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Trump to cut U.S. aid agency employees to under 300 – Reports

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The workforce of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will be slashed to just a few hundred employees from the weekend onwards, U.S. media reported on Thursday.

The Trump administration plans to reduce the agency’s staff from more than 10,000 employees worldwide to around 290, the New York Times reported, citing three sources familiar with the plans.

National Public Radio (NPR) reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been presented with a list of some 600 employees considered essential worldwide, but ultimately exempted fewer than 300 from the staff cuts.

U.S. President Donald Trump had already frozen the agency’s funds in January pending an internal review, impacting a vast array of initiatives around the globe.

USAID is one of the largest aid agencies in the world and is responsible for doling out much of the U.S. government’s humanitarian assistance to developing countries and countries in crisis.

Trump has repeatedly claimed it is run by “radical lunatics” seeking to hinder his America First foreign policy agenda.

This week, the U.S. government announced that it would place a large proportion of its employees on leave from Friday night.

All “direct-hire personnel” working anywhere in the world for the agency will be put on “administrative leave,” with the exception of employees in critical positions, a statement on USAID’s website reads.

Those affected by the exemptions will be informed one day in advance, said the agency, which is under the acting leadership of Rubio.

Around 10,000 people work for the agency, two-thirds of them outside the U.S.

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Last year, the agency oversaw roughly 50 billion dollars in development aid projects.

According to the New York Times, the remaining staff will primarily focus on health and humanitarian aid. (dpa/NAN)

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Kano Emirate Dispute: Court Of Appeal Upholds Status Quo Pending Supreme Court Decision

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The Court of Appeal has ordered all parties to maintain the status quo in the ongoing Kano Emirate dispute, effectively halting the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano until the Supreme Court delivers its judgment.

The Emirate has been embroiled in a legal tussle following the state’s legislative actions affecting its traditional leadership. In 2024, the Kano State Government enacted the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which led to significant changes in the emirate’s structure, including the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

On June 20, 2024, the Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Abubakar Liman, nullified the actions taken by the Kano State Government under the 2024 law.

Subsequently, on January 10, 2025, the Court of Appeal overturned the Federal High Court’s decision, asserting that the lower court lacked jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, which are typically under the purview of state high courts. This appellate decision reinstated the 2024 law and, by extension, Sanusi’s position as Emir.

Dissatisfied with the appellate court’s judgment, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, a prominent kingmaker, filed an appeal to the Supreme Court. He also sought an injunction to prevent the enforcement of the January 10 judgment pending the Supreme Court’s decision. On March 14, 2025, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Okon Abang, granted this injunction.

The court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo as it existed before the Federal High Court’s June 2024 ruling, effectively halting Sanusi’s reinstatement until the Supreme Court adjudicates the matter.

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Mohbad Death: Fabiyi Unveils Shocking Confession

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Nigerian actor and activist Yomi Fabiyi has made a shocking claim regarding the mysterious death of popular singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad. During a recent interview, Fabiyi disclosed that Mohbad’s brother, Adura Aloba, allegedly confessed that the late singer was pushed, causing him to fall and fatally hit his head.

The revelation has sparked fresh public outrage, with many questioning the slow pace of the official investigation. Fabiyi insists that this critical piece of evidence should not be ignored, raising concerns about possible attempts to suppress the truth.

Fabiyi revealed that Adura Aloba contacted him via TikTok DM, claiming he possessed video evidence related to a fight between Mohbad and his wife. In their exchange, Adura sent a short 30-second clip, allegedly showing blood on the floor, which Fabiyi confirmed was filmed inside Mohbad’s house.

Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Fabiyi pursued further investigation and submitted petitions to the police, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police and the Lagos State Command. However, despite his efforts, he lamented that the authorities have been slow to act on the evidence presented.

Fabiyi later disclosed that, during a press conference, Adura admitted that the short clip he initially shared was part of a much longer 10-minute video. In this full recording, Mohbad’s wife is allegedly seen pushing him, which led to his fatal head injury.

Despite the gravity of this claim, Fabiyi expressed frustration that law enforcement appears to be downplaying the importance of this revelation. He accused the authorities of focusing on unrelated details while neglecting key evidence that could change the course of the investigation.

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Following Fabiyi’s revelation, the case has taken a new turn, reigniting public calls for transparency and justice. Many Nigerians are demanding that law enforcement agencies prioritise the investigation and act on the new evidence without bias.

Fabiyi remains determined to ensure that the truth behind Mohbad’s untimely demise is uncovered. He has vowed to continue pushing for accountability until justice is served.

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Cross River cracks down on land encroachment

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Cross River government has warned individuals encroaching on state-owned land to vacate immediately, as it is now committed to reclaiming such properties across the state.

A strong warning was issued specifically to individuals and groups unlawfully occupying land belonging to state-owned educational institutions.

This was stated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Mr Gilbert Agbor, in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar on Friday.

The government condemned the increasing cases of land encroachment affecting several schools, including the University of Cross River (UNICROSS), formerly CRUTECH, and the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa.

Other affected institutions include Government College, Ikot Ansa; Government Secondary School, Obio-Asim, Odukpani; Girls’ Secondary School, Ugep; and Government Technical College, Obubra.

Government Secondary School (GOVISCO), Ikom, and several other institutions across the state have also been impacted by illegal occupation.

“The government has directed all illegal occupants to vacate these lands immediately. Swift and decisive action will be taken against defaulters, regardless of their status or influence.

“Gov. Bassey Otu has ordered the immediate recovery of all state properties unlawfully taken over. His administration remains committed to protecting government assets from misuse,” Agbor said.

He urged the public to provide useful information that could assist in recovering these assets, assuring informants of confidentiality and appropriate rewards for credible intelligence.

Additionally, members of the public were encouraged to report illegal occupation of government property to the Department of Asset Management and Recovery at the Governor’s Office. (NAN)

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