Shekau hiding in Kala-Balge forest

Nigeria has recently trumpeted a major victory in its battle against Boko Haram, claiming that its army has routed the jihadists from their forest bastion, but the war against them is far from over.

International observers to monitor IPOB leader Kanu’s court session

The Indigenous People of Biafra on Friday said international observers would monitor the court session of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, coming up on January 10, 2017.

Nigeria rice 'contaminated, not plastic' - NAFDAC

Lab tests on a consignment of rice seized by Nigerian customs officials show that the product is "contaminated" but not plastic, the National Agency For Food and Drugs (Nafdac) says.

US billionaire Smith sponsors Chibok girls

An African American billionaire, Robert Smith is sponsoring the education of 24 Chibok schoolgirls in American University, Yola in Adamawa State.

Maya Angelou

There were people who went to sleep last night,
poor and rich and white and black,
but they will never wake again.

Hope rises for IDPs as EFCC signs MoU with WFP

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday signed an MoU with the World Food Programme (WFP) to protect the distribution of food aids in the country against fraud.

UN wants murder investigation after Duterte admits killing 3 people

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Al Hussein Zeid, has called on the judicial authorities in the Philippines to uphold the rule of law and investigate the self-professed crimes of President Rodrigo Duterte.

I’ll be the best I can — Miss Nigeria

The winner of the 40th Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant, Miss Chioma Obiadi, from Anambra has promised to be the best expected of her during her reign as the beauty queen.

74 journalists killed worldwide in 2016 – Media watchdog

Seventy-four journalists and other media workers were killed worldwide in 2016, the majority of whom 53 died as a result of targeted attacks, media watchdog, Reporters without Borders (RSF) said Monday.

Crashes: FRSC bans petroleum tanker drivers from night journeys from Dec.19

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Sunday reiterated its total ban of petroleum tanker drivers from embarking on night journeys across the country from Monday, Dec.19.

El-Rufai hails Amina Mohammed’s appointment as UN Deputy Sec.-Gen

Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has hailed the appointment of Mrs Amina Mohammed as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Pope tasks Christians on true meaning of Christmas

Pope Francis, on Sunday, at the Catholic festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, urged Christians to reflect on the “true” meaning of Christmas.

Borno governor lauds UNHCR over humanitarian assistance

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno has commended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its humanitarian assistance to displaced persons in the North East Zone and neighbouring countries.

Bakasi IDPs seek empowerment from UN body

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Bakasi Camp in Maiduguri have called for empowerment from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Miss Nigeria Pageant automates voting process for 40th edition

With a day to the grand finale of the 40th Miss Nigeria contest, the organisers have automated the voting process for this year’s edition, offering the audience chance to determine who wears the crown.

Boko Haram: UN launches appeals for 500,000 victims

The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday launched a multi-million dollar inter-agency appeal to provide support for about 500,000 Boko Haram victims from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

Lagos-based MMM ‘billionaire’ who lavished cash on wedding got brand new SUV from guiders

As apprehension over the fate of millions of participants in the Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox or MMM mounts in Nigeria after accounts were frozen, information emerged that some individuals might have become far richer than anyone can expect.

SDGs to train, empower 1,000 youths in Gombe

Alhaji Mohammed Umar, the Coordinator, Sustainable Development Goals, Gombe State, says more than 1, 000 youths will be trained on agricultural production and other empowerment programmes in the first quarter of 2017.

48 least developed countries caught in ‘poverty trap’ being left behind

The UN has warned that without stronger global support, 48 of the world’s most vulnerable countries will lose ground in economic development and face increasing levels of poverty.

UNESCO assesses damage at Nimrud archaeological site in Iraq

UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) says it is conducting an inspection of the Nimrud archaeological site in Iraq to assess the overall state of conservation of the site.

Amina Mohammed thanks Guterres, Buhari over UN Deputy Secretary-General appointment

Ms Amina Mohammed, the incoming UN Deputy Secretary-General has thanked Secretary-General-designate António Guterres and President Muhammadu Buhari for the confidence they reposed in her.

Boko Haram: children severely malnourished, at risk of death, says UNICEF

UNICEF Executive Director,Anthony Lake,  on Tuesday, said the brutal years of Boko Haram insurgency had left a devastating impact on the children in northeast Nigeria.

Panic as MMM stops payment

Many Nigerians were shocked yesterday to learn that the popular money making scheme, Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox (MMM), had placed a one- month freeze on withdrawals.

Mba to be arraigned on Jan. 24

The trial of Emeka Mba, former Director General of Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), could not hold due to absence of  counsel to EFCC at Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Press freedom watchdogs warn of sharp increase of jailed journalists

The number of journalists jailed globally has hit record with a sharp increase in media professionals imprisoned by Turkey, two independent reports published by press freedom watchdogs said on Tuesday.

Kogi Govt to clear salary backlogs by Dec. 20

The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed commitment to clear the backlog salaries of all the genuine workers and pensioners in the state by 20 December.

Nigerians react to one month freezing of MMM accounts

As the news broke that popular ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox also known as  MMM has been frozen for a month, Nigerians in their usual fashion have gone on social media to express their thoughts and feelings on the likely “doomsday” everyone has dreaded.

Below are some tweets from both MMM participants and those who predicted the reality on ground.

MMM Nigeria freezes all confirmed accounts

Mr. Aye DeeVerified account‏@MrAyeDee

This is how MMM crashed in South Africa. In May, MMM SA announced a freeze, just like MMM Nigeria did in December, SA still frozen.

UNICEF certifies 279 communities Open Defecation Free in Katsina State

No fewer than 279 communities in Katsina State have been certified free of Open Defecation (ODF).

Women top new UN chief Guterre’s agenda

Incoming UN Secretary-General António Guterres says the appointment of women into critical position will be his top priority as the UN chief from Jan. 1, 2017.

Ban Ki-moon bids UN farewell

Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a farewell speech on Monday, said that his tenure as the eight UN scribe was filled with one of the worst challenges for humanity.

UN pays tribute to Ban’s service to humanity

 The UN General Assembly on Monday, paid a glowing tribute to outgoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his service to humanity over the past decade.

Nigerians will lose millions if MMM collapses – Founder

The founder of Mavrodi Mondial Movement, popularly known as MMM, Sergey Mavrodi,  has warned that millions of Nigerians will suffer, because “the scheme is their only means of livelihood”.

ECOWAS to address political impasse in Guinea Bissau at Dec. 17 summit

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Chairperson, Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State Government, says   leaders of the sub-region would address the situation in Guinea Bissau at their forthcoming summit on Dec. 17.

Arrest of Journalist: Kogi NUJ boycotts govt activities

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi council on Monday directed journalists in the state to boycott government activities to protest the unlawful arrest of one of its members, Mr Friday Ogungbemi.

HIV/AIDS: FG developes plan to eliminate Mother-to-Child transmission

The Federal Ministry of Health has developed a National Operational plan for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV (2017-2018), aimed at halting the spread of the scourge by 2030.

HIV Prevention Conference: People living with virus protest

The Society for Women and Children Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (SOWCHAN), on Tuesday, protested during the National Conference on HIV Prevention in Abuja.

Lawyer docked for assaulting female Journalist

A 35 year old legal practitioner Akaniyene Cletus was Tuesday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Uyo for allegedly assaulting a female journalist Blessing Ambrose.

New sexual assault referral centre to open in Lagos

A new care centre where victims of sexual violence could get immediate medical and psychosocial attention will open in Lagos on Thursday.

UN experts warn of deepening fundamentalism threats to women rights activists

Women who step up to defend human rights are facing worsening obstacles amid a global trend of fundamentalism and populism, a group of UN experts has warned.

Violence against women ‘serious obstacle’ to sustainable development – UN chief

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says violence against women and girls is serious obstacle to sustainable development and imposed “large-scale costs” on both communities and national economies.

Five million in Nigeria’s northeast need food – FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that Boko Haram insurgency and rising inflation have left more than five million people in northeast Nigeria facing acute food insecurity.

Bello Offers Scholarship To Late Colonel Abu Ali’s Kids

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, said the Kogi State Government will not only immortalise the late Lt. Col Muhammad Abu Ali but will also take the responsibility for the education of his three children up to university level.

Egypt journalists' union head gets two-year jail term

The head of the journalists' union in Egypt and his two colleagues have been sentenced to two years in prison for "harbouring fugitives".

Pope Francis names 17 new cardinals of Roman Catholic Church

Pope Francis has named 17 new cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church from around the world, many of whom will help choose his successor.

FG to build 3 more VVF hospitals for poor, vulnerable says Minister

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, says Federal Government is planning to build three more Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) hospitals in the country to make treatment accessible to the poor and vulnerable.

Church in northern Iraq reopened after 2 years under IS control

The Mar Korkeis Church in the town of Bashiqa, some 15 km (10 miles) north of Mosul, in Iraq, was reopened on Sunday after two years under the control of Islamic State (IS).

Women AFCON: Falcons thrash Mali 6-0

Super Falcons on Sunday began the Women’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on a winning note, as they beat Mali 6-0 in their first Group B game in Cameroon.

UNESCO advocates safer environment for media practitioners

UNESCO Deputy Director-General,Getachew Engida,  has advocated for a safer environment for media practitioners to ply their trade.

31m children immunised against polio in northern Nigeria

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, says more than 31 million children have been immunised as part of Federal Government’s efforts t