BREAKING: Pope Francis Dies At 88

The Universal Leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has passed on at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. He reportedly died during the early hours of the Easter Monday, 21st April, 2025.

At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta with these words:

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."

The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.

Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.

After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.

FN Blog

US, Iran Hold Nuclear Talks in Rome

> The United States (US) and Iran have commenced bilateral talks in Rome, on April 19, 2025, in bid to reach nuclear deal.

The duo started a new round of nuclear talks to resolve their decades-long standoff over Tehran's atomic aims, under the shadow of President Donald Trump's threat to unleash military action if diplomacy fails.

"Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, and Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, will negotiate indirectly through an Omani official who will shuttle messages between the two sides," Iranian officials said, a week after a first round of indirect talks in Muscat that both sides described as constructive.

Araqchi and Witkoff interacted briefly at the end of the first round, but officials from the two countries have not held direct negotiations since 2015 under former U.S. President Barack Obama.

Araqchi, in a meeting with his Italian counterpart ahead of the talks, said "Iran had always been committed to diplomacy and called on "all parties involved in the talks to seize the opportunity to reach a reasonable and logical nuclear deal".

"Such an agreement should respect Iran's legitimate rights and lead to the lifting of unjust sanctions on the country while addressing any doubts about its nuclear work."

He said in Moscow on Friday that Iran believes reaching an agreement on its nuclear programme with the U.S. is possible as long as Washington is realistic.

"Rome becomes the capital of peace and dialogue," Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X. "I encouraged Araqchi to follow the path of negotiation against nuclear arms. The hope of the Italian government is that all together may find a positive solution for the Middle East."

Tehran has however sought to tamp down expectations of a quick deal, after some Iranian officials speculated that sanctions could be lifted soon.

Iran's utmost authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said this week he was "neither overly optimistic nor pessimistic".

For his part, Trump told reporters on Friday: "I'm for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon. They can't have a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be great and prosperous and terrific."

Meanwhile, Israel has not ruled out an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities in the coming months, according to an Israeli official and two other people familiar with the matter.

Trump, who ditched a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six powers during his first term in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran, has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign on the country since returning to the White House in January, 2025.

"Washington wants Iran to halt production of highly enriched uranium, which it believes is aimed at building an atomic bomb." Trump said.

"Tehran, which has always maintained its nuclear programme is peaceful, says it is willing to negotiate some curbs in return for the lifting of sanctions, but wants watertight guarantees that Washington will not renege again."

Since 2019, Iran has breached and far surpassed the 2015 deal's limits on its uranium enrichment, producing stocks far above what the West says is necessary for a civilian energy programme.

Russia, a party to Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement, has offered "to assist, mediate, and play any role" that will be beneficial to Iran and the U.S.

FN Blog

Macron hosts Ceasefire Talks on Ukraine/Russia War

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has successfully met in Paris, France with top diplomats from the United States (US), Europe, and Ukraine, on April 17, 2025, which was reportedly aimed at reviving stalled ceasefire efforts.

The high-profile diplomatic meeting was described by a French official as an “excellent day of talks in Paris".

After the meeting, the Élysée Palace announced that "Senior US, European and Ukrainian diplomats will meet again" in London next week.

“We have started a positive process in which Europeans are a part,” the spokesperson said after the meetings attended by top French, German, British and Ukrainian officials as well as the US secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

The French official said: “The Americans are ready to discuss security guarantees, but the exact content of those guarantees will depend on negotiations allowing Ukraine to achieve a solid and durable peace starting with a complete ceasefire as soon as possible.”

France’s president, Macron, hosted the talks as Washington and Europe seek common ground on how to end the fighting three years after Russia invaded its neighbour, Ukraine, with Trump’s pledge to swiftly end the war so far unfulfilled.

“Everyone wants to get peace. A robust and sustainable peace. The question is about phasing,” Macron said as the talks got under way.

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, who also attended, said afterwards the talks were “very productive” but gave no details.

A previously unannounced team of Ukrainian officials including Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, and the country’s Foreign and Defence ministers flew in to meet the US and European delegations.

Yermak said: “We exchanged views on the next steps…, including the implementation of a full ceasefire, the involvement of a multinational military contingent, and development of an effective security architecture for Ukraine.”

In Kyiv, Zelenskyy was critical of Witkoff’s message, saying he believed the US envoy had “taken on the strategy of the Russian side”. He added: “I think it is very dangerous, because he is – consciously or unconsciously, I don’t know – spreading Russian narratives.”

Earlier on Thursday, the Ukrainian President, Zelenskyy, said pressure must be put on Moscow to call a halt to the fighting. “Russia uses every day and night to kill,” he said. “We must put pressure on the killers, to end this war and guarantee a lasting peace.”

The Élysée spokesperson said the object of the meetings was “to allow Ukraine to better understand the US proposals”, adding that the fact that Rubio, Witkoff and Kellogg attended “shows they recognize the important role of the Europeans”.

Macron spoke to Zelenskyy by phone before the talks, the French president’s office said. He later greeted Witkoff and Rubio before a joint lunch. Before that, his foreign policy adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, and his British and German counterparts met Yermak.

Trump has indicated frustration with both Moscow and Kyiv, but European leaders’ concern has mounted as the US president heaps pressure and criticism on Zelenskyy while repeatedly making diplomatic overtures to Putin.

FN Blog

UK Court: Legal Definition of 'Woman' excludes trans-Gender

In a landmark ruling on April 16, 2025, the United Kingdom’s (UK) highest court proclaimed that the legal definition of “woman” excludes trans-women, in a case with sweeping consequences for how equality laws are applied.

Britain’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the definition of a woman in equality legislation refers to “a biological woman and biological sex,” sparking celebrations outside court among gender-critical campaigners.

The court decided on whether trans women with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) – which offers legal recognition of someone’s female sex – are protected from discrimination as a woman under the nation’s Equality Act 2010.

A group of campaigners in Scotland brought the challenge in 2018, arguing that those rights should only safeguard those assigned as women at birth. But the Scottish government said that a trans-woman with a GRC is legally a woman and should therefore be accorded the same legal protections.

Even though the case draws from a debate over Scottish laws designed to increase the number of women sitting on boards, the outcome on Wednesday will shape the increasingly fractious and polarizing debate over transgender rights across the UK.

The UK’s ruling Labour party said the ruling brought “clarity and confidence” while the opposition Conservatives called it a “clear victory for common sense,” urging the government to amend existing guidance.

“The terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex,” Lord Patrick Hodge told the court in London. “The provisions relating to sex discrimination can only be interpreted as referring to biological sex,” he added.

“Interpreting ‘sex’ as certificated sex would cut across the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ and thus the protected characteristic of sex in an incoherent way,” a summary of the ruling said, which added that transgender women could be excluded from same-sex facilities such as changing rooms if “proportionate.”

If transgender women with a GRC are accorded the same protected characteristic as biological women under the Equality Act, Hodge said, they would possess “greater rights than those who do not,” citing provisions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave.

The justice insisted that the court’s interpretation of the Equality Act 2010 “does not remove protection from trans people,” with or without a GRC document. A trans woman could claim discrimination on the grounds of gender reassignment, and because “she is perceived to be a woman,” added Hodge.

The ruling has triggered wide jubilation within and outside court by women activists in Scotland, and the UK at large. Britain’s government “has always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex,” a spokesperson said, following the ruling.

“This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges, and sports clubs,” the spokesperson added. “Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this Government.”

FN Blog

Gov. Alia warns Obi, others Against Unapproved Visit to Benue

The Governor of Benue State, Nigeria, Hyacinth Alia, on 14th April 2025, issued a warning, stating he could not ensure the safety of any individual or group arriving in the state without his prior knowledge.

The Governor advised those contemplating such visits to rethink their plans for their own safety and well-being.

Additionally, the governor emphasized that anyone intending to visit the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state must obtain prior approval from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) before proceeding with their visit. The press release came after the the Presidential contestant under the auspices of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria and the erstwhile governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, reportedly sought the attention of the governor over his scheduled visit to the Benue State, but his efforts to reach Gov. Alia proved abortive.

The warning released by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, under the title “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State.”

Additionally, the governor emphasized that anyone intending to visit the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state must obtain prior approval from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) before proceeding with their visit.

Part of the statement read: “The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, wishes to inform the public that he is not expecting any August visitor to the state today.

“He is currently engaged in high-profile meetings with key state actors to discuss critical issues affecting our state. “Therefore, he strongly advises against any group or high-profile individual(s) attempting to enter the state for any kind of visit that may generate political assemblies without prior approval.

“For anyone considering a visit to Benue State without the Governor’s knowledge, it is imperative to reconsider such plans, as the safety and security of individuals in this regard cannot be guaranteed. “Also the public is to note that all individuals or groups intending to visit IDPs in Benue State must first seek and obtain written permission from Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA.

“We urge security agents and the public to take note of this announcement and maintain peace and order in the state.”

FN Blog

NBC Bans Eedris Abdulkareem's Latest Song

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has barred Nigerian radio and television stations from airing the trending song “Tell Your Papa” recently released by the notable rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, citing its “objectionable nature.” In a memo dated April 9, 2025 and issued by the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, the commission declared the track Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. This section prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms. According to the NBC, while the song has gained momentum across social media platforms, its lyrical content fails to meet the standards of responsible broadcasting. The statement titled, “Restriction on boradcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,’ read, “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature. ”It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. “The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards. “Your cooperation and commitment to upholding this directive are greatly appreciated." The controversial song, released earlier this week, targets Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, calling on him to confront his father over the worsening socio-economic conditions in Nigeria. In the track titled “Tell Your Papa,” which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, April 6, 2025, Eedris Abdulkareem delivered a blunt message, painting a grim picture of the hardships facing every Nigerian resident in the country. The song comes in response to Seyi Tinubu’s recent comments in Adamawa State, where he described his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.” In the hard-hitting lyrics, Eedris raps, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.” “Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians. “Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem,” he sings. FN Blog

Burkina Faso unveils first Electric Vehicle

Burkina Faso has graciously unveiled the country’s first locally produced electric vehicle model, called ITAOUA, marking a remarkable moment in the history of the West African nation.

This records a groundbreaking development in a country traditionally reliant on agriculture.

It's reported that all the parts deployed in the process of manufacturing the car were locally sourced.

The newly built vehicle could reportedly travel up to 330km having been charged, and can only take 30 minutes to be fully charged.

The President, Capt Ibrahim Traore, has promised to release sufficient funds to encourage young talents to come up with mass production of the electric vehicle.

FN Blog

"He made 1st Call on MTN Network": MTN mourns Pascal Dozie

MTN Nigeria has expressed sadness over the death of its founding chairman, Dr Pascal Dozie, describing him as a pioneer, statesman, and titan of industry.

MTN Nigeria said Dozie, who died at the age of o6 on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, played a pivotal role in the emergence of mobile telephone in Nigeria and in shaping the company’s story.

The company made this known through a statement issued by its Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, on Tuesday, April 8.

Toriola said Dozie brought insight, experience, and leadership at a time when bold vision was essential, adding that he was instrumental in securing the early support and investment that brought the Y’ello dream to life.

Toriola stated: “On May 16, 2001, he made the first call on the MTN network, a historic moment in Nigeria’s telecommunications journey.

“For 18 years, from 2001 to 2019, Dr. Dozie served as Chairman, leading with strength and conviction. His presence on the Board was unifying.

“He championed good governance, corporate responsibility, and long-term value, deeply committed to the greater good. In challenging times, he remained a stabilising force.

“His unwavering belief in Nigeria’s potential and his dedication to its development were truly inspiring. His leadership at MTN Nigeria laid the foundation for our success, and his legacy will continue to guide us in the years to come.

“We are profoundly grateful for his time with us. His memory will remain a guiding light for MTN, Nigeria’s business community, and everyone who shares his unwavering commitment to progress built on integrity and service.”

FN Blog

Ghana Warns Use of Honorary Doctoral, Professorial Titles

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has raised concerns over the increasing misuse of honorary titles such as “Doctor” and “Professor,” cautioning individuals and institutions to desist from appending these honours to their names and credentials.

This is coming barely a few weeks after the Malawian authority dropped a press release, warning its educational institutions and individuals to desist from misusing honorary doctoral and professorial titles in the country.

In a press statement signed by the Director General of the GETC, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, the Commission expressed concern about the growing trend of individuals using honorary doctoral and professorial titles as if they were earned academic qualifications.

The body described the practice as misleading and unethical, warning it contravenes provisions of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).

“While the Commission acknowledges and encourages the responsible recognition of distinguished individuals… it asserts that such honours should only be conferred by accredited and duly recognised institutions within the realm of Ghanaian higher education,” the statement read.Ghanaian fashion

GTEC clarified that although honorary degrees serve to recognize exceptional achievement and service, recipients are not to incorporate these titles into their formal credentials or identities.

The Commission further emphasized that it is illegal to do so, noting it undermines the integrity of the country’s academic system.

The Commission’s mandate, under Section 8 (3)(d) of Act 1023, includes regulating the use of academic titles and nomenclature. This includes terms such as “university,” “college,” “Emeritus,” “Professor,” “Doctor,” and “Chartered.”

GTEC appealed to the public, as well as institutions within Ghana’s higher education space, to uphold ethical standards in the conferral and usage of such honors. It also urged individuals to take personal responsibility and exercise restraint.

“To safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system and to uphold its deserved credibility and respect, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission demands that all stakeholders refrain from the misuse of honorary academic titles,” said Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC.

The Commission concluded with a stern warning, "institutions and individuals who persist in violating these guidelines risk facing regulatory sanctions."

FN Blog

Wike hosts Suspended Legislators in UK

The Nigeria's Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, on Monday, April 7 2025 met with the suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the United Kingdom (UK).

The legislators were reportedly hosted with a special dinner.

This followed his earlier meeting with some of his political allies in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the previous day being Sunday, April 6, 2025.

The meeting was disclosed by the minister’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, via his Facebook page.

According to Olayinka: “Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner. Wike left Nigeria on Sunday night after visiting his political friends and associates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.”

It could be recalled that the lawmakers were suspended by President Bola Tinubu after declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State due to security concerns. Governor Sim Fubara was also suspended for six months.

The emergency rule stemmed from the ongoing political crisis between Wike and Fubara.

The crisis had affected the lawmakers and the entire political structure in Rivers State.

The Supreme Court later intervened, ordering the reinstatement of the lawmakers and directing Governor Fubara to present the 2024 budget before the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly.

However, Fubara’s attempt to present the budget was thwarted as the lawmakers barred him from accessing the Assembly complex.

FN Blog

Bill Ackman: Trump losing Confidence of Business Leaders

A billionaire investor, Bill Ackman said that America was heading toward a self-inflicted “economic nuclear winter” as a result of the U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy rollout.

“By placing massive and disproportionate tariffs on our friends and our enemies alike and thereby launching a global economic war against the whole world at once, we are in the process of destroying confidence in our country as a trading partner,” the American business guru asserted.

Ackman, who had endorsed Donald Trump during the elections, wrote on the social media platform, X.

President Trump’s latest tariffs, signed into effect Wednesday, 2nd April 2025 set a 10% baseline levy on all imports, hitting over 180 countries and hammering global markets.

China faces the highest tariffs, with the Trump administration having imposed 54% in duties since January. Beijing has retaliated with 34% tariffs on all goods imported from the U.S.

U.S. equities capped off a vicious week for investors last Friday, being April 4, 2025 down 9.08%, according to data from FactSet, as Trump’s moves stoke fears of a global economic slowdown.

J.P. Morgan last week lifted the odds for a U.S. and global recession to 60% by the end of the year, up from 40% previously.

“Business is a confidence game. The president is losing the confidence of business leaders around the globe,” Ackman said.

“The consequences for our country and millions of our citizens who have supported the president — in particular low-income consumers who are already under a huge amount of economic stress — are going to be severely negative. This is not what we voted for,” the hedge fund manager said.

Trump has the opportunity to call for a timeout for any negotiations to resolve any “unfair” tariff deals.

“Alternatively, we are heading for a self-induced, economic nuclear winter, and we should start hunkering down.” he reiterated.

FN Blog

Nigeria Considers Extension of NYSC Service Duration

The Nigerian Government is considering extension of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service year beyond 12 months.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa made this known while receiving the Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu at his office in Abuja.

Alausa stated that the extension would enable every Nigerian youth to be fully trained in at least one skill of their choice, thereby making them relevant in the job market.

The Director of Press in the Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, in a statement on Saturday, April 5, 2025, quoted Alausa as saying this would allow NYSC members to make deeper contributions to national development after acquiring market-ready skills.

The minister emphasized the need to reposition the NYSC scheme to align with national development goals.

He noted that such an extension would serve as a strategic solution to unemployment by providing young Nigerians with more time to acquire market-ready skills.

According to him, this initiative would allow corps members to make more meaningful contributions to national development while enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial potential.

Alausa reaffirmed his belief in the potential of Nigerian youth as the country’s greatest asset for advancing education and economic growth.

The minister also proposed the Teacher’s Call initiative, aimed at engaging NCE holders as temporary teachers in underserved areas, as well as a rural health corps to deliver medical training to rural communities.

He advocated for a comprehensive reform of the orientation programme to incorporate vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, and ICT training that enhances employability and reduces youth unemployment.

He described Nigerian youths as “the greatest asset for advancing education and economic growth”, and stressed that they should not be neglected.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, applauded the NYSC for its pivotal role in maintaining educational standards and protecting the integrity of academic certificates, especially in light of challenges with transnational education.

The NYSC DG, in his remarks, expressed appreciation for the ministry’s continued partnership and noted ongoing reforms within the NYSC to improve national service delivery.

Nafiu advocated for the creation of a pre-departure database to track Nigerian students studying abroad, combat certificate fraud, and ensure qualification integrity.

He further commended the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Department (SAED) of NYSC and called for sustained partnership with the ministry to advance education and youth empowerment.

Ojulari Assumes Duty As NNPC Boss

The new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bayo Ojulari, has officially taken over the reins of the company from his predecessor, Mele Kyari.

In a brief handover ceremony held at the NNPC Towers on April 4, 2025, Ojulari commended Kyari for his contributions to the growth of the NNPC Limited and his sterling service to the nation.

He further stated that the objective of his management was to consolidate on the successes of his predecessor and take the company to the next level.

The new GCEO said though the targets set for his management were quite enormous, he would be relying on the co-operation of the management and staff of the NNPC Limited, as well as the counsel of his predecessor to achieve set targets.

“I will be counting on your support. I will need it. I will be coming around to seek your counsel,” Ojulari told Kyari.

Earlier in his remarks, Kyari congratulated Ojulari and thanked the management and staff of the NNPC Limited for their support while in office.

He pledged to do everything within his power to support the new management to succeed, stressing he was only a call away.

NNPC Announces Appointment of New Team

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced the appointment of a new 8-man senior Management Team.

The NNPCL announced this via a statement issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Soneye stated that the development followed the appointment of the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors.

The team, which would be headed by the GCEO, Bayo Ojulari, has Rowland Ewubare as Group Chief Operating Officer; Adedapo Segun as Group Chief Financial Officer; and Olalekan Ogunleye as Executive Vice President Gas, Power and New Energy.

Other members of the team are Udy Ntia as Executive Vice President Upstream; Mumuni Dangazau as Executive Vice President Downstream; Sophia Mbakwe as Executive Vice President Business Services; and Adesua Dozie, as Company Secretary and Chief Legal Officer.

According to Soneye, all appointments are with immediate effect.

Supreme Court Sacks Abure As LP Chairman

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja recognizing Mr. Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

In a unanimous judgement on Friday, April 4, 2025, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to have pronounced Mr. Abure as the party's National Chairman having earlier found that the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership. The apex court declared that the issue of leadership is an internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction.

The court however added that Mr. Abure’s tenure had since expired. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal filed by Senator Ester Nenadi Usman and one other, hence pronounced that it was meritorious.

It proceeded to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by the Mr. Abure faction of the LP for being unmeritorious.

Ojulari Replaces Kyari As NNPC Boss

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has sacked the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

Tinubu also dissolved its board, removing the Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure.

This latest development was disclosed on 2nd April 2025 from the State House, Abuja. According to the Press Release, Tinubu invoked his powers under section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to carry out the sweeping reconstitution, citing the need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPCL”.

Hence, Tinubu approved a new 11-man board, which has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive Chairman.

It's noteworthy that Engr. Ojulari is the erstwhile Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the defunct Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC).

The statement said, “Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board by President Tinubu. “Six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country’s geopolitical zones. They are Bello Rabiu, North West, Yusuf Usman, North East, and Babs Omotowa, a former managing director of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas( NLNG), who represents North Central.

“President Tinubu appointed Austin Avuru as a non-executive director from the South-South, David Ige as a Non-executive director from the South West, and Henry Obih as a non-executive director from the South East. “Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the ministry on the new board, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources”.

The statement further mentioned that all the appointments take effect from April 2, 2025.

Malawi Warns Institutions, Recipients on Honorary Doctoral Degrees, others

The Malawian National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has issued a strong warning to all indigenous and foreign Institutions on higher education in Malawi.

It clarifies that receiving an honorary degree does not automatically qualify an individual for the title of "Doctor" or "Professor", as the case may be.

In a statement released on March 27, 2025, the NCHE emphasised that honorary degrees are purely symbolic recognitions, hence do not hold the same academic weight as a PhD or a Professorship.

While warning that only accredited and recognized institutions were permitted to award honorary doctoral degree (honoris causa) to distinguished individuals, it cautioned them to desist from recognizing anyone with professorship award.

The council noted an increasing trend where individuals who had been conferred honorary degrees begin to use academic titles without completing the rigorous scholarly processes required for those qualifications.

“An honorary degree is a recognition of one’s contributions to society, but it does not equate to an earned academic qualification,” the statement read.

NCHE further cautioned institutions against misleading the public by allowing honorary degree recipients to assume academic titles. The council stressed that only accredited institutions and duly qualified individuals can rightfully hold and use such titles.

This warning comes amid growing concerns that some individuals in Malawi are falsely portraying themselves as professors or doctors after receiving honorary degrees from unaccredited institutions.

The NCHE has urged all stakeholders to hold hands in upholding the integrity and dignity of higher education in the country.

Meta Launches New Friends' Tab on Facebook

Meta has unveiled a new ‘Friends’ tab on Facebook — rather counterintuitive statement - considering what the platform was originally meant to be.

The new ‘Friends’ tab is aimed at reviving the platform’s original purpose of connecting people with their personal social circles.

The CEO, Mark Zuckerberg announced the development on March 27 2025, and is a part of the social media company’s effort to bring back what it refers to as “OG Facebook”, or the earlier version of the platform that prioritized direct interactions between friends.

It's noteworthy that the feature is now available in the US and Canada.

“We’re introducing a new Facebook Friends tab that makes it easier to connect with your friends,” the social media company said in an official statement.

“Connecting with friends has been a part of Facebook since it was launched. Over the years, Facebook evolved to meet changing needs and created best-in-class experiences across Groups, Video, Marketplace and more, but the magic of friends has fallen away.

"We will be adding several “OG” Facebook experiences throughout the year, beginning with the revamped Friends tab,” it added.

Over the past few years, Facebook has mostly steered away from a social network primarily centered on friends and family to a platform where algorithmically recommended content dominates.

This has seen the introduction of AI-powered recommendations in users’ feeds, surfacing posts from strangers, trending videos, and content from influencers rather than personal connections.

While this approach has helped drive engagement, it has also led to criticism from longtime Facebook users, many of whom have expressed frustration over their feeds being inundated with viral content, advertisements, and recommended posts at the expense of updates from friends.

Now, Meta is seemingly going back to its roots.

The Friends tab is not the first attempt by Meta to reintroduce a more personalized user experience. In 2022, Zuckerberg introduced a dedicated “friends” feed, which allowed users to view posts from personal connections in reverse chronological order.

However, this feature was not prominently placed in the app, making it difficult for users to access and utilize effectively. It remains to be seen whether Meta can leverage this to retain younger users, especially since many of them have migrated TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.

Facebook, once the go-to platform for social networking, has seen a decline in engagement from Gen Z users, who often perceive the platform as outdated or too focused on older demographics.

The Friends tab replaces what was previously a section dedicated solely to friend requests and “People You May Know” suggestions. With the latest update, this tab has been transformed into a dedicated feed exclusively featuring content from users’ Facebook friends.

Unlike the main feed, which remains heavily influenced by Meta’s content algorithms, this section removes posts from groups, pages, and recommended sources, ensuring that users only see updates from their direct connections.

The content displayed in the Friends tab includes status updates, posts, Stories, Reels, birthday reminders, and friend requests, making it a one-stop destination for friend-related interactions.

Additionally, Meta has provided users with the option to pin the Friends tab to their main navigation bar, allowing for quick and easy access.

This feature can be customized through Settings & Privacy. Hence, users need to go to Settings and click on the Tab Bar.

2 Dead, 4 Missing in Spanish Mine Accident

At least two miners reportedly died on Monday, 31st March 2025 and four were missing in an accident in a mine in the northern Spanish region of Asturias, the regional emergency service said.

The emergency service said another three people had been injured due to a machine malfunction inside the mine in Degana at 9:32 a.m. (0732 GMT) local time.

Three helicopters and two ambulances have been sent to the scene of the incident.

Reports earlier revealed there had been an explosion in the mine and that several people were trapped.

Meet Ten Countries with Highest Malaria Mortality

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by female Anopheles mosquitoes and affects several countries, particularly sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, the disease is one of the most severe public health problems worldwide and the leading cause of death in many developing countries.

While the disease can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and with medical treatment, the number of people dying from the same is startling. Nearly 600,000 persons died from Malaria globally according to 2023 WHO statistics, with 263 million malaria cases recorded.

Out onumbere numbers, 569,000 representing 95%, and 246 million representing 94%, respectively were recorded in the WHO African Region.

Children under 5 suffered the most, with about 76% of deaths coming from that category in the said region.

A list of the ten countries with the highest malaria mortality rates is given below:

1. Nigeria

Nigeria can be said to be leading the malaria burden globally, accounting for approximately 31% of all malaria deaths worldwide. In 2022, the country reported nearly 200,000 malaria-related deaths. Children under five and pregnant women are the most affected groups, with a national malaria prevalence rate of 22% among children aged 6-59 months as of 2021, according to the WHO. 2. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

As a result of its tropical regions and other major challenges in DRC's healthcare infrastructure, high incidence and mortality rates associated with malaria are consistently recorded in the country. The country currently accounts for approximately 12% of global malaria deaths.

3. Niger

Malaria is a leading cause of death in Niger, representing approximately 6% of global malaria deaths. The country's predominantly rural population and limited access to healthcare services make malaria a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.

4. Tanzania

Approximately 4% of Tanzanians die globally from malaria deaths, according to the World Health Organisation. Despite ongoing control efforts, malaria remains a major public health issue, particularly affecting children under five years old.

5. Mozambique

Mozambique contributes to approximately 4.2% of global malaria deaths. The country's climate and environmental conditions promote malaria transmission, leading to significant health impacts.

6. Uganda

Uganda has relatively higher numbers compared to other African countries as far as number of global malaria deaths are concerned. With an estimated 5.1% of global malaria deaths, malaria is endemic across the country, with high transmission rates posing substantial health risks to the population. 7. Angola

Angola represents approximately 3.4% of global malaria deaths. Many, particularly pregnant women and children die from malaria in this part of Africa, according to statistics available to the World Health Organisation.

8. Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso contributes to about 3.2% of global malaria deaths. According to the World Health Organisation, the high transmission rates are a significant public health concern, especially in rural areas. ​ 9. Mali

Mali accounts for approximately 3.2% of global malaria deaths. The country's malaria situation poses ongoing challenges to public health efforts.

10. Cameroon

Cameroon represents about 2.6% of global malaria deaths. Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with children under five being the most vulnerabl