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Middle East Conflict May Drive Up Fertiliser and Food Prices in Nigeria

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  Fertiliser manufacturers in Nigeria have cautioned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could eventually lead to a rise in food prices. They explained that although they are well-prepared for the coming planting season, the crisis may drive up the cost of fertilisers, which could increase farmers’ production expenses and impact food supply across the country. The President of the Fertilisers Producers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Kassim, disclosed in an interview with Saturday PUNCH that producers had already mapped out their production plans before the conflict started and currently have sufficient raw materials for fertiliser production. He added that most members of the association had secured the required inputs to keep production running. “We are preparing, not just because of the war, but because the planting season is approaching. Most of our members already have the raw materials needed for processing,” Kassim said. However, he admitted that disruptions in the...

Osimhen Wins Turkey’s Footballer of the Year Award

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  Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been named Footballer of the Year at the 72nd Annual Milliyet Sports Awards, one of the biggest sports awards in Turkey, Saturday PUNCH reports. The award was given to Osimhen because of his outstanding performance in helping Galatasaray win both the league and the cup last season. The 27-year-old scored 37 goals and made seven assists, playing a key role in the team’s success in the Süper Lig and the Turkish Cup. The award ceremony took place on Thursday night and is often called the “Oscars of sports” in Turkey. Osimhen made history as the first Nigerian to win the award. He also became just the fifth foreign player to receive it, joining names like Alex de Souza, Fernando Muslera, Enner Valencia and Mauro Icardi. Since moving permanently from Napoli to Galatasaray, Osimhen has greatly improved the team’s attack and quickly became a fan favourite in Istanbul. In total, he has scored 56 goals and provided 12 assists in 70 matches for th...

Iran Searching for Downed US Jet Crew, Offers Reward

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  Iran has started looking for two American soldiers whose fighter jet was reportedly shot down on Friday. They have sent troops into the area and are even offering money to anyone who can capture the pilots alive. According to Iranian television, anyone who finds and hands over the pilots to the police or military will get a big reward. However, reports from the United States say that special forces have already rescued one of the two crew members. The war between the US and Iran started over a month ago after joint attacks by America and Israel killed Iran’s leader, Ali Khamenei. Since then, the fighting has spread across many countries in the Middle East and is affecting economies around the world. The US military command in charge of the region, United States Central Command, has not yet confirmed the report about the downed jet. Fresh attacks have continued in different places including Israel, Iran, Lebanon, and some Gulf countries. Explosions were heard in Iran’s capi...

Iran Claims It Shot Down U.S. Fighter Jet: What It Means in Simple Terms

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Reports are emerging that Iran may have shot down a United States fighter jet, according to information shared by sources familiar with the situation and reported by Axios. While officials have not fully confirmed all details, the development is already being seen as a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict between both countries. What Happened? According to the report, a U.S. military aircraft was brought down, and a search-and-rescue operation is currently underway to find the two crew members who were on board. These pilots are believed to have ejected from the jet before it crashed. Iranian state media has also released photos and videos that they claim show parts of the destroyed aircraft, including what looks like an ejection seat. Early analysis of the images suggests the aircraft could be an F-15E Strike Eagle, a powerful and widely used U.S. fighter jet. Why This Is Important If confirmed, this would be the first time Iran has successfully shot down a U.S. fighter je...

ADC’s Internal Leadership Crisis: Causes, Consequences, and the Path Forward

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is increasingly grappling with internal leadership challenges between the Mark–Aregbesola leadership bloc and The Gombe-led opposing faction, that threaten its cohesion and long-term viability, especially as political realignments intensify ahead of future elections. At the heart of the crisis is a persistent struggle over authority and direction. Multiple factions within the party are contesting control of its national structure, leading to disputes over who legitimately speaks for the party. These leadership tussles often stem from unclear lines of succession, disagreements over internal democracy, and accusations of imposition of candidates rather than transparent primaries especially among David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Nafiu Bala Gombe and Ralph Nwosu. Another key issue is the tension between older party loyalists and newer entrants. As ADC attracts defectors from larger parties, the Nafiu Bala faction had to sue David Mark led Leadership...

ADC vs INEC: Understanding the Crisis and the Way Forward

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  The growing tension between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is shaping up to be more than just a routine disagreement. It reflects deeper issues within Nigeria’s electoral system—issues that could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. What Is the Problem? At the heart of the dispute are concerns around party recognition, internal leadership disputes, and compliance with electoral regulations . INEC, as Nigeria’s electoral umpire, has strict rules guiding how political parties must operate especially regarding: Leadership structure Submission of valid party executives Proper conduct of party congresses and conventions The ADC has reportedly faced challenges in meeting some of these requirements, particularly around internal party leadership legitimacy . When a party has factions or unclear leadership, INEC may hesitate to fully recognize its decisions or candidates. This creates a...

Is this Iran war really about “America First”? Iranian president asks Americans

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has written a letter directly to the people of the United States, questioning whether the current war truly benefits them. In the letter, he asked if the idea of “America First” is still something the US government truly cares about. Pezeshkian said Iran has never been the one to start wars or try to dominate other countries in modern history. According to him, the idea that Iran is a global threat is being pushed by powerful countries for their own political and economic interests. He also defended Iran’s recent attacks, including drone and missile strikes across the Gulf, saying they were acts of self-defense, not aggression. The Iranian president pointed out that there is a difference between the US government and the American people. He said Iranians do not hate Americans, Europeans, or their neighboring countries, adding that peace with others is part of their culture. Meanwhile, Iran’s top leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in pu...

Geopolitics Over Commerce: France, China, and the Strategic Contest in the Strait of Hormuz

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  The evolving crisis in the Strait of Hormuz highlights a deeper fracture within the international system—one where geopolitical calculation increasingly outweighs commercial imperatives. The article under review argues that the positions of France and China, alongside institutional constraints within the United Nations system, reveal a deliberate reshaping of global power dynamics rather than mere policy divergence. This analysis evaluates those claims, situating them within established geopolitical and economic frameworks. France’s Strategic Ambiguity The article portrays France as prioritizing diplomatic alignment with China and Russia over its own commercial interests, particularly those of CMA CGM, one of the world’s largest shipping firms. The claim that Paris denied airspace to Israeli military resupply flights and blocked a resolution that would reopen the strait suggests a calculated neutrality—or, more precisely, selective engagement. From an analytical standpoint, F...

Diplomatic Push or Strategic Gamble? UK Leads Global Talks on Strait of Hormuz Crisis

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  The United Kingdom, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is preparing to convene representatives from 35 countries in a high-stakes effort to address the growing crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The talks will focus on diplomatic and political pathways to reopening one of the world’s most critical  transit routes, while UK military planners are also set to meet in parallel highlighting the seriousness of the situation. At the heart of the crisis lies a delicate geopolitical balance. The emphasis on diplomacy signals a clear preference to avoid further escalation. However, it also carries an unspoken warning: if Donald Trump disengages from the situation without securing either the reopening of the strait or a broader agreement with Iran, the strategic advantage may shift decisively toward Tehran. Such an outcome would represent a significant reversal of expectations. Rather than weakening Iran, prolonged tensions and the failure to secure a resolution could leave it...

GLOBAL WARNING SIGNS POINT TO POSSIBLE OIL SUPPLY CRISIS AS WORLD LEADERS SPEAK IN UNISON

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  There is growing concern across global energy and political circles following an unusual development; three major Western leaders, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer, and Anthony Albanese are all scheduled to address their nations on the same day. For many analysts, this is not a coincidence. Historically, simultaneous national addresses by leaders of powerful nations have often preceded major global developments economic shocks, military escalations, or large-scale disruptions. The alignment of the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia on a single communication front has raised serious questions about what may be unfolding behind the scenes. Observers argue that this is not about three unrelated domestic issues. Instead, it appears to be a coordinated response to a shared and urgent concern one that may have significant global implications. Adding to the unease are recent advisories from parts of Europe. The European Union has reportedly urged citizens to reduce travel, limit...

Nigeria’s debts to hit N155trn as Senate approves FG’s $6bn loan request

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  Nigeria’s total public debt is expected to increase to about N155.1 trillion after an extra $6 billion loan requested by President Bola Tinubu was quickly approved by the Senate yesterday. The $6 billion loan, calculated at an exchange rate of N1,400 to one dollar, will add about N8.4 trillion to the country’s existing debt. This raises the total from N146.69 trillion recorded at the end of 2025 to N155.1 trillion. Experts have warned that taking this new loan carries serious foreign exchange risks. They also said it could worsen the government’s debt service-to-revenue ratio, which is projected to reach around 60 percent by the end of 2025. The Senate approved the loan in less than four hours after the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read the President’s request letter during plenary. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the National Assembly, describing the approval as rushed and too fast for such a major financial decision. The process followed all legisla...

Big Shake-Up for Reps: 27 Lawmakers Jump Ship as 2027 Election Near

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  Fresh wave of defections for House of Representatives don give parties like African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), and other parties more members as politicians dey realign themselves ahead of 2027 general elections. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, read the notice of defections during plenary on Tuesday. Total of 27 lawmakers defect for wetin be one major political realignment for Green Chamber, as e remain less than one year before Nigerians go vote for new leaders. 14 of the defectors move go APC. The 8 lawmakers wey join ADC include 5 reps from PDP, 2 from Labour Party (LP), and 1 from APC. Meanwhile, Action Peoples Party (APP) collect 2 lawmakers — one from PDP and one from LP. Accord Party sef no carry last, as 2 new members from PDP join them, and the party currently dey rule Osun State. The lawmakers talk say na internal crisis for their former parties make dem decamp. House of Reps Defectors Below na list of th...

Cracks in the Atlantic Alliance: How Washington’s Relationship with NATO Is Unraveling

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  The transatlantic alliance between the United States and NATO long considered the backbone of Western security is facing one of its most serious crises in decades. A combination of unilateral military decisions, harsh rhetoric from U.S. leadership, and growing European resistance has exposed deep fractures that now threaten the future of the alliance itself. A War That Split Allies The immediate trigger for the breakdown is the 2026 U.S.-led war with Iran. European NATO members have increasingly distanced themselves from Washington, refusing to provide airspace, bases, or direct military support. Several European leaders bluntly rejected American requests, with officials emphasizing that the conflict was “not our war”  a phrase that has become symbolic of the widening divide. In response, U.S. officials have escalated their criticism. Trump’s Direct Attacks on NATO President Donald Trump has led the charge in openly questioning the value of NATO, using unusually blunt...

Trump Signals Possible Iran Talks, Iran and Houthis launch Fresh Attacks as Rising Costs of the War Anger Americans

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Fresh attacks have continued across the Middle East, with Iran and Houthi forces launching new strikes, even as Donald Trump hints that the conflict could soon come to an end—possibly through negotiations rather than prolonged warfare. Speaking ahead of a planned national address, Trump suggested the war with Iran might be over within “two to three weeks,” a statement many now interpret as a sign that Washington could be preparing to shift from military escalation to diplomacy. This comes amid growing frustration at home in the United States, where citizens are increasingly feeling the economic strain of the conflict. Fuel prices have surged to an average of $4 per gallon—the highest level in years—intensifying public pressure on the government to find a quicker resolution. While the White House has maintained a tough stance publicly, the rising cost of living appears to be reshaping the conversation. Many Americans are questioning the long-term value of the war, especially as ever...

Power Sector Betrayed: Government Pays Peanuts While Darkness Swallows Nigeria

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In what can be described as a shocking failure and outright negligence, the Federal Government has once again abandoned Nigeria’s already fragile electricity sector, paying a disgraceful N76.95 billion — barely four percent — out of the staggering N1.928 trillion subsidy required in 2025. This is not just incompetence; it is a betrayal of millions of Nigerians who continue to suffer in darkness while leaders fail to act. Despite allocating N958 billion for electricity subsidies in the 2025 budget, the government released a laughable N76.95 billion, leaving a crushing debt burden of about N1.85 trillion hanging over the sector. The numbers are not just embarrassing — they are a clear indication of a system on the verge of collapse. Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission paints an even more disturbing picture. Subsidy obligations stood at N536.40 billion in the first quarter of 2025, dipped slightly to N514.36 billion in the second quarter, fell to N458.76 billion in...

Petrol Price Hike: Edo Residents Pay the Price of Government Failure as Edo Residents Protest

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  Anger spilled onto the streets of Benin City, Benin City, on Monday as commercial drivers along Upper Sakponba Road staged a protest over yet another punishing increase in petrol prices—an outcome many Nigerians say reflects the continued inability of the government to manage the country’s energy crisis. The drivers blocked major sections of the busy road, bringing movement to a standstill and exposing the human cost of policies that appear disconnected from the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. Rather than providing relief or stability, the government’s handling of petrol pricing has once again pushed transport operators—and by extension, commuters—to the brink. In a move that further frustrated passengers, the protesting drivers instructed their colleagues to immediately raise transport fares. They warned that anyone insisting on old prices would either pay extra or be dropped halfway—an ultimatum that highlights the chaos now defining public transportation. The disrupt...

Pain and Shame as Violence Breaks Out in Eastern Cape Province Over Alleged Igbo King Coronation

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  It is with deep sadness and heavy regret that fresh violence has once again erupted in South Africa a place many Nigerians once saw as a brother nation this time over the alleged coronation of an Igbo traditional ruler. What began as protests quickly turned into chaos, as angry demonstrators took to the streets, burning vehicles and looting shops believed to belong to foreign nationals, many of them Nigerians struggling to survive far from home. The unrest, which started in parts of the Eastern Cape Province, has left behind destruction, fear, and once again, painful memories for Nigerians in the diaspora. The protests were reportedly led by members of ActionSA, alongside some traditional leaders and residents who claimed the coronation violated local traditions and constitutional order. But what should have been a peaceful disagreement quickly spiraled into violence in KuGompo City, forcing security forces to step in. Videos circulating online show disturbing scenes, cars se...

Oil Don Hit $117 as America dey reason ground war for Iran

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  Oil price don skyrocket reach like $117 per barrel as United States dey consider whether dem go enter ground war inside Iran, while fight between Israel and Iran still dey hot. On Monday, both Israel and Iran still dey exchange missile fire back-to-back. Fear say America fit join the war fully, especially with ground attack for Iran Gulf islands, make oil market panic, na so price begin rise sharply. Iran sef no dull, dem launch fresh attack target one water plant for Kuwait, after their own power facilities suffer attack before, wey make light cut for some parts of Tehran. Saudi Arabia talk say dem block about five ballistic missiles. This war don scatter global economy well-well. Fuel don scarce for many Asian countries, stock market dey shake, and oil price just dey climb. Brent crude don reach around $116–$117, while American own don pass $100 per barrel. Experts dey warn say if America carry ground troops enter Iran or if Iran decide to retaliate more—like attacking oil ...

De Zerbi fit take Tottenham coaching job

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  Roberto De Zerbi don show say e dey open to take over as head coach for Tottenham Hotspur after dem sack Igor Tudor, as wahala full the club this season. Tottenham management dey seriously find new coach, and De Zerbi don become one of their main target after Tudor comot from the job. Tudor no even stay long—na just 44 days e manage the team before dem remove am on March 29, 2026, after poor results push Spurs close to relegation zone for Premier League. Fans and club oga dem no happy at all. According to report from Sky Italy on Monday, dem talk say De Zerbi don ready to take the Tottenham job now now. De Zerbi, wey leave Olympique de Marseille for February, don dey jobless since then. Before, people think say na summer e go wait before e take any new work, but now e don change mind and fit start immediately. Inside Tottenham camp, hope dey grow say dem fit convince the Italian coach make e join dem before this season end, as dem dey find better direction and strong tactics...

“Na Oil Be the Real Target?” – Trump’s Iran Threat Raises Fresh Questions

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  In what many Nigerians would call a clear case of “say it as it is,” former U.S. President Donald Trump has openly declared that his real interest in the ongoing war with Iran is the country’s oil — not peace, not security, but resources. Speaking in an interview, Trump didn’t even try to hide it. According to him, his “favourite thing” would be to take Iran’s oil, even suggesting that the United States could move in and seize Kharg Island , the major hub through which about 90% of Iran’s oil exports pass. For many observers, especially from this part of the world, this statement only confirms what people have long suspected — that this war is less about global safety and more about economic control. Trump went further to boast that Iran has little defence and that taking the island would be “very easy.” But let’s be honest — war is never that simple. Reports already show that tensions in the region have pushed oil prices above $116 per barrel, shaking global markets and affec...