🚨 BREAKING: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday met ex-military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) in Minna, Niger State, in a closed-door meeting amid growing political permutations ahead of the 2027 elections. The brief meeting, held at Babangida’s hilltop residence, has sparked speculation about opposition realignment and emerging coalitions, including talks around Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Both leaders have remained silent on the visit. #BreakingNews #Obasanjo #IBB #NigeriaPolitics #2027Elections

🚨 BREAKING: A 300-level Computer Science student of IBB University, Lapai, identified as Kelvin, has reportedly died by suicide after losing a large sum of money to online betting and accumulating heavy debts. Sources say he was a lodge caretaker entrusted with collecting rent, which he allegedly used for betting. He was also said to be under pressure over unpaid rents and debts from accommodation deals with fellow students. Authorities and the university are yet to issue official statements. If you’re struggling, please seek help. 💔 #BreakingNews #IBBUL #Nigeria #StudentNews #MentalHealth

Who Is Illegally Selling Hostel Spaces at IBB University? Why IBBUL Is Warning Students, Investigating Racketeers, and Threatening Sanctions Over Exploitation of Freshers Who is behind the illegal sale of hostel spaces at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL), Lapai—and how are unsuspecting students being exploited? Why has the university stepped in with stern warnings, investigations, and threats of punishment? And what does this mean for students struggling to secure accommodation amid rising demand? IBB University, Niger State, has raised the alarm over what it describes as a growing and disturbing practice in which individuals and organised groups allegedly hijack hostel spaces and resell them to students at inflated prices. According to the institution, these activities typically target vulnerable students—especially freshers—who are desperate for accommodation at the beginning of academic sessions when hostel demand is highest. In a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar (Information), Alhaji Baba Akote, the university condemned the practice as exploitative and fraudulent. He explained that some individuals deliberately secure official hostel allocations only to turn around and sell them illegally at exorbitant rates, effectively profiting from students’ desperation and undermining the university’s accommodation system. How exactly does the scheme work? The university says these groups identify periods of high demand, corner available hostel spaces, and then offer them to students at prices far above approved rates—often misleading students into believing the transactions are legitimate. For many new students unfamiliar with campus processes, the trap is easy to fall into. What action is the university taking? IBBUL has directed its Student Affairs Division to launch a full investigation aimed at identifying and exposing those involved. University authorities insist that the matter will not be treated lightly and that all culprits will be held accountable. What are the consequences? In a strong warning, the management made it clear that both sellers and buyers of illegally traded hostel spaces will face disciplinary action. The university says “stringent measures” are being prepared to deter the practice and restore transparency and fairness in the hostel allocation process. But will this crackdown be enough to end racketeering on campus? As students continue to grapple with accommodation shortages, many are asking whether the investigation will uncover the networks behind the scheme—and whether enforcement will finally stop the exploitation that has quietly flourished for years. At the heart of the issue lies a pressing question for students and parents alike: can universities protect their communities from internal profiteering, or will desperate housing needs continue to be used as a tool for exploitation?

US special forces have arrived in the United Kingdom as Washington moves to intercept a sanctioned oil tanker accused of evading the Trump administration’s blockade on Venezuelan crude and racing toward Russia. Cargo aircraft carrying helicopters and personnel landed at RAF Fairford, as US and allied forces stage for a possible high-risk boarding operation against the tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1. The vessel, described by US officials as part of a “shadow fleet” used to bypass international sanctions, is believed to be operating under a Russian flag in the North Atlantic, roughly 500 miles west of Ireland, en route to Russia. Troops from America’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers, have reportedly deployed Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters capable of fast-roping commandos onto large vessels. Three V-22 Ospreys operating out of RAF Mildenhall have also joined the mission, alongside surveillance aircraft and refuelling jets. US and UK military activity intensified after the tanker was tracked resurfacing at sea, having previously slipped away from US forces in the Caribbean following Donald Trump’s announcement of a “total and complete blockade” on Venezuelan oil exports. The tanker is alleged to be linked to Iran and accused of helping sanctioned regimes, including those of Vladimir Putin and Nicolás Maduro, continue oil trading despite restrictions. During the pursuit, the crew reportedly painted a Russian flag on the hull and later re-registered the ship under a new name in Russia. Defence sources said the build-up at RAF Fairford indicates preparations for a hostile boarding, while naval patrol aircraft continue to monitor the tanker’s movements. US officials told American media that the preference is to seize the tanker rather than sink it, mirroring a helicopter-borne raid carried out last month on another sanctioned vessel. A decision on whether to proceed with the operation is expected within days.

PDP Plans Strategic Meetings with Peter Obi, Atiku, and Key Powerbrokers Ahead of 2027 Elections” The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to engage with former presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other influential political figures as part of its strategy to rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The announcement was made by Emmanuel Ogidi, PDP South-South Chairman, during an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday. Ogidi revealed that the party has already begun consultations with key political actors, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), to signal that the PDP remains relevant despite internal challenges. He stressed that meetings with Obi and Atiku, both former PDP stalwarts now aligned with other political platforms, are part of a deliberate effort to reconnect with major opposition figures. Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar were previously PDP vice presidential and presidential candidates in the 2019 and 2023 elections, respectively. The outreach reflects the PDP’s commitment to unifying opposition voices and strengthening its democratic credentials. The PDP’s efforts coincide with ongoing preparations for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as the 2027 general elections. On Tuesday, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) met with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. Led by National Chairman Tanimu Turaki, the delegation received Jonathan’s assurance of continued loyalty and active support for the PDP. Turaki described the former president’s commitment as “very reassuring and encouraging”, highlighting the PDP’s determination to reorganize, strengthen internal cohesion, and mobilize key political actors ahead of critical upcoming elections. The PDP’s outreach initiative is viewed as a strategic move to solidify its relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape, heal internal divisions, and present a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the years leading up to the 2027 polls.

Amid Global Outcry, Trump Declares US Will ‘Run’ Venezuela After Military Strikes, Arrest Of President Nicolás Maduro United States President Donald Trump has announced that Washington will temporarily “run” Venezuela until a political transition is completed, following coordinated US military strikes on Caracas and the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump made the declaration during a news conference on Saturday, hours after US forces bombed key locations in the Venezuelan capital and took Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, into custody. According to Trump, the United States will assume control of Venezuela’s affairs to ensure what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition,” though he did not provide a clear timeline. The move marks a major escalation in US actions against Maduro’s government, which have included seizures of Venezuelan oil tankers and deadly anti-narcotics operations in the Caribbean—steps that have drawn condemnation from human rights groups and foreign governments. Trump defended the intervention by citing longstanding US drug-trafficking charges against Maduro, allegations the Venezuelan leader has repeatedly denied. The US president also said major American oil companies would soon enter Venezuela to repair its damaged oil infrastructure, claiming the intervention would make Venezuelans “rich, independent and safe.” Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela since 2013, has long accused the United States of seeking regime change to gain control of the country’s vast oil reserves. His transfer to New York to face US charges has intensified international backlash, with critics warning that the declaration of US control over Venezuela threatens sovereignty, international law, and regional stability.

China Condemns US Military Attack on Venezuela, Slams Capture of President Nicolás Maduro as Violation of Sovereignty and International Law China has strongly condemned the United States over its reported military action against Venezuela and the alleged capture of President Nicolás Maduro, describing the move as a blatant violation of international law and an attack on a sovereign nation. In an official statement issued on January 3, 2026, the Chinese government warned that such actions threaten peace and security across Latin America and the Caribbean. Beijing accused Washington of hegemonic behavior, stressing that the use of force undermines Venezuela’s sovereignty and contravenes the principles of the United Nations Charter. China urged the United States to immediately cease actions that violate other countries’ security and independence and to resolve disputes through lawful and diplomatic means. The condemnation follows claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that American forces carried out a large-scale military operation in Venezuela, allegedly capturing President Maduro and his wife and flying them out of the country—claims made without supporting evidence. Reports of multiple explosions and blackouts in Caracas, particularly near key military installations, have further heightened tensions, fuelling speculation of a coordinated U.S.-linked operation amid an escalating standoff between Washington and Caracas.

IBB Rejects Bandits’ Surrender Former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has urged the Federal Government to reject any surrender offers from bandits. He said bandits should be fully neutralised through decisive military action, not dialogue, warning the military not to give room for surrender.

US Government Releases President Donald Trump and Melania Trump’s Official White House Christmas Portrait as Festive Decorations Return Under “Home Is Where the Heart Is” Theme The United States government has officially released President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s 2025 White House Christmas portrait, taken in the Cross Hall of the historic residence. The portrait shows the president in a classic black tuxedo and the first lady in an elegant black dress, reflecting a refined holiday style. Alongside the release, the White House unveiled its Christmas decorations themed “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” featuring 51 Christmas trees, 75 wreaths, thousands of lights, ribbons, ornaments, and elaborate festive displays. Public Christmas tours resumed on December 2, allowing visitors to experience the seasonal decorations and holiday atmosphere inside the White House, as the Trumps shared a message highlighting faith, family, freedom, and national unity during the Christmas season. #DonaldTrump #WhiteHouseChristmas #MelaniaTrump

US DOJ Releases 11,000 New Epstein Files, Reveals Trump’s Alleged Frequent Travel on Late Sex Offender’s Private Jet Amid Transparency Push The United States Department of Justice has released more than 11,000 newly unsealed files linked to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, offering fresh insight into one of America’s most controversial criminal cases. The documents, totaling nearly 30,000 pages, include internal DOJ and FBI emails, court records, photographs, and investigative materials detailing the scope of evidence seized from Epstein’s properties. Among the most notable disclosures is a 2020 internal email from a New York prosecutor claiming Epstein’s flight logs showed former President Donald Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet more frequently than previously reported. However, the DOJ cautioned that many references to Trump stem from circulated news articles and unverified tips submitted to the FBI shortly before the 2020 election, stressing that some claims are “unfounded and false.” The files also reveal extensive discussions among prosecutors about potential co-conspirators, corporate liability, and perjury investigations, alongside evidence describing terabytes of digital data seized from Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and Caribbean island. While reaffirming its commitment to transparency and victims’ protections, the DOJ acknowledged the documents may reignite public scrutiny over Epstein’s powerful network and unresolved questions surrounding his case. #EpsteinFiles #USDOJ #DonaldTrump

🚨🇺🇸🇻🇪 BREAKING: U.S. COAST GUARD INTERDICTS SANCTIONED VESSEL OFF VENEZUELA'S COAST U.S. officials just confirmed the Coast Guard is actively interdicting a sanctioned vessel in international waters off Venezuela's coast. 3 sources speaking anonymously told Reuters the op is underway, with the Coast Guard leading the charge. No details yet on the ship's name, cargo, or exact location, but this comes during Trump's renewed pressure on Maduro's regime - think oil sanctions, military posturing in the Caribbean, and efforts to choke off revenue streams. The move fits the broader push to squeeze Venezuela's economy and force regime change or concessions. U.S. Coast Guard cutters have been patrolling these waters more aggressively lately, boarding ships suspected of smuggling oil or violating sanctions. Watch for more updates - this could escalate tensions fast, especially with Maduro already backed into a corner. Source: Reuters

Trump Refuses to Rule Out War With Venezuela, Threatens More Oil Tanker Seizures Published December 19, 2025 U.S. President Donald Trump stated in an NBC News interview that he does not rule out military conflict with Venezuela. He threatened that the U.S. could seize additional oil tankers operating near Venezuelan waters if they carry sanctioned shipments. The announcement follows a recent U.S. seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast and an ordered “blockade” of sanctioned tankers entering or leaving the country. The Trump administration has intensified military operations in the region, including over 24 strikes near Venezuela, reportedly resulting in at least 90 deaths. Venezuela, under President Nicolás Maduro, condemned the actions as aggressive and warned that any direct military intervention would be resisted. Trump did not explicitly confirm whether removing Maduro was the ultimate goal, though he claimed Maduro “knows exactly what I want.” These developments heighten regional tensions and raise concerns among international observers about potential escalation in the Caribbean and northern South America. Context: Venezuela is heavily sanctioned by the U.S., particularly its oil sector, and faces economic collapse and humanitarian challenges. The standoff underscores U.S.-Venezuela tensions over control of energy resources and political influence.

Twenty-One Economic Miracles Currently Happening Under President Tinubu One: Our foreign reserves have crossed the $45 billion mark for the first time in six years. It is now the fourth-highest on the African continent. Two: The prudent management of our foreign reserves under President Tinubu has led to a 3.93% GDP growth in the immediate past quarter and 4.23% growth in the quarter before that (Q2, 2025). Three: Nigeria, under President Tinubu, has, within two years, moved from being Africa's biggest petrol importer to becoming West Africa's largest exporter of the same product. Four: For the first time in over a decade, Nigeria has overshot its OPEC quota for three consecutive months and is set to do the same for the fourth month, producing an average of 1.71 million barrels per day. Five: President Tinubu gave Nigerian airlines direct flights to London's Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom, London's Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom, São Paulo, Brazil, Bogotá, Colombia, Entebbe, Uganda, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Algiers, Algeria, and St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. Six: Oil theft has been reduced to less than 10,000 barrels per day, a sixteen-year low. Seven: Nigeria achieved its revenue target for the entire year in August, a first in our history. Eight: The Nigerian Stock Exchange rose above 130,000 All Share Index for the first time ever. Nine: Our economy expanded by $67 billion in just two years, moving Nigeria's GDP from a ₦269.29 trillion economy on May 29, 2023, when Asiwaju became President, to ₦372.8 trillion today. Ten: Between January and August 2025, non-oil tax revenue was ₦20.59 trillion, a 40.5% increase from the ₦14.6 trillion recorded in the corresponding period in 2024. Eleven: MTN Nigeria Limited hit a record valuation of ₦10 trillion, the first Nigerian company to do so. Twelve: Food prices have fallen significantly, resulting in a drop in inflation to 16.05% at present, down from 20.12% in August 2025, a 1.76% decline from July's 21.88%. Thirteen: Dangote and other retailers have crashed fuel prices below ₦1000. Fourteen: The Naira has stabilised and is now below ₦1500 to $, making it among the world's best-performing currencies, according to Fitch Ratings. Fifteen: Nigeria broke its power generation record with a peak generation of 5,801.84MW and maximum daily energyoutput of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), the highest ever attained in the history of the electricity industry in Nigeria. Sixteen: After a record trade surplus last year, Nigeria appears set to beat its 2024 figure. Our trade surplus rose 44.3% in Q2 to ₦7.46 trillion, up from ₦5.17 trillion in Q1. Seventeen: In a sign of an improving economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria reduced interest rates by 50 basis points to 27%, the first time since the #COVID19 pandemic. Eighteen: Fitch and S&P Global Ratings upgraded Nigeria's economy to a Stable B. Nineteen: Two PhDs in economics, in the persons of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, and the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and incumbent Governor of Anambra, Dr Chukwuma Soludo, both confirmed that President Tinubu has "stabilised the economy". Twenty: Rail transport expanded in Nigeria by 43.08% in Q2 2025. Twenty-one: Road transport expanded by 24.50% in Q2 2025, driven by the ₦13 trillion 1,068-kilometre Illela-Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the ₦15 trillion 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, currently under construction. Bonus: Student loans were awarded to an unprecedented 500,000 students, with hundreds of thousands more awaiting their loans. Effective rebranding projects a positive image of what is happening. It is the best way to neutralise enemies of the nation who want to overwhelm the airwaves with negative information. If you are a patriot who loves Nigeria and wants your country to progress, please spread this truthful message. Reno Omokri

Nigerian Law School Student Dies After Disqualification From Bar Final Exam in Yola A Nigerian Law School student, Ayomiposi Ojajuni, has reportedly taken his own life after being barred from writing the Bar Final examinations at the Yola Campus. The Olabisi Onabanjo University graduate became distressed upon learning on December 6 that he had been disqualified as part of disciplinary action following multiple queries issued against him. Moments after receiving the news, he allegedly ingested a harmful substance and was rushed to the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola, where he died the following day. The tragic incident has sparked conversations about student mental health, disciplinary procedures, and institutional support within the Nigerian Law School system.

I just watched a woman who gave 35 years of her life to the State of Florida. Her badge # read 100. She wasn’t a DEI hire. She wasn’t pushed in by politics or quotas. She was hired because she was competent… disciplined… and built for the job. And after 35 years, she was able to retire with honor in a Republican-controlled state. A state that still values law enforcement… a state that rewards service instead of punishing it. Tallahassee may lean Democrat as a city, but the Highway Patrol she served under operates in a Republican-led state that protects order, merit, and courage. Lieutenant Thompson, I salute you. Thank you for your service and your unwavering dedication. Can we all give this woman a thank you, an amen, or a salute? 🫡 Did you notice the breast cancer survivor ribbon? @GovRonDeSantis @realDonaldTrump @FOP_FHP #SilentMajoritySpeaks #AStoneGroove #endoftour

Colombian Fisherman’s Family Files Human Rights Complaint Over Deadly US Boat Strike The family of Colombian fisherman Alejandro Carranza, killed in a U.S. military boat strike on Sept. 15, has filed a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights accusing the U.S. government of illegally killing him. The petition claims Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered attacks without knowing who was on the boats. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has also accused the U.S. of murder, insisting Carranza was a harmless fisherman showing distress signals. The incident is part of a wider U.S. strike campaign against alleged drug boats under President Donald Trump, which has killed more than 80 people and drawn bipartisan scrutiny in Congress over legality and possible war crimes — especially amid reports that survivors of an earlier strike were killed in a second attack. #USNews #Colombia #AlejandroCarranza #BoatStrike #HumanRights #IACHR #PeteHegseth #DonaldTrump #DrugWar #Caribbean #GustavoPetro #WarCrimes #MilitaryStrikes #ABCNews #InternationalLaw

🇺🇸🇻🇪 11 US warships and 15,000 troops are now deployed in the Caribbean as tensions with Venezuela keep rising.

Venezuela Bans Airlines That Halted Flights Per US Warning Washington had warned of increased military activity in the Caribbean amid a deployment to target narcotics operations, which Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro insists is intended to overthrow his government.

Venezuela Bans Airlines That Halted Flights Per US Warning Washington had warned of increased military activity in the Caribbean amid a deployment to target narcotics operations, which Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro insists is intended to overthrow his government.

Reggae Icon Jimmy Cliff Dead at 81 Legendary Jamaican reggae musician Jimmy Cliff, celebrated for helping take reggae from the Caribbean to global audiences, has died at the age of 81. His wife, Latifa Chambers, announced his passing on Monday, revealing that he died after suffering a seizure followed by pneumonia. Cliff, known for classics such as “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “The Harder They Come,” spent more than four decades creating music that blended reggae with folk, soul, ska, and rock influences. His songs often addressed social and political issues, including poverty, injustice, and war. He rose to international fame with the 1972 film “The Harder They Come,” which he starred in, helping introduce reggae to a global audience and establishing himself as one of the genre’s most influential figures—second only to Bob Marley. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness paid tribute, calling Cliff a “true cultural giant” whose work shaped the global perception of Jamaican culture. He praised Cliff’s music for uplifting people during difficult times and inspiring generations worldwide. Jimmy Cliff’s legacy as a pioneer, storyteller, and cultural ambassador continues to resonate across the world.