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By Victor Okoye Preparations have reached a fever pitch at Benford International School, Abuja, as students intensify training ahead of the school’s much-anticipated Inter-House Sports competition and the launch of its “Play, Swim and Grow” fund-raising campaign. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that for weeks, the school grounds have been transformed into a hub of energy and discipline, with pupils participating in rigorous rehearsals, selection heats, and practice sessions across a wide range of sporting activities. The event, scheduled for March 28, 2026, will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium beginning at 9:00 a.m., bringing together students, parents, alumni, staff, invited schools, youth organisations, and distinguished guests. Highlights of t...

Troops have killed scores of bandits in camps linked to notorious kingpin, Bello Turji during coordinated operations in Zamfara and Sokoto states. According to reports, the targeted hideouts are located in the Fakai community in Shinkafi and Isa Local Councils of Zamfara and Sokoto states, respectively. A military source said the success was recorded during a fierce gun battle as part of ongoing operations against banditry in the North-West region. He disclosed that the operation, led by the 8 Division Strike Force of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, began in the early hours of March 20, with troops advancing into Turji’s camp deep within the Kagara Forest. However, during the advance operation, two combat support vehicles developed mechanical faults near Maberaya village in Isa Loc...

A former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere, Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has been convicted and sentenced to 72 years imprisonment for fraud involving N868.46 million, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said on Monday. The commission in a post on its X handle, stated that Nwabuoku was prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on money laundering. “The former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku, who was prosecuted by the EFCC at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for money laundering involving N868.46 million, has been convicted and sentenced to jail for 72 years,” the statement read. Nwabuoku was appointed acting Accountant-General of the Federation in May 2022 following the suspension of A...

Prof. Yunusa Tayiru, has been appointed as the new substantive Chief Medical Director of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada Abuja to serve for the next four years.

The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the collision, and another 13 people, including 11 passengers and two first responders, were taken to the hospital with injuries. A plane carrying dozens of people collided with a fire truck late Sunday on a runway at New York’s LaGuardia airport, killing the pilot and co-pilot and forcing a halt to flights, authorities and US media reported. AFP pictures showed the heavily damaged nose and cockpit section of the Air Canada Express plane, which had arrived from Montreal, on the tarmac flanked by emergency vehicles with their lights flashing. The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the collision, US media including CNN and NBC reported. Another 13 people, including 11 passengers and two first responders, were taken to the hospital with injur...

By NAN Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Achimugu, Founder and President of the Sam Empowerment Foundation (SEF), has empowered over 100 widows through the Foundation’s Food Bank Initiative and provided food for more than 1,000 indigent residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mark the end of Ramadan and celebrate Sallah at Sauka Village. Speaking at the event, Dr. Achimugu stated that the Foundation used the occasion to spread joy during the Sallah celebration by empowering widows and providing food items to children and other underserved groups. She called on corporate organisations and governments at all levels to implement policies that will ensure food security for vulnerable Nigerians, noting that this is vital for national development. According to her, “The Sallah season...

Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has described the gas explosion which occurred this morning at Edibe-Edibe street in Calabar South, as shocking, even as he assured victims of immediate government intervention. The governor, who assessed the level of damage at the scene, lamented the scale of destruction caused by the explosion, noting that both lives and property were affected. “What I have seen here is shocking. It is a huge, huge damage,” Otu said. He expressed concern over the siting of such facilities within residential areas, stressing the need for stricter safety measures to prevent future occurrences. “I know very well this kind of facility should not be in a residential area, but unfortunately this one is here. I believe that steps must be taken to prevent thi...

Bandits on Sunday morning abducted eight worshippers from an ECWA church in Omugo, Oro-Ago community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. Three of the abductees were however rescued by joint security forces.The attack occurred hours after the Coordinator, Joint Security Watch, Kwara South Senatorial District, Zubair Olaitan, issued an alert warning of imminent attack on some communities in Ifelodun, Irepodun and Isin LGAs. The government also condemned the “cowardly” targeting of religious places under any guise. In a statement by Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, on Sunday, the Kwara State Government urged the security forces, forest guards, local vigilantes, and community members to continue to work together to end the menace. “While commendi...

Benford International School will hold its bi-annual Inter-House Sports competition alongside the official launch of the “Play, Swim and Grow” campaign aimed at raising funds for the development of new sports facilities, including modern playground equipment and the construction of a standard swimming pool. The event, scheduled for March 28, 2026, will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium beginning at 9:00 a.m. The programme is expected to bring together students, parents, alumni, staff, invited schools, youth organisations, and distinguished guests for a day of athletics, celebration, and community engagement. Highlights of the event will include a colourful march-past by the various houses, youth organisations and invited schools, as well as track and field com...

By Victor Okoye The Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA) has constituted new standing committees to strengthen football development in the state.A statement by Media and Communications Chairman, Ralph Chidozie George, said the decision followed an emergency virtual board meeting presided over by Chairman, Chikelue Iloenyosi.The committees include Organising and Competitions led by Victor Aniekwena, Finance by Ifejika Johnson, and Referees Appointment chaired by retired FIFA referee, Ijeoma Nwosu.Others are Technical headed by Donatus Ezeokafor, Women’s Football Development chaired by Cordelia Akanna, with Maureen Mmadu among members.Also inaugurated are Disciplinary chaired by Michael Mbaezue, Marketing/Sponsorship and Media/Communications led by Ralph Chidozie George.Players Sta...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council, Grace Ike, has restated her commitment to building trust, enhancing professionalism, and credibility in the media space. Ike stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the 2026 First Quarter Induction ceremony of new members into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Thursday in Abuja. NAN reports that Ike was among the 421 newly inducted members of the NIPR. “This moment marks not just a personal milestone, but it is a bridge between my roots, which is journalism, and me marching forward into the world of dynamic public relations. “Communication is all about the life of a society, building trust, c...

President Bola Tinubu has narrated how the United Kingdom became a safe haven for him during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.He also disclosed that his residence was once placed under police protection following threats from agents of the military regime.Tinubu spoke on Wednesday at a state banquet hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.The President said: “Your Majesty, I wish to express Nigeria’s deep gratitude to this great nation for the refuge and support it extended during the dark years of military dictatorship. “Like many Nigerians involved in the pro-democracy struggle, I found safety here, and I recall that my residence was placed under Metropolitan Police protection following threats from agents of the junta.” Tinubu described the experience as significant, not...

The Chairman of Nigeria’s electoral body, Joash Amupitan, has acknowledged a growing “trust deficit” between the commission and the public, urging the media to play a central role in restoring confidence as the country prepares for a critical round of elections. Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the INEC Press Corps in Abuja, Professor Amupitan emphasized the importance of accurate and transparent reporting in reshaping public perception of the electoral process. The meeting marked his first formal engagement with the specialized media group since succeeding Mahmood Yakubu in late 2025. The INEC chairman commended journalists for their continued engagement with the commission, describing the media as indispensable partners in strengthening democracy. He noted that skept...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has arrived in the United Kingdom.The president, accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is in the UK on a two-day historic State Visit on the invitation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. President Tinubu’s plane touched down at London Stansted Airport at 3.18 pm. He was received on behalf of the Royal Family by Mark Bevan, Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, as well as by the acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, Ambassador Mohammed Maidugu, and other senior officials. Also on hand to welcome the President to his hotel were some senators, governors and ministers. President Tinubu and his wife will be hosted at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19. The visit aims to strengthen bi...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested three suspected illegal gold miners in Borno State. They were arrested in Mallam Jakwa Town, Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, following actionable intelligence on their illegal activities.Operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate carried out the arrest. The suspects are: Umar Muhammad, Modu Bamai Umar and Sani Samaila. Their suspected illegal mining activities are worsening insecurity and environmental degradation in the state. Items found in their possession upon their arrest include a small gold measuring machine and mined gold. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) has expressed concern over the proposed Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Bill, urging its suspension pending wider stakeholder consultation. This is contained in a statement signed by the President of NSP, Dr Oyinlola Odusanya, made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja. Odusanya said that the bill contained provisions that could create regulatory overlap and conflict with existing laws governing physiotherapy and rehabilitation practice. “Section 8(1) grants sweeping authority to MDCN, potentially overriding existing laws and encroaching on the statutory functions of other regulatory bodies, including Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria(MRTB). “This provision risks creating legal conflicts, weakeni...

By Joan Nwagwu The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has decried the delay in the payment of February 2026 salaries to workers in federal universities across the country. The union made this known in a statement signed by its President, Mr Mohammad Ibrahim, on Thursday in Abuja. Ibrahim said the delay had caused hardship for its members and their families, worsening the financial pressure faced by many university workers. “This unfortunate delay has created serious financial strain for our members and their families across federal universities. “Staff who sustain the university system deserve timely remuneration for their services, especially during the Ramadan and Lenten fasting periods,” he said. According to him, the situation is gradually ...

Pursuant to Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Act CAP N114 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria LFN 2004, Byelaw No. 2, section 4, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has been invested as a Patron. Conducting the investiture at the Exco Chambers of the Governor's office in Calabar, Tuesday, the Chairman of the NIPR Governing Council and National President, Dr Ike Neliaku, said his team was in the state to celebrate not only a good man but, one that values humanity and tries to add more value to it. Neliaku extolled the achievements of the new Patron in the state especially for embarking on what he termed as "projects with economic value," in education, roads, infrastructure among others. Continuing, the NIPR President averred that, "we are delighted to perform this ...

By Victor Okoye The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has commenced an appeal against FIFA’s decision rejecting its petition on DR Congo players’ eligibility in the 2026 World Cup Playoff. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NFF had earlier petitioned FIFA, citing alleged irregularities in passport issuance involving some DR Congo players fielded during the playoff. The match, played in Rabat, Morocco, ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time, with DR Congo securing victory via sudden-death penalties in the African Playoff final. FIFA has rejected Nigeria’s appeal, according to an official communication sent to the NFF and confirmed by the federation on Tuesday in Abuja. NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi told NAN that the federation was dissatisfied ...