Ugandan authorities say roughly three-quarters of the multibillion-dollar East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has now been constructed, marking a major step toward the country’s long-awaited entry into commercial oil production.
The pipeline — valued at about $5 billion — will transport crude from Uganda’s oilfields in the Albertine region to Tanzania’s port of Tanga, where it will be shipped to global markets. Uganda now expects oil production to begin in the second half of next year after nearly 20 years of delays.
According to the Uganda Petroleum Authority, all pipeline segments have been delivered to construction sites along the 1,443-kilometre route. The project, which is designed as the world’s longest electrically heated crude pipeline, is key to unlocking production at oilfields being developed under a $15 billion investment led by TotalEnergies and CNOOC.
Authorities say more than $3.3 billion has already gone into building the pipeline, with TotalEnergies holding a majority stake. National petroleum companies in Uganda and Tanzania, as well as CNOOC, make up the remaining shareholders. Uganda’s regulator added that ongoing investments of over $4 billion are being channelled into the broader petroleum sector in preparation for first oil.
This includes infrastructure and drilling work at the Kingfisher and Tilenga fields, where development is reported to be 60% and 74% complete, respectively. The government maintains that once the pipeline is fully operational, Uganda’s crude oil will finally reach international markets, turning the long-anticipated oil project into a major economic driver for the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will hold talks in Turkey on Wednesday and is expected to meet senior U.S. Army officials in Kyiv on Thursday, as part of renewed efforts to revive stalled peace negotiations with Russia.
Direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow have not taken place since a meeting in Istanbul in July. In the meantime, Russian forces have continued their offensive, with overnight strikes killing 19 people, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Despite growing diplomatic movement around possible peace discussions, Russia has shown no indication that it is prepared to soften its long-standing conditions for ending the war. Moscow has also dismissed reports suggesting that Washington is developing a detailed peace roadmap.
Announcing his trip, Zelensky said he aims to “reinvigorate negotiations” and will engage Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on steps toward achieving what he described as a “just peace” for Ukraine. “Doing everything possible to bring the end of the war closer remains our top priority,” he said.
Turkey, a NATO member that has maintained working relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, hosted the earliest round of peace talks in the first weeks of the invasion in 2022. No additional negotiations took place until this year, when the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump initiated a fresh push to end the conflict.
The Kremlin confirmed that no Russian delegates would take part in the Ankara discussions but said President Vladimir Putin remained open to hearing the outcomes in later talks with the United States or Turkey. A report circulating this week suggested Washington had been quietly consulting with Russia on a new pathway toward ending the war, but Moscow downplayed the claim.
When asked about the report, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there were “no new developments” on any peace proposals since Putin and Trump met in Alaska in August. “There are no innovations to announce at this time,” he added.
Putin has maintained the demands he laid out in June 2024, including that Ukraine abandon any intention of joining NATO and withdraw its forces from four regions Russia claims as its territory. Moscow has not signaled any shift from these conditions, which Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.
President Tinubu’s call for stronger collaboration between universities and industry underscores the urgent need to close the long-standing gap between academic training and real-world market demands. With graduate unemployment rising despite the high number of degree holders produced yearly, industries continue to report that many graduates lack practical, employable skills.
The President also emphasises that universities must shift toward research that provides real, impactful solutions to national problems, forming the bedrock of an innovation-driven economy. Now, the NUC must enforce curriculum reforms, vice-chancellors must drive technology transfer, and CEOs must participate as investors in knowledge creation. This is the triple helix model in motion.
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has deferred his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
In his statement, the governor described the incident as deeply distressing and said it would be inappropriate to continue with political engagements while families and the nation are dealing with such a tragic development.
He offered condolences to the Federal Government and expressed sympathy to the families of the kidnapped girls.
Kefas also called on security agencies to intensify their efforts to ensure the victims are safely rescued.
He emphasised that the safety and welfare of the children outweigh any political considerations, making the postponement of the defection unavoidable.
The defection, initially slated for 19 November 2025, has now been suspended until further consultations are concluded and the security situation improves.
Meanwhile, political activities in Taraba State suggest a significant realignment ahead of the governor’s anticipated move.
Within the past 48 hours, the state’s political landscape has shifted, with PDP lawmakers in the State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, cabinet members, and top government officials — including the Secretary to the State Government — defecting to the APC ahead of the governor’s earlier-announced plan.
Some party leaders who spoke with our reporter welcomed the governor’s decision to postpone the defection rally in solidarity with the recently abducted Kebbi schoolgirls.
In another development, the Gender Educators Initiative (GEI) has called on the Federal Government to act swiftly to secure the release of the schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to information gathered by The Guardian, about 25 schoolgirls were taken by terrorists during the attack, which also claimed the life of a school official.
Reacting to the incident, GEI described the abduction as a painful reminder of the escalating insecurity that continues to endanger women and children across the North-West.
Its Executive Lead, Shafa’atu Suleiman, in a statement issued in Sokoto on Tuesday, strongly condemned the attack.
The organisation urged federal authorities, security agencies, and the Kebbi State Government to work together to ensure the immediate rescue of the abducted students.
“This attack is unacceptable. We are calling on the Federal Government to act fast to save our girls,” it said, warning that any delay increases the trauma already weighing heavily on families and communities.”
The group added that the incident exposes ongoing weaknesses in school safety measures and the rising vulnerability of students in conflict-prone regions.
It stressed that women and children continue to bear the brunt of violence, kidnappings, and displacement, making their protection a national priority.
To prevent similar tragedies, GEI urged the government to adopt a stronger, intelligence-driven security strategy that reinforces the Safe Schools Initiative through measures such as effective perimeter fencing, trained security personnel, and early-warning systems in high-risk areas.
Worshippers in Eruku, a border town in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, were attacked during a church service on the evening of Tuesday, November 18, 2025, when suspected bandits opened fire inside a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m., interrupting a special service and resulting in multiple deaths and abductions. Around the same period, another group of attackers struck along the Ilorin–Kabba Road, forcing travellers to abandon their vehicles and flee into nearby bushes.
The attacks are the latest in a series of assaults reported in the community over the past three weeks. Residents say they have repeatedly alerted authorities about unusual movements in nearby forest corridors but received no substantial action before Tuesday’s incidents.
As search efforts continue for the abducted worshippers, including the church pastor, security operatives have expanded operations across bush paths linking Kwara to Kogi State. The events have renewed concerns about unchecked bandit activity in border regions and the vulnerability of rural communities to coordinated attacks.
The Events of the Attack
According to accounts gathered from community members and security authorities, the attackers struck in two coordinated operations on the same day.
The first incident unfolded inside a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church during a special service. Witnesses say the attackers stormed the building, shooting indiscriminately. “The gunmen came into the church while people were gathered. They started shooting, and three people died immediately,” an eyewitness recounted. The assailants then rounded up several worshippers, including the pastor, and forced them into the bush. The exact number of abductees is still unknown.
Police later confirmed that two victims, identified as Mr. Aderemi and Mr. Tunde Asaba Ajayi, were found dead — one inside the church and the other in a nearby bush. A vigilante member, Segun Alaja, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to repel the attackers.
Shortly after the church invasion, the bandits launched another assault along the Ilorin–Kabba Road. A traveller caught in the chaos described the incident in a distressing voice recording:
“They came around 6:30 p.m. and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken… They are still shooting, you can hear it.”
Residents say Eruku has been under “perpetual attacks” for weeks, with community leader Mr. Benjamin Ayeoribe lamenting the lack of effective government response:
“We have begged the local and state governments for help, but nothing concrete has come. We are living in fear every day… We need federal help.”
Reactions
Public Reactions From X (formerly Twitter)
@Clems_Andy: “I watched this as though I was inside that church. Do you know the feeling of being attacked and surrounded by gun-wielding terrorists shooting sporadically? Do you know what it feels like to be completely defenseless in the face of death? Do you know what it means to surrender yourself entirely to the mercy of God?”
I watched this as though I was inside that church. Do you know the feeling of being attacked and surrounded by gun-wielding terrorists shooting sporadically? Do you know what it feels like to be completely defenseless in the face of death? Do you know what it means to surrender…
@lapnengyitbe: “Nigeria is burning — schools attacked, churches invaded, girls kidnapped, yet no national address, no urgency. But a state of emergency was declared in Rivers instantly over politics. If terrorists can shoot for 40 minutes and escape, but citizens get tracked for tweets, then the problem is not capacity… it’s priority. This government has failed.”
Nigeria is burning, schools attacked, churches invaded, girls kidnapped, yet no national address, no urgency. But a state of emergency was declared in Rivers instantly over politics. If terrorists can shoot for 40 minutes and escape, but citizens get tracked for tweets, then… pic.twitter.com/BHPzPFfvyS
These reactions reflect widespread national sentiment — fear, anger, and a growing distrust in the authorities’ capacity to protect citizens.
Security Measures Taken in Response to the Attack
In the immediate aftermath, security agents — including police operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters — launched coordinated search-and-rescue missions across border forests leading to Kogi State.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, officers from the Eruku Division “swiftly responded to gunshots,” forcing the attackers to flee into the bush. Joint operations have since been expanded, with patrols stationed along the Ilorin–Kabba Road to prevent further ambushes.
Community security groups, although overwhelmed, continue to support rescue efforts by setting up night patrols and deploying local trackers. Border surveillance has also been strengthened, and intelligence sharing with neighbouring state commands is reportedly underway.
Despite these steps, residents insist that the measures are insufficient without federal reinforcement, especially as attacks have persisted for weeks despite multiple distress calls.
What the Government Is Saying
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack and stated that investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators and rescue the abducted victims. In a statement, Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo commended the “swift response” of security teams and assured residents that operations will continue “until these hoodlums are totally decimated.”
However, neither the state government nor federal authorities have issued a comprehensive public address detailing long-term intervention plans. This silence has intensified nationwide criticism, with many questioning the government’s priorities amid rising insecurity.
For communities like Eruku, the immediate demand remains clear: urgent federal support, sustained patrol presence, and actionable strategies to prevent further loss of life.
In Nigeria’s Middle Belt, communities continue to grieve as waves of violence leave families devastated and the nation searching for answers. At the center of this advocacy is Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, a well-known cleric and humanitarian whose firsthand experience gives weight to the growing alarm.
In an exclusive conversation with LN247, he shares what he has witnessed, why he believes the international community must act, and what hope looks like for Christian communities struggling under relentless attacks.
He describes the compassion and strength he draws from his faith even as he recounts the suffering of people across multiple tribes. According to him, many victims of these attacks go unrecorded, and he believes what is unfolding is driven by “an Islamic agenda… They will kill us. They suppress us.” His words underscore the urgency of the crisis and the need to confront the growing threat facing Christian communities in the region.
Nigeria is once again grappling with the complex intersection of faith, law, and national identity as the debate over Sharia resurfaces amid renewed global scrutiny. With the United States recently designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” conversations around alleged Christian persecution, religious intolerance, and the role of Sharia in a secular democracy have intensified.
Incidents ranging from blasphemy trials to mob violence in parts of the North continue to raise difficult questions about how justice is applied and whether the system fuels division or simply reflects deeper political and social tensions.
Beyond the headlines, however, lies a broader concern: can Nigeria truly sustain unity when citizens operate under different legal systems shaped by religious doctrine? As religion increasingly influences politics and public perception, the debate over Sharia becomes more than a legal conversation, it becomes a test of coexistence and national cohesion.
Nigerian students studying overseas under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the prolonged delay of their stipends, saying many of them are facing severe hardship and dangerous living conditions in their host countries.
Dozens of affected scholars and their parents stormed the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Monday, demanding the immediate release of unpaid allowances. Arriving at the ministry gates around 10am, the protesters carried placards and chanted solidarity songs as they decried what they described as 11 months of government neglect.
The BEA programme supports Nigerian students studying in countries such as Russia, China, Hungary and Morocco. However, the beneficiaries say the situation has worsened since 2023. Their monthly stipend, which was originally $500, was slashed to $220 in 2024—an over 56% reduction—leaving many unable to feed, pay rent or meet basic needs.
The protesters said arrears for September to December 2023 remain unpaid, and that no allowance has been released for 2025, pushing many of the scholars into severe hardship. Their frustration was compounded by the recent death of one of the students, Bashir Malemi, who reportedly died from complications related to tuberculosis. Protesters said Malemi battled poor living conditions before his death and was due to graduate this year.
One of the students, Dalhatu Tijani, said the situation had become unbearable for many scholars who are now stranded abroad and facing embarrassment from landlords and foreign institutions. He explained that they had made several attempts to reach government officials, including the minister of education, the accountant general’s office and the Federal Scholarship Board, but received no solution.
He also noted that motions raised twice in the House of Representatives to address the crisis had not produced any tangible action.
The students are now appealing directly to President Tinubu to step in by ordering the ministries of finance and education, along with other relevant agencies, to clear all outstanding allowances. They also want their stipends restored to the original $500, which they describe as the minimum international standard for scholars studying abroad.
According to them, without urgent intervention, more students could be exposed to life-threatening conditions as they continue to struggle in countries where the cost of living is high and support systems are limited.
A violent clash broke out at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday, November 18, as rival factions fought for control of the party. The confrontation involved the Nyesom Wike-Samuel Anyanwu faction and members loyal to the newly elected national chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
The tension arose after both factions scheduled conflicting National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings. Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s group planned a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting for 11 a.m. and an NEC session for 2 p.m., while Turaki’s faction set its NEC meeting for 10 a.m. Anyanwu’s supporters arrived early, with a strong security escort by 7 a.m., stationing members at the main gate to block access.
When Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, along with Turaki, attempted to enter the NEC Hall, a confrontation ensued. Police deployed teargas to disperse the crowd, and the trio was briefly caught in the fumes. Makinde described the tense situation, saying, “We faced strong resistance from supporters at the gate. Police had to use teargas to restore order before we could gain access.”
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike arrived later and stayed in his car for over 30 minutes, observing the standoff. His arrival prompted the gate to be opened, allowing supporters to enter the secretariat.
Addressing reporters, Turaki, flanked by Governors Makinde and Mohammed, said, “Due to some incidents caused by those who are the enemies of progress, the enemies of democracy, we have decided to postpone this meeting till tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19.”
He added, “The PDP remains a peace-loving party committed to restoring harmony within its ranks and across the country.”
He also thanked the police for their protection, noting, “I informed the Commissioner of Police for the FCT that we were coming to hold our inaugural NWC meeting. Some fliers on social media were purporting NEC and BoT notices by people no longer in the party, but the Commissioner ensured our safe entry.”
Later, the police ordered all party members and supporters to vacate the secretariat to restore calm. The incident underscores the ongoing struggle for leadership within the PDP ahead of crucial party activities and the 2027 elections.
The UN Security Council has formally backed a set of proposals advanced by Donald Trump aimed at establishing long-term stability in Gaza, including the introduction of an international security mission and a potential pathway toward a Palestinian state.
The decision passed with 13 votes in favour, while China and Russia abstained. Speaking after the vote, the US representative, Mike Waltz, said the resolution marked “a new course in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians and all the people of the region alike”.
References to eventual Palestinian statehood were included in order to secure broad support from Arab and Muslim-majority nations, which are expected to play a central role in supplying troops for the proposed international stabilisation force (ISF).
Despite this, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated his government’s firm rejection of a Palestinian state shortly before the vote, casting uncertainty over how the approved measures might be implemented on the ground.
In response to the outcome, Hamas dismissed the plan as an externally imposed “international guardianship mechanism” and declared that it had no intention of relinquishing its weapons.
Supporters of the resolution argued that it should immediately open the way for remaining restrictions on humanitarian assistance to be removed, enable the formation of the ISF to take over security responsibilities following any Israeli military exit, and initiate rebuilding efforts — with a potential “pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood”.
The provision for Palestinian statehood was added later in negotiations, replacing an earlier draft that lacked such language. Even so, the phrasing remains cautious, noting only that once the Palestinian Authority undergoes reforms and reconstruction has begun, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
This fell short of the explicit commitments sought by Arab, Islamic and some European states. However, many representatives said they were willing to accept the compromise to preserve the current truce and swiftly address the urgent needs of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents.
“The transitional arrangements that we embark on today must be implemented in accordance with international law and respecting Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination,” James Kariuki, the UK chargé d’affaires said.
“We submitted what we considered essential amendments to ensure balance and integrity in the text. Some of those proposals were taken on board,” the Algerian envoy, Amar Bendjama, said.
“Algeria has finally decided to vote in favour of this text, a text that we support its core objective, namely the maintenance of the ceasefire and the creation of conditions enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their immeasurable rights to self-determination and statehood.”
Bendjama also highlighted the importance of the resolution’s annex, saying: “This resolution must be read in its entirety. Its annex is an integral part of it, and all parties must comply with it. It clearly affirms no annexation, no occupation, no forced displacement.”
Although Netanyahu was initially described as having accepted the wording during discussions with Washington, he reversed course after backlash from hardline members of his governing coalition. Over the weekend, he stated: “Our opposition to a Palestinian state on any territory has not changed.”
The resolution represents one of the few coordinated steps by the UN on Gaza after two years of strained diplomacy during which more than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed, alongside accusations of genocide raised by international investigators and rights organisations.
To secure abstentions rather than vetoes from Russia and China, the final text included broad, non-specific formulations that left numerous elements unresolved.
The plan grants overall supervisory authority to a “board of peace” chaired by Trump, though the composition of the board remains unclear. While the board must report to the UN, it is not bound by the organisation’s preferences or by the Palestinian Authority. The resolution also outlines the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to manage Gaza’s daily administration, though it is not yet known who might participate.
The ISF mandate empowers the force to disarm militant organisations, including Hamas, yet it remains uncertain whether any nation is prepared to contribute troops for such an undertaking. No country has publicly volunteered forces so far.
Hamas repeated after the vote that it had no intention of surrendering its weapons, raising the possibility of direct confrontation between the ISF and the group.
The reforms required of the Palestinian Authority — a prerequisite for movement toward Palestinian statehood — were also left undefined.
Diplomats from Europe stressed the urgency of identifying the members of the technocratic committee responsible for delivering essential services in Gaza.
Trump hailed the vote on social media as “a moment of true Historic proportion”, saying that “the members of the Board, and many more exciting announcements, will be made in the coming weeks.”
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