latest
Who Is Ayatollah Arafi? 10 Key Things To Know About Iranian Supreme Leader.
Iran’s interim leadership council has named Alireza Arafi as the clerical member of the body now exercising the constitutional powers of the late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Arafi formally assumed the position on March 1, 2026, in line with Article 111 of Iran’s Constitution, which provides for a temporary leadership arrangement pending the selection of a new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts.
Under Article 111, a provisional leadership council takes over the duties of the Supreme Leader in the event of death or incapacitation until a permanent successor is appointed. Following Khamenei’s death, the interim body has begun carrying out the responsibilities traditionally held by Iran’s highest political and religious authority.
Arafi’s appointment places him at the forefront of a delicate transition period as the country navigates political uncertainty. A senior Shi’a cleric, he is regarded as an influential figure across key institutions, including the military, judiciary and religious seminaries.
Until the Assembly of Experts concludes its deliberations and selects a new Supreme Leader, Arafi and other council members will collectively wield the constitutional authority attached to the office.
Ten Key Facts About Alireza Arafi
-
Born in 1959 in Meybod, Yazd Province, Arafi steadily advanced through Iran’s clerical hierarchy over several decades.
-
He is a Twelver Shi’a cleric who follows Ja‘fari jurisprudence and the Usuli theological tradition.
-
He completed his early education in Qom, widely regarded as Iran’s religious capital and a major centre of Shi’a scholarship, where he also began his seminary studies. In addition to religious training, he studied Arabic, English, mathematics and philosophy.
-
Arafi attained the rank of mujtahid, reflecting his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and philosophy. He has authored and co-authored several scholarly works, including Education Jurisprudence (Al-Fiqh Al-Tarbawi), and published academic articles on Islamic law, education and social issues.
-
From 2008 to 2018, he served as President of Al-Mustafa International University, an institution that educates clerics and religious scholars from Iran and abroad.
-
Since 2015, he has been the Friday Prayer Imam of Qom.
-
In 2016, he was appointed head of Iran’s nationwide seminary system, overseeing religious education across the country.
-
He holds the title of Ayatollah, a rank reserved for senior Shi’a scholars with advanced theological credentials.
-
Since 2019, he has been a member of the Guardian Council, which vets legislation and supervises elections.
-
In 2022, he became a member of the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body constitutionally mandated to appoint and oversee the Supreme Leader.
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