Oyo has positioned itself as a major player in global trade and a strategic export hub for other states seeking access to international markets, following the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) strategy. The Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Professor Musibau Babatunde, stated this during a Training of Trainers workshop organised for stakeholders involved in the implementation of the AfCFTA strategy in the state. He added that the state is being deliberately positioned as a connective export hub within the West African sub-region, where other states can leverage Oyo State’s infrastructure and systems to export their goods. Beyond agriculture, Prof. Babatunde said the AfCFTA strategy also offers opportunities to promote Oyo State’s services sector, including education, healthcare, tourism, and other service-based industries. According to him, participants at the workshop are being exposed to the opportunities embedded in the AfCFTA implementation strategy, integrated value chains, regulatory frameworks, and the critical roles regulators must play to ensure compliance and successful execution.

The Chairman of Oluyole local government, Akeem Olatunji, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the grassroot development and Primary Health Care (PHC) services. “We will not relent in our commitment to providing the best for our people, in line with the vision and sustainable development agenda of Governor Seyi Makinde,” he said. This is the principle Governor Seyi Makinde has always emphasised, and we will continue to follow in his footsteps,” he noted. Akeem Olatunji and the government of Governor Seyi Makinde to enjoy more of this,” he stated. “You are clearly following the example of Governor Seyi Makinde, and we are proud of you.

Ajadi said the Senate’s plan to shoot down the electronic transmission of results for the 2027 general elections is an avenue to open the doors for rigging. He said the electronic transmission of results should be made compulsory for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that it should not be optional. According to Ajadi, “Nigerians are not comfortable to hear that there is no electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act or that it is optional, you can use it, or you cannot use it. The Electronic Transmission of Results should be made compulsory for INEC. And the only way this can be done is to tidy up the Electoral Act and avoid ambiguity in its draft.“

The Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences (EkoUNIMED), Ijanikin, Lagos, on Thursday, matriculated no fewer than 152 students across faculties for the 2025\2026 academic session. He said they made a good decision to further their education at EkoUNIMED, the first specialised private medical university in Nigeria, declaring that the institution is ready to impart the right knowledge and skills in them to actualise their ambitions. ALSO READ: Elizade varsity matriculates 708 studentsAwosanya said that as young adults, they would enjoy freedom but with restraints, as there are rules and regulations to guide their conduct as members of the university community. According to him, any student who contravenes the rules and regulations of the university will be sanctioned accordingly. Awosanya disclosed that the university has a five-year full accreditation with both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

The crash occurred in Yelwan Duguri when the vehicle that was conveying them veered off the road and tumbled several times, throwing the occupants out in the process. The accident occurred on Friday along the Yashi-Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, shortly after the delegation commissioned and handed over a Government Secondary School (GSS) project in Yelwan Duguri. Some of the Journalists were variously injured, with some of them having compound fractures, head injuries, and bruises. They were initially taken to Yelwan Duguri Cottage Hospital for emergency treatment before arrangements were made to transfer them to the Bauchi General Hospital for further medical attention. The injured journalists are from Channels Television, AIT, NTA, Arise TV, and other members of the Correspondents’ Chapel, from various media houses covering the event.

United States (US) President, Donald Trump, has confirmed that the US collaborated with Nigeria to conduct air strikes on ISIS targets in Sokoto on Christmas Day. So they understand it.”“I specifically told Pete, I said hit them on Christmas Day, not earlier and not later. We hit them again pretty hard,” Trump said. “We are honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria — a very respected woman. Thank you very much, it’s a great honour, a very respected person too,” Trump said, drawing applause from the audience.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down claims from Liam Rosenior that members of his coaching staff behaved disrespectfully, saying the club apologised and insisting such incidents are common in football. Arteta was responding to comments from Rosenior, who said Arsenal staff crossed into his team’s area during pre-match warm-ups, an action he described as disrespectful and disruptive. The incident drew attention after Rosenior raised the issue publicly following the match. As reported by Sky Sports on Friday, Arteta said the matter had already been addressed. The episode has sparked debate about conduct during warm-ups and respect between opposing teams, but Arteta indicated Arsenal are keen to move on and focus on upcoming fixtures.

(Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi, has said Nigeria still harbours hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the uncertainty surrounding the team’s campaign. He said, “I mean, we’re still waiting, hopefully we can go to the World Cup. “But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. The comments come as Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign, held in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026, ended with the Super Eagles exiting before the final.

Nearly 13 million workers across 22 European Union countries earn the minimum wage or less, according to Euronews estimates based on Eurostat data. With minimum wage increases typically taking effect at the start of the year, the beginning of 2026 has once again highlighted the financial impact these adjustments have on millions of employees. As the year begins, Euronews has compiled a list of European countries with the highest minimum wages, revealing a mix of expected leaders and surprising results — especially when EU candidate states are included. IrelandMinimum wage: €2,391Adjusted for PPP: €1,732 (falls to fifth place)Ireland ranks second by nominal minimum wage but drops significantly when adjusted for living costs. SloveniaMinimum wage: €1,278Adjusted for PPP: €1,417Slovenia’s adjusted wage reflects a stronger purchasing power than the nominal figure suggests.

Nollywood actress and entrepreneur, Iyabo Ojo, has shared a cryptic message on her Instagram page amid ongoing controversies in the Nigerian film industry. In the post, Ojo wrote, “Who made the rules? The post comes amid a wave of controversies that have recently rocked the film industry. His comments sparked a response from actress, Funke Akindele, who urged creatives to prioritise innovation over criticism. The sky is so big for everybody to fly.”Similarly, Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, stated that while she does not oppose dancing for fun during movie promotions, she would not do so if it feels forced or obligatory.

Nigeria striker Umar Sadiq carved his name into Valencia’s history as the club stumbled to a 2-1 Copa del Rey defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Super Eagles striker became the first-ever Valencia player to score both for and against the club in a single Spanish competition match. Sadiq is also the first La Liga player to score a goal and an own goal in a Copa del Rey match since Verza for Almeria against Getafe in January 2015. Six minutes into added time, Ghana international Iñaki Williams broke Valencia hearts with a decisive strike, sealing a dramatic late victory and knocking the hosts out of the Copa del Rey. “He’s contributed a lot of hard work, and no player wants to suffer an own goal.”The equaliser marked Sadiq’s second Copa del Rey goal since returning to the club during the winter transfer window, following his earlier strike in the 2-0 win over Burgos CF.

The Organic Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria has urged farmers to adopt organic practices in food production to ensure food safety and promote healthy living. Musa described organic farming as safer and more sustainable than inorganic farming, which relies heavily on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. According to him, organic farming eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals such as carbide, cement and other harmful substances in crop preservation. “Organic farming boosts food production, improves soil health and protects grains from pests through the use of organic soil enhancers and fertilisers tailored to specific crops,” he said. He urged the government to organise workshops and symposiums to educate farmers and other stakeholders on safe farming and food preservation methods.

The African Union said Friday that a drone attack this week by the M23 armed group on a civilian airport in DR Congo may constitute an “act of terrorism”. The Rwanda-backed M23 claimed responsibility for the attack last weekend on the airport in Kisangani in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which is also used by government forces. The African Union said the “attack, directed against an airport infrastructure located in a major urban centre and gravely endangering civilian populations, constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law”, in a statement on X. The attack marked an escalation in the conflict in eastern DRC, where the M23 has seized large swathes of territory since early 2025. It said it had destroyed “the military drone command centre installed at Kisangani airport”.

AGAINST all expectations, the Senate has rejected the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from the polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission portal. Essentially, the Senate has rigged the Act to favour itself and perpetuate the inherent mess, demonstrating its lack of accountability to the people. On Thursday, the Senate Majority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, denied that the red chamber rejected the e-transmission of results. Thus, history will be harsh on the 10th Senate, as the decision only perpetrates a cycle of electoral heists. It requires that election results be electronically transmitted “in a manner prescribed by the Commission”.

A general views of burnt debris and damaged homes following the attack in Woro, Kwara State, on February 5, 2026. “The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for. It welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to protect affected communities. The reaction adds to international condemnation of the attack, which had earlier drawn rebukes from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye. Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground.