Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has charged the newly inaugurated chairmen across the state’s 13 local government areas to take a hardline stance against opposition parties as preparations ramp up for the 2027 general elections. Delivering his directives on Tuesday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki, Governor Nwifuru urged the council bosses to solidify the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) at the grassroots level and explicitly instructed them to “deal with opposition parties mercilessly” within their domains.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Alongside his political directives, the Governor emphasized the importance of effective governance and service delivery, warning that underperforming chairmen will face disciplinary actions to ensure they justify the trust placed in them. He cautioned the officials against complacency, confirming that his administration will maintain close oversight of their performance and administrative responsibilities.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has addressed recent reports regarding the withdrawal of approximately 200 U.S. military personnel, emphasizing that the adjustment does not signal a breakdown in bilateral security relations. Speaking on Tuesday at a security briefing hosted by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Director of Defence Information Major General Samaila Uba explained that American deployments are tied to specific missions and operational goals rather than an indefinite presence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The clarification follows a New York Times report regarding the planned drawdown, which echoed prior statements made in July by U.S. Africa Command commander General Dagvin Anderson confirming that a significant portion of forces had already pulled back while maintaining core intelligence and partnership ties. Major General Uba stressed that the Nigeria-U.S. defense alliance remains enduring and mutually beneficial, with critical pillars like intelligence sharing, professional training, and technical assistance remaining fully intact.

While reaffirming that domestic security remains the primary duty of Nigerian security agencies, the DHQ urged both the media and the public to refrain from viewing routine, mission-driven adjustments as an indicator of compromised national defense capabilities or failing international cooperation.

Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old vice president within Bank of America’s business selection and conflicts unit, tragically lost her life following a violent stabbing attack in New York City’s Times Square, an incident that also resulted in injuries to another individual. Professional records on her LinkedIn profile establish her executive standing as a vice president at the financial institution, which maintains a major Manhattan presence nearby at One Bryant Park.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶