latest
Religious Freedom Act 2025: A Wake-Up Call For Nigeria’s Leadership.
According to reports, the U.S. Senate is reviewing the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (S. 2747), introduced by Senator Ted Cruz on September 9. The legislation could permanently designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) due to “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom,” potentially triggering sanctions, visa restrictions, asset freezes, and limits on U.S. military and development aid.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The bill comes amid alarming statistics of religiously motivated violence in Nigeria. Since 2009, over 125,000 Christians have reportedly been killed, 52,000 churches destroyed, and 12 million people displaced. In the first 220 days of 2025 alone, 7,087 Christians were massacred, while 7,800 were abducted, according to data cited by the bill’s sponsors from sources including Intersociety, Open Doors World Watch List, and Newsweek.
The bill highlights that the crisis extends beyond the Christian community, with moderate Muslims, ethnic minorities, and secular groups also facing attacks. Nearly 60,000 liberal Muslims have reportedly been killed since 2009 for rejecting extremist ideologies, underscoring that the violence is a national issue rather than a religious war.
If enacted, the legislation would create an annual public record of Nigerian officials linked to religious persecution. Northern governors enforcing blasphemy laws and security officials implicated in abuses could face frozen assets and travel restrictions. U.S. arms deals and defense cooperation could also be suspended under expanded Leahy Laws, which prevent assistance to units implicated in human rights violations until accountability is ensured.
Nigeria currently receives over $500 million annually in U.S. aid, which funds humanitarian, counterterrorism, and development programs. Analysts warn that a CPC designation could severely impact these efforts while undermining investor confidence.
Experts urge Nigeria to take decisive action, including prosecuting perpetrators, strengthening the National Human Rights Commission, establishing special terrorism courts, and implementing intelligence-led prosecutions to address the historically low conviction rate for religiously motivated crimes. Addressing the root causes of radicalization—poverty, unemployment, corruption, and environmental pressures—through inclusive development and interfaith peacebuilding is also emphasized as a critical step.
Nigeria is encouraged to engage constructively with U.S. agencies, allowing independent monitoring, co-authoring benchmarks for progress, and providing verifiable evidence of reforms. Observers note that denial and inaction will only exacerbate distrust, while transparency and accountability could restore Nigeria’s moral credibility.
The situation presents a pivotal moment for Nigeria to unite across religious and ethnic lines, confront its challenges honestly, and take urgent measures to prevent potential sanctions while reclaiming its international standing.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
-
latest8 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics2 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics2 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp