Author: starconnect
By SCM Correspondent WASHINGTON — Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence and one of the most visible figures in President Donald J. Trump’s cabinet, announced Friday that she will resign from her post effective June 30, 2026. Gabbard, who has led the nation’s sprawling intelligence apparatus for the last year and a half, stated that she is stepping away from public service to care for her husband, Abraham Williams, who was recently diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. ”I am deeply grateful for the trust President Trump placed in me and for the opportunity to…
By SCM Correspondent PORT HARCOURT — The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has kicked off a massive operation to send thousands of Nigeria’s brightest young minds to elite British and international universities, promising that the exercise will be devoid of corruption and favoritism. The NDDC—the powerful government agency tasked with rebuilding Nigeria’s oil-rich but historically troubled southern region—has declared its Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is completely “free, fair, and transparent.” The announcement comes as an staggering 12,277 hopefuls applied for the highly coveted funding scheme this year, which pays for Master’s degrees and PhDs abroad. UK universities…
Admin I Friday, May 22.26 LAGOS, Nigeria – Chinyere Don-Okhuofu, Managing Director, Industry Ecosystems, Interswitch, speaking at the NNPC Retail Business Transformation Summit held recently at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Abuja. Interswitch, the leading African technology company focused on creating solutions that enable individuals and communities prosper, has unveiled its tailored Digital Forecourt suite, an integrated digital retail ecosystem designed to seamlessly connect payments, operations, and customer experiences within modern fuel retail environments. The unveiling took place at the NNPC Retail Business Transformation Summit held this May at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Abuja, where Interswitch…
BENJAMIN OMOIKE I Friday, May 21.26 LAGOS, Nigeria – The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress, APC, flagbearer in the 2027 general election in the state. Upon his victory, Hamzat pledged to build an inclusive, economically vibrant and globally competitive Lagos if elected governor in the 2027 general election. Delivering his acceptance speech on Thursday night, after emerging as the APC candidate, Hamzat said his ambition was driven by a deep commitment to sustain and expand the developmental strides recorded in Lagos over the past 27 years under…
Admin I Friday, May 21, 26 LAGOS, Nigeria – Emirates Skywards is celebrating its members over the next few months with the launch of ‘Season of Rewards’ – a global campaign packed with bonus Skywards Miles and Tier Miles, enhanced Cash+Miles savings, partner reward flight offers, and accelerated earning opportunities across partner airlines, hotels, car rentals, holiday packages and lifestyle experiences. Running from 21 May to 31 August 2026, the season of rewards gives members more ways to earn and spend Miles across every part of their travel journey. “Skywards Season of Rewards reflects our continued commitment to creating…
By Steve Omolale I Friday, May 21.26 “The real work is just beginning and I am grateful to have such a dedicated team standing with me as we build the future of our state. We are ready for the days ahead. Let’s get to work.” LAGOS, Nigeria – With this call to duty, Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the state in next year’s general elections, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has set the tone for what to expect by Lagosians in the months and years ahead. Hamzat who addressed his supporters at…
By SCM Reporter A PREDATORY school proprietor, Benson Arinze who shattered the sanctuary of his own classrooms has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the sickening sexual assault of a six-year-old girl. Benson Arinze, the owner of Nurtured Brooks Nursery and Primary School in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, was handed the maximum sentence on Wednesday after a harrowing trial exposed his depraved abuse of power. A court heard how the monstrous headteacher ruthlessly targeted the vulnerable six-year-old survivor, choosing to strike during the quiet after-school hours when the innocent youngster was left behind in his care. The horrific…
By Our Reporter ABUJA — Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has delivered a landmark judgment, ruling that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacks the constitutional and statutory powers to fix or prescribe timetables for the conduct of political party primaries. The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, by Justice M.G. Umar, is expected to fundamentally alter the preparations for the next general elections and reshape the power dynamics between the electoral umpire and Nigeria’s political parties regarding internal democratic processes. The decision was the fallout of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026,…
The price of opportunism is political oblivion By Emmanuel Ukudolo l Friday, May 21.26 LAGOS, Nigeria – The primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have once again served as a masterclass in the ruthless mechanics of Nigerian party politics. Having abandoned the platform that gave them political life to seek green pastures in the ruling party, these politicians have found themselves stranded—denied tickets, stripped of their assumed leverage, and thoroughly humbled by the APC machinery For a handful of federal and state lawmakers who rose to prominence on the crest of the Labour Party’s…
BENJAMIN OMOIKE I Thursday, May 21.26 LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Government has disclosed that 35,461 criminal cases were filed across courts in the state over the last three years, with Lekki, Ajah, and Lagos Island emerging as major crime hotspots. The figures were revealed through the Lagos Criminal Information System (LCIS), a digital database introduced to improve criminal justice administration, transparency, and data management in the state. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, made the disclosure on Thursday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing marking the third year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.…