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Upperhill News is committed to promoting accurate information on African stories, issues relating to the Girl-child, gender-based violence, health, politics, sports as well as national and international events of public interest.

  • Kemi Badenoch: I don’t identify with Nigeria anymore, UK is now home

    The leader of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has declared she does not identify with Nigeria, her ancestral roots anymore.

    Speaking in an interview on the Rosebud podcast anchored by Gyles Brandreth on Friday, Badenoch spoke frankly about her Nigerian heritage and personal identity.

    She disclosed her decision not to renew her Nigerian passport since it expired in the early 2000s, just as she pointed out that she no longer feels emotionally connected to the country despite her ancestral roots.

    “I have not renewed my Nigerian passport. I think not since the early 2000s. I don’t identify with it [Nigeria] anymore; most of my life has been in the UK, and I’ve just never felt the need to,” she said.

    “When my dad died I had to get a visa to go to Nigeria. Because I’m Nigerian through ancestry, by birth despite not being born there because of my parents, but by identity I’m not really,”Badenoch said.

    She acknowledged her deep connection to Nigeria through family ties and interest in the country’s affairs but said the UK is now her home.

    “I know the country very well, I have a lot of family there, and I’m very interested in what happens there,” Badenoch said.

    “Home is where my now family is, and my now family is my children; it’s my husband and my brother and his children and in-laws. The Conservative Party is very much part of my family, my extended family, I call it.”

    Reflecting on her return to the UK when she was 16, Badenoch said her parents felt she had no future in Nigeria.

    “I think the reason that I came back here was actually a very sad one, and it was that my parents thought, ‘There is no future for you in this country,” she said.

  • DSS Officer Allegedly Defiles Under-age Girl In Benue

    A 12-year-old has been allegedly defiled by an officer of the Directorate of  Security Service (SSS) in his office in Benue State, Nigeria. 

    In a video shared on X on Friday, the minor told VeryDarkMan, in Abuja, that the errant DSS Official raped her on four occasions and threatened her not to tell anyone about it.

    The mother recounted that she usually sends her daughter to go grind around the DSS office where one of the officers called her and told her he liked her and wanted her to be his girlfriend.

    “He told my daughter to enter inside, remove her clothes and lie on the bed. She said the man then removed his clothes and told her to spread her legs, before penetrating her. She said when she got up, she saw one white thing on the bed,” the mother said.

    Corroborating her mother’s points, the victim, who was asked how many times the incident happened, responded by saying, “four”, noting that the officer “kept his gun inside the room.”


    Asked why she didn’t report to her mum after she was raped the first time, the girl said the officer warned her “not to tell her mother”, and that she was also scared of the gun.

    While disclosing how she found out, the mother said her daughter had done something that warranted discipline, but her husband’s sister who lives beside the DSS office and was at their house at the time, discouraged her from beating the child, just as she mentioned that there was something going on with the girl that she was unaware of.

    According to her, the sister-in-law confirmed she had once seen the girl entering the officer’s office while she was selling water near a borehole.

    She added that she initially didn’t want to mention the incident because she feared being sent back to the village, especially since the alleged culprit was a uniformed officer.

    The mother also stated that the matter was reported on July 16, 2025, to her brother-in-law’s wife, who is also an DSS officer. After hearing the details, she promised to escalate the case to a superior officer at the division.

    While her brother-in-law’s wife reported the matter, she asked her to take her daughter to a general hospital where doctors performed checks on the minor and confirmed that she had been deflowered.

    The mother also stated that she was asked to come to the DSS office with her daughter where they narrated the rape incident to the superior officers who promised to continue further investigation.

    While still at the premises after narrating the incident to the SSS authorities, the mother said the daughter directed them to the office of the errant officer who had been allegedly raping her.

  • Tinubu confers OON honour, gifts three bedroom apartments, N4.5bn to triumphant Super Falcons


    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours, cash gifts, and houses on the victorious Super Falcons, following their historic feat at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    In a grand reception held at the State House, Abuja, organised in recognition of their record 10th continental title, Tinubu, while receiving the players and coaching crew at the Villa, conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on each member of the victorious squad.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President said also approved the allocation of a three-bedroom apartment for each player and members of the coaching team.

    The President also announced monetary rewards, approving the Naira equivalent of $100,000 (approximately N153 million) for each player and $50,000 (N75.6 million), for each member of the coaching crew, totalling a whooping N4,503,600,000.

    “I hereby confer on the players, the 11 man technical team with national honours of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

    “Additionally, I have I directed the allocation of three bedroom apartments in the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.

    “Then there is the cash award of the Naira equivalent of $100,000 US dollars each 24 players and the naira equivalent of $50,000 to the 11-man technical crew.

    “You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable.

    “You have inspired me, too. And it’s great for a nation to have assets that are the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You represent that hope. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you, the next generation, and other generations after you,” Tinubu said amidst cheers from the jubilant team.

    The President recounted the emotional moments of the final match, emohasising how the team’s performance lifted the nation’s spirits and united Nigerians from all walks of life.

    “Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency.

    “Honestly, I didn’t want to watch the match. I didn’t want to have high blood pressure. But people came in and turned my TV on that channel. When it was 2-0, I got very offended and restless.

    “But I was still watching with the spirit of resilience, determination, and courage. And after that penalty, my strength was lifted, and I believe that of the nation was lifted too.

    “But you almost made me angrier because your mother (the First Lady) was in the kitchen, nearly abandoning my dinner.

    ”She doesn’t watch the game except when the girls are playing. And at the end of the final whistle, it was joy all over the country,” he stated.

    Assuring the team of his administration’s unflinching support and commitment to sports development,  the President pledged that the government would invest further in women’s football and youth talent development across the country.

    “Your story is a story of hope. And in this era of Renewed Hope, we celebrate you not just as champions of Africa, but as champions of the Nigerian dream,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Kwara Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, announced a collective gesture from the 36 state governors, pledging N10 million to each member of the team as a way of appreciating their historic 10th record win of the competition.

  • American smoky plane forced passengers evacuation after landing gear issue

    In a frantic scene caught on camera, passengers were forced to evacuate from an American Airlines aircraft about to take off from Denver International Airport due to an issue with the plane’s landing gear.

    The problem was reported as American Airlines Flight 3023 from Denver to Miami was still on the runway.

    The Denver Fire Department said it extinguished a fire after responding to the aircraft.

    All 173 passengers and six crew members on board the Boeing 737 Max 8 were safely removed from the aircraft.

    People could be seen exiting on an emergency slide before running away from the aircraft, as fire and smoke were observed under the plane.

    Five people were evaluated but were not transported for further treatment, while one person evaluated at the gate was transported for medical attention for a minor injury.

    The incident is the second involving a major airline since Friday, when Southwest flight 1496 from Burbank, California, to Las Vegas took a sudden nosedive to avoid a midair collision shortly after takeoff, causing passengers to fly out of their seats and into the ceiling.

    American Airlines confirmed the aircraft in Denver experienced a maintenance issue with a tire and that the plane was taken out of service to be inspected by a maintenance team.

    “American Airlines Flight 3023 experienced a mechanical issue on take-off roll at Denver International Airport (DEN),” the airline said in a statement to FOX Business. “All customers and crew deplaned safely, and the aircraft was taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team. We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for their experience.”

    The displaced passengers will depart for Miami on a replacement aircraft later Saturday, according to the airline.

    The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

    “American Airlines Flight 3023 reported a possible landing gear incident during departure from Denver International Airport around 2:45 p.m. local time Saturday, July 26,” the FAA said in a statement.

    “Passengers evacuated on the runway and are being transported to the terminal by bus.”

    According to FlightAware, about 90 flights at the airport had been delayed since 2 p.m.

    The airport issued a ground stop from 2 p.m. until about 3 p.m. for all incoming flights that had not left their departure airports. The airport’s operations have since resumed.

  • US.,EU reach trade deal, set 15% tariff

    The United States and the European Union agreed have reaached an agreemeent to a trade framework, setting a 15% tariff on most goods, thereby staving off — at least for now — far higher imports on both sides that might have sent shock waves through economies around the globe.

    This disclosure came after President Trump and European Commission Chief, Ursula von der Leyen, met briefly at Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland.

    The private meeting of the duo culminated months of bargaining, with the White House deadline Friday nearing for imposing punishing tariffs on the EU’s 27 member countries.

    “It was a very interesting negotiation. I think it’s going to be great for both parties,” Trump said.

    “The agreement,” he said, was “a good deal for everybody” and “a giant deal with lots of countries.”

    Trump said the EU had agreed to buy some $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and invest $600 billion more than it already is in America — as well as make a major military equipment purchase.

    He said tariffs “for automobiles and everything else will be a straight across tariff of 15%” and meant that U.S. exporters ”have the opening up of all of the European countries.”

    According to Von der Leyen, the deal will bring stability, it will bring predictability, that’s very important for our businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

    As with other recent tariff agreements that Trump announced with countries including Japan and the United Kingdom, some major details remain pending in this one.

    Von der Leyen said the 15% tariffs were “across the board, all inclusive” and that “indeed, basically the European market is open.”

    At a later news conference away from Turnberry, she said the $750 billion in additional U.S. energy purchases was actually over the next three years — and would help ease the dependence on natural gas from Russia among the bloc’s countries.

    “When the European Union and the United States work together as partners, the benefits are tangible,” Von der Leyen said, noting that the agreement “stabilized on a single, 15% tariff rate for the vast majority of EU exports” including cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
    15% is a clear ceiling,” she said.


    She also clarified that such a rate wouldn’t apply to everything, saying that both sides agreed on “zero for zero tariffs on a number of strategic products,” like all aircraft and component parts, certain chemicals, certain generic drugs, semiconductor equipment, some agricultural products, natural resources and critical raw materials.


    “And we will keep working to add more products to this list,” she said, while also stressing that the “framework means the figures we have just explained to the public, but, of course, details have to be sorted out. And that will happen over the next weeks.”

    It is unclear if alcohol will be included in that list.

    President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a warm hand shake after reaching  a trade deal at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland

  • Nigeria win 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after thrilling comeback against Morocco

    Nigeria staged a remarkable fightback from two goals down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 and win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

    It was a record-extending 10th triumph for Nigeria, confirming their status as the most successful women’s team in Africa.

    Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi led the fightback at Rabat’s Stade Olympique before substitute Jennifer Echegini swept home an 88th-minute winner.

    The Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak and winger Sanaa Mssoudy scored in the first half hour to see the home team take a surprise lead as they sought to become only the fourth country to take the continental title after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

    The Super Falcons pick up $1m in prize money – doubled since the last edition – and become the first side to lift the new-look Wafcon trophy.

    In Friday’s third-place playoff, Ghana defeated South Africa on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Casablanca. Nonhlanhla Mthandi’s fine strike from outside the penalty area put Banyana Banyana in front just before the break, but Ghana levelled in the 68th minute when a header from South Africa defender Alice Kusi deflected in off goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

    Linda Motlhalo was denied by Ghana keeper Cynthia Konlan late on, before Evelyn Badu hit the crossbar for the Black Queens in stoppage time. It was Konlan who made the difference in the shootout, saving two South Africa penalties as Ghana won 4-3. Victory over the defending champions earned Ghana their first top-three finish at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since 2016.

    Reuters

  • US,Canada might not reach trade deal before August 1 deadline, says Trump

    The United States President, Donald Trump has said that his country may end up not striking any trade deal with Canada, but could instead impose higher tarrifs on its close neighbour in the next one week.

    Trump had earlier sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney on July 10, threatening to hit Canada with 35 per cent tariffs on Aug. 1 if the two countries failed to reach a deal.

    Speaking with newsmen, Trump admitted the two countroes had not really made any progress on the deal, noting that, “We haven’t really had a lot of luck with Canada.

    “I think Canada could be one where there’s just a tariff, not really a negotiation,” he said, before departing on a trip to Scotland.

    It is the first time Trump has publicly spoken about the state of talks with Canada in nearly two weeks.

    The expected new rate would apply to Canadian exports currently being tariffed at 25 per cent, under Trump’s emergency powers, just as he cited the national security threat from fentanyl trafficking.

    As of now, most Canadian goods are exempt from that tariff, provided they meet the North American content rules of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

    Separately, Canadian steel and aluminium are facing a 50 per cent tariff that the U.S. has imposed on such imports from all countries, while the U.S. tariff on Canadian energy and potash is set at 10 per cent.


    “Aug. 1 is going to come and we will have most of our deals finished, if not all. We don’t have a deal with Canada; we haven’t been focused on them,” Trump said.


    Trump’s comments are the latest nail in  Canada’s prospects for a deal by the U.S. president’s deadline, with Carney and his government sending out plenty of signals they’re in no rush to sign an agreement.

    During a visit to Washington on Thursday, Canada’s top trade negotiators downplayed the likelihood they’ll get an agreement by Aug. 1.

    “We’re going to continue to work toward the Aug. 1 deadline,” said Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

    “But all of these deadlines are with the understanding that we’ll take the time necessary to get the best deal that we think is in the interest of the Canadian economy and Canadian workers.”

    Earlier this week, Carney had told a news conference that his objective is “not to reach a deal whatever it costs.”

  • Natasha drags Senate to court after blockade, blames Akpabio

    Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has vowed to drag the leadership of the Senate before the appellate court after she was barred from gaining access to the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.

    A visibly angry Akpoti-Uduaghan told journalists that she would consult her legal team immediately to kick-start the process, describing the blockade as a violation of the recent ruling which called for her reinstatement.

    The decision came after she was denied entry to the National Assembly, despite a court order that faulted her prolonged suspension.

    She also questioned the basis for her suspension in the first place, noting that, “Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent— it was faulty.”

    “Going forward, I will have a meeting with my legal team so they can proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation of what just happened. I am a law-abiding citizen.”

    Akpoti-Uduaghan also condemned the Senate’s actions, calling it an act of contempt of court by the Senate under its President, Godswill Akpabio.

    “Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution. I want Nigerians to know that the Office of the Senate President doesn’t give me legitimacy as a senator.

    “The fact that he has gone on appeal does not invalidate the decision of Justice Binta Nyako, and that does not stop me from being a senator.

    “I got my legitimacy as a senator from the people of Kogi, who voted me into office as senator.

    “That I have been denied entrance to the National Assembly is a statement being made. It’s on record that the National Assembly under Akpabio has decided to be in contempt of a court decision, and it’s quite ironic that they are lawmakers. That poses the question: how far is our democracy in this day and age?” the embattled senator said.

    The lawmaker had earlier stormed the National Assembly as her supporters converged on the entrance to await her arrival.

    There was also an unusual security build-up at the gate of the complex with stern-looking operatives searching cars and restricting visitors to the car park outside the parliament.

    No fewer than five police patrol vehicles were stationed at strategic areas at the entrance to the NASS complex.

    Akpoti-Uduaghan who later arrived in company of social activist and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, was denied access to the parliament by the security operatives.

    Yesufu, during the confrontation with security men, condemned the action, just as she described it as unconstitutional actions of the police.

    “One day you will be on the streets, as a retired person, begging the same people you oppressed to protest on your behalf.”

    “At this age, is this what you want to be doing? Is this the Nigeria you want for your children? You’re destroying the future of your own children,” she declared.

    The activist also accused the police of lacking the courage to disclose who ordered them to block access to the complex.

    “We respect the law, but that does not mean we are cowards. This is the National Assembly—it belongs to all Nigerians. You are blocking people and can’t even say who sent you. Are you proud of that?”

    She further slammed the police as “a shameless willing tool of oppression,” referencing a recent protest in support of police welfare that was ironically dispersed by police officers themselves.

  • Meet Some of the King Makers of Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland

    These are some of the Kingmakers

    1. The Ogbeni Oja is a renowned and successful Medical Doctor and Business Mogul, Olorogun Sunny Kuku.

    2. The Olisa is a fellow Chartered Accountant, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya FCA, ACMA.

    3. The Olotu Olowa is an astute businessman and developer, Otunba Lekan Osifeso, a man born with the proverbial silver spoon.

    4. The Olotu Ifore is the renowned banker and friend of Nasir El Rufai, Otunba Jimi Lawal. He established the defunct Alpha Merchant Bank when he was in his 30s in the 90s.

    5. The Lapo Ekun, Chief Tunde Odulaja, a British-born Nigerian businessman.

    6. The Balogun, the world renowned socialite, Chief Agboola Alausa, a UK trained Estate Valuer, who has been around like forever. Go and listen to Ebenezer Obey’s oldies.

    These people have the responsibility of choosing a worthy successor to the departed Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON Ogbagba II Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

  • US Tech CEO resigns after indiscreet affair viral video with HR officer

    The CEO of an American tech company, Andy Byron, has tendered his resignation after a video of him embracing an alleged colleague at a Coldplay concert went viral and fueled relentless memes.

    Following the viral video, the firm launched an investigation to establish the facts and assess the situation, just as it thereafter confirmed that Byron has tendered his resignation.”

    During a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Wednesday, the jumbotron zoomed in on a man and a woman embracing in the stands.

    But the canoodling pair appeared were shocked and horrified when they spotted themselves on the big screen, with the man ducking out of frame and the woman hiding her face.

    The belief that leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability and that the standard was not met in the viral video, the sentiment which was the shared by a New York-based Astronomer in a statement.

    Within hours, internet sleuths identified the man as Astronomer CEO, Andy Byron and the woman was the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, alleging that the two were having a not-so-discreet affair.

    The video has garnered millions of views on TikTok and other social media platforms, giving rise to memes discussing everything from the folly of having an affair at a Coldplay concert, to the hypocrisy of an HR representative seemingly caught in a workplace relationship.

    An X user said, “The craziest thing is about the Astronomer CEO cheating scandal is it was the HR lady. The person who would warn you against fraternizing with coworkers.”

    Furry mascots of the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball team joined the conversation by  recreating the scene for the jumbotron at a game after the video went viral.

    However, an apology statement attributed to Byron, which spread rapidly online has been regarded as fake given that it originated from a parody account.