IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Presidency has lashed out at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its statement accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of exploiting the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari for political gains.

The ADC had on Friday accused the Tinubu’s administration of exploiting the death of Buhari to whitewash its image. But reacting to the allegation, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, described the opposition party’s claims as “shameless” and “obnoxious.” He specifically accused the opposition party and its leading figures of “disrespecting Buhari and dancing on his grave for relevance.”

“Let it be said clearly: the ADC is the one exploiting Buhari’s death for political attention, not this government. “From Atiku and El-Rufai’s choreographed arrival in Daura — greeted with chants seeking to make political capital from the solemnity of the moment — to this disgraceful press statement, the ADC has shown itself to be utterly shameless. 

“The burial of former President Buhari was conducted with the complete honour befitting a leader of his stature. That is why world leaders showed up, millions of Nigerians tuned in on television and across social media, and even ADC promoters were falling over themselves in Daura, prancing about the Buhari family compound like eager real estate agents scouting new territory,” Dare said.

Dare then called on Nigerians to ignore the “political noise from an outfit gasping for attention”. 

...To Represent Imo in Nationwide National Play Off

The 2025 Imo State Football League has successfully ended on a good note with Okpotemba FC of Ihitte/Uboma emerging winners. 

Apart from defeating Heartland U-19 Feeders 6-5 through penalties after regular time of score draw for both sides, Okpotemba will represent the State and take Imo to the national competition playoff for the Nationwide League. 

To reach the finals, both teams topped their groups before the final played on Saturday, July 18th, 2025, at the practice pitch of Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri. 

Speaking at the event, the result-producing Imo FA Chairman, Barr Ifeanyi Dike disclosed that the state FA is turbo charged to organize competitions aimed at not just getting teams engaged in regular football activities but also provide avenue for harnessing of budding talents abound in Imo. 

While extending congratulations to the participants, especially the winners, Barr Dike, who is still basking in the euphoria of the promotion ticket of Imo State based Kun Khalifat FC from the NNL to NPFL, informed that the state FA is out to assist willing teams from the state reach greater heights both local and national soccer engagements. 

He was full of praises for the FA Board Members and secretariat for a perfect conduct of the just concluded Imo FA League where all participants are proud they took part in.

Barr Dike further revealed of better bumper packages Imo FA have in stock for teams and stakeholders in the state. He enjoined football lovers to continue to have confidence in Imo FA as beacon of hope for football development in the state. 

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has warned Nigerians against abusing the naira, stating that spraying and stamping on the currency are criminal acts, not cultural traditions. 

Speaking in Lagos, he revealed the EFCC is cracking down on naira abuse and unlicensed forex dealers, stressing that all violations of the law are taken seriously. Over ₦100bn in recovered funds have been used to support government programmes, he added. 

The Ondo State Police have confirmed the assassination of Mr. Ezekiel Adeniran, Registrar of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), just six months after his appointment.

The 41-year-old's body was found in his Akure residence early Thursday. Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade said the case is being treated as a targeted killing, with investigations underway to identify the culprits.

UNIMED management described the incident as shocking, noting that Adeniran was last seen at work on Monday.

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has reminded travellers that a visa's expiration date does not determine how long they can stay in the U.S. In a post on July 17 via X (formerly Twitter), the embassy explained that the allowed duration is set by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry.

Travellers are advised to check their I-94 form at i94.cbp.dhs.gov for their official "Admit Until Date." The embassy emphasized that a visa only grants permission to request entry, not to determine the length of stay.

The advisory is part of ongoing efforts to prevent visa overstays and educate Nigerians on U.S. travel rules. 

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Muhammad Babangida, son of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, as Managing Director of the restructured Bank of Agriculture.

Seven others were also appointed:

-Lydia Kalat Musa – Chair, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA)

-Jamilu Wada Aliyu – Chair, National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)

-Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa – Chair, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)

-Sanusi Musa (SAN) – Chair, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR)

-Prof. Al-Mustapha Aliyu – DG, Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA)

-Sanusi Garba Rikiji – DG, Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN)

-Mrs. Tomi Somefun – MD, Hydro-Electric Power Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC)

-Dr. Abdulmumini Aminu-Zaria – Executive Director, Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC)