LIST OF REASONS

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) stated that they selected Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd. as the official airlines for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage because of their success in the screening exercise conducted by the Commission. These airlines demonstrated capacity to meet the stringent safety, reliability, and service delivery standards required for transporting pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. According to NAHCON’s Executive Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, this decision was made to ensure a smooth, secure, and efficient experience for Nigerian pilgrims. The selection process was necessary to mitigate the logistical and operational challenges associated with the annual pilgrimage and to uphold Nigeria’s reputation for well-organized Hajj operations. Out of 11 airlines that submitted applications, these four carriers were chosen following a rigorous screening conducted by a 32-member Aviation Screening Committee inaugurated on November 26, 2024....

Media reports stated the Oyo State Government charged Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, along with Oriyomi Hamzat, a radio station proprietor, and Abdulahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School in Ibadan, due to their alleged negligence that led to the tragic stampede at a children’s funfair on December 18, 2024. The stampede, which resulted in the death of 35 children, occurred because of what the state described as a failure to provide adequate security, crowd control, and medical facilities at the event. The government argued that these omissions constituted gross negligence and were directly responsible for the loss of innocent lives. According to the charge sheet filed on January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, the defendants face an 18-count charge, including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence. The charges are based on provisions under the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The gove...

Mainstream Media stated that manufacturers and academic institutions turn away from their power distribution companies in favor of generating their own electricity through captive power plants because of the unreliability of the national grid, no thanks to spikes, dips, brownouts and blackouts. This shift is driven by the critical need for stable and efficient energy to sustain industrial production and academic activities, which have been severely hampered by serial power outages. Without reliable electricity, industries suffer from operational disruptions, increased costs, and damaged machinery, while universities and research centers experience hindered academic performance and technological advancements. The choice to invest in self-generated power is a pragmatic solution to persistent blackouts that have crippled productivity across sectors. The number of organizations opting out of the national grid has steadily risen, with current estimates showing around 250 manufacturers and ...

Retd. General Williams stated that the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) should be disbanded because they have failed in one of their core mandates—tracking and identifying sponsors of terrorism. This inefficiency has significantly contributed to the worsening insecurity in the country. Retired General Ishola Williams, a former Chief of Defence Training and Planning, expressed frustration over the inability of these agencies to confront terrorism's root causes despite access to intelligence and resources. He questioned their effectiveness, emphasizing that continued reliance on ineffective institutions only exacerbates the nation’s vulnerability to banditry and terror attacks. According to Williams, Nigeria's current security framework is fundamentally flawed. He noted that prominent figures, including Sheikh Gumi, have publicly stated that security agencies know the locations of bandits and terrorists, yet no decisive...

Residents affected by the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles stated that they are afraid of looting and loss of valuable belongings amid chaotic evacuations because of the past experiences of looting during emergencies in Los Angeles, where collective trauma over such incidents remains fresh. Many homeowners are more worried as they are barred from returning to protect their properties. Authorities have confirmed 22 arrests in connection with burglary and looting, prompting officials to enforce curfews and deploy the National Guard in the affected zones.   Some residents, like Lihui Xu of Altadena, have already suffered losses. She evacuated her home near Eaton Canyon in haste, only to return and discover that designer bags and family jewelry had been stolen. Distraught, she lamented how she had not even begun to assess the full extent of the theft. Similarly, Kristina Mason from Pacific Palisades felt desperate to reach her house to secure belonging...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his government's decision to question two captured soldiers suspected to be from North Korea is because of the need to unravel the extent of North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials hope to extract intelligence that could provide insight into the collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang, particularly following reports of thousands of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces. Understanding the motivations and operational dynamics of these foreign combatants could significantly impact Ukraine’s defensive strategies and international diplomatic efforts.   President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the two prisoners of war are being interrogated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), with the support of South Korean intelligence agencies. Zelenskyy revealed that the prisoners are currently communicating with the SBU, although language barriers have necessitated the use of Korea...