1. The police authorities yesterday deployed about 30 armed policemen to protect the official quarters of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Aba Road, Port Harcourt. The move was apparently in response to an allegation by the pro-Wike factional Speaker of the House Martins Amaewhule, that the complex had been penciled down for demolition by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

2. Mr. Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, counsel to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Friday, promised to produce his client before the Federal High Court on June 13 for arraignment in respect of the 19-count charge money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

3. The Nigerian Army yesterday pulled out 29 Generals of the Infantry Corps who retired from active military service. Out of the 29 retired infantry officers pulled out of active service at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State, 19 were Major-Generals and 10 Brigadiers-General.

4. Bandits have attacked two farming communities in Zamfara State where they killed at least 30 farmers, including a respected Islamic cleric. And elsewhere in Plateau, two herders and over 200 cattle were killed. Police Spokesman in Zamfara, ASP Yazid Abu Abubakar, confirmed the attacks on two local government areas of the state, but said details would be given later.

5. Naira has dipped from the best to the worst performing currency, according to a new Bloomberg report. This is a reversal in its recent gains, emerging as the world’s worst-performing currency after a wonderful performance last month.

6. Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has gazetted the Executive Order relocating the House of Assembly to the Auditorium, Admin Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt. Dated December 14, 2023, the document cited burning of the chamber of the House of Assembly as reason for the relocation.

7. Following protests by some Civil Society Organisations in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Daniel Ojukwu, who was arrested by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police has regained freedom. Ojukwu regained freedom on Friday after 10 days in police captivity.

8. The National Identity Management Commission on Friday said it has uncovered a syndicate of individuals posing as employees of the commission and issuing fake national identity numbers to unsuspecting Nigerians. It said some suspects have been arrested and were undergoing prosecution with relevant security agencies.

9. Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said he is ready to face the House of Representatives probe over the controversy surrounding the N15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway road project. Umahi added that he planned to ensure the exercise was televised live for all Nigerians to see.

10. Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on Friday, received Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, exactly 68 years after his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, visited the state, on February 2, 1959. The Queen was received by the late Premier of the defunct Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

The Duke of Sussex Prince Harry has visited Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as well as soldiers who were wounded in action as part of his activities while in Nigeria.

The prince who arrived at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna on Friday afternoon was accompanied by some aides and top nigerian military officers.

While welcoming the prince, Governor Sani commended him for identifying with the Nigerian Armed Forces and supporting soldiers who were wounded in action.

The governor noted that such visits would go a long way in lifting the spirits of the brave and resilient officers and soldiers.

According to him, Prince Harry’s visit is evidence of his commitment to inspiring recovery, supporting rehabilitation, and broadening respect for the Nigerian soldiers.

On his part, Prince Harry said he is in Nigeria to use the Invictus Games which he founded 10 years ago to put smiles on the faces of wounded Nigerian soldiers and their families.

In line with traditional hospitality, Governor Sani presented some gift items to Prince Harry and also decorated him in a traditional Hausa attire.

From the Kaduna State Government House, Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

Journalists were not allowed into the hospital wards, but the Director of Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau explained that the visit would impact on the lives of the wounded soldiers and their families.

Nigeria is the first African country to join in the Invictus Games held in Germany last year with ten participants from the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday received ambassadors from Pakistan, Greece, and Egypt posted to Nigeria.

While accepting their letters of credence at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu also sought the collaboration of the envoys with the Nigerian government to stop terrorism.

Speaking with Sohail Khan, the high commissioner of Pakistan, the president said there is a need for global cooperation in combating terrorism and violent extremism.

“We must do more to stop extremists. We need to enhance our collaboration and exchange of ideas and knowledge in these areas,” Tinubu told Khan, who is also a retired major-general.

“As a government, we will keep an open-door policy with countries and development partners on enhancing cooperation in security, economy, education, and the information and communication technology sector, where the minister is doing very well. How can we improve our bilateral relationship? We must do more.”

Tinubu discussed the security situation in the Sahel with Mohamed Ahmed, the Egyptian ambassador.

The president acknowledged Egypt’s efforts in attempting to broker a truce in Gaza and stressed the importance of stability in the region.

Tinubu said Nigeria and Egypt have collaborated on key international priorities, including promoting regional peace, security, and stability, since establishing diplomatic relations in 1961 and expressed optimism for stronger bilateral relations.

In a separate meeting with Athanasios Kotsionis, ambassador of Greece, Tinubu sought firmer economic ties with the European country.

“The economic situation in Africa and Europe is still very unbalanced. We should build on the opportunities from our challenges and strengthen relations between the two countries,” Tinubu said.

“What I expect is an improvement in the relationship between both countries, and I look forward to us working on that.”

The president said his administration is about renewed hope, adding that the country will continue to play its role as a stabiliser on the continent.