News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vehemently opposed President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a new 15% import duty on petrol and diesel, labelling it an “insensitive and misguided” move that will deepen the economic crisis for Nigerians.

In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party warned the administration against “pushing the people to the wall” with policies that exacerbate suffering.

The ADC cautioned that the new levy could force the pump price of petrol beyond ₦1,000 per litre, making life “even more unbearable” for families, commuters, and businesses already struggling with the removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluation.

The party also questioned the government’s rationale for the tax, which is purportedly to protect domestic refining investments.

It pointed to the recent collapse of the rehabilitated Port Harcourt refinery just five months after a $1.5 billion overhaul as evidence of a flawed strategy.

“While we support private investments in the energy sector, policies meant to protect such investments must also protect the people and put their interests first,” the statement read.

The ADC demanded the immediate reversal of the import duty, asserting that a government unable to run its own refineries has no business taxing those who rely on imported fuel.

“Nigerians deserve a government that plans, not one that panics,” the party stated. “Economic growth that condemns the majority to a life of hardship and misery is ultimately destructive.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has rejected recent claims by United States President Donald Trump, who alleged widespread killings of Christians in Nigeria and announced the country’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

In a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government described the claims as false and not reflective of the reality in the country.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by US President Donald Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’

“These claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully,” the statement read.

The ministry noted that while Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the allegations were inaccurate. It added that under President Bola Tinubu, the government remains focused on combating terrorism, promoting interfaith harmony, and protecting the rights of all citizens.

It further stated that Nigeria “will continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.”

Trump, in a post shared on his Truth Social platform and later on the White House’s X account on Friday night, had claimed that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”

He added, “I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of particular concern’ — But that is the least of it.”Trump also called on US lawmakers, including Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, to “immediately look into this matter, and report back.”

“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the world!” he declared.

Last month, Congressman Moore urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impose diplomatic measures against what he called the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria, describing the country as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.”

He also called for a suspension of arms sales to Nigeria until the government takes concrete steps to end the violence.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking to CNN earlier in the week, dismissed the allegations, saying they were based on inaccurate data.

“Some of the claims made by some officials of the United States are based on faulty data and some assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians,” he said.

“Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians. They also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country,” Idris added.

In a related development, the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, called for stronger protection for vulnerable communities and greater accountability in addressing violence across Nigeria.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States Embassy in Lagos has clarified that the issuance of visas to foreign nationals is a privilege granted by the country, not a right.

The statement came following reports that the US had revoked the B1/B2 visa of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

Responding to an inquiry from The PUNCH on Thursday, the US Consulate in Lagos explained that it could not provide details about Soyinka’s visa due to confidentiality laws.

“Under U.S. law, visa records are generally confidential. We will not discuss the details of this individual visa case,” the US Nigeria Mission spokesperson stated.

The Mission further noted that visas could be withdrawn at any time, depending on the circumstances.

“Visas are a privilege, not a right. Every country, including the United States, can determine who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time, at the discretion of the U.S. government, whenever circumstances warrant,” it added.

Soyinka had revealed during a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday that his visa had been cancelled by the US authorities.

Speaking at the event titled “Unending Saga: Idi Amin in Whiteface” at Kongi’s Harvest, Freedom Park, the 91-year-old writer announced that he currently had no valid visa to the United States.

“It is necessary for me to hold this press conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time. I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” Soyinka told journalists.

The Nobel laureate said he received the revocation notice in a letter from the US Consulate General in Lagos, dated October 23, 2025. He expressed confusion about the reason behind the decision, noting that he had never committed any offence against the United States.

“I’ve started looking back—have I ever misbehaved towards the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?” he wondered.

While reflecting, Soyinka recalled two incidents that occurred decades ago, though he doubted they were linked to the current situation.

“I remember pleading guilty at the airport one day. I was landing in Chicago. It was my first major production in the United States. … I had gone to an Indian restaurant in London … I forgot to declare those chilies. … I think I remember paying about $25 or so. So, that’s one possible crime that could have been dug up,” he explained.

He continued, “Two, the American Society of African Culture had an international conference some years ago … I had a confrontation with the police (over) some racist conduct by the receptionist, which led to the police being called. … So, I could be convicted, if you like, for, shall we say, disobeying orders from law officers of the US. This was at least 30 years ago.”

According to Soyinka, the revocation letter stated that his non-immigrant visa “has been revoked pursuant to the authority contained in the U.S. Department of State regulations 22 CFR 41.122 and is no longer valid for application for entry into the United States.”

It also mentioned that “additional information became available after the visa below was issued.”

The Consulate requested that Soyinka submit the document to the embassy for “physical cancellation,” a request he described humorously. “If you have plans to travel to the United States, you must apply again to re-establish your qualifications for a new non-immigrant visa,” the letter added.

Soyinka’s visa had been issued on April 2, 2024, in Lagos.

Renowned globally as a playwright and activist, Soyinka became Africa’s first Nobel Prize winner in Literature in 1986. He has taught at several American universities over the years.

The visa cancellation has stirred public debate about the tightening of US immigration policies, particularly regarding African visitors.

By Hassana Abdullahi

The Trump administration has announced a sharp reduction in the number of refugees allowed into the United States over the next year, slashing the annual cap to 7,500. Officials described the move as being “in the national interest,” marking a dramatic shift from the previous limit of 125,000 set under the Biden administration.

In a statement, government representatives said the new policy would prioritise white South Africans, commonly known as Afrikaners, citing what they described as “ongoing discrimination” against the group in their home country.

The decision has sparked criticism from human rights advocates, who argue that it politicises refugee admissions and undermines America’s long-standing commitment to offering protection based on humanitarian need rather than ethnicity or nationality.

Administration officials, however, defended the move, saying it reflects a “targeted and merit-based” approach to refugee resettlement aimed at protecting those “most aligned with American values.”

The new refugee ceiling marks one of the lowest in U.S. history and signals a broader reorientation of the country’s immigration and humanitarian policies.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has issued a firm directive to Nigeria’s newly appointed service chiefs, demanding an end to terrorism and banditry and warning that “Nigerians expect results, not excuses.”

The President gave the charge on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after decorating the top military brass with their new ranks.

He emphasized that the security crisis, which began in 2009, cannot be allowed to persist any longer.

“I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal,” Tinubu stated.

He urged the chiefs to be “innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous,” and to deploy technology to stay ahead of threats.

A key concern highlighted by the President is the emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and some parts of the South.

“We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right at the head,” he declared.

While commending the military’s past sacrifices and successes, Tinubu tasked the service chiefs with ensuring synergy and providing exemplary leadership.

“Work with other security agencies and defeat this enemy once and for all. We need to clean them up, clear them out,” he said, promising full government support.

In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, thanked the President for the appointment and assured him of their determination to keep the country safe.

He also called on all Nigerians to support the military’s efforts.The event was attended by the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, several state governors, and other top government officials.

The service chiefs were accompanied by their spouses, whom they saluted in a gesture that drew applause from the audience.

By Uzair Adam

Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Thursday marked a century since the first aircraft landed in Nigeria, highlighting Kano’s pivotal role in the country’s aviation history.

The three-day celebration, organised by the Caliphate Aviation Training Centre, kicked off with exhibitions, panel discussions, and an airshow designed to inspire the next generation of aviators.Okikiri Musa, Regional and Airport Manager of MAKIA, described the centenary as a proud moment for both Kano and the nation.

“This milestone is significant for all of us, especially Kano,” Musa said. “Being the site of Nigeria’s first aircraft landing is something to celebrate. “Aviation has grown immensely, and Kano continues to be a key hub in air transport. We pray that Allah continues to bless Kano and strengthen Nigeria’s aviation sector.”

Hassan Abdulhamid, Director of Administration at Caliphate Air Services, noted that the event not only commemorates history but also encourages young Nigerians to explore careers in aviation.

“Celebrating 100 years since the first aircraft landed in Nigeria, here in Kano, gives students a hands-on experience in aviation — from ticketing and boarding to meeting pilots and engineers. We hope this inspires a lifelong passion and guides them toward aviation careers,” Abdulhamid said.

He explained that the first two days of the event are focused on secondary school students, while university students and lecturers will later present research to address data gaps in the aviation sector.

“There is limited data on aviation in this region. By involving universities in research, we aim to generate insights that will benefit the industry,” he added.

Transport historian Dr. Yusuf Madugu of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), recalled that the first aircraft to land in Nigeria touched down in Kano on November 1, 1925.

“The flight, led by Lieutenant Arthur Cunningham, came from Egypt via Khartoum and N’Djamena. It landed at the Kano Racecourse, now the Polo Club, as there was no airport at the time. Smoke from a fire was used to guide the pilot,” Dr. Madugu explained.

He emphasized that Kano’s status as a commercial and religious hub made it the ideal destination for the historic flight.

“Kano was the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, which is why the colonial authorities chose it as the first point of air entry into the country,” he said.

The centenary celebration included a historical exhibition on aviation in Nigeria, discussions on the sector’s economic impact, and tributes to pioneers of the industry.

Other highlights featured a static airshow, kiting competitions for children, and live aerial demonstrations.

Organisers said the event aims to renew public interest in aviation and reaffirm Kano’s role as the cradle of Nigeria’s air transport history.

By Uzair Adam

Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Thursday marked a century since the first aircraft landed in Nigeria, highlighting Kano’s pivotal role in the country’s aviation history.

The three-day celebration, organised by the Caliphate Aviation Training Centre, kicked off with exhibitions, panel discussions, and an airshow designed to inspire the next generation of aviators.

Okikiri Musa, Regional and Airport Manager of MAKIA, described the centenary as a proud moment for both Kano and the nation.

“This milestone is significant for all of us, especially Kano,” Musa said. “Being the site of Nigeria’s first aircraft landing is something to celebrate. 

“Aviation has grown immensely, and Kano continues to be a key hub in air transport. We pray that Allah continues to bless Kano and strengthen Nigeria’s aviation sector.”

Hassan Abdulhamid, Director of Administration at Caliphate Air Services, noted that the event not only commemorates history but also encourages young Nigerians to explore careers in the aviation industry.

Celebrating 100 years since the first aircraft landed in Nigeria, here in Kano, gives students hands-on experience in aviation — from ticketing and boarding to meeting pilots and engineers. We hope this inspires a lifelong passion and guides them toward aviation careers,” Abdulhamid said.

He explained that the first two days of the event are focused on secondary school students, while university students and lecturers will later present research to address data gaps in the aviation sector.

“There is limited data on aviation in this region. By involving universities in research, we aim to generate insights that will benefit the industry,” he added.

Transport historian Dr Yusuf Madugu of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), recalled that the first aircraft to land in Nigeria touched down in Kano on November 1, 1925.

“The flight, led by Lieutenant Arthur Cunningham, came from Egypt via Khartoum and N’Djamena. It landed at the Kano Racecourse, now the Polo Club, as there was no airport at the time. Smoke from a fire was used to guide the pilot,” Dr Madugu explained.

He emphasised that Kano’s status as a commercial and religious hub made it the ideal destination for the historic flight.

“Kano was the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, which is why the colonial authorities chose it as the first point of air entry into the country,” he said.

The centenary celebration included a historical exhibition on aviation in Nigeria, discussions on the sector’s economic impact, and tributes to pioneers of the industry. 

Other highlights featured a static airshow, kiting competitions for children, and live aerial demonstrations.

Organisers said the event aims to renew public interest in aviation and reaffirm Kano’s role as the cradle of Nigeria’s air transport history.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Efforts to strengthen vaccine delivery systems across northern Nigeria received a major boost as the All Babies program, implemented by New Incentives – All Babies Are Equal (NI-ABAE), convened a two-day Roundtable Meeting of Cold Chain Stakeholders in Kano.

Held at Tahir Guest Palace from October 24 to 25, the meeting brought together 35 participants from state and zonal cold chain offices, development partners, and the Kano State Primary Health Care Board. The focus was on improving coordination, data management, and logistics in vaccine distribution across 14 northern states.

During the technical session, program officials presented encouraging results from the third quarter of 2025. Katsina and Zamfara states recorded the sharpest declines in zero-dose infants, each achieving a 40-percentage-point reduction, while Kaduna saw a 15-point drop. So far, All Babies has enrolled over 5.6 million infants, supported 7,128 clinics, and facilitated more than 85 million vaccinations through conditional cash transfers to caregivers.

Stakeholders at the meeting resolved to improve real-time vaccine data reporting through Nigeria’s OpenLMIS platform, enhance coordination between state and local levels, and push for increased transportation funding via the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to ease vaccine movement to remote areas.

Niger State’s Cold Chain Officer, Abubakar Hussaini, praised the program’s impact, saying, “All Babies has done a great job increasing vaccination awareness and turnout. We hope the program expands nationwide so every child benefits from these life-saving vaccines.”

The roundtable ended with a joint communiqué reaffirming partners’ commitment to ensure that every child, regardless of location, receives timely and essential vaccines.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Major General Waidi Shaibu has formally taken over as Nigeria’s 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in a ceremony at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

The event on Thursday marked a transition of leadership from the former COAS, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, who is now the incoming Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

In his inaugural address, Major General Shaibu commended his predecessor for his “outstanding leadership,” highlighting achievements in equipment procurement, infrastructure, and the “Soldier First” welfare initiative.

He pledged to sustain this legacy and enhance cooperation among security agencies to tackle national security challenges.

“I salute the courage, passion, resilience and discipline of our troops in the field. Their sacrifices remain the cornerstone of our collective success,” the new Army Chief stated.

Shaibu also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment and promised to carefully review the security situation to respond swiftly to emerging threats.

In his valedictory speech, Lieutenant General Oluyede thanked the President for the opportunity to serve and urged army personnel to extend the same loyalty and commitment to the new COAS.

“The mission remains the same — to ensure the security of lives and defend the territorial integrity of our nation,” he affirmed.

The ceremony featured the signing of handover notes, the decoration of the new Chief with the Army Headquarters insignia, and an inspection of the quarter guard.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, have eliminated two Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters during an ambush around Hudugum village in the Hambagda area along the Gwoza–Limankara road in Borno State.

The operation, which occurred on Wednesday evening, was conducted under Operation Desert Sanity IV/Diligent Search by soldiers of the 192 Battalion (Main) in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. He explained that the troops encountered the terrorists’ logistics team at about 6:30 p.m. and engaged them with superior firepower.

According to Makama, “two insurgents were neutralised while several others escaped with gunshot wounds towards the foothills of the Mandara Mountains.”

He quoted sources as saying, “There was no casualty on the side of the troops, and no equipment was lost during the encounter.”

After the gun battle, the soldiers recovered several items believed to belong to the fleeing terrorists.

These included three bicycles, clothing materials, mats, food seasoning, salt, and other personal belongings.

The troops reportedly returned to base safely around 7:50 p.m. after what was described as a “hitch-free” mission.

The report added that the army plans to conduct further search operations along the escape routes of the terrorists.

It also noted that while the general security situation in the area remains calm, it is still considered unpredictable.