T he Nigerian military has carried out air strikes on a hideout of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Jilli, Borno State, killing several terrorists and destroying their vehicles. The strike was carried out after intelligence reports indicated that the area was a convergence point for ISWAP fighters and their collaborators. The military had been monitoring the area following recent attacks in the region, including an IED incident in January that killed eight soldiers and coordinated attacks on April 9 in Ngamdu and Benisheik. "The military carried out a rigorous targeting process before executing the air strikes," a statement said. "Post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, resulting in the destruction of the identified terrorist logistics enclave." The military said those targeted were preparing logistics for planned attacks on troop locations in Gubio axis. A suspected logistics courier, Turja Bulu, was arr...

  R ising Nigerian rapper  Okwudili Onyeka Okoli , professionally known as ' 6uff' or ' 6uffzaddy', has shared the shocking story of his family's financial downfall after his father's death. In an interview on the 'Off the Record podcast', 6uff revealed that his father's ₦3 billion oil business empire was left in shambles, plunging his family into poverty. "We lost everything," 6uff said. "We were forced to sell all our properties just to survive." The rapper described years of hardship, relying on credit, and struggling to make ends meet. Despite his current success, 6uff said many still think he was born into wealth. "People find it hard to believe because they only see the version of me that is successful now," he said. 6uff's mother is reportedly unsupportive of his music career, leading him to hide a tattoo of his late father on his arm. "Even though I provide for the family, she still tells me that one day...

T he United States has commended Nigeria for securing 386 convictions in terrorism-related cases, calling it a significant step towards justice and accountability. Massad Boulosin, US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, praised Nigeria's efforts to fast-track terrorism trials in a statement shared on X on Sunday. "We welcome the convictions of 386 Islamist militants in cases that had previously faced significant delays in courts, and we recognize this as an important step toward accountability and justice," Boulosin said. He added, "We believe that timely and transparent legal processes are critical in confronting extremism and reinforcing public trust in judicial institutions." Boulosin further stated, "Upholding the rule of law remains essential to ensuring the safety, stability, and long-term security of all Nigerians, and we support continued efforts to strengthen judicial efficiency and fairness across the country." The US official lauded...

  T he Lagos State Government has launched an urgent awareness and prevention campaign to combat the rising cases of Lassa fever across Nigeria. The outbreak has claimed 167 lives and infected over 660 people between January and mid-March 2026, making it one of the most severe outbreaks in recent years. Lassa fever, a highly contagious viral disease transmitted from rodents to humans and between people, has spread to 22 states and 93 local government areas. The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, warns that the situation is a "serious national health concern" and calls for coordinated action to contain the outbreak. The disease has already claimed the lives of three doctors, with 38 medical personnel infected. Abayomi stresses the need for strict adherence to infection prevention protocols and heightened vigilance across health facilities. Lagos, a densely populated commercial hub, is at significant risk of rapid transmission if containment measures fail. The state h...

S tefano Gabbana, The co-founder of popular Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana (D&G), has resigned as chairman, effective January 1, 2026. The company announced the move as part of a natural evolution of its organizational structure and governance. Gabbana, who co-founded the brand with Domenico Dolce in 1985, will continue to oversee creative activities. Alfonso Dolce, Domenico's brother and D&G's chief executive, has taken over as chairman. The resignation comes amid reports of debt negotiations with lenders, with Gabbana considering options for his 40% stake in the company. Source: The Guardian UK  

  T he Federal Government has taken a significant step to enhance aviation security and improve revenue generation with the signing of a concession agreement for the deployment of a contactless biometric passenger verification system, known as VPASS, across Nigeria's domestic airports. The agreement was signed by Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, following approvals from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Federal Executive Council. The VPASS initiative aims to address discrepancies in passenger data and unauthorized boarding practices by ensuring that all domestic flight passengers are properly identified. The system will help eliminate inconsistencies in airline records and close gaps in Standard Identification Procedures. According to Minister Keyamo, the implementation of VPASS is part of efforts to strengthen aviation security, enhance data integrity, and improve revenue genera...

BY EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ‎L ast week, I came across a video on social media in which the creator asked his audience why women are mostly featured in beauty product advertisements, and men are used to promote items such as medications and painkillers. I do not recall the creator's name or know the exact purpose of the video, but it reminded me of a memorable lecture by my advertising lecturer, Mr. Sotayo-Aro. ‎On that day, the advertising lecture, which was centered on 'advertising appeals', ran beyond its scheduled time. This experience provided me with the knowledge to explain the reasons behind traditional gender roles in advertising. Although advertising firms are now breaking these stereotypes by featuring men in beauty product ads and women in promotions for more serious products and services, this is because these ads are designed to resonate with societal expectations and target modern consumers. ‎In Africa, Nigeria to be specific, women have traditionally been a...

  T he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied reports that it has introduced a new N5,000 banknote featuring President Bola Tinubu. The claim, which has gone viral on social media, shows an image of a supposed new currency design. In a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the CBN described the image as fake, warning the public to be cautious. This is not the first time such a claim has been made; in 2025, the CBN also debunked similar reports about introducing N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes to ease cash transactions. The apex bank has urged Nigerians to disregard the circulating image and await official announcements on currency matters. Source: Central Bank Of Nigeria  

  T he Super Eagles of Nigeria will kick off their 2026 Unity Cup campaign against Zimbabwe's Warriors on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Valley Stadium, home of Charlton Athletic. This eagerly-awaited encounter is a rematch of their intense 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, where the teams played out thrilling 1-1 draws in both legs. The Valley Stadium will witness a pulsating clash as the Super Eagles and Warriors look to outdo each other on neutral turf, with memories of their hard-fought qualifiers still fresh in their minds. Other exciting matchups in the tournament include Jamaica taking on India in the semi-finals, promising an electrifying atmosphere both on and off the pitch. The third-place play-off and the final will be held at the Valley Stadium on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Nigeria, the defending champions, won the last edition of the tournament, edging past Jamaica 5-4 in a thrilling encounter. The Super Eagles will also face Poland and Portugal in friendlies in June...

  C ovenant University has finally broken its silence over the death of student Toluwase Jesutunmise Emmanuel, attributing it to an undisclosed heart condition. In an official statement, the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy A. Anake, revealed that the 400-level student died on April 6, 2026, while participating in a football training session. According to the statement, Toluwase, described as a "diligent and vibrant student," stepped out of the game voluntarily, complaining of leg pains and tiredness. The statement explained that when his teammates noticed he was struggling to breathe, they rushed him to the university's Medical Centre, located opposite the field. Although he had stopped breathing by the time he arrived, medical personnel immediately performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in a bid to revive him, but unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful. The university attributed the dea...

A recent incident at Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, has raised questions about the university's medical facilities and response. A 500-level Building Technology student, Tunmise, allegedly died at the university's medical center, rising concerns among students and netizens. According to accounts, the deceased was playing in the Chancellor's Cup football match when he felt unwell and was taken to the medical center. He was pronounced dead shortly after. However, this particular incident drew comparisons to previous tragedies that occured in the university, including a 2017 incident where a student died after a pool accident and another in June 2022 where a student was struck by lightning. The university has not yet issued an official statement regarding Tunmise's death or the circumstances surrounding it, or any member of the deceased family rising awareness. Claims circulating on social media about the incident and the university's response are unverified at th...

  I n a recent video, Nigerian musician Seun Kuti has come out in support of activist Omoyele Sowore, despite Sowore's personal controversies. Kuti argues that Sowore's mistakes shouldn't overshadow his work as an activist. Kuti uses his late father, legendary musician Fela Kuti, as an example. He acknowledges Fela's imperfections, including his multiple marriages and lifestyle choices, but says these don't define his overall positive impact. Addressing rumors about HIV/AIDS in his family, Seun Kuti frames Fela's lifestyle as a choice for freedom and honesty, rather than a moral failing. He claims Fela allowed his wives to have relationships with other men, as long as they didn't bring them home. Kuti urges people to focus on the bigger picture, saying activists like Sowore should be judged on their overall mission, not personal mistakes. He contrasts this with the current government, which he accuses of being "on the side of death". In his words: ...

  T he Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has initiated an investigation into a suspected data breach involving Remita Payment Services Ltd, Sterling Bank, and other entities. According to a statement released on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Commission served a Notice of Investigation on the involved parties on April 1, marking the beginning of a thorough inquiry. The probe focuses on determining the extent of the incident, categories of personal data affected, and potential risks to data subjects. The Commission's Head of Legal, Enforcement, and Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, confirmed that relevant parties are cooperating and providing necessary information. NDPC's National Commissioner and CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has directed a broader review of organizations deploying digital payment systems to ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023. Entities lacking adequate data protection measures will face scrutiny. The investigation aims to ensure organ...

O n Saturday, March 4th, 2026, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) debunked a circulating statement that the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has been postponed, labelling it "false and malicious". The board, in the released statement, urged candidates to ignore the fake update, assuring that all 2026 UTME activities are going ahead as scheduled. "The public, especially candidates, should know the press release is fake and didn't come from us. Please ignore it. All 2026 UTME activities continue as planned," the statement reads. This follows after there were technical issues during the 2026 UTME Mock exam on March 28 at some Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres. The board noted over 20 CBT centres with technical problems were "delisted due to inadequacies". The 2026 UTME is set for April 16 to 25, 2026. JAMB cautioned candidates against dealing with fraudsters, especially on WhatsApp, claiming to inflate sc...

  H ighlife music is a genre that has been harmonizing culture and beats in Nigeria and across Africa for decades. In this interview, Nigerian highlife singer CHIBUIKE JOHNPAUL ANEKWE , best known by his stage name " PROFESSOR ONYE EGWU ", shares his journey, influences, and vision for Igbo highlife. As a visual artist, he brings a unique perspective to the genre, drawing inspiration from Igbo highlife legends. He also discusses his collaboration plans and reveals his plans to introduce Igbo highlife to new audiences. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts. 1. Can you share a bit about yourself, and when did your love for highlife start? My full name is Chibuike Johnpaul Anekwe, though I am more widely recognized by my stage name, Professor Onye Egwu. Apart from music, I am a visual artist. I guess I was born with music, because I started playing as early as when I was in Primary School. I would always assemble all sorts of tins like in typical drums set up and play to my delight....