NEWS
Trump Orders ‘Transgender Ideology’ Out Of US Military
The POTUS, Donald Trump has signed an executive order eliminating what he referred to as “transgender ideology” from the military.
The order, signed on Monday, marks a significant setback for LGBTQ rights.
Biztellers reports that President Trump urged the US Army to immediately commence the development of a home grown equivalent of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system.
These were part of a series of military-related announcements aboard Air Force One, according to the AFP
In addition, the executive orders reinstated service members dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and expanded efforts to eliminate diversity programmes within the armed forces.
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According to President Trump, “To ensure we have the most lethal fighting force in the world, we will get transgender ideology the hell out of our military.”
President Trump made the declaration at a Republican congressional retreat in Miami.
The POTUS hinged his declaration on the belief that, “many mental and physical health conditions are incompatible with active duty.”
It is also President Trump’s opinion that the US military had been “afflicted with radical gender ideology to appease activists”.
This stance reinforces the POTUS’ stand, having previously implemented a ban on transgender troops, and reiterated his opposition to recognising gender diversity.
The order stated, “Adopting a gender identity inconsistent with one’s sex conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honourable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in personal life.”
It further added, “A man’s assertion that he is a woman, and the demand that others honour this falsehood, is inconsistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”
A separate order denounced diversity programmes in the military, arguing they “undermine leadership, merit, and unit cohesion, thereby eroding lethality and force readiness.”
It also banned discussions on “gender ideology” and labelled theories suggesting America’s founding documents are racist or sexist as “un-American.”
The orders coincided with the start of President Trump’s second week back at the White House and a welcome ceremony at the Pentagon for his newly appointed defence secretary, Pete Hegseth.
Political pundits point out that Hegseth, a military veteran and Fox News personality, was confirmed despite concerns over his limited experience and allegations of misconduct.
“Thank you for your leadership, Mr. President. We will execute!” Hegseth stated on X.
Recall that transgender Americans have experienced fluctuating military policies in recent years.
While the Democratic administrations have pushed to allow them to serve openly, President Trump repeatedly sought to exclude them.
The US military lifted its ban on transgender service members in 2016 under President Barack Obama, but President Trump delayed and ultimately reversed the policy during his first term. On his part, President Joe Biden reinstated inclusive policies upon taking office in 2021.
Though transgender troops represent a small fraction of the US military — estimated at around 15,000 out of more than two million personnel — their dismissal would further strain recruitment efforts amid declining enlistment numbers.
Former Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin appeared to criticise President Trump’s stance earlier this month, saying, “Any military that turns away qualified patriots eager to serve is just making itself smaller and weaker.”
The POTUS’ promise to develop a US version of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system, despite its limitations for intercontinental threats, was also advanced.
“We need to immediately begin constructing a state-of-the-art Iron Dome missile defence shield,” President Trump said.
He stressed that it would be manufactured domestically.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will not approve admissions for the Law programme at several Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.
This follows a suspension order from the Council of Legal Education (CLE) regarding the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme at the affected institutions.
In a statement released on Wednesday, JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, confirmed that no admissions would be granted to candidates seeking to enroll in Law programmes at the universities listed below.
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The suspension is part of ongoing measures to regulate and standardize legal education in the country.
Benjamin stated, “JAMB will not approve any admissions for candidates seeking to enroll in the Law programme at the affected universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.”
The institutions impacted by the suspension include:
Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Kwara State
- Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State
- Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State
- Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State
- Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State
- Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State
- Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State
Furthermore, the Nigerian Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State, will see its Law programme suspended for an extended period.
Benjamin further elaborated, “Please note that the suspension of the Law programme at the Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, will last for two academic sessions: specifically, the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions.”
JAMB has urged prospective students to take note of these changes when making their application decisions for the upcoming academic year.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for a nationwide protest on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in response to a recent telecommunications tariff hike.
The protest comes after the Federal Government approved a 50% increase, following telecom operators’ initial request for a 100% hike.
The announcement was made following an emergency National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting on Wednesday, where NLC President Joe Ajaero strongly criticized the hike.
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He called it “insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already burdened by worsening economic hardship.”
In a statement, Ajaero condemned the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) decision to approve the increase, calling it a harsh blow to citizens already grappling with the effects of rising costs across multiple sectors.
He emphasized that the 50% tariff hike was too much for the Nigerian people, particularly those earning the minimum wage of N70,000 per month.
Ajaero explained that the protest rally on February 4 would serve as a warning to the government, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians who have already faced high petrol prices, soaring food costs, electricity tariff hikes, and rising inflation.
“All NLC affiliates and state councils are directed to begin full mobilisation in preparation for the nationwide protest rally,” Ajaero said. He urged civil society groups to join the movement, calling on workers, the informal sector, and the general public to stand in solidarity against the tariff hike.
The NLC also issued a demand for the immediate suspension of the tariff hike and called for meaningful dialogue with the Federal Government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Assembly.
Ajaero warned that if the hike is not reversed, the NLC would consider escalating its actions, including a possible nationwide boycott of telecommunication services.
“The NLC remains committed to safeguarding the interests of Nigerian workers and citizens,” Ajaero asserted. “We will not relent in our struggle against policies that undermine the welfare and dignity of our people.”
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Max Air’s domestic flight operations for three months following a landing incident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The decision, announced in a statement by NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu on Wednesday, comes after a Max Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft (registration 5N-MBD) suffered a wheel collapse and tire burst while landing at the airport on Tuesday night at approximately 10:51 p.m, causing panic among passengers.
However, all 53 passengers and six crew members onboard escaped without major injuries.
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Following the incident, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the runway has been cleared and flight operations at the airport have resumed. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the occurrence, with the NCAA pledging full support.
“The NCAA will provide the required support to the NSIB in this regard. It must be stated that the specific cause(s) of this incident can only be established after the NSIB has conducted its investigation,” the regulatory body stated.
The NCAA further revealed that it had already been conducting an organisational risk profile assessment for all scheduled airlines, including Max Air. However, as a result of this incident, the airline will suspend its domestic operations for three months, effective from midnight on January 31, 2025, to allow its management to conduct an internal appraisal.
During this suspension period, the NCAA will carry out a comprehensive safety and economic audit of Max Air.
“The safety audit will entail a re-inspection of Max Air’s organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft as specified by Part 1.3.3.3(b) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, while the economic audit will critically examine the financial health of the airline to guarantee its capability to sustain safe flight operations,” the NCAA stated.
The regulatory authority emphasized that the airline will only be allowed to resume domestic operations once it satisfactorily completes the audit.
“The NCAA is aware of the inconvenience this action may cause intending passengers of Max Air. However, the safety and well-being of passengers is paramount,” the statement concluded.
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