Nwankwo Joins Commonwealth Games Team as Others Withdraw

The young Nigerian sprinter, Rosemary Nwankwo, has received an invitation to join the national Commonwealth Games training session in Abuja after several athletes had to withdraw from the track team.

The announcement of Nwankwo's invitation was made on Wednesday by her institution, Nigerian Tulip International College, along with her athletics group, N-Youth Sports Academy.

She wasn't part of the original 29-athletes list announced by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, but her inclusion seems to have occurred after the departures of U.S.-based sprinter Tima Godbless and Ella Onojuvwevwo.

Nevertheless, the young athlete might not be able to attend the camp right away as she is scheduled to participate in the CAA African U-18 and U-20 Championships in Dakar, Senegal, between July 4 and 5.

Although she is still attending school, Nwankwo has had a remarkable season. She took part in all three stages of the MTN Champs and contributed to Nigeria's success in qualifying for the World Championships in the women’s 4x100m relay at the World Relays held in Gaborone, Botswana.

She participated in the African Championships prior to fighting for a spot in Nigeria's Commonwealth Games team during the National Trials in June.

After accepting the invitation, she is set to be part of the group including fellow runners Blessing Ogundiran, Rosemary Chukwuma, Miracle Ezechukwu, Olayinka Olajide, and Obi Chukwuka at the training facility.

An athlete from the N-Youth Sports Academy achieved personal bests this season with times of 11.42 seconds in the 100 meters and 23.19 seconds in the 200 meters.

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Gunmen Abduct Benue Cleric, Two Followers

A preacher named Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, along with two others from his church, were taken by armed individuals from his home in Benue State.

The event was revealed in a statement released on Tuesday by the Executive Committee of the Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u Sha Tar Church.

As per the church's statement, the victims were taken during the early morning hours of Tuesday from the pastor's home located at NKST Church in Andyar, within the Ishan Classis region of Benue State.

With deep sorrow, but firm belief in the authority of the Supreme Lord, we regretfully report the kidnapping of our pastor, Reverend Doctor Samuel Gbinde, together with two churchgoers, during the early morning hours of today, 30 June 2026.

"They were taken from the pastor's house at NKST Church, Andyar, within the Ishan Classis of Benue State," the statement said.

The congregation urged its priests, followers, communities, and supporters to pray for the secure and complete return of those who were taken.

The declaration further stated, "The leadership of the NKST urges all priests, followers, assemblies, and associates of the church to come together through sincere prayers during this challenging period for the secure and complete return of Reverend Doctor Gbinde and the two church individuals."

We further ask that God provides power, solace, and optimism to their loved ones, the community in Andyar, and the whole NKST group.

The church further urged law enforcement authorities and both the Benue State and federal governments to step up actions aimed at rescuing those affected and holding the offenders accountable.

"We also urge the appropriate security organizations, along with the authorities of Benue State and the Federal Government of Nigeria, to take prompt and firm action to safely recover the kidnapped individuals and make sure that those involved in this crime are caught and held accountable," it stated.

It called upon both governments to implement more active and ongoing actions to address abductions and various security issues.

"Additionally, the Church calls upon both the Benue State Government and the Federal Authorities to implement more active and continuous actions in tackling abduction and other security threats. It is crucial to confront the offenders directly instead of just reacting following these terrible offenses," the declaration stated.

The congregation showed faith that the affected individuals would come back home securely and asked for tranquility and safety throughout the nation.

The Benue State Police Command has not released any official comment regarding the event at the moment this report was submitted. Continuous attempts are being made to secure the command's response.

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Manufacturers Seek a Lifeline

The sharp decline of 68.25% in corporate income tax contributions from Nigeria's manufacturing industry during the first quarter of 2026 must raise concerns among decision-makers outside just the revenue agencies. This drop, which saw figures fall from N234.59 billion in Q1 2025 to N74.48 billion in Q1 2026, indicates significant pressure on the nation's economic foundation. Clearly, producers require urgent support.

Production continues to be the foundation of each thriving economy. It produces employment in large quantities, boosts demand for agriculture, aids transportation and service sectors, promotes exports, enhances technical skills, and increases government revenue. When manufacturing facilities face difficulties, the overall economy ultimately experiences negative effects.

Recent NBS data show that taxes paid by manufacturers decreased by N160.11 billion from the same period last year and dropped by 47.49 per cent when compared to the prior quarter.

Although overall corporate income tax revenues fell by 31.05 percent nationwide, the manufacturing industry faced a far more severe decline, indicating that the actual economy is carrying the greatest weight during Nigeria's challenging economic shift.

The drop occurs during a highly sensitive time. The introduction of the updated tax system, which involves cutting the Corporate Income Tax from 30 percent to 25 percent, took place alongside deteriorating operating circumstances for manufacturers. This has led to a mix of reduced tax rates and notably diminished company profits.

Proponents of the tax changes claim that reduced rates will eventually encourage investment and enhance company sustainability.

The head of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, who also serves as the present Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has repeatedly supported the reforms as a significant aid program for companies.

He stated that cutting the corporate income tax by five percent significantly puts approximately N1.4 trillion into the pockets of companies each year.

New regulations have also implemented a 0% corporate income tax for small companies and increased tax waivers for businesses with yearly sales under N50 million. The aim is to lower the tax load, enhance adherence, and enable enterprises to keep more funds for growth. This approach deserves praise.

Nevertheless, reduced tax rates offer limited benefit if businesses generate minimal or no earnings subject to taxation.

The CIT primarily functions as a corporate income tax. When earnings decline, revenue from taxes naturally decreases. Consequently, the most recent data highlight not just the effects of tax changes but also the worsening condition of the manufacturing industry.

Companies still face some of the most significant operational expenses across Africa.

Energy continues to be one of the most significant challenges. Inconsistent grid power compels businesses to depend extensively on diesel generators, and electrical rates have increased considerably.

Oil prices stay high, transportation fees have risen sharply, and supply chain delays keep increasing operational costs.

International currency fluctuations have added to these challenges. The Nigerian Manufacturers' Association has consistently cautioned that freeing up the exchange rate has led to massive foreign currency losses and higher manufacturing expenses amounting to trillions of naira, particularly affecting companies reliant on imported equipment, materials, and supplies.

According to data from MAN's CEO Confidence Index, almost 49 percent of manufacturers' foreign currency needs remain unsatisfied via formal channels, leading them to turn to more expensive alternatives, which reduces their already narrow profit margins even further.

The expense of obtaining credit has turned out to be just as harmful. Business loan interest rates surpassing 30 to 35 percent render growth funding nearly unattainable for numerous producers. Very few sectors can secure loans at these levels and still maintain profitability.

Sluggish consumer spending adds to the ongoing turmoil. Rising inflation has significantly reduced households' buying capacity, resulting in increased stockpiles for numerous producers, which hit an all-time high of N1.8 trillion by the third quarter of 2025 despite falling sales figures.

As a result, companies find themselves caught between rising expenses and low consumer interest.

This clarifies why manufacturing, although generating 13.82 percent of domestic corporate income tax and continuing as the nation's third-largest source of internal taxation, currently makes up just around 5.45 percent of overall national corporate income tax revenues.

Certainly, overseas taxes amounted to N828.82 billion, accounting for 60.6 percent of overall revenue during Q1 2026, whereas local industries face growing challenges.

The effects go beyond just tax income, since manufacturing represents one of Nigeria's biggest possible sources of jobs. Each industrial position leads to more job possibilities in areas like transport, farming, commerce, upkeep, and support services.

Continued industrial development is crucial for lowering joblessness, increasing export activities, and decreasing overreliance on income from petroleum resources.

Financial experts have increasingly voiced worries that the productive sector of the economy is being outshone by industries that bring in income without significantly generating widespread jobs.

Experts from SBM Intelligence have stated that although official tax rates might be decreasing, companies still encounter various charges, administrative expenses, and new responsibilities that could counteract part of the expected advantages from lower taxes.

Hence, the administration needs to back up financial changes with strong manufacturing promotion strategies.

First off, energy expenses need immediate consideration. Specialized industrial power programs, gas-to-electricity benefits, and integrated generation setups for manufacturing hubs require prompt focus. Stable electrical supply could greatly lower manufacturing costs.

Cost-effective funding needs to take precedence, with financial assistance from the Bank of Industry and developmental finance organizations increased at low-interest rates below ten percent to aid operational expenses, purchase of machinery, and growth initiatives.

In addition to statements, tax coordination needs to be strongly enforced. Companies often express dissatisfaction with double taxation from federal, state, and municipal authorities. Removing redundant taxes would enhance the simplicity of conducting business.

Additionally, currency stability, which seems nearly secured, needs to remain intact.

Companies need consistent currency exchange rates for forecasting, setting prices, and purchasing. Increased availability and consistency within the foreign exchange market could lower risks and safeguard profits.

Government purchasing guidelines ought to deliberately focus on domestically produced goods whenever feasible. Robust domestic demand can enable manufacturers to attain cost advantages through increased production volume and enhance their financial performance.

Essentially, funding for road networks, port facilities, and transportation routes will reduce shipping expenses, which in turn lead to increased efficiency and market strength.

Although the Bola Tinubu government has taken an active approach to increasing income, Nigeria cannot achieve economic success through taxation of industries, nor should it anticipate significant tax collections from faltering manufacturers.

A steady increase in tax revenue relies on successful companies, increased output, and growing investments.

Should Nigeria truly aim for inclusive development, widespread job creation, and long-term income generation, backing industry cannot be considered discretionary. The production sector continues to drive the actual economy. Rebuilding it may well be the key economic challenge confronting leaders at this moment.

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What "Disclosure Day" Left Out

A positive action taken by the administration of former President Donald Trump was leveraging his strong personal influence to dismantle the veil of secrecy surrounding information related to the paranormal. As a result, concepts such as Unidentified Flying Objects and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena—along with extraterrestrials—are now widely recognized.

It is currently popular to identify as part of the transparency group—a collection of individuals who spread unusual theories and obscure information, who were previously considered geeks and eccentrics before Trump emerged.

The cherry on top is the newest cinematic release from the master of alien-themed films, Steven Spielberg. It hit theaters just a month back and has already earned $200 billion worldwide. The film is titled 'Disclosure Day' as it aims to expose the widespread conviction among various groups that humanity isn’t the only intelligent life form in space.

Last November, another documentary titled 'The Age of Disclosure' premiered in cinemas and became available on Amazon Prime Video. Directed and produced by Dan Farah, this film features several ex-U.S. government officials and individuals linked to the disclosure community who claim that extraterrestrial life exists on our planet and has faced a long-term governmental concealment.

Spielberg has directed numerous movies exploring human interaction with alien beings, beginning with the iconic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977), followed by "E.T." (1982), "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2008), and "War of the Worlds" (2005); however, Disclosure Day stands out as his boldest work.

With a captivating portrayal by Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor, audiences at last get a chance to witness an entire extraterrestrial existence communicating with us, set against the background of discredited, underhanded governmental officials and their shadowy subcontractors, who operated secretly to conceal this exciting revelation from global inhabitants.

The storyline resembles that of a traditional suspense film. Daniel Kellner (Josh O'Connor), a cyber security specialist working at Wardex—a dubious company closely linked to the defense sector—discovers documentation indicating that Wardex has concealed information about alien life forms, along with detaining and conducting experiments on them. He takes years' worth of damaging video recordings and flees from authorities. Hunted by the ruthless Scanlon (Colin Firth) and supported by Hugo (Colman Domingo), another former employee of Wardex, he must protect this evidence until it can be made public during an anticipated Disclosure Day.

In the meantime, Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt), a television weather presenter, unexpectedly finds out that she can communicate in many different languages and appears to be able to interpret others' thoughts. The surprising moment comes when she starts speaking mysterious alien phrases during a live broadcast.

She and Daniel possess an enigmatic bond, marked by a peculiar absence in their early recollections, as well as the talent of comprehending extraterrestrial speech. They discover that each was taken by gray beings during their youth—and now must collaborate to reveal these entities to humanity, which has a significant communication intended for people.

Nevertheless, my issue with the film is that it gives the audience the sense that the Grey alien represents the standard — and sole — type of extraterrestrial being from another world, arriving on Earth since at least 1947 following the Roswell event. The filmmakers never suggested the extensively recorded reality by unidentified flying object investigators that there are at minimum four types of aliens interacting with humanity. Indeed, the factual documentary 'The Age of Disclosure' explored this topic thoroughly.

The extraterrestrial known as the Gray is truly repulsive and unpleasant. Most people would instinctively feel revulsion at the idea of encountering this large-headed, dark-eyed, hairless, and chilly creature attempting to convey an enigmatic message to humanity through a language that is both confusing and annoyingly full of clicks.

From my perspective, the scene revealing the Grey aliens managed only to evoke an uneasy feeling that our planet has already been taken over, regardless of the message the Grey brings. Whether it’s a pledge of a remedy for cancer or environmental issues, the messenger appears so decayed that it becomes hard to imagine the solution he could offer for a deteriorating world.

Sure, "Disclosure Day" is a fictional story. However, the idea behind this costly endeavor is based on reality—specifically, the fact that current global governments are investing efforts to find solutions regarding unidentified flying objects/aliens. What once belonged to speculation and theories has now entered the realm of genuine scientific research. That’s why the film holds significance. Additionally, movies reflect our society and allow us to examine ourselves more deeply; maybe we uncover perspectives we wouldn’t have considered in everyday situations.

I'm saying that the Spielberg movie only reveals part of the truth. There are numerous sources available for the film's creators to expand their story and explore the topics they aim to "reveal." However, they decided to follow just one version—that extraterrestrials known as Grays are kidnapping people, and the government is aware of this, yet now we're old enough to listen directly to the Grays. One could argue that the Gray represents all alien beings, nevertheless.

Another hidden truth that Disclosure Day isn’t revealing is the existence of an additional, less threatening alien race compared to the Gray alien. In fact, their friendly appearance makes them even more deceptive. I came across information suggesting that these beings were responsible for deceiving the Heaven’s Gate cult into committing mass suicide.

I'm referring to the so-called Scandinavian extraterrestrials.

Nordic extraterrestrials represent a well-known concept within UFO lore and secret theory circles, referring to alleged aliens who resemble exceptionally good-looking, tall humans with pale complexions, lengthy golden hair, and azure eyes. Frequently linked to the Pleiades constellation, these entities are generally portrayed as kind-hearted mentors focused on fostering human spiritual development and global harmony.

As reported by numerous individuals who claim to have encountered extraterrestrials and those who act as intermediaries for them, these beings allegedly cautioned humanity about environmental issues and a bleak ecological future. It might have been intriguing and enlightening to witness how a film centered around the revelation of alien presence could explore the extraterrestrial aspect of global warming and climate change.

Witnessing Europe struggling to breathe amid a severe heatwave, and Lagos collapsing beneath the burden of climate-related widespread floods, compels us to recognize the undeniable truth that we must look for answers—even those originating from beyond our own world and dimension.

For many years, one of the longest-standing enigmas in Ufology has centered on an alleged group of alien beings called the Pleiadians. In contrast to the terrifying reptile-like entities, bug-eyed figures, or the well-known gray aliens commonly featured in pop culture, the Pleiadians are described as appearing extremely similar to humans—so much so that they could blend seamlessly into crowds in cities like London, Lagos, New York, or Tokyo.

I worry that following the traditional path of UFO movies would lead to depictions of an alien military attack on our planet. Major Hollywood films such as War of the Worlds and Independence Day have presented narratives involving invasions by reptilian, grey, and insectoid beings. However, these films haven’t explored the potential threat posed by an incursion from Pleiadian or Nordic aliens.

I wonder, is this decision made willingly, or are they restricted from assisting humanity in preparing mentally for the worst possible situations? This aspect is often omitted by most films, and Disclosure Day continues along with this pattern of secrecy. In fact, the Nordics might offer a more meaningful message to humans compared to the Greys, as they resemble us and appear to come from a healthier, more environmentally friendly environment than the problematic Greys.

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Australia Faces Salah Test in Egypt Clash

Australia Left-back Jordan Bos claims the Socceroos are prepared to handle the danger presented by Mohamed Salah as they face Egypt in their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match on Friday.

Mohamed Salah is still uncertain for the elimination match following a hamstring injury sustained during Egypt's 1-1 draw against Iran last week. The Liverpool player skipped Monday's practice session as he continues his recovery, yet Boss stated that Australia won't feel threatened regardless of whether the Egyptian star plays or not.

Perhaps away from the field there is some respect, but on the field there isn't," Bos stated. "It's survival of the fittest. That's how everyone will approach the game, and that's how I'll enter it.

Mo Salah is an elite athlete. He has remained among the best for quite some time. We will certainly need to consider ways to neutralize him and Egypt. We've already started working on this, and now it's about making small adjustments and understanding what the coach and team plan to do to assist us.

Australia secured their spot in the elimination rounds following a scoreless match against Paraguay, coming off an initial 2-0 win against Turkey, maintaining two shutouts throughout the competition.

Mohamed Salah played a key role in Egypt's remarkable journey to reach the World Cup elimination rounds for the first time ever. The 34-year-old player has contributed directly to three of the Pharaohs' five goals, with one goal scored and two assists provided.

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Why the Delta Lawmaker's Seat Was Declared Vacant – Assembly Explains

The Delta State House of Assembly states that the choice to mark the position of the representative for Udu Constituency as empty aligns with the guidelines set forth in the 1999 Constitution.

The head of the House Committee on Information and House Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, provided the clarification in Asaba.

Nwaobi stated that the Assembly operated solely within its constitutional authority and was not driven by political motives.

He stated, "The House simply fulfilled its constitutional duty following the review of the resignation and defection letter provided by the representative from Udu Constituency."

The spokesperson for the assembly clarified that the Constitution explicitly outlines the circumstances in which a legislator may switch political parties after being elected under their banner without risking their position.

He stated that the sole requirement is when there is a split or turmoil inside the political party at the national level.

He stated that prior to the Assembly, there was no proof available to demonstrate that the legislator's switch complied with the constitutional criterion.

Nwaobi stated, "The Delta State House of Assembly operates exclusively according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. All decisions made by the House are based on legal frameworks, with none exceeding the boundaries set by the Constitution."

He stated that the Assembly's decision should not be regarded as a political act of revenge but rather as a loyal execution of the Constitution.

The party whip emphasized the Assembly's dedication to the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and legislative honesty.

He encouraged citizens to review the appropriate sections of the Constitution prior to forming opinions about the Assembly's ruling.

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NFAF Teams Gear Up for 2026 NFL Flag Africa Championship

The Nigerian Association of American Football has stated that Nigeria's male, female, and U-13 national squads will take part in the 2026 NFL Flag Africa Regional Tournament held in Nairobi, Kenya, between July 9 and 11.

This competition represents the third NFL Flag regional championship organized on the continent, after events took place in Nigeria in 2024 and Egypt in 2025.

For the first time this year, the competition will unite men's and women's national teams from five nations—Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa—as well as an mixed-gender Under-13 youth event with teams of ten players from every country.

"As a newly formed federation, we recognize that there is much yet to learn, but our players and coaches have dedicated themselves to preparing for this event. We take pride in representing Nigeria in Nairobi and providing our athletes with an opportunity to compete and develop," stated the NFAF.

The gathering takes place in collaboration with the NFL and has received approval from the International Federation of American Football, supported locally by the Kenyan Federation of American Football.

In addition to the competitive games, an elite athlete selection event organized by the NFL is set for July 11, providing players with a chance to be evaluated by NFL officials under the league's NFL Africa initiative.

The NFAF expressed excitement about leveraging past experiences while further advancing flag football in Nigeria. This rapidly expanding sport will be making its Olympic appearance for the first time at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

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