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Nigeria Targeted for Ruin by Organised Urban Bandits — El-Rufai

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Nigeria Targeted for Ruin by Organised Urban Bandits — El-Rufai

Nigeria is being targeted for destruction by a group of urban bandits, according to Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State.
He said this in an interview that aired Monday night on Arise News. El-Rufai claimed that the anti-Tinubu alliance is concentrating on a single objective and that the leadership’s stance has given him a sense of empowerment and encouragement.

No coalition leader, at least not yet, “is talking about his aspiration,” according to the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Well, I’m sure they would [discuss aspiration later] because we are politicians and power-hungry students,” he remarked. So, sure, they will do that, but no one is saying things like, “Leave this for me, or I want to be president,” etc.

Read Also: El-Rufai Urges Nigerians: Consider a New Leader if Tinubu Hasn’t Improved Your Life

We have an issue, everyone is saying. An assemblage of urban criminals is out to destroy this nation. Come united, send them home, and help this nation get back on track.

“It is about repairing the nation.” So far, his desire has been well received, and no one is discussing it. I am also encouraged.

A major contributor to Tinubu’s ascent to the presidency in 2023, El-Rufai has now defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Tin.

El-Rufai Urges Nigerians: Consider a New Leader if Tinubu Hasn’t Improved Your Life

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El-Rufai Urges Nigerians: Consider a New Leader if Tinubu Hasn’t Improved Your Life

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has indicated that President Bola Tinubu has a 91% disapproval rating in the Northern and Southeastern areas, and hence he does not see him returning to office in 2027.
Former All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Bola Tinubu has asked Nigerians to give other candidates a chance to lead the country if their livelihoods have not improved since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.
El-Rufai, who recently defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), emphasized Tinubu’s substantial failures in security, economics, and trade during the last two years.
According to sources, the former Governor made the revelation during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday evening. POCO smartphones.

“We have to ask the people to make up their minds; do you like what is going on?” This is only two years. If your life has improved since Tinubu was sworn in on May 29, 2023, great; if not, why not give someone else a chance?” El-Rufai asked.

He continued, “We conducted polling in many sections of the country, particularly in the southeast and north. President Tinubu has a 91% unfavorable rating nationwide, including 78% in Lagos.

“He is performing slightly better in states in the Southwest, Ondo and Ekiti, where he has a disapproval rating of more than 78%, but he is not doing better than 50% anywhere, even in the Southwest.

“The individual is gone; he did poorly. The economy has stalled, the security architecture has collapsed, there are no clear trade and investment policies, and everything is going wrong.

“They are raising lots of revenues, but we don’t know where the revenues are going because there are no results.”

Brazilian Vice President Visits Nigeria for High-Level Strategic Talks

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Brazilian Vice President Visits Nigeria for High-Level Strategic Talks

The Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, alongside his wife Maria Alckmin, arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, to participate in the Second Session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) — a crucial platform aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

The delegation touched down at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where they were warmly received by top Nigerian officials, including the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha; and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.

The visit marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s diplomatic outreach within the Global South, with expectations of major breakthroughs across sectors such as agriculture, energy, defence, and culture.

Speaking during the reception, Senator Hadejia described the visit as “a pivotal moment in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.” He underscored Brazil’s strategic importance to Nigeria, noting:

“This dialogue underscores our dedication to building South-South partnerships that deliver real benefits to our people. Brazil’s strengths in agribusiness, energy transition, and industrialization align perfectly with Nigeria’s transformation goals.”

The high-level engagement is set to conclude with the signing of more than 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), covering vital areas such as defence collaboration, agricultural technology exchange, energy cooperation, and cultural partnerships.

Trump Condemns Medvedev’s Nuclear Threat as Tensions Rise Over Iran Strikes

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Trump Condemns Medvedev’s Nuclear Threat as Tensions Rise Over Iran Strikes

President Donald Trump has strongly criticized former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev for suggesting that Russia and its allies could supply Iran with nuclear warheads following recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Medvedev, who led Russia between 2008 and 2012 and served as prime minister until 2020, condemned the U.S. military action targeting Iran’s Fordow, Esfahan, and Natanz nuclear sites. In a statement, he warned that certain countries were prepared to “directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads” in response to what he described as American aggression.

President Trump, posting on his Truth Social account, expressed alarm at the remark:

“Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other Countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran? Did he really say that or, is it just a figment of my imagination? If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY.”

He further criticized the casual reference to nuclear weapons, adding:

“I guess that’s why Putin’s ‘THE BOSS.’”

Trump highlighted the strength of America’s military capabilities, praising the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine fleet as among the most advanced in the world. He indicated that the fleet had played a significant role in the strikes:

“They are the most powerful and lethal weapons ever built, and just launched the 30 Tomahawks — all 30 hit their mark perfectly.”

The recent U.S. strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear infrastructure reportedly caused significant damage. Satellite images showed craters and blocked tunnel entrances at key sites, although not all claims of destruction have been independently verified.

Iran has since vowed to retaliate. On Monday, the country launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. airbase in Qatar, further raising regional tensions.

 

Iran Attacks U.S. Air Base; No Casualties as Qatar Intercepts Missile Barrage

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Iran Attacks U.S. Air Base; No Casualties as Qatar Intercepts Missile Barrage

Iran launched a missile attack on Monday against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the region. However, Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted the missiles, and no casualties or damage were reported at the American base.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the attack shortly after explosions were witnessed in the skies over Qatar. The missile strike followed U.S. airstrikes on Saturday that targeted three key nuclear facilities in Iran, prompting expectations of retaliation.

A U.S. defense official confirmed the incident:

“I can confirm that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran today. At this time, there are no reports of U.S. casualties. We are monitoring this situation closely and will provide more information as it becomes available.”

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack in strong terms. Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari stated:

“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law.”

Iranian state media portrayed the attack as a successful response to U.S. aggression. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on social media:

“We were neither the initiators of war nor its seekers; but we will not leave aggression against Great Iran unanswered. With all our being, we will stand for the security of this Dear Nation and respond to every wound inflicted on Iran’s body with faith, reason, and resolve.”

About 10,000 U.S. troops are stationed at Al Udeid Air Base. American officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, had anticipated possible Iranian retaliation.

“They’ll attack our bases. And those are our bases, and we’re going to defend our personnel,” Rubio said in a television interview. “We’ll impose costs on Iran if they attack American personnel, whether they do it directly or through proxies.”

 

Fidelity Bank’s Essential Items Donation Brings Relief to Old People’s Home in Lagos

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Fidelity Bank’s Essential Items Donation Brings Relief to Old People’s Home in Lagos

Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading player in Nigeria’s banking sector, has reinforced its commitment to corporate social responsibility with the donation of food items and other essentials to the Old People’s Home in Yaba, Lagos.

The impactful gesture was driven by the bank’s Nexus Inductees Class, under its flagship CSR platform, the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP). Through the FHHP, staff across the bank’s branches identify pressing needs within their communities, pool resources to address them, and receive matched funding support from the bank’s management.

During the presentation, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank, highlighted the importance of supporting senior citizens who have contributed to society.

“This donation is a token of our appreciation for the remarkable parents and guardians who raised individuals that trust us with their banking needs. It reflects our deep commitment to ensuring our senior citizens enjoy the care, comfort, and dignity they deserve,” Nwagboh stated.

Expressing gratitude, Adetutu Ipaye, Director-in-Charge of the Old People’s Home, praised the bank’s intervention.

“Initiatives like this are crucial for sustaining our mission and improving the quality of life for our residents. We encourage other organizations to take a cue from Fidelity Bank’s kind gesture,” she said.

One of the elderly beneficiaries, Mr. Kamoru Adeyetu, shared his appreciation:

“Your visit has brought us great joy. Beyond the gifts, your presence means so much to us. We hope you will visit us again.”

Fidelity Bank continues to stand out for its commitment to community development. The bank serves over 9.1 million customers via its digital channels, 255 business offices nationwide, and FidBank UK Limited, its UK subsidiary. The institution has also earned several prestigious awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award (BAFI) and Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria (Euromoney Awards for Excellence).

 

184 Million Passwords Leaked in Massive Data Breach – What You Need to Know

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184 Million Passwords Leaked in Massive Data Breach – What You Need to Know

Users of popular services including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and more have been impacted by the disclosure of over 184 million unique account credentials due to a significant cybersecurity attack. Usernames, passwords, emails, and URLs connected to government, banking, and health accounts in addition to social media platforms were contained in the breach.

According to cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler, the database was discovered to be an unencrypted plain text file with no password protections or encryption, making it accessible to everybody. Infostealer malware, a tool frequently used by hackers to gather private information from infected devices and sites, was the source of the data, according to Fowler.

Fowler found the file and notified the hosting company, which quickly blocked the database’s public access. Nevertheless, it is still unclear who was responsible for the leak. Attempts to check the legitimacy of the data showed that a large number of people validated the disclosed credentials.

Read Also: Okanga: Building Bridges, Moving People Forward

The breach presents significant hazards, such as:

Attacks known as “credential stuffing” occur when hackers gain access to other accounts by using stolen information.

takeovers of accounts for identity theft and fraud.

Business credentials were among the stolen data, along with ransomware and corporate espionage.

Several credentials linked to state entities were exposed, indicating government targeting.

Social engineering and phishing can be used to commit scams since they expose emails.

Fowler cautioned that people frequently save private information in their emails, such as tax returns or medical records, without being aware of the security hazards. He advised people to exercise prudence by doing the following:

updating passwords on a regular basis.

utilizing distinct, challenging passwords for every account.

enabling MFA, or multi-factor authentication.

Think about password organizers.

checking accounts for unusual behavior.

use HaveIBeenPwned and similar services to check for leaks.

utilizing up-to-date security software to prevent infection.

The event serves as a reminder of the increasing risk of data breaches and the importance of being vigilant when it comes to safeguarding private and corporate data online.

Okanga: Building Bridges, Moving People Forward

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Okanga: Building Bridges, Moving People Forward

Chief Dr. Philip Agbese has emerged as a symbol of what it means to lead with heart, courage, and purpose in a time when Nigeria is in dire need of authentic leadership. He is more than just a National Assembly representative; he is a real leader, a community organizer, and a builder of bridges between people, places, and goals.
Okanga dominates not only political space but also his people’s hearts. His leadership is based on significant action rather than grandiose pronouncements. His people understand him, and he understands them. He has gained trust over the years, a shared vision, and practical backing, and he knows how to mobilize communities with more than just speeches.
Okanga draws people together in town hall assemblies, church gatherings, youth forums, and rural communities. He brings together women’s organizations, civil society, young leaders, and traditional authorities with the shared objective of advancing everyone. He is aware that progress is something you create with the people, not something you force onto them.

Read Also: 2027: Baba-Ahmed Urges Opposition to Unite, Warns of Aiding Tinubu’s Victory

Additionally, he creates peace, alliances, and relationships in addition to initiatives. Okanga has emerged as the link between the government and the people, between communities and possibilities, and between the issues of today and the solutions of tomorrow in an area that is diverse and frequently divided.
He unifies when others divide.
He inspires where others order.
Okanga fills the gaps left by others.
His leadership style serves as a reminder that people may drive development, leadership can be compassionate, and politics can be honorable. Okanga provides stability in unpredictable times, whether it is through crisis response, community development mobilization, or the settlement of long-standing conflicts.
He is a true leader, not merely a title leader. A person who organizes others. A bridge constructor. A servant of the people.

2027: Baba-Ahmed Urges Opposition to Unite, Warns of Aiding Tinubu’s Victory

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2027: Baba-Ahmed Urges Opposition to Unite, Warns of Aiding Tinubu’s Victory

Former presidential political adviser Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has discussed the difficulties Nigeria’s opposition faces in forming a coalition to take on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the run-up to the 2027 elections.

Baba-Ahmed clarified in an interview that there might be significant obstacles to the coalition’s attempt to form a new party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA). Because it includes well-known politicians, he pointed out, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is unlikely to single out this application because it hasn’t registered any new parties in years. He said that if INEC gave the ADA’s registration priority, it would run the danger of coming seen as biased.

Baba-Ahmed underlined that significant progress is being impeded by a lack of internal trust, conflicting goals, and the incorrect people leading the opposition. He said:

“We don’t have mutual trust. The main players are not united. This attempt to create an alternative to the APC is being led by the wrong individuals. Instead of re-elected politicians, Nigerians prefer leadership that is credible, new, and visionary.

Read Also: 2027: Meet the Front-Runners Ready to Take on Tinubu

Baba-Ahmed explained his departure from government employment by saying:

“I entered with the intention of fixing the nation, but I ended up having nothing worthwhile to do. Technocratic counsel did not sit well with the administration. I decided to go rather than do nothing.

He called for a generational change and the involvement of young, vibrant Nigerians with new ideas, emphasizing that the opposition must rise above personal ambition. Baba-Ahmed cautioned:

“Without a genuine alternative and credible leadership, the opposition risks handing over 2027 to Tinubu on a platter.”

Lastly, he refuted the idea that coalitions only form when a southerner holds political power, pointing to past coalitions that span Nigeria’s many regions.

2027: Meet the Front-Runners Ready to Take on Tinubu

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2027: Meet the Front-Runners Ready to Take on Tinubu

As the political landscape in Nigeria heats up for the general election in 2027, focus is shifting to possible opponents who might unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is running for a second term. A number of seasoned politicians are reportedly putting themselves in the running for office due to the general public’s concern over governance and economic hardship.

The Nigerian’s analysis of seven notable individuals who might pose a significant threat is provided below:

Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku Abubakar, a well-known figure in Nigerian presidential politics, has run for president several times without winning. Atiku’s second-place result in the 2023 election may be complicated by internal PDP disagreements and calls for a southern power rotation.

Well done, Jonathan.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has enjoyed a rise in popularity after he left office in 2015. The PDP reportedly pushed him to run for president again in 2027. Though Jonathan has not disclosed his plans, political analysts think he might win over the north.

Read Also: Bayelsa Governor Vows More Support at University of Africa’s Landmark Convocation

Kwankwaso Rabiu Musa
The Kwankwasiyya movement’s leader and former Kano State governor is still well-known, especially in the north. He finished in a far-off fourth place during his 2023 campaign with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). It is unknown what his next political move will be.

Saraki Bukola.
After serving two terms as governor of Kwara State and as president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics. He has not yet indicated any definite aspirations for 2027, despite finishing third in the PDP’s 2022 presidential primaries.

Peter Obio
With his outstanding success under the Labour Party, garnering more than 6 million votes, the former governor of Anambra State changed the political landscape of Nigeria in 2023. Although Obi still has the backing of young people, observers are keeping an eye on him to see if he can maintain this momentum for another run.

The Nasir El-Rufai
In opposition circles, El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, is still a powerful voice. He hasn’t declared his intention to run for president, but some think he might run for vice president or serve as a kingmaker in an opposition alliance.

The Amaechi Rotimi
Amaechi is viewed as a possible candidate due to his years of political experience as the former minister of transportation and governor of Rivers State. His next move is eagerly anticipated by onlookers.

Nigeria’s political environment is expected to see fierce alliances, conflicts, and maneuvering as the 2027 countdown draws near. It is unclear if President Tinubu will be able to overcome these obstacles or if a strong opponent will surface.

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