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The Federal Scholarship Board (FSB) Awards remain one of the most sought-after opportunities for Nigerian students striving for academic excellence without the heavy burden of financial constraints.

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday inaugurated a 5.5-kilometre Elega–Miliki–Saje–Bode-Olude–Alhaji Sugar Road in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The road traverses Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas. Governor Abiodun noted that the project is part of his administration’s commitment to improving road infrastructure and boosting economic activities across the state. He […]

The Independent National ElectoralCommission (INEC) has adjusted the campaign timeline for the Osun State governorship election following an earlier shift in the election date.

The commission had, on February 26, 2026, released a revised timetable for the 2027 general election and moved the Osun governorship poll from August 8 to August 15, 2026.

In line with the new date, INEC’s
National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education,
Mohammed Haruna, in a statement on Thursday, said political parties’ campaigns in the state will now end at midnight on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in accordance with Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act which stipulates that campaigns must cease 24 hours before election day.

INEC further called on all political parties, candidates, and stakeholders to strictly comply with the revised schedule.

The commission also reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections.

INEC Revises Osun Governorship Campaign Deadline is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Arrangements have been concluded by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in collaboration with the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN)…

United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed to hand over its remaining stockpile of enriched uranium and abandon ambitions for a nuclear weapon, describing negotiations as being on the verge of a major breakthrough.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday before departing for Las Vegas, Trump said: “We’re very close to making a deal with Iran. We had to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon… They’ve totally agreed to that. They’ve agreed to almost everything.”

He added that Iran had consented to return its enriched uranium, which he has repeatedly called “nuclear dust”, material believed to be buried deep underground following earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

“They’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust,” Trump stated. He also suggested that the next round of talks could take place over the weekend and expressed uncertainty about whether the current fragile ceasefire would need extension.

The comments come amid efforts to end six weeks of conflict in the Middle East that has disrupted global energy supplies and raised fears over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for oil exports.

However, Iran has not publicly confirmed Trump’s assertions. Multiple reports indicate that Tehran has previously pushed back against similar claims, describing them as exaggerated.

Recent direct talks in Islamabad on April 11-12 collapsed without agreement, with core disputes remaining over the future of uranium enrichment inside Iran and the removal of existing stockpiles.

The White House has been discussing a possible second round of negotiations in Pakistan, with officials expressing optimism.

A U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place, adding pressure on Tehran.

Analysts caution that any final deal would require strict verification mechanisms, especially given the deeply buried nature of the material in question.

For Nigeria and other oil-producing nations, progress toward de-escalation could help stabilise crude prices, which have spiked due to fears of prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

A lasting agreement might also open the door for sanctions relief on Iran, potentially shifting global energy dynamics.

Trump has maintained that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is a non-negotiable red line, while offering the prospect of broader regional stability in return for Iranian concessions.

No immediate reaction from Iranian officials was available as of press time. Further developments are expected in the coming days as diplomatic channels continue.

Trump: Iran Agrees To Hand Over Nuclear Dust is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Artificial Intelligence is steadily reshaping how work is done across industries, and Nigeria is not left out of this shift. From banking halls to media houses, hospitals, farms and even classrooms, intelligent systems are taking over repetitive tasks while creating new opportunities that demand a different kind of skill set.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), will chair the 24th Annual Symposium commemorating the

Russia, BRICS member states, and partner countries have confirmed their readiness for close coordination ahead of the election of the 10th UN Secretary-General.

Director of Russia’s Department of International Organisations, Kirill Logvinov, met with the representatives of Moscow’s allies and outlined the criteria Russia applies to candidates for the top job.

Russia said the next UN chief must strictly observe the UN Charter principles, pursue an impartial course, promote a unifying agenda, and “counter the dominance of Western officials within the Secretariat.”

Diplomats from BRICS member states and partner countries agreed to collaborate to ensure due consideration for the legitimate interests of the nations within the Global South and East.

Officials from the states will attend the interactive dialogues with nominees for the post of UN Secretary-General, scheduled to begin at the UN General Assembly on April 21.

The candidates include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria, former President of Senegal, Macky Sall, and Rafael Grossi (Argentina), Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Others are Virginia Gamba (Argentina), UN Secretary-General Special Rep. for Children and Armed Conflict (2017-2025), and Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis (Costa Rica), Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development.

The final selection by the Security Council and General Assembly is expected by late 2026. The second term of the incumbent UN chief, António Guterres, ends on December 31, 2026.

76-year-old Guterres assumed the position in January 2017, after serving as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (2005–2015). He was the prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002.

Russia, allies strategize ahead of UN Secretary-General election

The Naira on Thursday extended its gain against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that the Naira further strengthened to N1,342.30 per dollar on Thursday, up from N1,343.74 traded on Wednesday.

This means that the local currency recorded a slight N1.4 appreciation against the dollar.

From Monday to Thursday this week, the naira has gained N13.88 against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market.

Meanwhile, at the black market, the Naira stood at N1,410 per dollar on Thursday, the same rate as traded the previous day.

The development comes amid the continued decline in the country’s external reserves, which dropped to $48.69 billion as of 14th April, 2026, according to the apex bank data.

Dollar to Naira exchange rate Today, April 16, 2026: Nigerian currency extends gain

Former Nigerian Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke told a UK court that her role in approving oil contracts was largely routine, stating that major decisions were already taken before documents reached her desk.

Speaking at Southwark Crown Court in London, she explained that the structure of Nigeria’s oil sector meant she had limited direct control, as key operations were handled by the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“The system was already in motion before files came to me,” she said, adding that the size and complexity of the industry made it difficult for a minister to oversee everything directly.

She said she rarely declined contract approvals because they had already passed through detailed technical and regulatory checks.
“I was, in many instances, a rubber stamp in the process,” she said.

Diezani also recounted a 2014 incident in which she discovered a questionable crude oil deal allegedly linked to businessman Igho Sanomi. She said the matter came to light following a whistleblower report, prompting her to cancel the arrangement.

However, she told the court that powerful individuals opposed her decision and escalated complaints to then President Goodluck Jonathan.

On allegations that $20 billion in oil revenue went missing, she disagreed with former Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi, insisting the reports were inaccurate.

“There were no missing funds as widely reported,” she said, explaining that audits and legislative reviews later showed the money was tied to subsidy payments and operational costs.

She acknowledged serious challenges in the fuel subsidy system, including multiple claims by some marketers, but said reforms were introduced to reduce fraud.

According to her, these efforts came with risks. She said she faced security threats, including the kidnapping of family members, which she linked to her attempts to challenge powerful interests in the sector.

She also said politicians and business figures frequently pressured her office for preferential treatment in oil allocations.
“I declined requests that did not follow due process,” she said.

Addressing questions about her personal finances, Diezani said she used Nigerian bank cards even during foreign trips, in line with rules preventing public officials from holding foreign accounts.

She added that the cards sometimes failed abroad, forcing others to temporarily cover expenses.

The court also examined records of her official trips between 2011 and 2015.
She said she usually travelled with about 30 officials, including aides, security personnel, and protocol staff.
“All movements were documented and archived in ministry records,” she said, noting that both commercial and chartered flights were used depending on official requirements.

Despite the allegations against her, Diezani insisted her time in office focused on increasing local participation in the oil sector and improving transparency, saying she has been unfairly portrayed.

She is currently on trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde and Doye Agama on five counts related to bribery.

All the defendants have pleaded not guilty, and the case is ongoing in London.

‘I was a rubber stamp’ — Diezani tells UK court