Nigeria’s Out-of-School Children Now 18.95 Million — UNICEF

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The number of out-of-school children in Nigeria has risen to a staggering 18.95 million, according to new figures released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The data was disclosed during an orientation meeting with traditional leaders in Numan, Adamawa State, organized by UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office in collaboration with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the Adamawa State Ministry of Education. Speaking at the event, UNICEF Education Specialist, Abdulrahman Ado, described the figure as alarming and called for urgent intervention to reverse the trend. He said the orientation…

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Students, Alumni Protest Renaming of UNIMAID After Buhari, Launch Petition

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Thousands of Nigerians, including students, alumni, and concerned residents of Borno State, have rejected President Bola Tinubu’s proposal to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) after former President Muhammadu Buhari. The renaming was announced during an expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Thursday, where Tinubu said the change was intended to honour Buhari’s contributions to national development. But the announcement has since drawn widespread backlash, especially from the university community and indigenes of Maiduguri, who argue that the institution’s name carries historical…

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Woman Commits Suicide Inside MFM Prayer City Church in Ogun

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A 41-year-old woman, identified as Benita Lurk Ikuenobe, has reportedly taken her own life inside the auditorium of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Prayer City, located along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The incident occurred on Friday, July 18, 2025, and was discovered early that morning by security personnel. According to reports, the church’s Chief Security Officer, Esiere Ekikere, was alerted around 7:20 a.m. after worshippers found the woman lying motionless inside the prayer hall. An empty container of a suspected pesticide was found beside her, raising suspicion of…

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Fidelity Bank to Empower 100 SMEs Across Nigeria with Digital Tools

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As part of its unwavering commitment to digitally transform Nigeria’s small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), leading financial institution Fidelity Bank is set to empower entrepreneurs across the country with cutting-edge digital tools designed to streamline operations, boost productivity, and drive sustainable growth. Through the Fidelity SME Empowerment Program (FSEP), the bank will equip 100 growth-ready entrepreneurs with a comprehensive digital toolkit that includes: a POS desktop system, access to ERPRev software, receipt printer & barcode scanner; inventory & management tools. business training and support; free fidelity pos with branding and…

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Court Orders Arrest of Woman Over False Child Sex Abuse Allegation Against Ex-Husband

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A Lagos High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of one Rahmat Omolara Animashaun over allegedly fabricating claims of child sexual abuse against her ex-husband, Adewale Olatunji. Justice I.O. Harrison issued the warrant following Animashaun’s failure to appear before the court on July 9, 2025, in a criminal case (LD/25997C/25) filed by the Lagos State Government. The arrest order was based on legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, which recommended her prosecution on charges including perjury, false accusation, giving…

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Union Bank marks decade-high staff promotion rate for outstanding performance

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Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, a leading institution in the Nigerian financial sector, has concluded its annual staff assessment and performance evaluation exercise, resulting in the promotion of approximately 24 percent of its employees, the highest promotion rate recorded by the Bank in the past 10 years. This milestone reflects Union Bank’s enduring commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence, nurturing talent, and fostering a high-performance culture. Promotions were awarded across various departments to employees who consistently demonstrated outstanding achievement, integrity and dedication to the Bank’s values and growth objectives. Commenting…

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Kemi Badenoch Vows Stricter Citizenship Rules for Nigerians in UK

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UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has pledged to tighten the process for Nigerians seeking British citizenship, declaring that it has become “too easy” to acquire under current immigration policies. Speaking during an interview with CNN on Sunday, Badenoch criticized what she described as the UK’s lenient system, particularly in contrast to Nigeria’s immigration approach. “Loads of Nigerians come to the UK and stay for a relatively free period of time, acquiring British citizenship. We need to stop being naive,” she said. “That is why under my leadership, we now…

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NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Kingpin After Seven Years on the Run

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a notorious drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, seven years after he was declared wanted for trafficking illicit substances. Okpara, 60, was apprehended on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at his hideout located at 72 Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, in the Ojo area of Lagos State. He had been on the agency’s wanted list since 2019 for masterminding large-scale shipments of cocaine and methamphetamine to the South-East and other regions in Nigeria. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest in a…

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Polaris Bank Empowers Over 500 Journalists on Modern Trends in Journalism

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Polaris Bank Limited recently hosted a hybrid capacity-building seminar for approximately 500 journalists both in Nigeria and internationally. The seminar, themed “Empowering Journalists in the Digital Age: Storytelling, Tools & Transformation,” aimed to equip media professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s rapidly changing journalism landscape. In a welcome address, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head of Brand Management & Corporate Communications at Polaris Bank, highlighted the bank’s longstanding tradition in media education. He pointed out that Polaris Bank has been investing in such initiatives for the past 12…

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Sunday Oliseh Mourns as Younger Brother Uche Dies at 51

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Uche Levi Oliseh, younger brother to former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh, has died at the age of 51. The family announced his passing in a statement on Saturday, disclosing that he died on Thursday, July 17, 2025, following a brief illness. “With heavy hearts, the family of Cosmas Oliseh announces the passing of our beloved son, brother, and father, Uche Levi Oliseh, who departed this life… at the age of 51,” the statement read. Described as a cherished member of the Oliseh family, Uche is survived by four children…

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