IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Renowned Nollywood actor, Columbus Irisoanga, widely known as ‘Igbudu’, has passed away.

The news of his death was shared by veteran actress and politician, Hilda Dokubo, in an Instagram post, describing the loss as a significant blow to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Nollywood.

“There can’t be a shortage of Angels in heaven that the few here are called home like this! This one is heavy on Uniport, Rivers State, and Nollywood,” she wrote.

His passing comes just days after the death of Nollywood actress Pat Ugwu, who died at the age of 35. 

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender women from competing in female sports.

Trump signed the "No Men in Women’s Sports" executive order on National Girls & Women in Sports Day at the White House, emphasizing the exclusion of biological males from women’s competitions.

In response, NCAA President Charlie Baker stated that the order establishes a "clear, national standard" for sports eligibility. He added that the NCAA Board of Governors would review the policy and take necessary steps to align with it in the coming days.

“We strongly believe that clear, consistent, and uniform eligibility standards would best serve student-athletes, rather than a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court rulings,” Baker said, as reported by Fox News. 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) has arrested four suspects for illegal possession of firearms, gunrunning, kidnapping, banditry, and job racketeering.

According to a statement by NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, CSC Babawale Zaid Afolabi, the squad recovered:

Two automatic rifles with three magazines

An AK-47 rifle with 15 live rounds

One FN rifle with two live rounds

One live cartridge

Nine locally fabricated pistols

One bayonet

Two pairs of Nigerian Forest Security Services uniforms

The arrested suspects were identified as Umar Ibrahim (35), Nura Abubakar (20), and Mohammed Sule (20). They were apprehended at Ukoso Komva Ward in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The statement revealed that during interrogation, three of the suspects claimed they were deceived into the crime by an individual known as Ali, who is currently on the run. They said Ali recruited them to help sell firearms but were arrested while delivering them to a buyer.

Additionally, another suspect, Lar Changkur, a volunteer with the Nigerian Forest Security Services, was arrested in Bauchi State for alleged involvement in gunrunning.

Meanwhile, the squad also arrested 62-year-old Felix Clerkson for job racketeering. Investigations revealed that over 120 fake NSCDC appointment letters were recovered from him. He was arrested in Nasarawa Eggon after defrauding unsuspecting victims of over ₦26 million, with total fraud amounting to ₦55 million. His accomplices are currently on the run.

The NSCDC confirmed that all suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations. 

The House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee has proposed the creation of 31 additional states, bringing the total number of states in Nigeria to 67.

The proposal, read by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu during plenary in Abuja, outlines the addition of six new states in the North Central, four in the North East, five in the North West, five in the South-South, and seven in the South West.

Some of the proposed states include:

North Central: Okun, Okura, Confluence, Benue Ala, Apa, and FCT State

North East: Amana, Katagum, Savannah, and Muri

North West: New Kaduna, Gurara, Tiga, Ari, and Kainji

South East: Etiti, Orashi, Adada, Orlu, and Aba

South-South: Ogoja, Warri, Ori, and Obolo

South West: Torumbe, Ibadan, Lagoon, Ijebu, and Oke Ogun/Ijesha

The committee emphasized that any state creation must meet constitutional requirements, including approval by the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Councils in the affected areas.

Proposals must be submitted in both hard and electronic copies to the committee for further consideration. 

The Adamawa State Government has been sued over the creation of the Fufore Emirate in Fufore Local Government Area.

The emirate was established in December 2024 following the passage of a bill by the state House of Assembly, which was later signed into law by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri. It was among seven new emirates and chiefdoms created across the state.

Legal Challenge Against Emirate’s Legitimacy

The lawsuit, which surfaced on Wednesday, coincided with the coronation of Emir Mohammad Ribadu at the emirate’s headquarters in Fufore town.

The plaintiffs—Alhaji Musa Halilu Ahmed, Alhaji Mustapha Dahiru Mustapha, and Alhaji Mustapha Ahmadu—are challenging the legality of the emirate's creation and the emir's appointment.

Court Proceedings

Documents have been served to the state government, with the case filed at High Court No. 4 in Yola. The defendants include:

Adamawa State Government

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri

Attorney General of Adamawa State

Alhaji Mohammad Sani Ahmadu Ribadu (Emir of Fufore)

The plaintiffs had earlier sought an injunction to halt the coronation ceremony, but their request was denied by the court. 

Jiuling Lithium Mining Company, a Chinese firm, has announced plans to invest over $200 million in establishing a lithium processing factory in the Endo community, located in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

During a visit to the site, the company’s representative, Xiong Jin, assured Governor Abdullahi Sule of their commitment to making it one of the largest lithium mining operations in the state. Jin also revealed that the company plans to offer a minimum salary of N500,000 to graduates hired for the project.

Jin requested the state government’s support in improving security and infrastructure, and urged local residents to acquire relevant technical skills to benefit from job opportunities at the plant.

In response, Governor Sule praised the company for its investment and encouraged the state's youth to pursue technical studies that will equip them for employment in the mining industry. He emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the company’s presence to boost knowledge and livelihoods.

This inspection followed the governor's recent trip to China, where he visited Jiuling’s headquarters and met with the company’s chairman, who committed to establishing the plant in Nasarawa.

Sule confirmed that Jiuling is committed to hiring local technical talent, offering competitive salaries, and supporting state infrastructure development. He also assured that efforts are underway to improve essential services like roads, water, and electricity, alongside collaboration with national ministries to ensure the company’s smooth operation in the state.