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South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has lamented over the growing backlash against South Africans across the continent, saying some artistes are losing income as their performances are being cancelled in several African countries. Kubayi said the situation was affecting South African businesses and entertainers operating outside the country, amid criticism […]

The post Xenophobia: Our artistes’ shows are getting cancelled across Africa — South Africa minister laments appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Kebbi State government has declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a public holiday to celebrate the commencement of the Islamic New Year, 1448 AH.

The declaration, approved by Governor Nasir Idris on Monday in Birnin Kebbi, will enable residents to celebrate the commencement of the Islamic New Year.

The statement, signed by Hafsat Tune, also noted that government offices across the state will remain closed on Tuesday, while normal official activities are expected to resume on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

“This is to inform the general public and civil servants that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, has approved the declaration of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, as a work-free day,” the statement partly read.

“This is to enable public servants to celebrate the commencement of the Islamic New Year, 1448 AH,” the statement continued.

Similarly, the Oyo state government, in a statement by Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, approved a public holiday for the state, to enable their Muslim faithful to celebrate the 1448 AH, also known as Hijrah.

“The Hijrah marks the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622AD, and is considered a significant event in Islamic history.

“As a gesture of respect and solidarity with the Muslim community, we have declared tomorrow, Tuesday, 16th June, 2026, a work-free day in the state,” Oyelade said.

The governors urged residents to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in the states and the country as a whole.

Kebbi, Oyo Declare Tuesday Islamic New Year Holiday is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Starmer said this on Monday during a press conference at Downing Street in central London, where he disclosed how social media platforms were making children…

The post UK announces ban on social media for under-16 children appeared first on Tribune Online.

Investing in low-risk financial instruments has become a top priority for Nigerian investors seeking to safeguard their capital against macroeconomic headwinds while locking in competitive returns. 

The post How to bid for high-yield Nigerian treasury bills online this June appeared first on Tribune Online.

Malawi has repatriated 645 of its nationals from South Africa as part of a voluntary evacuation effort amid rising fears of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant unrest targeting foreign nationals, particularly African migrants.

According to the Malawian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, eight buses carrying the nationals departed from Durban on Monday.

The group had been sheltering at Sherwood Hall (also referred to as Sherwood Town Hall or Sherwood Park) in Sydenham, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, after fleeing threats and intimidation.

The repatriates, many of them women and children, are expected to arrive in Malawi via the Mwanza Border Post around June 17 before undergoing further processing at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

This latest convoy follows an earlier batch of around 150 Malawians repatriated from the Western Cape province in early June.

Reports indicate that thousands more Malawians with estimates ranging from 6,000 to over 10,000 at the Durban site alone — remain displaced and are seeking assistance to return home.

South African authorities have been cooperating with the Malawian government, providing additional buses to support the process.

The situation stems from heightened anti-foreigner sentiments in parts of South Africa, fuelled by economic pressures, unemployment and vigilante groups issuing deadlines such as June 30 for undocumented migrants to leave.

Several African countries, including Nigeria , Mozambique, Ghana and Malawi, have initiated or supported repatriation efforts in response.

Xenophobia: Malawi Repatriates 645 Nationals From South Africa is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has said the National Assembly is committed to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture through comprehensive legislative reforms aimed at addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.

Speaking on Monday while declaring open a two-day public hearing on defence-related bills organised by the House Committee on Defence at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Abbas described the proposed legislation as a strategic response to the nation’s worsening security situation.

According to the Speaker, the bills form a key part of the 10th House of Representatives’ legislative agenda and are intended to build a more resilient, inclusive and effective military institution capable of responding to both conventional and emerging threats.

“It is my distinct honour to welcome you all to this important public hearing convened by the House Committee on Defence. The bills listed for consideration over the next two days are not mere legislative exercises. They are a direct response to the evolving security threats facing our beloved nation and the imperative to build a more resilient, inclusive and effective military institution,” Abbas said.

He noted that Nigeria continues to face multiple security crises across various regions, placing enormous pressure on the armed forces.

“We cannot pretend that our nation is at ease. From the relentless insurgency in the North-East to the scourge of banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, the farmer-herder crises in the North-Central, and the separatist agitations in the South-East, our armed forces are stretched, yet they remain our first and last line of defence,” he stated.

“In addition, we face emerging threats: maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, cyber warfare and the nexus between organised crime and terrorism. It is against this backdrop that the 10th House of Representatives has resolved to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks that govern our military,” he said.

Abbas emphasised that the public hearing was designed to encourage broad stakeholder participation and informed contributions to the legislative process.

“This public hearing is not a rubber stamp. It is a platform for robust, evidence-based engagement,” he added.

The hearing is expected to examine several defence-related bills aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness, accountability and capacity of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in confronting the country’s increasingly complex security environment.

Reps move to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture through new legislative reforms

The Kano State Government has earmarked N1.5 billion for the conduct of a mass wedding programme involving 1,500 couples across

The post Kano govt allocates N1.5bn for mass wedding of 1,500 couples appeared first on Tribune Online.

The managing director of the federal government’s agency, Galaxy Backbone, Ibrahim Adeyanju, said it is working in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Communications Commission and others to tackle cyber threats and guarantee protection in the country.

Adeyanju disclosed this during a briefing with journalists on Monday.

He said the agency, together with other government agencies, will not waver in ensuring a secure digital ecosystem for government operations and Nigerians.

“We work with the police force; we also have a cybersecurity unit domiciled with the Office of the National Security Adviser. We work with our sister agencies, the National Information Technology Development Agency and the Nigerian Communications Commission. We work together in an ecosystem to ensure that government data is protected and information is shared securely,” he said.

According to him, the agency is at the centre of the government’s digital transformation agenda because of its mandate to drive digitalisation across public institutions.

He explained that cyberattacks had persisted in some Nigerian government agencies because the agencies only provide third-level technical support to ministries, departments and agencies.

Nigerian govt agencies working as ecosystem on cybersecurity, data protection – Adeyanju

The escalating cost of Tertiary institutions in Nigeria, compounded by ongoing economic adjustments, has placed a severe financial burden on public university undergraduates. 

The post NELFUND Portal: How State University Undergraduates Can Secure Funding appeared first on Tribune Online.

Four persons have been killed and two others injured following a shooting incident linked to suspected cult activities in the Post Office area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on June 15, 2026, by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 9:00 pm on Sunday when a group of armed men reportedly stormed a bamboo bar located along the railway line and opened fire on people gathered at the scene before fleeing.

Police operatives responded to a distress call and evacuated the victims to the Police Clinic for treatment.

The command disclosed that four of the victims were confirmed dead by medical personnel, while two others sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatment.

Preliminary investigations, according to the police, indicate that the attack may be cult-related.

The statement further revealed that two suspected members of a cult group allegedly connected to the incident have been arrested.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the incident is cult-related. Comprehensive investigations led to the arrest of two suspected members of a notorious and deadly cult group linked to the attack,” the statement said.

The police added that the suspects are in custody and are assisting investigators with information aimed at identifying and arresting other individuals connected to the attack.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, condemned the incident, describing it as a threat to public peace and safety.

According to the command, tactical, intelligence and covert operations have been activated to track down other suspects linked to the shooting.

The police also extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and urged residents to provide useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.

The command reassured members of the public that measures were being taken to prevent similar incidents in the state.

Four dead, two injured as suspected cultists open fire on residents in Ilorin