The Federal Ministry of Health has ordered an immediate disengagement of directors who have spent at least eight years in the directorate cadre with immediate effect. The directors affected include those in the ministry, federal hospitals, and agencies, among others. “This is reiterated in a circular recently issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ref. Speaking at a lecture at the State House, Abuja, to mark the 2023 Civil Service Week, Yemi-Esan stated that the revised PSR took effect from July 27, 2023. According to Section 020909 of the revised PSR, the tenure limit for permanent secretaries is four years, with a possible renewal based only on satisfactory performance.

Total production for the month was 43.4 million barrels instead of 46.5 million barrels, resulting in a deficit of 3.1 million barrels. Across 30 days, this translated to 42.9 million barrels, leaving a gap of 2.1 million barrels from the 45 million-barrel target for the month. Over the 31 days of May, Nigeria produced 44.95 million barrels against a quota requirement of 46.5 million barrels, leaving a deficit of 1.55 million barrels. Over 30 days, output reached 41.7 million barrels instead of 45 million barrels, leaving a shortfall of 3.3 million barrels. Over the 31 days, Nigeria produced 45.57 million barrels instead of 46.5 million barrels, resulting in a gap of 930,000 barrels.

The family of the jailed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu says, more than eight years ago, Nnamdi Kanu predicted his imprisonment in Sokoto as a prelude to his freedom. Emma said, “Those who conspired against this family, against Nnamdi Kanu, against Biafra, heaven and earth will be against you. “Those who want to make money with Nnamdi Kanu, with our family, heaven and earth will prevail against them. Go after those who are against our family, against Nnamdi Kanu, against Biafra, from all angles. Evangelist Nnamdi Obike said, “Nnamdi Kanu years ago prophesied that the struggle will end in Sokoto and now, he is in Sokoto.

A pre-congress stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State turned violent on Tuesday as suspected thugs invaded the party secretariat in Akure, leaving many injured and the state chairman and a commissioner beaten. The incident occurred less than 24 hours before the nationwide ward congress scheduled to be held across 203 wards in the state. An eyewitness, Yetunde Adeyanju, said the attackers, armed with dangerous weapons, shouted that they were from Aiyedatiwa and claimed, “We don’t want congress in Ondo State. “Nobody can query the authority of the governor, and anybody who wants to talk about congress in Ondo State will be assassinated. “The police command received a distress call, and we immediately swung into action, deploying operatives to the APC state secretariat.

Clergymen and leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, have advised the state governor, Alex Otti, not to quit politics after completing his second term in office in 2031. Otti had, on several occasions, made public his intention to withdraw from active politics after his tenure as governor. Elekwa said they had heard of the governor’s plan to leave politics after his tenure and urged him to allow the people to decide his political future. “Some time ago, we heard you say that after your second term, you would quit politics. He added that the governor need not worry about campaigning for the 2027 elections, as the PFN had begun mobilising support across the state.

File copy of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar. The Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan. He stated that the crescent moon was sighted in almost every part of the country on Tuesday, the 29th day of the month of Sha’aban, signifying that Wednesday, February 18, is the first day of Ramadan 1447. He “urged Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray against the insecurity ravaging some parts of the country.”He also called on Muslims across the country to use the month to continue praying for the leaders and for an end to insecurity in the country. PUNCH Online earlier reported on Tuesday afternoon that Saudi Arabia had sighted the crescent moon and consequently declared Wednesday as the first day of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

Viral monkey Punch finally finds his pack at Ichikawa ZooThe story of viral monkey Punch has taken a heartwarming turn at the Ichikawa City Zoo. Punch, the baby macaque who found solace in a plush toy after being rejected by his mother, is finally integrating with his troop. The videos of the infant monkey playing with the toy went viral and gained global sympathy. While the initial stages of reintroducing Punch were a bit overwhelming, the zookeepers reported that the ice has finally broken. Additionally, zookeepers have shared videos of Punch engaging in playful interactions with other young monkeys in the troop.

The match in questionIn November 2025, Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost to DR Congo 4–3 on penalties in the African play-off final for 2026 World Cup qualification, ending their chances of qualifying for the tournament. Nigeria’s protestThe NFF filed a formal complaint with FIFA in December 2025, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players who recently switched nationalities. Key players accusedNigeria claims several DR Congo players, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, hold dual nationalities, potentially violating eligibility rules. DR Congo’s nationality lawThe core argument hinges on DR Congo’s constitution, which reportedly prohibits dual citizenship. Possible outcomes if the petition is rejectedDR Congo’s result would stand, confirming their advancement, and Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes would end without further recourse.

Fresh concerns have emerged in Nigeria’s aviation sector as industry experts warn that rising airport and ticket charges could further strain already struggling operators. Similarly, the President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, Dr Alex Nwuba, criticised what he described as non-transparent passenger and cargo charges. He pointed to the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge, Value Added Tax on domestic tickets and multiple security and passenger service charges embedded in airfares. Historical pricing is not a valid basis for aviation charges. He referenced a recent resolution by the Economic Community of West African States aimed at reducing non-cost-based aviation charges across the sub-region from January 2026 but expressed doubts about its implementation.

Fresno crews fill potholes ahead of storm's second punch, flooding concernsFRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- After Monday's winter blast made for a messy holiday commute, City of Fresno crews used a break in the storm to make repairs on Tuesday morning. He is now asking residents to do their part ahead of the powerful second punch that is on the way. "Keep gutters and your property clear of debris, just so that the storm water can get into the inlets (for) the system and not cause flooding," Mozier said. "We're worried about that water going into the boss's house, and we just redid that house, so we wanna keep it from going in," Mark said. City of Fresno crews remain ready, monitoring the FresGo app for reports of those downed trees, potholes, and clogged storm drains.

At least six people were abducted in the early hours of Tuesday by suspected bandits along the Naka–Makurdi road in Benue State. The incident reportedly occurred at the Kula Village, a community close to the state capital, Makurdi. The incident happened close to Makurdi along the Naka–Makurdi road,” Torsar said, adding that he did not yet have the exact number of victims. Last week, nine worshippers were abducted at St John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon Ado LGA, and 14 travellers were taken in Okpokwu LGA. The Naka–Makurdi road, long avoided by motorists due to frequent abductions, had seen a return of relative normalcy following the deployment of security agents last year, until Tuesday’s incident.

A baby monkey at a zoo in Japan has found comfort in a stuffed animal. This week, it's a little monkey named Punch. Punch — or more colloquially, Punch-kun — is a baby macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba, Japan, near Tokyo. And online, people are responding in kind with adoring posts, support, and fan art of little Punch-kun and his stuffed toy. In his tiny arms wrapped around a stuffed animal, people recognize something of their own — and the possibility that he, like them, will be OK.

The National Assembly on Tuesday approved the electronic transmission of election results but retained manual collation as a backup, triggering protests, a walkout by opposition lawmakers and heated debates in both chambers ahead of the 2027 general elections. Outside the complex, protesters — joined by former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili — accused lawmakers of attempting to dilute electoral safeguards. For the second time in two weeks, the Senate approved electronic transmission with manual collation as a fallback. He explained that INEC’s announcement fixing the 2027 general elections for February 2027 had triggered fresh concerns. “We have asked that the clause should remain solely for electronic transmission without any condition.

“The applicant has met the conditions stipulated under the Extradition Act for the surrender of the respondent. The extradition application, dated February 20, 2025, and filed on March 5, 2025, was brought pursuant to the Extradition Act, Cap. Attached to the affidavit were relevant documents, including an authenticated arrest warrant issued by a Magistrate’s Court in Croydon, United Kingdom. On the issue of treaty domestication, the court relied on appellate authorities to hold that the London Scheme for Extradition within the Commonwealth had been substantially incorporated into Nigerian law through the Extradition Act. “Nigeria, as a member of the Commonwealth, is bound by its international obligations under the Extradition Act,” Justice Faji stated.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A north shore plant nursery owner is reeling after 200 plants worth roughly $10,000 were stolen. Marina Crawford invested countless hours cultivating the exotic plants, making the theft feel like more than just a financial loss. “For someone to steal something that’s so beautiful and decorative, and kind, and takes a certain knowledge to be able to grow is, it’s just a sucker punch,” Crawford said. I love seeing plants grow and seeing them have new homes,” Crawford said. Crawford filed a report with the Department of Law Enforcement’s new agricultural crime unit, which has had success recently investigating livestock crimes.