The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, explained that Nigerian artist Ayra Starr was previously refused a visa because she provided an incorrect yellow fever document.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking with Punch, Moroe clarified that this incident happened back in February 2024 rather than recently, emphasizing that the decision strictly followed immigration policies rather than targeting her celebrity status.

Key details from his statement include:

• The Root Cause: The initial setback occurred because the team submitted a yellow fever certificate from a foreign country instead of one originating from Nigeria.

• Quick Resolution: After the diplomatic mission met with Starr’s team to review the proper protocols, the issue was smoothly resolved, and she was issued a one-year visa to perform in South Africa in 2024.

• Equal Enforcement: Moroe stressed that immigration regulations apply universally to all travelers regardless of fame, appearance, or background.

• Debunking False Claims: He dismissed rumors that South Africa has stopped granting visas to Nigerians, highlighting that monthly applications have actually grown from a previous range of 40 to 60 up to between 60 and 80.

Certain senior military officials have stated that the thwarted coup attempt in September 2025 likely played a role in President Bola Tinubu’s choice to grow the Nigerian Army by adding four new divisions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Presidency has rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu’s move to increase the number of Army divisions was driven by political motives regarding the 2027 elections or anxieties over a potential military coup.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking in an interview with Punch, Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, clarified that the restructuring is entirely aimed at modernizing outdated military infrastructure to match current security threats.

Key details from his explanation include:

• Fulfilling Campaign Commitments: The expansion directly aligns with President Tinubu’s electoral promise to bolster the nation’s security framework by growing troop capacity, upgrading equipment, and establishing new military formations.

• Boosting Personnel: The administration has recruited roughly 50,000 service members over the last three years across the three military branches, with an additional 28,000 recruits underway.

• Faster Operational Response: Creating new divisions places commanders and troops closer to dangerous flashpoints, eliminating delays like relying on a Jos-based division to handle emergencies in Sokoto, Zamfara, or Yobe.

• Expanded Training Facilities: Three new training depots have been set up in Kogi, Ebonyi, and Osogbo alongside the existing Zaria depot, each capable of training 5,000 to 6,000 recruits at once to drastically boost capacity.

• Upgrading Legacy Infrastructure: Much of the country’s military framework dates back decades to the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, making upgrades essential to support Nigeria’s significantly grown population and modern security realities.