The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs worth an estimated N301.058 billion, sending a fresh warning to drug barons, traffickers and financiers that the agency will not only seize their consignments but pursue the financial networks sustaining their operations. The court-ordered destruction, conducted in Lagos on Monday, involved illicit drugs seized in concluded and uncontested cases as well as abandoned consignments. The exercise, carried out at Navy Town, Ojo, followed orders of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division. Of the total quantity destroyed, 246,864.535 kilogrammes was seized by the Lagos Strategic…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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The United Kingdom has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, while raising concerns over vote-buying, voter interference, accessibility for persons with disabilities and the elderly, as well as overcrowding linked to the limited and slow deployment of BVAS devices during the August 15 governorship election. The British High Commission, in a statement on Monday, 17 August, 2026, commended the people of Osun State for what it described as their peaceful and active participation in the election, while urging relevant institutions to learn from the shortcomings observed during the poll ahead of the 2027 general elections. The UK…
Nigeria has deployed a new nationwide reporting platform designed to track cases of violence against women from the point of reporting through investigation, prosecution and conviction, in a move aimed at strengthening accountability and access to justice for survivors. The platform, developed by the Federal Ministry of Justice with support from the EU Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme in Nigeria and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), is expected to address persistent gaps in case documentation, data coordination and justice-sector monitoring. The initiative was unveiled on Monday in Abuja during…
The European Union has released €2.3 million in emergency humanitarian funding to Nigeria and three other African countries to contain the spread of cholera, as the disease continues to pose a major public health threat across the continent. Nigeria is to receive the largest share of the intervention, €1.5 million, to strengthen its response to the outbreak, including the deployment of additional intervention teams, provision of cholera kits and intensified water, sanitation and hygiene measures. The European Commission announced the funding on Monday, 17 August, 2026, saying the money would also support epidemiological surveillance, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, improve case…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unveiled a $65,000 prize pool for the second edition of its Startup Awards, with about 60 entrepreneurs expected to compete for the top three positions. The competition, scheduled for September 28, 2026, is coming five years after the inaugural edition held in Niamey, Niger Republic, in 2021. The winner will receive $30,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive $20,000 and $15,000, respectively. However, ECOWAS said the programme would go beyond cash prizes, as all 60 shortlisted participants will undergo a masterclass designed to strengthen their entrepreneurial and business management…
By Wale Joseph President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON on Monday, 17 August, 2026, inaugurated the Federation’s newly-composed Fact-finding Committee on Nigeria Football Setbacks, urging the members to do a thorough job with sincerity of purpose and diligence. Following the senior women national team, Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, the NFF had on Friday last week set up a Fact-finding Committee to unravel the root cause of Nigeria’s dismal showing in international competitions of recent, with specific reference to the Falcons’ ouster. Gusau said: “You are to…
By Wale Joseph The Nigeria Curling Federation (NCF) has appointed renowned sports communications expert and award-winning sports journalist Phemmy Adetul as its Communications Director and member of the Federation’s Board The appointment was approved during the Federation’s board meeting held over the weekend as part of efforts to strengthen its strategic communication, enhance stakeholder engagement, and increase the visibility of curling in Nigeria. Announcing the appointment, the federation’s President, Damola Daniel, described Adetula as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished sports communication professionals whose experience and reputation will be invaluable to the Federation’s vision. “The Nigeria Curling Federation is entering a…
By Wale Joseph Interest in the 2nd Enugu City International Marathon is climbing steadily, with athletes from across Nigeria and abroad signing up in large numbers ahead of the August 29, 2026 race. The event, organized by Nilayo Sports Management with full support from the Enugu State Government, is being positioned as a major driver of sports development, youth participation, and tourism in the South-East. Mrs. Yetunde Olopade, CEO of Nilayo Sports Management, said the response so far has been beyond expectations. “I am really impressed with the registration turnout. Both local and international athletes and elite athletes have been…
Is Gusau the Main Problem? By Wale Joseph Nigerian football is at a crossroads, with standards and development in clear decline. Wale Joseph, Writes. The warning signs are everywhere. The Super Eagles have failed to qualify for back-to-back FIFA World Cups. The Super Falcons suffered a disappointing outing at the just-concluded WAFCON, and for the first time ever, failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Golden Eaglets have also missed the last two editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Even the National Under-20 Flying Eagles are not an exception in the decline. With results, this poor,…
By Akeem Busari The outcome of the Osun governorship election has been described as laudable and foremost, a victory for democracy and as well as, a powerful statement about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to democratic principles. Nigerians from all walks of life have have equally been commenting on it, contrary to widely held belief that the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, would do everything to influence the outcome of the elections. Speaking on the Osun governorhip elections and what it portends for the future of democracy in the country, the national coordinator of leading youth advocacy group, Young Professionals…