Donald Trump’s appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services has sparked significant controversy. Kennedy, known for his skepticism about vaccines and promoting conspiracy theories, represents Trump’s most radical anti-establishment decision to date. While previous Trump nominations for key roles like attorney general and defense secretary were expected to have a long-term impact, Kennedy’s leadership could result in immediate and profound changes in public health policy, potentially affecting millions of Americans. Kennedy, a prominent figure in the e-sports industry as a content creator and brand ambassador for ONIC Esports, has garnered attention as an influencer with over 1 million Instagram followers due to her gaming achievements. However, the recent release of a private video alleged to feature Kennedy has shifted public interest toward her personal life. The video, which has circulated widely online, has raised questions about its authenticity, but no official confirmation has been given. This incident mirrors similar scandals involving Pakistani influencers, such as Imsha Rehman and Minahil Malik, who faced significant backlash after their private content was leaked. Rehman, who faced accusations of orchestrating the leak for attention, deactivated her social media accounts amid severe criticism. Malik also dealt with accusations but denied involvement and sought action through the Federal Investigation Agency. Back to Trump’s controversial pick, the choice of Kennedy has left medical professionals alarmed due to his previous assertions that contradict established scientific consensus on vaccine safety and effectiveness. If Kennedy acts on his statements, such as advocating for mass dismissals at the National Institutes of Health or challenging vaccination efforts, it could pose significant public health risks. His past remarks that no vaccine is completely safe and his opposition to vaccine mandates for public schools amplify concerns. Trump’s justification for these choices is part of his broader campaign pledge to disrupt the Washington establishment and pursue policies aligned with his supporters’ anti-bureaucratic sentiments. Some Republican officials defend these decisions, asserting that Trump’s electoral win grants him the mandate to reshape policy significantly. Despite this defense, health experts like Dr. Ashish Jha and Dr. Richard Besser have expressed deep concerns about Kennedy’s potential influence over health policies, warning that it could undermine trust in crucial public health measures. The World Health Organization and CDC have reported rising measles cases, emphasizing the necessity of vaccinations—an area potentially impacted by Kennedy’s views. The confirmation of Kennedy and other controversial Cabinet members will test the resolve of Senate Republicans. If blocked, Trump has threatened to use recess appointments to bypass Senate approval, which would further strain political alliances. The situation puts moderate GOP senators and retiring members in a challenging position, potentially swaying their votes. The stance of outgoing Senate leader Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, could also be pivotal in Kennedy’s confirmation. READ ALSO: Lydia Onics, an Indonesian celebrity, claims that her private footage was leaked.
Lydia Onic, a prominent professional gamer and content creator, known for her role as a brand ambassador for ONIC Esports, has become the subject of controversy following the leak of an explicit video allegedly featuring her. The 12-minute video has generated significant attention on social media, with many asserting that the individual in the video closely resembles Lydia Onic, who is also recognized by the name Lydia Setiawan within the gaming community. Lydia, who has garnered over 1 million followers on Instagram and is celebrated for her gaming prowess, now finds her personal life under public scrutiny due to the widely shared video. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the video’s authenticity or whether it indeed involves Lydia. This incident is part of a trend of similar controversies, including cases involving Pakistani TikTok personalities Imsha Rehman and Minahil Malik, whose private videos recently went viral. Imsha Rehman, aged 22 and popular on TikTok, faced significant criticism after her intimate video was leaked online. Accusations surfaced that she had released the video intentionally for attention, although it is believed she may have been a victim of a data breach. Following the backlash and a surge of negative comments, Rehman deactivated her social media accounts, stating, “Till the time video is viral, I have deactivated my account.” Images from the video spread rapidly, becoming fodder for memes and further intensifying the controversy. READ ALSO: Baltasar Engonga is fired as finance chief of Equatorial Guinea due to a sexual scandal. Minahil Malik, another influencer from Pakistan, experienced a similar ordeal when an intimate video with her boyfriend emerged online. While she denied leaking the video herself and lodged a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Malik was also met with skepticism, with critics accusing her of exploiting the situation for publicity.
The Ogun State government has announced that Friday will be a work-free day to allow civil servants to travel to their local areas and participate in the local government elections scheduled for Saturday. The announcement was made in a circular dated November 14, 2024, and signed by the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya. The statement outlined that Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun approved the work-free day to encourage full participation in the elections taking place across the state’s 20 local government areas and 237 wards on November 16, 2024. This initiative aims to support citizens in fulfilling their civic responsibilities without obstacles, showcasing the governor’s dedication to democratic participation and community involvement. The government also stated that movement of people and vehicles would be restricted on Saturday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., advising residents to plan their activities accordingly and inform their family and friends. READ ALSO: Baltasar Engonga is fired as finance chief of Equatorial Guinea due to a sexual scandal. Permanent secretaries and heads of agencies were instructed to ensure compliance with the directive. The local government election, managed by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, will elect chairpersons and councillors for the state’s 20 local government areas and 236 wards.
The government of Equatorial Guinea has removed Baltasar Ebang Engonga from his position as Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) after more than 400 sex tapes featuring him with the wives of influential figures in the country appeared online. Reports indicated that Engonga was involved in affairs with several prominent women, including his brother’s wife, the vice president’s wife, and the wife of the inspector general of police. His dismissal was formalized under Decree No. 118/2024 on November 4, citing misconduct and behavior deemed inappropriate for public office. Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). First Lady Mrs. Obiang expressed concern over the scandal on Facebook, urging immediate government intervention to uphold the dignity of Equatoguinean women in the digital era. She highlighted the need for proactive measures to ensure a respectful and secure environment for women. Prime Minister Osa Nsue also acknowledged the damage to the nation’s reputation and its gender equality efforts. He mentioned that the government is considering stricter privacy and data protection laws to prevent future issues and ensure citizens’ rights are respected. This situation has sparked a broader conversation about privacy boundaries in the digital age, with calls for legislative, educational, and social measures to curb the spread of inappropriate content online. Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue ordered the telecommunications ministry and mobile service providers to take steps against the spread of the explicit videos, emphasizing that families should not be subjected to distress from such incidents. The government subsequently restricted multimedia file sharing via mobile data on platforms like WhatsApp, leading to public frustration as people turned to Wi-Fi for sharing media. READ ALSO: In a single week, troops kill 88 terrorists and apprehend 228 suspects. The videos were reportedly released while Engonga was detained at Malabo’s Black Beach prison for allegedly embezzling public funds. Chief Prosecutor Anatolio Nzang Nguema noted that if medical tests revealed Engonga had a sexually transmitted disease, further legal action would be taken for endangering public health.
Nigerian military forces have made significant gains in recent operations, eliminating 88 terrorists and apprehending 228 suspects. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, stated on Thursday that these results were achieved in various operations across northern Nigeria. He remarked, “Troops are intensifying efforts to eradicate terrorist threats in the North West and other regions. Operations are being adjusted to encircle these groups, enhancing mission effectiveness to dismantle terror networks.” During the past week, troops also detained 40 individuals involved in oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped victims. In the South-South region, the military intercepted stolen crude oil valued at approximately N1 billion and disrupted several illegal operations. They destroyed 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks, and 59 illicit refining sites. Additional items seized included three barges, seven speedboats, 73 drums, a tricycle, five pumping machines, three phones, and nine vehicles. A total of 942,420 liters of stolen crude oil, 175,075 liters of illegally refined diesel (AGO), and 4,980 liters of petrol (PMS) were recovered. The troops also secured 84 assorted weapons and 2,393 rounds of ammunition, including 34 AK-47 rifles, 15 fabricated rifles, 11 Dane guns, and other firearms. READ ALSO: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year The cache also included 1,807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 314 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 146 rounds of 7.62mm PKM ammo, and other munitions, along with 25 magazines, two radios, 16 vehicles, 35 motorcycles, 27 phones, and cash totaling N1,851,000.
The federal government has announced a proposed budget of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year. This information was shared by Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, during a press briefing on Thursday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu. Bagudu stated that the council had approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2025-2027. READ ALSO: With confidence after Trump’s election, the cryptocurrency market reaches a record $3 trillion. The minister noted that the budget sets the crude oil benchmark at $75 per barrel, with a production target of 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd). Additionally, the budget plans for an exchange rate of N1,400 per dollar and aims for a GDP growth rate of 6.4%.
The global cryptocurrency market has reached an all-time high of $3 trillion, driven by growing expectations of more favorable regulatory policies following Donald Trump’s recent election as U.S. president. This shift has reignited investor optimism, pushing the market value of digital assets to nearly $3.2 trillion, surpassing the previous peaks seen in 2021 when stimulus measures during the pandemic spurred speculative investments. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, was a key contributor to this milestone, with its price climbing to a record high of $93,480 on November 14, according to CoinGecko. As Bitcoin’s price rises, it often triggers gains across the broader crypto market, with capital flowing into alternative cryptocurrencies. “Typically, when Bitcoin hits a major milestone, altcoins follow suit. With this trend, we can expect the total market capitalization to keep growing,” said Matthew Dibb, Chief Investment Officer at Astronaut Capital. Optimism about regulation has bolstered investor confidence. Trump’s election, alongside victories for pro-crypto lawmakers in Congress, is seen as a catalyst for reducing regulatory uncertainty, creating a more favorable environment for cryptocurrencies. Since the November 5 election, Bitcoin has risen by 30% to $90,000, Ethereum has gained 33% to reach $3,220, and Dogecoin, frequently endorsed by Elon Musk, has surged by 140%. Cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have also seen increased buying activity, likely due to institutional investors seeking indirect exposure to digital assets. Carl Szantyr, founder of Blockstone Capital, stated, “Given the current momentum, a $100,000 Bitcoin by year-end seems achievable.” The recent surge contrasts sharply with the “crypto winter” of the previous year, when Bitcoin struggled below $20,000 after the collapse of FTX and other major crypto players. However, the $3 trillion valuation still pales in comparison to traditional assets such as gold, valued at $19 trillion, or the S&P 500, with a market cap of $50.6 trillion. While the overall market has rebounded, some segments are still showing slower recovery. The average sale price of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has plateaued around $2,700, a modest increase from earlier this year’s $2,000 average, according to NonFungible.com data. DBS Bank in Singapore, which operates a digital exchange, reported a significant rise in trading volumes since November. Yet, clients remain cautious, preferring to trade well-established assets over engaging with more speculative decentralized exchanges. READ ALSO: 148 Nigerians, including infants repatriated from the Niger Republic, are received by Nigeria. Despite mixed performances across different areas of the crypto ecosystem, there is growing optimism that the increased market capitalization will lead to greater interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain applications, according to Danny Chong, co-founder of the DeFi platform Tranchess.
The Nigerian government has confirmed the arrival of 148 citizens who were repatriated from Niger Republic. This was disclosed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in a statement on Thursday, noting that the return took place on Tuesday. According to the statement, the returnees were received by NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Office (LTO) along with other stakeholders, with assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The statement further mentioned that the returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Cargo Terminal in Lagos at around 2:15 PM aboard a Skymali flight with registration ER-CTZ. The group included 120 adult males, nine adult females, 10 male children, seven female children, and two infants. READ ALSO: Just In: India’s PM Modi To Visits Nigeria On Saturday The statement also highlighted that due to heavy rain, there was a short delay in disembarking the returnees from the aircraft. Once the weather improved, the Nigerian Immigration Service officials arrived, and buses provided by the aircraft handlers transported the returnees to a biometric registration center for documentation. The presence of other key stakeholders, such as representatives from NCFRMI, IOM, and FAAN, was noted at the scene.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is set to visit Nigeria from November 16-17, 2024. This visit, marking the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years, comes at the invitation of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as announced by India’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. Modi’s visit will include talks focused on reviewing the strategic partnership between India and Nigeria and exploring ways to strengthen bilateral ties. He is also expected to address members of the Indian community in Nigeria. India and Nigeria have been strategic partners since 2007, with significant cooperation in the areas of economy, energy, and defense. Over 200 Indian companies have invested more than USD 27 billion in key sectors in Nigeria, reflecting their strong development partnership. Following his visit to Nigeria, Modi will travel to Rio De Janeiro to attend the G20 Summit hosted by Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva from November 18-19, 2024. India is part of the G20 Troika alongside Brazil and South Africa and has actively engaged in G20 discussions. During the summit, Modi will present India’s stance on various global issues, building on previous outcomes from the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration and the Voice of the Global South Summits. He is also expected to meet with multiple world leaders on the sidelines of the summit. READ ALSO: A bird strike is experienced by an Air Peace Flight bound for Lagos. Additionally, Modi will make a state visit to Guyana from November 19-21, 2024, at the invitation of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana since 1968. President Ali, who visited India in 2023 as the Chief Guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, will host Modi for discussions and meetings with senior Guyanese leaders. Modi will address the Guyana Parliament and engage with the Indian diaspora. He will also participate in the Second CARICOM-India Summit and meet leaders from CARICOM member countries to strengthen India’s ties with the Caribbean region.
An Air Peace flight bound for Lagos encountered a bird strike just before take-off in Abuja early Thursday morning. The incident, which involved a collision between a bird and the aircraft, led to a ramp return to ensure passenger safety. This type of event, known as a bird strike, occurs when a bird collides with an aircraft during flight or while taking off or landing. Air Peace’s head of corporate communications, Ejike Ndiulo, stated that the bird strike took place at 6:30 a.m., and all passengers were safely deboarded without any issues. Ndiulo noted, “We inform our valued passengers that our 6:30 a.m. Abuja-Lagos flight experienced a bird strike before take-off, necessitating a ramp return as a safety precaution. All passengers disembarked without incident. “We have arranged for a replacement aircraft to minimize disruptions and ensure that passengers continue their journeys promptly. READ ALSO: N110bn fraud case: Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s arraignment till Nov 27 “We ask for the patience and understanding of those affected by this situation, as well as other passengers who may face delays. “At Air Peace, we remain dedicated to offering safe, comfortable, and dependable air travel for all our passengers.”
Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has postponed the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to November 27, 2024, following new 16-count charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bello, along with Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing charges related to criminal breach of trust and conspiracy involving N110.4 billion. During the session, EFCC counsel Jamiu Agoro requested a delay to ensure Bello’s presence, noting that the 30-day court-issued summons, starting from October 3, was still valid. Previously, the court ordered a public summons for Bello’s appearance, to be published in a widely read newspaper and displayed at his last known address and around the court premises. Agoro also requested an extension and permission to post a hearing notice at Bello’s last known address, emphasizing that proceeding before the expiration of the summons would be inappropriate. Meanwhile, Bello’s co-defendants, Oricha and Hudu, have received administrative bail from the EFCC. Aliyu Saiki, SAN, representing the 2nd defendant, confirmed the bail and supported the adjournment. ZE Abass, counsel for the 3rd defendant, also agreed. READ ALSO: The EFCC prosecutor mentioned that both sides had agreed to reconvene on November 27, as November 20 was not suitable. Justice Anenih approved the adjournment and the posting of the hearing notice, stating, “I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant, the issuance of a hearing notice, and the submissions from the 2nd and 3rd defendants. The application is granted.”
Nestlé Nigeria has opened applications for its 2025 Community Scholarship program, which is aimed at supporting outstanding students in local communities. The scholarship targets senior secondary and tertiary students pursuing Science and Technology studies. Originally launched in 2020, the program continues to provide financial assistance to students in host communities, covering key expenses like tuition, accommodation, uniforms, books, and other educational needs. On September 12, 2024, reports highlighted that the All-Share Index rose by 0.32%, with First Bank and Nestlé as top gainers. Nestlé’s goal remains to equip students with the resources needed to complete their education. The 2025 scholarship program is set to benefit 90 students, with a total grant of N18 million. Applications are currently open and will close on December 8, 2024. Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting education and community development. She noted that during challenging economic times, this initiative offers vital support to families and empowers students to advance their education. The 2025 program follows the recent award ceremony for the 2023/2024 recipients, where 65 students from areas like Abaji, Agbara, and Sagamu received scholarships. How to Apply for the 2025 Nestlé Community Scholarship: Eligibility Requirements: The scholarship covers full tuition, living expenses, and study materials, and applications can be made through the Nestlé Nigeria website. Apply through this link READ ALSO: Breaking: Late COAS Lagbaja remains arrive Lagos airport

