MIDDAY NEWS
HEADLINES
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Obafemi Awolowo University Students Stage Protest Over Transport Crisis.
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CDS Urges Veterans to Act as First Responders in Community Conflict Resolution
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu Dismisses Claims of Resignation Pressure
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Ivory Coast Sentences Six to Life Imprisonment Over 2020 Jihadist Attack
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Victor Osimhen Draws Interest from Arsenal FC and Real Madrid After Derby Heroics
DETAILS
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The Presidency on Monday pushed back against what it described as false narratives that President Bola Tinubu has neglected the North West, saying the administration has made significant investments in infrastructure, health and transportation across the region, including a $2bn standard gauge rail project linking Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic that, it said, is now 60 per cent complete.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, who also serves as the RHA’s Director of Media and Publicity, said the visit was designed specifically to counter the perception that the President had not kept faith with the region.
Rahman said, “A lot of people are saying that the President has not kept his promise with the North. This is not correct.Rahman noted that the tour was being mounted under the auspices of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, which he described as the principal vehicle for the
President’s re-election campaign.
The briefing also featured a technical presentation on the state of the railway sector by the Director of Rail Transport Service at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr Finbarr Zirra, who provided an account of ongoing and planned rail projects.
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Students of Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union, on Tuesday, staged a protest on campus, demanding urgent action over lingering welfare and academic concerns.The protesters maintained that the demonstration was peaceful, insisting that their goal was to have their “lives back to normal.”
The protest held on Monday at Awo Café, where the union formally approved a demonstration.
In a statement signed by its leadership led by SU President, Adelani David, and SU General Secretary, Habeeb Oke Isa, also emphasised that the protest would follow the institution’s tradition of non-violence.
“The Students’ Union staged a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, 28th April, 2026, 6am, with the intention to block major roads and gates leading to the campus until our demands are met.
The protest comes amid growing dissatisfaction over multiple issues affecting students, including transportation challenges, accommodation concerns, and delays linked to the school’s e-portal upgrade.
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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has urged military veterans to serve as first responders to conflicts in their communities across the country.
General Oluyede gave the charge when he spoke as chairman of the occasion at the opening ceremony of the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Skills Accreditation and Certificate Training for veterans at the Command Officers’ Mess, Abuja.
The training was organised by the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with the Mediation Training Institute Nigeria and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
“This initiative, complements ongoing military efforts by strengthening the human and community-based aspects of peacebuilding,” the CDS said.
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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has responded to claim that he has been asked to resign as the governor of Lagos State, base on health conditions.
Reacting, through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the governor said the report was false in its entirety and that nobody has asked him to resign, labeling it as another fake news.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu remains in good health, of sound mind, and is actively discharging his duties as Governor of Lagos State.the public should disregard the Reports story and treat it as fake news.
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FOREIGN NEWS
Six people have been jailed for life over a jihadist attack in 2020 that killed 14 soldiers at a border post in Ivory Coast, a lawyer involved in the case told AFP on Tuesday.
Ivory Coast shares its northern border with Burkina Faso and Mali, which have both been ravaged by Islamist extremist attacks that have spread south towards coastal countries.
Lawyer Abdoulaye Ben Meite said six of the 45 defendants on trial for the attack in Kafolo received life sentences, while 17 were jailed for 20 years and fined 50 million CFA francs
One person was given a five-year sentence and 21 people were acquitted, he added.
Armed men attacked the military post in the northeast village of Kafolo overnight on June 10-11, 2020.No one claimed responsibility but it was blamed on jihadists operating over the border in Burkina Faso in retaliation for a joint Ivorian and Burkinabe operation against extremists in the region.
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SPORT NEWS
Super Eagles attacker, Victor Osimhen has affirmed that the best team in Turkey won the Intercontinental Derby on Sunday while dismissing pre-game distractions from Fenerbahce, who had questioned the protective gear on his arm.Osimhen delivered a commanding performance as Galatasaray defeated fierce rivals Fenerbahce 3-0 in the heated Intercontinental Derby, further strengthening their grip on the Turkish Super Lig title race.
The Super Eagles striker opened the scoring just before halftime, setting the tone for a dominant victory that moved Galatasaray seven points clear at the top with only three matches remaining
Representatives from top European clubs, including Arsenal, were present at the derby. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta was reportedly seen in discussions with Galatasaray officials.With Barcelona and Real Madrid also monitoring the striker, Galatasaray are expected to demand a significant fee. Having signed him permanently from Napoli for €75 million, the Turkish champions are now reportedly seeking at least double that amount
..............................
Obafemi Awolowo University Students Stage Protest Over Transport Crisis.
................ ...............
CDS Urges Veterans to Act as First Responders in Community Conflict Resolution
................................
Babajide Sanwo-Olu Dismisses Claims of Resignation Pressure
................ ...............
Ivory Coast Sentences Six to Life Imprisonment Over 2020 Jihadist Attack
..................................
Victor Osimhen Draws Interest from Arsenal FC and Real Madrid After Derby Heroics
DETAILS
.......................................
The Presidency on Monday pushed back against what it described as false narratives that President Bola Tinubu has neglected the North West, saying the administration has made significant investments in infrastructure, health and transportation across the region, including a $2bn standard gauge rail project linking Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic that, it said, is now 60 per cent complete.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, who also serves as the RHA’s Director of Media and Publicity, said the visit was designed specifically to counter the perception that the President had not kept faith with the region.
Rahman said, “A lot of people are saying that the President has not kept his promise with the North. This is not correct.Rahman noted that the tour was being mounted under the auspices of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, which he described as the principal vehicle for the
President’s re-election campaign.
The briefing also featured a technical presentation on the state of the railway sector by the Director of Rail Transport Service at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr Finbarr Zirra, who provided an account of ongoing and planned rail projects.
..........................................
Students of Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union, on Tuesday, staged a protest on campus, demanding urgent action over lingering welfare and academic concerns.The protesters maintained that the demonstration was peaceful, insisting that their goal was to have their “lives back to normal.”
The protest held on Monday at Awo Café, where the union formally approved a demonstration.
In a statement signed by its leadership led by SU President, Adelani David, and SU General Secretary, Habeeb Oke Isa, also emphasised that the protest would follow the institution’s tradition of non-violence.
“The Students’ Union staged a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, 28th April, 2026, 6am, with the intention to block major roads and gates leading to the campus until our demands are met.
The protest comes amid growing dissatisfaction over multiple issues affecting students, including transportation challenges, accommodation concerns, and delays linked to the school’s e-portal upgrade.
................................
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has urged military veterans to serve as first responders to conflicts in their communities across the country.
General Oluyede gave the charge when he spoke as chairman of the occasion at the opening ceremony of the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Skills Accreditation and Certificate Training for veterans at the Command Officers’ Mess, Abuja.
The training was organised by the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with the Mediation Training Institute Nigeria and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
“This initiative, complements ongoing military efforts by strengthening the human and community-based aspects of peacebuilding,” the CDS said.
.....................................
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has responded to claim that he has been asked to resign as the governor of Lagos State, base on health conditions.
Reacting, through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the governor said the report was false in its entirety and that nobody has asked him to resign, labeling it as another fake news.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu remains in good health, of sound mind, and is actively discharging his duties as Governor of Lagos State.the public should disregard the Reports story and treat it as fake news.
......................................
FOREIGN NEWS
Six people have been jailed for life over a jihadist attack in 2020 that killed 14 soldiers at a border post in Ivory Coast, a lawyer involved in the case told AFP on Tuesday.
Ivory Coast shares its northern border with Burkina Faso and Mali, which have both been ravaged by Islamist extremist attacks that have spread south towards coastal countries.
Lawyer Abdoulaye Ben Meite said six of the 45 defendants on trial for the attack in Kafolo received life sentences, while 17 were jailed for 20 years and fined 50 million CFA francs
One person was given a five-year sentence and 21 people were acquitted, he added.
Armed men attacked the military post in the northeast village of Kafolo overnight on June 10-11, 2020.No one claimed responsibility but it was blamed on jihadists operating over the border in Burkina Faso in retaliation for a joint Ivorian and Burkinabe operation against extremists in the region.
...................................
SPORT NEWS
Super Eagles attacker, Victor Osimhen has affirmed that the best team in Turkey won the Intercontinental Derby on Sunday while dismissing pre-game distractions from Fenerbahce, who had questioned the protective gear on his arm.Osimhen delivered a commanding performance as Galatasaray defeated fierce rivals Fenerbahce 3-0 in the heated Intercontinental Derby, further strengthening their grip on the Turkish Super Lig title race.
The Super Eagles striker opened the scoring just before halftime, setting the tone for a dominant victory that moved Galatasaray seven points clear at the top with only three matches remaining
Representatives from top European clubs, including Arsenal, were present at the derby. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta was reportedly seen in discussions with Galatasaray officials.With Barcelona and Real Madrid also monitoring the striker, Galatasaray are expected to demand a significant fee. Having signed him permanently from Napoli for €75 million, the Turkish champions are now reportedly seeking at least double that amount