WAFFI TV | Feature

Buhari Did Not Loot Nigeria’s Treasury~ Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has praised the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, portraying him as a leader who served the country with integrity and without looting the national treasury. Akpabio made the remarks on Thursday during an expanded Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja to honour Buhari. He stated that even the former president’s critics would acknowledge that he did not divert public funds while in office. He said, “Let us be honest, he was tough. He was a soldier who did not flinch under fire, a leader who did not flee from responsibility, and above all, a Nigerian whose loyalty to this nation was never up for sale. “His toughness was born not out of pride but of a patriotism, a fierce, unrelenting belief that Nigeria, with all its challenges, was still worth fighting for. And yet some disagree with him. “That is the nature of democracy. But even his fiercest critics will admit that he did not pilfer the nation’s boss, nor pander to its pleasures to the very end.” Present at the special FEC meeting were members of the National Assembly leadership, ministers, governors, and the children of the late leader, led by his son, Yusuf. The former Governor of Akwa Ibom State further stated that Buhari sought duty when others sought glory, describing him as a leader who did not flee from challenges. “President Buhari did not merely pass through the corridors of power; he left his boots and imprints in them. He believed that discipline mattered, that integrity mattered, that leadership, even when lonely, must be anchored on something greater than power,” he added.

7/18/2025, 1:48:41 AM

NELFUND To Open Job Portal For Early Employment Access

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has clarified that while it does not guarantee employment for beneficiaries, it is working on a centralised job portal aimed at providing early access to job opportunities both within Nigeria and abroad. Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, revealed this during a media engagement in Abuja on Thursday, held to mark the scheme’s one-year anniversary. He explained that the upcoming portal would feature job listings from public and private sector organisations, as well as international recruiters seeking Nigerian talent. “We don’t just give a loan and leave students on their own. This job portal is our way of supporting their journey towards economic stability,” he said. He emphasised that students would only begin repayment after securing employment, stressing that this would begin after their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. “If you don’t have a job, you don’t pay. And when you eventually get a job, your repayment starts fresh. “Once employed, 10 per cent of the beneficiary’s monthly income is deducted automatically by the employer and remitted to NELFUND, following verification through the NELFUND employment register. “If an employee is laid off or resigns, the deductions stop. And in the event of death, the loan is written off. The family is not harassed,” Sawyerr added. Speaking on the non-refund of fees to students who had paid before NELFUND disbursed the funds to their institutions, the managing director appealed to institutions to return the fees to such students. According to him, schools have a moral and professional duty to return these funds to students. “We’ve received multiple petitions from students who paid under duress, only to find their fees had also been paid by NELFUND. “Institutions must refund this money. It’s disappointing that some schools have ignored this responsibility,” he said. He noted that investigative bodies like the ICPC and EFCC have stepped in to question certain institutions over delays or refusals to refund. “If an institution cannot refund directly to the student, they can pay the money back to us, and we will ensure it gets to the rightful student,” Sawyerr stated. Speaking on the agency’s projections for the coming years, the Executive Director of Operations at NELFUND, Mustapha Iyal, stated that the Fund is currently managing over 3.2 million student records in its system. Iyal, however, said the Fund is projecting one million new applications by the end of 2025. While stating that the figure was not compulsory, he added that the Fund aimed to ensure that no student dropped out due to financial hardship. “Basically, our projection right now is that we have about 3.2 million students in our system. “What we’re looking at this year, from now to the end of the year, we’re looking at about one million applications. We’re not pushing. We’re not saying that it’s compulsory. “But we’re looking at how we can support one million applications to make sure that no one is dropping out of school,” he said.

7/17/2025, 4:10:19 PM

FG Suspends Recruitment Into Paramilitary Agencies, Reopens Portal July 21

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has temporarily shut down its recruitment application portal to enhance system performance. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Board’s Secretary, Maj. Gen. AM Jibril (retd.). According to Jibril, the suspension affects the portal used for recruiting personnel into the board’s paramilitary agencies. He added that the portal is expected to reopen on Monday, July 21, 2025. He explained that the decision was prompted by a high volume of applications, stressing the need to streamline the process for better efficiency. “This development will ensure that the portal accommodates the high volume of applications while guaranteeing a smooth, transparent, and fair recruitment process,” the statement read. He said the board commended Nigerians for their interest in joining the services and assured them of fairness. “We appreciate the enthusiasm and interest of young Nigerians to serve their country through these vital agencies. “We remain committed to ensuring a fair and transparent recruitment process,” the statement added. According to Jibril, the suspension affects agencies under the CDCFIB, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, and Nigerian Correctional Service. The board advised applicants to monitor the portal and submit their applications promptly when the system reopens on July 21.

7/17/2025, 7:27:07 AM

2027: Backing Tinubu Key To Lasting Peace In Niger Delta~ Otuaro

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has called on stakeholders across the Niger Delta to sustain the prevailing peace in the region by rallying behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of 2027. Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja during a three-day strategic leadership and dispute resolution workshop organised by the PAP in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Otuaro emphasised that continued support for Tinubu is crucial for consolidating peace, stability, and socio-economic growth in the oil-rich region. Highlighting the strides made under his leadership in the past year—including expanded scholarship schemes, vocational training for ex-agitators, and broader inclusion in the programme—Otuaro noted these efforts align with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda. "By his actions, President Tinubu has demonstrated genuine commitment to the Niger Delta’s peace and development. He is not a leader who would mislead the region for political gains," Otuaro said. He announced that, with Tinubu’s backing, the PAP is establishing a new Rehabilitation Unit to better address beneficiaries’ needs—an initiative approved recently by the president. Expressing gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his guidance and supervision, Otuaro urged stakeholders to actively engage in the training, saying it would equip them to mediate conflicts and foster unity. "The essence of this workshop is to sharpen your leadership skills and deepen your understanding of conflict resolution for the overall development of the Niger Delta," he added. Otuaro reaffirmed his confidence that Tinubu would not fail the region, urging all stakeholders to stand firm with the president for a peaceful and prosperous future.

7/16/2025, 6:13:31 PM

How Australian Grandma, 56, Welcomed Twins With 39~year~old Nigerian Husband

Angela Peters, a 56-year-old mother of five and grandmother of 12 from Australia, has revealed how she welcomed twin daughters with her Nigerian husband, Bright, who is 17 years younger than her. Speaking to The Sun UK on Monday, Peters recounted that she met Bright in 2020 through a dating app. Initially, she had been chatting with his older brother, Emeka, who was based in Senegal. While nothing romantic blossomed with Emeka, her interest shifted after he shared a family photo—and she noticed Bright. “It was like a thunderbolt – I knew this was the man I was meant to be with,” she said. At the time, Bright was working as a cook in South Africa, while Peters was based in Australia. After nine months of communication, she travelled to Nigeria in February 2021 to meet him in person. The couple got married just nine days later in a small civil ceremony in Lagos. “The kids were horrified when I called to tell them, but I knew that once they met Bright, they’d understand,” she said. Peters stated, “Raising my kids was the joy of my life, but over the years, I realised I wasn’t happy in my marriage. “We divorced in April 2019, when I was 51, and being single after so long was both liberating and scary. “I longed to be a wife again, but the last thing on my mind was having more babies.” While already a mother of five with 12 grandchildren, Peters said she felt the desire to have children with her new husband after seeing how much he longed to be a father. “When I told Bright that I was going through perimenopause and wouldn’t be able to have more children, he told me not to worry and that one day we’d have twin girls together. “I laughed, knowing that was impossible,” she said. Peters became concerned that Bright might never experience fatherhood. After facing legal age restrictions on IVF in Australia, she explored options in Nigeria, where doctors were willing to proceed despite her age. She said, “So, at 54, I began looking into IVF, and was devastated to discover the cut-off age in Australia is 52. I asked my daughters if they’d be willing to be our surrogate, but they weren’t keen on the idea, and I even considered advising Bright to have a baby with another woman. “Luckily, fate had other plans. In January 2023, during a visit to Nigeria, a friend of Bright’s suggested having IVF there. I was sceptical, but the clinics seemed great and the doctors weren’t worried about my age. “They said they could arrange an egg donor and create embryos with Bright’s sperm, and I would be able to carry our baby. It felt like the answer to our prayers, but not everyone saw it that way.” In December 2023, she discovered she was pregnant with twins, just as her husband had once predicted. The couple welcomed two girls, Khorus and Knowyn, in August 2024. Despite online backlash and health concerns raised by her doctor, Peters said the pregnancy was her easiest yet. Peters documented her pregnancy journey on TikTok, with support from her children, some of whom were initially sceptical of the marriage but later accepted Bright. “It was my daughters’ idea to film my pregnancy journey and put it on TikTok – we wanted to inspire other women who dreamed of becoming mums against the odds. “Suddenly, I had people recognising me in public, which was strange,” she said. Her 28-year-old daughter, Deina, in an interview with The Sun, said, “I had initial fears that Bright was a scammer, then I got the shocking news that they’d got married and wanted me to be their surrogate. “So, hearing Mum was having IVF in Nigeria instead was a relief! “I was worried about her being pregnant at 56, but she flew through it and put my mind at rest. “She’s so incredible with the girls, it’s a wonder to see. “Mum has proved that age isn’t a barrier to following your dreams.” Peters said the twins have brought the family closer and encouraged other older women not to give up on motherhood if it’s what they want. “To those who dream of motherhood later in life, don’t lose hope,” Peters stated.

7/16/2025, 2:24:02 PM

Buhari Might’ve Died Earlier If Treated In Nigeria~ Adeshina

Former presidential spokesman Femi Adesina has remarked that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari might not have survived if he had depended solely on Nigeria’s healthcare system. Buhari passed away in London around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, after a brief illness. Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, Adesina noted that critics questioning why Buhari died in a London hospital should remember that the former president had been receiving medical treatment in the UK even before his 2015 election. His words: “He always had his medicals in London even when he was not in office, so it was not about the time he was president alone. “And then you have to be alive first to get certain things changed or corrected in your country. If he had said, ‘I’ll do my medicals in Nigeria just as a showoff,’ he could have long been dead because there may not be the expertise needed in the country. “But he needed to be alive to be able to lead the country to a point where we would have the expertise. So, those who talk of going abroad, they don’t know that a man needs to be alive first before he can effect a change.”

7/15/2025, 11:13:40 AM

Trump Gives Russia 50 Days To Make Ukraine Deal

US President Donald Trump on Monday demanded that Russia end its war in Ukraine within 50 days or risk sweeping new economic sanctions. At the same time, he announced plans to supply Ukraine with additional weapons through NATO. Trump expressed deep frustration with Vladimir Putin, saying he was “very, very unhappy,” and stressed that his patience had run out over the Russian leader’s continued prosecution of the bloody conflict. “We’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent,” Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Republican added that they would be “secondary tariffs” that target Russia’s remaining trade partners — seeking to impede Moscow’s ability to survive already sweeping Western sanctions. Russia’s top trading partner last year was China, accounting for about 34 percent, followed distantly by India, Turkey and Belarus, according to the Russian Federal Customs Service. Trump and Rutte also unveiled a deal under which the NATO military alliance would buy billions of dollars of arms from the United States — including Patriot anti-missile batteries — and send them to Ukraine. “This is really big,” said Rutte, as he touted a deal aimed at easing Trump’s long-held complaints that the United States is paying more than European and NATO allies to aid Ukraine. Germany, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Britain were among the buyers helping Ukraine, added the NATO chief. “If I was Vladimir Putin today and heard you speaking… I would reconsider that I should take negotiations about Ukraine more seriously,” said Rutte. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had spoken with Trump and was “grateful” for the arms deal.

7/15/2025, 11:08:48 AM

US Threatens Nigerians With Deportation, Permanent Travel Ban

The United States of America has cautioned Nigerians against overstaying the permitted duration on their visas, warning that doing so could lead to deportation and possibly a permanent travel ban. This warning follows a wave of travel restrictions and tighter visa measures recently introduced by the US as part of its broader immigration clampdown under President Donald Trump’s administration. The US Mission in Nigeria issued the warning yesterday via a post on its official X handle, stating: > “If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States in the future.” Earlier last week, the US revised its visa reciprocity policy for Nigerian applicants, reducing the validity of non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas to a single three-month entry. The US cited visa overstay, national security concerns, and documentation issues as part of the reasons for the decision. Additionally, the US government introduced a new mandatory \$250 integrity fee for student, work, and tourist visas. Beyond the integrity fee, the new measures include other compulsory, non-waivable travel-related surcharges: a \$24 I-94 fee and a \$13 Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program. According to the policy, these fees will apply to several visa categories, including B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F and M (students), H-1B (workers), and J (exchange visitors). Only diplomatic applicants under categories A and G will be exempt. These recent changes came shortly after the US introduced stricter social media screening requirements for visa applicants wishing to study in the country. Under the new rule, applicants must disclose all their social media usernames and disable privacy settings to allow thorough background checks.

7/15/2025, 7:25:33 AM

Six Feared Dead As Truck Rams Into Broken Down Trailer On Udu Bridge

Tragedy struck Monday afternoon on the busy Udu Bridge when a truck lost control and crashed into a broken-down trailer, reportedly killing at least six people on the spot and leaving several others injured. Eyewitnesses attributed the accident to brake failure and the distraction caused by a commercial tricycle (popularly known as keke). Among the victims was a mechanic who was working underneath the trailer, which was carrying electric poles. According to witnesses, the Julius Berger truck, while trying to avoid the tricycle, veered off and slammed into the stationary trailer. The force of the collision caused the trailer to overturn, fatally crushing the mechanic and three tricycles filled with passengers. The crash led to a complete blockage of the road, causing severe traffic gridlock. Motorists, commuters, and traders heading into Warri and neighbouring communities were left stranded for hours, with many forced to continue their journey on foot as emergency responders worked to clear the scene. At the time of reporting, six bodies had been recovered, though the exact casualty figure remains uncertain. Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, reportedly left his office to coordinate rescue efforts on-site.

7/14/2025, 6:58:45 PM

FG Declares July 15 Public Holiday To Honour Buhari

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as a public holiday to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. This comes as part of the seven-day national mourning period declared in Buhari’s memory. Dr. Tunji-Ojo described the gesture as a mark of respect for the former President’s decades of service, his dedication to Nigeria’s democratic journey, and his commitment to national unity and development. “President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation,” the Minister noted. “This public holiday offers Nigerians a moment to reflect on his leadership and the values he stood for.” The Minister further urged citizens to use the day to promote peace, patriotism, and national cohesion, echoing Buhari’s vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria. As part of the mourning activities, national flags across the country are to fly at half-mast from Sunday, July 13, through Saturday, July 19, 2025. The Federal Government also extended its condolences to the late President’s family, the people of Katsina State, and all Nigerians, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.

7/14/2025, 4:43:11 PM

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