The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, a suspected drug kingpin who had been on the run for more than two years following the seizure of 49.7 kilogrammes of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Ibewuike, 52, was arrested at the airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on September 2, 2026, following actionable intelligence and coordinated efforts between the NDLEA and INTERPOL authorities in Nigeria and Benin. He was subsequently handed over to NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou on September 4 and brought back to Nigeria to face prosecution…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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The Ogun State Government has released N6.75 billion for the payment of gratuity and Additional Pension Benefits (APB) to retirees in the state. The Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Saka disclosed this in a statement on Friday, 11 September, 2026, saying the release was part of the government’s continued efforts to address outstanding pension obligations and improve the welfare of retired workers. According to him, N2.751 billion was released to pay gratuity to 432 beneficiaries, while another N4 billion was released for the payment of Additional Pension Benefits to eligible retirees from July 2025 to date. Saka said the government…
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has fulfilled her ₦10 million education pledge to 12-year-old Ogun State artist, Master Morenikeji Ebunoluwa Joshua, less than a month after being impressed by his artistic talent. The ₦10 million Education Development Trust Fund, presented to Joshua through the Ogun State Government, is to support his education through the tertiary level. The First Lady had announced the pledge on August 18 after spotting Joshua displaying a portrait he had painted of her at the launch of the South-West Zonal National Food Bank Programme at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. Impressed by the quality of…
The United Kingdom Government has strengthened its investment in Nigeria’s human capital development by awarding prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to 68 Nigerians for postgraduate studies in the UK. The beneficiaries, selected through highly competitive processes, will undertake master’s and PhD programmes across a broad range of disciplines during the 2026 academic session, with pre-departure ceremonies held in Abuja and Lagos to honour the scholars. Of the 68 Nigerians selected, 12 secured the Chevening Scholarship, while 56 have so far been awarded Commonwealth Scholarships. Speaking at the pre-departure reception in Abuja, the Chargée d’Affaires of the British High Commission in…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The Federal Ministry of Education has disclosed that security agencies have deployed heightened vigilance around Federal Unity Colleges nationwide, ahead of the resumption of academic activities on Monday, 14 September, 2026. This was disclosed in a press release signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, on Friday, 11 September, 2026. According to the statement, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, revealed that relevant security agencies had been duly informed of the resumption arrangements and were maintaining increased surveillance around the colleges and their immediate environments, as part of coordinated efforts…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent President Bola Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India, as Nigeria moves to deepen bilateral ties, expand economic cooperation and advance its strategic interests with key international partners. This was disclosed in a State House press release signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, on Friday, 11 September, 2026. According to the statement, world leaders are converging on New Delhi for the summit scheduled for the weekend at Bharat Mandapam, with India’s 2026…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola Senator Shehu Sani has questioned why international election monitors do not observe and publish reports on elections held in the United States, wondering whether it is only African elections that should be subjected to such scrutiny. Sani raised the question in a post on his official X handle, @ShehuSani, on Thursday, 10 September, 2026, a post that had generated over 955 comments, 236 reposts and 740 likes as of the time of filing this report. “I have never heard of International election monitors monitoring elections in the US, and making public their reports on the credibility…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has urged Nigerians to cherish their parents while they are still alive, as she marked the remembrance of her late mother with an emotional tribute celebrating her strength, faith and character. Dikeh made the appeal in a post shared on her Instagram page, describing the day as one of the most painful days of her life, even as she chose to celebrate her mother’s life rather than dwell on the grief of her death. “Today happens to be one of the most painful days of my life. Yet, stepping into God’s grace…
By Adetutu Audu Content creator, Mummy Wa, has claimed that a large number of women in Nigeria’s entertainment industry engage in prostitution, questioning how some female celebrities and entertainers without visible businesses or known sources of income are able to sustain expensive lifestyles. She made the claim during a recent conversation involving other content creators and entertainment industry commentators, where the topic of women’s financial independence in the entertainment space came under discussion. Responding to her claim, one of the guests present argued that some women receive financial support from wealthy men because of their looks, popularity or relationships, but…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and officials to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by the country, citing persistent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in the former apartheid nation. The resolution was disclosed in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, following consultations between the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives. According to the statement, the decision came amid months of attacks and destruction of property targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa, with the Minister of State…