UK Orders Foreign Students to Leave Before Visa Expiry

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The British government has warned international students to leave the country once their visas expire or risk deportation, in what officials describe as a clampdown on visa abuse. According to the BBC, the Home Office has begun sending text and email alerts to tens of thousands of students, reminding them of the consequences of overstaying. The unprecedented campaign comes amid concern over a surge in asylum claims from people who originally entered the UK on student visas. Data shows that about 15 per cent of asylum applications last year—roughly 16,000…

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Simon Ekpa Sentenced to Six Years for Terrorism in Finland

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Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-based Nigerian separatist leader, has been sentenced to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences. The Päijät-Häme District Court found him guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation, inciting violence, and aggravated tax fraud. Ekpa, who leads the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), was accused of using his social media platforms to mobilise armed groups and disrupt life in Nigeria’s South-East between 2021 and 2024. The court also ruled that he supplied weapons and ammunition to militants. The Nigerian government welcomed the verdict. Minister of Information…

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Nestlé sacks CEO Laurent Freixe over office relationship

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Global food and beverage giant, Nestlé, has sacked its Chief Executive Officer, Laurent Freixe, after an internal probe confirmed he failed to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate. The company’s board announced the decision on Monday, describing the conduct as a “serious breach” of Nestlé’s Code of Business Conduct. “The board has concluded that Mr. Freixe’s failure to disclose this relationship represented a clear lapse in judgment and violated our governance standards. Effective immediately, he is relieved of his duties,” Nestlé said in a statement. Freixe, 62, had been…

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2027 Presidency: I don’t need your counsel, Jonathan tells Keyamo, Odinkalu

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticised Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and legal scholar, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, over their opposition to his speculated 2027 presidential ambition, warning them to steer clear of his political choices. Keyamo and Odinkalu had urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to consider Jonathan for its presidential ticket, insisting that a return bid would face legal hurdles since he had already been sworn in twice as president. But in a statement on Monday, Jonathan’s brother, Azibaola Robert, dismissed their arguments, stressing that the former…

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Dangote Truck Accident: Phyna’s Sister Dies Before Planned Treatment in India

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  The Dangote Group has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ruth Otabor, younger sister of Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna. Ruth reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained in a road crash involving one of the company’s trucks near Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State. The tragic incident occurred several weeks ago, leaving her in critical condition. In a statement issued after her passing, the Dangote Group described the development as painful, noting that the company had since taken responsibility for her treatment.…

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Union Bank of Nigeria Completes Merger with Titan Trust Bank

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Union Bank of Nigeria, one of the nation’s longest-standing financial institutions, today announced the successful completion of its merger with Titan Trust Bank Limited, following final approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This milestone concludes a process that began with the signing of a Share Sale Agreement in 2021 and positions Union Bank as an even stronger force within Nigeria’s financial services sector. Under the terms of the merger, Union Bank has fully absorbed Titan Trust Bank’s operations and assets. The combined institution will continue to operate under…

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Ex-IGP Solomon Arase Dies in Abuja at 69

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Former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, has reportedly died in Abuja at the age of 69. Arase, who served as Nigeria’s 18th Inspector-General of Police between April 2015 and June 2016, was said to have passed away on Sunday at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja. Born on June 21, 1956, the Edo-born lawyer and security expert joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1981, rising through the ranks to become Inspector-General before retiring in 2016. Following his retirement, he was appointed Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in January 2023 by…

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FirstBank’s ₦1 Trillion Digital Loan Disbursement Milestone and the New Era of Inclusive Lending in Nigeria

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For decades, Nigeria’s credit system posed significant challenges for small businesses and low-income earners, who often struggled to qualify for loans. Traditional banks demanded collaterals, guarantors, and endless paperwork, effectively shutting out a large portion of the population working in the informal economy. FirstBank’s digital lending model flipped the script. With the launch of its digital lending model, the bank eliminated collateral requirements and slashed approval times from weeks to under five minutes. Loans now flow through multiple channels including *894# (the Bank’s USSD service), FirstMobile, LitApp, and the FirstMonie…

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Oluwo Denies Marijuana Allegation, Curses Accusers

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The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has strongly denied allegations that he smokes marijuana, describing the claims as malicious and invoking curses on those behind them. In a viral video circulating on social media, the monarch, speaking at a public event, dismissed the rumours as falsehoods peddled by “unfortunate people,” warning that divine punishment awaited the perpetrators. “They are lying against me. They are unfortunate people. Unless I am smoking marijuana, if I’m a smoker, God should remove me from this throne. You who are accusing me of…

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Ondo Court Remands Pastor for Allegedly Raping Daughter

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A Magistrate Court in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered the remand of a 42-year-old pastor, Samson Ajayi, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre over allegations of serially raping his 17-year-old biological daughter. Ajayi, a father of five, was arraigned on two counts of rape and defilement after his wife reported him to the police in Igoba, Akure North Local Government Area, alleging that he had been abusing their daughter for more than four years. Prosecutor Supol Martins Olowofeso told the court that the offences were committed between March 2021 and August…

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