NEWS
Again, Jimoh Wins Big At Chinua Achebe Essay/Poetry Anthology
A student in the department of Mass Communication, Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, Jimoh Taofik Adekunle has been featured in the 7th Chinua Achebe Essay/Poetry Anthology.
Jimoh, who made the announcement via his Facebook account on Friday, wrote “CONGRATULATIONS, JAAT ✍️💪🙏💘.
“For the second time, my poem was featured in Chinua Achebe’s Anthology. 📚🖋️
“My poem, ‘There Was A Country’ was featured in the 7th Chinua Achebe Essay/Poetry Anthology”
“More Wins 🧡, More Awards 💎, More Inks….💡
“Recall my poem, ‘I Say Ndo To Obodo Dike(Tributes To Chinua Achebe)’ was featured in the 5th Chinua Achebe Essay/Poetry Anthology in 2020.”
He is a graduate student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
Jimoh has received Certificate of Participation and Certificate of Award for his piece “I Say Ndo to Obo Dike” published in the 5th Chinua Achebe Essay/Poetry Anthology.
International News
If It’s A Fair Election, I’ll Concede Defeat – Trump
In a final push on Election Day, Republican presidential contender, Donald Trump expressed confidence about reclaiming the White House, while reiterating his concerns about the security of electronic voting machines.
After casting his ballot in Florida, Trump told reporters, “I feel very confident.”
He added, “I believe we ran a great campaign,” referring to his race against Democratic rival Kamala Harris.
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While Trump voiced his confidence, he also underscored his willingness to accept defeat if the election was conducted fairly.
“If I lose an election, if it’s a fair election, I would be the first one to acknowledge it. So far, I think it’s been fair,” Trump said, though he added that his acceptance would hinge on perceived election integrity.
In particular, Trump has voiced concerns about electronic voting machines, suggesting they are less secure than paper ballots.
Wearing a red “Make America Great Again” cap, he remarked, “They spend all this money on machines… If they would use paper ballots, voter ID, proof of citizenship, and one-day voting, it would all be over by 10 o’clock in the evening. It’s crazy.”
Trump further commented on the potential for election unrest. When asked whether he would urge supporters to remain peaceful, he dismissed the question, asserting that his supporters are “not violent people.”
As voting concludes, Trump’s statements add to the polarized atmosphere of one of the most contentious U.S. elections in recent history, with the nation watching closely as results unfold.
NEWS
Buhari Grieves Over Borno Flood, Jigawa Tanker Explosion
Former President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday undertook visits to two states-Borno and Jigawa to commiserate with the governments and their people, following the devastating floods that ravaged Borno and the deadly petroleum tanker explosion in Jigawa that claimed nearly 200 lives, all of which happened while he was away from the country.
The former president lamented the damage, destruction, and losses of life that attended the worst floods in many decades in Borno State, ascribing the catastrophic incident to destructive weather due to climate change.
He recalled his days as the Military Governor of the North-Eastern state-now split into six states – when, as said, “ we engaged in prayers for rain. Now, we are having the irony of the state being overwhelmed by rain.”
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He commended the efforts of the state and federal governments in the joint efforts to restore normalcy in the lives of the people, saying that having sent a delegation to condole the situation while he was away, he still felt unsatisfied with the gesture, necessitating the urge to make the trip to see things and personally commiserate with the state.
The state governor, Pro Umara Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba Al Amin El-Kanemi thanked the former president for the “historic visit,” saying that the state would never forget the president who had visited more than any other, and one “who has done so much and so well for Nigeria and Borno state in particular.
“Without the 85 megawatts captive power plant you built here, Maiduguri would have continued in darkness. You gave us the North East Development Commission, a military university, a federal polytechnic, and a college of education and ensured the gradual return of peace after years of Boko Haram terrorism,” stated the Governor.
In Dutse, the Jigawa state, the acting governor, Engineer Aminu Usman led the former president to the Rasheed Shekoni University Teaching Hospital where he saw the victims of the fire explosion still on admission.
Muhammadu Buhari joined in prayers for the repose of the 180 plus so far dead, from the fire, and the quick recovery of those who are still on admission in hospitals.
The acting governor thanked the former president for the visit and for the cash donation to the victims of the disaster.
International News
JUST IN: Equatorial Guinea Blocks WhatsApp Multimedia Amid Engonga Sex Scandal
The government of Equatorial Guinea has imposed new restrictions on WhatsApp, limiting citizens’ ability to download and share multimedia files through mobile data.
This policy follows recent directives for telecommunications operators to control access to “inappropriate content.”
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The measure, however, has led to public frustration, with citizens now relying solely on WiFi for sharing photos, videos, and audio files.
The restrictions come in the wake of a high-profile scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF).
Engonga, 54, is currently under investigation for fraud. During an unexpected search of his home and office, ANIF officials reportedly discovered a collection of more than 400 explicit videos involving Engonga and the wives of various prominent figures.
Among those reportedly involved are relatives of senior officials, including the wife of the Director General of Police, multiple government ministers’ spouses, and even family members of the President of Equatorial Guinea.
The leaked videos have caused a media uproar, with calls for transparency from the government.
Citizens are questioning whether the restrictions on WhatsApp multimedia sharing are part of an effort to prevent the spread of sensitive content related to the scandal.
So far, officials have not commented on the duration of these restrictions or whether they are linked to the ongoing investigation.
The local news platform Ahora EG has reported widespread frustration over the restrictions, quoting anonymous sources expressing concern about the impact on essential communication.
“Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few?” one source asked. “This measure interferes with work and educational activities for thousands who rely on WhatsApp, and it feels more like a move to control than to facilitate communication.”
Critics have also questioned the transparency of the new restriction, with some speculating it may be linked to Vice President Teddy Nguema’s recent announcement of a plan to install surveillance cameras in state offices.
This initiative, he said, is part of a broader government crackdown to reinforce public service laws and combat misconduct among officials.
As frustrations mount, Equatorial Guinea’s citizens are left awaiting clarity on the government’s intentions behind these measures.
With no official statements on how long the restrictions will remain in place, many continue to speculate whether these changes will be temporary or signal a new era of state control over digital communication.