President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Yokohama, Japan, on Thursday night on an ultra-long-haul flight to Brazil, where he is scheduled to begin a state visit on August 24. According to reliable reports, Tinubu will make a stopover in Los Angeles before proceeding to Brasilia, the Brazilian capital. The President began his two-nation trip on August 15, departing Abuja with brief stops in Dubai and Yokohama. While in Japan, he attended the opening ceremony of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held bilateral meetings, and engaged Nigerians in the diaspora during an interactive session.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has said no country enjoys complete peace, urging Nigerians to acknowledge ongoing progress in the fight against insecurity. Speaking in a televised interview, Musa highlighted notable successes by the Nigerian Armed Forces, including the arrest of the son of Boko Haram’s founder and senior Ansaru commanders. He cautioned that eradicating insecurity is a gradual process, stressing that no nation is completely free from security challenges.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that while some politicians choose to “go into the gutters,” he will not stoop to that level. Addressing newsmen after a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) consultative summit in Lagos, Makinde reiterated that political disagreements should never be personal. He noted that last weekend’s bye-election results affirm the PDP’s relevance and expressed confidence that, with hard work, the party can regain public trust. On speculation regarding the zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, Makinde clarified that no decision has been made as the party’s focus remains on rebuilding.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Abdullahi Bashir Haske, a businessman and son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. In a public notice, the agency urged anyone with useful information about his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or EFCC office nationwide.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike, accusing the Federal Government of reneging on agreements concerning revitalisation funding and lecturers’ welfare. ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, who addressed journalists in Jos, cited unresolved issues including renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, unpaid salary arrears, withheld promotions, and poor pension conditions for retired professors. The union has rejected a proposed government staff loan scheme as a “trap” and criticised the indiscriminate creation of universities without sustainable funding. ASUU said it would await the outcome of an August 28 meeting with government officials but will stage rallies on campuses next week to express its frustrations.

In a separate interview, General Musa also advised Nigerians to learn basic combat skills, describing it as an essential survival ability comparable to driving or swimming. He suggested that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could train graduates in unarmed self-defence to enhance personal security and urged citizens to remain vigilant in identifying suspicious individuals in their surroundings.

Nigerian singer Keshinro Ololade, popularly known as Lil Kesh, has confirmed he is recovering after a robbery attack in Lagos in which he was stabbed in the neck and dispossessed of jewellery worth millions of naira. The artiste expressed gratitude to fans for their support and prayers, describing the incident as a “curveball” that he is thankful to have survived.

In Ghana, popular singer Charles Nii Armah, better known as Shatta Wale, has been detained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over a tax-related investigation tied to his yellow Lamborghini. The luxury car has been linked by US authorities to a criminal network led by Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in the United States. Wale has denied any involvement in the alleged fraud, insisting that the issue relates solely to tax obligations. The car is expected to be returned to the US to help compensate victims of Amuah’s scams.

On the sports scene, Arsenal are racing to complete the signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze before today’s noon deadline to ensure his eligibility for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Leeds United. The Gunners have reportedly edged out Tottenham Hotspur to secure the 27-year-old England international, who underwent medicals immediately after Palace’s Europa Conference League playoff on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, World Athletics has confirmed that quarter-miler Emmanuel Bamidele has switched allegiance from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates and will compete under his new flag at the Brussels Diamond League finale on Friday. The 26-year-old athlete, whose career has been marked by previous nationality changes, will make his debut in the men’s 400m invitational race against Jamaican and Belgian competitors.

That’s the latest roundup of major stories across Nigeria and beyond.