News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja As 2026 Ekiti off-cycle Governorship Election approaches, Civil Society Organisation's (CSOs) have faulted delay in release of funds and zero female candidates across 13 political parties.  This is even as the CSO's pegged INEC's preparedness at 34 percent, raising concern over uncontested political space and a media environment partially suppressed by a punitive levy.  This formed the crux of discuss at the unveiling of Ekiti State off-cycle Governorship Election Pre-Assessment Report on Thursday in Abuja.  The report was endorsed by Election Observation Hub, comprising Centre For Media and Society (CEMESO), ElectHER, International Press Centre (IPC), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre and Yiaga Africa. It was funded under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two (EU-SDGN II) programme, which is consistent with its mission of promoting transparent, credible, peaceful and inclusi...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Prof Segun Aina President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). He succeeded Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose two-term tenure expires on July 31, 2026. Aina, who will be 40 in July, is a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform.  He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University, United Kingdom.  Aina has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School. As a Prof of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Aina began his career with JAMB during his National Youth Service, gaining foundational experience in national admissio...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja As part of efforts to position Nigeria as a regional aerospace and aviation services hub, President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the proposal of world aircraft-maker, Airbus to establish maintenance and hangar facilities in the country.  This was even as Tinubu emphasised the urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft capable of supporting security operations, logistics, and national development priorities, in furtherance of his administration's effort to end the intractable security challenges.  The President spoke on Thursday, during a meeting with a delegation from Airbus, led by Head of Regional Business Growth Africa and the Middle East, Thierry Cloutet, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. He informed the delegation that his administration was determined to scale up the cordial relationship between both parties, leveraging the company's comparative advantage in military aircraft and aerospace developmen...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has appreciated the United States over the successful counterterrorism operation that led to the killing of ISIS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki.  He said that overnight, Nigeria and the United States recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism. The statement reads: "Our determined Nigerian Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces of the United States, conducted a daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow to the ranks of the Islamic State.  "Early assessments confirm the elimination of the wanted IS senior leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, along with several of his lieutenants, during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin. "Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives. I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unw...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Abu-Bilal al-Minuki The Defence Headquarters has provided further insight into the elimination of a senior ISIS leader and one of the world’s most active terrorists, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.  News Rider reports that Nigerian troops in collaboration with United States forces on Friday, May 15, 2026, conducted a meticulously planned and highly coordinated counterterrorism operation resulting in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.  The precision operation was the result of a recently formed U.S—Nigeria partnership and intelligence sharing efforts across different regions of the world. Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba attributed the successful operation to coordinated and directed operations across different regions of the world. He said: "Together, we have disrupted a violent terrorist network that endangered Nigeria and the broader West African region. Our efforts represent a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat te...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has validated an agreement with construction companies for speedy dualisation of Legacy road projects in line with the Renewed Hope Administration’s intervention in critical sectors of the economy.  This led to the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Works and Messrs Hitech Africa Limited, and Infiouest International Limited in Abuja.  The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi described the event as another milestone in the transformation of Nigeria’s infrastructure sector. He stated that many people initially doubted and criticised the projects, but they have seen the reality, adding that the projects are investments that will stimulate economic growth, improve connectivity, and enhance national development and integration. The four legacy projects are Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Superhighway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway....

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Major Gen Adeyinka Famadewa rtd President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa (Rtd) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security.  This was in recognition of his exceptional record of service, strategic expertise, and outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s national security architecture. The appointment emanated from a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, and issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.  It underscored the commitment of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening internal security coordination, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and deepening inter-agency collaboration in addressing emerging security threats across the country. Major General Famadewa (Rtd) is a highly decorated retired General with over three decades of distinguished military and intelligence service spanning national secur...