President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian journalists to uphold strict professionalism, warning that press freedom must not be weaponised to spread falsehoods or undermine national security. Speaking on Thursday at the maiden State House Media Corps Presidential Dinner in Abuja, the President described the media as an indispensable partner in sustaining democracy, but cautioned that rights must balance with deep responsibility. Tinubu declared himself a lifelong defender of free speech but stressed that the rise of artificial intelligence and digital platforms has worsened the spread of fake news. "I am an apostle of a free press," Tinubu said. "However, freedom of the press is not freedom to deliberately mislead. Rights come with responsibilities." He urged media practitioners to reject sensationalism, clickbait, and the race for social media validation, choosing instead substance over sensation. The President characterised the relationship between the state and the press as a vital partnership driven by constitutional duties. He noted that Section 39 of the constitution guarantees free expression, while Section 22 mandates the media to hold power accountable. "Government must act. The media must watch," Tinubu stated, adding that this dynamic naturally creates a healthy, democratic tension. He urged public officials and journalists to replace needless hostility with constructive engagement. Addressing concerns over media censorship, the President defended the Cybercrimes Act. He insisted the law protects citizens and guards the nation’s information space rather than stifling legitimate journalism. Tinubu concluded by noting that his administration`s economic reforms are beginning to stabilise the nation, while intensified military operations continue to reclaim communities from security threats.

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man at the center of an alleged massive government impersonation syndicate, broke his silence on Thursday, vigorously denying that he is a criminal and insisting his presidential appointment is completely authentic. Speaking during a telephone interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, a defiant Adeyemi challenged the Presidency’s narrative. He declared his absolute readiness to face trial, stating that a court of competent jurisdiction will vindicate him. The Defense: "Nigeria is Not a Banana Republic" THENEWSCREDIT reports that Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi has dismissed allegations of forging his appointment to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), defending his three-year tenure amidst a police investigation. He claims to hold a signed appointment letter and states that his operations, including meetings with federal ministries, were conducted with government awareness. Furthermore, Adeyemi cites the inclusion of a ₦1.3 billion allocation for the council in the 2026 national budget as evidence of its legitimacy. While currently under investigation for an appointment-for-cash scandal, he maintains his innocence, citing health issues, and expresses willingness to cooperate with authorities. The Presidency’s Counter-Attack: Forgery and 34 Bank Accounts The Presidency strongly defended Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, stating that the suspect, Adeniyi Adeyemi, forged an appointment letter. State House spokesman Bayo Onanuga outlined the scale of the fraud: Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, nine of which used fake government names. Following a petition by Gbajabiamila, police arrested Adeyemi in Abuja on October 27, 2025, after the NIPC raised alarms about his fake agency,THENEWSCREDIT reports. War of Words: Multi-Billion Naira Bribery Allegations The legal showdown has turned highly political, following explosive counter-accusations by Adeyemi against the Chief of Staff. Adeyemi alleged that the Chief of Staff demanded a staggering ₦27.4 billion—representing 48 percent of the agency’s proposed take-off grant. He further claimed that Gbajabiamila received ₦400 million through a proxy to facilitate his appointment, with an outstanding balance of ₦200 million. Adeyemi has formally urged President Bola Tinubu to constitute an independent investigative panel to review all official documents and has called on the Chief of Staff to step aside pending the outcome. The Presidency has since dismissed these bribery claims, alerting the DSS and Police. Trial Set for July 27 The Nigeria Police have filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges include conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation. The high-stakes trial is officially scheduled to commence on July 27, 2026.

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will maintain its aggressive infrastructure drive across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the nation, declaring that no part of the country will be left behind. The President spoke through Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the official commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Old Keffi Road, stretching from Kado Fish Market to Deidei. The project marks a key milestone in the activities celebrating his third year in office. Addressing residents and traditional rulers, Tinubu urged all citizens to actively partner with the government in its nation-building efforts. “We are not slowing down across the FCT,” the President stated. “From the centre to the area councils, we are building inclusion, safety, and growth. Every district deserves access, and every citizen deserves to feel the impact of my administration wherever they live. Let us join hands for development, and together we can build the Nigeria of our dreams.” The President described the rehabilitated road as a critical economic artery rather than a mere driveway. By directly linking Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Idu, Karmo, and Deidei to the Outer Northern Expressway, the infrastructure is expected to immediately stimulate commercial activities. Highlighting the project`s immediate benefits, Tinubu noted that the route cuts down both travel time and transportation costs for local residents. "Goods will now move faster, markets will breathe, and workers will reach their destinations with less stress. Prosperity will increase for the people of this environment," he affirmed. The President highly commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, specifically pointing out the success of the `Light Up Abuja` initiative. He noted that integrating streetlights into the newly commissioned road ensures safer nighttime movement and allows local commerce to thrive long after sunset. "That is what the dividends of democracy look like," Tinubu said. "Government shows love where the citizens live, and citizens show love to applaud government and expect more." While handing over the infrastructure, the President issued a stern warning to the host communities and traditional authorities regarding the maintenance of public utilities. He explicitly warned against the vandalism of streetlights and the dumping of refuse in drainage systems. "The road maintained by its community lasts for a generation; the road abused by its community dies early, and the choice is ours," Tinubu warned, urging residents to report any early signs of damage to ensure prompt rehabilitation. The event concluded with the formal unveiling of the road, dedicated to expanding commerce, boosting security, and enhancing mobility across the FCT.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued a stark warning to the nation, stating that many of the systemic triggers that plunged Nigeria into a three-year civil war in 1967 remain unresolved and active within the country today. Speaking at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta on Wednesday, the former wartime commander declared that Nigeria had already fought "one civil war too many," describing the prospect of another internal conflict as entirely unthinkable. Obasanjo made these assertions while receiving a comprehensive historical archive documenting the 1967 Asaba Massacre. The materials—comprising eyewitness video testimonies, transcripts, and scholarly research—were compiled and presented by Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, Chairman of the Asaba Memorial Trust and the Asaba Image Branding and Project Committee. Reflecting on conversations with contemporary leaders, the former President recalled a sobering exchange with former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. "I was with a colleague when Gen. Yakubu Gowon said that we would not survive a second civil war as a country," Obasanjo revealed. "To say that we will have a second civil war, God forbid. Some of the things that led to the Civil War are still with us. How long will this remain so?" He urged citizens to collectively adopt a strict "never again" stance, stressing that confronting historical truths, rather than burying them, is the only humanly possible path to ensuring lasting peace and national unity. The archive presented to the former President shines a fresh light on the Asaba Massacre, a dark chapter of the war where over a thousand unarmed civilian men were reportedly killed by federal troops in the Mid-West Region. Acknowledging his role as a soldier during the conflict, Obasanjo clarified that operations in the Asaba sector were under the direct command of the late General Murtala Mohammed, meaning he could not provide personal, field-level details of the tragedy. However, he emphasized that high-level military leadership never ordered or condoned such atrocities. He recalled that toward the end of the war, he was personally tasked with ensuring that no further massacres occurred, noting that he once intervened directly to stop a soldier from assaulting a civilian to enforce command accountability. "Gen. Gowon publicly acknowledged and apologized for the excesses of the war," Obasanjo added, maintaining that archiving the Asaba tragedy remains critical for ultimate national healing. Presenting the research, Chief Nduka-Eze described the compilation as a heavily cross-referenced, bulletproof body of evidence. According to Nduka-Eze, independent testimonies paint a horrific, repetitive pattern: civilian men were gathered in public squares, forced to chant "One Nigeria" to prove their loyalty, and then separated from women and children before being summarily executed. "Individuals who openly affirmed their identity and loyalty as Nigerians were nonetheless killed by the same Nigerian state to which they had pledged allegiance," Nduka-Eze said, noting that deep-seated ethnic suspicion, unresolved grievances from the 1966 coup, and a total failure of military accountability triggered the slaughter. Warning that these identical fault lines remain wide open today, Nduka-Eze observed that Nigeria’s various ethnic groups still relate to one another with deep-seated mistrust, a sentiment Obasanjo vowed to fight against to ensure the nation never walks down that destructive path again.

Popular Nigerian businessman Linus Williams Ifejirika, widely known as B-Lord, has cautioned youths against entering marriage prematurely due to societal standards and peer pressure. Speaking on a recent episode of the Adult Gist podcast, the billionaire entrepreneur emphasized that marriage should only be considered when an individual is fully prepared financially and emotionally. He warned that rushing into holy matrimony often leads to a swift exit. Youths must achieve financial stability before taking wedding vows. Social expectations should never dictate a person`s timeline for settling down. Reversing a marriage is incredibly difficult, especially when children are involved. The tech businessman also touched heavily on emotional maturity and accountability. He urged young men to protect women`s hearts, citing the natural law of karma regarding future generations."Don’t break ladies’ hearts because one day you are going to have a daughter," B-Lord stated. "What you did to other people’s daughters, someone else is going to do the same to your daughter. Treat women the way you want them to treat your daughter." He extended the same advice to women, urging them to treat men with the same respect and care they would want others to show their future sons. Concluding his advice, Ifejirika noted that age is irrelevant when it comes to finding the right life partner. He stressed that taking one`s time to make an informed choice outweighs the pressure of marrying early to please onlookers, as the regrets of a failed union are too heavy to bear.

The Presidency on Wednesday strongly defended the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, dismissing a massive N27.4 billion appointment-for-cash allegation as the malicious fabrication of a serial con artist. Official state records revealed that the accuser, Adeniyi Matthew (also identified as Adeyemi), who claimed to be the Director General of a purported "Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council", is a fictitious government official currently out on police bail. The controversy erupted after Matthew publicly accused Gbajabiamila of demanding N27.4 billion from a take-off grant. He alleged that he paid N400 million through proxies to secure his executive appointment, leaving an outstanding balance of N200 million. Matthew further alleged that a fallout over the remaining balance resulted in assassination attempts on his life, prompting his call for an independent international probe. However, a scathing rebuttal issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, exposed Matthew as a deeply embedded fraudster who had been under active federal investigation since October 2025. Police investigations subsequently exposed a massive fraudulent infrastructure: The "Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council" does not legally exist.Investigators uncovered 34 separate bank accounts operated by the suspect, including nine under fake agency names. Matthew successfully opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria by intentionally misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised alarms after Matthew illegally convened an unauthorized meeting with foreign ambassadors in Abuja. Law enforcement agents confirmed that searches conducted at Matthew`s Abuja office and Suleja residence yielded a trove of forged state documents. "The act of the suspect constitutes criminal forgery, impersonation, and obtaining by false pretence," the official police report noted, adding that the scam was deliberately designed to bring the Presidency into public disrepute. Matthew and two suspected accomplices were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on an eight-count charge in November 2025. The criminal trial is formally scheduled to resume on July 27. The Presidency strongly cautioned political actors against weaponising these claims to settle political scores, warning that the matter is heavily sub judice and must be left to the courts.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced a minor cabinet reshuffle, relieving the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Toyin Balogun, of her duties with immediate effect. In a swift replacement, the Governor redeployed Faosat Sanni to take over the ministry. Sanni is no stranger to the portfolio, having previously served as the Women Affairs Commissioner between 2019 and 2023, before her subsequent stints at the Ministry of Special Duties and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperative. The announcement was contained in an official statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Sulaimon Olarenwaju. "The governor has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle, which saw the redeployment of Faosat Sanni to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion. Sanni takes over from Toyin Balogun, who has been relieved of her appointment," Olarenwaju stated, adding that the Governor thanked the outgoing commissioner for her service and wished her success in future endeavours. The administrative shakeup extends beyond the sack of Balogun. In a separate letter signed by the Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, Governor Makinde rolled out a wave of new appointments effective July 1, 2026. Key appointments include:Ifeoluwa Akande: Chairman, Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport Upgrade CommitteeIsola Adekunle: Executive Adviser, Intra-Party AffairsOladejo Oladokun: Part-Time Member, Local Government Service Commission. This follows legislative moves on Tuesday, where Governor Makinde forwarded the name of Olabode Ladipo, the Permanent Secretary of General Administration, to the Oyo State House of Assembly for confirmation as a commissioner-nominee. Charging the new appointees, Makinde urged them to discharge their duties with absolute dedication, loyalty, and commitment. This marks the second major administrative realignment by the Makinde government this year. In January 2026, the Governor executed a similar shakeup, removing the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Olanike Adeyemo, and replacing her with Musibau Babatunde. That earlier exercise also saw Temilolu Ashamu moved from Environment to the Budget and Economic Planning ministry, alongside the elevation of public works aide Ademola Aderinto to commissioner-designate. With this latest round of changes, political observers note that Governor Makinde is aggressively tightening his administrative machinery to ensure the optimal delivery of his administration`s agenda.

Tension gripped the campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) on Wednesday as non-academic staff staged a massive protest against the institution`s management. The aggrieved workers are demanding the immediate payment of outstanding salaries and an overhaul of poor working conditions. VC’s Order Sparks Outrage Videos circulating widely on social media show angry protesters accusing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kalilu, of ordering them to suspend their regular duties despite the non-payment of their wages. The workers expressed frustration over what they described as a total disregard for their welfare amid harsh economic realities. Nepotism and Labor Abuse Allegations Adding fuel to the crisis, the workers alleged that management directed them to work under a controversial external contract. They claimed the university awarded this contract to the Vice-Chancellor’s own child, a recent graduate who finished national service last year. According to the protesters, the contract enforces extreme working conditions, requiring staff to labor from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily for a monthly wage of just ₦30,000. These severe allegations of nepotism and labor exploitation have not been independently verified. The LAUTECH university management has not yet issued an official response to the protests or the specific claims leveled against Professor Kalilu.

Public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State will return to classrooms tomorrow, Thursday, July 2, 2026, following the suspension of their industrial action. THENEWSCREDIT reports that,the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, announced the decision on Wednesday after intense negotiations with the state government over recent security breaches. The strike was initially triggered by the abduction of teachers and pupils in the Oriire Local Government Area. The union agreed to shelve the action after receiving concrete security commitments from the state administration. Key agreements include the deployment of a joint task force to patrol school zones, sustained rescue efforts for abducted victims, and the provision of psychosocial rehabilitation and financial aid for affected families. Additionally, initiatives will be implemented to enhance infrastructure, such as fortified perimeters, alongside forest cleaning operations to dismantle criminal hideouts and regulate activities in forest reserves. The suspension followed a directive from the NUT national leadership after reviewing appeals from the state government and key stakeholders. The official statement was jointly signed by the Oyo State NUT Chairman, Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the Secretary, Olukayode Salami. "The union suspended the action after the government assured us of intensified efforts to secure our schools and communities," the statement read. While praising teachers for their solidarity, the NUT urged educators to remain highly vigilant and report any suspicious activities immediately. The union stressed that it will continue to monitor government compliance to ensure the permanent safety of teachers and learners.

The Federal Government has raised a national alarm over Nigeria’s deepening education emergency, revealing that three out of every four children at the basic school level cannot read or understand a simple sentence by age 10. The Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, made the disclosure in Abuja during a high-stakes roundtable meeting on digital learning resources, jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Describing the statistics as "simply unacceptable," Dr Alausa warned that the country`s severe "learning poverty" requires an immediate, technology-driven intervention to prevent total collapse. "Learning poverty means that by the age of 10, a child cannot read and understand an age-appropriate text," Alausa explained to an audience of state education commissioners and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) chairmen. "In Nigeria today, three out of every four children are learning poor. We don’t have a choice anymore. We must deploy digital learning to every part of the country, including the most rural communities." The Minister stressed that manual teaching methods are no longer sufficient to close the widening gap, positioning e-learning as the definitive future of Nigerian education. The federal government expressed deep frustration over the poor utilization of existing digital infrastructure, which was heavily funded by taxpayers and international development partners. While the country counts an estimated 67 million learners across primary and secondary schools, the government`s flagship digital platform—the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP)—has recorded just 2.3 million users. "This is still extremely low," the Minister lamented. "We have invested significant resources in these platforms. If they are not used, then it becomes a wasted investment. We cannot continue to suffer in the midst of plenty." Rather than replacing physical educators, Alausa clarified that platforms like the NLP, Inspire, Ignite, EduRevamp, E-Learn, and the Greenfield Learning Management System are built to complement classroom efforts. The virtual infrastructure offers curriculum-aligned lessons taught by top-tier educators, designed specifically to bail out schools suffering from acute shortages of qualified teachers in core subjects like Mathematics, English Language, Physics, and Chemistry. Under the proposed model, rural or understaffed schools can stream live or recorded virtual sessions, allowing students to interact with remote teachers in real-time. The Minister lauded the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for its pivotal role in developing the Nigeria Learning Passport, noting that the platform proved its worth during COVID-19 lockdowns and remains vital for sustaining education in communities hit by insecurity and prolonged school closures.