Author: News Room
The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based civil society organisation advocating transparency and efficiency in the Hajj and Umrah sector, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to institutionalise an examination-based, merit-driven process for the appointment of Hajj officials. The organisation made the call in a statement on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad. The organisation said the absence of structured screening and assessment mechanisms at both state and national levels has continued to undermine the quality of services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. While urging State Pilgrims…
To pay tribute to one’s doctoral supervisor would be a simpler matter if his influence was restricted to the 2-3 years one spent writing a thesis. However, I’ve grappled with ideas raised in BJ’s seminars and our discussions for much longer than he might realise. Many of our conversations – many about democracy and authoritarianism in the ex-colonial world–are very fresh in my mind, and drive my thinking still. The field known as ‘postcolonial studies’ was perhaps at the height of its putatively insurgent fame when, in 1994, I went to seek out the ‘Nigerian Marxist’ at Cornell as he…
Algeria have booked a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging past D.R. Congo 1–0 in extra time on Tuesday. This is the first time the Desert Foxes are reaching the last eight of the tournament since lifting the title in 2019. The narrow victory, secured deep into extra time, underlined Algeria’s growing belief in Morocco and sets the stage for a heavyweight encounter against a Super Eagles side that has already powered into the quarter-finals with a dominant 4–0 win over Mozambique. In a contest shaped by caution and consequence, Algeria and…
The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of veteran photojournalist Malam Umar Usman. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident on Tuesday in Kaduna, saying the police had begun investigations to rescue the victim. “We are trying our best to rescue him unhurt,” Hassan said. According to the police, Usman was kidnapped at about 9 pm on Monday by suspected bandits in Danhonu II community of Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The incident has triggered fresh fear among residents of the area.Usman was taken from his home. He is a retired staff…
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “alive, strong, and resilient,” dismissing media speculations about the party’s decline. He reaffirmed that the PDP remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democracy and is the only surviving original political party since 1998. Jonathan made the remarks on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, while receiving members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, at his private office in Abuja. The meeting focused on reconciliation within the party and strategic preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Highlighting the party’s historical resilience and…
One person has been killed and nine suspects arrested following a violent clash between rival gang groups in parts of Kano city. Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 9 pm on January 4 in Kawo and Mariri areas of the metropolis. The clash involved two rival groups led by Kabalo Snu and Faizu Mohammed, also known as Chabross, from Yar Kasuwa in Kawo. Reports said the violence was a revenge attack linked to an earlier fight between the two groups. Earlier the same day, at about 1:40 pm, Faizu Mohammed was said to have injured Kabalo…
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is now moving into its crucial stages, with at least three quarter-final fixtures confirmed. On Tuesday, Algeria became the latest team to qualify, thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo. Adil Boulbina curled in the winner with few moments left in extra time of their last-16 clash. The Desert Foxes are now set to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria. AFCON 2025 quarter-finals confirmed: Friday, January 9: Senegal vs Mali, 5pm. Friday, January 9: Morocco vs Cameroon, 8pm. Saturday, January 10: Nigeria vs Algeria, 5pm.
Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has warmed hearts online after delivering a touching early birthday surprise to his mother-in-law during a luxury family vacation on Canouan Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The singer shared the intimate moment on Instagram on Tuesday, posting a video that captured him cheerfully walking in with a birthday cake for his wife’s mother, who appeared visibly shocked and delighted by the gesture. As Davido led the rendition of Happy Birthday, other family members — including his father and daughter, Hailey — joined in the celebration, turning the moment into a…
The Airport Police Command, Lagos, has arrested a 20-year-old man, Essien Emmanuel Akpama, accused of defrauding multiple victims in the United States of over N1 billion (more than $1 million) through a celebrity romance and fraud scheme. In a statement signed by ASP Mohammed Adeola, Police Public Relations Officer of the Airport Police Command on Tuesday, the force said the arrest followed months of intelligence-led surveillance. “The Nigeria Police Force, Airport Police Command, in its sustained efforts to combat transnational crimes and prevent the use of Nigerian airports as escape routes for criminal elements, has arrested a notorious celebrity scam…
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to take a more active role in the activities and affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to the party’s National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki. Turaki disclosed this while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Tuesday. Turaki arrived at Jonathan’s Maitama office alongside the entire National Working Committee, former governors, founding fathers, and a few selected state chairmen at about 5:45 pm in six SUVs. The meeting lasted approximately one hour and thirty minutes. Recall that reports emerged in some major…
