The self-styled deputy prime minister and chief of staff of the United States of Biafra (USB), Dr. Ngozi Orabueze, has shared an acknowledgement letter from the White House, complete with the autopen signature of US President Donald Trump.

Orabueze posted the letter on social media platform X on Tuesday. The letter has the template, imprimatur and wording of a ‘form letter’.

A form letter is a standardised, pre-written template used by government offices or organisations for mass communication. Informally called a ‘boilerplate’, it allows the same message to be sent to multiple recipients.

The correspondence, emblazoned with the White House letterhead, appreciated Orabueze for taking her time to write the president.

“Thank you for your letter. I appreciate you taking the time to share your views and concerns with me. Your thoughts are important, and I value the opportunity to hear from citizens like you,” it reads.

“As we work to make America great again, your input helps guide our efforts. For more information on my administration’s policies and priorities, please visit the White House website.

“Melania joins me in sending our best wishes to you and your family,” Trump wrote.

The House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, has acknowledged the need for improved funding for National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to enable it achieve its statutory responsibility of ensuring the protection of rights of citizens of Nigeria and other nationals living in the country.

The Committee therefore pledged to support the passage of the Commission’s 2026 proposed budget and commended its numerous achievements, especially  2025 budget performance, describing it as impactful despite significant fiscal constraints and a complex human rights landscape.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Peter Abiola Makinde, states these during the Commission’s 2025 budget defence and presentation of its 2026 appropriation proposal. He acknowledged that, amid rising human rights concerns, including challenges affecting freedom of religion and other fundamental freedoms, the Commission sustained measurable progress in fulfilling its statutory mandate.

Hon. Makinde particularly noted the Commission’s ability to maintain transparency and public engagement through its Human Rights Dashboard, which provides regular updates on complaints and interventions. He assured the NHRC of the National Assembly’s continued collaboration, emphasizing the legislature’s responsibility to strengthen institutions that safeguard citizens’ rights.

Presenting the Commission’s report, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, expressed appreciation for the Committee’s support, which he said enabled the NHRC to implement most of its planned programmes and interventions in 2025.

Dr. Ojukwu disclosed that the Commission recorded over 3.7 million complaints in 2025, reflecting both increased public trust and the growing demand for rights protection. He explained that the upward trend in complaints necessitates greater investment in complaint handling, investigation, and redress mechanisms in the coming year.

The Executive Secretary also underscored the importance of institutional independence in line with the Paris Principles, which require National Human Rights Institutions to operate autonomously. He revealed that the Commission constructed eight state offices since he assumed office to deepen access to justice at the sub national level and plans to build twenty four additional offices in 2026. He further highlighted the urgent need to expand and renovate the Commission’s headquarters, noting that staff strength has tripled since 2007.

For the 2026 fiscal year, the Executive Secretary presented a proposed budget of ₦20 billion, with 33.67 percent allocated to personnel and overhead costs, and 66.33 percent earmarked for capital expenditure, demonstrating a strategic focus on infrastructure, operational expansion, and improved service delivery.

In response, the Committee expressed its readiness to support the proposed budget, while urging the Commission to consolidate its gains and continue advancing the protection and promotion of human rights across Nigeria.

The engine of a Boeing 737-700 aircraft belonging to Arik Air exploded midair on Wednesday.

The plane was operating a scheduled flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt when the incident occured. The pilot then made an emergency landing at the Benin City Airport.

The aircraft suffered a major engine issue which according to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) caused a “significant damage” to the aircraft engine.

Confirming the incident the spokesman of Arik Air, Adebanjo Ola, in a statement said that the aircraft, with registration 5N-MJF, was operating flight W3 740 from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.

He said the crew heard a loud bang from the left engine while the aircraft was descending into Port Harcourt, prompting them to take precautionary action which led to the diversion of the aircraft to the nearest airfield.

“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt when the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine. As a precautionary measure, the crew made a safe diversion to Benin,” he said.

The statement also confirmed that all 80 passengers and crew members on board were safely evacuated after the aircraft landed in Benin, adding that no injuries were recorded

“There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked. Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.”

“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air.” the statement added.

Also, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, said the aircraft experienced an in-flight engine anomaly.

She said, “In accordance with established safety procedures, the flight crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to the nearest suitable airport, Benin.

“The aircraft landed without incident, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally. No injuries have been reported.”