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‎The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has announced plans to organise a 5 million-man grand endorsement rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Abia North senator, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ahead of the 2027 general election.

‎This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the coalition’s President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Okey Nwaoru.
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‎The apex sociopolitical youth group in the South East geopolitical zone said the decision was taken after a meeting of its leadership.
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‎“The rally is scheduled to take place in Abia State, and we will mobilise 5 million citizens from across the South East geopolitical zone.
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Zamfara State House of Assembly, at its plenary session on Wenesday, officially reinstated the suspended member representing Talata Mafara North Constituency, Hon. Shamsudeen Hassan Basko, following the submission and acceptance of his written letter of apology to the House.

This was contained in a statement issued by the chief press secretary of the House Speaker, Comrade Bello Madaro and made available to newsmen in Gusau, the State capital.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, while reading the contents of the apology letter during plenary, sought the collective consent of the members present, who unanimously resolved in favour of lifting the suspension placed on Hon. Basko.

The Speaker emphasized that the House remains open to receiving similar expressions of contrition from the remaining seven suspended members, to facilitate their reinstatement and foster unity in the legislative arm.

Several members contributed to the debate on the floor in support of the reinstatement, including Hon. Nura Dahiru Sabon Birni Birnin Magaji, Hon. Kabiru Mikailu Dangulbi (Maru South), and Hon. Rilwanu Marafa Nagambo Anka.

They collectively welcomed Hon. Basko’s return to the House and encouraged the other suspended colleagues to emulate the gesture in the interest of legislative harmony and the socio-political development of their respective constituencies and the state at large.

In his brief remark, Hon. Shamsudeen Basko expressed gratitude to the House for the opportunity to return and pledged his commitment to the legislative ethics and discipline of the Assembly.

He further assured the Honourable members of his resolve to distance himself from any group or influence that seeks to undermine the integrity and authority of the House.

Recall that on 26th February 2024, the House, through a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Bello Mazawaje, PDP Tsafe East, suspended eight members for acts deemed to be in violation of the Standing Orders of the Assembly (Order 10, Rule 9).

The motion cited actions, including forceful entry into the offices of the Clerk and the Sergeant-at-Arms, unlawful sitting, obstruction of legislative processes, and conduct unbecoming of Honourable Members, as grounds for the disciplinary measure.

The Donald Trump administration could shut down nearly 30 United States embassies and consulates across the world, including some in Africa, as part of a his reforms to cut cost and reduce the country’s diplomatic foreign presence.

A CNN report on Wednesday, citing an internal US State Department document, states that the embassies in the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan are among those proposed for closure, the Punch had reported.

A US consulate in South Africa may also be shut down.

“The document recommends closing 10 embassies and 17 consulates. Many of the posts are in Europe and Africa, though they also include locations in Asia and the Caribbean.

These include embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.

According to the report,“The list also includes five consulates in France, two in Germany, two in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in the United Kingdom, one in South Africa, and one in South Korea,”

The proposal is part of a broader effort by the Trump-led government, reportedly influenced by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency to drastically reduce the size and spending of federal agencies, including the State Department.

The internal document also suggests reducing the US presence in countries such as Somalia and Iraq, which have been central to America’s counterterrorism efforts.

There has been no official confirmation that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the proposal, and a spokesperson for the department declined to comment on the leaked document.