Author: starconnect
By Emmanuel Thomas l Tuesday, August 25,2026 ABUJA — Human rights monitoring body, Amnesty International, has strongly condemned the Chairman of the Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, following public threats to forcibly expel residents who refuse to join or vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In a sharp rebuke issued in Abuja, the rights group described the local government boss’s statements as an unambiguous call to violence and an unlawful assault on citizens’ rights to freedom of association, freedom of movement, and liberty of person. ”Authoritatively declaring that those…
Admin I Monday, August 24, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Interswitch Group reinforced its commitment to building the infrastructure required to enable sustainable financial innovation across Africa at The Borderless Experience 2026, organised by Condia and held in Lagos on Friday, August 21, 2026. Speaking during a fireside conversation on the future of African fintech, Akeem Lawal, Managing Director, Payment Processing & Switching, Interswitch Purepay, highlighted the critical role of collaboration between fintechs, commercial banks, infrastructure providers and regulators in building a financial ecosystem that can scale without compromising trust, compliance or resilience. In a conversation with Kemi Okusanya, CEO,…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, August 24,2026 LAGOS — Former presidential candidate and Labour Party chieftain, Mr. Peter Obi, has issued a passionate plea to governments at all levels, particularly the Federal Government, to urgently prioritize the reconstruction and maintenance of existing road networks over the commencement of new, headline-grabbing infrastructure projects. Highlighting the compounding economic toll and human suffering caused by the state of Nigerian transport corridors, Obi shared a firsthand account of a traveler who spent nearly 42 hours negotiating what should ordinarily be an eight-hour trip. According to the former Anambra State Governor, a commuter who…
Admin I Monday, August 24, 2026 The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his condolences to the immediate family, friends and associates of the late veteran Nigerian actor, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as ‘Ogogo’, who died yesterday at the age of 66. He described the actor’s death as deeply hurtful and heartbreaking. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the death of the Nollywood icon is a significant loss to Nigeria, particularly to the creative industry. He also extended his heartfelt sympathies…
By SCM International Desk I Monday, August 24, 2026 MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan-administered Kashmir — Ahmad Farhad, a prominent Kashmiri journalist, poet, and human rights defender, was transferred to a local hospital on August 22 following a severe deterioration in his health triggered by an extended hunger strike, human rights monitoring groups said. Farhad has been held in administrative detention for over two months. Local authorities detained him on June 20 in Bagh, a town in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir, using powers granted under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. He initiated his hunger strike to protest his continued imprisonment…
By Blaise Udunze I Monday, August 24, 2026 LAGOS – Nigeria’s latest fake government agencies scandal has moved beyond an embarrassing case of impersonation. These absurd scenarios have exposed something far more disturbing, bringing to the fore the weaknesses in the country’s machinery of government. According to ICPC, the second allegedly fake institution was not merely operating somewhere outside government. It was allegedly given office accommodation inside the OSGF itself. At the moment, it is said that three Permanent Secretaries have now been suspended. This, it was said would enable the commission to investigate how the organisation…
By SCM International Desk I Monday, August 24, 2026 JOHANNESBURG — Zolani Tete, a celebrated two-division world boxing champion and Guinness World Record holder known for executing the fastest knockout in a title fight, was shot and killed on Friday evening outside his home in South Africa. He was 38 years old. Four suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the fatal ambush, South African police confirmed. A 22-year-old man arrested on Saturday is scheduled to appear in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court, while three additional suspects were detained over the weekend, two of whom face charges related…
Titus Eleweke, Editor South East I Monday, August 24, 2026 The renowned Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to use its 66th Annual General Conference to restore the declining moral standards in the legal profession. According to him, the new administration should bring fresh energy, courageous reforms, people-oriented initiatives, and a renewed commitment to restoring the Bar to the commanding moral and professional heights expected of the foremost association of lawyers in Nigeria. He made the appeal in his…
ELCHE 0-5 BARCELONA Reigning champions Barcelona got their La Liga title defense off to an explosive, statement-making start with a dazzling 5-0 annihilation of Elche at the Estadio Martínez Valero. Fronted by a vintage captain’s performance from Raphinha, midfield magic from Fermín López, and immediate fireworks from new summer signings, Hansi Flick’s side laid down a terrifying marker for the campaign ahead. The visitors dominated the narrative early and opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Captain Raphinha was chopped down inside the penalty area by Victor Chust before stepping up to coolly send Matías Dituro the…
By SCM Sport Reporter at the Etihad Stadium ENZO MARESCA’S Premier League reign as Manchester City boss got off to a heart-pounding start as a late double rescued a 2-1 victory over a fearless AFC Bournemouth. For 84 minutes, the Etihad Stadium was staring down an uncomfortable opening-day upset, but superstar substitute Rayan Cherki turned the game on its head to seal a dramatic comeback victory. The visiting Cherries came out firing under new manager Marco Rose and grabbed a shock lead in the 26th minute. A slick counter-attack saw striker Evanilson break free on the right flank…