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.
NEWS
Showunmi Urges South-East to Judge Tinubu by Projects, Not Propaganda
Otunba Segun Showunmi, a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for 2027, has urged the South-East to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration based on verifiable projects and measurable results rather than political propaganda.
Showunmi made the call in a statement posted on X on Saturday, urging Nigerians to evaluate the government’s performance based on infrastructure delivery, funds committed to projects and their impact on communities.
He said federal infrastructure initiatives targeting the South-East under Tinubu’s administration deserved serious scrutiny and factual assessment, adding that unfulfilled promises should continue to be pursued until the expected results were delivered.
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“Our message is clear: We will not trade facts for propaganda, nor accountability for political loyalty!” he said.
The political figure challenged critics of the administration to provide evidence to support their claims, while urging those defending the government to present the projects and demonstrate their impact.
He also called on government officials to publish relevant figures, disclose project timelines and provide measurable results, insisting that no public official should be exempt from scrutiny.
According to Showunmi, the South-East deserves infrastructure that supports economic growth, including roads that connect markets, investments that create jobs and policies that expand economic opportunities.
He maintained that political representation must translate into tangible benefits for citizens, stressing that public office should deliver value to the people.
As part of his call to action, Showunmi urged Nigerians to scrutinise government records, challenge misinformation with evidence and demand the completion of outstanding projects.
He further called for public commitments to be matched by measurable delivery, arguing that leadership should be assessed by facts and results rather than political rhetoric.
Ending his statement with the slogan, “Asiwaju is a goal,” Showunmi called for accountability and greater inclusion of the South-East in Nigeria’s development.
Showunmi is associated with The Alternative and is a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.
NEWS
Lagos: LASTMA Announces Traffic Restrictions Along Route to Toll Gate
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Saturday announced a temporary road closure near Apostolic Church, inward Toll Gate, to allow engineers to install a beam on a height-restriction structure.
The agency said the installation was aimed at preventing high-rise trailers from accessing the newly constructed pedestrian bridge.
ALSO READ: LASTMA Alerts Motorists to Traffic Delays on Ogunnusi Road
“Currently, one lane has been occupied to facilitate the ongoing construction work, while the remaining two lanes are available to motorists,” LASTMA stated.
The agency advised road users to approach the affected corridor with caution and follow the directions of its personnel deployed to the area.
“Road users are advised to approach the affected corridor with caution and follow the directions of our personnel who are on ground to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular movement,” the statement added.
LASTMA also urged motorists to remain patient while the installation work continued.
“Motorists are encouraged to exercise patience while the installation work is in progress,” the agency stated.
NEWS
‘Oseni Rufai Helped Me, Not NiDCOM’ — Ekene Chukwuma on Return to Nigeria
Nigerian national Ekene Chukwuma has said he returned to Nigeria with assistance linked to Oseni Rufai rather than the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), while renewing allegations against the commission’s chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, over his travel documents.
Chukwuma made the remarks in an interview in which he explained how he returned to Nigeria after spending months at a deportation camp in India.
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“My name is Kenneth Chukwu, from Enugu State,” he said, introducing himself before explaining how he returned to the country.
“I came back here with the assist of Osini Roufai, a good friend of him,” he said.
Chukwuma denied that NiDCOM facilitated his return, alleging that the commission had published false information about his case.
“NiDCOM made a lots of false, uh, news acquisition against me, which is still in Abike Dabiri handle in Twitter,” he said.
He also accused Dabiri-Erewa of sharing his expired international passport and a travel certificate he claimed was issued six months after he entered the detention camp.
“He also, she also posted my international passport that expired. He also, she also posted my TC that issued after 6 months,” he said.
His comments renew questions surrounding the handling of his case and the circumstances under which he obtained the documents needed to return to Nigeria.
Chukwuma’s detention in India previously sparked a public disagreement between ARISE News presenter Oseni Rufai and Dabiri-Erewa over NiDCOM’s response to reports of his situation.
Oseni raised concerns about Chukwuma’s detention and the commission’s handling of the case, while Dabiri-Erewa defended NiDCOM’s position and explained the process for submitting information to the commission.
NiDCOM subsequently issued its account of Chukwuma’s detention, stating that he had been arrested in India over a visa overstay and addressing the circumstances surrounding his travel documents.
The differing accounts prompted public debate about the commission’s response to Nigerians facing immigration difficulties abroad.





