Predicts severe dry spell in Oyo, OgunThe 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has predicted that Lagos, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, Oyo, Nasarawa, Anambra, Kwara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Gombe and Taraba states will experience longer rainy season, while Borno, Yobe and Niger states will have a shorter season. The forecast also predicted severe dry spells exceeding 15 days between March and May in parts of Oyo and Ogun states, while moderate dry spells are expected over Ekiti, Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, and Delta states, as well as parts of Kogi and Kwara states. Furthermore, during the June-August season, a severe dry spell that may last up to 21 days is predicted for parts of Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. He, therefore, called for increased collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders to enable the dissemination of the 2026 SCP information to more states than in previous years. The agency emphasised that it remains committed to providing timely, accurate and reliable weather and climate information to support the development of a climate-resilient economy.

Addressing a major pain point for residents, Pedro expressed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s dissatisfaction with tenancy cases lingering in court for up to five years. ALSO READ: Lagos Tenancy Bill 2025 sparks hope, anxiety as tenants cheer, landlords push back“A new bill currently before the House of Assembly aims to cap these cases at a maximum of six months. In a national first, Pedro highlighted the Lagos State Criminal Information System, a digital database that tracks every defendant across correctional centres and courts. He noted that this eliminates cases of missing defendants and ensures anyone entering the court system is instantly identifiable. We are building a system where justice is fast, efficient, and effective for every Lagosian,” Pedro concluded.

The United States has deployed about 200 troops to Nigeria to train the country’s military in the fight against Islamist militants, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday. The report said the troops were expected to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity through training and operational support. This clarification followed media reports and public speculation suggesting the deployment of US troops in Nigeria. “The Defence Headquarters has noted recent media reports and public speculation suggesting the presence or deployment of United States troops in Nigeria. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to state that Nigeria maintains a long-standing and structured security partnership with the United States,” the statement read.

Global economic growth in 2026 is expected to be driven by a few major economies, with Asia leading the way. In fact, China and India together are expected to contribute about 43.6% of global growth, which is nearly half of the world’s total growth for the year. In this article, Tribune Online highlights the top 10 contributors to global real GDP growth in 2026. China (26.6%)China is projected to be the largest contributor to global growth in 2026. India (17.0%)India comes second, contributing 17.0% of global growth.

Canadian police have revealed that nine people have been killed in a mass shooting at a school and home in the rural community of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on Tuesday afternoon. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said they received a report of an active shooter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at 13:20 local time (20:20 GMT). A lockdown was activated at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and nearby Tumbler Ridge Elementary School. British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger said police arrived at the secondary school “within two minutes” of receiving the call. Tumbler Ridge, a community of about 2,400 residents located roughly 670km north-east of Vancouver, has 160 students enrolled at its secondary school.

“This means electronic transmission becomes the primary method where the technology is available and functional. Opposition, CSOsOpposition parties also kicked against the retention of the manual transmission of electoral results. “We have taken note of the Senate’s reconsideration, which introduced an addendum permitting manual transmission where technology is said to fail,” the party said. She urged lawmakers to adopt the House of Representatives’ version of the bill, insisting on mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results to the IReV portal. “What we are asking for is simple — real-time, mandatory electronic transmission of results, no more, no less,” Onyema said.

But, barely 24 hours after taking possession of the party’s national secretariat, the Caretaker Committee disclosed that some miscreants believed to be working for unnamed sponsors tried to break into the office. “While we continue to appreciate our supporters nationwide for their vigilance at this time, Labour Party wishes to inform the general public that, through the timely intervention of the Nigerian Police, normalcy has since been restored at the Party Secretariat. “The judgment of the Nigerian court is clear and unambiguous regarding the current leadership of the party. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has implemented this judgment by formally recognising Senator Nenadi Usman and Senator Darlington Nwokocha as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Labour Party, respectively,” the party stated. There was no incident, we have taken inventory of they stole from our secretariat, and after we will press charges,” he stated.

Arik Air has confirmed that one of its flights W3 740 to Port Harcourt from Lagos was diverted to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure after an unusual sound from its left engine. ‎‎This is disclosed in a statement signed by Mr Adebanji Ola, Public Relations and Communications Manager for Arik Air, on Wednesday in Lagos. Mr Adebanji, quoted that the operating crew of the Boeing 737-700 (5N MJF) aircraft heard a loud sound on the left engine as it descended to land in Port Harcourt. ALSO READ: Ogun: Loan officer docked for allegedly stealing N3.8m from employer‎‎According to the management, all 80 passengers safely disembarked and there were no injuries recorded. It has been reported that further details regarding the specific reason for the diversion have not yet been released.

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has said the country backs Russia’s peace efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict through political and diplomatic means. He made this known during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. “This is in line with South Africa’s long stated position during talks with both sides that all wars end through negotiations,” the South African presidency said. Since then, he has held separate talks with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the need for an inclusive peace process involving all parties. Putin and Ramaphosa last spoke in August, when Putin briefed the South African leader on his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, where discussions focused on ending the conflict.

The Universal Basic Education Board, Zamfara State (ZSUBEB), has inaugurated an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to promote ethical conduct in the administration of basic education in the state. In a statement issued by the ZSUBEB Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Musa Maizare, on Tuesday night, he said the establishment of the unit is aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability. The Executive Chairman charged members of the ACTU Committee to discharge their duties with professionalism and impartiality, and urged staff of the Board to give the unit maximum cooperation. In his goodwill message on behalf of the ICPC Chairman, IC Suleman Muhammad Maishanu of the ICPC Katsina Resident Office commended the ZSUBEB management for supporting the establishment of the ACTU. The event was attended by Permanent Members, Directors, the Secretary of the Board, Education Secretaries, ICPC representatives and other senior officials of ZSUBEB.

An airline in Somalia has praised one of its pilots after he crash-landed his passenger plane on the shoreline near Mogadishu’s international airport on Tuesday morning, with all 55 people on board surviving. READ ALSO: Maharashtra deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, killed in plane crashFootage shared on X showed passengers exiting the aircraft and walking away from the wreckage. The African Union’s mission in Somalia said UN and AU troops were “swiftly deployed” to assist with rescue efforts. Somalia’s transport minister was also present at the scene, according to a post on X.Starsky Aviation credited the pilot’s actions for the outcome. Investigations are under way to establish what caused the technical issue that led to the emergency landing,” Starsky spokesman Hassan Mohamed Aden said.

Bauchi, on February 3, marked its 50th anniversary with a week-long series of activities, as stakeholders commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for what they described as transformative leadership since 2019. They cited ongoing infrastructure projects in the state capital and across local government areas, including road construction and rehabilitation, flyovers and bypasses designed to ease traffic congestion. They also referenced the establishment of the Bauchi Road Traffic Agency and the introduction of mass transit buses under the Yankari Express Corporation. While commending the governor’s stance on governance, the analysts said Mohammed had faced political pressures but maintained that leaders must take responsibility for their decisions. The anniversary events concluded with calls from participants for sustained development efforts as the state enters its second half-century.

Indonesia is preparing to deploy up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza as part of a potential peacekeeping mission, the first country to do so as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States (US) late last year. However, Indonesia has joined President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, which was announced last month. According to the report, this move is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s effort to position Indonesia as a key player in international security. BBC reports that the deployment timeline and specific responsibilities of Indonesian troops in Gaza are still pending, although it seems President Prabowo Subianto has already committed to sending them. His decision to join Trump’s Board of Peace has been criticised by some Islamic groups in Indonesia, where there has been widespread public anger against the US.

The Ebonyi State Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Udeh, on Tuesday said the party will resist any attempt by EBSIEC to rig the forthcoming LG election, saying the party is following the process and keeping an eye on the ball. Ebonyi people are aware of this and will not forget it,” Udeh said. Ahead of the forthcoming elections, he warned the EBSIEC against any attempt to compromise the process, insisting that the people of Ebonyi State would resist any form of rigging. He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was already engaging with the recognised leadership, dismissing contrary claims as baseless. The Labour Party leadership reiterated its commitment to peaceful participation in the electoral process and urged its members to remain law-abiding throughout the campaign and election period.

LEOMINSTER — Needing just one win, just one, in order to get into the postseason was on Fitchburg’s agenda Tuesday night. The Red Raiders got it, and they went through the mixer in order to get it. Fitchburg only hit six field goals in the second half, but key rebounds and plays helped the Red Raiders hold on for a crucial 54-51 win over archrival Leominster at the Leominster High Gymnasium. Trailing 51-50 with 3:10 remaining, Fitchburg called a key time out. Leominster had closed the gap down to two, 30-28, before the Red Raiders closed the half on an 8-2 run.