Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has begun interviews for 2,102 candidates shortlisted for its Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s oil, gas and wider energy workforce. The interviews, which commenced on Monday at the PTDF headquarters in Abuja, form part of the Fund’s long-term strategy to build high-level human capital by sponsoring advanced research in petroleum technology, engineering, geosciences, energy economics and related fields. By placing scholars in selected international and local institutions, the programme is designed to expose beneficiaries to cutting-edge research while ensuring that expertise gained is ultimately deployed to support Nigeria’s energy transition and industrial development. Speaking during the exercise, the Deputy General Manager, Education and Training at PTDF, Dr Bello Mustapha, said the PhD interviews followed the successful conclusion of interviews for Master’s degree can...

iPhone users are being warned about a rise in scam emails designed to imitate official communications from Apple and trick recipients into handing over sensitive personal information. According to reports, the latest wave of phishing attempts targets Apple ID and iCloud users, with messages claiming that storage is full or that an account is at risk of being suspended.  The emails are designed to look legitimate, using Apple branding and urgent language to pressure users into clicking malicious links. What the scam looks like According to UK consumer group Which?, scammers often make dramatic claims such as warning that " all your photos will be deleted " unless immediate action is taken. The group has advised recipients who receive such emails not to click on any links. Many of the messages state that a user’s iCloud storage has been suspended or is about to be disabled. Others warn of unusual account activity or security threats. In each case, users are urged to verify the...

Prominent political figure and former South-East spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Denge Josef Onoh, has paid tribute to Niger Delta leader Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, on the occasion of his 55th birthday. In a statement released to mark the milestone, Onoh described Tompolo as a symbol of courage, strategic foresight and steadfast commitment to his people, commending his enduring role in the Niger Delta struggle and broader national development. Onoh pointed to Tompolo’s roots in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, saying that his rise from the creeks to national prominence reflects resilience and strong cultural grounding.  He admired Tompolo’s continued connection to tradition, including his annual visits to the sacred Aziza Forest, as evidence of respect for heritage and spirituality. The former lawmaker also praised Tompolo’s transition from militancy to institutional engagement, particularly his leadership of Tantita Security Services. READ ALSO : 2...

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused authorities of attempting to obstruct its National Convention by pressuring the owner of its booked venue to withdraw access, despite a signed agreement and full payment. In a statement issued on the eve of the convention, the party said the management of Rainbow Event Centre informed it of " mounting pressure " from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to cancel the booking. According to the ADC, the venue owner was allegedly warned that his operational licence could be revoked if the event went ahead. " After paying all the required fees and putting finishing touches to preparations for our convention tomorrow, the owner of Rainbow Event Centre has just informed us that he is under pressure from the FCDA and the FCT Minister ," the statement said. Despite the claim, the party insisted it would proceed as scheduled, citing a binding co...

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), under Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested a 15-year-old boy over his alleged involvement in a deadly attack on a military base in Borno State that claimed the lives of a senior officer and two soldiers. The suspect, identified as Tijjani, was apprehended on Sunday in Ngamdu while reportedly on an errand to purchase food for members of his group.  In a video confession circulated by the military, the teenager said he participated in coordinated attacks on Benisheik and Ngamdu last Thursday. Recall that the assault resulted in the death of Oseni Braimah, Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, alongside two other soldiers, after suspected Boko Haram fighters struck the base. Speaking in Hausa, Tijjani said the attackers moved from Jilli and returned there after the operation.  He claimed he was sent out with N850,000 to procure logistics when he was intercepted by troops.  The suspect added that he had left other fighters behind i...

The Yobe State Government has dismissed reports circulating online that an airstrike targeted residents of Geidam Local Government Area(LGA), insisting the military operation was deliberate and aimed at a terrorist hideout. In a statement on Sunday, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Mai Mala Buni, Brig Gen Dahiru Abdulsalam (retd), said the government was compelled to respond to what it described as misleading claims capable of causing public panic. According to the statement, the Air Component of the Joint Task Force (North-East), under Operation HADIN KAI, carried out a precision airstrike on Saturday, 11 April 2025.  The target was Jilli, identified by security agencies as a long-established stronghold of Boko Haram, located in Gubio Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State. Abdulsalam stressed that the mission was intelligence-led and formed part of sustained efforts to degrade terrorist networks operating in the North-East.  READ ALSO : Tinubu Summons ...

President Bola Tinubu on Monday summoned an emergency security meeting with Nigeria’s service chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies at the State House in Abuja, as questions mount over the country’s security outlook. The closed-door session brought together the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Anele.  Also in attendance were the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. It was said that the meeting was convened to review recent security developments nationwide and to assess emerging threats across several regions. The discussions come days after the United States Department of State issued a trave...

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe has called for concrete action to advance women’s participation in political leadership, warning that rhetorical support for inclusion is no longer sufficient. Osigwe spoke during a recent Strategy Advocacy Meeting on Advancing Women’s Political Leadership: Strengthening Pathways to Inclusive Representation in 2027, organised under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme. In his remarks, the senior advocate stressed that women possess the competence, capacity and integrity required for leadership, and should not be marginalised in political and governance spaces.  He argued that discussions around inclusion must shift from theory to deliberate, practical implementation. Pointing to the NBA’s own leadership structure, Osigwe stated that the association’s three sections are currently headed by women, a development he said clearly demonstrates women’s ability to lead and deliver...

Pope Leo XIV said on Monday he would not be silenced by criticism from United States (US) President Donald Trump, insisting that his mission was to proclaim the Gospel message of peace.   Speaking to journalists aboard his flight to Algiers at the start of a 10-day tour of Africa, the pontiff said that the Church was not a political actor in the same sense as governments.   " I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do . " We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker ," be said. His response followed a sharp attack from Trump, who accused the pope of being " WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy " in comments to reporters and on social media.  READ ALSO : Trump Sparks Outrage with AI Jesus Image, Attack on P...

Donald Trump has ignited fresh controversy after sharing an AI-generated image of himself depicted as Jesus Christ, while simultaneously launching a scathing attack on Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff’s recent calls for global peace. The image, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account, shows him in flowing robes surrounded by radiant light, appearing to perform a healing act.  Angel-like figures hover above as fighter jets streak across the sky, fireworks explode, and the Statue of Liberty looms in the background. The post came shortly after Trump criticised Pope Leo for his comments on rising global conflicts and foreign policy.  " Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy ," Trump wrote, accusing the Catholic Church of failing to defend religious freedoms during the pandemic. Trump escalated his comments further, questioning the Pope’s stance on nuclear proliferation and US military actions. READ ALSO : Pope Leo XIV Issues Strongest Middle East Ceasefire Plea ...