The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has emphasised the need for a collective effort to eliminate violence against women and the vulnerable. Speaking Wednesday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the monarch highlighted that Onitsha has already established specific community guidelines designed to safeguard these groups from harm. “It is about coming together within our community, the way we organize, and taking care of each other. People oftentimes misunderstand that dynamism, but it must be there because culture exists to serve the people,” the Obi of Onitsha said. So, first of all, it is about education to enlighten our people regarding the true core elements of our cultural traits”, he added.

Foundation Cricket Club have climbed to the top of the Club Cricket Committee Lagos Premier League Division following an impressive showing last weekend, recording wins over Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club and Island Titans Cricket Club, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. After FCC posted 91 runs all out, Ibeju Lekki were set a target of 92 to win. As the CCC Lagos League approaches the Super 6 and Super 4 play-offs in both divisions, other teams are also raising their level in a bid to secure qualification. With FCC, Ibeju Lekki and Island Titans occupying the top three positions, they are followed by Government College Ibadan, defending champions Rising Stars and Federal Government College Warri in the top six. Rising Stars Cricket Club and Rocks of Abeokuta emerged as champions of the Premier Division and Division One, respectively, last season.

They wanted to arrange Lionel Messi for Galatasaray from the USA,” Tüzemen told A Spor. “Messi says that the tempo in the American league is too demanding for him and he does not want to go to the World Cup injured. It remains unclear whether Messi would be willing to play the away leg against the Serie A side if the deal materialises. While Messi guided Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup title in 2025, Osimhen powered Galatasaray to a domestic double in the 2024/25 season, scoring 37 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions. Will we see Messi wearing the Galatasaray shirt one day?

“Religious freedom is now one of our primary weapons against the dark alliance gathered against us,” Brownback said in his prepared testimony. “Both have what were previously designated as Entities of Particular Concern operating within their borders,” he wrote. “If we are to take the International Religious Freedom Act as our measure, then the United States is not doing enough. “The State Department has still not made its designations of Countries of Particular Concern, Special Watch List, or Entities of Particular Concern. “International religious freedom, as defined in human rights law, is universal,” Schneck stated.

The Edo State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers during patrol along the Auchi–Igarra Highway in Edo North, authorities said on Wednesday. In a statement by the state command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, on Wednesday, the suspects were identified by a vigilante member as members of a kidnapping syndicate. “Upon recognition, the suspects attempted to escape into the bush but were quickly intercepted and arrested. The PUNCH had earlier reported that 13 suspected kidnappers and vandals were arrested while three abductees were rescued. Edo State Police PPRO explained that the operations are part of sustained security measures ordered by CP Monday Agbonika to dismantle criminal networks and deny offenders safe haven.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has pledged to compensate residents of Makoko and adjoining communities in Yaba Local Government Area affected by recent demolitions, as it ordered an immediate halt to the exercise. The directive followed a meeting on Tuesday between lawmakers and representatives of the affected communities at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja. PUNCH Metro had exclusively reported on Monday that the Assembly convened the meeting after receiving a petition from the affected communities. He said, “All demolitions in Makoko and its waterfront communities should stop with immediate effect until further notice. However, the Lagos State Government has continued to defend the demolition, insisting it was carried out in the interest of the waterfront communities.

Snakebites kill one person every five minutes globally – up to 138,000 every year, and leave 400,000 more with permanent disabilities. Many cases and deaths are thought to go unrecorded, particularly where victims seek care from traditional healers rather than hospitals. View image in fullscreen A boomslang, one of the most venomous snakes in Africa – most snakebite deaths are preventable if antivenom is administered quickly. According to the World Health Organization, most deaths from snakebites are “entirely preventable” if safe and effective antivenoms are available and administered swiftly. Shortages of antivenom due to manufacturing problems have been reported across Africa, along with quality concerns about some products.

The Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School Old Girls Association unveiled a digital initiative as part of activities marking the school’s 70th anniversary. Founded in 1956, Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Yaba, Lagos, hosted former students who returned in their old school uniforms, showcasing styles worn across different generations. Chukwuma noted that one of the highlights of the celebration was a debate on technology between alumnae and current students. She disclosed that the alumni association was working to improve the school’s digital facilities, including equipping the computer hub with desktops, internet access and solar power. Activities marking the 70th anniversary include a “Thanksgiving Mass and Prize-Giving Day”, a gala night themed “A Night of African Elegance”, a visit to a women’s correctional centre, career day, the launch of mentorship programmes and the unveiling of the school’s 70th anniversary project.

According to him, first aid response is critical in snakebite cases. He reiterated the danger of tying the affected limb, saying, “Tying a piece of cloth will localise venom in the affected part. He explained that the reported reduction in snakebite cases in recent years does not necessarily reflect improved outcomes. “The reduction in snakebite cases reported in recent years is likely due to the unavailability of free antivenoms. Also speaking, Dr Abe Musa, a member of the Toxinological Society of Nigeria, berated patients for tying snakebite wounds, warning that the practice could worsen the condition.“They are playing with their health.

Profit after tax climbed to £5.7 billion ($7.8 billion) compared with profit of £2.6 billion in 2024, GSK said in a statement. “GSK delivered another strong performance in 2025, driven mainly by Speciality Medicines,” said chief executive Luke Miels, who took over from Emma Walmsley at the start of the year. GSK forecasts a low double-digit increase in revenue for its speciality medicines this year, but it expects revenue from vaccines and general medicines to decline. GSK, along with several other pharmaceutical giants, agreed in December to lower the cost of its prescription medicines for American patients, in exchange for tariff exemptions for three years. The United States accounted for more than half of GSK’s total revenues last year.

One of the officials of the state Fire Service trying to recover the corpse from the well in Saki. The Oyo State Fire Service has recovered the corpses of a 30-year-old man, Shina Adedeji, and another 45-year-old man, whose name was withheld, from two separate locations in the state. One of the victims was trying to rescue a goat when he was trapped in the well. The man in the Saki incident was trying to rescue a goat when he met his death. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a man of about 45 years was trapped inside a deep well.

The Lagos State Water Corporation (LWC) has commenced a rehabilitation project for the Iju and Adiyan water treatment plants. The MD assured residents of Lagos that the rehabilitation project would be executed with the highest technical standards. The Iju Water Treatment Plan, also known as Iju Waterworks, is one of Lagos’s oldest water treatment facilities. The Adiyan Waterworks is a major modern water treatment plant for Lagos, commissioned in 1991 as part of the Lagos Water Supply Expansion Project. It was designed to produce about 70 million gallons per day (MGD), making it one of the largest water treatment plants in the state.

The Army said the operation also led to the escape of more than 70 captives. “From 21 January 2026 to date, troops uncovered and destroyed 3 major terrorist detention facilities concealed within the Timbuktu Triangle forest which stretches across Borno and Yobe states,” said Mr Uba. ‘32 ISWAP fighters killed’During the encounters, Mr Uba said ISWAP suffered heavy losses, with no fewer than 32 fighters killed, including two Qaids (senior commanders) and three Munzirs (unit leaders), while several others were wounded. Mr Uba said the destruction of the camps goes beyond a tactical victory, weakening ISWAP’s internal enforcement system, disrupting its detention and ransom networks, and further constricting its operational freedom. Mr Uba reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements, denying them safe havens and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-east.

•Donates new state secretariat to partyOYO State governor, Mr ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared that no one will be allowed to hold down the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for any other party to be in power. Recall that Governor Makinde had also donated a secretariat to the South-West PDP in honour of a former National Vice Chairman (South-West), the late Honourable Soji Adagunodo, in 2024. But for them to hold PDP for another party to be in power, it is no, no, no. The chairman, Oyo State PDP, Honourable Dayo Ogungbenro, in his remarks, said the new secretariat is another testament to Governor Makinde’s quality and ability as a worthy leader of the party. The event had in attendance a former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Abdul-Raheem Bayo Lawal; Speaker, state House of Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin; PDP National Chairman, Dr Turaki; former Deputy Governor Oyo State and PDP National Secretary, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; former Deputy Governor, Engineer Hamid Gbadamosi; PDP National Chairman, South-East, Honourable Alli Odefa; and PDP National Chairman South -South, Chief Emma Ogidi.

For the third time, the Senate failed to pass the Electoral Act Repeal and Enactment Bill 2026 on Tuesday. It had listed to pass the bill on Wednesday last week. However, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, rising to offer an explanation, said lawmakers would first take the document home to study the details. The Senate then set Thursday, the following day, as the date to pass the bill. Being a joint committee report, the Senate and the House are expected to be on the same page on changes, if any.