ABUJA (Bn24)— Nigeria has officially reversed its controversial policy requiring the use of indigenous languages as the primary medium of instruction in early education, reinstating English from pre-primary through to university. The decision, announced Thursday by Education Minister Tunji Alausa, comes after three years of implementation failed to produce the expected improvements in academic performance.
The mother-tongue policy, introduced in 2022 under former Education Minister Adamu Adamu, was intended to improve learning outcomes in early childhood by teaching children in their native languages. Adamu and many child development experts argued that children comprehend concepts more readily when taught in a familiar language. Several UN studies have also highlighted the benefits of mother-tongue instruction in early education, particularly in multilingual societies.
However, according to Alausa, the policy’s implementation was uneven and contributed to significant academic underperformance in some regions. “Data from WAEC, NECO, and JAMB indicate alarming failure rates in certain geo-political zones where mother-tongue instruction was adopted widely. The program has failed to deliver the expected results and is therefore being scrapped with immediate effect,” he said during the announcement in Abuja.
Nigeria’s education system faces long-standing structural challenges. Low teacher salaries, inadequate training, frequent strikes, and insufficient learning materials have long hindered the sector. While roughly 85% of children attend primary school, less than half complete secondary education. The UN estimates that approximately 10 million children are out of school in Nigeria, the highest number globally.
Experts and parents expressed mixed reactions to the reversal. Education specialist Dr. Aliyu Tilde praised the government’s decision, emphasizing that Nigeria lacks a sufficient number of trained teachers to instruct students across its dozens of indigenous languages. Exams such as WAEC and JAMB are conducted exclusively in English. Without properly trained educators and teaching resources in multiple languages, the policy was impractical,” he told the BBC.
Parents like Hajara Musa, whose two children are in early education, welcomed the move. “English is a global language used in higher education, business, and daily life. Children should learn it from the start rather than waiting until they are older,” Musa said.
Nevertheless, critics argue that the policy was abandoned prematurely. Social affairs analyst Habu Dauda described the three-year trial period as insufficient to judge a major reform of this scale. “Implementing mother-tongue instruction requires a long-term commitment, including investment in teacher training, curriculum development, and learning materials. Scrapping it after three years ignores its potential benefits,” he said.
The debate underscores Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to balance the promotion of its rich linguistic heritage with the practical demands of a national curriculum and a globalized economy where English proficiency remains crucial. Some education advocates argue that a hybrid approach — incorporating both mother-tongue instruction and early English exposure could provide a sustainable path forward, preserving cultural identity while enhancing academic outcomes.
As the government moves to reinstate English across the education system, attention will shift to improving teacher quality, learning materials, and exam preparation. Observers say the policy reversal highlights the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s schools: achieving meaningful reform in a system constrained by underfunding, overcrowding, and a persistent teacher shortage.
Los Angeles (BN24) – California will revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrant truck and bus drivers following federal scrutiny over how the state granted permits to noncitizens. But Gov. Gavin Newsom insists the move is unrelated to the Trump administration’s concerns about immigrants in the country illegally obtaining permission to operate semitrucks and buses.
Newsom said the revocations stem from unspecified violations of state law, though he did not elaborate. His office noted the violations involve standards established long before the Trump administration launched a nationwide audit of commercial driver licensing practices. That audit began after a Florida crash in which a driver in the country illegally made a U-turn, killing three people.
A string of deadly crashes involving noncitizen truck drivers in Texas, Alabama, and California has intensified national attention on the issue. The latest California crash last month, which killed three people, heightened pressure on the state’s licensing system.
Federal Officials Say California Was “Caught Red-Handed”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sharply criticized California’s actions, calling the revocations evidence that the state had improperly issued thousands of commercial licenses while defending standards the federal government deemed flawed.
Duffy already imposed restrictions on which immigrants may qualify for commercial licenses and accused six states — including California — of allowing noncitizens to bypass federal requirements. California, he said, failed to enforce English-language proficiency rules, prompting him to revoke $40 million in federal funding, with an additional $160 million threatened.
“After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed,” Duffy said. “Now that we’ve exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked. This is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Newsom Pushes Back, Calls Claims “Falsehoods”
Newsom’s office strongly rejected Duffy’s assertions, saying every driver whose license is being revoked had valid federal work authorization.
“Once again, Sean ‘Road Rules’ Duffy fails to share the truth — spreading easily disproven falsehoods in a sad and desperate attempt to please his dear leader,” spokesman Brandon Richards said.
The governor’s office emphasized that the new federal restrictions did not exist when the 17,000 licenses were issued. Drivers have been notified that their licenses will expire within 60 days.
New Federal Rules Could Dramatically Limit Immigrant Truckers
Under the new guidelines announced in September, immigrants will face far stricter limits. Only those with H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas would qualify for a commercial driver’s license — a shift that could disqualify 190,000 of the 200,000 noncitizens currently licensed, though their permits will remain valid until renewal.
States must also verify each applicant’s immigration status through a federal database.
Duffy previously said that an audit of 145 California-issued licenses revealed that one-quarter should not have been approved, citing cases where licenses remained valid long after a driver’s work permit had expired.
Newsom’s office countered that California followed guidance provided by the Department of Homeland Security at the time these licenses were issued.
State transportation officials did not respond to detailed questions regarding the specific violations that triggered the mass revocations.
WASHINGTON (BN24)— After 43 days, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history officially ended, restoring pay to federal employees, reopening national parks, and resuming government services that had been delayed or suspended. Air travel, which had descended into chaos for many Americans, is returning to more familiar levels of disruption.
For President Donald Trump, the conclusion of the shutdown marked a political triumph. Speaking at Arlington Cemetery during a Veteran’s Day commemoration on Tuesday, Trump praised congressional Republicans for their role in reopening the government, calling the vote “a very big victory.” He emphasized the symbolic importance of restoring operations. “We’re opening up our country. It should have never been closed,” he said, portraying himself as a leader who had stood firm throughout the impasse.
The shutdown, which began when Senate Democrats used the parliamentary filibuster to block a temporary funding measure, was triggered by their demand that Republicans extend health insurance subsidies for low-income Americans. These subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year, had become the focal point of a bitter partisan standoff.
When a small number of Democrats broke ranks on Sunday to vote in favor of reopening the government, they received few concessions in return. The agreement included only a promise of a future Senate vote on the subsidies, with no guarantee of Republican cooperation or subsequent approval in the House. Many Democratic lawmakers expressed frustration at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, accusing him of failing to secure tangible benefits despite the party’s leverage.
The political fallout has been significant within the Democratic Party. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a possible 2028 presidential contender, called the shutdown resolution “pathetic” and a “surrender,” criticizing the party for capitulating to Trump without achieving legislative gains. “I’m not coming in to punch anybody in the face,” he said, “but I’m not pleased that, in the face of this invasive species that is Donald Trump, who’s completely changed the rules of the game, we’re still playing by the old rules of the game.”
For Trump, the days following the Senate deadlock allowed him to shift from cautious optimism to public celebration. In a Fox News interview Monday night, he further attacked Schumer, saying, “He thought he could break the Republican Party, and the Republicans broke him.” While Trump at times appeared frustrated, publicly berating Senate Republicans last week for refusing to eliminate the filibuster to reopen government, he ultimately emerged from the shutdown with no significant concessions made to the Democrats.
While Trump’s national approval ratings dipped over the 43-day impasse, the timing of the shutdown means the former president faces little immediate electoral risk, with over a year remaining before the midterm elections and no personal reelection obligations under current constitutional rules.
As government functions resume, Congress now faces the challenge of addressing routine legislation. Several departments were funded through September under the shutdown-ending deal, but full-year funding must be approved by the end of January to avoid another standoff. Republicans hope to leverage this period to pass substantive legislation before the next election cycle.
The shutdown’s resolution also exposes ongoing political vulnerabilities for Democrats. Healthcare subsidies, the central issue in the standoff, could become a pressing concern for tens of millions of Americans as premium costs are expected to rise sharply at year’s end. Failure to secure these subsidies risks voter dissatisfaction in upcoming elections, highlighting the stakes for the party.
Meanwhile, the political landscape remains complex as Congress faces other high-profile matters. On Wednesday, newly sworn-in Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva became the 218th signatory on a petition requiring a House vote to demand the Justice Department release all files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump criticized the focus on Epstein, posting on Truth Social that Democrats were attempting to distract from their “failure” during the shutdown.
The end of the record-setting shutdown underscores the unpredictable nature of U.S. politics, where well-laid plans can collapse suddenly. Democrats are left facing internal divisions, political blame, and potential backlash from voters, while Trump emerges largely unscathed, using the outcome to reinforce his image as a decisive political player.
The shutdown, while technically over, may leave lingering consequences for federal employees, ordinary Americans, and partisan relations in Congress. The healthcare debate, in particular, promises to remain a flashpoint, with millions of Americans potentially impacted by expiring subsidies and rising insurance costs. For both parties, the 43-day shutdown will be remembered as a stark example of the high stakes and human costs of political brinkmanship.
WASHINGTON (BN24)— U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on the international community to halt the flow of weapons to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group accused of systematic killings and sexual violence in Darfur’s el-Fasher.
Speaking at the conclusion of a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada, Rubio described the RSF’s actions as “horrifying atrocities” targeting women, children, and civilians. He stressed that international support for the paramilitary group, whether through direct arms shipments or allowing their transit through third-party territories, must stop immediately.
The RSF, which has been fighting Sudan’s army since a leadership clash erupted into civil war in April 2023, seized el-Fasher last month after an 18-month siege. Satellite imagery and humanitarian reports show piles of bodies and blood-stained streets, with only a small fraction of the population managing to flee. Non-Arab communities in Darfur are reportedly being targeted in what the U.S. and human rights organizations have described as genocide.
Rubio did not directly criticize the United Arab Emirates, despite evidence from international media and UN sources that the Gulf state has supplied weapons and mercenaries to the RSF via African transit routes. Instead, he emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation, citing the “Quad”, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. which is pursuing a humanitarian ceasefire and a transition to civilian rule in Sudan.
“The RSF is committing acts of sexual violence and atrocities against innocent civilians of the most horrific kind. And it needs to end immediately,” Rubio said, while noting the paramilitary group’s reliance on outside arms support due to its lack of domestic manufacturing.
Despite a recent U.S.-backed proposal for a humanitarian truce, the RSF violated the agreement after capturing el-Fasher. Sudan’s army has criticized the UAE’s involvement but indicated it would consider the proposed three-month truce followed by a nine-month transition to civilian governance.
The G7 statement accompanying Rubio’s remarks condemned the escalating violence, describing the ongoing civil war as “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.” The conflict has already claimed more than 150,000 lives and displaced roughly 12 million people.
International investigations have traced weapons used by the RSF to Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, Yemen, and the UAE, often smuggled through Chad into Darfur. The UAE is also accused of facilitating illicit gold sales by the RSF. Rubio stressed that multiple countries are involved in the arms flow and warned that international cooperation is essential to stop it.
While both the RSF and Sudanese army deny allegations of external support, reports of arms diversion have also prompted scrutiny of European suppliers, including the United Kingdom. Human rights advocates have called for extending the UN arms embargo on Darfur to cover the rest of Sudan, a measure that has not yet been adopted.
LAGOS, Nigeria (BN24)— Veteran Nollywood actor Oyewole Olowomojuore, widely known by his stage name Baba Gebu, has died after a brief illness, according to fellow actor and producer Kunle Afod.
Afod announced the death on Tuesday, Nov. 11, describing Baba Gebu as “a great legend” whose passing marks a significant loss for the Nigerian film industry. He wrote, “It saddens my heart as I announce the passing away of our great legend, a great actor who passed away this evening after a brief illness… BABA GEBU, may your soul rest in peace.”
The cause of Baba Gebu’s death has not been publicly disclosed. His career in Nollywood spanned decades, during which he became known for his commanding performances and enduring influence on emerging actors.
In 2024, the actor spoke openly about the death of his wife, revealing that returning to acting helped him navigate grief and avoid depression, highlighting his deep dedication to his craft.
Tributes from colleagues, fans, and industry insiders have poured in on social media, reflecting the high regard in which Baba Gebu was held in Nigeria’s entertainment community.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — The House on Wednesday night voted to pass legislation to reopen the federal government and end an acrimonious 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history.
The successful vote came after Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, brought the Republican-controlled chamber back into session for the first time since Sept. 19, wrapping up an extraordinarily long and unscheduled recess.
The House passed the measure in a 222-209 vote. The Senate had approved the same legislation Monday when eight Democrats peeled off and voted with Republicans to break a filibuster to end the shutdown.
The bill now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk to become law and reopen the government, restoring funding that has been frozen or halted. Trump has said he will sign the bill, which will keep the government open through Jan. 30 with some programs, like SNAP food benefits, funded through September.
Before the vote, Johnson apologized to Americans for the disruptive shutdown, blaming Democrats for mass flight delays and cancellations, millions of civilian workers going without pay, and families going hungry. He said Senate Democrats blocked a bill to fund the government 14 times before ultimately caving.
“While the Democrats keep voting to shut their government down, Republicans are going to vote to open it back up,” Johnson said in a floor speech before the vote. “And with that, we’re going to get the American government running again and working for the people, as they deserve.”
The package includes a “minibus” of three appropriations bills through next September and keeps the rest of the government open at current levels through Jan. 30.
It includes full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, which will keep the program afloat through September. More than 40 million Americans rely on SNAP. Some told NBC News that they ran out of food as the shutdown cut off money for the program, and the Trump administration fought in the courts against having to shift money around to fully fund it.
The legislation also provides limited protections for federal workers who have been under assault since Trump’s inauguration. It reinstates thousands of workers who were laid off during the shutdown and ensures there are no more reductions in force, known as “RIFs,” at least through the end of January. And it provides back pay for workers who were furloughed or working without pay these past six weeks.
But in a major concession from Democrats, the bill does not include an extension of enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, after Republicans held firm against extending those funds beyond this year. That means more than 20 million Americans could see their premiums spike next year.
Many House and Senate Democrats are fuming over the failure to secure health care funding as part of the bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, has promised a Senate vote on a to-be-determined ACA funding bill, with no guarantees that it will pass. Johnson has not promised a vote in the House.
“We cannot enable this kind of cruelty with our cowardice,” said progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York.
In the House Rules Committee on Tuesday, Republicans rejected Democratic motions to guarantee a floor vote on an ACA funding extension, and turned away an amendment by Rep. Steven Horsford, Democrat of Nevada, to redirect Trump’s $40 billion “bailout” to Argentina and instead put that to extending ACA funding.
“I guess MAGA stands for MAKE ARGENTINA GREAT AGAIN,” Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, Democrat of New Mexico, said in response.
The Democratic anger means House Republicans will likely have to carry the bill to passage.
In a bullish sign for the legislation’s prospects, the sometimes rebellious House Freedom Caucus circulated talking points internally praising the bill, which were obtained by NBC News. The document calls it a “responsible CR” that funds the government into 2026 and avoids a “bloated” omnibus to be negotiated over Christmas. And, it notes, the appropriations bills in the minibus either kept spending flat or contained only modest increases.
“The House Freedom Caucus has fought in lock-step with President Trump and Republican leadership in Congress,” the Freedom Caucus document said.
Tucked inside the bill is a provision that is generating heavy pushback from Democrats and even some grumbling among House Republicans. It would allow senators, but not House members, to sue the federal government for hundreds of thousands of dollars if their phone records were obtained without prior notification as part of the Jan. 6, 2021, investigation. It appears to apply to eight specific GOP senators.
Although emotions are raw in the Democratic caucus over some of their senators caving, party leaders say the high-stakes showdown with Trump and the Republicans “crystallized” how Democrats are fighting for health care and affordability for millions of Americans. That economic message, they say, propelled them to victory in last week’s elections in Virginia and New Jersey and will help the party in 2026.
“That will be one of the defining contrasts of the midterms: Democrats working on behalf of the people to lower costs versus Republicans who have made life more expensive for everyday families,” Rep. Suzan DelBene, Democrat of Washington, head of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, said in a statement to NBC News.
“The House Democrats have the better message, stronger candidates, and as we all saw in last week’s elections, the American people are on our side as we go into the midterms,” the statement said.
Shortly before Wednesday’s vote, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York, filed a discharge petition in a bid to bypass Johnson and force a future floor vote on a three-year extension of the expiring Obamacare subsidies. But that would need the support of at least four House Republicans to force a vote.
“We’ll fight until we win this battle for the American people. That’s our commitment as House Democrats,” Jeffries said on the floor, adding that the fight will end either when Republicans accept a funding extension to prevent premium hikes, “or the American people will throw Republicans out of their jobs next year and end the speakership of Donald J. Trump once and for all.”
There was plenty of pain during the six-week impasse, some of it caused by the Trump administration as it tried to ramp up pressure on the targeted bloc of moderate Senate Democrats. In addition to the mass layoffs, the White House had threatened to halt SNAP payments to states until the shutdown ended. It ultimately doled out partial payments under a judge’s order, while fighting the issue up to the Supreme Court.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy last week announced that the Federal Aviation Administration would have to cut the number of flights in American skies by 4 percent starting last weekend and ramped up reductions to 6 percent by Tuesday, due to air traffic controller staffing shortages spurred by the shutdown.
Thousands of flights have been either delayed or canceled, snarling airports nationwide. It is expected to take a few days for airports to recover after the bill is signed into law.
The 43-day shutdown surpassed the previous record of 35 days set during a 2018-2019 budget standoff. The extended closure of government operations created cascading effects across multiple sectors of American life, from aviation to nutrition assistance to federal workforce stability.
The House had been in an extraordinarily long recess since Sept. 19, leaving the Senate as the primary venue for negotiations over ending the shutdown. The decision by eight Senate Democrats to break with their party leadership and vote with Republicans proved pivotal in breaking the deadlock that had persisted through 14 previous failed votes.
The reinstatement of laid-off federal workers and the prohibition on further reductions in force through January represent significant protections, though limited in duration. Federal workers who remained on the job without pay during the shutdown will receive back pay once the legislation becomes law.
The absence of Affordable Care Act subsidy extensions represents a significant defeat for Democrats who had made healthcare funding a central demand throughout the shutdown negotiations. The enhanced subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year, have helped make health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans purchasing coverage through ACA marketplaces.
The provision allowing certain senators to sue over phone records obtained during the Jan. 6 investigation adds a controversial element to the legislation. The specific language appears tailored to benefit eight GOP senators whose records may have been accessed during the congressional investigation into the Capitol attack.
The House Freedom Caucus’s internal endorsement of the legislation signals broad Republican support within the chamber, potentially easing Johnson’s path to securing passage without relying on Democratic votes. The caucus praised the measure for avoiding what it characterized as a “bloated” omnibus spending package while maintaining relatively flat spending levels.
The flight delays and cancellations that plagued airports during the final days of the shutdown highlighted the tangible impact of reduced air traffic controller staffing. The Federal Aviation Administration’s mandated reductions in daily flights created ripple effects throughout the national aviation system, with recovery expected to take several days even after government operations resume.
With Trump’s stated intention to sign the bill, the 43-day shutdown appears poised to end, though the lack of healthcare subsidy extensions and the promise of only a future Senate vote on the issue leave a major Democratic priority unresolved. The discharge petition filed by Jeffries represents a potential avenue for Democrats to force consideration of ACA funding, though success would require Republican defections in the narrowly divided House.
A 2019 email written by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein claimed that President Donald Trump “knew about the girls,” according to documents released Wednesday by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. However, the message offered no clarification about what Trump allegedly knew, and the White House immediately blasted the release as a politically motivated “smear.”
Among the newly disclosed documents are three emails referencing Trump, including one from 2011 in which Epstein told Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump had “spent hours” at his home with a young woman later identified as Virginia Giuffre. Democrats said the emails were part of a larger cache of 23,000 documents obtained from Epstein’s estate.
Republicans quickly countered the release, accusing Democrats of “weaponizing selective leaks” to damage Trump amid a government shutdown fight.
White House Denounces ‘Fake Narrative’
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Democrats had “selectively leaked emails” to “create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.”
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump dismissed the release as “another desperate distraction,” writing: “They’re trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein hoax again because they’ll do anything to deflect from their failures with the government shutdown and everything else.”
He added that any Republican “should be focused only on opening up our country and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats.”
Trump has long maintained that he cut ties with Epstein years ago, even claiming in July that he banned him from Mar-a-Lago for “taking people who worked for me,” including Giuffre, who he said was “taken out of the spa, hired by him — in other words, gone.”
What the Emails Reveal
In a 2019 exchange with journalist Michael Wolff, Epstein allegedly wrote, “Of course he [Trump] knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.”
Another email, dated April 2, 2011, from Epstein to Maxwell, stated: “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is Trump. Virginia spent hours at my house with him … he has never once been mentioned.”
Maxwell replied the same day: “I have been thinking about that.”
The Democrats’ redacted version withheld the victim’s name, but Republicans later confirmed it was Virginia Giuffre — who died earlier this year and who had long stated that Trump was never involved in Epstein’s sexual crimes.
Giuffre, in sworn testimony and in her memoir, described Trump as “friendly” during a single encounter at Mar-a-Lago, saying he “couldn’t have been friendlier” and never acted inappropriately. She added that he once offered to help her find babysitting jobs at the club.
Other members of Epstein’s household staff also testified that while Trump occasionally visited Epstein’s home, they never saw him engage in misconduct.
Giuffre’s Death and Renewed Scrutiny
Giuffre, who had accused Prince Andrew and other influential men of sexual abuse, died by suicide in April. The renewed release of Epstein’s emails comes months after FBI and Justice Department officials declined to disclose further Epstein-related materials, frustrating online theorists seeking new revelations.
The White House emphasized that Giuffre herself repeatedly cleared Trump of wrongdoing. “The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees,” Leavitt said. “Any American with common sense sees right through this hoax.”
Maxwell’s DOJ Interview Clears Trump
In a July interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Maxwell — now serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking — denied ever seeing Trump act inappropriately. “I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting,” she said. “He was a gentleman in all respects.”
Giuffre had first come forward after Epstein’s 2008 plea deal in Florida, which allowed him to serve just 18 months in jail for soliciting prostitution, avoiding federal prosecution. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on new federal charges.
Maxwell, who prosecutors said helped recruit girls for Epstein between 1994 and 2004, continues to maintain her innocence and is serving her sentence at a minimum-security prison camp in Texas.
HARARE, Zimbabwe ( BN24) — A registered nurse from Mutare has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud after allegedly defrauding Zimnat Life Assurance of USD15,000 through a scheme that used the identities of deceased individuals to claim insurance benefits, according to authorities.
The accused, Shamiso Esinath Nyamundanda (née Musafari), 40, is employed at Bamba Rural Health Clinic in Mutare District. She appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court this week, facing three counts of fraud under Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors from the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) told the court that between August 2022 and July 2025, Nyamundanda allegedly initiated three separate life insurance policies in the names of deceased persons without the knowledge of their families. Each policy, investigators say, was valued at USD5,000.
Authorities allege that Nyamundanda forged supporting documents, including affidavits and personal identification details, to present herself as a surviving relative of the deceased policyholders. The forged paperwork, reportedly written in her own handwriting, was used to process and claim benefits after falsely declaring the “deaths” of the purported policyholders.
According to the NPAZ, the fraud was uncovered after a Zimnat Life Assurance manager identified inconsistencies in the claim documentation. The company launched an internal review, which revealed that the bank account receiving the insurance payouts was registered in Nyamundanda’s own name.
Following a formal complaint to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Nyamundanda was arrested and later brought before the court. She was granted USD300 bail and ordered to return to court on December 9, 2025, for routine remand.
Zimnat Life Assurance confirmed that the alleged scam resulted in a total loss of USD15,000, adding that the company has strengthened its internal verification systems to prevent future occurrences of similar fraud.
“Insurance fraud not only results in financial loss but also undermines the trust of honest policyholders,” a Zimnat spokesperson said. “We urge professionals entrusted with handling sensitive information to act ethically and within the law.”
Legal experts note that the case underscores growing concerns about the abuse of access to personal data within Zimbabwe’s public service sector, where some professionals are accused of exploiting confidential information for personal financial gain.
The Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) has also raised alarms over a steady increase in insurance-related fraud cases across Zimbabwe. Officials warn that such schemes damage confidence in the country’s insurance industry and discourage people from investing in life assurance products.
In a similar but unrelated case earlier this year, Sylvester Rusere, 36, of Hopely, Harare, was fined USD400 and handed a three-month suspended sentence after fabricating a fictitious daughter to fraudulently claim EcoSure funeral benefits. Rusere’s conviction in June 2024 followed a police investigation that exposed his attempt to profit from a non-existent death.
Industry analysts say both cases highlight the urgent need for improved digital verification systems, cross-institutional data sharing, and more robust policyholder authentication to combat the rising tide of insurance scams.
Nyamundanda’s case remains under investigation, and prosecutors have indicated that additional charges may be added if further fraudulent transactions are uncovered.
If convicted, she faces a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years, as well as fines and restitution orders to repay the amount defrauded.
ACCRA, Ghana (BN24) — A military recruitment drive turned tragic in Ghana’s capital on Wednesday when at least six people died and several others were injured in a stampede at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra, officials confirmed.
According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the incident occurred before dawn as thousands of young applicants gathered outside the stadium gates to participate in the 2025–2026 military recruitment exercise. The Armed Forces said in a statement that the tragedy unfolded around 6:20 a.m., when a surge in the crowd caused several people to fall and be trampled as others pushed forward to gain entry.
The statement, signed by Colonel Evelyn Asamoah, Acting Director-General of the Public Relations Directorate, said the stampede happened when “a large number of applicants breached security protocols and forced their way into the gates ahead of the scheduled screening.”
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as security personnel struggled to control the crowd. Videos circulating on social media showed long queues forming on the surrounding streets hours before dawn, with some applicants reportedly arriving as early as 2 a.m. in hopes of securing a spot in line.
“People were pushing and shouting; everyone wanted to get inside first,” said a witness who declined to give his name. “There were too many people and not enough security to manage the crowd.”
The Ghana Armed Forces said emergency medical teams were immediately dispatched to the scene to provide aid to the injured. Victims were transported to the 37 Military Hospital, where doctors are working to stabilize those in critical condition.
“The unfortunate incident led to the death of six potential recruits, and many others were injured,” the statement said. The Ghana Armed Forces assures the general public that medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilize affected individuals. Arrangements are being made to notify the families of the deceased.”
Colonel Asamoah expressed the Force’s condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and said investigations were underway to determine the cause and prevent future tragedies.
“The Ghana Armed Forces deeply regrets to inform the general public of a tragic stampede before the commencement of the recruitment exercise,” Asamoah said. “Preliminary investigations indicate that the stampede was triggered by an unexpected surge of applicants who breached security protocols and rushed into the gates.”
By late afternoon, authorities had cordoned off sections of the stadium as officials reviewed security footage and interviewed witnesses. Military officers at the scene told reporters that crowd control measures would be strengthened before the exercise resumes.
The Ghana Armed Forces called for calm, urging the public to await official updates and avoid spreading misinformation online.
The recruitment drive, part of the 2025–2026 enlistment campaign, had attracted thousands of applicants across the country, reflecting widespread interest in military service amid limited employment opportunities.
Funeral arrangements for the deceased are expected to be announced once families are formally notified, according to military officials.
ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — A young Nigerian soldier has captured the admiration of millions after footage of him standing his ground against a powerful government minister went viral on social media.
Lieutenant A.M. Yerima was part of a military unit that prevented Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike from accessing a disputed plot of land in Abuja on Tuesday. The confrontation, captured on video and viewed millions of times, shows the minister becoming increasingly agitated as Lt. Yerima calmly cites orders from his superiors and refuses entry.
The soldier’s composure and adherence to protocol have earned widespread praise online. Social media users described him as “courageous” and “brave,” with many sharing his photo on WhatsApp and other platforms.
The incident drew particular attention because Wike, a former governor of the oil-rich Rivers State, is considered one of the most influential figures in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Wike has a reputation for getting his way, and public displays of defiance against him are rare in Nigeria, where lower-ranking officials typically yield to senior authority figures.
In the video, Wike can be heard telling the officer, “You are a very big fool. At the time I graduated, you were still in primary school.” Lt. Yerima calmly responds, “I am not a fool, sir.” The exchange has been widely cited as an example of discipline and courage within the Nigerian military.
“I commend the gallantry of this military officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, for his unshakable boldness and composure despite the offensive utterances from FCT Minister Wike,” one social media user wrote on X. “He’s well trained and fearless, refusing to be bullied.” Another added, “Discipline, courage, and integrity. The true spirit of the Nigerian military.”
The circumstances surrounding the soldiers’ presence at the land site remain unclear. The BBC has reached out to the Nigerian military for comment. Wike challenged the soldiers to provide documentation proving their authority to occupy the land.
Wike later told reporters that officials from the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council had reported being prevented from accessing the land by soldiers. “This is what prevents us from progressing,” he said. “When the officials came, they said soldiers chased them away. I thought they did so illegally.” He added that the soldiers were unable to produce the requested documents, noting that the land falls under federal capital jurisdiction, which he oversees.
The incident has sparked nationwide discussion on authority, accountability, and the role of the military in civil matters, with many Nigerians applauding Lt. Yerima for his professionalism in the face of pressure from a senior government official.
