International
Zuriel Oduwole, 22, Makes History as Youngest Nobel Prize Nominee
The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce the 2025 laureate later this year.
▪︎Zuriel Oduwole
Zuriel Oduwole, 22, an advocate for peace, education, and gender equality, has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Oduwole has actively engaged in global diplomatic efforts, influencing discussions on education and peace, working to create opportunities for marginalized communities, and promoting meaningful change.
Her nomination recognizes her efforts and reflects Nigeria’s growing influence on the global stage.
Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, Oduwole has engaged with over 35 world leaders, including presidents and prime ministers, to discuss policy and development issues.
Her efforts focus on improving education access for marginalized communities and promoting systemic change.
At 13, Oduwole mediated a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, meeting with the then-President David Granger at the United Nations to emphasize the importance of peaceful dialogue.
In 2020, she consulted with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on global peace strategies during the Arab blockade of Qatar, which concluded peacefully in 2021.
Her advocacy for education, which she views as fundamental to both development and stability, has been central to her mission from an early age.
In 2017, at just 14, she met with then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department to push for ‘reward-based’ education programs in developing nations, particularly to improve school retention for girls.
This engagement with U.S. leadership reinforced her global efforts to promote education as a driver of peace and opportunity.
In 2022, Oduwole received the 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Leadership Award in New York, recognizing her decade-long mediation efforts and advocacy for gender parity.
Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, Oduwole has engaged with over 35 world leaders, including presidents and prime ministers, to discuss policy and development issues.
Her involvement was instrumental in ending child marriage in Mozambique in 2019, following discussions with President Filipe Nyusi.
Oduwole’s commitment to education began at nine when she observed young girls in Accra selling goods instead of attending school.
This experience inspired her to use documentary filmmaking to raise awareness about educational barriers.
In 2013, she founded “Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up” (DUSUSU) to empower youth, especially girls, to advocate for education and leadership opportunities.
The initiative has reached young people across Africa and the Caribbean, providing tools to promote gender equality.
Upon learning of her Nobel Peace Prize nomination, Oduwole expressed humility and surprise. “I have never sought recognition, only to speak up where it’s needed.
“This honor reflects the urgent need to invest in young voices as agents of change,” she said.
The Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world’s most esteemed honors, acknowledges individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to peace and human rights.
Past recipients include Nelson Mandela, former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama, Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai, and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce the 2025 laureate later this year.
Regardless of the outcome, Oduwole’s nomination underscores the growing impact of youth advocacy in global policy and sustainable peace efforts.
The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office on Friday released video footage of the man suspected of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk fleeing a rooftop after the incident on September 10, 2025.
The bureau, in a statement accompanied by the video link shared on X on Friday, noted that the video shows the shooter climbing onto a rooftop shortly before the attack and then jumping off and fleeing the scene after firing the fatal shots.
Investigators also reportedly found the weapon and ammunition used in the shooting in a wooded area near the university.
The agency wrote, “The FBI has released a video and more photos of the shooter in the Utah Valley shooting. The subject is seen jumping from the rooftop of a building after the shooting.
“Around 12 pm Mountain Time on September 10, 2025, the subject climbed up to a rooftop; after he shot and killed Charlie Kirk, he jumped off and ran away. He left a gun and ammunition in a wooded area near the university.
“Trace evidence collected from the rooftop scene included shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print. Anyone with information in this case should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting.”
The bureau added that it is working closely with law enforcement partners to seek justice in the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Credit: X| FBISaltLakeCity
Burkina Faso’s military government has eliminated visa fees for all African nationals, aiming to strengthen Pan-African ties and promote regional integration.
The announcement was made Thursday by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana following a cabinet meeting led by junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Sana said. However, visitors must still complete an online application, subject to approval.
The move aligns Burkina Faso with other African nations like Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which support the African Union’s free movement agenda.
While West African nationals had already enjoyed visa-free access under ECOWAS, the new policy extends this to all Africans—months after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger exited the bloc, accusing it of advancing Western interests.
Officials say the visa waiver reflects Burkina Faso’s Pan-Africanist vision and is expected to boost tourism, cultural exchange, and the country’s global profile.
The decision comes amid ongoing security challenges, as the country continues to battle a growing Islamist insurgency controlling parts of its territory.
International
Trump vows to hunts down killers of Charlie Kirk, global leaders react
Kirk, a powerful voice in conservative politics at just 31 years old, was shot dead during an event at Utah Valley University in Utah, Wednesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump says :”My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it.”
Trump said on a video posted to his Truth Social website hours after Kirk’s murder, hailing Kirk as a “martyr for truth,described the atrocity as a “Dark moment for America.”
Other world leaders strongly condemned the politically-motivated murder of right-wing activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a powerful voice in conservative politics at just 31 years old, was shot dead during an event at Utah Valley University in Utah, Wednesday.
Here’s how world leaders reacted to his death:
“No justification’ – Canada
“I am appalled by the murder of Charlie Kirk. There is no justification for political violence and every act of it threatens democracy,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on X.
‘Must be free to debate’ – Britain
“We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear — there can be no justification for political violence,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X.
‘Deep wound for democracy’ – Italy
An atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom. My condolences to his family, to his loved ones, and to the American conservative community,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X.‘
Murdered for speaking truth’ – Israel
“Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom. A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization,” wrote Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X.
“I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place.”
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