NEWS

Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian  Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, local media reported, as US President Donald Trump warned that “bad things” would happen if no agreement is reached with the Islamic republic. The development comes after Iranian authorities’ deadly response to anti-government protests that peaked last month. In response, the United States has threatened military action and ordered the deployment of an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East.Trump has maintained that he is hopeful Washington will “work something out” with Iran, but reiterated on Monday that “bad things would happen” if negotiations fail.Tehran has insisted it prefers diplomacy, while warning of a forceful response to any agg...

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially announced the release of the 2025 External Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results. The Registrar of the council, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, made the announcement on Monday at NECO’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State. According to Wushishi, a total of 96,979 candidates registered for the examination across 16 subjects nationwide, while 95,160 candidates eventually participated. He disclosed that the registered candidates included 51,823 males, representing 53.43 per cent, and 45,156 females, accounting for 46.56 per cent. Giving details of the performance, the Registrar revealed that 93,425 candidates sat for English Language, with 73,167 candidates—representing 78.32 per cent—obtaining credit passes and...

Renowned businessman and socialite, Obi Iyiegbu, widely known as Obi Cubana, has been formally appointed as the South-East Coordinator of the City Boy Movement by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu. Iyiegbu announced the development on Tuesday via a statement shared on his Instagram page, revealing that Seyi Tinubu visited his home on Monday night to personally present the appointment certificate. The Anambra-born entrepreneur said the visit also created room for discussions on a range of national issues. “Last night, my longtime friend and brother, Seyi Tinubu, came to see me at my residence. We had meaningful conversations about many things,” he said. Reacting to the mixed public responses surrounding his appointment, Obi Cubana defended his decision, stressing that re...

Rapper Nicki Minaj has offered a candid explanation for her surprising public support of U.S. President Donald Trump, a stance that has ignited intense backlash from many fans and figures in the entertainment world. In her most recent interview, the 43-year-old rapper explained that her change in political stance was not influenced by California Governor Gavin Newsom or global affairs, but by what she described as sustained “bullying” aimed at Trump throughout his campaign. 'Religious freedom is something that's very important to me,' Minaj said when asked what pulled her toward conservative politics. 'But if I'm being honest, President Trump … because when I saw how he was being treated over and over and over, I just couldn't handle it.' She went on to explain that the criticism ...

Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to overturn an interim forfeiture order placed on three properties allegedly linked to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The properties, identified as items 9, 18 and 48 in the EFCC’s ex parte application, form part of 57 assets the commission claims were acquired through unlawful means. The court had ordered their temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government on January 6, 2026. In a motion on notice filed by his legal team led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), Malami maintained that the affected properties were legally acquired and properly declared in his asset declarations submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) while he was in ...

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport no fewer than 79 Nigerians convicted of various crimes, as part of a renewed crackdown on criminal immigrants. Checks on the DHS official website by Punch on Monday revealed that the affected individuals were listed under a special category described as “worst-of-the-worst criminal aliens.” Their offences reportedly range from fraud and drug trafficking to robbery, assault, manslaughter, and other serious crimes. In a statement accompanying the list, the DHS said the deportations align with the U.S. government’s commitment to removing criminal immigrants from the country. “The Department of Homeland Security is spotlighting the worst-of-the-worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and C...

At least six people have lost their lives following a lone road accident involving a trailer along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, near the Foursquare Camp, while 23 others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident in a statement released on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State. According to the command’s Public Relations Officer, Odunsin Afolabi, the crash was caused by fatigue and excessive speeding, which resulted in the driver losing control of the vehicle. He explained that the accident occurred at about 11:27 a.m., adding that FRSC rescue teams from the Ogunmakin Unit Command arrived at the scene within two minutes. The vehicle involved was a DAF CF 380 trailer with registration number SNA 287 XA. “In total, 29 people were i...

The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria, asking it to strike out an appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio over proceedings at the Court of Appeal. Court documents obtained in Abuja show that Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a counter-affidavit in response to Akpabio’s Motion on Notice dated January 21, 2026. The affidavit was sworn to by a senior legislative aide to the senator. In the filing, the respondents urged the apex court to dismiss the application in its entirety, describing it as frivolous, lacking merit, and an abuse of the court process. They stated that the Court of Appeal had already concluded hearing in the substantive appeal on November 28, 2025, and had reserved judgment. According to them, Akpab...

A medical doctor, Salome Oboyi, has d!ed from Lassa fever in Jos, Plateau State. Dr. Oboyi, a Senior Resident in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BHUTH) passed away two days ago following a battle with the fever.  The Bingham University Alumni Doctors confirmed her d3ath in a statement issued on Monday, February 2, 2026 via its official X account.  "The entire BHUTH mourns. It is with a very heavy heart I announce the passing of a dearest colleague  Dr. Salome Oboyi, a Senior Resident in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in BHUTH whose sad event happened 2 days ago following a battle with Lassa fever" the statement read.

Residents of Ogun State will observe a public holiday on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in celebration of the state’s 50th anniversary. The holiday was approved by Governor Dapo Abiodun to enable citizens to fully participate in activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee celebration. The announcement was conveyed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, who said the anniversary marks five decades of Ogun State’s political journey, consistent development, and meaningful contributions to national growth. The state government encouraged residents to take part in the celebrations in a peaceful manner, while also reflecting on the achievements recorded over the years and renewing commitment to future progress. According to the government, the Golden Jubilee programme fe...