NIGERIA-BANGKOK TO UNLOCK POTENTIAL IN AFRICA-ASIA COOPERATION Nigeria and Thailand have agreed to take their bilateral relationship to a strategic level. The commitment was made during a high-level meeting in Bangkok today, between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow. In a statement, Yusuf Tuggar, proposed for Thailand to help bridge the regions, by fostering collaboration between the African bloc, ECOWAS, and the Southeast Asian bloc, ASEAN, foreseeing eventual ASEAN-ECOWAS Summit in the long-term. Both sides discussed building on Nigeria's crude oil exports and Thailand's rice and machinery exports, and extending to scholarship programmes for Nigerian students. They agreed to diversify into new areas like agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing, and ICT. While on security, Yusuf Tuggar stressed on cooperation against transnational crimes like drug and human trafficking, proposing increased intelligence-sharing and joint training. To solidify this enhanced partnership, the Minister urged for speedy conclusion of pending bilateral agreements on trade, investment, and culture, with a view to establishing a high-level joint commission. The meeting concluded with Nigeria reaffirming Thailand as its strategic partner in Asia and extended an invitation for reciprocal high-level visits.

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters Orders Immediate Removal of Unauthorized Roadblocks Nationwide The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a directive ordering the immediate dismantling of non-essential roadblocks and unauthorized checkpoints across major highways in Nigeria. The internal memo, signed by Brigadier General A. Rabiu for the Chief of Defence Staff, warns that the proliferation of unapproved checkpoints is disrupting movement, reducing operational efficiency, and exposing troops to unnecessary risks. Commanders have been instructed to retain only approved control points while replacing static posts with mobile, intelligence-driven patrols. The order comes amid rising public concern over insecurity and road travel challenges nationwide.

🚨#BREAKING: The man stabbed in the chest by an illegal alien on the train in Charlotte NC, Kenyon Dobie, is in critical condition with a tube in his chest, pumping blood out of his lungs. According to authorities, Dobie was the only person who stood up and told the drunk illegal to stop screaming at riders, including an elderly woman on the train. For his efforts, he was knifed in the chest. "I guess it’s better off that it happened to me and not an older person. I wasn’t trying to be a macho man, but what I won’t allow is you to attack random people for no reason, especially the elderly..."

ECOWAS Unveils Business Council, Appoints Dangote as First Chairman ECOWAS has launched the ECOWAS Business Council to strengthen private-sector participation and boost regional investment, naming Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote as its pioneer chairman. The announcement was made during the opening of the 95th ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting in Abuja. ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray said the initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign capital by promoting intra-regional investment and fostering collaboration between governments, private-sector leaders, and ECOWAS institutions. Dangote’s selection is based on his vast investment footprint across West Africa and his leadership of one of the region’s biggest conglomerates. The Council is expected to drive economic integration, sustainable development, and capital mobilisation across member states. #ECOWAS #Dangote #RegionalInvestment

Lawyer Seeks Compensation, Apology After Court Acquits 11 #EndBadGovernance Protesters An Abuja Federal High Court has discharged and acquitted 11 #EndBadGovernance protesters after striking out all treason and terrorism charges filed by the Bola Tinubu administration. Justice Emeka Nwite described the case as baseless, leading human rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal to demand immediate compensation, restoration of frozen accounts and a public apology from the Nigerian government. Marshal condemned the prolonged prosecution as state-backed persecution, insisting the protesters were victimised for exercising constitutional rights to demand good governance. He said the ordeal—detentions, frozen accounts, and reputational damage—violated their freedoms and must now be remedied. #EndBadGovernanc #HumanRights #NigeriaJustice

BREAKING NEWS: The United States is seeking to introduce stricter digital-screening rules for millions of visitors entering the country under its Visa Waiver Program, proposing mandatory disclosure of social media activity spanning the past five years.

BREAKING NEWS: The Federal Inland Revenue Service has signed a landmark cooperation pact with France aimed at modernising Nigeria’s tax administration through digital transformation, capacity development and improved cross-border enforcement. The agreement comes barely weeks before the formal transition into the Nigeria Revenue Service by January 2026.

Tinubu Orders Shettima to Convene NEC Meeting on Ranching Amid Rising Farmer-Herder Clashes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to summon a special National Executive Council (NEC) meeting focused on resolving Nigeria’s escalating farmer-herder crisis through ranching reforms. The directive comes as violent clashes surge across several states. Tinubu also ordered the immediate training, arming, and deployment of additional forest guards to combat kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. According to the presidency, the worsening insecurity demands a more aggressive, coordinated national response to protect citizens. #Tinubu #Ranching #Insecurity

House of Reps Summons CBN Governor Cardoso Over Alleged N16 Trillion Unremitted Funds The House of Representatives has summoned Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso over allegations that the apex bank failed to remit more than ₦16 trillion in operating surplus and revenue to the government. The decision followed a motion by Public Accounts Committee Chairman Bamidele Salam, citing findings from the 2022 Auditor-General’s report, which highlighted financial irregularities linked to the Remita revenue collection system from 2015–2016. Despite disagreements among lawmakers on how to proceed, the House mandated the Public Accounts Committee to continue the investigation. Rights group SERAP had earlier demanded accountability from the CBN over missing public funds flagged in the same report. #CBN #HouseOfReps #PublicFunds

Enugu Court Remands Suspect Over Killing of 19-Year-Old Loveth Uloma An Enugu State Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of Emmanuel Nwangwu, the prime suspect in the killing of 19-year-old Loveth Uloma in Nsukka. Nwangwu was arraigned on a charge of murder following a police investigation confirming he violently assaulted the teenager inside a pharmacy, leading to her death. The case, which sparked widespread public outrage, has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for legal review. The Enugu State Police Command assured the victim’s family that justice is underway as the suspect remains in the Enugu Maximum Correctional Centre. #Enugu #Justice #LovethUloma

ECOWAS Slashes Air Travel Taxes and Charges to Boost Regional Connectivity West African leaders have taken a major step to make flying within the region significantly cheaper, adopting measures that will abolish multiple air transport taxes and cut passenger and security charges by 25 percent starting 1 January 2026. The decision was reached at the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit held in Abuja in December 2024, where leaders signed a Supplementary Act on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees aimed at tackling one of the biggest barriers to regional integration: the high cost of intra-African air travel. For years, West Africa has had some of the world’s most expensive airfares relative to distance, largely due to a web of taxes, fuel surcharges, security fees and other levies imposed by individual countries. The new policy requires all 15 ECOWAS member states to eliminate designated air transport taxes entirely and reduce remaining passenger service and security charges by a quarter. The move is expected to lower ticket prices, stimulate tourism and business travel, strengthen local airlines and support trade, and advance the free movement of people and goods – a core objective of the ECOWAS Treaty. To ensure compliance, the ECOWAS Commission will oversee implementation through a newly established Regional Air Transport Economic Oversight Mechanism. Regional aviation stakeholders have welcomed the decision, describing it as a game-changer for West Africa’s Africa’s chronically under-served air transport market. The reforms will take effect on 1 January 2026, giving airlines and national authorities one year to adjust systems and regulations.

Abuja Court Frees 11 #EndBadGovernance Protesters, Dismisses Treason and Terrorism Charges A Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted 11 activists arrested during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, striking out all treason and terrorism-related charges brought against them. Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the allegations were unfounded, marking what activist Adaramoye Michael Lenin described as a “historic victory.” The protesters had been detained for over a year after security agencies accused them of attempting to destabilise the country during nationwide demonstrations fuelled by economic hardship, insecurity, and public frustration under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Human rights groups consistently condemned the charges as politically motivated attempts to suppress dissent. With the ruling, all accused individuals have been fully discharged. #EndBadGovernance #HumanRights #AbujaCourt

BPP AND SON SIGN MOU TO PROMOTE “NIGERIA FIRST” IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the application of Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) in Federal Government procurement processes, in support of the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy. A statement jointly signed by Zira Zakka Nagga, Head of Press and Public Relations (BPP) and Talatu Ethan, Director Corporate Affairs (SON) indicates that the MoU was signed by both the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, FCIPS, FCILT, ACFE and the Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, ACTI, FCA, FMSN at the BPP headoffice in Abuja. The MoU establishes a cooperation framework to ensure that goods, works and services procured by Government comply with relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards and encourages the adoption of local content and the use of Made-in-Nigeria products that meet approved quality benchmarks. With the signing of the MoU, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to improving quality outcomes in Government projects and advancing transparency, competitiveness, and value-for-money in line with the Nigeria First policy.

JUST IN: The Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA) has accused the Presidency of sidelining the Federal Capital Territory in the three batches of ambassadorial nominations recently transmitted to the Senate, describing the omission as “unfair, unjust, and a fresh attempt to marginalise Abuja indigenes.”

BREAKING: This morning in Bukkuyum LGA, Zamfara State, an explosive device reportedly detonated along Gwashi–Gurusu road, impacting a vehicle and a motorcycle and resulting in several death. According to residents, people remained at the scene awaiting an official response until authorities recently confirmed that the road was safe again. What triggered the attack, and when will emergency support reach those affected?

A boy picked up his mother’s phone and said loudly: “Hello! My mummy said she’s not at home!” The mother shouted from the kitchen: “Give me that phone! Tell the person I’m in the bathroom!” The boy said: “Uncle, wait. She’s choosing which lie to tell you.” Call ended immediately. #FamilyComedy #AfricanMothers #LaughSmall #DailyHumor

During offering time, a man dropped ₦50 in the plate. The pastor looked at him and said: “Brother, God will bless you according to what you gave.” The man immediately ran back, grabbed the plate, and tried to put ₦5,000 inside. The pastor shouted: “Usherrrr! Stop him! He has already received his blessing of ₦50!” Everyone in church nearly fainted from laughter. #ChurchWahala #SundayLaughs #NaijaHumor #FunnyStory

US Plans Mandatory Five-Year Social Media Check for All Foreign Visitors Under New Trump Policy The Trump administration is proposing sweeping new entry rules that would require all foreign travellers—including Britons—to submit five years of social media history, email addresses, phone numbers, and detailed family information before being allowed into the United States. The plan, revealed in a notice published in the Federal Register, would make social-media screening mandatory for both visa and ESTA applicants. The new policy also seeks expanded biometric data collection, including face scans, fingerprints, iris scans, and possibly DNA. Rights groups have raised concerns as reports increase of travellers being denied entry based on phone content or online posts critical of President Trump. The proposal comes amid ongoing controversies over free speech, including clashes between the Trump administration, media figures, and institutions like Harvard University. A 60-day public consultation period is now open. #USImmigration #TrumpAdministration #SocialMediaScreening

Tinubu Reaffirms Withdrawal of Police From VIP Escorts, Orders Strict Clearance for Exceptions President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his directive withdrawing police officers from VIP escort duties, insisting that only individuals who secure his personal approval through the Inspector-General of Police will receive special protection. Speaking before the Federal Executive Council meeting, Tinubu said the decision aims to redeploy security personnel to critical national security operations, particularly the fight against kidnapping and terrorism. He ordered the Interior Minister and NSCDC to replace withdrawn police escorts with civil defence operatives and directed the NSA and DSS to review nationwide security deployments. Tinubu also emphasised arming forest guards. The directive follows a national debate reignited by Wole Soyinka, who criticised the excessively large convoy attached to Seyi Tinubu, calling it a misuse of security resources.

World richest man, Elon Musk, Says He Looks Up To “The Creator,” Comments On Belief In God Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, recently opened up about his views on faith and spirituality during an interview with Katie Miller. When asked “Who do you look up to the most,” Musk answered: “The Creator.” He was further asked if he believed in God, to which he replied: “Well i believe this universe came from something,” adding that “people have different labels.” His response reflects a philosophical perspective, acknowledging a creative force behind the universe while avoiding alignment with any specific religious doctrine. Musk has previously described himself as a “cultural Christian,” noting he was baptized and raised Anglican. However, he has often emphasized curiosity over traditional religious beliefs, stating that his guiding principle is exploration and expanding human consciousness. He has also highlighted the importance of moral teachings from religion, such as wisdom in compassion and restraint, without fully committing to organized faith. In this interview, Musk’s choice of words underscores his view that the origin of the universe is a mystery open to interpretation. By referring to “the Creator” instead of “God,” and noting that “people have different labels,” he signals openness to different philosophical or spiritual understandings rather than strictly religious ones. Musk’s remarks continue to fuel discussions on the intersection of science, technology, and spirituality, highlighting how leading figures grapple with questions about existence, purpose, and belief in the modern era. More at fintter.com #fintter