However, Falana noted that despite repeated deployments of military and paramilitary forces to Kwara State in the last two years, insecurity has continued to worsen. Falana, who is also the Chair of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), said decisive local action had become imperative to prevent further loss of lives in Kwara State. Salihu also alleged a possible security breach, stating that he had earlier reported a threat letter to security agencies. As an urgent measure, Falana called on the state government to establish a well-equipped, properly trained state security agency composed of young men and women to protect lives and property. He noted that similar initiatives in South-West states, particularly the Amotekun security corps, have significantly complemented federal security efforts in combating terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

Court proceedings in magistrate courts across Cross River State may be grounded following the commencement of an indefinite strike by magistrates over unresolved welfare and service-condition issues. 3 dated February 9, 2026, issued by the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Cross River State chapter, directing its members to withdraw their services with immediate effect. The bulletin, signed by the association’s Chairman, His Worship Godwin O. Onah, and Secretary, Solomon O. Abuo, instructed magistrates to abstain from all official duties, including court sittings, until further notice. MAN said the strike followed the state government’s failure to address an eight-point demand submitted after a general meeting held on November 5, 2024. According to MAN, its most recent appeal was contained in a letter dated February 2, 2026, but the state government failed to respond.

SPONSOR ADAbove suggests Nigeria faces a troubling paradox: banks are flush with cash, yet manufacturers, agriculture and small businesses are starving for credit. Banks now earn 40% of their interest income from government securities rather than lending to businesses. The manufacturing sector reveals the actual damage as the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropped from 112 to 105.8 points in January, while the broader private sector contracted for the first time in a year. Immediately, regulators should penalize banks that hoard government securities while starving the real sector. Enhanced credit guarantees would reduce banks’ perceived risks when lending to small businesses.

The Federal Government has disclosed that over 2.5 million metric tonnes of food were produced across Nigeria under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project in four years, generating an estimated N2.31 trillion in value. He said the NAGS-AP Project was introduced under the Federal Government’s Food Security Emergency Support Programme to bridge food supply gaps and guarantee national food and nutrition security. “The project focuses on six staple crops, wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean and cassava, and has significantly boosted food availability in the country. Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the large turnout of stakeholders reflected the importance and impact of the NAGS-AP Project. The two-day workshop is expected to produce actionable recommendations that will guide future implementation of the NAGS-AP Project and its allied programmes.

On February 3, 1976, Benue State was created through the historic and heroic state-creation exercise carried out by the Military Administration of General Murtala Mohammed. As one of the founders of Benue State and the founding Chairman of the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture, my task was clear: to help give a new state a new soul. A celebration of our golden jubilee would have required bringing everybody together, a task the Benue State Government vehemently opposes. Beyond the Jubilee Celebration, now that the failed expectations of a robust jubilee celebration have risen and ebbed, the Benue people must all rise and create history together. We must look beyond this failed jubilee celebration, look beyond leadership failure and lack of cohesion.

The incident occurred on Friday, February 6, when 13 journalists from various media organisations were involved in a road accident along the Yashi-Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. ALSO READ: Bauchi accident: Gov Bala visits injured journalists at ATBUTHMedia organisations that lost cameras in the accident include Channels Television, NTA, BATV, ARISE Television, and AIT, while other Journalists lost some items. Mohammed G. Alkali recalled that five professional cameras belonging to the affected media organisations were destroyed in the accident. He, thereafter, handed over the replacement items to the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for onward distribution to the affected journalists and media organisations. He further appreciated the Bauchi State Government for its support towards the treatment of the injured journalists.

Traditional institutions in Kwara state have called for stronger advocacy among womenfolk, especially young females to encourage and improve their participation in politics. Speaking when he met with UN Women-backed organisation for support of women participation in politics, WOYODEV, the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr. Atolagbe Jos, said that such advocacy would embolden them with requisite confidence, education and sensitization to aspire to become political leaders. ALSO READ: Truck driver crushes motorcyclist to death in Lagos“This has showed us that we can spend on women education and that women are capable of holding political offices with effectiveness. The emirate traditional leader said that officials of the Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV) should intensify advocacy by organizing seminar, enlightenment lectures, and interpersonal meetings to prepare the women folk for political participation with dignity. Also speaking, a member of the advocacy team, Dr. Zainab Bolajoko Balogun, said that the upcoming 2027 general election is an avenue for a strategic shift.

The proposals include instant reversals, real-time transaction tracking, and a mandatory suspension of airtime and data sales during network downtimes. He explained that the apex bank now allows the foreign exchange market to largely determine prices, while intervening mainly to purchase forex when necessary. There is predictability, and you can plan.”Cardoso warned Nigerians holding foreign currency without a genuine need that such behaviour could result in losses. “Those holding unnecessary foreign exchange reserves are losing money every day,” he said. It applies to all stakeholders in the airtime and data transaction ecosystem.

African workers, under the umbrella of the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), have declared unwavering solidarity with Congolese workers following the deadly mine collapse at Rubaya in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The organisation declared that it “stands in unwavering solidarity with the families who have lost their loved ones in this horrific disaster”, while also standing “with the mining communities of Rubaya, who are forced to live and work in conditions of extreme danger”. According to the statement, the tragedy highlights the daily reality faced by workers in the extractive sector across the continent. It stressed the need for “the urgent enforcement of safety standards and regular inspections at all mining sites,” and called for “a complete end to armed group control of mining operations”. ITUC-Africa also reaffirmed labour rights as central to preventing future disasters, demanding “full recognition and protection of miners’ rights to organise and bargain collectively”, as well as “fair wages and decent working conditions for all miners”.

A total of 34,060 amounting to over 50 per cent of candidates who sat for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board November/December 2025 examinations passed with credits in English Language and Mathematics. According to him, the release of the examination results is a significant milestone that reflects the board’s institutional commitment to integrity, transparency and credibility in the conduct of public examinations. Mohammed said an analysis of enrolment indicated that at the craft level, candidates enrolled in 17 Engineering Trades, seven Construction Trades, eight Miscellaneous Trades, four Business Trades and 16 General Education subjects. He stated that at the master craft level, candidates enrolled in 13 Engineering Trades, seven Construction Trades, seven Miscellaneous Trades, four Business Trades and three General Education subjects. “In total, candidates were enrolled in 86 trades and 19 General Education subjects across both ordinary and advanced-level certificate examinations,” he said.

Nollywood actress Faithia Williams has announced the death of her mother, revealing that the loss was concealed from her until after her 55th birthday celebration. “Unbeknownst to me, my beloved mother died on the eve of my party and the news was cruelly kept away from me,” she wrote. Faithia described her late mother as her “cheerleader, prayer warrior, best friend, and gist partner,” adding that the reality of her passing has yet to fully sink in. Taking solace in her faith, the actress said the Williams family has chosen to keep the matter private for now while requesting prayers and support from the public. May God rest her soul”

The lawmaker representing West Virginia’s 2nd District in the United States Congress, Rep Riley Moore, said last week was bloody for Christians in Nigeria. “The last week has been some of the most horrifically bloody days in recent history for Christians across Nigeria. “The genocide of Christians must end, and it falls squarely on the Nigerian government’s shoulders to defend its citizens – all of its citizens – and end this violent persecution. He revealed that Fulani and Islamic radicals were attacking Christians who sought refuge in Internally Displaced Camps in Benue State. The Congressman was part of a delegation sent by U.S President Donald Trump on a fact-finding mission concerning Christian persecution in Nigeria.

(Photo by Arife Karakum / Anadolu via AFP)Victor Osimhen has received widespread acclaim for gifting N10m to players of Beyond Limits Football Academy, using the occasion to share advice on hard work, humility and faith with Nigeria’s next generation of footballers, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The presentation was organised by social media influencer Abdulsalam Idris, popularly known as Smallie, who documented the academy in a YouTube documentary titled The Side Of Football Nobody Talks About. “I know what it’s like coming from the trenches, especially when you play football. Many of us, myself included, have gone through the same struggles that many of you are going through now,” Osimhen said. Beyond Limits Football Academy, based at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, was established in 2022 and competes in the Nigeria National League, the country’s second-tier competition.

The immediate past governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has reaffirmed his membership in the Peoples Democratic Party and denied any purported defection to the All Progressives Congress. “The attention of the immediate past governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has been drawn to a fake and deliberately misleading report circulating on social media claiming that he has defected to the APC. “As part of their infantile scheme, the agent provocateurs and fake news merchants went as far as manufacturing a fake APC membership card, falsely attributing it to Chief Ortom. “Chief Samuel Ortom remains a proud, committed, and influential member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is the leader of the party in Benue State and a respected member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT),” the statement added.

The United States Mission in Nigeria has warned that visa overstays by Nigerian travellers could negatively impact future travel opportunities for other citizens. The US Mission noted that strengthening compliance with visa rules is important to protect access for responsible travellers, including students, entrepreneurs, and families. It also encouraged members of the public to report cases of visa fraud, providing contact emails for its fraud prevention units in Abuja and Lagos. The statement reads, “Visa overstays by Nigerian travelers can affect opportunities for their fellow citizens. Strengthening compliance helps protect access for students, business travelers, and families who travel responsibly.