18-year-old Nigerian-American girl accepted into Harvard, Yale and four other Ivy League universities

18-year-old daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Osariemen Unuigbe, has been accepted into six Ivy League universities in the United States, including Harvard and Yale. 

Unuigbe, the daughter of Dr. Augustine Unuigbe and Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Unuigbe, from Edo State, attributed the recognition to her dedication and excellent academic record.

"We are elated, surprised, but absolutely delighted. We can only give all the glory to God for this great miracle,” her family remarked.

Unuigbe, who is currently a senior at Egg Harbor Township High School in New Jersey, boasts a strong academic background and an unwavering commitment to advanced studies.

She was also accepted into the highly selective Governor’s School of New Jersey and has held several leadership positions. 

Beyond the classrooms, she plays lacrosse and has a passion for dancing, painting, and drawing.

In recognition of her achievements, she has been selected as a 2025 “Rising to the Top” scholar by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Southern New Jersey Chapter.

According to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, enrollment of Nigerian students at U.S. colleges and universities rose to 20,029 in the 2023/2024 academic year, marking a 13.5 per cent increase from previous years. 

“Nigerian students bring a wealth of diversity, perspective, and academic excellence to U.S. campuses, enriching the educational experience for all,” the report stated. 

Army denies targeting Igbos in troop deployments as it decries low enlistment from south-east

 

The Nigerian Army has expressed concern over the low participation of south-east youths in its ongoing recruitment exercise, warning that the region risks losing out on its rightful representation within the military.

Speaking during a town hall meeting in Enugu, Chima Ekeator, leader of the 2025 army recruitment enlightenment team, said the south-east was gradually being underrepresented due to poor application rates.

“Our people are losing what rightly belongs to them. Each year, whenever a slot is being allocated to our people, we keep noticing that the number of applicants from our side is usually very poor,” Ekeator said.

He cited Enugu State as an example, stating that although the state had about 200 recruitment slots this year, fewer than 100 applications were received.

“Take, for example, Enugu State was given about 200 slots, but the people who made it were never up to 100 due to poor application. This has also become a recurring decimal in other states in the south-east.”

Ekeator urged youths in the region to take advantage of the recruitment window and fill their quotas, pointing out that other states were recording significantly higher interest. He revealed that Kaduna State had already received over 3,000 applications.

“Today’s statistics on the number of applicants show that Kaduna has about 3,000 applicants, while Enugu is still battling with about a hundred; and by the time we will be through with screening, you will not have enough to recruit from the state,” he said.

He also dismissed widespread rumours suggesting that Igbo recruits were deliberately sent to dangerous battlefronts, resulting in higher casualties among them. According to him, these claims are unfounded.

“There are a lot of falsehoods out there stating that the Igbo are being killed because they are the first to be sent to the battlefield. These things are not true. After all, we that are here have risen high in the Army, and we are telling you that they are lies.”

Ekeator highlighted that individuals from the south-east hold key positions in the Nigerian Army. “Today in the Nigerian Army, our brother is one of the top commanders in charge of equipment. His name is Chibueze Ogbuabor,” he said.

Suspected herdsmen k!ll 22-year-old man in Plateau community

Tragedy struck again in Irigwe land when suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly attack on a 22-year-old man, Wuh James, a resident of Rewienku village at Nzhwerenvi, Nkie-hwie district in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

 

James was brutally k!lled on Friday morning, April 11, 2025 while on his way home from Jebbu Miango.

 

The latest attack comes days after two residents of Irigwe communities in Bassa LGA were k!lled in what has been described as coordinated night attacks by suspected armed herders. 

 

The National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday. 

 

“In addition to this senseless m8rder, the leadership of the Irigwe Youth Movement has also recorded mass irrigation farm destructions last night committed by the Fulani militias this morning,” the statement read. 

 

“This is another sad day for our community, and we are deeply disturbed by these ongoing attacks.” 

Michelle Obama finally breaks silence on Barack divorce rumors

Michelle Obama has finally shut down rumors that she and former President Barack Obama are headed for a divorce. 

 

The former first lady sat down with actress Sophia Bush for an episode of her podcast Work in Progress.

She explained her decision to skip President Jimmy Carter's funeral, and President Donald Trump's inauguration were simply decisions she made for herself. 

 

Her absence at both high-profile political events sparked divorce rumors, with President Obama admitting last week that he was in a 'deep deficit' with his wife.

'That's the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people. I mean, so much so that this year people were, you know, they couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing,' Michelle said in the podcast episode, released Tuesday.

 

'That this couldn't be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right?' she continued. 

 

Obama added: 'That's what society does to us.' 

 

'We start actually, finally going, "What am I doing? Who am I doing this for?" And if it doesn't fit into the sort of stereotype of what people think we should do, then it gets labeled as something negative and horrible.' 

 

The former first lady turned 61 on January 17 and spoke candidly to Bush about questions she's asking about how she wants to spend the twilight of her life.

'So you know, now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of who do I truly want to be every day,' Obama said. 

 

She said that looks 'like whatever I want it to look like.' 

 

'And I still find time to you know, give speeches, to be out there in the world, to work on projects. I still care about girls' education,' Obama said. 'We you know, the library is opening in a year from now.'

 

The former first lady acknowledged that there are 'certain things I am and am not doing' with President Obama's presidential library, which is being constructed on Chicago's South Side.

 

'But the interesting thing is that when I say no, for the most part, people are like, I get it, and I'm OK, right?' she continued.

China hits back at President Trump, imposes 34% tariff on all US goods

 

The Chinese government has announced its decision to levy a 34% tariff on all American imports starting next week.

The tariff rate, effective April 10, equals the "reciprocal" duty implemented by US President Donald Trump earlier this week.

"For all imported goods originating from the US, an additional tariff of 34 percent on top of the current applicable tariff rate will be imposed," said Beijing's finance ministry, as quoted by AFP.

Beijing's commerce ministry additionally announced plans to strengthen export restrictions on rare earth elements, crucial components in advanced technology products including semiconductor chips and EV battery systems.

China further announced its intention to challenge the tariffs through legal action at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

This comes as Trump, following market closure on Wednesday, announced a national emergency to implement his comprehensive new tariff strategy, dubbed "Liberation Day" tariffs, which imposes a baseline duty of 10 per cent on almost all imports.

The plan includes higher "reciprocal" duties targeting major allies, including the European Union, Japan, and Israel.

Trump specifically targeted China, one of America's primary trading partners, with particularly harsh tariffs of 34 per cent, supplementing existing trade duties.

Police uncover Yahoo school in Lagos, arrest principal suspects

The Lagos State Police Command has successfully uncovered and dismantled an illegal internet fraud training facility, commonly referred to as a “Yahoo School,” operating in the Iju area of Lagos State.

A statement from the spokesperson of the command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, says during the successful operation, the Police Detectives arrested four(4) Yahoo experts who were running the notorious school, namely Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26; and Emmanuel Oyediba, 25. 

The other six (6) suspects were their  trainees, all of whom were undergoing training in cybercrime and fraud:  Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwufrochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12; and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23.      

‘’Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects of the facility recruited their trainees from Anambra State, engaged them to commit internet fraud and other related crimes. The proceeds from their fraudulent activities were being confiscated by the principal suspects.

All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further discreet investigation and prosecution. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the sponsors who financed the trainees’ enrollment in the school as well as the owner of the facility where these criminal and illegal activities took place. The owner of the facility is hereby warned in his own interest to turn himself in immediately at the SCID Panti from wherever he is hiding.

Hundeyin mentioned that the Lagos State Police Command will ensure that all suspects are charged to court for prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation into the case.    

He further stated that in line with due process of the law, the underage suspect among them, Minachi Ugochukwu, 12 years old, with healing marks of injuries on his body allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect to compel him into the commission of the criminal acts, is being given medical attention and kept in protective custody till his relatives are identified and reunited with him. 

He urged parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and wards to prevent them from being exploited, lured, or compelled into criminal activities. 

Diddy sued by man claiming he was forced to give him oral s£x on commercial set

Disgraced hip-hop mogul,  Sean "Diddy" Combs'  has been accused of s£xual ass@ult in a new civil lawsuit.

An anonymous man from Southern California, filing as John Doe, alleged Combs s£xually ass@ulted him on the set of a commercial in either 2022 or 2023, in a New York County Supreme Court complaint obtained by USA TODAY.

He claims that while filming a "high-profile commercial," Doe describing himself as a "photographer/production assistant"  "struck up a conversation" with Combs.

After Combs allegedly invited Doe into his trailer, he demanded Doe perform oral s£x on him and promised to "make your career take off." Doe called the alleged incident "blatant sexual quid-pro-quo."

"Combs framed this meeting as an opportunity for (Doe) to advance his career. (Doe), although hesitant, could not turn down what appeared to be a career-defining moment few ever receive," the lawsuit reads. "The implication was clear, also, that if (Doe) did not perform oral s£x on Combs to his satisfaction, his career would be over."

Doe, who "does not recall" why Combs was on set but noted high-profile people aren't always named on call sheets, accuses Combs of sexual battery and requests a jury trial in the case.

Combs' legal team, in a statement to USA TODAY, maintained their stance on his innocence, writing: "No matter how many lawsuits are filed — especially by individuals who refuse to put their own names behind their claims — it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or s£x trafficked anyone; man or woman, adult or minor."

The statement continued, "We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail in court."

Niger coup leader sworn in as president for five years

Niger's military ruler has been sworn in as the country's president for a transitional period of five years.

Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani has led the country since 2023 after he deposed Niger's elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.

Niger has been plagued by jihadist attacks for many years - one of the issues junta leaders cited when staging their coup. The military takeover followed a string of others in the region - neighbouring Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso are also run by juntas.

All four countries have severed ties with former colonial power France and forged new alliances with Russia and all except Guinea, have pulled out of ECOWAS, the West African regional bloc.

On Wednesday, March 26, Gen Tchiani took the presidential office under a new charter that replaces the country's constitution.

He was also promoted to the country's highest military rank of army general and signed a decree ordering that all political parties be dissolved.
 
During a ceremony in the capital, Niamey, Gen Tchiani said of his new military rank: “I receive this distinction with great humility... I will strive to live up to the trust placed in me.”

The transition to democratic rule is in line with recommendations that a commission made following national discussions.

This five-year time period is "flexible" depending on the country's security status, the new charter says.

Niger's relations with Ecowas broke down when the junta proposed a three-year transition period to democratic rule straight after the coup. Ecowas called this plan a "provocation" and threatened to intervene with the use of force, before later backing down.

Gen Tchiani's administration is prosecuting former President Bazoum on allegations of committing high treason and undermining national security. Bazoum is still being held in the presidential palace with his wife, while his son was granted a provisional release last January.

National assembly didn’t get two-thirds to ratify Rivers emergency rule - Tambuwal

Aminu Tambuwal, senator representing Sokoto South, has stated that the National Assembly did not garner the required two-thirds majority before ratifying the emergency rule in Rivers State.

Last Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the prolonged political crisis and vandalization of oil installations. The proclamation led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months. In their place, Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator of the state.

On Thursday, March 20, the Senate and the House of Representatives controversially approved Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule. Several stakeholders, including the South-South Governors’ Forum, have condemned the decision.

Section 305 (6) of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that a proclamation of emergency must be supported by a two-thirds majority of all members in both chambers of the National Assembly. With 360 members in the House of Representatives and 109 in the Senate, Tinubu needed at least 240 votes in the lower chamber and 73 in the Senate for the approval to stand. However, both chambers ratified the decision through a voice vote, a method that does not determine the exact number of lawmakers in support or opposition.

Speaking tp The Sun, Tambuwal argued that the National Assembly erred in approving the emergency rule.

“I will be speaking to you from the point of view of being a lawyer, a member of the body of benchers and a life bencher for that matter and not necessarily as a lawmaker who is a member of the 10th Senate, and, in addition to that, possibly my experience as a former presiding officer, former Speaker of the House of Representatives who presided over a matter such as this in 2013,” he said.

“Section 305 of the constitution is very clear. It is unambiguous, the language is very plain, of the constitution as to first, how the president can declare a state of emergency and what is required of the legislature, the two chambers — both the Senate and the House of Representatives before passing such a resolution.

“What is required is that you must obtain and have two-thirds of all the members of either of the two chambers in support of the resolution.

“In the case of what happened in the Senate, where I belong, I don’t know whether members of your team who are members of the press corps had the privilege of checking the (Senate) register to see whether there were up to 72 or 73 senators on the floor. From what I saw, there was no such number on the floor on that day.

“So, if you juxtapose that to the requirement of the constitution which says that the Senate must have two-thirds of its members, all of its members to pass that resolution in support of it, not just present and voting. No. Supporting it. It means that what was done fell short of the provision of the constitution.”

Tambuwal further argued that the National Assembly ignored precedents in handling the emergency rule declaration.

“Parliament is supposed to be guided by the constitution, its rules and its precedents,” he said.

“State of emergency was declared under President Olusegun Obasanjo. Two-thirds had to be garnered in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“State of emergency was declared during the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2013 in Borno State. Also, in Adamawa and Yobe. We had to garner two-thirds.”

On March 21, Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa West, said Tambuwal was among the lawmakers who opposed the decision during the closed session.

First Black Republican woman to be elected to the US House d!es at 49 after brain cancer battle

Mia Love, the child of Haitian immigrants who went on to become a City Council member, mayor, and the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, has d!ed after a three-year-long battle with brain cancer. She was 49.

Love’s family posted news of her de@th on Love’s X account.

She had undergone recent treatment for brain cancer and received immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial at Duke University’s brain tumor center.

Her daughter said earlier this month that the former lawmaker was no longer responding to treatment.

Love died at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, according to a statement posted by the family.

“With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully,” her family said. “We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers, and condolences.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox referred to Love as a “true friend” and said her legacy of service inspired all who knew her.

Love entered politics in 2003 after winning a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, a growing community about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City. She later became the city’s mayor.

In 2012, Love narrowly lost a bid for the House against the Democratic incumbent, former Rep. Jim Matheson, in a district that covers a string of Salt Lake City suburbs. She ran again two years later and defeated first-time candidate Doug Owens by about 7,500 votes.

In an op-ed published earlier this month in the Deseret News, Love described the version of America she grew up loving and shared her enduring wish for the nation to become less divisive. She thanked her medical team and every person who had prayed for her.

Love said her parents immigrated to the U.S. with $10 in their pocket and a belief that hard work would lead to success. She said she was raised to believe passionately in the American dream and “to love this country, warts and all.” America at its roots is respectful, resilient, giving, and grounded in gritty determination, she said.