Author: Editor

Nigeria spent N7.65tn on food and beverage imports in 2025, yet hunger and malnutrition continue to worsen, raising fresh concerns among nutrition and economic experts about the quality, affordability, and accessibility of food in the country. The experts, in exclusive interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, noted that local production and reduced food prices have not translated into better access to food for Nigerians, stating that low incomes and high unemployment continue to drive hunger, as many Nigerians lack the purchasing power to afford available food. They explained that structural and economic challenges, such as high production and processing costs, poor logistics,…

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has commended the Kano State Government for its efforts in improving the standard of education in the state. He noted that the government efforts have resulted in better performance by students in recent national examinations. Sanusi made the commendation when he paid the traditional Sallah homage to Governor Abba Yusuf at the Government House in Kano. The Emir noted that the improved outcomes recorded in the West African Examinations Council and National Examinations Council examinations were clear indications of the government’s commitment to revitalising the education sector in the state. He also lauded…

The Emir of Rano, Muhammad Autan Bawo, has urged the Rano Local Government Council to provide an alternative trading location for vendors operating around Rano General Hospital. This became necessary due to the increasing cases of road congestion and frequent accidents in the area The monarch made the call during his traditional Sallah homage visit to the council secretariat as part of activities marking Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Hope Rises for Traders as Kano Moves to Build Modern Market The Emir noted that residents of the Rano Emirate and commuters passing through the hospital axis have raised concerns over recurring accidents…

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have reinforced their dominance in Ngoshe and Gwoza areas of Borno State, successfully countering terrorist propaganda and ensuring residents celebrated Eid-el-Fitr in peace. Security sources revealed that insurgent groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, had recently circulated false claims of plans to overrun Ngoshe and hold Sallah prayers at the Central Mosque. The move was widely seen as an attempt to instill fear and project a misleading image of strength. However, acting on credible intelligence, troops swiftly responded to an attempted incursion on March 4 by reinforcing positions and intensifying clearance operations. With support…

Tunde Rahman It is said that no one does ceremonies quite like the British. This much was obvious last week when Nigeria literally strutted the red carpet rolled out in her honour on the ancient and hallowed grounds of Windsor and 10 Downing Street. By the time the curtains were drawn on President Bola Tinubu’s two-day official visit to the United Kingdom last Thursday, March 19, after his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, not a few who witnessed the series of events put together to mark the visit or watched them live on television, and many others in…

Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa A defining political moment unfolded in Lagos as loyalists of NNPP founder, Boniface Aniebonam, converged at his Apapa office in celebration of a decisive court victory that has reshaped the party’s leadership structure. The ruling of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, which directed INEC to recognise the Agbo Major led National Working Committee, effectively nullified the claims of the faction aligned with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement, setting the stage for what many now regard as a turning point in the NNPP’s internal power dynamics. Kwankwasiyya Applauds NNPP’s Strategic Appointments in…

The African Union has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nicholas Haysom, describing him as a distinguished diplomat and a committed advocate for peace. In a statement released on Thursday, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, paid glowing tribute to the late diplomat, highlighting his decades of service to international peace and diplomacy. Kano Mourns the Loss of REMASAB Boss, Ahmadu Haruna Zago Youssouf said Haysom was “not only a distinguished diplomat, but a trusted partner and a dear friend,” noting that his career was marked by a steadfast commitment to justice, dialogue, and human…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kano Strategic Command, has arrested a suspect and recovered 510 blocks of cannabis sativa in a major seizure ahead of Eid-al-Fitr celebrations. The NDLEA State Commander, D.Y. Lawal, announced the seizure in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari on Thursday. “On March 10, 2026, operatives of the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command arrested Mr. Sani Musa, 34, of Bebeji Local Government Area following an intelligence-led operation, during which officers recovered 510 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa,” the statement said. According to the statement, the suspect claimed that the consignment…

The Kano State Government KNSG has intensified efforts to address urban congestion and improve commercial infrastructure with plans to establish a modern market in Dangwauro. The initiative, driven by the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf, took a significant step forward following a high-level stakeholder engagement with key market leaders in the state. Leading the consultation, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar, met with representatives of Yankaba Market (Vegetable Market) and Na’ibawa Yan Lemo (Fruit Market) to discuss the proposed development. The meeting focused on gathering input from traders and stakeholders to ensure the planned market meets…

The Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI) has successfully concluded its Ramadan Bread Distribution initiative, bringing relief and hope to vulnerable communities across Kano State. The initiative, which ran throughout Ramadan 2026, provided daily bread support for Iftar to disadvantaged groups, including residents of Kwalli VVF Centre, inmates at the Remand Home, communities in Goron Dutse, and members of the Women’s Organization for Relief and Empowerment (WORE) based at the Emir’s Palace. Beneficiaries described the intervention as timely and impactful, especially amid rising economic hardship and food scarcity. For many households, the bread distribution became a reliable source of…

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on Muslims across Nigeria to begin the search for the crescent moon that will signal the end of Ramadan 1447AH and the start of Shawwal. The appeal was made on behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in a statement signed by Sambo Wali Junaidu, who also serves as Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sultanate Council. WOFAN Appoints Veteran Broadcaster Dayyab Umar as Communications Consultant According to the statement, Wednesday, March 18, 2026—corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1447AH—has been set aside…

Veteran filmmaker and Chief Executive Officer of Wale Adenuga Productions, Wale Adenuga, has responded to claims by actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, popularly known as Papa Ajasco, that he is broke. Ayoyinka sparked online reactions after alleging financial hardship despite his long-standing role in the popular TV series Papa Ajasco and Company. In a statement released on Wednesday, Adenuga dismissed insinuations of neglect and described the narrative as “false and misleading,” while providing details about his relationship with the actor and the structure of their professional engagement. “My first impression when I watched the Papa Ajasco video now trending on the internet,…

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, has announced the full restoration of train services on the Abuja-Kaduna route following a disruption earlier this week. Opeifa disclosed this in a post on X on Wednesday, assuring passengers of improved safety and operational standards following the incident on Monday, March 16, 2026. NRC Confirms Train Accident, Passengers Sustain Minor Injuries “Following the incident on Monday, 16th March 2026, normal train operations have been fully restored through the swift intervention of the Nigerian Railway Corporation. “Passengers can now confidently book tickets, as improved safety and operational measures have been…

The Nigeria Football Federation said it has commenced the process of appealing the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which rejected its petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo on the issue of eligibility of some players used by that country in a 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off match against Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco, last November. Nigeria lost the match 4-3 on penalties, but the NFF protested the eligibility of some players in the DR Congo squad, citing perceived fraud in the issuance of passports that qualified a number of players of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the play-off.…

Yushau A. Shuaib The heartbreaking murder of Malam Bashar Sani, a senior administrator at the College of Education, Maru, is yet another grim reminder of the tragedy consuming Northern Nigeria. Despite paying more than ₦25.7 million in ransom—alongside motorcycles, phones, and airtime—to secure the release of his abducted family members over several years, he was eventually killed by the same bandits he had repeatedly appeased. For years, these criminals targeted his household: abducting his two wives, his younger brother, and later kidnapping him, his wife, daughter, and several neighbours. Each time, the family mobilised resources, sold assets, and begged for…

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to reduce transportation costs and improve logistics nationwide through a strategic partnership with Admiralty Maritime Services Limited, aimed at expanding the use of inland and coastal waterways for cargo and passenger movement. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Muhsin Abba, in Abuja. Mahmood stated that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s strategy to harness Nigeria’s vast aquatic resources as a cost-effective alternative to road and rail transportation. She explained that since…

A new leadership phase has begun in Nigeria’s industrial administration following the official exchange of roles between top civil servants in two key ministries. At a formal handover ceremony held in Abuja, Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanwem and Nura Abba Rimi swapped positions as Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Ministry of Steel Development and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The redeployment was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of efforts to strengthen administrative leadership and improve service delivery in ministries central to Nigeria’s industrial growth. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Osaruwanwem, now Permanent Secretary of the Federal…

As Nigerians await the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to lift the ban on political campaigns, about 1,500 registered support groups under the All Progressives Congress (APC) have endorsed the Renewed Hope Network (TRN) as a key platform to drive grassroots mobilization for the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. The endorsement was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the Deputy Director-General of the APC Support Groups Council, Dr. AK Peters, following a strategic meeting with TRN’s technical team. Gov Uba Sani to Strengthen APC’s Renewed Hope Across Nigeria, Says Presidency According to Peters,…

The Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, has issued a public warning of heightened security threats across the North East region, following recent suicide bombing incidents and intelligence indicating a possible escalation of attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist elements during the final days of Ramadan. Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, stated that the unfortunate incidents recorded on Monday evening in Maiduguri—including attacks near Monday Market, the Post Office, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital—led to casualties and highlighted the continued intent of terrorists to target densely populated civilian…

The magistrate court in Sagamu, Ogun state, has adjourned the trial of Adeniyi Kayode, driver of the crashed Lexus sport utility vehicle (SUV) that was conveying Anthony Joshua, to April 16, 2026. At the resumption of hearing on Tuesday, R.D. Kadiri, the counsel who represented the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), said his team received fresh information this morning that would be incorporated into the case. Kadiri sought an additional time to include the new details in the case. Court Jails Magistrate for Taking ₦1m Bribe in Gombe Corruption Case However, Abiodun Olalekan, counsel to the driver, raised concerns over…