The Presidency has dismissed renewed claims by Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew that he was appointed to lead a presidential agency, insisting he is an impostor who allegedly forged official documents to present himself as Director-General of a non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.   According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the alleged fraud was uncovered after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) complained that a parallel body was operating as though it were a government agency. Onanuga said the Office of the Chief of Staff petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police on October 17, 2025, requesting an investigation into individuals allegedly forging presidential appointment letters and presenting themselves as government officials. The Presidency said the forged documents carried fake signatures, reference numbers and official seals, enabling Adeyemi to claim leadership of the fictitious council. It also alleged that he operated from an office at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he met with Nigerians and foreign nationals while posing as a government official. According to the statement, Adeyemi also sought diplomatic assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by requesting a note verbale to facilitate United States visa applications for members of the purported agency. The Presidency further revealed that concerns escalated after Adeyemi reportedly convened a meeting with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja without the knowledge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry subsequently sought clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Staff over the status of the council. The Office of the Chief of Staff denied issuing any appointment letter to Adeyemi and stated that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council did not exist, stressing that federal appointments are processed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Police arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at his Abuja office. Searches conducted there and at his Suleja residence reportedly uncovered documents and other exhibits linked to the investigation. Investigators alleged that Adeyemi claimed one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola assisted him in obtaining the forged appointment letter. However, police said Tanimola had died in a fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Abuja five days before Adeyemi’s arrest. The Presidency said police concluded that the council was fictitious and that the appointment letter and related official documents were forged. Investigators also alleged that Adeyemi falsely represented himself as a presidential appointee and improperly sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the statement, investigators discovered that Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, including nine allegedly opened in the names of fictitious government agencies. Police also alleged that forged documents were used to open a Central Bank of Nigeria account through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, although no public funds were deposited into the account. Following the investigation, police charged Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2025, on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The case is scheduled for hearing on July 27. The Presidency said Adeyemi has continued to claim that he was appointed by the Chief of Staff despite allegedly making contrary statements during police investigations. It added that the Chief of Staff issued another public disclaimer on June 8, 2026, reiterating that Adeyemi was never appointed to any presidential office. The statement also alleged that Adeyemi had previously claimed to head the World Youth Organisation in 2016 before the United Nations reportedly distanced itself from the organisation. The Presidency urged the public and political actors not to rely on Adeyemi’s claims, noting that the matter is before the court and should be allowed to proceed through the judicial process.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that Nigeria must do everything possible to prevent another civil war, stressing that the country cannot survive a repeat of the devastating conflict that lasted from 1967 to 1970.   Speaking in Abeokuta during the public presentation of a book on the Asaba massacre and related events by Chuck Nduka-Eze, chairman of the Asaba Memorial Trust, Obasanjo said the lessons of history must not be forgotten. According to TheCable, the former president said some of the conditions that triggered the Nigerian civil war remain unresolved, making it vital for the country to confront its past and prevent a recurrence. “What went wrong in the past is essential to preventing a repeat. We must do everything humanly possible to prevent its recurrence,” Obasanjo said. He recalled a conversation with former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who reportedly said Nigeria would not survive a second civil war. “I believe we have fought one civil war too many already. To say that we will have a second civil war, God forbid,” Obasanjo added. The former military ruler praised Nduka-Eze for documenting the events surrounding the Asaba massacre, describing the work as an important contribution to preserving history, promoting reconciliation and educating future generations. Obasanjo said preserving historical records is also a key objective of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. Reflecting on his role during the civil war, he said he could not provide detailed accounts of the Asaba massacre because military operations in the area were under the command of the late Murtala Mohammed. However, he noted that he was later assigned responsibilities aimed at preventing further killings as the conflict drew to a close. He maintained that the military leadership neither authorised nor condoned attacks on civilians, recalling an occasion when he personally intervened to stop a soldier from assaulting a civilian woman in Asaba. Obasanjo also said military commanders must take responsibility for the conduct of troops under their command and noted that Gowon had publicly acknowledged and apologised for excesses committed during the war. He pledged to study the transcripts and audiovisual materials presented by the author, insisting that documenting the civil war and the Asaba massacre remains essential to national unity and ensuring such a tragedy never happens again. Nigeria’s civil war began on July 6, 1967, and ended on January 15, 1970, after 30 months of fighting.

Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is set for a major transformation as the Federal Government has approved plans to replace the scheme’s iconic khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric.   Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, confirmed the development during an interview on “Channels Television” The Morning Brief on Thursday. According to the minister, the move forms part of broader reforms aimed at boosting local production and ensuring government spending supports Nigeria’s economy. “It’s Adire. Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industries. Let’s put our money back into the country,” Olawande said. Beyond the uniform redesign, the Federal Government is also restructuring the NYSC posting system to better align corps members with their academic qualifications and professional skills. Under the proposed model, graduates with education-related qualifications will increasingly be deployed to schools and teaching roles, replacing the current system where postings often overlook specialised training. Olawande said the reform would make the scheme more practical and impactful by enabling corps members to contribute in sectors where they have relevant expertise. Security concerns also featured prominently in the reform plans. The minister disclosed that the government is considering posting corps members to regions where they studied or are more familiar with, especially in areas facing security challenges. The proposal is expected to ease safety concerns among parents and prospective corps members while improving deployment efficiency. Olawande also dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC structure, describing the claims as misleading. He explained that while operational leadership of the scheme would shift towards civilian control, military personnel would remain involved, particularly in providing security support for corps members nationwide. The reforms follow approval by the Federal Executive Council for a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC, marking the scheme’s first major restructuring since its establishment 53 years ago. The Federal Government said the changes are designed to reposition the NYSC into a skills-driven, productivity-focused institution that strengthens youth empowerment and supports economic growth.

Senegal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign has suffered another major setback after midfielder Pape Gueye announced he is stepping away from international football for as long as head coach Pape Thiaw remains in charge.   The 27-year-old made the announcement following Senegal’s painful Round of 16 exit, where the Teranga Lions surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium after extra time. According to Punch Newspapers, Gueye shared his decision on social media in a post written in French, saying he would speak further about Senegal’s elimination later but had no intention of continuing under the current coaching crew. “I’ll come back to speak about our elimination, but today I announce that as long as this technical staff remains, I will take a break from the national team,” Gueye wrote. Senegal had looked firmly in control of the match after first-half goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr gave them a commanding 2-0 lead. But Belgium mounted a dramatic comeback. Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scored late to force extra time before Tielemans converted a penalty in the 125th minute after a VAR review to seal a stunning victory. The defeat ended Senegal’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals and securing their first World Cup knockout-stage win since their memorable debut run in 2002. Gueye’s decision has intensified pressure on Thiaw, whose substitutions while protecting Senegal’s lead have drawn criticism from fans and analysts. Speaking after the match, Thiaw defended his decisions, insisting fatigue forced the changes rather than tactical choices. “They were tired and couldn’t continue. Leaving them on the field would have been unprofessional on our part. We had to replace them like for like,” Thiaw said. “Of course, when you lose a match after leading 2-0, people will talk about the substitutions. But you can’t reduce everything to that.”