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US-based Nigerian Professor Hakeem Tijani to receive NiDCOM National Diaspora Merit Award for contributions to education
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Professor Hakeem Tijani, a Nigerian academic based in the United States, has been named a recipient of the National Diaspora Merit Award NDMA 2026 by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NiDCOM. The award recognizes his contributions to education. NiDCOM conveyed this decision in a letter dated May 22, 2026, signed by its Secretary, Sule Bassi, on behalf of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa. The Federal Government designated July 25 as National Diaspora Day to acknowledge the contributions of over 20 million Nigerians living abroad to the country鈥檚 development. The NDMA aims to celebrate Nigerians in the diaspora who have excelled in their fields and contributed to Nigeria's development. The National Diaspora Day 2026 celebrations are scheduled for July 24, 2026, at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 15:00hrs WAT, with the National Diaspora Merit Award ceremony taking place on July 25, 2026, at 17:00hrs WAT at the same venue. Intending participants are advised to register via NiDCOM's official website.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadUS Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna stated he and other Americans were detained by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Khanna, a prominent Democratic US lawmaker from California, claimed the Israeli military was complicit, a charge the Israeli Defense Forces IDF denied. According to Khanna, armed Israeli settlers, brandishing American-made M4s, blocked their path. He further alleged that when the Israeli military arrived, they sided with the settlers and continued the detention. Footage and accounts provided to The New York Times by Khanna and his team show armed men blocking a road and swearing in Hebrew and Arabic. Khanna told the Times that IDF soldiers spoke with the settlers and then blocked the road themselves after the settlers left. He commented on the experience, saying, "Imagine how people feel every day, Palestinians under the occupation, if they could make an American congressperson feel powerless for 90 minutes." After contacting the US embassy and Israeli police, Khanna was allowed to pass. The Israeli military stated they received a report about Israeli civilians unlawfully blocking vehicles in Khirbet Zanuta, and that IDF troops dispersed the civilians and reopened the road, denying any involvement in blocking it. The United Nations has reported a sharp increase in violence attributed to Israeli settlers in the West Bank since October 2023.
The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, visited Kogi State, empowering over 800 women and inaugurating two public projects. The projects include the newly completed Kogi State Treasury House and a Primary Healthcare Centre in Lokongoma Phase I, Lokoja. Speaking at the inauguration, Tinubu highlighted these projects as significant investments for improving public service delivery and residents' welfare, commending Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for prioritizing healthcare and infrastructure. At the Government House, the First Lady launched the distribution of empowerment materials and start-up grants to over 800 women through the Renewed Hope Initiative. This program aims to promote self-reliance, strengthen household incomes, and create economic opportunities for women and vulnerable groups, complementing government social intervention efforts. Tinubu encouraged beneficiaries to use the support to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods. She also praised Hajia Sefinat Ododo, the wife of the Kogi State Governor, for her work in improving the welfare of women and vulnerable persons. Governor Ododo thanked the First Lady for her visit and support, assuring that his administration would continue to implement projects that enhance access to healthcare, infrastructure, and other essential public services, and that the new facilities would be maintained.
Ken Bates, former Chelsea chairman, has died peacefully in Monaco at the age of 94. Chelsea Football Club announced his passing on Saturday, recognizing him as a pivotal figure in their history. Bates famously acquired Chelsea for 拢1 in 1982 when the club faced significant debt and was in England's Second Division. During his two-decade tenure at Stamford Bridge, he guided Chelsea back to the top flight and established a foundation for their future success. In 2003, Bates sold Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for 拢140 million, a transaction that led to an era of unprecedented achievements for the club. After leaving Chelsea, Bates became the principal owner of Leeds United in 2005, overseeing its operations for seven years before the club was sold to GFH Capital in 2012.