The Federal Government of Nigeria says ongoing diplomatic dialogue with the US under President Trump is producing “positive results,” opening channels for mutual understanding and practical cooperation on security, economic, and religious tensions. Information Minister Mohammed Idris highlights better US appreciation of Nigeria’s complex social challenges and urges continued partnership to combat terrorism.
US Congressman Bill Huizenga criticizes Nigeria’s handling of Christian attacks, advocating economic sanctions over military intervention and calling out failures to protect all citizens. US-Nigeria ties face scrutiny after Trump’s viral remarks threatening intervention. Nigerian leaders argue for economic pressure rather than armed response.
Vatican Envoy Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu and Northern CAN urge dialogue, not anger, to resolve religious violence, while Afenifere warns against full-scale US military campaigns—advocates intelligence sharing and limited operations via drones instead.
Senator Orji Kalu affirms both Christians and Muslims are victims of violence, calling for blacklist of jihadists. He links rising insecurity partly to global arms proliferation after Libya and Iraq interventions, and clarifies US focus is on terrorists, not Nigerian government.
Recent meetings between Tinubu and military leaders signal renewed efforts for improved nationwide security.
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Asake reaffirms loyalty to Olamide downplays split rumours
Afrobeats star Asake has reaffirmed his loyalty to rapper Olamide and dismissed talks of a rift between them despite recent online speculation . In an interview with YouTuber Korty EO, Asake described Olamide, also known as Baddo, as someone he will always hold in the same high regard regardless of how far his own career goes . He said that even if he becomes president of America or Zimbabwe, the way he sees Baddo will never change, stressing that Olamide will always be Baddo in his eyes . Rumours of a split surfaced after Asake removed YBNL from his Instagram bio and unfollowed Olamide in December 2024, prompting fans to suggest there had been a fallout . Industry sources say Asake’s contract with YBNL may have quietly expired, with the singer now operating independently rather than renewing the deal . […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
Gospel singer Judikay recounts emotional loss of sixth pregnancy
Gospel singer Judikay has opened up about the emotional pain of losing her sixth pregnancy, describing the experience as deeply distressing and difficult to process . In a video shared on Instagram, she revealed that the miscarriage happened in February 2025 when she was more than three months pregnant . She said the ordeal began with mild cramps, which she initially dismissed as normal discomfort until she noticed light bleeding, or spotting, that raised concern . Further medical checks later confirmed that she had suffered a missed miscarriage, a diagnosis that left her devastated . Judikay recalled rushing to the washroom and realising that what she expected to be urine was in fact blood that would not stop flowing, making it clear to her that she had lost the baby . She explained that this was the sixth time she […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
Adeboye’s wife says she threw her gold jewellery into lagoon after becoming born again
Foluke Adeboye, wife of Redeemed Christian Church of God General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye, says she threw her gold jewellery into a lagoon after she became a born again Christian . She said in an interview that she once loved fashion and owned valuable pieces but decided to give them up when she joined the RCCG, where wearing earrings was discouraged at the time . Foluke explained that the jewellery she discarded included items she had even set aside for her child, but she felt they no longer aligned with her new convictions about modesty and Christian living . She recalled that a friend of her mother questioned the decision and suggested she could have given the gold to her mother to sell instead . Foluke said she refused because she believed that anything she considered no longer good for […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
Asake says God used 2020 setbacks to humble and prepare him for success
Singer Asake says the difficulties he faced in 2020 were a turning point that humbled him and prepared him for later success . In an interview with content creator Korty EO, he recalled feeling as if God first gave him something sweet and then took it away, leaving him confused at the time . Asake explained that he only later realised that God was using that season to build and shape him, even though he did not understand it while it was happening . He said God then gave him the song with the line “Me I no dey cap, me I no dey form,” which became a breakthrough moment for his career . The artist also spoke about his long standing desire to move abroad, especially to Los Angeles in the United States . He revealed that, even before […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
Messi reaches 900 career goals as Inter Miami crash out of Champions Cup
Lionel Messi scored the 900th goal of his professional career but could not stop Inter Miami from exiting the CONCACAF Champions Cup on away goals after a 1 1 draw with Nashville SC in Fort Lauderdale . Messi, 38, struck after just seven minutes to give Miami the lead in the second leg of their last 16 tie at Chase Stadium, raising hopes of a memorable night for the MLS champions . However, Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza fired in a 74th minute equaliser to level the tie 1 1 on aggregate, and the visitors then held firm to progress to the quarter finals on the away goals rule . The result turned what began as a celebration of Messi’s milestone into a bittersweet farewell, as the game was also Inter Miami’s last appearance at their Chase Stadium home before moving to […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
Iran says it will boycott US not World Cup over 2026 venue row
Iran will boycott the United States but not the 2026 World Cup itself, according to Iran football federation president Mehdi Taj . In a video released by Iranian news agency Fars, Taj said Iran will continue preparing for the tournament but wants its matches moved away from US venues . He explained that the federation is in talks with FIFA about relocating Iran’s World Cup group games, which are currently scheduled to be played in the United States . Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country is ready to host Iran’s first round games if required, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East . She told reporters that Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with all countries and will wait for FIFA’s decision, but confirmed that Mexico is open to staging the fixtures . Iran are due to face New Zealand […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
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Sultan declares Friday Eid il Fitr after non sighting of Shawwal moon
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared tomorrow as Eid il Fitr . The announcement followed the non sighting of the Shawwal moon across Nigeria on Wednesday night . According to the Sultan’s media team, the declaration was contained in a statement issued by Prof Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee . The statement confirmed that no verified reports of the Shawwal crescent were received from moon sighting committees nationwide, meaning Muslims must complete 30 days of fasting for Ramadan 1447AH . It explained that, in line with Qur’an and Hadith, when the new moon is not seen on the 29th day of a lunar month, Muslims are […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
Cardoso says Nigerian economy now stronger against global shocks
Nigeria’s economy is now stronger and better positioned to withstand global economic shocks, according to Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso . Speaking at the Africa Capital Forum in London on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom, Cardoso said the financial system is being strengthened through disciplined monetary policies and institutional reforms . He explained that the CBN is reviewing its policy framework to make decisions more predictable and reduce uncertainty for investors, with the goal of developing clear, consistent and meaningful policies rather than relying on discretion . Cardoso disclosed that the apex bank has completed work on a new Payments System Vision for Nigeria, which will soon be launched to position the country as a major player in digital payments and cross border transactions across Africa . On the foreign […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
Iran attack on Qatar gas hub triggers Trump threat and energy price spike
Qatar has reported extensive damage at the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas hub after Iranian missile and drone strikes, raising fresh fears for global energy supplies . Tehran said it attacked the giant LNG facility in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, which forms part of the world’s largest natural gas reservoir shared with Qatar . Oil prices jumped about five percent and European gas prices surged roughly 35 percent as markets reacted to the risk of prolonged disruption to gas exports from the Gulf . US President Donald Trump warned Iran to stop attacking Qatar, threatening that the United States would massively blow up the entire South Pars gas field if Tehran continued its strikes . In a social media post, Trump said Washington knew nothing about Israel’s earlier attack on South Pars, describing […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
US intel says China not planning 2027 Taiwan invasion
China does not have a plan to invade Taiwan in 2027 and has set no fixed deadline to take the island by force, according to a new annual threat assessment released by the United States intelligence community . The report says Beijing still wants eventual unification with Taiwan but prefers to achieve this goal without going to war, even as it continues to modernise its armed forces and increase pressure on the island . US agencies noted that some American defence officials had previously pointed to 2027 as a possible window for a Chinese attack, but the latest assessment concludes there is no current operational plan for an invasion in that year . Instead, the report says that in 2026 and beyond, China is likely to keep using political, economic and military tools to squeeze Taiwan and shape conditions for […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
Nigeria spends N32.8trn on defence in 15 years as insecurity persists
Nigeria has spent about N32.88 trillion on defence in the last 15 years, roughly 12.5 percent of total national budgets of N262.834 trillion over the period, yet insecurity remains widespread across the country . Based on official budget exchange rates, the N32.88 trillion translates to about 44.64 billion dollars, but communities across several regions still face insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and oil related violence . Security trackers estimate that more than 100,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent incidents and conflict related attacks since 2012, with thousands abducted and millions displaced from their homes . In 2026 alone, at least 1,091 people were reported killed in violent attacks in the first 41 days of the year, while about 3.726 million Nigerians are currently displaced and living in roughly 3,900 camps nationwide . The recent suicide bombings in Maiduguri, Borno […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026
Pomp and splendour as King Charles hosts Tinubu and wife at historic UK state visit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were hosted with pomp and splendour by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years . Military President Ibrahim Babangida was the last Nigerian leader to pay a state visit in 1989, following earlier state visits by former President Shehu Shagari in 1981 and General Yakubu Gowon, all of whom were hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II . Tinubu and his wife were received by senior royals, including Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, before being escorted to meet the King and Queen for the formal welcome . Because the visit coincides with Ramadan, there was no traditional lunch with the King, but the President and First Lady were still treated to […]
Abdulmumini Auwal SA March 19, 2026