NEWS

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Ukraine, rather than Russia, is slowing progress toward a peace agreement to end the war, a view that contrasts sharply with the position of many European allies who believe Moscow has little interest in ending the conflict. In an exclusive interview with Reuters at the Oval Office, Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to bring the nearly four-year war to an end, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy remains reluctant. “I think he’s ready to make a deal,” Trump said of Putin. “I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal.” Asked why U.S.-brokered talks have yet to end the largest land war in Europe since World War II, Trump responded bluntly: “Zelenskiy.” The comments reflect renewed frustration with the Ukr...

The Federal Ministry of Works has proposed spending over ₦500 million on various empowerment and awareness programmes, including training for hairdressers and make-up artists, distribution of grinding machines, motorcycles and mini-vans, as well as anti-drug abuse campaigns across selected states. The proposed expenditures are contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill published on the Budget Office website and reviewed on Thursday. A breakdown of the budget shows that the projects are spread across different geopolitical zones. Under budget item code ERGP 12234747, the ministry plans to spend ₦35 million to provide grinding machines to women in Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency in the South-South. Another ₦35 million is earmarked for training and empowering women in hairdressin...

The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have formally signed a new agreement after 16 years of negotiations. A major highlight of the agreement is the review of the remuneration package of academic staff in federal tertiary institutions, as approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, with effect from January 1, 2026.  Under the new deal, the emoluments of university academics will be reviewed upward by 40 per cent to enhance morale, improve service delivery, boost global competitiveness and curb brain drain.  The new salary structure will comprise the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary (CONUASS) and the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA).   A defining feature of the new agre...

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has congratulated Justice Joseph Oyewole on his appointment to the Supreme Court, describing the promotion as well-deserved and a proud moment for the state. The congratulatory message was contained in a statement released on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in which Adeleke also praised Justice Oyewole’s character and his distinguished record in the administration of justice. “I heartily congratulate Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole on his appointment to the bench of the Supreme Court,” the governor said. “Hon. Justice Oyewole embodies integrity, and his dedication to justice is unparalleled,” Adeleke added. The governor highlighted that the elevation reflects Justice Oyewole’s long-standing commitment t...

A fatal road accident occurred on Wednesday in Lagos when an empty petrol tanker ran into a commercial motorcycle, killing both the rider and his passenger at Pokia Junction, inward Araga, along the Epe–Ijebu Road in Epe. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority arrested the tanker driver and handed him over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation. Confirming the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said preliminary security reports indicated that the commercial motorcyclist was conveying a male passenger while driving against traffic on a prohibited one-way route, in violation of existing traffic regulations. He explained that the motorcycle was struck by the speeding tanker, leading to a fatal outcome. LASTMA officials were said to have ...

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has issued a strong caution to Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other individuals he described as sympathisers of terrorists and bandits, warning them to desist from offering any form of open or indirect support to criminal groups threatening national security. Speaking during an official visit to Maiduguri on Wednesday, January 14, Musa stressed that terrorism and banditry must not be portrayed as acts rooted in regional, ethnic, or religious solidarity. “A friend of a thief is a thief,” the minister declared. He explained that the statement was a direct response to narratives previously promoted by Gumi, who had referred to bandits hiding in forests as “our brothers” and suggested that society could not function without them. ...

The Supreme Court is set to give its judgment on Friday, January 16, 2026, in the ₦1.35 billion fraud case involving former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, and his son, Mustapha Lamido. Naija News reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the development on Thursday, noting that the apex court has fixed the date to rule on its appeal. The EFCC approached the Supreme Court in August 2023, challenging the July 25, 2023 ruling of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, which discharged Sule Lamido and his son from the case. In its appeal filed on July 31, 2023, the anti-graft agency urged the Supreme Court to overturn the appellate court’s decision and order that the matter be sent back to the trial court for continuation. According to the E...

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old vulcanizer, Idris Isiaka, for staging his own kidnap in Emaudo, Ekpoma and collecting ransom from his family.  The spokesperson of the command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, said Isiaka engineered the circulation of his kidnap on social media through a blogger and demanded a ransom of N12m from his family. According to the PPRO, Isiaka's brother sold his property and paid part of the ransom money. Isiaka shared the ransom money with his accomplices, Mohammed Saliu and Godwin Mohammed, who are currently at large.  “It will be recalled that one Obehi Odine was apprehended a few days ago at Ekpoma Division for staging her own kidnap and demanding for ransom of Ten...

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has launched the Edo State Environmental Compliance Corps (EECC) as part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen environmental protection, public health, and responsible governance. The governor inaugurated the 100-member corps on Wednesday, urging them to carry out their duties with courage, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose. He emphasized that their conduct should inspire compliance, earn public respect, and build trust in government institutions. Represented at the event by the Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okoebor, Okpebholo charged the corps to operate with professionalism, discipline, and respect for the law, while engaging closely with communities to promote environmental awareness and compliance. According to ...