Author: starconnect
By Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, Sept 14, 2026 ABUJA — As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately review the deployment of politically exposed academics as Returning and Collation Officers. The opposition party gave the warning in a press statement issued on Monday, September 14, 2026, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. The ADC’s demand follows recent newspaper reports disclosing that over 600 senior lecturers from public universities across Northern Nigeria have openly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for…
By Admin I Monday, Sept 14, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has declared that while economic, political, and institutional reforms are vital for Nigeria’s survival, the nation’s most urgent and foundational fix remains the complete reform of its leadership. Obi made this assertion while addressing a gathering of young Nigerian professionals in Washington, D.C., comprising medical doctors, healthcare practitioners, educators, lawyers, engineers, technology experts, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Describing the interactive session as both engaging and deeply encouraging, Obi emphasized that no nation can ever rise above the character, competence, capacity, and commitment of the…
Admin I Monday, Sept 14, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has questioned what he described as a “sobering security paradox” in Benue State. His comments follow a recent attack on the Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area, which reportedly left four police officers and seven civilians dead. In a statement titled “When Youths Can Stop a Political Convoy but Cannot Stop the Killers: Benue’s Sobering Security Paradox,” Ejiofor expressed concern over the apparent misdirection of youthful energy within the state. He highlighted…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, Sept 14, 2026 LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has cleared the air on the public controversy surrounding the proposed amendment to the Magistrates Law of Lagos State, which seeks to extend the retirement age of Magistrates and State Law Officers. Providing official context in a statement released on Monday, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), clarified that the proposed legislation is not an Executive Bill, but a Private Member’s Bill currently under legislative consideration by the Lagos State House of Assembly. Pedro noted that although the Executive…
By Admin I Monday, Sept 14, 2026 LAGOS – My attention has been drawn to the controversy surrounding the proposed amendment to the Magistrates Law of Lagos State, currently pending before the Lagos State House of Assembly, which seeks to increase the retirement age of Magistrates and Law Officers. In view of the controversy generated by the proposed amendment, it has become necessary for this Office to clarify the facts and set the record straight. For the avoidance of doubt, the proposed amendment is not an Executive Bill and is not sponsored by the Office of the Honourable…
Admin I Monday, Sept 14, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria -;Investors seeking to subscribe to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery IPO can complete the process in less than two minutes through Fidelity Bank’s digital channels. The Bank has provided multiple subscription options designed to serve existing Fidelity Bank customers, corporate organisations and non-customers in Nigeria and abroad. The available channels include the Fidelity Bank iOS Mobile App, Android Mobile App, corporate banking platform for Fidelity corporate customers and designated Fidelity Bank branches nationwide. A major feature of the bank’s subscription soluition is the availability of Virtual Accounts for investors who do…
By SCM International Desk I Monday, Sept 14, 2026 TEHRAN — A planned diplomatic meeting between Iran and Saudi Arabia intended to address regional maritime security and the conflict in Yemen has been postponed by Riyadh, Iranian officials said on Monday, exposing fresh strains in the delicate reconciliation between the two Middle Eastern rivals. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, publicly criticized Saudi Arabia for delaying the talks, accusing Saudi leadership of mishandling the negotiations. “Yemen’s problems are long-standing and Iran has always said, striven, and shown in practice that it is ready to help resolve them,” Mr.…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, Sept 14, 2026 ENUGU — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has strongly condemned an unprovoked attack on its members during a peaceful monthly ward meeting in Obuoffia Ward, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. The party warned political rivals against escalating violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, asserting its constitutional right to self-defence if state-sponsored assaults do not cease immediately. The violent disruption occurred at Ihuani Awkunanaw in Obuoffia—the ancestral home of the Awkunanaw people and hometown of Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa. Suspected political thugs reportedly invaded the venue, opened fire…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, Sept 14, 2026 SANAA/RIYADH — The security situation in the Middle East deteriorated further on Monday after the Yemeni Armed Forces launched a massive, coordinated missile and drone strike targeting King Khalid Airbase in southwestern Saudi Arabia. According to a formal statement issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces in Sana’a, the offensive was carried out using dozens of precision ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). The strikes targeted crucial military infrastructure within the base—located in Khamis Mushait—including warplane hangars, radar systems, runways, and ammunition depots. The Yemeni military characterized the assault as a…
’I’M DEEPLY SORRY SIR’ By Emmanuel Thomas l Monday, Sept 14, 2026 SURULERE, Lagos – Former actor turned politician Desmond Elliot went down on his knees and prostrated in a dramatic public apology to the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. The 52-year-old former Lagos State House of Assembly member begged for forgiveness following a bitter fallout over “ill-thought” moves during the last All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in Surulere, Lagos. Elliot threw himself to the ground in a traditional show of remorse, pleading for a second chance to be welcomed back into the political fold. ”I’m sorry,…