Author: straightnewsng.com

Aniefiok Christopher Two suspected kidnappers linked to the 2023 abduction and killing of a neurology professor, Ekanem Philip-Ephraim, in Cross River State are in the custody of Department of State Services. Philip-Ephraim was abducted on July 13, 2023, at her office in Calabar, Cross River State, and was later confirmed killed by her abductors. Then Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Cross River State, Dr Felix Archibong, said the kidnappers disguised themselves as patients and, while she was attending to them, brought out weapons and whisked her away at about 7.15 p.m. Her abduction led the state chapter of…

By Akakan Umoh Chris Okafor, the founder of Grace Nation Bible Ministry, has publicly knelt before congregation and apologised to actress Doris Ogala amid her claim that they were once in a romantic relationship. The controversy began when a video of Okafor’s engagement to another woman circulated online, prompting Ogala to allege that she had been in a relationship with him since 2017. She claimed she left her previous marriage at his insistence and accused him of betrayal after years of intimacy and repeated assurances of marriage, which she said affected her emotional and mental well-being. Related News: Pastor Chris…

By Akakan Umoh Former  Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has described education as the most enduring legacy any leader could leave behind, stressing that sustained investment in human capital remains the true measure of good governance. The remarks were contained in a statement signed by the National President of the Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly, Dr Mansur Hassan, and issued to journalists in Kaduna on Thursday. While hosting over 300 Ph.D holders produced through the Kwankwasiyya scholarship programme at the maiden annual convention of Kwankwasiyya scholars held in Kano, Kwankwaso described the gathering as historic for both Kano State and Nigeria,…

Edi Umoh Algeria clinched their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 after a penalty from Riyad Mahrez led them to a 1-0 win against Burkina Faso on Sunday. Meanwhile, five-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners Cameroon fought back to hold defending champions Ivory Coast to a gripping 1-1 draw in Marrakech, moving both nations onto four points in Group F. This was as Mozambique ended a 39-year wait for a first Africa Cup of Nations victory by defeating Gabon 3-2 in a Group F thriller in Agadir on Sunday. The Mambas began the match having drawn…

Akakan Umoh The 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, are yet to have a date in the court “over their failure to account for the spending of the ₦14 trillion fuel subsidy savings they collected from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.  In a statement on Sunday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) also asked for ‘‘details of projects executed with the money, and the completion reports on the projects.”  The suit with number FHC/L/MSC/1424/2025 was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos. According to SERAP, the suit followed…

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have secured their place in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16 after thrashing Tunisia  3-2 in Morocco on Saturday. The goals for Nigeria came from Victor Osimhen, Wilfried Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman, ensuring the team’s qualification from their group. Osimhen opened the scoring in the 44th minute, connecting with a precise cross from Lookman just before halftime. Ndidi, the team captain, doubled the lead in the 50th minute, again assisted by Lookman. Related News: AFCON 2025: Lookman scores as Super Eagles Beat Tanzania  Lookman added a third goal in the 70th minute, with Osimhen providing the assist. Tunisia fought back late, with Talbi scoring in the 74th minute, and Abdi converting a…

Israel Umoh Akwa Ibom is among the states in the country that has fallen below the benchmark recommended by UNESCO in the budgetary allocation for education in the 2026 financial year.   Coming under Low Priority and Under-Benchmark, Imo, Lagos, and Delta are among others allocating less than 10 per cent for education against 15-20 per cent of the total public expenditure recommended by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Akwa Ibom State’s proposed budget for 2026 is N1.39 trillion, entitled The People’s Budget of Expansion and Growth. Related News: Akwa Ibom Government to partner China in Agriculture and…

The United States-Nigeria Military Operation carried out an airstrike against Islamic State (ISIS) militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria’s government, US President Donald Trump and the US military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region. The US and Nigerian security forces on Thursday carried out precision airstrikes against identified terrorist targets in northwest Nigeria, including in Sokoto State and parts of neighbouring Zamfara State, authorities said. According to official statements, the strikes were the result of intelligence sharing and strategic coordination between the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Nigerian military. Related…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for an immediate end to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Netanyahu made the call in a video post via his official X handle as part of his Christmas message to Christians around the world. “The persecution of Christians or members of any religion cannot and must not be tolerated, and Muslim militant displacement and attacks against Christians in Nigeria, that too must end, and it must end now,” the Israeli PM said. While condemning the global persecution of Christians, Netanyahu cited Middle Eastern countries of Iraq, Syria,…

One of the aides to Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has hailed President Donald Trump’s policy that would help to curb the country’s brain drain that has remained hydra- headed for years.  The Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Dr. A. John Ukpe addressing A Letter of thanks to President Donald J. Trump, says ”History will record—perhaps not in gold, but certainly in the footnotes—that you accomplished what decades of summits, panels, retreats, roadmaps, communiqués, task forces, and PowerPoint presentations failed to achieve: you slowed Nigeria’s brain drain by making America suddenly, shockingly, and unapologetically unavailable.” In…