If you’re on the Graduate Route visa in the UK (or planning to switch), this is worth knowing. 🇬🇧
The Home Office has laid new immigration rule changes before Parliament.
One important update: from 3 August 2026, children born in the UK after a parent switches to the Graduate Route will have a clear route to apply as dependants, closing a previous legal gap.
If this affects your family, it’s worth reading the changes.
Link in the comments. 👇
KIDNAPPED STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN OYO STATE RESCUED FOLLOWING, SURGICAL INTENSE AND WELL COORDINATED OPERATIONS IN OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY
1. Following an intelligence-led carefully planned and executed operations, on 10 July 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, *Major General CR Nnebeife*, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) specifically the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC),the Defence Headquarters with Special Forces elements from the Nigerian Army, Navy the Air Force and the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies as well as local vigilantes/hunters/Amotekuns, in a well coordinated operation rescued a total of 44 pupils and teachers kidnapped by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on 15 May 2026.
2. The operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorists kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest, Oyo State.
3. As part of the operations, multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some States in the Country. These arrests completely disorganized the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to *unconditionally release* the pupils and teachers. Further operations are to be conducted.
4. It suffices to note that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damages and to equally ensure that the innocent children and teachers were safely rescued. However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces.
5. The pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government in due course so as to be reunited with their families.
6. The GOC 2 Division wish to on behalf of all the participating agencies most sincerely and respectfully thank and appreciate His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Strategic Guidance, Support and for all the provisions that made the operations a huge success.
7. The GOC also wishes to once again thank the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde and indeed the good people of the State for their continous support to security agencies especially during the trying period.
8. The GOC also appreciates the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Hon Minster of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and the Directors General DSS and NIA as well as Heads of other Security Agencies for their support and for the opportunity to relate directly with all the security agencies to ensure a seamless coordination and execution of the operations.
9. We sincerely thank the various media houses and indeed the entire Nigeria populace for their support, understanding and for having faith in the security architecture of the Nation. We urge all to remain vigilant and continue to support all security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would assist in the ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and properties across Nigeria.
DANJUMA JONAH DANJUMA
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director
2 Division Army Public Relations
10 July 2026
Is Lagos State for Everybody or Only a Selected Few?
Around 3:20 a.m. last night, our 7-month-old baby girl started crying with a very high fever. She had been running a temperature for the past two days, but it became worse during the night. When I checked with the thermometer, her temperature had risen to 38.5°C.
My wife and I were worried. It was raining heavily, and without a car, we didn't know how we would get her to the hospital.
We used a towel soaked in water to gently wipe her body and help reduce the fever while we waited for the rain to ease.
Then I remembered the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency-LASEMA number, 112. I called at about 4:07 a.m., hoping they could help. A lady answered and asked about the emergency. I explained that my 7-month-old baby had a high fever, it was raining heavily, and we couldn't get to the hospital. She could hear my baby crying in the background.
I asked if they could send an ambulance. She immediately took my address and a nearby landmark.
At about 4:27 a.m., I received another call from the Lagos Emergency Response Call Centre. The officer informed me that an ambulance had already been dispatched. He asked how the team could locate my house because it was still dark and there might not be anyone outside to direct them. I asked if I could send my live location, but he explained that he was calling from the control centre and was not with the ambulance team.
By 5:07 a.m., the rain had stopped. I received another call informing me that the ambulance was waiting at Checkpoint Bus Stop. My wife, our baby, and I quickly took a motorcycle there, and to my surprise, the ambulance was already waiting for us.
The medical personnel welcomed us into the ambulance and asked about our baby's condition. They asked which hospital we normally used. I mentioned the new Primary Health Centre at Ilepo, but explained that it does not operate 24 hours a day. They agreed and advised us that the best option was to take our baby to GeneralHospital Badagry where she could receive proper emergency care.
I believe the ambulance couldn't reach our house because of the heavy rain and the poor condition of the Ibiye–Checkpoint–Magbon road to our street. This is another reason why that road needs urgent attention from the Lagos State Government and the local government. Good roads save lives during emergencies.
One thing that amazed me was that the ambulance came all the way from Badagry General Hospital about 24 kilometres to Checkpoint Bus Stop just to respond to our emergency. Wow. Honestly we are still shock. I only see this happen in developed countries.
For that, I sincerely commend the Lagos State Emergency Response Team. They proved that the emergency service is working and that lives truly matter.
The journey to the hospital was smooth. The Lagos–Badagry Expressway from Agbara Junction to Badagry is now a modern six-lane road with no potholes. Credit goes to former President Muhammadu Buhari for starting the project, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for continuing it, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for ensuring the reconstruction around Badagry, including the road leading to the General Hospital. Good roads make emergency response faster and more effective.
At the hospital, we were asked to open a new patient file because records from the Primary Health Centre could not be accessed there. I believe Lagos State should work towards creating a unified electronic medical record system so that patients' records can be accessed at any government hospital. I no there is existing smart card, we have that with our Lagos health insurance but had expired. I'll renew it.
We paid ₦2,000 to open a new file. The doctor attended to our baby immediately and requested a Full Blood Count (FBC) test and a malaria test, which cost ₦8,000. We also bought the prescribed injections and medications from the hospital pharmacy for about ₦4,000.
On Tuesday, we welcomed 20 500-level College of Medicine, University of Lagos students to learn about adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health needs, preparing them to better serve in the health sector.
ABOUT DEBTS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES.
I work with many clients and review numerous bank statements, credit card bills, credit reports, and financial statements. I see that a lot of people are piling up credit card debt, taking meaningless loans, and buying simple things on credit.
I do ask them what they did with the money, but they can’t explain. Some are paying more than £600 in interest on all their credit cards per month. In a year, that is £7200 in interest alone.
Let me tell you how to become poor in the UK and the Western World at large. Banks and these credit card companies will usually offer you credit when you don’t really need it. They will offer you loans when you don’t need them. They offer you a credit card, and in an attempt to improve your credit rating, you start piling up debts, find it difficult to pay them off, pay the minimum monthly payment, and become a debtor.
The same thing applies to loans. The interest rate is usually lower than that of credit cards, but if you don’t have something specific to do with it, don’t take it, as it could plunge you into debt for many years. Many use credit cards to go on a week-long holiday, then pay off the debt over the next three years. That is not a holiday but an entrapment to become a debtor. A lot of marital problems and health problems are linked to debts.
It takes years to come out of the financial pit if you don’t become intentional. If you lose your job or your business struggles for a while, then you will be in trouble.
Do not waste your active and agile years paying debts while your financially intelligent friends are building a debt-free future. Remember, godliness with contentment is great gain. I hope this helps someone.
My name is Dele Olawanle. I am a coach. I think, write, and speak to improve lives. Share this post. Follow me for more insights and inspiration. #deleolawanlesnuggets
Are you in the diaspora? Renewing your Nigerian passport is now easier than ever. Swipe through for the updated step-by-step guide to the NIS Contactless Passport Application System. 🇳🇬