UK

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Popular British rapper, Central Cee, has stirred widespread reactions on social media after revealing that he has embraced Islam.

The announcement shifted attention from his music career to his personal faith journey. Shortly after the revelation surfaced online, thousands of fans and followers trooped to his social media pages to express their support and goodwill.

During a live appearance, the rapper disclosed that he had formally entered the Islamic faith. He said, “I declared the Shahada, I have a new name, I am now a Muslim.”

Following the declaration, congratulatory messages poured in from supporters across different platforms. Many welcomed him warmly into the religion. Some of the messages read, “Welcome to Islam, brother,” “You have been honored with Islam,” and “Welcome, Muslim brother.”

The development also triggered conversations about a possible new identity for the music star. This came after he hinted about adopting another name. He had stated, “I have a new name.”

Fans quickly began suggesting options they felt would suit him. Among the various proposals, one name appeared repeatedly in comment sections. Several followers wrote, “Yusuf suits him well,” while others added, “I am curious about the Muslim name, but let it be Yusuf.”

Despite the wave of speculation, the rapper has not released any official confirmation regarding a new name. He has also not provided further clarification on the matter.

Online engagement around the announcement continues to grow, with many admirers still awaiting additional details about his conversion and identity within the faith.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A court in the United Kingdom has sentenced a Nigerian national, Adedapo Adegbola, to life imprisonment for the murder of his former partner, Steph Irons, a 23-year-old university student, in Nottingham, England.

The 40-year-old was handed the sentence by Nottingham Crown Court after he admitted responsibility for Irons’ death, which occurred at her residence in Mapperley on October 21, 2025. Reports indicate that the two met at their workplace and had a brief romantic relationship that later ended.

During court proceedings, prosecutors said Adegbola developed an unhealthy fixation on the victim after the breakup. He allegedly purchased two knives online and later hired a taxi to her home. Investigators said he attacked Irons when she stepped outside to dispose of refuse. He then forced his way into the house and stabbed her multiple times.

Concern arose when Irons’ colleagues received disturbing messages sent from her phone. Police officers who responded to the situation later found her lifeless body in the living room. She was confirmed dead at the scene.

Following the attack, Adegbola fled the area. Authorities said he disposed of blood-stained clothing and other items along routes in Mapperley and Carlton. Nottinghamshire Police tracked his movements across several locations, including Mansfield, Worksop, Sheffield, and Hull, before he eventually turned himself in. Although he exercised his right to remain silent during interrogation, detectives pieced together his actions before and after the incident.

The presiding judge ordered life imprisonment and fixed a minimum term of 25 years before parole can be considered.

Detective Inspector Stuart Barson, who led the investigation, described Irons as a “kind and compassionate young woman” whose life ended in “terrifying circumstances.” He noted that the convict made no effort to obtain medical assistance for the victim after the assault, but instead chose to escape and discard evidence.

In a statement presented to the court, Irons’ mother said the loss of her daughter had shattered the family. Relatives portrayed the deceased student as loving and caring, with aspirations to earn a doctorate degree in clinical psychology.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigerians resident in Norwich, United Kingdom, have commenced a fundraising drive to facilitate the return of the remains of Uchenna Okirie, popularly called “Common Man,” who was stabbed to death in his student residence in November 2025.

Okirie, a Nigerian citizen, was reportedly killed under circumstances that unsettled both residents of the area and members of the Nigerian community in the UK. A 27-year-old Congolese national, Benjamin Katabana, has been charged in connection with the incident.

To raise funds for his repatriation and burial in Nigeria, the Nigerian Community Norwich set up a GoFundMe campaign titled, “Rest in Peace, Uche: Help Us Return Him to His Family.”

As of Wednesday, the appeal had attracted £1,149 from 67 donors, out of a target of £7,000.

In the message accompanying the fundraiser, organisers paid tribute to Okirie, describing him as a kind-hearted and selfless individual who dedicated himself to helping others.

“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Uchenna Okirie, fondly known by many as ‘Common Man’… Uche was tragically stabbed to death in his home. He was a remarkable soul—steady, genuine, and deeply compassionate,” the statement read.


The community disclosed that Okirie earned a Master’s degree in Development Economics from the University of East Anglia during the 2021/2022 academic session. During his time at the institution, he also served as an international student ambassador.

He was said to be well known among students for assisting newcomers to the UK as they settled into their new environment.

“When friends arrived in the UK with nowhere to stay, he opened his home without hesitation… When someone needed help setting up a bank account, searching for a job, or navigating a new environment, Uche showed up,” the organisers stated.


They further noted that his calm nature, sincerity, and habit of placing others first earned him deep respect, adding that he would be remembered for his “unique smile, quiet generosity, and habit of placing others’ comfort above his own.”

According to the Nigerian Community Norwich, Okirie left behind friends, classmates, and colleagues who were deeply affected by his death. The group explained that the funds would cover the cost of transporting his body to Nigeria and support burial arrangements, as he had no immediate family members in the UK.

“This is our way of giving back to someone who gave so freely of himself. No contribution is too small, and every donation brings us closer to giving Uche the farewell he deserves,” the organisers added.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has assigned four high-profile diplomats to strategic allied nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Turkey.

The postings come from a pool of 68 ambassador-designates confirmed by the Senate last December.

The assignments see Ambassador Ayodele Oke posted to France, while Colonel Lateef Are is designated for the United States. Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, previously Nigeria’s envoy to South Korea, will serve as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Notably, former Kebbi State Governor Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman is appointed ambassador-designate to Turkey. This posting precedes President Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to Ankara next week.

According to a presidential memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministry has been directed to formally notify the host governments of the designations in line with established diplomatic protocols.

The posting of the remaining confirmed envoys is expected to follow.

The United Kingdom has begun consultations with key European partners on the potential deployment of a multinational military force to Greenland, in a move aimed at discouraging United States President Donald Trump from pursuing his long-standing ambition to bring the Arctic territory under American control.

According to a report by The Standard, senior defence officials are said to be sketching out early plans for a possible NATO-led mission that could involve the deployment of troops, naval vessels and aircraft to protect Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

The proposal is reported to place emphasis on boosting security in the Arctic region in response to perceived threats from Russia and China, while also easing tensions that have followed Trump’s repeated statements about the island.

British officials are said to have recently engaged their counterparts in France and Germany as discussions over the mission begin to take shape.

Although the talks remain at an early stage, they are designed to offer Trump what European governments see as a political exit by showing that allied nations are prepared to shoulder a larger share of the security responsibility in the High North.

European leaders believe that a visible increase in allied military presence could allow Trump to present the development as a success for Washington, on the basis that US partners are strengthening their commitments, without the need for a disruptive attempt to annex Greenland.

Trump has on several occasions declined to rule out the use of force to secure the vast Arctic territory, arguing that the United States must prevent Russia or China from gaining influence in the region.

“We’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour,” he has said, while also pointing to Greenland’s abundance of strategic resources such as rare earth minerals, copper and nickel.

Sources within the UK government say Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer views the evolving security situation in the Arctic with serious concern and agrees that coordinated allied action is required.

One official said Britain shares Trump’s assessment that Russian activities in the region must be checked, while confirming that discussions within NATO on strengthening Arctic defences are continuing.

“The UK is working closely with allies to strengthen deterrence and defence in the Arctic,” the source said, adding that any future operation would align with national interests and collective security commitments.

Trump has previously suggested the use of financial incentives to persuade Greenland’s roughly 30,000 residents to align with the United States, while warning that Washington would act “whether they like it or not.”

His comments have unsettled NATO members and raised fears of a major internal rift within the alliance.In response, European governments are exploring options to prevent a crisis by proposing the stationing of allied forces on the island.

The idea was reportedly discussed at a recent NATO meeting in Brussels, where military planners were directed to review ways to improve security across the Arctic. Proposed measures could include a full deployment of forces, expanded military exercises, stronger intelligence cooperation and adjusted defence spending.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has put forward the names of three non-career ambassadorial nominees for crucial postings in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

According to an announcement, the nominees are Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, and Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu. Their specific country assignments will be finalized after they undergo a screening and confirmation process by the Nigerian Senate.

The nominees bring a wealth of experience in diplomacy and security to the roles.Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu is a familiar face in foreign service, having previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea.

He was first appointed to that position in 2016 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ambassador Ayodele Oke, a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, is a former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

He also has prior diplomatic experience from serving as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations in London.

Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are has a distinguished background in security and intelligence. He was the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007 and later served as the National Security Adviser in 2010.

His career also includes serving as an officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence.

A highly educated officer, he graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980.

The Senate is expected to schedule a screening date for the nominees in the coming weeks.

By Muhammad Abubakar

In a historic diplomatic shift, the governments of Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom have formally recognised the State of Palestine. The announcement, made in a joint statement on Sunday, marks a significant moment in international support for Palestinian statehood.

Leaders of the three countries said the recognition was aimed at advancing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, reaffirming their commitment to a two-state solution. They urged both Israel and Palestine to return to negotiations and called for an immediate halt to violence in the region.

The move has been welcomed by Palestinian officials, who described it as a “courageous step towards justice and self-determination.” However, Israel has expressed strong opposition, warning that such recognition could undermine peace efforts.

The decision by three of the world’s most influential Western nations is expected to increase pressure on other countries to follow suit, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the global stage.

By The Citizen Reports

The British government has begun sending direct messages to tens of thousands of foreign students, cautioning them to depart the country once their visas run out or risk deportation, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the Home Office introduced a new initiative in response to what it called an “alarming” surge in student visa holders attempting to prolong their stay by applying for asylum.

For the first time, officials are reaching out to students via email and text to outline the consequences of overstaying.

The government expressed worry that more students are turning to the asylum process as a way to remain in the UK after completing their studies.

One of the messages being circulated states, “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”

Official data shows that roughly 15 per cent of asylum requests last year—about 16,000—came from individuals who originally entered on student visas. Although it is unclear how many applied after their visas had expired, authorities believe the trend is significant enough to require urgent measures.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that some students are “claiming asylum even when things have not changed in their home country.”

She added, “We obviously will do our bit to support genuine refugees, but if nothing has changed in their country, people should not be claiming asylum at the end of a student course.”

Cooper also highlighted the strain that the rising number of asylum claims from students places on the UK’s housing system, particularly accommodation and hotels for asylum seekers.So far, around 10,000 students with visas close to expiration have received these warnings.

The Home Office expects to contact another 130,000 students and their dependents in the coming months, in line with the busy autumn academic intake, the BBC reported.

The message being sent further reads, “If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused.

Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive support. If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”The move forms part of broader immigration reforms introduced by the Labour government.

In May, the Home Office announced stricter requirements for universities, linking their ability to sponsor international students to higher standards on visa refusals and course completion rates.

While much of the immigration debate in Britain has focused on Channel crossings, officials say they are also increasingly troubled by those who entered legally but later shifted to the asylum system.

Figures show that of the 108,000 asylum applications lodged last year, about 40,000 came from people who arrived through legal routes, compared with 35,000 from small boat arrivals.

Students accounted for the largest share of these legal entrants seeking asylum, with numbers nearly six times higher than in 2020.

Although applications from students have since dropped by 10 per cent, the Home Office insists further reductions are necessary. Cooper noted that student visa holders represent just over one-tenth of all asylum claims but maintained that “to fix the system, we must tackle every single bit of it.”

The government has also reduced the time foreign graduates can remain in the UK after completing their degrees, cutting it from two years to 18 months. Recent figures show that successful asylum claims from skilled worker visa holders have also decreased.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honour 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, who recently clinched first place in the English language category at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London.

Nafisa, a student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) in Yobe State, emerged the best among more than 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations.

Her victory, widely celebrated across educational and social circles, has been described by Pantami as a moment of pride for Nigeria.

“I read from various reliable sources that Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, a 17-year-old student from Yobe State in Nigeria, has indeed been recognised as the top performer in English language skills globally… We are proud of you, Nafisa,” he said.

Pantami emphasised that her success could be traced to her natural ability, dedication, and the support system provided by her parents and teachers.

He added that this global recognition should attract the same kind of reward that was recently extended to Nigeria’s victorious female athletes.

“Recently, our women’s football team won the Women’s Africa Cup in Morocco. Each player received $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and a national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

In addition, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, received similar rewards after winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship,” Pantami noted.

He went further to advocate equal recognition for Nafisa’s teacher, similar to what the technical teams of the Super Falcons and D’Tigress received.

“We must continue to take education very seriously and reward the efforts of our citizens,” he said.

Describing education as the passport to future development, the former minister urged the presidency to invite Nafisa and her English teacher for official recognition.

“Let’s invite our daughter and the daughter of all Nigerians, along with her English teacher, to the presidency. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

Pantami signed off the statement with a powerful reminder: “Education is the foundation upon which we build our future and the future of our country.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A 17-year-old Nigerian student, Nafisa Abdullah Aminu from Yobe State, has defeated over 20,000 competitors from 69 countries to win the 2025 TeenEagle Global English Championship in London.

Nafisa, a student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Yobe, showcased exceptional language proficiency and communication skills, surpassing even native English speakers in the prestigious contest.

Her family attributed the victory to her hard work, supportive educational environment, and the Yobe State government’s commitment to quality education under Governor Mai Mala Buni.

They called for official recognition of her achievement, stating it proves Nigerian students can excel globally when given the right opportunities.

The win has been celebrated as a milestone for Nigeria’s education sector, bringing pride to Nafisa’s school, community, and the nation.