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Veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of causing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party, LP, and New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.
Momodu said APC was orchestrating crisis within the opposition to weaken them.
In an interview with Arise Television, the PDP chieftain accused APC of pushing Nigeria towards a one-party state.
According to Momodu: “Nigeria is obviously moving in a direction of a one-party state.
“The ruling party, APC, is so scared of opposition that right now crisis are being orchestrated from party to party, especially the leading opposition parties like PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP. It’s obvious what is going on.”
He further expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding the situation, stating, “no one is in doubt about that. How this would end, I have no idea. So, we are watching.”
Stressing that power is transient, Momodu cautioned those currently aligned with the APC.
“The maximum they would do is eight years, so after that, what next? It’s not about how long, it’s about how well.
“That’s why I’m advising a lot of people now who are holding onto Asiwaju; he would think they love him—No!
“It’s self-preservation because they lost out in one party, they ran to Asiwaju, and now they are using him as an umbrella when they should be holding the broom,” he said.
[DailyPost]
Music superstars Burna Boy, Tems, Lojay and Davido have bagged nominations for the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Davido and Lojay are up for Best R&B Song for their feature on Chris Brown’s “Sensational,” competing against South African singer Tyla for her hit single “Water”.
Grammy winners Burna Boy and Tems are nominated for World Artist of the Year with British rapper Central Cee, Tyla, and Jamaican star YG Marley.
Tyla leads the African contingent with three nominations, including Best Dance Song for the remix of “Water” with Marshmello.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards are set to take place on March 17 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, airing on FOX.
Evening Roundup: Stories making waves in The Nation - The Nation
Full Nominations List
Artist of the Year
Billie Eilish
Doja Cat
Jelly Roll
Kendrick Lamar
Morgan Wallen
Post Malone
Sabrina Carpenter
SZA
Taylor Swift
Teddy Swims
Song of the Year
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”- Shaboozey
“Agora Hills”- Doja Cat
“Beautiful Things”- Benson Boone
“Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
“Greedy”- Tate McRae
“I Had Some Help” – Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
“Lose Control” – Teddy Swims
“Lovin on Me” – Jack Harlow
“Not Like Us”- Kendrick Lamar
“Too Sweet” – Hozier
Best Collaboration
“Die With a Smile”- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
“Fortnight”- Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
“I Had Some Help”- Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
“Like That” – Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar
“Miles on It”- Kane Brown and Marshmello
Producer of the Year
Julian Bunetta
Jack Antonoff
Evan Blair
Mustard
Dan Nigro
Songwriter of the Year
Josh Coleman
ERNEST
Ashley Gorley
Amy Allen
Justin Tranter
GENRE-SPECIFIC CATEGORIES
Pop Song of the Year
“Agora Hills”- Doja Cat
“Beautiful Things”- Benson Boone
“Espresso”- Sabrina Carpenter
“Greedy”- Tate McRae
“Too Sweet”- Hozier
Pop Artist of the Year
Billie Eilish
Chappell Roan
Sabrina Carpenter
Tate McRae
Taylor Swift
Best New Artist (Pop)
Benson Boone
Chappell Roan
Gracie Abrams
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Country Song of the Year
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)”- Shaboozey
“Cowgirls” – Morgan Wallen featuring ERNEST
“I Am Not Okay”- Jelly Roll
“I Had Some Help”- Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
“World on Fire”- Nate Smith
Country Artist of the Year
Jelly Roll
Kane Brown
Lainey Wilson
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Best New Artist (Country)
Ashley Cooke
Dasha
George Birge
Shaboozey
Tucker Wetmore
Hip-Hop Song of the Year
“Like That”- Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar
“Lovin on Me”- Jack Harlow
“Not Like Us”- Kendrick Lamar
“Rich Baby Daddy”- Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA
“TGIF” – GloRilla
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Drake
Future
GloRilla
Kendrick Lamar
Travis Scott
Best New Artist (Hip-Hop)
310babii
BigXthaPlug
BossMan Dlow
Cash Cobain
Jordan Adetunji
R&B Song of the Year
“ICU” – Coco Jones
“Made for Me”- Muni Long
“Sensational” – Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay
“Water” – Tyla
“WY@”- Brent Faiyaz
R&B Artist of the Year
Chris Brown
Muni Long
SZA
Usher
Victoria Monét
Best New Artist (R&B)
4Batz
Ambré
Inayah
Josh X
Maeta
Alternative Song of the Year
“Dilemma” – Green Day
“Landmines” – Sum 41
“Neon Pill”- Cage The Elephant
“The Emptiness Machine” – Linkin Park
“Too Sweet”- Hozier
Alternative Artist of the Year
Cage The Elephant
Green Day
Linkin Park
Sum 41
twenty one pilots
Best New Artist (Alt and Rock)
Djo
Fontaines D.C.
Good Neighbours
Myles Smith
The Last Dinner Party
Rock Song of the Year
“A Symptom of Being Human” – Shinedown
“All My Life” – Falling In Reverse and Jelly Roll
“Dark Matter” – Pearl Jam
“Screaming Suicide” – Metallica
“The Emptiness Machine” – Linkin Park
Rock Artist of the Year
Green Day
Linkin Park
Metallica
Pearl Jam
Shinedown
Dance Song of the Year
“360” – Charli xcx
“Chase It (Mmm Da Da Da)” – Bebe Rexha
“I Don’t Wanna Wait”- David Guetta and OneRepublic
“Make You Mine”- Madison Beer
“Water” – Tyla X Marshmello
Dance Artist of the Year
Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Dua Lipa
Kylie Minogue
Tiësto
Latin Pop / Urban Song of the Year
“Brickell” – FEID X Yandel
“LA FALDA” – Myke Towers
“Perro Negro”- Bad Bunny featuring FEID
“Qlona” – Karol G featuring Peso Pluma
“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”- Karol G
Latin Pop / Urban Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
FEID
Karol G
Myke Towers
Shakira
Best New Artist (Latin Pop / Urban)
Christian Alicea
Cris MJ
Ela Taubert
FloyyMenor
Kapo
Regional Mexican Song of the Year
“Alch Si” – Grupo Frontera and Carin León
“El Beneficio De La Duda” – Grupo Firme
“FIRST LOVE” – Oscar Ortiz and Edgardo Nuñez
“La Diabla”- Xavi
“Tu Perfume” – Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year
Grupo Frontera
Intocable
Los Ángeles Azules
Peso Pluma
Xavi
Best New Artist (Regional Mexican)
Chino Pacas
Iván Cornejo
Luis R. Conriquez
Tito Double P
Xavi
K-pop Artist of the Year
aespa
ATEEZ
ENHYPEN
Jimin
Lisa
K-pop Song of the Year
“Chk Chk Boom” – Stray Kids
“Magnetic”- ILLIT
“Supernova” – aespa
“Who”- Jimin
“XO (Only If You Say Yes)”- ENHYPEN
Best New Artist (K-pop)
BABYMONSTER
BADVILLAIN
ILLIT
NCT WISH
TWS
World Artist of the Year
Burna Boy
Central Cee
Tems
Tyla
YG Marley
SOCIALLY VOTED CATEGORIES
Favorite Soundtrack
Back to Black
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Bob Marley: One Love
Challengers
Deadpool & Wolverine
Descendants: The Rise of Red
Emilia Pérez
The Book of Clarence
Twisters
Wicked
Favorite Broadway Debut
Adam Lambert – Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
Ariana Madix – Chicago
Barbie Ferreira – Cult of Love
Charli D’Amelio – & Juliet
Grant Gustin – Water for Elephants
Kit Connor – Romeo + Juliet
Lola Tung – Hadestown
Nicole Scherzinger – Sunset Blvd
Rachel Zegler – Romeo + Juliet
Robert Downey Jr. – McNeal
Sebastián Yatra – Chicago
Shailene Woodley – Cult of Love
Favorite K-pop Dance Challenge
“GGUM”- Yeonjun (TXT)
“MAESTRO” – Seventeen
“Magnetic”- ILLIT
“Smart”- LE SSERAFIM
“Sticky”- Kiss of Life
“Supernova” – aespa
“Touch” – KATSEYE
“UP”- Karina (aespa)
“WORK”- ATEEZ
“XO (Only If You Say Yes)”- ENHYPEN
Favorite Surprise Guest
Charli xcx bringing out Lorde
Coldplay bringing out Selena Gomez
Future & Metro Boomin bringing out Travis Scott
GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion bringing out Cardi B
Jennifer Hudson bringing out Cher
Kendrick Lamar bringing out Ken & Friends
Luke Combs bringing out the “Twisters” Cast
Morgan Wallen bringing out Travis Kelce & Patrick Mahomes
Niall Horan bringing out Shawn Mendes
Olivia Rodrigo bringing out Chappell Roan
Peso Pluma bringing out Becky G
Taylor Swift bringing out Travis Kelce
Favorite Tour Tradition
Benson Boone- Backflips
Chappell Roan – Teaching “HOT TO GO” dance
Charli xcx + Troye Sivan – “Apple” Girl (dance)
Morgan Wallen – Walk out song
Niall Horan – Heaven pose
Nicki Minaj – Fans sing
Olivia Rodrigo- Encore tank
Sabrina Carpenter- “Juno” position
Tate McRae – Soundcheck covers
Taylor Swift- “22” Hat
Taylor Swift – Surprise songs
Usher – Feeding cherries
Best Lyrics
“Beautiful Things” – Benson Boone
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Billie Eilish
“Espresso”- Sabrina Carpenter
“Exes” – Tate McRae
“Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
“Good Luck, Babe!”- Chappell Roan
“I Had Some Help”- Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
“I Love You, I’m Sorry” – Gracie Abrams
“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
“Saturn” – SZA
“we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” – Ariana Grande
“Who”- Jimin
Best Music Video
“APT.” – ROSÉ and Bruno Mars
“Beautiful Things” – Benson Boone
“Die With A Smile” – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
“Espresso”- Sabrina Carpenter
“Fortnight”- Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
“Houdini” – Dua Lipa
“Houdini” -Eminem
“I Had Some Help” – Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
“LUNA” – ATL Jacob X FEID
“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
“Please Please Please” – Sabrina Carpenter
“Rockstar”- Lisa
Favorite Tour Style
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Midwest Princess
Charli xcx and Troye Sivan – Sweat
GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion – Hot Girl Summer Tour
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday 2 Tour
Olivia Rodrigo – GUTS
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Tate McRae – Think Later
Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour
Usher – Usher: Past Present Future
Favorite Tour Photographer
Adam Degross – Post Malone
Alfredo Flores – Sabrina Carpenter
Baeth – Tate McRae
Christian Tierney – Niall Horan
David Bergman – Luke Combs
Henry Hwu – Billie Eilish
Lucienne Nghiem – Chappell Roan
Miles Leavitt – Olivia Rodrigo
Pooneh Ghana – Noah Kahan
RAYSCORRUPTEDMIND – Travis Scott
Sanjay Parikh – Shinedown
Yasi – Kacey Musgraves
Favorite On Screen
Are You Sure?! (Jimin and Jungkook)
Child Star (Demi Lovato)
Elton John: Never Too Late (Elton John)
Gaga Chromatica Ball (Lady Gaga)
I Am: Céline Dion (Céline Dion)
Lainey Wilson: Bell Bottom Country (Lainey Wilson)
Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words (Megan Thee Stallion)
Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour (Olivia Rodrigo)
Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE (KATSEYE)
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (Bruce Springsteen)
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) (Taylor Swift)
Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story (Bon Jovi)
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje as the board chairman of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.
Also appointed is the APC National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola as the board chairman of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).
The Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, announced the appointment in a statement on Friday.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services,” the statement read.
“The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).”
He said Tinubu appointed former deputy governor of Kebbi State, Sulaiman Argungu, as the Chairman, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company.
Similarly, a long time ally of the President and former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe, made the list as the Chairman, National Agency For Great Green Wall.
According to the presidential spokesman, Tinubu directed the “board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.”
See the full statement below:
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRPERSONS AND CEOS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services.
The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).
President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.
All the appointments take immediate effect.
- NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
– Hon. Hillard Eta Chairman (Cross River)
- NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
– Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman (Lagos)
- FEDERAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA, MINISTRY OF AVIATION
– H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje, Chairman (Kano)
- NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
– Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru Ajibola, Chairman (Osun)
- NIGERIA BULK ELECTRICITY TRADING COMPANY
– H. E. Sulaiman Argungu, Chairman (Kebbi)
- NATIONAL AGENCY FOR GREAT GREEN WALL
– Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman (Rivers)
- NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE
– Barr. Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau)
- NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)
– Raji, Kazeem Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo)
- NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
– Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman (Rivers)
- TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
– Comrade Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa)
- INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND
– Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Chairman (Gombe)
- NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
– Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia)
- SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX
– Sen. Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi)
- FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA
– H. E. Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano)
- NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION
– Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos)
- NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE
– Chief D. J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo)
- NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY
– Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairman (Sokoto)
- NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL
– Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa)
- NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
– Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna)
- NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
– Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, Chairman (Niger)
- NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
– Hon. Durosimi Meseko, Chairman (Kogi)
- FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE
– Hajia Zainab A. Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba)
- NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION
– Dr.Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos)
- FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI
– Aare (Hon.) Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Chairman (Ogun)
- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA
– Mr Abdullahi Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos)
- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA
– Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile Idele, Chairman (Edo)
- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA
– Nze Chidi Duru (OON), Chairman (Anambra)
- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI
– Hon. Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu)
- CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD
– Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd, Secretary (Kano)
- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA
– Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi)
- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA
– Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka, Chairman (Delta)
- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA
– Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa)
- DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE
– Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)
- NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY
– Chief Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo)
- NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)
– Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna)
- NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE
– Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman (Borno)
- AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA,
KADUNA STATE
– Hon. Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)
- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA
– Dr. Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)
- RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)
– Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairman (Sokoto)
- FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU
– Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairman Zamfara
- NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
– Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa)
- SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
– Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto)
- AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL
– Augustine Chukwu Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi)
- FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD
– Engr. Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti)
- NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND
– Hon. Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti)
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
January 23, 2025
A heartwarming moment has captured the internet’s attention, as a video of Cameroonian football legend and President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, recognising a former teammate working as a security guard goes viral.
The encounter reportedly took place after an Ecobank Group seminar in Douala, Cameroon, according to a report shared on X by a news platform, ED HUB.
In the video, Eto’o, surrounded by fans and attendees, was leaving the venue when someone offscreen called out his name.
At first, he glanced back briefly before walking on, but then he stopped, turned again, and realised it was an old friend.
The man, dressed in a security uniform, walked into the frame, and Eto’o’s face lit up in recognition.
The former Barcelona star warmly shook hands with his old teammate, embraced him briefly, and exchanged pleasantries in Bassa’a, a Cameroonian dialect.
Eto’o was visibly moved, repeatedly patting his friend’s arm as they reminisced.
Turning to the crowd gathered around them, Eto’o introduced the man, saying, “He was my colleague. I played with him.”
The touching moment has drawn widespread admiration on social media, with many users praising Eto’o for his humility.
This heartfelt moment has however earned him praise among netizens.
Hendrïxx, tweeting as @Mr_humble87, wrote, “When life favors you, don’t ever think others are lazy. Bravo to Eto’o on acknowledging his old teammate.”
Another user, @MrsLucyEssel, wrote, “Much respect to Etoo. Even if he doesn’t meet him again this man would forever remember this day.”
Dark Cookies, tweeting as @ayo30bg, speculated on how Eto’o recognised him, saying, “I think he called him a name his old friends or close family calls him and caught his attention very fast.”
Some users even translated parts of their conversation spoken in Bassa’a.
Keke, tweeting as @corenti67008438, explained, “He Said: we need to meetup, we can’t speak right now because I have meetings in 10 minutes but tell Christian (assistant of Eto’o and friends of both) to do everything we meetup we gonna speak my friend. I’m happy to see you.”
Many netizens reflected on the unexpected twists and turns of life.
Twiddle™, tweeting as @Boison__, wrote, “Life be someway o. May all the boys we roll with succeed and may we all meet at the top!”
Another user, @Phemmydeji, added, “Life is deep. Sometimes you really can’t understand the mystery.”
[Punch]
US President Donald Trump said Thursday his administration would appeal a federal judge’s ruling that temporarily blocks his attempt to restrict birthright citizenship.
“Obviously we will appeal it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the ruling by Washington state District Judge John Coughenour, who said the president’s order was “blatantly unconstitutional.”
A federal judge on Thursday put a temporary block on Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship.
The ruling imposes a 14-day stay on the enforcement of one of the most controversial executive orders Trump signed in the hours after he was sworn into office for a second term.
“This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” US District Judge John Coughenour was reported as saying during the hearing in Washington state.
“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is,” said Coughenour, who was appointed by a Republican president, Ronald Reagan.
Trump told reporters his administration would “obviously” appeal the ruling, while the Department of Justice said it would defend the executive order, which a spokesman said “correctly interprets” the US Constitution.
“We look forward to presenting a full merits argument to the Court and to the American people, who are desperate to see our Nation’s laws enforced,” the spokesman said.
Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the US Constitution under the 14th Amendment which decrees that anyone born on US soil is a citizen.
It says, in part: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
Trump’s order was premised on the idea that anyone in the US illegally, or on a visa, was not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the country, and therefore excluded from this category.
An incredulous Coughenour chided Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate over his assertion that Trump’s order was constitutional.
“Frankly, I have difficulty understanding how a member of the bar could state unequivocally that this is a constitutional order,” Coughenour said.
“It just boggles my mind.”
– ‘On a whim’ –
The ruling comes after a flurry of lawsuits filed by 22 states, two cities and numerous civil rights groups.
It was hailed by states that took part in the legal actions.
“No president can change the constitution on a whim and today’s decision affirms that,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said.
The ruling is “the first of many wins to come as my office fights instances of executive overreach and any illegal actions the new administration may take.”
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said Trump’s order was “un-American.”
“Birthright citizenship makes clear that citizenship cannot be conditioned on one’s race, ethnicity or where their parents came from,” he said after the ruling.
“It’s the law of our nation, recognized by generations of jurists, lawmakers and presidents, until President Trump’s illegal action.”
The legal challenge was no surprise, and Trump had acknowledged it was likely when he signed the order.
He has repeatedly — and wrongly — asserted that the United States is the only country in the world with birthright citizenship; in fact more than 30 others also have it, including Canada and Mexico.
Trump’s opponents have argued that the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868 as the United States sought to knit itself back together after the Civil War, has been settled law for over a century.
They have cited an 1898 US Supreme Court ruling in the case of a San Francisco-born Chinese American man called Wong Kim Ark.
Wong was denied entry back into the United States after visiting relatives in China on the grounds that he was not a citizen.
The court affirmed that children born in the United States, including those born to immigrants, could not be denied citizenship.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has lost his elder brother, Sunday Makinde.
He was aged 65 years.
He died on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Announcing the passing in a message, a brother of the deceased, who is also the Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland and Head of the Aigbofa Family of Oja’ba, Ibadan, Chief Olumuyiwa Makinde, wrote, “With a heavy heart, I announce the passage of my older brother, Engr Sunday Makinde, to eternal glory today, Friday, 24th of January, 2025.”
“His sudden death occurred in his Ibadan residence at 3:20 am today, Friday, 24th January 2025.”
“He is survived by siblings, among whom is the executive governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, children, and grandchildren.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday withdrew the arrest warrant against Ezekiel Thankgod, manager of gospel musician Mercy Chinwo.
Justice Alexander Owoeye issued a bench warrant against the music producer last week following an ex parte order filed by the EFCC.
The commission asked to withdraw the warrant in a request by its lawyer Bilikisu Buhari.
A couple escaped death on Wednesday after a container fell on their Lexus Jeep at the Toyota bus stop on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.
In a statement on Thursday, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, stated that the incident occurred in the evening after a distress call.
According to her, the incident occurred after the container accidentally fell on the rear side of the vehicle.
They were later rescued from the wreckage of their vehicle.
The statement read, “A male adult of about 45 years old and a female adult of about 37 years old (both names withheld) were rescued from the jaw of death by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service from a vehicle accident involving their Lexus Jeep 350 with registration number EKY 251 HW and a Mack Trailer with registration number BDG 513 XW conveying two containers of 20 feet each.”
The accident, which was a visible call on the Isolo Fire Station of the Agency at about 18:35 hours Wednesday, at the busy Toyota bus stop on the Apapa—Oshodi Expressway inward Isolo, Lagos, had one of the containers accidentally fall on the rear side of the vehicle while on motion, prompting sympathisers to come to their aid before firefighters teamed up to bring them out of the accident unhurt.
Adeseye added that both victims were joined by the trailer driver who also escaped unscathed and was taken through trauma therapy to ascertain their well-being.
“The remains of the vehicles had been cleared off the path of the highway by LASEMA after men of LASTMA cleared the ensuing traffic backlog with the support of the Nigeria Police from the Ilasamaja Division who had since brought the operations into conclusion,” the statement added.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of board chairpersons and chief executive officers for 42 federal organisations, alongside the secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration and Prisons Services.
The president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced this in a statement on Friday, saying all appointments take immediate effect.
“The President has also appointed a new Managing Director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a Director-General for the National Board for Technology Incubation.
Paralympian Amon Abraham Okechukwu from jumping over cars for money to Paris Olympics
“President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive,” the statement read.
1. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Hillard Eta, Chairman (Cross River State)
2. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman (Lagos State)
3. FEDERAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA, MINISTRY OF AVIATION
Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman (Kano State)
4. NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Surajudeen Ajibola, Chairman (Osun State)
5. NIGERIA BULK ELECTRICITY TRADING COMPANY
Sulaiman Argungu, Chairman (Kebbi State)
6. NATIONAL AGENCY FOR GREAT GREEN WALL
Senator Magnus Abe, Chairman (Rivers State)
7. NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE
Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau State)
8. NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)
Raji Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo State
9. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
Victor Giadom, Chairman (Rivers State)
10. TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa State)
11. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND
Hamma Kumo, Chairman (Gombe State)
12. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
Donatus Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia State)
13. SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX
Senator Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi State)
14. FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA
Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano State)
15. NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION
Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos State)
16. NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE
D.J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo State)
17. NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY
Musa Adar, Chairman (Sokoto State)
18. NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL
Prof Abdulkarim Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa State)
19. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
Garba Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna State)
20. NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Mu’azu Rijau, Chairman (Niger State)
21. NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Durosimi Meseko, Chairman (Kogi State)
22. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE
Zainab Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba State)
23. NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION
Dr Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos State)
24. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI
Durotolu Bankole, Chairman (Ogun State)
25. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA
Mr Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos State)
26. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA
Mary Idele, Chairman (Edo State)
27. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA
Chidi Duru, Chairman (Anambra State)
28. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI
Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu State)
29. CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD
Maj-Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik (retd.), Secretary (Kano State)
30. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA
Mr Uguru Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi State)
31. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA
Felix Morka, Chairman (Delta State)
32. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA
Bashir Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa State)
33. DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE
Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo State)
34. NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY
Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo State)
35. NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)
Yusuf Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna State)
36. NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE
Ali Dalori, Chairman (Borno State)
37. AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA,
KADUNA STATE
Lawal Liman (Chairman)
38. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA
Dr Abubakar Maiha (Chairman)
39. RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Isa Achida, Chairman (Sokoto State)
40. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU
Dr Mohammed Hassan, Chairman, (Zamfara State)
41. NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Yahuza Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa State)
42. SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Abubakar Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto State)
43. AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL
Augustine Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi State)
44. FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD
Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti State)
45. NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND
Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti State)
[Vanguard]
More...
A Republican house member has introduced a bill seeking to allow US President Donald Trump to run for a third term.
Andy Ogles, the representative, initiated the resolution on Thursday.
The US Constitution does not permit anyone to be elected to the office of the president more than twice.
Ogles’ resolution seeks to revise this to read: “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times … ”
According to the lawmaker, Trump “has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness, and he must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal”.
“It is imperative that we provide President Trump with every resource necessary to correct the disastrous course set by the Biden administration,” Ogles said in a statement.
“He is dedicated to restoring the republic and saving our country, and we, as legislators and as states, must do everything in our power to support him.
“I am proposing an amendment to the Constitution to revise the limitations imposed by the 22nd Amendment on presidential terms.”
Trump previously dismissed insinuations that he would seek a third term. However, after winning the 2024 presidential election, he light-heartedly hinted that he would be open to a third term during a chat with Republican lawmakers.
“I suspect I won’t be running again, unless you do something,” Trump had said.
“Unless you say, ‘he’s so good, we have to just figure it out.’”
Ogles praised Trump’s slew of executive orders signed on the first day of his second coming, including the handling of the southern border, restricting gender identities to male and female, energy production, and withdrawing from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The 22nd Amendment was proposed in 1947 and adopted in 1951. It was ratified to prevent the President Franklin Roosevelt scenario.
Roosevelt ran for the presidency and won four times (1933-1945). He died in 1945, less than 90 days after his fourth inauguration.
Afterwards, Americans welcomed George Washington’s proposition that any president who served more than two terms would likely gravitate to a king or dictator.
Washington is the founding father of the United States and the country’s first president.
Republicans currently hold a three-seat majority in the US house of representatives.
[TheCable]
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to immediately deploy new printers to the passport offices in the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta and New York, United States of America.
This is coming a few days after Vanguard Newspaper published a petition by a group of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
The petitioners had appealed to the minister to act after detailing challenges being faced by Nigerians in dire need of consular services in the two cities.
In response, Tunji-Ojo in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, acknowledged receipt of the petition while announcing his directive to the NIS.
The Minister’s response is reproduced below:
RE: NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA PETITION INTERIOR MINISTER OVER PRINTER CRISIS
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has acknowledged the receipt of a petition concerning an appeal for passport printers in Atlanta and New York Consulates in the United States of America.
To address this issue, the Minister has since approved and directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately deploy new printers to the passport offices in both cities. These printers are ready for installation. This short-term solution aims to resolve the current challenge promptly.
The Minister hinted that there is a new solution being implemented as a long-term plan that will usher in a streamlined passport regime, enabling Nigerians to apply for their passports with more ease.
Part of this plan includes the activation of the Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, which is scheduled to start in the next few weeks while also opening up more countries for the already-deployed contactless solution.
The Ministry of Interior under the Minister is working round the clock, and none of the agencies is left behind. At the Nigeria Immigration Service, for instance, there has been an end-to-end automation of the passport application process and the introduction of the contactless application process, which has since been launched in Canada.
The Minister assures that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians experience #RenewedHope laced with innovation and convenience while still enhancing national security.
Immigration crackdown: US ICE agents raid businesses, detain migrants, ‘citizens’ in New Jersey
AFOLABI
U.S. immigration agents raided business establishments in Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday and detained undocumented residents as well as citizens, including a U.S. military veteran, the city’s mayor said.
The raid in New Jersey’s most populous city, hailed in the past by mayor Ras Baraka for its “sanctuary” policies protecting migrants, follows President Donald Trump’s pledge to deport millions of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally.
Trump issued a raft of executive orders after taking office on Monday that aim to clamp down on illegal immigration. He has taken steps to punish officials who resist enforcement of his sweeping crackdown.
In a raid of a business establishment in Newark, outside New York City, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents failed to produce a warrant as they detained “undocumented residents as well as citizens,” Baraka said in a statement.
“One of the detainees is a U.S. military veteran who suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned,” Baraka said.
Baraka said the act violates the citizens’ rights under the U.S. Constitution. “Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorised,” he said.
Baraka did not identify the business raided by name. The White House and ICE had no immediate comment on the raid.
Baraka is one of the first local officials in the U.S. to state a specific raid following the start of Trump’s immigration crackdown.
In 2017, he signed an executive order cementing Newark’s sanctuary status and was a vocal opponent of Trump’s immigration policies during the president’s first term.
Of the estimated 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally or with temporary status in 2022, about 44% lived in states with “sanctuary” laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
That figure does not include those in sanctuary cities and counties in places without a statewide law, such as New Mexico.
U.S. media outlets reported that federal law enforcement and ICE agents had arrested nearly 500 undocumented migrants wanted for outstanding crimes in sanctuary cities, including some from New York and New Jersey. The reports cited ICE officials who said the arrests took place on Tuesday and Wednesday
US authorities arrested 538 illegal migrants and deported hundreds in a mass operation just days into President Donald Trump’s second administration, his press secretary said late Thursday.
“The Trump Administration arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals,” Karoline Leavitt said in a post on social platform X, adding “hundreds” were deported by military aircraft.
“The largest massive deportation operation in history is well underway. Promises made. Promises kept,” she said.
Trump promised a crackdown on illegal immigration during the election campaign and began his second term with a flurry of executive actions aimed at overhauling entry to the United States.
He has signed orders declaring a “national emergency” at the southern border and announced the deployment of more troops to the area while vowing to deport “criminal aliens.”
Early on Thursday, Newark city mayor Ras J. Baraka said in a statement that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents “raided a local establishment… detaining undocumented residents as well as citizens, without producing a warrant”.
Earlier in the week the Republican-led US Congress green-lit a bill to expand pretrial incarceration for foreign criminal suspects