Headlines
Finally, UN Sec-Gen Guterres Condemns Iran’s Missiles Attack on Israel
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has condemned Iran’s missile strikes on Israel, urging an end to the cycle of escalating violence in the Middle East.
Addressing the UN Security Council, Guterres called for a halt to the “deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence,” referencing the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed groups in the region.
Guterres’ remarks follow a recent fallout with Israeli authorities, who declared him persona non grata. The controversy arose after Guterres initially called for a ceasefire without explicitly mentioning the Iranian attack.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz described Guterres as “an anti-Israel secretary-general who lends support to terrorists.”
During the Security Council session, Guterres clarified his stance, stating that he had condemned the attack in April and reiterated his condemnation of the recent missile strikes by Iran.
“These attacks paradoxically do not seem to support the cause of the Palestinian people, or reduce their suffering,” Guterres said. He also criticised Israel’s military actions in Gaza, referring to the campaign as “the most deadly and destructive military campaign in my years as secretary-general.”
On Tuesday, Iran launched approximately 180 ballistic missiles into Israel, most of which were intercepted. Following the attack, Guterres condemned the “broadening of the Middle East conflict” in a statement on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Before Guterres addressed the Security Council, Katz emphasised that any figure who fails to unequivocally condemn Iran’s assault on Israel does not deserve to enter the country. Katz criticised Guterres’ “anti-Israel policy” since the war began.
The missile strikes are the latest in a series of escalations between Iran and Israel, which have been intensifying over the past year. The conflict has involved ongoing clashes between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, and escalated after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on 7 October, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed, and 251 were taken hostage.
Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza, where the Hamas-run health ministry reports 41,689 casualties. Throughout the conflict, tensions have also simmered between Israel and the United Nations over the role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and the agency’s response to Israeli airstrikes that have killed some of its staff.
Headlines
US Threatens to Withhold 50% of Aid to Nigeria over Lapses in Security, Civilian Protection and Accountability
The United States is considering to withhold 50 per cent of its aid to Nigeria under a new legislative proposal that ties continued support to measurable progress on security, civilian protection, and accountability.
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved the measure as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programmes appropriations bill, reflecting growing concern in Washington over persistent violence in Africa’s most populous nation.
The broader bill allocates about $47.32 billion for foreign aid and diplomacy, a reduction of roughly six per cent from the previous year.
If enacted, the proposal would require the Secretary of State to certify that Nigeria is taking “effective steps” to address insecurity, protect civilians, and prosecute perpetrators before half of the allocated aid can be released.
Lawmakers linked the conditions to continued attacks by militant groups and violence affecting vulnerable communities.
The legislation also directs Nigerian authorities to prioritise support for victims, particularly internally displaced persons, and to facilitate the safe return and reconstruction of affected communities.
It calls for investigations and prosecutions tied to armed groups.
In addition, Nigeria would be required to match U.S. funding for supported programmes, effectively introducing a dollar-for-dollar framework that could increase pressure on government finances.
A committee statement said the bill aims to “hold foreign governments accountable for persecuting people of faith”, adding that assistance to Nigeria would remain restricted until “measurable actions are taken” to protect vulnerable populations.
The proposal also places Nigeria under heightened congressional scrutiny, requiring the U.S. administration to notify Congress at least 15 days before any funds are disbursed.
The bill, however, is yet to become law and must still pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the U.S. president.
Nigeria has previously rejected claims that violence in the country is driven by religious persecution, arguing instead that insecurity reflects a complex mix of terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts.
Nonetheless, the proposed measure signals a shift toward stricter U.S. oversight of foreign assistance and could reshape bilateral relations if approved.
Headlines
Peter Obi Weeps for Nigerian Workers, Says Minimum Wage Can no Longer Guarantee Modest Living
A frontline presidential aspirant on the platform of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has regretted that the minimum wage can no longer guarantee a most modest standard of living in Nigeria.
In a post on his X handle on Friday to mark Workers’ Day, the former Governor of Anambra State said this has happened as inflation, rising food prices, transportation costs, and economic hardship continue to erode the value of honest work.
He said no nation can truly develop beyond the strength, productivity, and wellbeing of its workforce, stressing that the progress of any society rests on the quality of its human capital, the skill of its people, and the commitment of its workers.
‘When workers suffer, the nation suffers. When workers are empowered, the nation prospers,” he noted.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections said a productive nation must be built on justice, fairness, and respect for labour, adding that “it is the Nigeria we must work together to achieve.”
Obi said through democratic participation, the Nigerian workers have the power to shape governance and determine the future direction of the nation.
He, therefore, urged Nigerian workers to recognise the strength they hold collectively.
“But beyond their labour, workers also possess another powerful tool, their voice and their vote.
“They owe it to themselves, their children, and future generations to support and demand leadership built on competence, character, capacity, credibility, and compassion. By refusing to reward failure, corruption, ethnic division, and bad governance, they can help build a nation where hard work is respected and rewarded with dignity.
“With the support and participation of Nigerian workers, a new Nigeria is possible,” said Obi.
He saluted workers across the world, especially Nigerian workers whose daily sacrifices continue to sustain our families, communities, institutions, and national economy in the face of severe hardship and uncertainty.
The Supreme Court has vacated the order of the Court of Appeal which barred the recognition of David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The apex court on Thursday held that the preservative order by the Court of Appeal was in bad faith, unnecessary, unwarranted and improper.
In a unanimous judgment of the Supreme Court, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba held that the Court of Appeal ought not to have made such order because it was not sought by any of the parties in the matter.
The Court of Appeal had issued an order of status quo antem bellum upon which the ADC exco under David Mark was de-recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
With the vacation of the order, David Mark and the other national officers are to be recognized as ADC leaders by the electoral body.
