Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Tinubu Approves Fresh Military Hardware to Strengthen Offensive Against InsurgentsPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the procurement of additional advanced military hardware to reinforce ongoing operations against insurgent groups following a strategic security review with top defence officials on Sunday. The approval was granted after a high-level meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs to assess the security situation across the country, particularly in the North-East and North-West where recent attacks on military formations have raised concerns within the defence establishment. Officials familiar with the deliberations said the meeting reviewed recent…

Manny Ita  – Allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Ayo Fayose secured strategic victories in several state congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday, signalling a significant shift in the internal balance of power within the opposition party. In Bayelsa State, a candidate backed by the Wike political camp emerged as the new state chairman following the party’s congress, consolidating the influence of the FCT minister in the South-South state where the PDP remains politically dominant. Party officials said the congress proceeded amid tight security and the participation of delegates drawn…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has released its preliminary report into a serious engine-related incident involving an aircraft operated by Arik Air during a domestic flight earlier this year. According to the report, the incident occurred on February 11, 2026, when a Boeing 737-700 aircraft operating a scheduled passenger service from Lagos to Port Harcourt experienced a major engine event while in flight. The bureau stated that the flight crew declared an emergency after noticing abnormal engine indications and subsequently diverted the aircraft to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure. Authorities confirmed that the aircraft landed safely…

Manny Ita  – Members of the UK Parliament have called on the British government to raise concerns about the security crisis and human rights situation in Nigeria during the upcoming visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom. The lawmakers, writing through the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief, sent a letter to the UK Development Minister, Jenny Chapman, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, urging the government to ensure that the issues of religious persecution, violent attacks on communities and widespread kidnappings are raised during talks between Tinubu and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. President Tinubu is expected…

Elegbede Abiodun Megastarmagazine reports that Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, produced a surprising second-half comeback to beat the Philippines 101–84 on Saturday, securing their second victory in three games at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon. The victory saw the African champions surpass the 100-point mark for the first time in seven years, ending a long wait for a century game on the international stage. Following a difficult outing against South Korea on Thursday, where they suffered a 77–60 defeat, Coach Rena Wakama’s side looked shaky in the opening half against the Philippines. The Asian team…

Manny Ita  – Economic analysts have warned that sustained disruptions in global oil supply chains could trigger higher energy prices, weaken exchange rates and worsen inflationary pressures in import-dependent economies such as Nigeria. The warning comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a region responsible for a significant share of the world’s crude oil production and export capacity. Analysts say any escalation of conflicts in the region could tighten global oil supply and lead to sharp volatility in international energy markets. Energy market observers note that global oil prices are highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, particularly conflicts affecting…

Manny Ita  – The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has announced that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise will resume across Lagos beginning Saturday, April 25, 2026, as part of efforts to improve environmental cleanliness and reduce flood risks in the state. The disclosure was made in a statement by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on X, where he informed residents about the planned return of the sanitation exercise. According to him, the initiative is designed to encourage collective responsibility among residents in maintaining a cleaner and healthier environment across the state. Wahab…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Nigeria national football team midfielder Henry Nwosu, one of the key members of the squad that won the country’s first continental title at the 1980 African Cup of Nations. He was 62. The former international died in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after spending several days in intensive care. The death was confirmed by former Nigerian international Segun Odegbami, who announced the development in an emotional message on social media, stating that Nwosu died around 4:00 a.m.…

Manny Ita  – Nationals of Nigeria and several other countries have been injured in the United Arab Emirates following an alleged attack launched from Iran, according to the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence. The ministry disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the country’s air defence systems intercepted multiple incoming threats during the incident. The development comes amid escalating hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have spread tensions across several Gulf states and resulted in civilian and military casualties. According to the defence authorities, UAE air defences engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 unmanned aerial vehicles…

Igbinedion Education Centre in Benin City has expelled several students after a viral video showed a student being assaulted and bullied inside a classroom. The disturbing footage, which circulated widely on social media, shows the victim being flogged, punched, kicked in the stomach and stamped on the head and ribs by fellow students. In a statement released on Friday night, the school’s management confirmed that the students responsible had been identified and expelled following an immediate internal investigation. The school described the incident as deeply disturbing and said the behaviour violated the institution’s values and standards. According to the statement,…