MATTERS ARISING 6060

 MSSN Rejects Proposed SSCE Registration Fee Hike, Demands Immediate Reversal Abuja — The Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has strongly opposed the proposed increase in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) registration fee from ₦27,000 to ₦50,000, describing the move as insensitive, anti-student, and capable of worsening Nigeria's education crisis. In a statement issued from its National Headquarters in Abuja, the Society warned that the proposed increment would place an unbearable financial burden on millions of Nigerian families already grappling with rising inflation, unemployment, and the increasing cost of living. MSSN argued that the proposal contradicts ongoing government efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, noting that increasing the cost of a critical public examination would only force more students out of the education system. "It is both disturbing and contradictory that the same government which recently expressed conce...

 MATTERS ARISING 6060 WAJESHA Launches Official Website to Strengthen Environment, Science and Health Journalism Across West Africa The West African Journalists for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (WAJESHA) has officially launched its website ( https://www.wajesha.org ) marking a significant step toward strengthening specialised journalism and expanding professional collaboration among media practitioners across West Africa. The newly launched platform is designed to serve as a digital hub where journalists, editors, researchers, scientists and communicators can exchange knowledge, access valuable resources, publish reports and collaborate on critical issues affecting the region. According to the organisation, the website will promote high-quality reporting on climate change, environmental protection, public health, agriculture, biodiversity conservation, food systems and scientific innovation—issues considered vital to sustainable development across West Africa. WAJES...

 Benue Police Arrest Chief Morgan Ejaga, Moses Anteyi and others Over Killing of MACBAN Chairman Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed MAKURDI, Benue State— The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven more persons in connection with the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and Mr. Yakubu Isa. The two men were killed on July 1, 2026, while returning from a security meeting convened by the Divisional Police Officer in Ohimini Local Government Area. Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed was a prominent Fulani leader and was known for his efforts in promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers in the state. According to the Police Command, the latest arrests followed sustained intelligence gathering and coordinated tactical operations. The newly arrested suspects are:   1. Chief Morgan Ejaga, 43   2. Chief Moses Anteyi, 45   3. Chief John Ogli, 58...

 BREAKING NEWS: ₦1.19 TRILLION NIGHTMARE AS NRC PLATFORM COLLAPSES Abuja, Nigeria — The sudden collapse of the National Reading Culture (NRC) platform is fast becoming one of the most devastating financial catastrophes of the digital era, leaving thousands of Nigerian investors stranded. A comprehensive investigative report released this week by the Digital Data Clinic, led by Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Babangida Lawal, has revealed the alarming scale of the crash. The quantitative study warns that the macroeconomic impact on the country could reach a staggering N1.19 Trillion. THE ILLUSION OF SOCIAL UPLIFTMENT   The NRC platform gained massive traction by positioning itself as a gamified, socio-educational repository and peer-to-peer micro-contribution fund. Promising consistent, high-yield returns under the guise of promoting a reading culture, it quickly overcame early skepticism. However, when the platform abruptly froze user accounts and ceased operations, the r...

Billions Gone Overnight: Panic as NRC Ponzi Scheme Collapses, Thousands of Nigerians Count Losses Thousands of Nigerians have been thrown into financial distress following the reported collapse of the National Reading Culture (NRC) platform, a scheme widely alleged to have operated as a Ponzi investment network while presenting itself as a task-based earning programme. The platform attracted users with promises of earning substantial daily income by completing simple online tasks after making an initial financial commitment. It also encouraged participants to recruit new members in exchange for referral bonuses, a strategy that helped it spread rapidly across social media and messaging platforms. Trouble began when users reported being unable to access their accounts or withdraw their funds. Within hours, panic spread among members as the platform allegedly went offline, leaving thousands of investors uncertain about the fate of their money. Although the exact amount lost is yet to be ...

 Young Political Leader Dumps NDC, Cites Religious Bias and Lack of Internal Democracy Kaduna, Nigeria – July 7, 2026 The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has suffered another setback following the resignation of one of its young political figures, Hon. Dr. Najib Zakari, who announced his immediate exit from the party, citing what he described as the erosion of fairness, merit, inclusiveness, and equal political opportunity. In a resignation letter dated July 6, 2026 and addressed to the Ward Chairman of Sabon Gari Ward, Chikun Local Government Area, as well as the Kaduna State headquarters of the party, Zakari said his decision came after deep reflection on his experience within the NDC. According to him, he joined the party believing it would uphold the principles of justice, competence, and equal opportunity for members regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. However, he said his expectations were not met. He alleged that merit, integrity, competence, and accountab...

 FG Condemns Killing of Nigerians in South Africa, Demands Justice Over Xenophobic Attacks The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned the killing of Nigerian citizens in South Africa, describing the incidents as disturbing and calling on the South African authorities to ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted. The condemnation comes amid renewed xenophobic tensions and protests in parts of South Africa, particularly in Pretoria, where several Nigerians have reportedly lost their lives. According to information released by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Nigerian government confirmed that two Nigerians were recently killed during the unrest. The first victim was identified as Emeka Charles Iroegbu, who was allegedly killed on June 28 by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police. Nigerian authorities alleged that he died after being subjected to what they described as "gruesome interrogation techniques." The second victim was identified as Musa ...

 Obidient Movement Fires Back at Ali Modu Sheriff, Defends Peter Obi's Position on National Unity Abuja, Nigeria — July 7, 2026 The Obidient Movement has issued a strongly worded statement condemning former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, over comments he made during a television interview, accusing him of attempting to divert attention from Nigeria's worsening security and economic challenges through what it described as "tribal fear-mongering." In a press statement titled "The Absurdity of Ali Modu Sheriff: When the Godfather of Terrorism Chooses to Lecture Nigerians on Patriotism," the movement alleged that Sheriff failed to address questions regarding calls for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over insecurity and economic hardship, instead focusing on issues relating to the Nigerian Civil War and Peter Obi. According to the statement, Sheriff was asked to explain why he continues to support the Tinubu administration despite widespread public...

Court Hears Horrific Testimony on General Alkali's Death: Body Allegedly Dismembered, Moved Twice Before Discovery Fresh revelations have emerged in the trial over the 2018 killing of the late Major General Idris Alkali, as a retired senior Nigerian Army officer told a High Court in Jos how the former military officer was allegedly murdered, dismembered and secretly buried before his remains were eventually recovered after weeks of investigation. Testifying before the court, retired Major General Umaru Ibrahim Muhammed, who led the Nigerian Army's search and rescue operation after Alkali was declared missing, recounted the painstaking investigation that uncovered what he described as a gruesome crime. According to the witness, General Alkali left Abuja for Bauchi in September 2018 and made his last known phone call while passing through Dura-Du village in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Moments later, his phone became unreachable, and he never arrived at hi...

 Atiku Raises Alarm Over Alleged ₦8.8 Trillion Off-Budget Spending, Demands Immediate Probe Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an urgent investigation into what he described as a major fiscal accountability crisis, following reports that the Federal Government allegedly failed to record public expenditures equivalent to about two percent of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in its official budget documents. In a strongly worded statement, Atiku cited an International Monetary Fund report published by Reuters on July 1, 2026, claiming that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spent an estimated ₦8.8 trillion outside Nigeria's statutory budget framework. According to the former presidential candidate, the reported off-budget expenditure represents one of the most serious cases of fiscal opacity in Nigeria's democratic history and deserves immediate scrutiny by all democratic institutions. IMF Report Raises Questions Over Off-Budget Projects ...

 Timi Frank Demands Probe into Death of Alleged PFIPC Intermediary, Seeks International Assistance Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called for an independent forensic investigation into the death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, whom he described as a key intermediary in the alleged bribery and appointment controversy involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi. Frank made the demand in a statement personally signed on Friday in Abuja, arguing that Nigerians deserve to know the true circumstances surrounding Tanimola's reported death, which he said occurred at a critical point in the ongoing controversy over the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). According to Frank, Tanimola allegedly served as the principal intermediary between Prince Adeyemi and key figures linked to the controversial agency, whose existence has been denied...

 INEC Extends Continuous Voter Registration by Two Weeks, Introduces Online Self-Service Registration The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks and announced the introduction of an online self-service registration platform for eligible first-time voters. The Commission disclosed this in a press statement issued on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna. According to INEC, the decision followed a review of the ongoing registration exercise and feedback received from its state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders. The nationwide CVR exercise, which commenced on August 18, 2025, was initially scheduled to end on July 10, 2026. However, the Commission has now extended the exercise until Friday, July 24, 2026, to provide more eligible Nigerians with the o...

 NSCIA Raises Alarm Over 'Persistent Attacks' on Islam, Urges FG, Security Agencies to Act The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take urgent steps to address what it described as persistent attacks, marginalisation and negative profiling of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria, warning that continued inaction could pose a threat to national peace and stability. In a press statement dated June 28, 2026, and signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the Council, under the leadership of its President-General, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria's unity and peaceful coexistence. The Council stated that Muslims in the country have consistently exercised restraint despite what it described as repeated provocation, unfair treatment and negative stereotypes. According to the NSCIA, while Muslims have continued to endure what it termed marginalisation in public life, they are stil...

 Scammers Impersonate NDLEA Officials to Sell Fake Auction Vehicles, Agency Issues Nationwide Alert The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians against a fraudulent scheme in which scammers are impersonating senior officials of the Agency to lure unsuspecting members of the public with fake offers of forfeited vehicles at discounted prices. In a disclaimer issued on Friday, the Agency said criminal elements have been circulating fake private letters and messages claiming to offer cheap forfeited vehicles for sale. The fraudsters have reportedly been using the name of the NDLEA Secretary, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to give the scam an appearance of authenticity. The NDLEA described the offers as completely fraudulent, stressing that they are intended solely to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians of their hard-earned money. The Agency clarified that no NDLEA official has the authority to privately sell, allocate, or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized as...

  Renowned Islamic scholar, Professor Jamilu Zarewa, has distanced himself from a viral social media post falsely attributed to him as one of his religious rulings (fatwas). In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Professor Zarewa dismissed the circulating message, writing in Hausa: "WANNAN BA FATAWATA BA CE. Ku ji tsoron Allah," which translates to, "This is not my fatwa. Fear Allah." His clarification came after a graphic bearing his photograph circulated widely on social media, claiming that singers, actors, footballers, and prostitutes would receive no reward from Allah if they used their wealth to build mosques, orphanages, or other charitable projects. By categorically denying authorship of the statement, Professor Zarewa made it clear that the viral post does not represent his views or any official religious ruling issued by him. He also urged the public to fear Allah and refrain from attributing false statements to scholars or spreading unverifi...

The Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Rivers State Area Unit, has called on the management of the University of Port Harcourt to immediately review a reported decision restricting access to the university's mosque to only members of the institution's Muslim community. In a press statement signed by its Secretary, Abdullateef A., the association described the decision as a disturbing development capable of setting an unhealthy precedent on religious inclusion and equal treatment within public institutions. According to the statement, the directive, which was reportedly communicated through the Office of the Registrar following a decision by the University's Governing Council, has generated anxiety among Muslims both within and outside the university community. MSSN noted that for decades, the University of Port Harcourt Mosque has served not only Muslim students and staff but also alumni, visiting scholars, professionals, travellers, peaceful Muslim residents, ...

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that he has defected to the New Democratic Congress (NDC), describing the claims as false, mischievous and politically motivated. In a statement issued by his Chief of Staff and former Kano State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba, Ganduje reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, insisting that he has never considered leaving the ruling party. The former Kano State governor said he is not a politician who moves from one political party to another for personal gain, stating that he is "not a vulture flying from one tree to another." According to the statement, the posters alleging his defection were deliberately created to mislead the public, sow confusion among APC members and supporters, and fuel unnecessary political speculation. Ganduje maintained that it was both false and illogical to suggest that he h...

  At least four people have been reported killed following an attack by suspected bandits on Dansarai community in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State. According to reports published by Daily Trust, the attackers stormed the village on motorcycles while armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles. Witnesses said the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic among residents. The attack reportedly claimed the lives of four people and left several others affected, while property was also destroyed during the assault. In response, residents of the community, supported by local vigilante operatives, organized a counterattack against the fleeing gunmen. A resident was quoted as saying that the combined efforts of the villagers and vigilantes successfully repelled the attackers. The source further claimed that four of the suspected bandits were killed during the confrontation, while others escaped with varying degrees of injuries. As of the time of fili...

Fresh controversy has emerged over the academic credentials of former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following claims circulating on social media questioning the authenticity and consistency of documents said to be his university and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates. The allegations surfaced after a debate over Obi's university degree classification. While some critics had claimed he graduated with a Third Class degree, supporters reportedly released a document presented as his degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, indicating he obtained a Second Class Honours (Lower Division) degree in Philosophy. However, rather than ending the controversy, critics argue that the released documents have raised additional questions they believe require clarification from Obi or the relevant institutions. Questions Raised Among the issues highlighted by the critics are: Graduation and NYSC Timeline: They argue that ...

  The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licences of 46 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) across the country, effective July 1, 2026, citing their failure to meet key regulatory requirements for continued operation. The decision, announced in a press statement signed by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, was approved by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, in accordance with Sections 12 and 13 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 2020. According to the apex bank, the affected microfinance banks were found to have violated one or more of the conditions required for maintaining their operating licences. The CBN listed the reasons for the revocation to include: Insufficient assets to meet liabilities; Closure of operations without obtaining prior approval from the Central Bank; Inactivity and cessation of financial intermediation; Failure to commence operations within 12 months of recei...

  The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced that it has successfully uploaded the names and particulars of its presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 general election to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal. The announcement was made in a statement shared by the ADC Publicity Secretary; Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who disclosed that the party had completed the submission of the details of its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (GCON), and his running mate, former Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (CON). According to the statement, the successful upload represents another milestone in the party's preparations for the 2027 general election. "We are pleased to announce that we have successfully uploaded the names and particulars of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar (GCON), and our Vice Presidential Candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. A...