Benzema in talks to join rivals Al-Hilal after contract dispute
Striker Karim Benzema, who is at odds with his club Al-Ittihad, has entered into negotiations to join rivals Al-Hilal, the Saudi Arabian league leaders, a source told AFP on Monday. “Negotiations are underway between the parties: Al-Hilal would like to sign Benzema for the remaining six months of his contract with Al-Ittihad, but the player’s agent is demanding a one-and-a-half-year contract,” the source told AFP. Both Al-Hilal, who play in Riyadh, and Al-Ittihad, in Jeddah, are owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). Benzema reportedly received an offer from Michael Emenalo, sporting director of the Saudi league, which he considered “insulting” as it would amount to “playing for free”, apart from his image rights, according to his entourage. This season Al-Ittihad trail leaders Al-Hilal by 12 points.
Source:Punch
February 02, 2026 13:21 UTC
Police urge NLC, TUC to reschedule Tuesday’s Abuja protest
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has advised the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to reschedule their planned protest billed for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, citing security concerns. On Sunday, the unions announced plans to hold a peaceful solidarity rally in Abuja on Tuesday, February 3. The NLC and TUC directed all affiliates and state councils in the Federal Capital Territory to ensure effective mobilisation and timely dissemination of the information to their members, adding that full participation in the lawful and peaceful action was expected. The statement partly read, “The FCT Police Command is aware of a planned peaceful protest by the NLC FCT Council, scheduled to hold tomorrow, Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, within the Federal Capital Territory. The NLC and TUC subsequently accused the FCT authorities of intimidation and vowed to resist it.
Source:Punch
February 02, 2026 13:12 UTC
Ifunanya Nwangene: What to do after snakebite in Nigeria
The tragic passing of Ifunanya Nwangene, the 26-year-old architectural graduate and standout contestant on The Voice Nigeria, has left the nation in mourning. Despite her efforts to seek medical attention, she succumbed to the venom at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi. Why it matters: Doctors need to know if they should administer Polyvalent anti-venom (for general bites) or a specific Monovalent anti-venom (like Echi-Tab for Carpet Vipers). DO NOT Apply Heat or Ice: Neither will neutralise the venom; ice can actually worsen the local tissue damage. For the average citizen, the rule remains: Stay calm, stay still, and get to a major hospital immediately.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 02, 2026 12:52 UTC
First Abu Dhabi Bank to open Nigerian office in sub-Saharan push
First Abu Dhabi Bank has announced that it will open a representative office in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of its sub-Saharan expansion push. This was disclosed on Monday at the first Investopia Africa event held in Lagos by the Group Head of Wholesale Banking at First Abu Dhabi Bank, Martin Tricaud. The PUNCH reports that First Abu Dhabi Bank partnered with Afreximbank to provide $1.126bn in financing for the execution of Phase 1, Section 2 of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway. We were absolutely convinced that we needed a presence in sub-Saharan Africa. So, we will open a representative office.
Source:Punch
February 02, 2026 12:50 UTC
FG, states, LGs share N1.969trn in December 2025 revenue
A total sum of N1.969 trillion, being the December 2025 Federation Account revenue, has been shared among the Federal Government, states and local government councils. The communiqué stated that the N1.969 trillion total distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N1.084 trillion, Value Added Tax revenue of N846.507 billion and Electronic Money Transfer Levy revenue of N38.110 billion. It said the LGs received N513.272 billion, while the sum of N96.083 billion, representing 13 per cent of mineral revenue, was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue. “The LGs received N203.656 billion, while the sum of N96.083 billion, representing 13 per cent of mineral revenue, was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue. “From the N846.507 billion distributable VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N126.976 billion, the state governments received N423.254 billion and the LGs received N296.277 billion,” it said.
Source:Punch
February 02, 2026 12:49 UTC
Kano market fire guts popular Singa Market in early morning
An early morning fire on Monday razed parts of a popular Kano market, also known as Singa Market. PUNCH Online gathered that the fire broke out in the early hours of the day, causing damage to sections of the busy market. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif, said the service received a distress call at about 3:16 am and immediately deployed firefighting personnel to the scene to contain the blaze. “As of about 10 am, pockets of the market were still burning, with firefighters working to bring the situation under control and prevent the fire from spreading further,” Yusif said. He, however, assured that more details on the incident would be made available to journalists later.
Source:Punch
February 02, 2026 12:42 UTC
Morning Recap: Grammys disappointment, health strike disruption, presidential travel costs and other top stories
Davido arrives at the 2026 Grammy Awards red carpet in Los Angeles on Sunday February 1, 2026. Photo: OkayAfricaNigeria went home empty-handed at the 2026 Grammy Awards despite strong nominations in key music categories, while health workers’ industrial action has significantly disrupted services at public hospitals. The Presidency spent N34bn on foreign exchange for official travels in the past two years, and Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, reached 200 career goals as Nigerian women’s footballers also shone abroad. Health workers’ strike grounds public hospitals in NigeriaThe ongoing strike by health workers in federal institutions has severely disrupted services at public hospitals, with many facilities operating at reduced capacity or closing key departments. South Africa set to replace Morocco as WAFCON hostsSouth Africa is poised to take over hosting duties for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after Morocco withdrew as hosts.
Source:Punch
February 02, 2026 12:29 UTC
BREAKING: AGF Fagbemi heads FG’s legal team prosecuting suspects in Benue killings
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbami, SAN, is leading the prosecution team in the trial of nine persons arraigned on Monday for their alleged involvement in the massacre of about 150 people in Yelwata, a town in Benue state. The arraignment of the suspects in the Benue killings came after a painstaking investigation and collaboration by government agencies. ALSO READ: FG to arraign perpetrators of Benue killings, MondayThe defendants were arraigned on a 57- count amended charge bordering on the killings in Yelwata in Benue state in June last year. The defendants, Ado Mohammed Dono, Mohammed Saidu, Alh Haruna Abdullahi, Yakubu Adamu, Mohammed Musa, Abubakar Adamu, Shaibu Ibrahim, Saleh Mohammed and Bako Jibril pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the federal government. “The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the protection of lives and property of all as enshrined in the constitution”, AGF stated in the statement.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 02, 2026 12:26 UTC
Over 95,000 died of suicide so far in 2026 — Report
More than 95,000 people have died by suicide globally since the start of 2026, according to figures compiled by Worldometers, drawing from World Health Organization (WHO) data. According to Worldometer, the figure as of the time of this report, stands at 95, 406 so far in 2026. The early-year toll highlights the continuing scale of suicide as a major global public health challenge. The impact extends far beyond individuals, leaving long-lasting emotional, social and economic consequences for families, communities and entire nations. WHO stresses that suicide is preventable and requires a coordinated public health response rather than isolated interventions.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 02, 2026 12:26 UTC
LAWMA intensifies clampdown on illegal waste disposal
Intensifying its efforts on modern waste management, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has seized several waste carts and arrested an individual during an early morning enforcement operation on Lagos Island, following targeted surveillance of unauthorised waste disposal within the area. The carts were intercepted at dawn by LAWMA enforcement officers during a coordinated operation aimed at disrupting unregulated waste movement and preventing the re-emergence of illegal dump points in locations already cleared by the Authority. ALSO READ: LAWMA boss advocates responsible waste disposalWhile the waste carts were seized at Isale-Eko, an individual named Muritala Suleiman, a 42-year-old male from Zamfara State, was intercepted at around 1:31 a.m., dumping waste illegally at Tinubu Square, Lagos Island. LAWMA’s early-hour monitoring remains a critical enforcement tool, as illegal waste disposal activities are often carried out during periods of low visibility. The Authority urged residents to comply with approved waste disposal channels and support efforts to keep public spaces clean and discourage illegal waste disposal.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 02, 2026 12:14 UTC
Osimhen reaches 200 goals as Nigerian women shine abroad
The strike took him to 200 career goals for club and country, achieved across 336 senior appearances, alongside 51 assists. At club level alone, he has scored 165 goals in 284 matches, with his most productive spells coming at SSC Napoli and Galatasaray. The weekend goal also extended a remarkable run, having recently become the fastest player to reach 50 goals for Galatasaray. EnglandJoy Omewa (Nottingham Forest Women)Omewa announced herself to English football in emphatic fashion, scoring on her debut for Forest Women despite a heavy defeat. The Super Falcons forward found the net in Forest’s 5-1 loss to Birmingham City in the Women’s Super League 2.
Source:Punch
February 02, 2026 11:20 UTC
2027: Internal division will jeopardise Ogun West gov aspiration — Professionals
A group under the umbrella of Ogun West Professionals for Yayi has said that internal division would undermine the desire and aspiration of the senatorial district to produce the next governor of 50 years old, Ogun State. In a communique issued at the end of the media engagement held in Ilaro, on Sunday, the forum comprising sons and daughters of Ogun West, who are professionals in their callings, resolved to reposition the district for inclusion and taking leadership role in the state. The Senate Majority Leader, Dr Opeyemi Bamidele, who was the Guest Speaker at the media engagement spoke on the theme “The Power of Internal Coherence In Securing External Support: Roadmap For Achieving Ogun West Gubernatorial Ambition in 2027. The Forum unanimously endorsed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) as the preferred candidate for Ogun State Governor in the year 2027. The forum emphasized the urgent need for a unified and coordinated approach among political stakeholders in Ogun West, stressing that internal divisions could undermine the historic opportunity before the district.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 02, 2026 10:47 UTC
FCC Ibadan empowers staff, students with digital literacy skills
The Federal Cooperative College (FCC), Ibadan, recently held a capacity-building workshop for its staff and students to boost professionalism, service delivery, and employability. ALSO READ: Foundation graduates 1,000 indigenes, empowers them with equipment in LagosAbdulganiyu added that the initiative, which included a two-day capacity-building workshop for students, reinforces FCC Ibadan’s commitment to digital competence and inclusiveness. “This capacity-building workshop is aimed at enhancing ethical skills and digital competence in a bid to achieve sustainable excellence in educational administration. “Complementing TEERPS, Microsoft 365 Education is being leveraged to strengthen digital teaching, learning and collaboration among staff and students. “To achieve this, FCC Ibadan is working closely with seasoned technical experts and partners, Prof. S. Olayinka and Prof. Wilson Nwankwo, who are leading the digital capacity-building and onboarding process for academic staff, non-academic staff, and students.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 02, 2026 10:47 UTC
Oil discovery at Eba: Ogun reaffirms jurisdiction, cites legal, historical evidence
THE Ogun State government has reaffirmed its territorial jurisdiction over Eba Island in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, dismissing claims from some quarters in Ondo State as misleading and capable of triggering avoidable communal tension. The request was declined and subsequently reported to the Ogun State government, NNPCL and security agencies. According to the government, this engagement amounted to a tacit acknowledgment of Ogun State’s jurisdiction over the area. The government also cited lease agreements, historical community records and survey documents, including the Olokola free trade zone survey plan, as further evidence establishing Eba Island as part of Ogun State. Administrative validation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also referenced, with the polling unit at LA Primary School, Eba, officially registered under Makun/Irokun ward in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 02, 2026 10:47 UTC
Popular Islamic cleric, ‘Rigi-Rigi’ Kusfa, dies at 57
A renowned Islamic cleric in Zaria, Sheikh Usman Idris, popularly known as ‘Rigi-Rigi’, has died at the age of 57. Umar said that Sheikh Usman Kusfa died in the early hours of Monday at a private hospital in Kaduna after battling an illness for a few months. ALSO READ: Nigerians react as Davido, others lose Grammy award to TylaAccording to him, Sheikh Kusfa was widely known for his Islamic teachings and had gained significant popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms. He said the cleric is survived by four wives, 37 children, and many grandchildren. Umar added that the funeral prayer for the deceased has been scheduled to take place in Kusfa, Zaria City, by 4:30 pm on Monday.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 02, 2026 10:47 UTC