RWGBLOG NEWS - Keeping You Informed

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has defended the administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, insisting that Buhari left Nigeria in a good economic and social state while Tinubu is implementing policies in line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) agenda.  Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Sirika dismissed claims that Buhari’s administration was responsible for the country’s current economic hardship, saying he did not want to be drawn into such debates.  “The truth of the matter is that President Buhari had done extremely very well on the economy. I’m not an economist, but I do know so because I’ve been in the country, I’ve been in the government, and I’ve seen that the country at the time was in good state, both the economy and the social issues within the country.”  Asked whether Buhari handed over a stable nation with enough resources for his successor, Sirika maintained that the former president lef...

A lady has sparked conversations online after urging single, child-free adults in their 30s to prioritise saving and investing for the future. In a video, she argued that people who delay having children may still be financially responsible for them later in life, while many of their peers could already be receiving support from grown-up children. She stressed that enjoying a comfortable lifestyle today should not come at the expense of long-term financial security, warning that old age can be difficult without savings or investments. According to her, anyone in their 30s without children should be intentional about building wealth now to avoid financial struggles in later years.

Food critic Opeyemi Famakin has sparked reactions after expressing concerns about raising his future children in Nigeria, saying he wants to remain in the country but worries about the environment they would grow up in. Speaking during a discussion, Famakin said he has no plans to relocate abroad because he wants to help build Nigeria. However, he questioned whether he would want his children to grow up around what he described as “dullards.” “In real life, Nigerians, the way Nigerians are dull, it scares me for my children, because I don’t want to japa. I want to build Nigeria. But my kids, my kids cannot grow up with these dullards. My kids cannot, and they are loud about it.” Comparing Nigerians and Ghanaians, he argued that Ghanaians possess better critical thinking skills, while Nigerians excel more in business, creativity and hustling. “Ghanaians are smarter than Nigerians. It’s just, they are not as hardworking. No, they are not as hardworking, they are not hustlers....

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly abducted the remains of a late Deputy Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Augustine O. Ikwue, including the mourners accompanying him to his hometown at Otukpo in Benue state. The vehicle conveying the corpse ran into ambush along Ochadamu-Ejule road in Ofu local government of Kogi state around 6pm, on Thursday. The FRSC officer reportedly died in Osogbo, capital of Osun state, after a brief illness. The abductors have reportedly reached the family, demanding N450m for the victims to regain their freedom.

The Federal Government has approved a new examination fee of N50,000 for candidates sitting the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), with the new rate taking effect from 2027.  The approval was contained in a June 18 statement signed by Adeniji Ibrahim, Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education. It followed a request by WAEC for an upward review of the SSCE registration fee.  The new fee represents an 82% increase from the current N27,500 charged per candidate.  According to Ibrahim, the decision was reached after a March 31, 2026 meeting between the Minister of Education and examination bodies, where the need to review examination fees was discussed. He said the minister also directed both WAEC and NECO to adopt a uniform examination fee.  “You may recall that at a meeting of examination bodies held with the honourable minister of...

Football journalist Pooja, speaking on the FIFA World Cup Roundup Show, has said Nigeria remains far behind the world’s leading football nations in both infrastructure and on-field performance.  According to him, no stadium in the country currently meets FIFA’s standards to host a World Cup match, stressing that even the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo falls short.  “Infrastructure-wise, I think we have a long way to go. I don’t think there’s any stadium in Nigeria that can host the World Cup. Even Uyo cannot. The facilities in Uyo are like 20% of what you have in Atlanta Stadium or the New Jersey Stadium.”  Pooja argued that building more stadiums alone is not the solution, saying many existing facilities are underutilised because local football lacks a strong fan culture.  “We don’t even watch matches in Nigeria. There’s no fan base. It’s a waste of resources. Look at Uyo; apart from Super Eagles games, the stadium is not used to its full ...

A South African anti-immigration activist has sparked widespread debate after calling on South African women married to Nigerian men to leave the country with their spouses amid rising xenophobic tensions. In a video circulating on social media, the activist argued that South African women who have chosen to marry Nigerian nationals should relocate alongside their husbands if they wish to remain together. The remarks come as anti-immigrant protests continue in parts of South Africa, with demonstrators demanding stricter immigration enforcement and the removal of undocumented foreign nationals. The comments have generated mixed reactions online. While supporters of the anti-immigration campaign insist they are advocating for stronger border control and the enforcement of immigration laws, critics have condemned the remarks as discriminatory and capable of fueling xenophobia against foreign nationals and mixed-nationality families. The latest development comes amid heightened...

A senior lecturer, who is also the Head of the Department of History and International Studies at Northwest University (formerly Yusuf Maitama Sule University) and a visiting lecturer at Mariam Abacha American Nigerian University (MAAUN), has reportedly been handed over to the police following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a married female student. According to reports, the lecturer allegedly delayed approving the student's project for nearly two years after she repeatedly rejected his alleged sexual advances. The student is said to have informed her husband about the situation, after which they allegedly devised a plan to confront the lecturer. Reports further claim that the lecturer arranged to meet the student after Maghrib prayers. However, upon arriving at the agreed location, he was allegedly confronted by the woman's husband and several others, who reportedly assaulted him before handing him over to the police. Unverified reports circulating onli...

Senator Ned Nwoko’s Bill (SB. 648) to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices for Social Media Platforms in Nigeria Advances to Public Hearing Cc savvynewswebonline

The entire Kaani community in Ogoniland, Rivers State, came to a standstill as residents, former pupils, well-wishers, and dignitaries gathered to bid a final farewell to the late Mrs. Sarah Nsikan Johnson, the founder of Albright Group of Schools and one of the community's most respected educators. Her burial attracted widespread attention both within and outside the community, with thousands of people travelling from different parts of Nigeria and abroad to pay their last respects. The event also generated significant engagement on social media, where tributes and memories of her life and legacy continued to pour in. Many former students described Mrs. Johnson as a dedicated teacher and mentor who devoted her life to education. They recalled how she nurtured and inspired generations of pupils, with many estimating that she taught and guided more than 10,000 children during her decades of service as a headmistress and educator. Mourners noted that her commitment to aca...

Apostle Johnson Suleman has stirred reactions after sharing his thoughts on the financial advice often given by finance expert GehGeh during a recent church service. Speaking to his congregation, Apostle Suleman said he is cautious of people who constantly speak down on women before turning his attention to GehGeh’s teachings. He noted that while he likes the finance expert and has watched several of his videos, he believes the advice is mainly beneficial to people who are still struggling financially. “That guy gives good advice for poor people.” The cleric explained that financial advice differs depending on a person’s level of success, adding that those whom God has already blessed think differently from those still trying to make ends meet. “There’s a level you get to, somebody might be telling you if somebody asks for transport, don’t give transport fare. No, you don’t give transport, you buy cars.” He added that people who are financially established are no longer con...

Nigerian security forces have released photos of the intelligence-led operation that rescued pupils and teachers abducted by Ansaru terrorists in Oyo State on May 15, 2026. Daily Trust reports the search and rescue operation, which concluded July 9, followed a direct presidential mandate and was executed by a Defence Headquarters-directed Joint Inter-Agency Task Force comprising Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS, NIA, DIA and NSCDC. The rescued victims have undergone comprehensive medical assessments and initial psychosocial support, and are expected to be handed over to the Oyo State Government before reunion with their families.

A local government chairman in Jigawa State has generated widespread reactions after reports and images circulating on social media allegedly showed residents receiving one roofing sheet each as part of an empowerment programme. According to the reports, beneficiaries were presented with a single roofing sheet during the distribution exercise, a development that has attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians online. While some social media users questioned the value and purpose of distributing only one roofing sheet per person, describing the initiative as inadequate, others argued that the programme may have been designed to reach a larger number of beneficiaries or to complement other forms of assistance. As of the time of filing this report, the local government authority had not issued an official statement explaining the objectives of the programme or responding to the public reactions. The identity of the local government chairman and the specific local government area ...

The Presidency has disclosed details of the operation that led to the rescue of abducted pupils and their teachers in Oyo State after nearly two months in captivity. According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the rescue mission resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, who are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while others were neutralized during the operation. “In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised,” he said. Onanuga emphasized that no ransom or exchange was involved in securing the victims’ release, despite demands from the kidnappers. “There was no quid pro quo in the rescue, as one of the terrorists—a kingpin the kidnappers demanded be released—is being prosecuted for his atrocities,” he added.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying Nigeria is witnessing unprecedented progress under his leadership. Speaking at the inauguration of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in Abuja on Thursday, the monarch commended Tinubu’s economic and governance reforms, describing them as historic. “President Bola Ahmed came very prepared, and the result is obvious. From the public governance and the private sector, what’s happening in this country has never been experienced before. If you go to capital market of Nigeria today, we are getting to a market capitalisation of over N140 trillion. Never in the history of Nigeria,” he said. The Ooni also argued that the administration’s reforms had strengthened Nigeria’s position globally. He added, “Never in the history of our country that Nigeria will play a strategic role in the European economy.” Highlighting improvements in the country’s external reserves, the monarch...

After months of speculation over his fate, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally unveiled Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu's running mate for the 2027 presidential election. The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, announced the development in a post on his X handle on Friday, disclosing that the party had officially received the presidential nomination forms of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election. Yilwatda described the development as a significant milestone that reaffirmed the party's commitment to sustaining the Renewed Hope Agenda and consolidating the gains of the Tinubu administration.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦1.854 trillion to the Rivers State House of Assembly for consideration and approval. The budget, titled "Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development," represents a 24.49 per cent increase over the 2025 budget.  Governor Fubara attributed the increase to improved allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee and sustained economic growth. The proposed budget projects internally generated revenue of ₦487.6 billion, FAAC allocation of about ₦936 billion, and capital receipts of about ₦382.4 billion.  On the expenditure side, the governor proposed ₦413.1 billion for recurrent spending. This includes ₦154.7 billion for salaries, ₦15.2 billion for new recruitment, ₦36.7 billion for overhead costs of ministries, departments and agencies, ₦20 billion each for gratuities and monthly pensions, and ₦5 billion for insurance.  Governor Fubara also announced a 50 per c...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former staff member of Access Bank, Chinonso Akujobi, over the alleged th£ft of N294.5 million from customers’ accounts in Lagos. Akujobi was brought before Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Thursday by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on a five-count charge bordering on st£aling. According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant allegedly diverted a total of N294,595,992 while employed by the bank. One of the charges alleged that between January and December 2025, Akujobi “with a dishonest intent, and while under the employment of Access Bank Plc, st@le and converted for your own use, by unauthorized payments from the general ledger of the bank to your Access Bank account, the sum of N109,325,566.86.” The EFCC further alleged that the funds were transferred into accounts bearing the names Chinonso A., Uchechi A., and Florence A. Akujobi pleaded not guilty to all five ...

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, says the Federal Government has increased the monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000 as part of efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel.  Speaking during an interview with News Central, Musa said the pay raise demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting members of the Armed Forces.  “When they started, a soldier was collecting ₦49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting ₦100,000.”  Despite the increase, the minister admitted that the current defence budget remains inadequate to effectively tackle the country’s security challenges “It’s not enough.”

The Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, has appealed to leaders, parents and guardians across the South East to encourage more young people to join the Nigerian Army, lamenting that the region has consistently failed to fill its recruitment quota.  Speaking during the passing-out parade of 2,989 regular recruits at the Nigerian Army Recruits Training Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, Shaibu said the newly established depot was created to boost enlistment from the South East and urged communities to embrace the opportunity.  “The recruitment quota from this zone has not been fully utilised. This should not continue,” he said, adding that military service is an honourable path of patriotism, leadership and national service. He called on community leaders, parents, guardians and elders to encourage young men and women to enlist.  The Army Chief told the new soldiers that Nigeria’s security challenges—including t+rrorism, ins¥rgency, b+nditry, separatist violenc...

In a significant political realignment in Rivers State, the immediate past Senior Special Assistant to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Hon. Darlington Orji, alongside former Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Collins Onunwo, have reportedly parted ways with the governor’s camp and realigned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.  The development, which has sent ripples through the state’s political circles, underscores the ongoing power tussle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who remains a dominant figure in Rivers politics. Hon. Darlington Orji served as a key ally to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, particularly in the capacity of Senior Special Assistant on Political Affairs. He was among loyalists who stood by Fubara during the intense political crisis that rocked the state in 2023–2024, involving the Rivers State House of Assembly and disputes over control of the party structure. Similarly, Hon. Collins Onunwo, a former...