Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has outlined the critical motivations that led to the political merger which ousted President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. El-Rufai addressed a recurring perception that coalitions tend to emerge mainly when a Southern leader holds the presidency. He was responding to observations connecting the formation of coalitions to Southern leadership, especially as it occurred under Jonathan and appears to be resurfacing under President Tinubu. It should be recalled that during Jonathan’s presidency, various opposition political parties merged to form what is now the All Progressives Congress (APC). Today, under President Bola Tinubu—also a Southerner—the coalition discussion is once again gaining momentum. As one of the instrumental political figures behind the formation of the APC, El-Rufai reflected on how President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year administration—often labeled as one of the most ineffective—went by without any such coalition challenges arising. When questioned about why coalitions often emerge during Southern-led governments, El-Rufai responded that the matter had never occurred to him deeply. “That’s not something I focus on. The coalition against Jonathan happened due to three major reasons,” El-Rufai stated. He elaborated further, noting: “This was a strategic survival move,” El-Rufai added. “The three major parties decided to come together because they saw the PDP overpowering them one by one. It wasn’t really about North or South. It was simply about leadership performance.” Interestingly, El-Rufai has since exited the APC and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). There is growing speculation among Nigerians that El-Rufai’s defection might be tied to grievances over President Tinubu’s refusal to appoint him as a minister. Currently, El-Rufai stands as a prominent member of an opposition alliance that has pledged to unseat President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, aiming to send him back to his Lagos residence.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to implementing infrastructural projects across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Speaking during the official commissioning of the newly built rural access road stretching from A2 Junction (Abuja–Lokoja Expressway) to the Pai community within Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Tinubu emphasized that his administration will remain steadfast in executing projects that reflect tangible and inclusive governance. The inauguration marked his administration’s two-year anniversary in office. President Tinubu stated that he intends to replicate projects similar to the A2-Pai road across the nation due to their symbolic value. He reiterated, “We won’t stop,” underscoring his dedication to ensuring that Nigerians across all regions feel the impact of infrastructural transformation. According to Tinubu, such projects are designed to uplift citizens’ lives and advance the nation’s prosperity. “We will press forward until every Nigerian can truly experience the benefits of responsive leadership and development,” the president said. He noted that the ongoing commitment to infrastructure development will uplift rural and urban lives alike, provided the momentum is sustained. “This project stands as a strategic initiative because it opens up fresh pathways for agriculture, business activities, education, movement of goods and people, and other sectors — boosting our national economy from its foundational levels,” Tinubu remarked. He emphasized the relevance of communities like Pai in Nigeria’s socio-economic structure, especially in terms of local enterprise and food supply chains. President Tinubu expressed regret that poor road conditions had long obstructed the growth and contributions of the Pai community. “That old story is being rewritten today,” he declared. He further encouraged residents to take full responsibility for the road, emphasizing community ownership and stewardship. The president concluded by expressing optimism about returning to the State House following the 2027 general elections.
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Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna State governor, has alleged that a group of urban bandits is working tirelessly to destabilize Nigeria, and that recent political movements reflect a strong counter-response aimed at restoring national direction. Speaking during an exclusive interview on Arise News on Monday evening, El-Rufai revealed that a newly formed coalition of political leaders—many of whom are now opposed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—share a common goal beyond personal ambition. According to the former Federal Capital Territory Minister, the coalition is focused solely on saving the country from targeted destruction and has yet to engage in discussions about individual political ambitions. “Nobody in the coalition is speaking about their personal aspiration—at least not for now,” El-Rufai explained. “We are politicians and students of power, so naturally, aspirations may arise later. But for now, everyone is committed to one goal: rescuing Nigeria from these urban bandits who seek to bring the nation down.” He added, “Everyone is saying, ‘We have a national crisis. Nigeria is under attack by a coordinated group of urban saboteurs. Let’s unite, remove them, and restore order and progress.’” El-Rufai emphasized that the coalition’s motivation lies in fixing the country, not pursuing personal ambition. “That shared purpose is refreshing. I feel empowered and inspired by the sincerity and urgency I’ve seen so far,” he said. El-Rufai, once a staunch supporter of President Tinubu and instrumental to his victory in the 2023 elections, has now formally exited the All Progressives Congress (APC). He has joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), marking a significant shift in the political landscape. The outspoken leader has since become a central figure in the anti-Tinubu alliance. He maintains that Tinubu will not return to Aso Rock after the 2027 elections, signaling a fierce battle ahead for the presidency.
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Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has reportedly been presented with a jaw-dropping contract proposal from Saudi Arabia, signaling a potential high-profile move this summer. The Nigerian international, who played a vital role in securing Napoli’s Serie A title two years ago, is now expected to depart the Italian club permanently in the current transfer window. Although Osimhen spent the past season on loan with Turkish giants Galatasaray, his future remains uncertain as he continues to weigh multiple transfer options. The 26-year-old previously rejected several offers from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, but the club has now returned with an upgraded bid in hopes of securing his signature. As per a report from Corriere dello Sport, the new offer would see Osimhen earning approximately £34 million annually, totaling close to £140 million over a four-year period — an offer that could place him among the highest-paid footballers globally if accepted. Osimhen currently has a £64 million release clause included in his Napoli contract.
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Nigerian hip-hop sensation Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as Odumodublvck, has confidently stated that he is “arguably the hottest artist” currently dominating the Nigerian music scene. Despite his rising fame and success in the entertainment industry, the ‘Pity This Boy’ crooner emphasized that he maintains a spirit of humility. During a conversation on the Jusmen 105.7 podcast, where he was joined by fellow members of the Antiworld Gang, Odumodublvck recounted how he continues to embrace simplicity, such as embarking on long-distance drives to fulfill his duties as a classroom corper in Osun State. “Music goes beyond just making songs. I’m probably the hottest artist in Nigeria right now,” he expressed. “Yet, I’m still taking a six-hour drive to Ife, turning down million-naira deals, simply because I want to serve children in schools.” He further added that his dedication to serving schoolchildren stems from a spiritual motivation. “Children are the closest thing to God. When you commit yourself to them, you are truly fulfilling a higher calling,” he remarked.
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The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has issued a clarion call to her counterparts across Nigerian states, emphasizing that the public is closely monitoring their performance and expects to witness concrete advancements in service efficiency, digitally enabled governance, and a highly motivated workforce. Walson-Jack made these remarks during Day One of the Study Tour for State Heads of Service held in Abuja on Monday. She stressed that embedding a disciplined, technology-oriented, and citizen-first public sector at the core of national development efforts can yield substantial results. As part of the event, participating state Heads of Service visited several key federal ministries and institutions in Abuja to gain practical insights. The goal of the tour, according to Walson-Jack, is to enhance participants’ grasp of strategic planning, efficient service systems, and workforce development approaches that align with international best practices. She emphasized the importance of leveraging digital technologies and data-centric systems to transform operations and reinforce collaboration between state and federal civil service structures. “We are in the concluding phase of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25),” she stated. “The theme we’ve chosen for this phase – ‘Final Sprint: Delivering Results’ – goes beyond mere words; it represents a definitive pledge to action and measurable outcomes.” Walson-Jack explained that the concept of a “sprint” involves more than speed — it also demands accuracy, endurance, and commitment. She encouraged her peers to realign their state-level civil service goals to ensure consistency with the national objectives outlined in FCSSIP 25. “This year marks the ‘Year of Accomplishment’, a time for delivery — not declarations. Nigerians are paying attention. Let them witness our transformation: through streamlined processes, public service innovation, digital integration, and a well-driven public sector workforce.” She urged all state Heads of Service to participate actively throughout the tour sessions and site engagements, to challenge existing paradigms, and to engage deeply by asking thought-provoking questions, sharing insights, and returning with applicable solutions aligned with their individual state agendas. Finally, she called on them to lead boldly with clarity of purpose and courageous vision, ensuring that their teams remain inspired and focused on results.
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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has issued a stern caution against Iran pursuing nuclear weapon capabilities, describing it as a grave threat to both global and regional stability, especially as tensions between Iran and Israel continue to intensify. During a pre-summit press briefing in The Hague, Rutte expressed his deep concern, describing the potential for Iran to possess a nuclear bomb as his “greatest fear.” He warned that such a development would grant Tehran a dangerous strategic advantage over Israel, severely endangering international peace. “NATO’s position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions has always been clear—under no circumstances should Iran be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons,” Rutte emphasized. He reiterated that all NATO allies remain unified in this stance, brushing aside speculations that the escalating conflict in the Middle East might detract from the alliance’s main agenda during the summit, which is set to convene on Tuesday with participation from leaders of all 32 member nations. Rutte further condemned Iran’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, specifically criticizing Tehran’s provision of military drones to Russia. “Iranian-manufactured drones are responsible for daily civilian casualties in Ukraine. These attacks show a blatant disregard for human life,” he said. Rutte’s strong statements came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that American forces had deployed “bunker buster” bombs targeting parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Although Trump proclaimed the mission a success, U.S. officials noted that a full assessment of the operation’s impact is still underway. Iran, in reaction, issued stern warnings, accusing the United States of escalating the conflict and promising “serious and unpredictable consequences” if provocations continue. Additionally, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, harshly criticized Israel’s ongoing military campaign, calling it “a major blunder.” According to figures released by Iran’s Ministry of Health, more than 400 civilians have lost their lives in Israeli air raids since June 13. Iran’s counter-attacks have also reportedly resulted in at least 24 Israeli fatalities. When asked about the legality of U.S. military strikes on Iranian facilities, Rutte defended Washington’s actions, stating: “I do not agree with the argument that these operations violate international law.”
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector by encouraging young Nigerians to embrace mechanized farming. On Monday, during the official unveiling of the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme held in Abuja, Tinubu stated that his administration is determined to make farming appealing—or as he put it, “more sexy”—to the youth demographic. While addressing stakeholders at the launch, the President emphasized that the programme is a step toward achieving his vision of positioning Nigeria as a global leader in agriculture. “We have over 2,000 state-of-the-art tractors, 50 industrial-grade land preparation bulldozers, 12 fully equipped mobile workshops, and more than 9,000 specialized agricultural implements,” he noted. According to him, this investment in machinery is designed to simplify the farming process, provide jobs, and empower agricultural service providers nationwide. The President stressed that this modernization would make agriculture a viable and attractive option for Nigerian youths, who have often overlooked farming due to its traditionally labor-intensive nature. “There’s no need to rely on outdated 18th-century methods when we’re in the 21st century. These new tools will revolutionize how farming is done in Nigeria,” he added. President Tinubu further disclosed that the federal government is partnering with international organizations to train young Nigerians in the use of modern agricultural equipment. These collaborations, he said, aim to equip the youth with vital technical skills that will lead to financial empowerment and long-term independence.
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has flagged off a major agricultural transformation initiative with the nationwide launch of 2,000 tractors under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme. The unveiling, which took place on Monday, marks a significant step toward the realization of large-scale mechanised farming in Nigeria. The event was held at the National Agricultural Seeds Council facility located in Sheda, along the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, with dignitaries and stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain in attendance. A Bold Move Toward Food Security and Rural Development Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to revolutionising the agriculture sector, President Tinubu highlighted the programme as a critical pillar in the ongoing push to achieve national food security and rural empowerment. “This commissioning marks a pivotal moment in our journey toward food security,” Tinubu declared. “It’s a bold step toward equipping farmers with modern tools and empowering our rural communities.” He emphasised that mechanised farming is key to transforming agriculture from subsistence to commercial scale, ultimately leading to food surplus in Nigeria and improving the standard of living across rural areas. Delivering on Promises of Agricultural Reforms President Tinubu recalled that his government had earlier raised concerns over Nigeria’s looming food crisis and had since been working to develop innovative and immediate solutions. “We made a vow when we assumed office, and we are fulfilling it,” he stated. “Two years ago, I raised the alarm about our food security challenges. This mechanisation initiative is a concrete answer to that call.” Nigeria’s Agricultural Vision Goes Global Looking beyond local sufficiency, Tinubu revealed the administration’s broader ambition—to position Nigeria as a global player in agricultural exports. He expressed confidence that the country has the potential to provide high-quality produce to international markets while ensuring every Nigerian has access to affordable, nutritious food. He added, “This is more than just about self-reliance. We’re building a future where Nigerian farmers thrive both locally and globally. We are just getting started.” The Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme is expected to significantly increase crop yields, reduce manual labour for farmers, and open up opportunities for agro-industrial investments.
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Fulham star midfielder, Alex Iwobi, has expressed strong ambition for the club, stating that their goal for the upcoming 2025/26 Premier League season must be to secure a European qualification spot, according to LMSINT MEDIA. Under the leadership of Marco Silva, Fulham concluded the previous season in eighth place in the English Premier League standings. This result marked a record-breaking performance for the West London club, their highest-ever finish since joining the Premier League. Despite this historic finish, Fulham still fell short of qualifying for European competitions. Iwobi emphasized that the squad’s strong display last season should now serve as inspiration for greater achievement in the upcoming campaign. “What we achieved last season should be a stepping stone, a motivation, for us to achieve Europe now,” Iwobi shared during an interview with Sky Sports.
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Galatasaray’s Deputy Chairman, İbrahim Hatipoğlu, has refuted claims linking the Turkish giants with a summer transfer move for Manchester City midfielder İlkay Gündoğan. Hatipoğlu made it clear that Galatasaray has had no formal discussions with Manchester City or Gündoğan’s representatives. He emphasized that the club is not pursuing the German international and has not discussed any financial matters with his camp. According to Turkish sports outlet Habersarikirmizi, Hatipoğlu stated: “We’ve had no dealings with Manchester City over any transfer.There have been no talks about finances with İlkay Gündoğan or his manager.Such a plan does not currently exist on our agenda.” Instead, Hatipoğlu affirmed that Victor Osimhen remains the club’s top priority in this summer’s transfer window. Galatasaray is reportedly focused on making a permanent move for the Nigerian striker, who had an impactful loan spell last season. “Right now, every attention is on securing Victor Osimhen’s transfer.We’ll only consider other players if our coach expresses a specific desire later,” Hatipoğlu added. Osimhen, who previously joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, is yet to finalize where he will play next season following the end of his contract with the Turkish champions.
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Former Big Brother Naija housemate and entrepreneur, Uriel Oputa, has openly criticized the trend of age shaming—especially targeting women—in a powerful message on her Instagram page. In her heartfelt post, Uriel addressed Nigerian men specifically, expressing dismay over how some of them use a woman’s age as a tool for mockery, rather than appreciating the natural and inevitable process of growing older. “This message is directed at Nigerian men,” she said. “It’s offensive to God to weaponize a woman’s age against her. I posted a video to inspire or educate, and all you could take from it is, ‘you’re getting old’? You ignored the core message because you lack the intelligence to apply its wisdom to your life. Instead, you cling to the notion of aging.” Uriel emphasized that growing older is not something to be ashamed of, but a divine privilege. She stated firmly that she’d much rather embrace old age than face an early death. “Be mindful before you insult a woman who is aging with beauty and grace. It’s not a curse; it’s a blessing. Aging is an honour. I would rather get old than be buried young, full of regrets. Many wealthy individuals wish they had just one more day to breathe. Don’t ridicule what you fail to comprehend—because life has a way of teaching hard truths.” Her video triggered an outpouring of supportive reactions on social media, with many praising her courage and self-confidence in standing against societal double standards. Reactions from fans LMSINT MEDIA gathered a few notable responses from fans and followers reacting to Uriel’s bold stand:
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Renowned Nollywood star Angela Okorie has opened up about long-held misunderstandings surrounding her personality, stating that she is genuinely a “free spirit” with a compassionate nature. Through a heartfelt Instagram update, the actress—who has gained fame for both her acting prowess and fearless demeanor—clarified that contrary to public opinion, she does not dwell on negativity or harbor resentment. Rather than focusing on hate or grudges, Angela noted that she lives her life rooted in peace, joy, and forgiveness. “There’s one fact about me everyone should understand: I am a free spirit, and my heart is clean towards all. I easily forgive and never carry grudges, regardless of the situation,” she wrote in the post. Angela also recounted a recent moment when someone asked how she manages the criticism and hate that often come her way. Her reply? “I forgive them even before they hurt me.” She further explained that while she may initially react like any ordinary human being, she quickly lets go of the offense and chooses to move forward positively.
