
Nollywood actor Joseph Momodu has announced his enlistment into the United States Army, fulfilling a personal dream and honoring his late father, who served in the Nigeria Police Force. Momodu shared on Instagram that his military training was physically and emotionally demanding, testing his resilience through rigorous months. He described the journey as forged through tears, fear of failure, resilience, and fatigue, pushing him to find comfort in discomfort. Momodu revealed he chose April 12, 2026, to join the US Army, 20 years after his father's passing, to continue the family's tradition of service. He has officially graduated from Basic Combat Training and now serves as Specialist SPC J.A. Momodu with the 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 3-10, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He dedicated this achievement to God, his late father, and his family, also thanking his social media manager and the US Army Recruiting Station in Burbank, California for their support.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.

The Edo State Government, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA Edo State Command, and other stakeholders convened in Benin City to address the escalating challenges of drug trafficking and abuse. The event, commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, highlighted the theme "The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses." Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, represented by Senior Special Assistant on Drug Policy and Trafficking Control, Andrew Efe, declared a zero-tolerance policy for drug trafficking, vowing to pursue traffickers and seize illicit substances. He stressed that a collaborative approach involving homes, churches, mosques, schools, and faith institutions is crucial for prevention and education. The government is also funding youth empowerment programs to foster productivity. State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, detailed the complexities of the drug landscape, including the rise of synthetic drugs and the dark web, and urged proactive community measures. He reported that the Edo State command arrested 289 suspected drug traffickers, seized 35,008.38kgs of drugs, convicted 52 traffickers, and provided counseling to 135 individuals with drug abuse problems. Mrs. Edesili Anani Okpebholo, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairperson of the Edo State Drug Control Committee, represented by Barrister Nimata Umar Ikhilor, noted that social media presents a new challe
BreakingThe death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week has increased to 920, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes hit the country's northern region on Wednesday. Rodriguez announced the updated figure, which was previously 589, during a televised address and confirmed a military deployment to La Guaira, one of the most affected states. United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher reported that over 50,000 people are missing. Families are actively searching for loved ones trapped under debris, with rescue efforts ongoing in areas like La Guaira, where workers are using sledgehammers and calling for silence to locate survivors. International support is being mobilized, with the United States pledging $150 million in aid, deploying two warships, transport planes, and helicopters, and suspending economic sanctions to facilitate rescue operations.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, stated that a recent court ruling in Lokoja is an unnecessary setback for Nigeria's democracy, weakening its democratic institutions. Obi shared this message on social media after learning of the judgment while in Imo State. He expressed concern that every Nigerian committed to the country's progress should be worried about the implications for democracy, noting that some political actors are undermining democratic institutions. Obi, former Anambra State governor, highlighted that both the legislature and the judiciary are increasingly experiencing institutional decline, emphasizing that democracy cannot thrive without independent and credible institutions. He maintained that his stance is based on principle, not political interest, and recalled condemning a similar situation involving the African Democratic Congress. Obi clarified that his concern is not about who becomes president but about ensuring Nigeria's institutions function effectively. He urged Nigerians to defend democratic institutions, stating that their survival is crucial for the nation's survival. This statement followed a Federal High Court ruling in Lokoja that set aside a previous judgment directing INEC to register the NDC, citing that the earlier judgment affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which claimed ownership of the logo and was not included in the original suit. The court ordered all parties to revert to their pos