He maintained that the essence of nation-building was to make failure an acceptable concept and to extract lessons from it. The business tycoon said Nigerians must stop assuming the country cannot work and instead take responsibility for making it work. We stop condemning the country and believing the country cannot go right. He said success in business and nation-building requires the courage to take risks, noting that fear of failure often prevents people from trying at all. He later co-founded Ocean and Oil Group, which evolved into Oando Plc, now a leading integrated energy group in sub-Saharan Africa.

Some Nigerians have gone into hiding and others are returning home secretly over the intensified deportation campaign led by President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Saturday PUNCH learnt that many immigrants had stopped going to work as Trump reiterated his support for ICE actions. The Guardian of UK reported that in 2026 alone, no fewer than eight people have died in interactions involving ICE. There was outrage when 37-year-old Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 7. Just come out and say, ‘All immigrants, we want you out, whether you are criminal or not.’”“These (ICE) people don’t even care.

Anthony Joshua has posted a video thanking fans for their support following the deaths of his two close friends in a car crash while acknowledging that death does not frighten him, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Joshua, along with Ghami and Ayodele, was a passenger in the vehicle when it collided with a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos. Ghami and Ayodele were both pronounced dead at the scene, while Joshua was pictured being helped from the wreckage. In a six-minute video posted on his social media channels, the British heavyweight acknowledged supporters worldwide “who were showing so much love, support through that tragic, traumatic time”. He added, “One day my time will come, and I’m not scared either at all.

Atletico Madrid have intensified efforts to sign Ademola Lookman as the Turkish club Fenerbahce edge closer to completing a deal for the Nigeria forward, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Atletico are now targeting Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi for midfield reinforcement, but Lookman remains their priority signing. Diario AS reports that Fenerbahce sporting director Devin Ozek is currently in Bergamo trying to finalise the deal. He added that Atletico Madrid have been calling in recent hours to ask about deal conditions. Atletico could return for both Goretzka and Lookman in the summer, depending on what business Alemany completes before February 2.

These responsibilities would extend far beyond palace walls, shaping institutions, communities, and the very ethos of corporate Nigeria. His reporting was underscored by a profound respect for truth and clarity, qualities that would later inform his approach to corporate governance and public service. From managing urban investment portfolios to overseeing maritime enterprise, lifelines of trade, Ojora was shaping frameworks that would influence generations. Amid all this, he emerged as a staunch advocate for corporate governance. Long before governance became boardroom jargon, Ojora championed accountability, transparency, and fiduciary responsibility; principles that would later underpin Nigeria’s corporate reform movements.

The government, PFN, and CAN have insisted that I must reschedule our crusade to accommodate the Kenyan government, PFN, and CAN crusade by moving it forward by one week. Controversial Kenyan prophetWhile Yusuf’s Uyo crusade is scheduled for February 9 to 15, the Kenyan cleric, Prophet David Owuor, is having his from February 13 to 15. The organisers of Owuor’s crusade, Nigeria Christian Revival Forum, declined comment when contacted by Saturday PUNCH. When Saturday PUNCH contacted the Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of CAN, Rev. Akwa Ibom knocks clericBut the Akwa Ibom State Government, on Friday, accused Yusuf of hate speech and disregard for due process.

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo showing the traders the prototype version of the proposed new Main Market... Credit: State HouseAnambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the immediate remodelling of the Onitsha Main Market in a move described as a “hard, but necessary” step for the future. ​Soludo said, “The Onitsha Main Market, in its current state, is no longer functional. The main market is no longer what it was designed to be. Following Soludo’s executive directive on the redevelopment of the Onitsha Main Market, the Chairman of the market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, confirmed the traders’ alignment with the government’s vision for a modernised market while requesting a brief window to secure their inventory. Okpalaugo said, ​”After careful consideration of the proposals presented by the state government for the revitalisation of our market, we, the leadership and traders of Onitsha Main Market, officially announce that we have chosen ‘Option 2’ as the preferred path forward.

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party has welcomed the Federal High Court ruling affirming its legitimacy as the party’s leadership, while calling on all members to embrace unity, reconciliation, and adherence to due process. Earlier, the Federal High Court in Ibadan invalidated the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025. The court also ordered Kabiru Turaki (SAN) and others to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the PDP. Before this, PDP governors had supported the Ibadan convention, where Turaki and other NWC members were elected for a four-year term. This will strengthen unity, deepen internal cohesion, and refocus collective efforts toward building a stronger and more formidable PDP.

Troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force South East as part of Operation UDO KA, have successfully rescued a kidnapped clergyman, Reverend Johnson Onugwu, following a swift, intelligence-driven operation in Enugu State. According to a post obtained from the Nigerian Army’s X account on Friday, Onugwu was abducted from his residence in Ezimo Community, Udenu Local Government Area, at approximately 1:00 a.m. on January 29, 2026, by gunmen. The post read, “Acting on credible intelligence, troops deployed in Udenu tracked the kidnappers to the Itabolo general area and later engaged them at Okpakeke Community. “The encounter resulted in a gun battle during which one of the kidnappers was neutralised, and the clergyman was rescued unharmed. Security forces also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and twenty rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”The Nigerian Army stated that it is working in collaboration with other security agencies, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and vowed to continue denying criminal elements freedom of action within its area of responsibility

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reaffirmed its capacity to supply fuel volumes significantly higher than Nigeria’s estimated domestic consumption. In a statement on Thursday evening, the refinery said it can supply 75 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) daily, compared with an estimated national consumption of 50 million litres. Aside from petrol, the plant said it can supply 25 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) daily, against an estimated demand of 14 million litres, and 20 million litres of aviation fuel daily, far above the estimated maximum domestic consumption of four million litres. “The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery would like to reiterate our capability to supply the underlisted petroleum products of the highest international quality standard to marketers and stakeholders: 75 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 25 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil, and 20 million litres of aviation fuel daily,” the company said in a public notice. On Monday, the Dangote refinery announced an increase in its gantry price of petrol from N699 to N799 per litre.

The internet has totally transformed the ways in which we communicate and share information. As free online content began outcompeting subscription newspapers, publishers briefly found new audiences on Facebook, only to see referral traffic plummet after the platform began suppressing posts with external links. Now digital platforms are ending the broadcast era. Digital platforms alter the form and style of these discussions. His audience turns these into supercuts set to “phonk” music, a subgenre of Memphis hip-hop co-opted by online reactionaries.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dared the Rivers State Government to again deny approval for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, for a Renewed Hope Family rally, vowing to forcefully gain access to the facility if that happens. Wike said the organisers had applied to use the stadium for Friday’s event but were denied approval by the state government. He warned that if the governor repeats such action, the organisers would break into the facility and use it. He said, “We applied to the state government for the use of the Yakubu Gowon Stadium. “We are all from Rivers State.

A former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, has disclosed that the approval of N14bn by the Federal Government for the procurement of modern boats and ferries will strengthen safety, trade and passenger transportation across Nigeria’s inland waterways. Meke said Oyebamiji’s openness strengthened maritime reporting and helped project reforms in the inland waterways sector. Receiving the honour, Oyebamiji described the recognition as symbolic of accountability and cooperation between regulators and the media. He pledged continued support for maritime journalism and inland waterways development, stressing that the boat procurement initiative remains one of the most strategic interventions aimed at improving safety, productivity and confidence in Nigeria’s inland waters. Boat accidents are a persistent public safety issue in Nigeria’s inland waterways, contributing to hundreds of deaths annually and affecting many states across the country.

Two of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s children were officially married on Friday at the National Mosque, Abuja, in a ceremony that brought together family, friends, and dignitaries. His daughter, Hafsat Atiku, was given in marriage to Umar Farouk Imam by General Aliyu Gusau, a close associate and friend of the family. His son, Abubakar Atiku Jr, also tied the knot with Asma’u Abdul’aziz Nyako, with the marriage conducted by Alhaji Kwairanga Jada, another family friend. Atiku noted that the unions would further strengthen longstanding family ties, particularly with his older brother, Admiral Murtala Nyako, and with his friend, Kashim Ibrahim Imam. I congratulate my children and their spouses and wish them a happy marriage,” Atiku added.

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has received a major global honour nearly three decades after his death. The BBC reported on Friday that the Recording Academy will posthumously confer a Lifetime Achievement Award on the Nigerian music icon at the Grammy Awards, making him the first African to receive the honour. It’s bringing balance to a Fela story.”A former manager and long-time associate of the late singer, Rikki Stein, said the honour was long overdue. In 2024, the Grammys introduced the Best African Performance category, while Nigerian singer Burna Boy earned a nomination this year in the Best Global Music Album category. The BBC described Fela as more than a musician, portraying him as a cultural thinker, political agitator and the creator of Afrobeat.