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ADC urges Tinubu to appoint substantive Ambassadors without delay

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently appoint substantive ambassadors to represent Nigeria across its foreign missions.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, emphasized that the prolonged delay in naming new ambassadors could further strain Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and hurt citizens living abroad.

Abdullahi noted that since the federal government recalled Nigeria’s 109 ambassadors in 2023, the positions have remained vacant, leaving the country with limited or no representation in critical international engagements.

Read Also: NNPP denies members’ defection to ADC in Katsina

“The absence of appointed ambassadors has weakened Nigeria’s voice and presence on the global stage,” Abdullahi stated. “We are already witnessing serious consequences, such as the rise in visa-related and consular issues involving countries like the United States and the United Arab Emirates.”

He stressed that junior diplomats or charge d’affaires cannot effectively perform the roles of ambassadors due to their limited access and recognition in diplomatic circles.

According to the ADC, this leadership vacuum is already taking a toll on the welfare of Nigerian students, workers, and professionals residing abroad. The party also warned that the situation could prompt other nations to reciprocate by downgrading their diplomatic missions in Nigeria.

Abdullahi concluded by urging President Tinubu to act swiftly, warning that the delay undermines Nigeria’s global image at a time when the country should be aggressively pursuing economic diplomacy and international cooperation.

NNPP denies members’ defection to ADC in Katsina

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The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), says no any of its Chairmen across the 34 local government areas in Katsina State has defected to the coalition ADC or any party.

The NNPP State Chairman, Alhaji Armaya’u Abdulkadir, stated this in a statement issued in Katsina on Monday.

According to the NNPP chairman, their local government chairmen have not defected to any party in the state.

He said that their attention has been drawn to some publications made in some media organisations and circulated in the social media.

Read Also: Osun senator Francis Fadahunsi dumps PDP 

Abdulkadir said, “The attention of the NNPP Katsina chapter has been drawn to some publications made in some media organisations and circulated in the social media.

“The publication revealed that 34 NNPP local government chairmen have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“The defection, as it was reported, was through the former Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa in Katsina State.

“It is on record, however, that some of our chairmen, after the 2023 presidential elections, defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

“Thus, these same people are the ones that defected to the ADC from the APC. Therefore, their defection was from APC, not from NNPP.”

(NAN)

FG debunks rumour of WAEC, NECO cancellation

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The Federal Ministry of Education has warned Nigerians to disregard  false and misleading statement circulating online, alleging the cancellation of the 2025 WAEC examinations due to widespread malpractice.

This is contained in a statement  in Abuja on Sunday by the Director Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo.

“The Ministry wishes to categorically disassociate itself from this fake news and clarify the following:

“The 2025 WAEC Examinations have been successfully concluded, with only a few isolated incidents of malpractice reported, all of which were promptly addressed by the relevant authorities.

“The ongoing NECO examinations are progressing smoothly, and as of this release, no cases of examination malpractice have been reported,” she said.

Read Also: How to check WAEC result 2024

Boriowo explained further that the Ministry had not received any official communication or report from WAEC, NECO, or any examination body regarding widespread malpractice in either of the examinations.

She urged students, parents, school administrators, and the general public to disregard the fake press release currently in circulation.

” It is entirely fabricated, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary panic and confusion.

“The public is advised to seek information only from verified and credible sources, including the official website of the Federal Ministry of Education: www.education.gov.ng,” she added.

Other official website for verification are: www.waecnigeria.org, www.neco.gov.ng.

She explained that the ministry remained fully committed to upholding the integrity, credibility, and orderly conduct of all public examinations and wound continue working closely with examination bodies to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

She added that anyone found spreading false information would be reported to the appropriate security agencies for investigation and prosecution.

(NAN)

Obidients beg Atiku to step aside for Obi in 2027

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Supporters of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, popularly known as “Obidients,” have appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to shelve his reported ambition for the 2027 presidential election and instead support Obi to secure the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The appeal was made during a massive birthday rally held in honour of Obi’s 64th birthday across several towns in Abia State, including Umuahia, Aba, Ohafia, and Uzuakoli. The event, described as a “one million man march for Obi,” attracted large crowds of supporters who praised Obi’s leadership qualities and called for national unity around his candidacy.

Speaking to journalists in Umuahia, Dr. Chibuzor Obiesili, the Abia State Chairman of the Organising Committee and one of the Obidient coordinators in the state, urged Atiku to make a personal sacrifice in the interest of national development by stepping aside and supporting Obi’s presidential bid in 2027.

Read Also: Abure-led LP gives Peter Obi 48 hours to leave party over coalition

Obiesili acknowledged Atiku’s long-standing contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey but insisted that Obi has the national appeal, integrity, and capacity to address Nigeria’s challenges swiftly. He emphasized that Obi’s clean track record and reputation for transparency make him the ideal candidate to lead the country out of its current socio-economic struggles.

While commending Atiku and other opposition leaders for forming a coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s expected re-election bid, Obiesili urged the coalition to zone its presidential ticket to the South and rally behind Obi, whom he described as the candidate with the best chance of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He stated that Obi’s consistent advocacy for the downtrodden and his leadership style have won him massive support across religious, ethnic, and political divides. According to Obiesili, Obi represents hope for millions of Nigerians and has become a symbol of integrity in Nigerian politics.

He added that the birthday rally was not sponsored by any politician but was a voluntary show of love and support for a man many Nigerians believe can bring meaningful change.

Respect rule of law, stay away from NASS – Senate tells Natasha

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The Nigerian Senate has cautioned suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central to respect the rule of law and refrain from returning to the National Assembly until her suspension officially ends.

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, emphasized that no court ruling currently mandates the Senate to reinstate the embattled lawmaker.

“The Senate wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension,” Adaramodu stated.

The clarification follows reports that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is planning to return to plenary on Tuesday, citing a recent judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court.

Read Also: Akpabio denies sexual harassment allegations by Natasha

However, Adaramodu clarified that the court’s verdict was merely advisory, not binding. According to him, the judge suggested that the Senate may consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the suspension, which the court found might be excessive — but stopped short of ordering her reinstatement.

“The Honourable Court did not mandate her recall. In fact, it found her guilty of contempt and imposed a ₦5 million fine, along with an order to publicly apologize in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page. These have not been complied with,” the Senate spokesman added.

He warned that any unauthorized attempt by Akpoti-Uduaghan to return to the chamber would be viewed as a breach of due process and a challenge to the Senate’s authority.

“The Senate emphasizes once more: there is no enforceable order directing her immediate return to the chamber,” he said.

Adaramodu assured that the Senate will deliberate on the court’s advisory at an appropriate time and will formally communicate its decision.

Until then, he urged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to “stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course.”

Kemi Badenoch: My kids couldn’t get citizenship in Nigeria, but Nigerians easily get UK citizenship

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The United Kingdom’s Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has sparked fresh debate on immigration policies after revealing that her children are unable to obtain Nigerian citizenship due to her gender—despite many Nigerians securing British citizenship with ease.

In a recent interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Badenoch criticized what she described as the UK’s overly lenient immigration system, comparing it with stricter policies in countries like Nigeria.

“There are many people who come to our country, to the UK, who do things that would not be acceptable in their countries,” she said.

When asked if she would support Nigerian immigrants in recreating a “mini-Nigeria” in the UK under the guise of cultural integration, she firmly responded: “That is not right. Nigerians would not tolerate that. That’s not something that many countries would accept.”

Read Also: Easiest countries for Nigerians to get Visa

Badenoch, who is of Nigerian descent, used her personal experience to highlight what she called a double standard. According to her, while she holds Nigerian citizenship through her parents, she cannot pass it on to her children simply because she is a woman.

“It’s virtually impossible, for example, to get Nigerian citizenship. I have that citizenship by virtue of my parents. I can’t give it to my children because I’m a woman,” she said. “Yet loads of Nigerians come to the UK, stay for a relatively free period of time, and acquire British citizenship. We need to stop being naive.”

The Conservative leader, who has three children with her husband, Hamish Badenoch, declared that she would make acquiring British citizenship “a lot harder” if elected Prime Minister.

Born in London in 1980 to Yoruba parents, Badenoch spent a significant part of her early years in Nigeria before returning to the UK at 16. Her political journey has seen her serve under Prime Ministers Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak in various cabinet roles between 2022 and 2024.

Seven things to know about Chris Gotterup, golf’s rising star

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Chris Gotterup is rapidly emerging as one of the most talked-about names on the PGA Tour in 2025.

With two professional wins under his belt and a powerful playing style, he’s proving he’s here to stay.

Here are seven key things to know about the American golf sensation:

1. He’s a Jersey-Born Talent

Chris Gotterup was born on July 20, 1999, and raised in Little Silver, New Jersey. He played high school golf at Christian Brothers Academy, where his talent quickly stood out.

2. He Was a Standout in College Golf

Gotterup began his collegiate golf career at Rutgers University (2017–2021) before transferring to the University of Oklahoma for the 2021–22 season. There, he dominated the college circuit, winning both the Haskins Award and the Jack Nicklaus Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate golfer.

Read Also: UFC 318: Max Holloway defeats Dustin Poirier as ‘The Diamond’ bids farewell in emotional homecoming

3. He Won Big as an Amateur

Even before turning pro, Gotterup showed signs of brilliance. He won both the Metropolitan Amateur and the New Jersey State Open in 2019, and earned the Jerry Courville Sr. Player of the Year Award from the Metropolitan Golf Association.

4. He Turned Pro in 2022

After the 2022 NCAA Championship, Gotterup turned professional. He gained attention with a T-4 finish at the John Deere Classic, one of his early PGA Tour events, signaling he could hang with the pros.

5. He Earned His PGA Tour Card Through Grit

Gotterup played on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023, finishing 23rd on the points list to earn his 2024 PGA Tour card. Along the way, he posted three top-10 finishes, showing steady growth in his game.

6. He Claimed His First PGA Tour Win in 2024

On May 12, 2024, Gotterup captured his first PGA Tour victory at the Myrtle Beach Classic, a breakout moment that made fans and analysts take serious notice of his talent.

7. He Beat Rory McIlroy at the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open

Gotterup’s rise continued in July 2025, when he secured his second PGA Tour title by winning the Genesis Scottish Open, finishing two strokes ahead of Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge. It was also his first win on the DP World Tour, proving his ability to compete globally.

UFC 318: Max Holloway defeats Dustin Poirier as ‘The Diamond’ bids farewell in emotional homecoming

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Veteran UFC fighter Dustin Poirier may not have gotten the fairytale ending he dreamed of at UFC 318, but the Louisiana native walked away from the sport with pride, love, and respect as he officially announced his retirement on Saturday night in front of a roaring hometown crowd at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

In the main event of the evening, Poirier (30-10 MMA, 22-9 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to Max Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) in a five-round war for the “BMF” title. Judges scored the bout 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 in favor of Holloway, who avenged two prior losses to Poirier in his career.

Poirier Retires With Head Held High

Following the fight, Poirier, 36, laid down his gloves and delivered a heartfelt retirement speech, met with a standing ovation. The tribute included a video montage honoring his storied career and contributions both inside and outside the Octagon.

“I feel loved by the fans, Louisiana, and the company,” Poirier said. “I didn’t know I’d touch as many people as I did just by chasing my dreams.”

Poirier exits the UFC as a former interim lightweight champion, one of the most entertaining and respected fighters in the promotion’s history, and a community hero who earned the UFC’s inaugural Forrest Griffin Community Award.

Fight Recap: Holloway Wins the War

Despite the loss, Poirier didn’t go down without a fight. After being dropped early by a sharp right from Holloway, Poirier answered in Round 2 by landing a powerful shot of his own and attempting a guillotine choke—though Holloway managed to escape.

Read Also: Lakers land Marcus Smart on $11m deal: Smart signing or risky gamble?

Both men traded strikes at a high level throughout the five rounds. Round 3 was dominated by Holloway, while Rounds 4 and 5 saw tightly contested action. In the final seconds, the pair stood toe-to-toe in a slugfest, with Holloway appearing to edge out the closing exchange.

With the victory, Holloway retains the symbolic BMF title and improves to 4-1 in his last five fights, bouncing back from a KO loss to Ilia Topuria.

UFC 318 Full Results:

  • Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier – Unanimous Decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
  • Paulo Costa def. Roman Kopylov – Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Daniel Rodriguez def. Kevin Holland – Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Patricio Freire def. Dan Ige – Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Michael Johnson def. Daniel Zellhuber – Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Vinicius Oliveira def. Kyler Phillips – Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Brendan Allen def. Marvin Vettori – Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Nikolay Veretennikov def. Francisco Prado – Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Ateba Gautier def. Robert Valentin – TKO (strikes), Round 1, 1:10
  • Islam Dulatov def. Adam Fugitt – KO (punches), Round 1, 4:06
  • Jimmy Crute def. Marcin Prachnio – Submission (armbar), Round 1, 4:42
  • Ryan Spann def. Lukasz Brzeski – Submission (guillotine), Round 1, 2:47
  • Brunno Ferreira def. Jackson McVey – Submission (armbar), Round 1, 3:35
  • Carli Judice def. Nicolle Caliari – TKO (knee, punches), Round 3, 1:30

Lakers land Marcus Smart on $11m deal: Smart signing or risky gamble?

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The Los Angeles Lakers have made another strategic addition to their roster, agreeing to a two-year, $11 million deal with veteran guard Marcus Smart, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.

The deal follows a reported contract buyout between Smart and the Washington Wizards, where he landed following a midseason trade from the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Wizards in the midst of a full rebuild, Smart’s exit seemed inevitable.

His arrival in Los Angeles marks the Lakers’ third significant roster move this offseason, following the signings of Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. With the departure of Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers were clearly in need of a reliable 3-and-D player—and Marcus Smart fits the bill.

A Defensive Anchor in the Backcourt

Despite his 6’4″ frame, Smart is widely respected as one of the NBA’s fiercest perimeter defenders. He made history in 2022 as the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton in 1996, and his versatility allows him to switch across multiple positions.

Read Also: Arsenal complete £48.5m signing of Madueke from Chelsea

Smart’s intensity and leadership on the defensive end could provide exactly what the Lakers need, especially in a starting lineup that includes offensive-minded players like LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. Smart could potentially start alongside Reaves, with Rui Hachimura moving to the bench to create better defensive balance.

Concerns About Durability

While Smart brings immense value on defense, his health remains a concern. He has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, appearing in just 34 games last season and 20 the year before. However, the Lakers seem confident in his ability to stay on the court and contribute to a deep playoff run.

In his brief stint with the Wizards last season, Smart played 15 games, averaging 9.3 points, 2.5 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in just over 18 minutes per game. He also posted solid shooting splits—44% from the field and an impressive 39.2% from three-point range.

Lakers’ Smart Strategy

Given the Lakers’ limited financial flexibility and the thin free agent market, signing Marcus Smart without needing to make a trade is a major win. Smart brings championship-level experience, defensive grit, and veteran leadership—elements the Lakers desperately need to remain competitive in a stacked Western Conference.

The Lakers front office, often under pressure for its decision-making, deserves credit for its patient and calculated approach this offseason. While Smart’s injury history prevents this move from earning a perfect grade, it’s still a strong acquisition that could pay major dividends if he stays healthy.

Series of powerful earthquakes strike off Russian coast, brief Tsunami watch issued for Hawaii

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Multiple strong earthquakes rocked the Pacific Ocean off Russia’s eastern coast late Saturday into Sunday, triggering a brief tsunami watch for Hawaii that was quickly canceled.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the seismic activity began around 6:30 p.m. local time on Sunday when a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck approximately 142 kilometers (88 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city in far eastern Russia. The quake occurred at a depth of 23 kilometers (14 miles), with minimal or no immediate impact on nearby populations.

Roughly 20 minutes later, a more powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit the same area at a depth of 19 kilometers (12 miles). This tremor led the U.S. National Weather Service to issue a tsunami watch for the Hawaiian Islands. However, the alert was lifted within ten minutes after it was confirmed there was no tsunami threat.

Read Also: Russia-Ukraine Conflict Intensifies: What to Expect in the Coming Days

The seismic sequence continued with another 6.6-magnitude quake at 7:07 p.m., centered 151 kilometers (94 miles) off Russia’s eastern seaboard at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Just 15 minutes later, a fourth quake, also measuring 6.6 in magnitude, struck 147 kilometers (91 miles) offshore at a depth of 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles).

The last significant tremor recorded in the series was a 6.0-magnitude quake that struck at 7:26 p.m., also occurring at a depth of 10 kilometers.

USGS data indicates several smaller aftershocks followed, ranging between magnitudes 4.3 and 5.7. Despite the intensity and frequency of the quakes, no fatalities, structural damage, or tsunami impacts were reported as of Sunday morning.

Authorities continue to monitor the region for any further seismic activity.