Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has said the reason behind turning down Galatasaray’s iconic No. 9 shirt, choosing instead to retain his familiar No. 45 jersey ahead of the 2026/27 season. The Nigeria international, who completed a permanent move to the Turkish champions last summer after a successful loan spell, has quickly established himself as one of the club’s most influential players. His impressive performances had fuelled speculation that he would inherit the famous No. 9 shirt, previously worn by Mauro Icardi. However, Osimhen has continued to wear the No. 45 jersey throughout Galatasaray’s pre-season preparations. Explaining his decision, the…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to make dedicated budgetary provisions for cybersecurity as part of efforts to strengthen the resilience of Nigeria’s communications infrastructure against the growing wave of cyber threats. The directive forms part of the Commission’s Cyber Resilience Framework for the Nigerian Communications Sector (CRF-NCS), which introduces new governance, risk management and operational requirements aimed at safeguarding the country’s critical telecommunications infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Under the framework, all licensed telecom operators are expected to establish formal cybersecurity governance structures, dedicate adequate financial resources to cyber resilience programmes, and integrate cybersecurity into their…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that bold economic reforms implemented over the past 34 months have laid a solid foundation for Nigeria’s next phase of economic growth by promoting financial stability, inclusive growth and job creation aimed at reducing poverty. Speaking at the CBN Fair held in Bauchi on Thursday with the theme, “Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth and Accelerated Economic Development,” the acting director of corporate communications and investor relations, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, said the reforms are already yielding positive results across key sectors of the economy. Represented by deputy…

File: President Bola Tinubu President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately return to court and vacate the order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government. The President said the directive was necessary to protect public confidence in the democratic process, noting that the state was only days away from its governorship election. Tinubu, in a statement issued by the State House on Thursday, said he was not opposed to the EFCC’s exercise of its statutory powers but expressed concern over the timing of the action. “It has come to my notice that the…

Closures schedule will cover dates between August and December 2026. The US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos have released the holiday dates affecting consular and public services from August to December. The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos have announced eight remaining closure dates for 2026, affecting consular and routine public services during Nigerian and American holidays. The US missions in Nigeria closures schedule covers dates between August and December, with both diplomatic offices advising visitors, visa applicants and individuals seeking consular services to plan ahead. According to the holiday calendar published…

File: EFCC The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has defended the legality of its restriction on an Osun State Government account, supporting with specific provisions of the law. The commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, said the action did not require a prior court order, contrary to claims by the state government and the Nigerian Bar Association. Uwujaren, who spoke in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday, explained that the commission moved against the account after noticing suspicious activities over the preceding week. “As we indicated in the statement released by the Commission, we took that step to…

File: Education minister, Tunji Alausa Plans to certify millions of skilled artisans through the Recognition of Prior Learning framework. The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Board for Technical Education after more than five years without one. It also rolled out a fresh reform agenda aimed at repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training as a key driver of industrialisation, job creation and economic growth. At the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, charged the board to fast-track reforms that would align technical education with industry needs, modernise curricula, certify…

The wanted ISWAP leaders. [Credit: Nigerian Army] The Nigerian Army has placed a combined N60m bounty on two top leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province, including the group’s governor, Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, and his deputy, Muhammad Jidda, after declaring them wanted over their alleged involvement in terrorist activities in the Lake Chad Basin. Their identities were uncovered through forensic analysis of technical devices recovered during a recent military offensive against the terrorist group in the Lake Chad region. The Acting Military Information Officer, Northeast Joint Taskforce Operation Hadin Kai, Capt Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a…

According to fresh details emerging from the trial over the alleged 2025 coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, it was reported that several vehicles were acquired, likely linked to the alleged conspiracy. Military investigators have alleged that an Army officer accused of involvement in the 2025 coup plot purchased six vehicles worth ₦65 million during the period authorities believe preparations for the alleged operation were underway. The claim emerged from an extrajudicial statement made by Ahmed Abdulganiyu, Chief Executive Officer of Arun G Motors in Lokogoma, Abuja, who supplied details of the transaction to investigators. According to the statement, which…

* The attack is regarded as one of the deadliest in Kwara’s history claiming more than 200 lives. President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday welcomed the rescue of 308 persons abducted in separate attacks in Kwara and Niger states. Tinubu described the joint operation that freed them as the largest single-day rescue exercise ever carried out by security agencies and directed an immediate strengthening of early warning mechanisms to prevent future occurrences. A statement signed Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that 163 of those rescued were abducted from Woro Community in…