News
SAD! Former President of Germany Dies
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A former President of Germany, Horst Koehler, who served as head of state from 2004 to 2010, is dead.
Köhler, who was head of state from 2004 to 2010, died Saturday morning in Berlin after a short illness, surrounded by his family, the office of current German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement.
Köhler was little known to most Germans and a stranger to front-line politics before he won the presidency.
His nomination was greeted by the mass-circulation daily Bild with the headline “Horst Who?”
However, he built up high popularity ratings once on the job, something that he achieved in part by positioning himself as an outsider to the country’s political elite.
He occasionally refused to sign bills into law due to constitutional concerns and didn’t always make himself popular with the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose choice he was for the presidency — a largely ceremonial job but often seen as a source of moral authority.
Kohler elected before Merkel came to power, at a time when Germany was struggling to come to terms with labor market reforms and welfare state cuts.
He said Germans must not rest on past achievements, and said he was “deeply convinced Germany has the strength for change.”
In July 2005, Köhler agreed to dissolve parliament and grant struggling then-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder an unusual early election.
He declared that Germany faced “giant challenges” and that “our future and the future of our children is at stake.”
Merkel won power, but nearly blew a huge poll lead after her talk of deeper reform turned off voters. Köhler also talked less of economic change in later years and was strongly critical of financial markets during the banking and economic crisis — describing them as a “monster” that hadn’t yet been tamed.
Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, was among the twenty eminent Nigerians including seating governors of four states who were honoured by the Verbatim Magazine at the Late General Yaradua Centre recently.
He was recognized by the investigative journal for excellence and quality leadership in legislative performance for year 2024 based on his contributions in the plenary of the House of Representatives, the number of Bills and motions he has sponsored so far.
Professor Nnamchi was last year rated the most performing legislator from the southeast by the authoritative organ of the National Assembly, “The Order Paper” which evaluates the work rates of the legislators annually.
As at the end of March, 2025, the lawmaker who represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives has sponsored thirty-six Bills and over twenty impactful motions in the House. Over twenty of the Bills have passed second reading.
Speaking at the well attended Verbatim 13Th Anniversary Lecture delivered by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, the magazine Editor, Mr Tobs Agbaegbu, affirmed that the awardees were carefully selected through in-depth evaluation and investigation by its team of editors.
He stressed that the magazine has established itself as a leader in investigative journalism and as such would not be associated with questionable awards that lack merits.
The award recipients cut across private and public sectors’ practitioners, governors, legislators, military officers and journalists all of whom had distinguished themselves in leadership as Trail Blazers in their chosen careers.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The presidency has debunked reports that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu has been replaced, describing it as ‘fake news.’
“Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman.
“Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or the any other official source.” – O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and India, as part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
Officials speaking to ARY News said, “The suspension of Umrah, business, and family visit visas is aimed at preventing unregistered individuals from attempting to perform the pilgrimage.”
The move comes amid concerns over the rising number of pilgrims attempting to join Hajj without official permits. In recent years, many visitors have overstayed their visas, contributing to overcrowding and serious safety risks.
Authorities also expressed concern over the misuse of business or family visit visas by individuals who enter the Kingdom and work illegally, a violation that “disrupts the labour market and breaches visa conditions.”
The Saudi foreign ministry stated that the new measures were implemented “to streamline travel procedures and enhance safety during Hajj.
It added, “Individuals found to be staying in the Kingdom illegally may face a five-year entry ban.”
The countries affected by the ban are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
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