Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso has been announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, in Kano State.

Mustapha will be running alongside Aminu Gwarzo, who is the NDC governorship candidate.

Mustapha Kwankwaso is the first son of the NDC vice presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

This was confirmed by the Spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Habibu Saleh Mohammed, in a statement on Monday.

“HE Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo unveiled Hon Mustapha Rabiu Musa
Kwankwaso as running mate for the 2027 Governorship Election,” he said.

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President Bola Tinubu has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his swift execution of key projects in Abuja, describing him as “Mr Fix-It.”

Speaking at the commissioning of the newly built Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted Wike’s dedication and efficiency.

Tinubu noted that when he appointed Wike in May 2024, he was confident the minister would not “sleep” until the project was delivered.

By July of that year, contractors were already on site, and within 16 months the complex was completed without delays or cost variations

.“This is not just a building; it’s a statement under the Renewed Hope Agenda that justice must have a befitting home,” Tinubu said.

“For too long, the Abuja division operated from a cramped temporary space. Today, Nigerians can see the difference. Well done, Wike.”

The Court of Appeal complex, located in Dakibiu, is part of Tinubu’s third-anniversary achievements and underscores his administration’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law.

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The Federal Government has announced plans to deploy a nationwide digital postcode system aimed at strengthening security, combating fraud, improving emergency response, and boosting e-commerce.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Monday at a workshop in Abuja themed “Operationalising the Nigerian Digital Postcode for National Security and Public Safety.”

Tijani explained that the initiative will assign a unique digital address to every building in Nigeria, including rural areas, enabling security agencies, businesses, and public institutions to accurately identify and locate people and properties.

The first rollout phase is scheduled for October, with coverage expected across several states before year-end.

“This is not a pilot programme; it is a full-scale national infrastructure,” Tijani said, stressing that the system will enhance crime investigations, emergency services, border monitoring, and anti-money-laundering efforts.

The Postmaster-General of NIPOST, Ms. Tola Odeyemi, assured that the system will be implemented with strict privacy safeguards and in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

She noted that failed deliveries currently cost businesses between ₦50bn and ₦80bn annually, losses the new system aims to reduce.

Citizens will be able to access the digital addresses via mobile apps, USSD codes, and online platforms, with AI-powered routing features to improve logistics and delivery efficiency.

Representatives of the National Security Adviser emphasized that the initiative will significantly improve policing, intelligence gathering, disaster management, and financial crime investigations.

The project forms part of broader investments in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, including the deployment of 90,000km of fibre-optic cables, 3,700 telecom towers, and enhanced satellite connectivity.

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Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu on his second term bid in the 2027 general elections, saying there will be no more wasting of votes.

Soludo declared his support on Monday in Ebonyi State at the All Progressives Congress, APC, rally.

According to him, progressives are now working together for the collective interest of the country and the region, urging the people of the South-East to align with mainstream national politics, stating that the region would no longer play the politics of lamentation.

“No more wasting of votes again. I’m endorsing President Tinubu for a second term. I stand in solidarity because progressives are working together. Igbos should not waste their vote again,” Soludo said.

The former Governor of the Central Bank, CBN, added that the South-East operated as a reliable voting bloc for the Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, a strategy aimed at securing federal relevance.

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Former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth
Okonkwo, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over reports that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket may pick its
vice-presidential candidate from the South-South region.

In a post on X on Monday, Okonkwo described the reported decision as “unfortunate” and warned that it would amount to the continued marginalisation of the South-East, which he noted has neither produced a president nor vice president since 1999.

He argued that denying the South-East the opportunity to produce either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate of the ADC in the 2027 election would amount to an “unpardonable injustice.”

Okonkwo also referenced the role of former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, saying the party founder made significant sacrifices by relinquishing control of the party to facilitate the coalition aimed a producing a better Nigeria.

“I heard from social media that the ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is
unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.

“I did not join the coalition to assist in the further marginalisation of my own people. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it would amoun to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027,” Okonkwo
wrote.

The actor-turned-politician stated that the only request he made to Atiku, whom he said had previously presented himself as a pathway to a South-East presidency, was to demonstrate that commitment by selecting a running mate from the region.

Okonkwo said that if reports of a South-South vice-presidential nominee are confirmed, he would not be willing to campaign for the presidential ticket in 2027.

He maintained that he entered politics to fight for a Nigeria where no region or group is marginalised and insisted that the South-East deserves representation on the presidential ticket.

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Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, says Senate President Godswill Akpabio thinks he is the devil, alleging that there are many agents he does not know.

Oshiomhole made this remark on Sunday during a Mic on Podcast interview, warning that the 11th Senate will not be like the 10th Senate.

When asked if he had become a threat to Akpabio, the former Edo state governor stated that fellow senators are quietly complaining about the approach of Akpabio’s leadership style.

“He is paranoid about everything that has to do with me. Everybody in the Senate knows that if Sen. If Akpabio has his way, he will lock me out of the Senate because he has misled himself into thinking that I’m probably the devil he knows.

“However, there are many agents he doesn’t know, and the 11th Senate will not be the 10th Senate. This I can say, senators are groveling about his style of leadership,” he said.

Recall that the sour relationship between both former governors, who are now senators started when the Senate amended its rules ahead of the 2027 political cycle.

The rift escalated into a volatile shouting match on the floor of the Nigerian Senate when the upper chamber amended Orders 4 and 5 of its standing rules.

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Global crude oil price dropped to $82 a barrel on Monday as the United States, Israel, and Iran reached a deal to end the Middle East war on all fronts including Lebanon, and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, went down by 5 percent to $82.90 per barrel.

The last time the oil trade at this range was in March.

The US West Texas Intermediate ​crude also fell 4 percent to hit $80 per barrel.

When the conflict began in February, Brent had risen from $62 on February 16 to $79 per barrel on March 2 amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

In the course of the war, oil price rose as high as $125 per barrel in April.

However, the recent drop follows the announcement of a deal to end the conflict.

According to reports, the United States and Pakistan said the agreement to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, was to be signed on Friday in Switzerland, signalling what would be a major breakthrough to ending months
of war that have taken thousands of lives and roiled energy markets.

Few of the details were made public, but US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global oil supplies, would reopen after the planned signing of the deal.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” US President Donald Trump posted Sunday on social media.

“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

Soon after, Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, said in televised comments that the deal put an “immediate end” to the countries’ war and that they would hold talks within two months to seek a “final agreement”.

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The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam
in Anambra state, has dismissed five lecturers over alleged s#xual abuse,
harassment, intimidation, extortion, and other forms of misconduct.

In a statement on Sunday, Harrison Madubueze, spokesperson
of the university, said the decision was taken at the 122nd meeting of the
university governing council held on June 12.

According to NAN, those dismissed include C.C. Nwabachili, the immediate past dean of the Faculty of Law, and Chike Osegbue of the
Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences.

Others are I.H. Iheukwumere and Emeka Nwabunnia, both of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Uli Campus.

Also dismissed was Ifeoma Kakulu, a principal assistant registrar, who served as the examination officer of the Faculty of Law in the examinations unit, at the time the offences were allegedly committed.

Madubueze said the affected staff members were found culpable of offences ranging from s#xual abuse and harassment, to intimidation,
extortion and ethical misconduct.

He said the council reaffirmed its commitment to discipline, integrity and accountability within the institution.

“The council reaffirmed its stance on discipline and integrity, warning that actions tarnishing the university’s reputation would face severe consequences,” the statement reads.

“It also promised to ensure a safe, accountable and forward-thinking atmosphere, aligning with the vision of building a new university for the future.”

The university spokesman said the disciplinary action underscored the institution’s resolve to uphold ethical standards and maintain
public confidence in its academic and administrative processes.

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The United States and Iran said they reached a deal to end
the Middle East war on all fronts including Lebanon, and reopen the vital
Strait of Hormuz, but offered little indication on the thorny question of
Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Washington and Islamabad said the agreement was to be signed on Friday in Switzerland, signalling what would be a major breakthrough to ending months of war that have taken thousands of lives and roiled energy
markets.

Few of the details were made public, but US President Donal Trump said the Strait of Hormuz — a key conduit for global oil supplies — would reopen after the planned signing of the deal on Friday.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is nowcomplete,” US President Donald Trump posted Sunday on social media as he marked his 80th birthday.

“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

Soon after, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in televised comments that the deal put an “immediate end” to the countries’ war and that they would hold talks within two months to seek a “final agreement.”

Just hours earlier, Tehran had vowed to retaliate against a strike by Israel against Iranian ally Hezbollah in the suburbs of Beirut which threatened to push back an agreement.

But later in the day, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the announcement: “Both sides have declared the immediate and
permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in
Lebanon.”

He added thanks to leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey
for their support in the mediation effort.

Details remain unclear

The content of the agreement, which follows weeks of fraught
negotiations and periodic threats from Trump of fresh hostilities unless Iran
reached a deal, remained unclear.

Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that the US would release
$12 billion in frozen assets to Iran before the start of negotiations.

It quoted a 14-point “memorandum of understanding” between
the two nations, which it said stipulated “the release of 24 billion dollars in
frozen Iranian assets during the 60‑day negotiation period” that begins after the MoU is signed.

The Trump administration didn’t immediately comment on the
details of the agreement, which may prove contentious as the US presses its
effort to end Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and deal with its stockpile of highly
enriched uranium — believed to have been buried by US strikes last year.

In an interview with the New York Times on Sunday, Trump
said Washington was still negotiating whether Iran would suspend its enrichment
for 20 years.

The US leader hinted that he might settle for a 15-year
suspension, but said he did not want to negotiate via the press.

‘Seize the moment’

The announcement of the deal was greeted with international
relief and hope for an enduring end to the conflict.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was a
“critical step” toward resolving the war in the Middle East.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy said they were
prepared to lift sanctions imposed on Iran and will work “with the US, Iran and
regional partners to seize this moment, maintain momentum and achieve a
long-term diplomatic settlement.”

The announcement also brought relief at market opening on
Monday. Oil prices plunged more than four percent in Tokyo, and Japan’s Nikkei
stock index jumped three percent.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has had a worldwide
economic impact, from inflated gas prices that have fueled inflation in the US
and many other countries and congested supply chains for goods like fertiliser
key to food production in areas far beyond the Middle East.

“What we’re going to be able to do is drive down the cost of
energy, not just now but for the long term, and create a real engine of
prosperity in the Middle East,” US Vice President JD Vance told Fox News.

He said that he planned to attend the signing of the peace
deal, which was slated to take place in Geneva, and that it was possible Trump
could also go.

Israeli strike

It was a rollercoaster Sunday, with Trump in the morning
angrily blaming Israel for delaying its signing with the airstrike on Beirut,
which he said had delayed the agreement.

In an expletive-laden phone interview with US news outlet
Axios, Trump had fumed about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying:
“I was so pissed off. I let him know.”

The last time Israel hit the Beirut suburbs, it sparked one
of the strongest jolts yet to a ceasefire that has largely held since April,
with Iran firing off a retaliatory missile barrage and Israel responding with
strikes.

Tehran has long demanded that any agreement to halt the war
must include the parallel conflict in Lebanon, where Israel has been pursuing a
campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah.

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