Cardi B is turning her personal hair story into a business move. The Grammy-winning rapper has announced that she is set to launch her own hair care line, Grow-Good, following years of documenting her growth process and home-made treatments with fans.
The music star has long been open about experimenting with oils, masks, and protective styles, often showing followers how she maintains her natural hair underneath her glamorous wigs and weaves. Her candid updates built a loyal audience of supporters who regularly asked when she would bottle her secrets.
Now, it looks like that time has come.
According to Cardi, Grow-Good will focus on healthy hair, length retention, and nourishment. While she has yet to unveil the full product list, fans are already expecting conditioners, strengthening formulas, and growth oils inspired by the routines she has shared online.
The announcement immediately sparked excitement across social media, with many praising Cardi for transforming something so personal into an entrepreneurial venture. Supporters say the brand feels authentic because they have watched her journey in real time rather than hearing empty promises.
Beyond music and fashion, Cardi B continues to expand her footprint in the beauty industry, proving once again that her influence stretches far beyond the charts.
With anticipation building, followers are now waiting for release dates, pricing, and a first look at the packaging for what could become one of the most talked-about celebrity hair launches of the year.
Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, former Transportation Minister, has advised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to zone its presidential ticket to the South for the next general election.
He said fielding a Northern candidate may hinder the party’s appeal in southern Nigeria, urging consideration of power rotation realities.
Though, he pledged to support whoever emerges as the party’s flag bearer at the primaries.
The former governor of Rivers State said this while interacting with youth groups in Kano.
“I will support whoever emerges,” he said. “But I also advise the ADC to look around and identify the best material that can convince Nigerians that things will be turned around.”
Amaechi noted that the party must consider three critical factors in choosing its presidential candidate: capacity, age, and prevailing power dynamics.
“First is capacity. Second is age. Third, which is the last point, is to respect the unwritten law of power that is now in the South,” Mr Amaechi said.
Speaking further, Amaechi said recognising the current rotation of power would make it easier for politicians and voters in the South to rally behind the party.
“They should conclude that and then transfer power to the North. It makes it easier for those of us from the South to say we are going to compete because the North has said, ‘finish all this,’” he said.
He warned that presenting a Northern candidate at a time when many Southerners believe power should remain in the South could weaken the ADC’s appeal in the region.
“If you elect somebody from the North, I’m not saying we won’t campaign, but it will be difficult to convince the South to give up power because they will ask the North, ‘Why is it that it’s only when power comes to the South that there is a problem?’” he said.
However, despite his reservations, Mr Amaechi reiterated his commitment to party unity, stressing that regional considerations would not affect his loyalty to the party.
“Whether it is a Southerner or a Northerner is immaterial; I will support whoever emerges at the primary,” he said.
Ukrainian forces have carried out overnight attacks on military and energy-related facilities in several Russian regions, local authorities said on Thursday, as cross-border strikes intensified.
Gov. Andrey Bocharov, from the regional administration’s Telegram channel, said air defence systems repelled a missile attack during the night in the southern Volgograd region.
Debris from intercepted projectiles sparked a fire on the grounds of a Russian Defence Ministry building near the village of Kotluban.
Bocharov said evacuations were ordered in the area due to ongoing detonations.
“There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to civilian infrastructure.
“Images and videos shared on social media appeared to show multiple explosions in the region,” he said.
Ukrainian media outlets reported that rocket artillery depots in the Volgograd area were struck, though those claims could not be independently verified.
In the Tambov region, further north, two people were injured in a separate drone attack, according to Gov. Evgeny Pervyshov.
He said drone debris hit a technical college and a shop in the town of Michurinsk.
Ukrainian media also reported a drone strike on a refinery in the northern Russian republic of Komi.
Local emergency services confirmed at least one drone attack in the area but did not provide details about potential damage.
Social media images suggested the refinery might have been affected, although this could not be independently confirmed.
Authorities temporarily closed the airport in the city of Ukhta, citing security concerns.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has prohibited the use of banknotes in flower bouquets, towers, or cakes, warning that such practices amount to currency abuse.
The announcement comes ahead of Valentine’s Day, a period when Nigerians traditionally exchange gifts and flowers, sometimes incorporating cash into decorative arrangements.
The CBN cited provisions of the CBN Act, which classify tampering with the national currency including spraying, squeezing, defacing, or using banknotes in displays as punishable offenses, with penalties ranging from a minimum six-month jail term to a fine of at least ₦50,000.
Authorities have urged the public to protect the naira and report violations, as enforcement agencies ramp up actions against offenders nationwide.
The directive forms part of the government’s wider effort to maintain the integrity of the naira and prevent its misuse in non-monetary contexts.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, on Thursday, recused (withdrew) himself from the two cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Justice Egwuatu, who was recently re-assigned the case by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, said he decided to withdraw from the two cases for personal reasons and for better interest of justice.
The development occured shortly after the civil suit for forfeiture of 57 property allegedly linked to Malami was called for mention.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the cases were formerly before Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat as vacation judge during the Christmas break.
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo made an official visit to Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu (ANSPOLY)
By Christian ABURIME
One of the timeless rhythms of life in the rural areas is that of a familiar scenario involving the mother hen with its delicate chicks on ground and a hawk hovering around in a bid to poach a chick for meal. Naturally, the mother hen stands as an eternal symbol of fierce guardianship. With wings spread wide and beak poised for battle, she confronts the circling hawk, demonstrating an uncompromising instinct to shield her brood from peril.
This primal metaphor resonates vividly in the governance matrix of Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, whose warrior spirit reflects that protective ferocity.
Since day one, Governor Soludo has been known to always fearlessly confront non-state actors bent on foisting a culture of criminality and economic sabotage on Anambra. Today, the tireless combative governor keeps dismantling their insidious agendas and machinations, safeguarding Ndi Anambra and securing the state’s economy, one battle at a time.
Like the hen that never yields to the predator’s shadow, Governor Soludo’s governance embodies resilience and bravery: a refusal to surrender, a commitment to building a brighter homeland, and an ironclad resolve to protect against adversaries, whether lurking in communities or markets.
As a pragmatic leader, his body language is this: we must never give up. We must never surrender. In Soludo’s Anambra, this mantra is not an empty rhetoric but a lived reality, etched into policies that confront entrenched evils head-on. His administration’s triumphs are not accidents of fortune but the fruits of bold, decisive action, actions that have ripple effects far across the Southeast, inspiring a region weary of complacency.
A few specific cases of Governor Soludo’s protective leadership would suffice. For instance, in the shadowy underbelly of desperation, where get-rich-quick schemes often prey on the vulnerable, Governor Soludo last year struck with the precision of a mother hen defending her nest. The scourge of fake native doctors, colloquially known as ‘Oketie’ in Anambra, has long festered like a hidden wound. These charlatans, peddling illusions of instant wealth, have fueled barbaric money ritual killings, luring young men into a vortex of crime and moral decay.
Then, Soludo’s government launched a relentless crackdown, exposing these frauds and dismantling their networks through targeted security enforcement and public awareness campaigns. By rooting out these predators, he has not only saved lives but restored a sense of ethical order, ensuring that Anambra’s youths pursue prosperity through legitimate means, not diabolical money rituals.
Governor Soludo’s protective instincts also extend to the intellectual realm, where falsehoods could undermine the very foundations of progress. Last year, he ignited a firestorm by calling out ambitious politicians flaunting fake Ph.D. qualifications, a brazen affront to meritocracy that erodes public trust. Like the mother hen spotting a sly intruder in the coop, the governor refused to let such deceit go unchecked. His outspoken stance later catalysed federal intervention, culminating in a Federal Government memo warning all public officers against fraudulent credentials. This move has set a precedent, compelling a reckoning with academic integrity. In Anambra, it means governance built on genuine expertise, not hollow boasts.
Perhaps, Governor Soludo’s most emblematic triumph is the shattering of the Monday sit-at-home syndrome, a paralysing ritual that strangled Anambra’s economy and sowed fear across the Southeast. Enforced by non-state actors, this practice turned bustling markets into ghost towns, costing billions in lost productivity and stifling the spirit of a resilient people.
Solution Soludo, embodying the mother hen’s unblinking stare-down of the hawk, mounted a multifaceted offensive: ordering a deterrent one-week Onitsha Main Market shutdown, reinforcing security, and engaging traders. His decisive actions bore fruit as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) aligned with his vision, issuing an official statement from detained leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu permanently canceling the sit-at-home across the region. Mondays in Anambra now pulse with life, schools open, businesses thrive, and families move without dread. This breakthrough is another proof of Governor Soludo’s resilience: by refusing to cower, he has reclaimed economic sovereignty, proving that collective bravery can vanquish even the most entrenched threats.
Yet, no protective saga is complete without a direct assault on the marauders. Through the ‘Agunechemba’ initiative, meaning “lion that guards the community”, Governor Soludo has unleashed a comprehensive security offensive against criminals, cultists, and unknown gunmen who once terrorised Anambra’s landscapes. This operation, blending intelligence-driven raids, community partnerships, and technological surveillance, has dismantled hideouts and restored peace to volatile areas. The results are palpable: reduced crime rates, safer roads, and a populace empowered to build without fear.
Today in Governor Soludo’s Anambra, the mother hen’s metaphor is no abstract tale; it is a real matrix for governance. His successes against fake native doctors, fraudulent qualifications, the sit-at-home curse, and rampant criminality illustrate a leader who fights not for glory, but for the sacred duty of protection. As the governor
continues to spread his fearless wings over Anambra, he inspires us all to embrace that same warrior spirit: to build a greater future, unyielding against the hawks that prowl.
The Federal Government has directed NAFDAC to suspend enforcement actions on the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic products.
The government warned the agency to stop sealing factories and warehouses over the issue, citing security implications and lack of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Terrence Kuanum.
He said the order followed a joint intervention by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, which raised concerns over the security implications of continued enforcement in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement read.
He said although the National Alcohol Policy had been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, both offices insisted that NAFDAC must desist from all enforcement measures until the policy is fully implemented and further directives are issued.
The government said such measures include factory shutdowns, warehouse sealing and public emphasis on the sachet alcohol ban.
According to the statement, the continued sealing of warehouses and what it described as a “de facto ban” on sachet alcohol products, without a harmonised policy framework, was already causing economic disruptions and posing security risks, particularly due to its impact on jobs, supply chains and informal distribution networks nationwide.
Kuanum said the position reinforced an earlier directive issued by the SGF’s office in December 2025, which suspended all actions relating to the proposed ban pending consultations and a final decision.
He added that the SGF’s office had also received a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control dated November 13, 2025, raising concerns over NAFDAC’s proposed enforcement actions and referencing existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the issue.
The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, raised concerns over NAFDAC’s proposed enforcement actions and drew attention to existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the issue.
The Federal Government said it was reviewing legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic implications and national interest factors surrounding the matter.
The government said the involvement of the National Security Adviser showed that the issue had gone beyond regulatory concerns, warning that premature enforcement without coordinated policy implementation could destabilise communities, worsen unemployment and trigger security challenges.
However, it assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final decision would be communicated after consultations and inter-agency coordination, in the interest of public health, economic stability and national security.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed rumors claiming that the Federal Government had ordered a suspension of the ban on sachet alcohol and alcoholic beverages in PET bottles below 200ml.
In a statement issued Thursday, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Joseph Erunke, described the reports as false and misleading, stressing that the ban remains fully enforced. The agency confirmed it has received no government directive to halt regulatory actions related to the policy.
“As part of ongoing enforcement, NAFDAC has begun evacuating violative sachet alcohol and small PET bottle products from manufacturing sites,” the agency said. Some manufacturers have already stopped production of smaller pack sizes, acknowledging the policy’s goal to reduce underage access to alcohol.
NAFDAC noted that about 50% of minors reportedly obtain alcohol from sachets and small bottles, highlighting the need for strict compliance. The agency reiterated its commitment to public health protection, regulatory enforcement, and transparent implementation of government policies.
The statement also cautioned against the spread of unverified information, urging the public, media, and industry stakeholders to rely on official NAFDAC communications to avoid misinformation.
The US House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to reject former President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, delivering a rare rebuke of one of his signature economic policies despite his last-minute political threats.
The measure, introduced by Democrats, passed 219-211, with six Republicans joining the opposition. While largely symbolic, the vote signals growing congressional frustration with Trump’s unilateral trade actions.
Trump had warned Republicans of election consequences if they voted against his tariffs. On Truth Social, he posted:
“Any Republican, in the House or the Senate, that votes against TARIFFS will seriously suffer the consequences come Election time… no Republican should be responsible for destroying this privilege.”
The House measure alone cannot end the tariffs, as any action requires approval by the Senate and the president’s signature. Even if passed, Trump is expected to veto such legislation, and Congress would face a steep challenge to override it with a two-thirds majority.
The vote follows the expiration of a House prohibition that had previously blocked debate on Trump’s tariffs. Attempts by House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, to renew the restriction failed, with three Republicans joining Democrats to oppose the move.
Several Republican lawmakers, including Don Bacon, argued that tariffs represent a tax on American consumers and that Congress should exercise oversight rather than outsourcing trade policy to the president.
Since returning to office early last year, Trump has imposed multiple tariffs on Canadian products, citing national emergency powers. While broad exemptions under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) have softened the impact—particularly on energy and other critical imports—tariffs on autos, steel, and aluminum have significantly affected Canadian trade.
Legal challenges to Trump’s tariffs continue, with the Supreme Court expected to rule on their constitutionality. Public opinion appears critical: a Pew Research Center survey released this month found that 60% of Americans disapprove of the higher tariffs.
The vote underscores the tension between Trump’s aggressive trade policies and Congress’s constitutional authority over commerce, signaling potential friction in the months ahead.
WhatsApp has accused the Russian government of attempting to fully block the messaging platform, a move the company says was aimed at pushing users toward a state-backed surveillance app.
In a statement on Twitter on Thursday, Meta-owned WhatsApp warned that the action could impact over 100 million users in Russia.
“Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app,” the company wrote. “Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.”
WhatsApp emphasized that it continues to take measures to keep users connected despite government restrictions.
The claim follows Russia’s announcement earlier this week that it would impose “phased restrictions” on the Telegram messaging platform for failing to comply with local laws.
Critics and rights activists have described these moves as part of the Kremlin’s broader crackdown on dissent, giving authorities greater control and surveillance over internet usage amid the ongoing military offensive in Ukraine.
The developments highlight ongoing tensions between global tech platforms and the Russian government over privacy, security, and state monitoring.
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) was found at the Bayelsa State Civil Service Secretariat in Yenagoa, leading to the arrest of a 60-year-old man, identified as Pentecost Elijah.
The incident occurred on February 11, 2026, around 6 a.m., but was quickly contained by police operatives, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police spokesman, DSP Musa Muhammad, explained that the Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, immediately mobilised operatives from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, Special Drone Unit, and other tactical teams to the location, where the situation was quickly contained.
He said a holistic search of the area resulted in the discovery of one unexploded IED, which was successfully neutralised by EOD operatives.
The police confirmed that no casualties were recorded and no property was damaged.
Meanwhile, DSP Muhammad disclosed that the suspect is currently being interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department and will be arraigned in court after investigations are concluded.
The bomb scare caused panic and disrupted activities at the secretariat, located along the Ovom axis of the Yenagoa–Mbiama Road near the Bayelsa State Government House, an area that is typically busy during official hours.
As news of the incident spread, workers and visitors reportedly fled their offices over fears of a possible explosion, prompting security operatives to cordon off the premises.
As a precaution, the Head of the Bayelsa State Civil Service, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, was said to have ordered a shutdown of operations for the day to safeguard staff and visitors.
However, the police assured residents that the situation had been fully brought under control and urged members of the public to remain calm and continue their lawful activities.
Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has spoken candidly about his journey as a father, revealing both gratitude and moments of emotional reflection.
The award-winning singer shared that he is blessed with eight children, a reality he says fills his heart with pride and happiness. However, alongside the joy, 2Baba admitted that he sometimes feels a deep sense of sadness about not being able to spend as much time with all of them together as he would have loved.
According to him, the demands of fame, work, and life’s complicated paths have made it difficult to always be present in the way he wishes. Even though he remains committed to supporting and loving his children, he acknowledged that the feeling of missing out on certain moments still weighs on him.
For many fans, the honesty struck a chord. The singer, admired for decades for his music and influence, showed a softer and more vulnerable side, one that many parents can relate to. Balancing career and family is never easy, and his words highlighted the emotional cost that often comes with success.
Despite the regrets, 2Baba emphasized how thankful he is for each of his children and the role they play in his life. To him, they remain a source of motivation, strength, and purpose.
His reflection has sparked conversations online about fatherhood, responsibility, and the importance of presence, with many praising him for speaking openly about a topic men in the spotlight rarely discuss.
Nigerian socialite Henry Ikeji has denied allegations that he defrauded a Romanian woman of millions of dollars through an online romance and investment scam, describing the claims as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation.
In an interview with AIT on Wednesday, Ikeji rejected reports that he impersonated the Crown Prince of Dubai in a sophisticated online fraud that allegedly cost the victim around $2.5 million.
He insisted that the funds were actually paid into his account in naira and questioned the motives behind the circulating allegations.
“The money was paid to me from a naira account. While I’m explaining this, I feel there is a targeted plan to destroy my reputation because nobody believes me,” Ikeji told reporters.
He added that the public narrative had severely affected his personal and professional life.
“All my people that believe in my reputation are now doubting me.
All my friends have flown away; everybody now is calling me a criminal. All over the internet, it is circulating that I scammed a Romanian woman.”
The allegations stem from a documentary by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, which claimed that a woman identified only as Laura was contacted on LinkedIn by someone posing as the Dubai Crown Prince.
Police in Nigeria’s National Cybercrime Centre are reviewing the documentary as part of their ongoing investigation.
A senior police official said that investigators are still in the profiling stage, and no formal complaints have been received from the alleged victim or documentary producers.
The Centre is gathering further evidence before deciding on next steps.
No charges have been filed against Ikeji, and it remains unclear whether the alleged victim has lodged a formal complaint with authorities in Nigeria or abroad.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about online romance and investment scams targeting international victims and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracing such cross-border fraud.
2023 New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
By Farooq Kperogi
I was initially surprised, shocked even, that of all northern Nigerian Muslim politicians, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was the one Republican congressmen singled out for a possible visa ban and asset freeze in their “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026” bill. Daily Trust’s explainer, which I will return to shortly, clarified the logic for me.
Anyone with even the faintest familiarity with Kwankwaso’s trajectory and disposition knows that he is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a religious fanatic.
As Kano’s governor, he was famously (and for Sharia advocates, infamously) unenthusiastic about the introduction of Sharia in 2000. I know because I covered the intrigues that culminated in its declaration that year, as this screenshot testifies.
My June 30, 2000, Weekly Trust report, co-written with the paper’s then Kano correspondent Sulaiman Aliyu and titled “Sharia: Triumph of Kano Masses,” showed that Kwankwaso resisted declaring Sharia for months and was at odds with both everyday people and the Muslim clerical establishment over the matter.
Unlike in several other Muslim northern states, Kano’s Sharia bill was a private bill. Neither Kwankwaso nor state legislators sponsored it. This exposed him to such intense pressure and danger that he temporarily stopped attending public functions. His deputy, Abdullahi Ganduje, often represented him.
On some occasions, public anger directed at Kwankwaso spilled over to Ganduje, including an incident in which he was stoned during a Maulud celebration while standing in for his principal.
In my June 30 to July 6, 2000, report I summarized Kwankwaso’s predicament in these words: “The governor was trapped in a delicate cul-de-sac. And his escape route was the launching of Sharia on the 21st of June 2000.”
During the formal launch of Sharia in Kano, which I covered as Weekly Trust’s Assistant News Editor, Kwankwaso stated: “Only the state government has the right to punish offenders. We should avoid taking the law into our hands. We should not intimidate those who are not Muslims.” That is not the rhetoric of a religious extremist.
After being compelled to declare Sharia against his preferences, his implementation of it was widely perceived as lukewarm. He remained in persistent tension with segments of the ulama. This was the single most important reason why he lost reelection in 2003 to Ibrahim Shekarau, the candidate of the Kano clerical establishment.
Interestingly, Kwankwaso’s reluctance both to declare Sharia initially and to pursue an aggressive implementation afterward fed one of the more bizarre rumors about his identity. Certain individuals circulated the demonstrably false claim that he was an Igbo man whose surname was supposedly a corruption of “Okonkwo and Sons.”
Reuben Abati raised this during an Arise TV interview in early 2023, a moment I analyzed in my February 9, 2023, article titled “Kwankwaso’s Superhuman Restraint During Arise TV Interview.”
As Dr Hussaini Abdu observed during our last month’s Diaspora Dialogues podcast, “Wike, Kwankwaso and Godfatherism in the Fourth Republic,” Kwankwaso’s continuing uneasy relationship with influential clerical actors partly explains his cultivation of populist support among ordinary Kano residents.
By any reasonable political or sociological measure, Kwankwaso is an improbable candidate for accusations of religious extremism.
Why, then, did Riley Moore and his colleagues single him out? The explanation is straightforward. Kwankwaso was the only nationally prominent Nigerian politician who openly criticized the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
In a public statement, he argued that the designation was unhelpful, reduced a complex problem to simplistic binaries, risked exacerbating interreligious tensions, and that cooperation would be more constructive than confrontation.
Moore reacted sharply on Twitter (now X), writing: “Governor do you care to comment on your own complicity in the death of Christians? You instituted Sharia law. You signed the law that makes so-called blasphemy punishable by death.”
Kwankwaso ignored the provocation. Even if he had chosen to respond, it is unclear how a social media exchange could have accommodated the historical and political complexities surrounding Sharia’s adoption in Kano.
The episode illustrates a familiar dynamic in contemporary politics. Public criticism of U.S. policy by foreign political actors can generate personalized responses, especially when filtered through ideological and religious advocacy frameworks. Kwankwaso’s inclusion in the bill appears less rooted in his actual record than in his dissent from a particular U.S. policy posture and his refusal to engage in a performative online dispute.
It is also important to note that the bill remains at the introduction stage in the House of Representatives. Several procedural hurdles stand between introduction and passage into law. The measure must pass committee scrutiny, secure House approval, clear the Senate, survive any reconciliation process, and receive presidential assent.
A review of Congress.gov indicates that most Nigeria-specific standalone bills do not advance beyond the introduced or referred stages.
Meanwhile, this seems to me like a rhetorical and political gift to Kwankwaso, whom I once dismissed as a “local champion” at the expense of inviting the raw rage of his supporters. He has struggled for years to gain political traction outside Kano.
This is probably the gift he has been waiting for to become the unofficial Sardauna of Hausaphone Muslim Arewa, like Muhammadu Buhari was.
2023 New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has formally opposed a move by five US lawmakers to include its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in proposed sanctions over alleged “severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria.
The legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457), was introduced in the US Congress on Tuesday. If passed, it would require the US Departments of State and Treasury to impose visa bans and freeze assets belonging to Kwankwaso and groups such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) for their alleged role in persecuting Christians.
In a statement on Thursday, Kwankwasiyya spokesperson Habibu Sale Mohammed described the allegations as “unfounded” and “politically motivated,” urging the US Congress to remove Kwankwaso’s name from the bill.
The movement specifically challenged claims by US Representative Riley Moore, a sponsor of the bill, who reportedly linked Kwankwaso to religious extremism due to his implementation of Sharia law as governor of Kano State. The group emphasized that Sharia-based legal systems in northern Nigeria were constitutional developments, not initiatives of any single individual.
“The constitutional development of Sharia-based legal systems… was neither unique to Kano State nor the initiative of one individual,” the statement read. “To single out Senator Kwankwaso while similar arrangements exist in other states raises serious questions about the evidentiary basis of such recommendations.”
Kwankwaso, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, and Senator, has never been formally charged with religious persecution or human rights violations, the movement added. It also highlighted his efforts to curb extremist threats and protect citizens across religious divides during his tenure.
The statement cited Kwankwaso’s 2023 presidential campaign, in which he partnered with Bishop Isaac Idahosa as his running mate, as evidence of his commitment to religious inclusion and national balance.
“The United States maintains diplomatic and strategic relationships with countries whose legal systems incorporate Islamic jurisprudence,” the movement said, urging lawmakers to respect Nigeria’s constitutional sovereignty and legal pluralism.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement concluded by reaffirming support for Kwankwaso, describing him as “a nationalist, a democrat, and a statesman whose public service has been anchored on justice, unity, and inclusive governance.”
The bill’s sponsors are Representatives Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. It alleges that Kwankwaso has contributed to systemic persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The movement called on the US Congress to reject the recommendation against Kwankwaso and allow due diligence and objective assessment to prevail.
A school principal has died after a teenage gunman opened fire at a school in southern Thailand, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The attack occurred on Wednesday at Phatong Prathan Khiriwat School in Songkhla province, near Hat Yai.
Police said the 18-year-old suspect stormed the school armed with a 9mm pistol stolen from a police officer shortly before the incident.
School director Sasiphat Sinsamosorn was shot in the chest and later died in hospital from blood loss after undergoing surgery, according to a statement from the Songkhla provincial public relations department. Authorities described her as a “brave teacher.”
Two students were also injured in the shooting. A teenage girl sustained gunshot wounds and underwent surgery, the Ministry of Public Health said.
Another student was hurt after jumping from the second floor of the school building while trying to escape but has since been discharged from hospital.
Songkhla police chief Teerasak Chaiyotha said officers responded to reports of a teenager “acting erratically” before the shooting.
According to police, the suspect allegedly stabbed an officer with a knife and seized his firearm before heading to the school, where several shots were fired.
Police shot and arrested the suspect at the scene.
He sustained a minor gunshot wound and is receiving treatment in hospital. Authorities said he has not yet been formally charged as investigations continue.
Teerasak added that the suspect had previously been hospitalised for psychiatric treatment in December and was later discharged.
The school expressed its “deepest condolences” in a Facebook post, saying, “Although we have lost her, the memories and kindness she left behind will forever remain in our hearts.”
Classes at the school have been suspended for two days as investigators gather evidence and officials review security measures.
Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Southeast Asia, with an estimated 10 million firearms in circulation roughly one for every seven people.
Despite repeated promises to tighten gun laws, the country has experienced several high-profile shootings in recent years.
In 2022, a former police officer killed 36 people including 24 children in a mass shooting and stabbing at a nursery in northern Thailand, one of the deadliest attacks in the nation’s history.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the federal government may be planning to arrest him.
He claimed four people he worked with in Kaduna have been arrested, saying “it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too”.
El-rufai said this during an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday.
El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has intensified criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the APC.
“Four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” El-Rufai said.
Meanwhile, this is coming amid the arrest and ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who is currently in custody.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Malami of offences including abuse of office and money laundering.
Although, authorities later re-arrested him over alleged involvement in terrorism financing.
Malami, a prominent figure in opposition to President Tinubu, has denied all allegations, describing them as a political witch-hunt following his defection from the APC to the ADC.
The death of a Nigerian student, Douglas Izevbigie, in the United Kingdom has raised fresh concerns within the Nigerian community about chronic illnesses among citizens living abroad.
Diaspora Digital Media gathered that Izevbigie, 37, died on January 21 at a UK hospital after battling an aggressive form of leukaemia.
A GoFundMe appeal was subsequently launched to support his burial and assist his family with related expenses.
The fundraiser, created by a woman identified as Sephora, described as a colleague of his sister, Kate, stated that Douglas travelled to the UK in 2024 as an international student to pursue a master’s degree at Sheffield Hallam University.
According to the appeal, he was diagnosed with aggressive leukaemia midway through his studies last year and spent extended periods in and out of hospital due to complications.
“In the middle of his studies last year, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia. He underwent treatment and was frequently in and out of the hospital with complications,” Sephora wrote.
“Even through it all, he continued trying to keep up with his studies, showing remarkable strength and determination.”
She further disclosed that Douglas was found unwell and unresponsive in his room by his sister before being rushed to the Accident and Emergency unit, where he later died despite urgent medical intervention.
The loss, she said, has been particularly devastating for Kate, who recently lost their mother in Nigeria and had been Douglas’ primary support system throughout his illness.
The family has indicated plans to bury him in the UK due to the high cost of repatriating his remains to Nigeria.
“We are raising money to cover Douglas’ funeral expenses here in the UK, as well as any other unexpected costs that may come up during this time. The family’s plan is to lay him to rest here, as repatriation and funeral costs in Nigeria would be far too expensive,” the appeal stated.
Following news of his death, several Nigerians took to social media to express concern about what they described as a rising number of chronic illness cases among Nigerians living in the UK.
One user, Modupe Adeboye-Ayoroh, wrote on X, “Now this is the height of ‘too many’ Nigerians in the UK falling sick with chronic illnesses and passing away shortly after. Can doctors look into this pattern and educate people on what could be the causes?”
Another user, @EmperorJakarta, advised Nigerians relocating to the UK to prioritise early medical registration and comprehensive health checks.
“Every Nigerian that comes to the UK should be encouraged to immediately register with a GP and do full body checks… to ensure there aren’t underlying issues,” the post read.
An acquaintance, Osamuyi, described Douglas’ death as a painful loss, while another commentator, Olumide Adeyemi, questioned whether increased diagnoses of leukaemia among Nigerians in the UK were due to better detection abroad.
Douglas’ passing comes less than a week after the death of another UK-based Nigerian, Saburi Adeniji, a footballer with Kings Park Rangers Football Club of Sudbury, who died following a severe brain stem injury.
The recent incidents have intensified conversations within the Nigerian diaspora about health awareness, early diagnosis, and access to medical care overseas.
Nigerian entrepreneur and influencer Ifedayo Agoro has stirred conversation online after sharing her opinion about a popular wedding reception tradition where brides are asked to kneel while feeding their husbands.
Agoro, known for her advocacy around women’s empowerment and independence, questioned the expectation that the symbolic act should automatically fall on the bride. According to her, moments like weddings should reflect love, partnership, and mutual respect rather than reinforce pressure or one-sided displays of submission.
Her statement quickly generated mixed reactions across social media. While many people agreed with her stance, arguing that marriage should be about equality and shared responsibility, others defended the custom as a cultural expression of honor and humility rather than oppression.
Supporters of Agoro said traditions should evolve with time and personal values. They believe couples should be free to choose what fits their relationship without being judged or forced into practices that make them uncomfortable.
On the other hand, critics argued that kneeling at weddings is deeply rooted in heritage and is often performed willingly. For them, it is a sign of respect and does not necessarily reduce a woman’s status in marriage.
The conversation highlights the growing tension between modern perspectives and long-standing cultural practices. As more women speak openly about their preferences, weddings are increasingly becoming spaces where couples redefine what tradition means to them.
Whether viewed as romantic, symbolic, or outdated, Agoro’s comment has once again pushed the topic of gender roles in marriage into the spotlight.
United States President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face severe consequences, including possible military action, if it fails to comply with Washington’s demands on its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
In comments published Tuesday by Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, Trump said negotiations with Tehran remain an option but cautioned that failure to reach an agreement would trigger strong measures.
“Either we reach a deal, or we’ll have to do something very tough,” Trump said.
His remarks come amid renewed diplomatic engagement between US and Iranian officials, who held talks last week in Oman. Iran’s senior security official, Ali Larijani, is currently meeting with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said to review the outcome of those discussions.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has increased military deployments in the Middle East. The Pentagon has sent what Trump described as a “massive armada” to the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. US media outlets, including Channel 12 and Axios, reported that Washington is also considering deploying a second aircraft carrier to the area.
The military buildup has heightened concerns of a potential US strike on Iran, with critics warning that such action could further destabilise an already volatile region.
On Monday, US authorities issued guidance to American-flagged commercial vessels, advising them to remain “as far as possible” from Iranian territorial waters.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has intensified pressure on Tehran, warning that the US military is “locked and loaded and ready to go” if diplomatic efforts fail.
The escalating rhetoric underscores growing tensions as Washington pushes for stricter limits on Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities and ballistic missile capabilities, while Tehran insists on protecting its sovereign rights.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed its call for transparency over the origins of Covid-19, urging the United States to release any intelligence it may be withholding about how the pandemic began.
The appeal comes years after the global outbreak first emerged and despite Washington’s formal withdrawal from the UN health agency.
The Covid-19 pandemic killed an estimated 20 million people worldwide, according to the WHO, devastating economies, crippling health systems and disrupting lives on an unprecedented scale.
The first known cases were detected in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Determining the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is widely regarded as critical to preventing future pandemics.
On his first day back in office in January 2025, US President Donald Trump issued a one-year notice withdrawing the United States from the WHO, accusing the organisation of mishandling the pandemic.
His administration has publicly supported the theory that the virus leaked from a virology laboratory in Wuhan.
However, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the United States did not share any new intelligence with the agency before completing its withdrawal.
“Some countries have publicly said they have intelligence about the origins — especially the US,” Tedros told a press conference on Wednesday.
He revealed that several months ago, the WHO formally wrote to senior US officials requesting any relevant intelligence information.
“We haven’t received any information,” he said.
“We hope they will share, because we haven’t still concluded the Covid origins. Knowing what happened could help us to prevent the next pandemic.”
The WHO’s investigations into the origins of Covid-19 have so far remained inconclusive, with all major hypotheses including natural spillover and laboratory leak still under consideration.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s epidemic and pandemic threat management chief, said the agency continues to follow up with governments that claim to possess intelligence on the matter.
“We continue to follow up with all governments that have said that they have intelligence reports, the US included,” she said.
“We don’t have those reports to date, other than what is publicly available.”
As the US withdrawal period expired on January 22, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused the WHO of obstructing the timely and accurate sharing of critical information during the pandemic.
In response, the WHO rejected those claims, stating that “the reverse is true.”
Although the WHO constitution does not contain a withdrawal clause, the United States reserved the right to exit when it joined the organisation in 1948, provided it gave one year’s notice and settled its financial obligations.
According to WHO data, Washington has yet to pay its 2024 and 2025 contributions, amounting to approximately $260 million.
The governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, said on Wednesday that his administration has destroyed over 62 criminal camps in the state.
The governor also said the Southeast geopolitical zone lost heavily from the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, with some people diverting their businesses and investments outside the zone as a result.
He added, however, that with the stoppage of the sit-at-home, over 45,000 shops reopened on Monday at Onitsha Main Market, with business activities at their peak and traders in jubilation.
Professor Soludo stated this while speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Soludo said that in an attempt to stamp out criminality in the state and ensure it is secure, he set up a vigilante group called Agunechemba, as well as the anti-cult group and the anti-touting body, adding that the different groups are working collaboratively and very effectively.
He said: “When I assumed office, so far since I came into office, about 62 criminal camps have been dismantled in Anambra, and we’re not resting for one second. In Anambra, we pride ourselves on being the safest — if not, modestly, one of the safest — states in the country, and security is key.”
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has rejected a proposal by some United States lawmakers to blacklist its national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged religious freedom violations.
The proposal reportedly seeks to impose a visa ban on Kwankwaso and freeze his assets, alongside sanctions targeting the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and certain Fulani groups.
Reacting to the development, the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, described the move as unfair and politically motivated, insisting that Kwankwaso has no record of religious intolerance.
Daily Trust had earlier reported that some US congressmen sponsored a bill seeking sanctions against Kwankwaso and others over what they termed “severe religious freedom violations.”
However, Johnson dismissed the allegations, stating that Kwankwaso had never been involved in actions that undermine religious freedom.
“We see this development as a contrived action against an innocent man who clearly has no relationship with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria,” Johnson said.
He argued that Kwankwaso’s public record — both in office and in private life — demonstrates his commitment to national unity and peaceful coexistence.
The NNPP also referenced comments previously made by Kwankwaso when President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution. At the time, Kwankwaso cautioned against what he described as oversimplified characterisations of Nigeria’s security challenges, emphasising the country’s sovereignty and the complex nature of its internal threats.
Johnson further addressed comments reportedly made by US Representative Riley Moore, who questioned Kwankwaso’s role in implementing Sharia law in Kano State during his tenure as governor.
Kano, alongside several northern states including Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa and Borno, adopted the Islamic legal code in the early 2000s.
“But is this enough to accuse Kwankwaso of severe religious freedom violations?” Johnson asked. “Why were other governors who introduced Sharia not similarly accused? Is this fair or selective?”
He also pointed to Kwankwaso’s political history, noting his past alliance with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his 2023 presidential ticket, which featured Bishop Isaac Idahosa, a Christian cleric, as his running mate.
According to the party, these examples reflect Kwankwaso’s cross-religious political engagements and undermine claims of religious extremism.
The NNPP called on US lawmakers, particularly Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith, to conduct a thorough investigation before reaching conclusions.
“We urge the Congress to ensure that justice is done and that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s name is cleared of such undue embarrassment,” Johnson said.
