Iran’s president says Tehran is ready for ‘fair’ talks with the US
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said on Tuesday that Tehran is ready to pursue “fair” talks with the United States, instructing his foreign minister to engage in negotiations as reports emerged that senior officials from both countries may meet in Istanbul later this week over Iran’s nuclear programme. Pezeshkian said he had directed Iran’s foreign ministry to move forward if conditions allow, stressing the need for talks without pressure. Multiple reports say Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, and US envoy Steve Witkoff could meet on Friday in Istanbul, alongside representatives from several Arab and Muslim countries, to discuss a potential nuclear deal. Satellite imagery released last week showed repair work at Iran’s Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites after the June strikes. Saudi and Israeli officials met US defence officials last week to discuss possible scenarios, while Iran has warned it would respond to any US attack.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 12:59 UTC
Kenya warns against cash bouquets, citing damage to banknotes
Kenya’s central bank has warned people against using banknotes to make floral-like bouquets and decorations, saying the practice could damage currency and carry criminal penalties. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) issued the notice on Monday after cash bouquets became a popular trend in the country, often ordered ahead of Valentine’s Day and promoted by celebrities and online influencers. It added that creators of cash bouquets could face up to seven years in jail if arrested. Alinur Mohamed wrote on X, “The public notice from the Central Bank of Kenya has saved men ahead of this year’s Valentine’s Day. Back to basics, bouquet of flowers it is.”Another Kenyan said the decision offers “a much-needed relief for those who found such cash bouquets overly expensive and wasteful.”(BBC News)
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 12:59 UTC
Labour unions, FCTA reach agreement, suspend strike
After days of industrial action, the organised labour and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have finally reached a consensus, bringing relief to workers and residents of the FCT. According to a circular jointly issued by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), all complaints presented by JUAC members were taken one after the other and fully addressed. Labour leaders urged all affiliates to comply strictly with the directive in the interest of industrial peace and harmony. The circular was jointly signed on behalf of the unions and workers by tge Secretary General, TUC, Comrade NA Toro, and the Ag. General Secretary, NLC Comrade Benson Upah.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 12:59 UTC
ICE arrests Brazilian influencer who supported US immigration enforcement
Eustáquio da Silva Pena Júnior, a Brazilian influencer, has been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Jersey. The rightwing influencer, who has hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram, had recently posted videos backing Trump’s immigration policies. ICE arrests Brazilian influencer Júnior Pena as Trump’s immigration push continues to affect the United States’ estimated 2 million Brazilian residents. Trump’s immigration enforcement has led to a sharp rise in deportations of Brazilians, with 2,785 deported last year, up from 1,640 in 2024. The magazine reported that some Brazilian migrants, particularly in cities such as Boston, were avoiding speaking Portuguese in public and altering their appearance to blend in.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 12:59 UTC
Drugs war: Marwa calls for national response for alternative development
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig- Gen Mohamed Marwa (rtd), has called for a strong national response and sustained support for the alternative development programme recently initiated by the Agency to curb illicit cannabis cultivation, uplift rural communities and strengthen national security. The successful take off of the pilot scheme in Ilu Abo, Ifon, and Eleyewo in Ondo state last week clearly demonstrates that alternative development works when communities are engaged, supported, and empowered. “They have openly stated that this programme has renewed their hope in Nigeria and restored their confidence in government. The NDLEA boss said the dire reality of illicit cannabis cultivation and use in Nigeria made the Agency to look beyond law enforcement and consider a United Nations endorsed alternative to solving the cannabis conundrum. “Field assessments focusing on high-risk areas in the South West reveal that nearly 8,900 hectares of land are under cannabis cultivation, often hidden deep within forests and remote regions.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 12:59 UTC
Afghanistan issues more than 85,000 work permits to boost labour market
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has issued more than 85,000 work permits over the past year in a bid to revive the country’s labour market. According to a report by TOLO News on Tuesday, the permits were granted to both Afghan citizens and foreign nationals, reflecting the government’s broader strategy to strengthen the workforce amid persistent economic challenges. In addition, around 20,000 people received vocational training in various skills during the same period, the report said. In recent years, the authorities have stepped up efforts to improve employment opportunities by expanding training programmes and enhancing access to the labour market, with the aim of supporting long-term economic stability.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 12:59 UTC
Top 10 African stock markets by number of listed companies
African stock markets have expanded in recent years, driven by reforms, improved regulation and growing interest in domestic capital formation. Below are the top 10 African stock markets ranked by the number of listed firms. Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) – South AfricaAlthough it ranks behind Egypt and Nigeria by number of companies, the JSE is Africa’s most influential stock market. Casablanca Stock Exchange – MoroccoMorocco’s bourse is one of North Africa’s more stable markets, featuring a moderate number of listed companies and increasing participation from institutional investors. Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) – GhanaThe Ghana Stock Exchange remains relatively small, with few new listings in recent years, reflecting the challenges faced by smaller African capital markets.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 11:36 UTC
54% of Nigerian minors buy alcohol themselves — NAFDAC
“The availability and easy access to alcohol have been identified as a contributory factor to the increasing alcohol consumption among minors,” she said. Beyond the quantitative survey, the NAFDAC boss said qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. On drinking patterns, the NAFDAC chief said the survey showed that 54 per cent of respondents were occasional drinkers, while 24 per cent drank alcohol daily and 11 per cent consumed alcohol at least once a week. “Further analysis revealed that 63.2 per cent of minors and 54.0 per cent of the underaged drink alcohol occasionally. “Access to alcohol by children can be limited if pack sizes that can be easily concealed are not available.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 11:27 UTC
Oyo@50: Rep Olajide pays tribute to Makinde, Oba Ladoja others
As Oyo State clocks 50 years of its creation, the member representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, has paid glowing tribute to Governor Seyi Makinde, former Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Brig. Olajide extended his felicitations to other legends, technocrats, traditional rulers, civil servants, professionals, artisans and citizens whose sacrifices, he said, have collectively written Oyo state’s history over the last five decades. From our founding leaders to today’s leadership, the story of Oyo state is one of courage and unyielding progress,” Olajide said. “As we celebrate 50 years of Oyo State, we must also renew our collective resolve to protect its legacy and work towards a future defined by inclusion, opportunity and sustainable development,” he added.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 11:22 UTC
FG to share electricity subsidy costs with states, LGs
The Federal Government has announced plans to share electricity subsidy costs with state and local governments from 2026, ending the long-standing practice of bearing the burden alone. He urged MDAs to clearly reflect subsidy-related costs in their 2026 budget submissions and avoid shifting unfunded liabilities into the electricity market. Beyond electricity subsidies, Yakubu said the 2026 Budget would mark a departure from rollover budgeting and fragmented project lists, describing it as a single, coherent implementation framework designed to improve execution and accountability. The Budget Office chief added that the 2026 Budget would prioritise delivery-ready and finance-ready projects, noting that fewer but well-funded projects would deliver greater impact. The workshop is aimed at aligning MDAs with new budget expectations and strengthening the link between planning, financing and delivery in the 2026 fiscal year.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 11:21 UTC
French hospital calls bomb squad after WWI shell found inside patient’s rectum
A hospital in Toulouse, France, called in a bomb disposal unit after doctors discovered a World War I artillery shell lodged inside a patient’s rectum during a medical procedure. According to reports by The Mirror and French outlet La Dépêche, the man told medical staff that he had inserted an object into his body, but did not specify what it was. “At the time of the extraction, the surgeon realised that it was a shell from the First World War, about 16 centimetres long and 4 centimetres wide,” a police source was quoted as saying. A security perimeter was established, and some staff and patients were asked to leave the area as a precaution. After examining the object, explosives experts determined that the shell dated back to the end of World War I and had been decommissioned, posing no danger.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 10:36 UTC
Bauchi’s 50th anniversary worth celebrating — Gov Bala
The Governor made the assertion in a statewide broadcast on the ocassion of the celebration of 50th anniversary of the creation of Bauchi State on 3rd February, 2026. The Governor stated, “Today, I speak to you with a heart filled with gratitude, pride, and responsibility as we mark the 50th Anniversary of the creation of our dear State. The Governor further stated that, “Each administration, in its own way, contributed to the growth, stability, and continuity of Bauchi State. Bauchi State is, no doubt, a product of shared responsibility. Bauchi State occupies a total land area of 49,549 square kilometres representing about 5.3% of Nigeria’s total land mass,” he added.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 10:25 UTC
Nigeria hands over African Energy Bank headquarters
Nigeria has officially handed over the headquarters of the African Energy Bank (AEB), a flagship institution established to mobilise capital for the continent’s energy priorities and strengthen energy value chains. During the event, the President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) and Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Colibaly, commended Nigeria’s leadership in advancing the initiative. “The African Energy Bank represents Africa’s commitment to finance, develop and secure its own energy future by Africans, for Africans,” Colibaly said. The African Energy Bank is a joint initiative of APPO member states and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), established with an initial capital of five billion dollars. The African Energy Bank is a pan-African financial institution jointly established by APPO member states and Afreximbank to provide tailored financing solutions for energy projects across Africa, and to finance and strengthen regional energy markets.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 10:25 UTC
US: Trump seeks $1bn in damages from Harvard University
United States President, Donald Trump, has announced plans to seek $1bn in damages from Harvard University, escalating his administration’s long-running dispute with the institution. The announcement follows a report by the New York Times that the Trump administration had retreated from an earlier demand for a $200m payment during negotiations with the university. Officials in the Trump administration have accused Harvard of failing to adequately address antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests on campus, an allegation the university has rejected. In April last year, Trump revoked about $2bn in research grants awarded to Harvard and froze its federal funding. Other Ivy League institutions, including Columbia, Penn, and Brown, have reached agreements with the Trump administration to protect threatened funding rather than pursue legal action.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 10:25 UTC
Ajadi congratulates Olubadan, Makinde on recent awards
The two awards were presented to Oba Ladoja and Governor Makinde in Saturday in Lagos. Ajadi said he is not surprised that Gov Makinde was given Political Personality of the Year Award . “I stand with the Sun Newspaper on the choice of the Olubadan and Gov Makinde for the outstanding award. “Gov Makinde has remained an ideal Democrat, a strong contributor to the development of Nigerian democracy, good government and great development. “I pray that God will continue to give Gov Makinde more wisdom, strength and understanding as he is wrapping up his Second Term in the office”.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 09:54 UTC