devotion to Nigeria’s unity and stability remains exemplary.”

The President wished him good health and strength in the years ahead, as the nation honors his legacy.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran on Sunday, threatening that it would face the “full force” of the American military if it launches any attack against the U.S.

He emphasized that Washington had “nothing to do with” the recent Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites.

The Iranian government has accused Israel of carrying out a series of attacks on its nuclear and military facilities since early Friday, resulting in multiple casualties, including high-ranking military officers and nuclear scientists.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to strike “anywhere under the rule of the Ayatollah,” while Iran retaliated with a barrage of missile strikes.

Although Trump claimed he was aware of Israel’s planned attack before it happened, he reiterated on Truth Social that the U.S. had “no involvement in Friday night’s attack on Iran.”

“If you attack America in any way, shape, or form, Iran will suffer the full might and fury of the U.S. military like never before in history,” Trump warned in his post.

He added, “We can easily broker a deal between Iran and Israel to end this conflict!!!”

On Friday, the former president urged Tehran to either return to negotiations or face “even worse attacks” from Israel.

The escalating tensions follow a series of retaliatory strikes between Israel and Iran, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Tens of thousands of Americans marched in cities across the United States in coordinated protests against what organisers described as President Donald Trump’s growing authoritarian tendencies, his immigration policies, and what they labeled a government that favors the wealthy.

Demonstrations were reported in all 50 states, with protest leaders calling the action the biggest national mobilisation since Trump returned to power in January.

Participants carried placards bearing messages such as “No Kings,” “No crown for the clown,” and “The Trump fascist regime must go now!”

These slogans reflected widespread anger over what they see as Trump’s erosion of democratic norms.

The protests stood in stark contrast to a $45 million military parade that took place in Washington, held in honour of the US Army’s founding and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.

Critics condemned the show of force as unnecessary and called it a waste of public funds.

The deployment of National Guard units and Marines in cities like Los Angeles, despite objections from local leaders, drew further backlash.

“I’m here today to tell the world we don’t have kings in America. In America, the law is king,” said Ilene Ryan, who joined the protest in Boston.

In New York City, large crowds defied heavy rain to march down Fifth Avenue. Drums and chants of “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!” echoed throughout the streets.

Well-known actors Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo were seen among those taking part.Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, demonstrators filled the city’s central areas chanting “No faux-king way” and “Impeach Trump.”

A giant balloon caricature of Trump wearing a diaper floated above the crowds while federal troops watched from a distance.

For many protesters, the issue was personal. Iris Rodriguez, 44, whose family entered the US without legal documentation, expressed her concerns.

“If this was my mom, if this were the ’80s, this would be happening to her,” she said. “I was scared, but I refuse to be too scared to come.”

While most of the demonstrations were peaceful, authorities in Culpeper, Virginia reported that a man intentionally drove his vehicle into a dispersing group of protesters. No injuries were reported.

In Los Angeles, law enforcement used tear gas and mounted police to clear demonstrators gathered near the federal building, which has become a focal point of recent protests against immigration enforcement.

Organisers say they plan to continue staging similar protests nationwide in the weeks ahead, vowing to sustain public pressure and defend civil liberties.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Former Nigerian Vice President and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has penned a heartfelt tribute to his wife, Titi Abubakar, on the occasion of her 75th birthday.

In a message shared on his social media platform, Atiku reflected on their unconventional journey to marriage. He revealed that the couple tied the knot without their families’ consent, witnessed only by two friends. Despite the odds, their union has endured for over five decades.

“Titi has been a blessing beyond measure to me and our family,” Atiku wrote. “I thank her for being patient with my shortcomings. Patience is a virtue you can never regret.”

He also encouraged couples to embrace patience in their relationships and wished his wife many more years of “bliss and blessings.”

It was a joyous occasion attended by family and friends, including the wife of the former military president, General Sani Abacha, Maryam Abacha.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned Israel’s recent unprovoked strikes on Iran, which have triggered a fresh wave of hostilities between the two Middle Eastern powers. In a statement issued on Friday, the Nigerian government described the escalating conflict as a grave threat to regional and global peace.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, expressed deep concern over the sustained missile and aerial exchanges between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, calling for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and restraint from both parties.

“The continued cycle of retaliation not only endangers civilian lives but threatens to plunge the broader Middle East into further instability, with implications for international security and economic development,” the statement read.

Nigeria, which has long championed non-aggression and multilateral diplomacy principles, urged Iran and Israel to return to dialogue and constructive engagement. The government also called on the United Nations Security Council and the broader international community to intensify de-escalation efforts and provide diplomatic platforms for resolution.

Reaffirming its stance against military confrontation, the statement noted that “military action is not a substitute for negotiation” and that lasting peace must be built on diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law.

“Nigeria stands ready to support all genuine efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the region,” the Ministry added.

The statement comes amid growing international alarm over the potential fallout of the conflict, which many fear could destabilise the already volatile Middle East and disrupt global economic and political systems.

By Uzair Adam 

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced the return transportation of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, with 1,310 already flown back home from Jiddah.

According to data released by Malam Shafii Mohammed, Principal Information Officer of NAHCON, four Nigerian Hajj air carriers operated a total of four flights as part of the initial phase of the inbound operation.

MaxAir flight VM269 departed Jeddah for Bauchi at 08:07 hrs, carrying 551 pilgrims and seven officials. Flynas flight XY9006 left for Kebbi at 09:45 hrs with 413 pilgrims and six officials onboard. 

UMZA flight UY3534 took off for Abuja at 13:12 hrs with 41 pilgrims and 122 officials, while Air Peace flight APK7901 departed for Owerri at 23:45 hrs, transporting 305 pilgrims and seven officials.

It was gathered that about 63,000 Nigerian pilgrims participated in the just-concluded 2025 Hajj.

In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Iranian missiles penetrated Israel’s air defense systems and struck the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, widely regarded as the country’s equivalent of the Pentagon.

The attack, part of Iran’s newly launched “True Promise 3” operation, reportedly caused substantial damage to the highly fortified complex.

Analysts say the consequences of this strike may severely impact Israel’s military coordination, intelligence functions, and high-level decision-making.

The offensive comes on the heels of an earlier Israeli operation, “Rising Lion,” which was carried out in the early hours of June 13.

Tehran has described the Israeli move as an unprovoked act of aggression, prompting its forceful response.

Military sources suggest the success of the Iranian missiles in bypassing Israeli interceptors raises questions about the effectiveness of the country’s air defense systems.

The Kirya compound serves as a nerve center for Israeli military planning, making it a highly symbolic and strategic target.

While Israeli officials have yet to provide full details on the extent of the damage, the attack marks one of the boldest direct strikes by Iran on Israeli territory to date.

Observers fear this development could lead to a broader regional confrontation if de-escalation efforts fail.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued a strongly worded statement condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unilateral military strike on Iran, calling it a reckless escalation that defies international law and endangers global stability.

Sanders accused Netanyahu of previously violating the Geneva Conventions through the starvation of children in Gaza and now pursuing an illegal attack on Iran, risking a full-scale regional war. He stated that the strikes ignored the diplomatic efforts of the United States to resolve tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and undermined planned negotiations.

“The world is more dangerous and unstable as a result of the extremist Netanyahu’s government ongoing defiance of international law,” Sanders said.

The senator urged the U.S. and international community to resist being drawn into another conflict, and instead push for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy.

“We should do everything possible to prevent an escalation of this conflict and bring the warring parties to the negotiating table,” he emphasized.

By Muhammad Abubakar

In a stunning display of cyber warfare, Israeli forces reportedly rendered Iran’s military defenses inoperative during a recent strike, leaving the Islamic Republic’s army effectively “blind, deaf and dumb,” according to military analysts cited by the German outlet Bild.

The report suggests that a sophisticated and large-scale cyberattack paralyzed Iranian radar systems throughout the night, allowing Israeli aircraft to carry out their operations without detection. Only a single Iranian air defense base managed to register the strikes, underscoring the scale of the electronic disruption.”

Israeli forces appear to have disabled Iran’s radar infrastructure so thoroughly that Iranian fighter jets scrambled without ever spotting the incoming targets,” Bild reported, citing military observers.

The extent of the cyber intrusion also reportedly severed internal communications among Iran’s air defense units. Mobile networks, radios, pagers, and even encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp were reportedly jammed or rendered inoperable during the attack. This effectively left military personnel and targeted sites unaware of the impending strike.

“Hundreds of Iranian officers and pilots did not even know that anything was happening,” the report stated. “This points to a massive cyberattack using advanced electronic warfare, likely initiated as Israeli aircraft began their mission.”

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not officially commented on the operation, but the reported scale and precision of the strike suggest a high level of coordination between Israel’s cyber, intelligence, and air units.

If confirmed, the incident would mark one of the most significant uses of cyberwarfare in a live military operation to date, raising serious questions about the resilience of critical defense infrastructure in the face of digital threats.