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Jonathan Slams David Cameron Over Claims On Chibok Abduction

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has slammed a former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, over the allegations against him and his administration.

In his new book entitled, For the Record, Mr Cameron was said to have accused the previous government of “sleeping on the wheel” while Boko Haram terrorists were abducting schoolgirls in Chibok community of Borno State.

The former United Kingdom prime minister also accused Dr Jonathan of preventing British forces from engaging in rescue efforts, saying he seemed to see the incident as cheap politics.

Responding in a statement on Saturday, former President Jonathan criticised Cameron for the claims, saying “It is quite sad.”

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He insisted that none of the allegations was true as he did not only write letters to the former UK Prime Minister but sought the help of former Presidents Barrack Obama (US) and Francois Hollande (France), as well as the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in rescuing the Chibok girls.

While members of the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG) mark 2,000 days since the girls were abducted with a sit-out in Abuja, Jonathan, in his book asked, “How could I write to appeal for help and then reject the very thing I appealed for?”

He reminded Cameron that in March 2012 when the same Boko Haram linked terrorists abducted a British expatriate named Chris McManus along with an Italian hostage Franco Lamolinara in Sokoto, he authorised a rescue effort by members of the British military Special Boat Service supported by the Nigerian Army to free the abducted men.

The former president stated that the UK government did not offer any help to rescue the Chibok girls, stressing that he would not have rejected same if there was any.

He, however, accused Cameron of suppressing information about him requesting his help on the Chibok abduction, saying copies of the letter exist at the State Houses in Nigeria and London.

“He (Cameron) never called me on the phone to offer any help. On the contrary, I am the one that reached out to him,” Jonathan said.

Read the full statement from the former president below:

My Response To David Cameron’s Claims

I read the comments by former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, in his new book, For the Record, in which he accused me and the Nigerian Government, which I headed, of corruption and rejecting the help of the British Government in rescuing the Chibok Girls, who were kidnapped on April 14, 2014.

It is quite sad that Mr. Cameron would say this because nothing of such ever occurred. As President of Nigeria, I not only wrote letters to then Prime Minister David Cameron, I also wrote to the then US President, Barrack Obama, and the then French President, François Hollande, as well as the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, appealing to them for help in rescuing the Chibok Girls.

How could I write to appeal for help and then reject the very thing I appealed for?

Also, history contradicts Mr. Cameron. On March 8, 2012, when the same Boko Haram linked terrorists abducted a British expatriate named Chris McManus, along with an Italian hostage Franco Lamolinara, in Sokoto, I, as Nigerian President, personally authorised a rescue effort by members of the British military Special Boat Service supported by officers and men of the Nigerian Army, to free the abducted men.

So, having set a precedent like that, why would I reject British help in rescuing the Chibok Girls, if it was offered?

I also authorised the secret deployment of troops from the United Kingdom, the United States and Israel as a result of the Chibok incident, so how Mr. Cameron could say this with a straight face beats me.

Moreover, on March 8, 2017, the British Government of former Prime Minister, Theresa May, in a widely circulated press statement, debunked this allegation and said there was no truth in it after Mr. Cameron had made similar statements to the Observer of the UK.

In his book, Mr. Cameron failed to mention that I wrote him requesting his help on Chibok. Why did he suppress that information? I remind him that copies of that letter exist at the State Houses in Nigeria and London. He never called me on the phone to offer any help. On the contrary, I am the one that reached out to him.

He accused me of appointing Generals based on political considerations. How could that be when I fired my service chiefs twice in five years, to show that I would not tolerate anything less than meaningful progress in the war on terror.

I was completely blind to ethnic or political considerations in my appointments. In civil and military matters, I appointed people that I had never even met prior to appointing them, based on their professional pedigree. Though I was from the South, most of my service chiefs came from the North.

I do, however, know that Mr. Cameron has long nursed deep grudges against me for reasons that have been published in various media.

On July 24, 2013, while celebrating the passage of the United Kingdom’s Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act, 2013, Mr. Cameron said “I want to export gay marriage around the world”.

At that occasion, he boasted that he would send the team that successfully drafted and promoted the Bill, to nations, like Nigeria, saying inter alia:

“I’ve told the Bill team I’m now going to reassign them because, of course, all over the world people would have been watching this piece of legislation”.

As President of Nigeria at that time, I came under almost unbearable pressure from the Cameron administration to pass legislation supporting LGBTQ Same Sex marriage in Nigeria. My conscience could not stomach that, because as President of Nigeria, I swore on the Bible to advance Nigeria’s interests, and not the interest of the United Kingdom or any foreign power.

As such, on Monday, January 13, 2014, I signed the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill into law after the Bill had been passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of Nigeria’s parliament, in line with the wishes of the Nigerian people. This happened shortly after a study of 39 nations around the world by the U.S. Pew Research Center came up with a finding which indicated that 98 percent of Nigerians were opposed to the idea of Gay Marriage.

Immediately after I took this patriotic action, my government came under almost unbearable pressure from Mr. Cameron, who reached me through envoys, and made subtle and not so subtle threats against me and my government.

In fact, meetings were held at the Obama White House and at the Portcullis House in Parliament UK, with the then Nigerian opposition to disparage me, after I had signed the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill into law.

On the issue of corruption, it suffices to say that Mr. Cameron is not as competent as Transparency International, which is globally acknowledged as the adjudicator of who is corrupt and who is not.

During my administration, in 2014, Nigeria made her best ever improvement on the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, moving from 144 the previous year, to 136, an 8 point improvement. As a nation, we have not made such improvements on the CPI before or after 2014.

In line with these facts, I would urge the public to take Mr. Cameron’s accusations with a grain of salt. I will not be the first person to accuse him of lying on account of this book, and with the reactions in the UK so far, I definitely will not be the last.

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and President of Nigeria 2010-2015.


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Phyna Detained at Abuja Hotel Over ₦3.5 Million Damage After Fight

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Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has been detained at Dalchifit Hotel in Gwarinpa, Abuja, following a violent altercation that reportedly caused property damage estimated at ₦3.5 million.

The incident, which occurred on October 14, 2025, allegedly stemmed from a ₦200,000 debt dispute between Phyna and the hotel management. According to reports, the confrontation escalated when Phyna claimed that hotel staff allowed touts to enter her room, leading to a scuffle and significant property destruction.

Police officers attached to the Gwarinpa Division were called to the scene and have since begun investigating the matter. Sources confirmed that CCTV footage from the hotel is being reviewed to determine the sequence of events and establish accountability for the damages.

In a series of emotional social media posts, Phyna recounted her ordeal, alleging that her safety was compromised when the intruders broke into her room. She described the experience as “traumatic,” especially as it came barely weeks after the death of her sister, which she is still grieving.

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“They broke into my room and tried to attack me. I was terrified and confused. How can a hotel let that happen? I’m still in shock,” she reportedly said in one of her posts.

While the hotel management has yet to issue an official statement, insiders at Dalchifit Hotel confirmed that they are cooperating with authorities to resolve the issue. The management is said to be insisting on compensation for the damaged property before releasing the reality star.

Phyna’s legal team has reportedly engaged with the police to ensure a fair investigation, as fans on social media express concern and demand her immediate release.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has not yet made a formal statement but confirmed that the case is under review.

Phyna, who rose to fame after winning Big Brother Naija: Level Up in 2022, has since built a strong brand presence in entertainment and influencer marketing. The current controversy marks one of her most serious public incidents since leaving the show.


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Manchester United End Anfield Drought with 2–1 Win Over Liverpool

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Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield as Ruben Amorim celebrates his biggest win as United boss, ending a decade-long wait for victory there.
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Manchester United claimed their first victory at Anfield in nearly a decade as Ruben Amorim’s men edged Liverpool 2–1 in Sunday’s Premier League clash, marking a landmark result in the Portuguese coach’s tenure.

Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring early before Harry Maguire’s late header sealed the win after Cody Gakpo had levelled for Liverpool. The result handed United back-to-back league victories for the first time under Amorim and eased mounting pressure on the manager, who described it as “the biggest win” of his 11-month reign.

“I don’t have many wins with Manchester, so this is really important,” Amorim said. “It’s back-to-back, it’s at Anfield that is really important. Every detail of this game.”

Despite the significance of the triumph, the 40-year-old boss refused to get carried away.
“I want you guys (the media) to continue with the negative narrative that’s best for me,” he joked. “We need to try to win three games in a row and then forget about top-four talk. This doesn’t change anything; we are the same team we were 90 minutes ago.”

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Amorim praised his players’ response after conceding. “When we suffered the goal, we managed that moment well that’s a key point for our team,” he said. “It wasn’t a perfect performance, but the spirit was amazing.”

He also hailed the travelling supporters who backed the team throughout. “It was really important for our fans, because they are struggling. Today they saw a different team. To come here, to this stadium, and sing during the game that’s massive for us. This win is for them.”

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Ned Nwoko Gives Reason for Clash with Regina Daniels

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Senator Ned Nwoko breaks silence on his reported marital crisis with Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, denying domestic violence allegations and alleging that drug abuse caused their dispute.
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Nigerian lawmaker and businessman, Senator Ned Nwoko, has addressed reports of a marital dispute involving him and his wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, which have dominated social media in recent days.

In a viral video, Regina Daniels accused her husband of domestic violence, claiming she had fled their home due to repeated abuse. The clip has since sparked widespread reactions online.

However, Senator Nwoko has now denied the allegations, alleging that Regina has been battling substance abuse, which he claims is the root cause of their problems.

In a lengthy statement posted on Sunday, titled “Regina’s Unprovoked Carnage and Rampage in My House and in My Absence,” the senator accused the actress of violent behavior, including damaging property and assaulting domestic staff.

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“Regina was not always like this. Her current battle with drugs and alcohol abuse is the root of our problem. She must continue her rehabilitation program, or I fear for her life and safety,” he stated.

Nwoko further alleged that Regina had attacked three members of staff and destroyed cars and windows in the house, insisting that none of his other wives had ever accused him of violence.

“Regina is the violent one here,” he said. “I have set a clear condition for her to accept rehab in Asokoro or outside Nigeria, especially Jordan, where she will not have access to drugs.”

He also claimed that while he took their son, Moon, to the hospital, chaos erupted at home, allegedly involving two of Regina’s “drug suppliers,” whom he identified as “Sammy” and “Ann.”

As of press time, Regina Daniels has not publicly responded to Nwoko’s statement.

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Defence HQ Denies Coup Attempt, Says Independence Anniversary Cancellation Not Linked to Any Plot

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Defence Headquarters denies coup attempt report
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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as false and misleading reports suggesting that the cancellation of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary was connected to an alleged attempted military coup.

In a statement on Sunday, the DHQ clarified that there was no coup attempt or any plan to destabilize the country, describing the report as a fabrication aimed at causing unnecessary panic among citizens.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to state categorically that the report linking the cancellation of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary to an alleged attempted military coup is false and misleading,” the statement read in part.

The military urged members of the public to disregard the rumor and cautioned media organizations and social media users against spreading unverified information capable of undermining national security.

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The Defence Headquarters has dismissed as false reports linking the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations to an alleged coup attempt, reaffirming its loyalty to democratic governance.
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed as false reports linking the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations to an alleged coup attempt, reaffirming its loyalty to democratic governance.

The statement reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ unwavering loyalty to the Constitution and commitment to democratic governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge Empowers 578 Young Entrepreneurs, Awards ₦16 Million to 30 New Winners

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- The three winners of the Corpreneurship Challenge in Lagos pose with their cheques
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No fewer than 578 young entrepreneurs across Nigeria have benefitted from Unity Bank’s Corpreneurship Challenge the Bank’s flagship entrepreneurial development initiative launched a few years ago.

Over this period, the Bank has invested in supporting budding entrepreneurs across multiple sectors to start businesses, create jobs, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

The ongoing initiative recently produced 30 new winners, who received a total grant of ₦16 million during the Batch B, Stream II edition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course, held across 10 states of the federation.

The winners, innovative young entrepreneurs developing solutions across various value chains such as fashion design, bag making, pastry and beverage production, event management, and vegetable farming, emerged after pitching their business ideas during the challenge at NYSC Orientation Camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Kogi, Rivers, and Plateau States.

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At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, Lagos State, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo, who pitched a soap-making enterprise, emerged the overall winner to clinch the ₦800,000 grand prize. Ndukwe Chiamaka Joan, with her innovative Small Chops business proposal, claimed ₦500,000 as first runner-up, while Barakat Modinat Olamide secured ₦300,000 to support her beverage-making venture.

A cross section of participants in the pitch competition

Expressing her excitement after emerging as the overall winner in Lagos, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo described the experience as life-changing, stating, “I’m truly grateful to Unity Bank for this opportunity. Winning the Corpreneurship Challenge has given me the push and confidence I needed to scale my soap-making business. Beyond the grant, the experience taught me how to structure my business better and believe in its potential. It’s amazing to see a bank that genuinely invests in young people’s dreams.”

Across the remaining nine states, 27 other winners also emerged after pitching diverse business ideas ranging from fish and poultry farming to printing, piggery, and cake production.

Over the past six years, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has become an integral part of the NYSC programme, aligning with the Federal Government’s drive to upskill young graduates and promote entrepreneurship amid the scarcity of white-collar jobs. Each edition attracts thousands of entries from corps members whose business plans are evaluated for originality, marketability, job creation potential, and overall business acumen.

Speaking during the grand finale in Lagos, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth through enterprise. She said:

“At Unity Bank, we believe that the energy and creativity of young Nigerians are vital to the nation’s economic transformation. The Corpreneurship Challenge is our way of nurturing this potential — by giving corps members the financial boost, mentorship, and confidence to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Seeing over 578 young entrepreneurs already impacted motivates us to keep expanding the initiative and deepening our support for the SME ecosystem.”

The Corpreneurship Challenge has earned Unity Bank national recognition for its role in youth empowerment and job creation, attracting over 2,000 applicants per edition.

In partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the initiative continues to serve as a launchpad for youth-owned enterprises, offering grants of up to ₦800,000 to help corps members turn their business dreams into reality.

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