Author: Damilola

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted Nigerians to a heightened risk of fire outbreaks and heat-related illnesses as temperatures rise across several parts of the country. The warning was issued on Saturday in a statement by NEMA Head of Press and Public Relations, Manzo Ezekiel, on behalf of the Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar. According to the agency, the current heatwave conditions could increase the likelihood of fire incidents and pose health threats to residents, prompting a call for precautionary measures. “Following the recent rise in daily temperatures and heatwave conditions across parts of the country, the National Emergency…

Health authorities in Canada have launched an investigation into the deaths of two plasma donors — one of them a Nigerian international student — following donations at private plasma collection centres in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Plasma, the liquid component of blood, accounts for slightly more than half of the body’s total blood volume. Health Canada confirmed it received two reports of fatal adverse reactions linked to plasma donation procedures — the first in October 2025 and the second on January 30, 2026. Both incidents occurred at clinics run by Grifols, a Spanish healthcare firm that operates several plasma collection facilities across…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over a fragile economy when he assumed office in 2023. Akpabio made the remark on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the convention sub-committee on programmes and events of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His comments were contained in a statement issued by Mr. Jackson Udom, his special assistant on media. The senate president, who previously served as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, said the National Assembly of Nigeria would continue to back the reform programmes of the current administration. “The National Assembly will continue…

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) says it distributed N1.89 trillion as revenue for February among the federal government, states, and local government councils. The allocation was announced after the committee’s March 2026 meeting held in Abuja on Friday. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy. In a statement issued by the ministry, FAAC said the total gross revenue available for the month stood at N2.23 trillion before deductions. From the N1.89 trillion distributable revenue, the federal government received N675.08 billion, states were allocated N651.52 billion, while local government councils…

A missile struck a helipad within the compound of the Embassy of the United States in Baghdad on Saturday, according to Iraqi security officials. Two officials confirmed the incident to the Associated Press, which also reported that footage from the scene showed a plume of smoke rising above the diplomatic complex in the morning. The embassy compound in Baghdad is one of the largest American diplomatic missions globally and has been targeted several times in recent years by rockets and drones launched by Iran-aligned militia groups. Images circulating on social media also showed smoke and dust billowing above the embassy…

The president of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said the upper chamber plans to pass the 2026 appropriation bill on March 31 when lawmakers reconvene from the Sallah recess. Akpabio made the disclosure during Thursday’s plenary shortly before the senate adjourned for the holiday break. He explained that although senators are on recess, committees will continue their assignments, particularly ongoing budget defence sessions with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), alongside consultations with the appropriation committee. Akpabio urged the senate leadership to ensure the committee on appropriations completes the harmonisation of its report before lawmakers return. “I hope the leader…

Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N1,175 per litre. The refinery had announced N100 reduction earlier in the week as global crude oil prices continue to climb. The price was adjusted upward after it had briefly been lowered to N1,075 per litre on March 10, 2026. The earlier reduction had sparked a surge in demand from depot operators. Data from Petroleumprice.ng also confirmed the change, noting that the development disrupted trading activities across several petroleum depots. Loading operations at the refinery were also briefly suspended as the company carried…

Mojtaba Khamenei says Iran will continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to exert pressure on its adversaries. Khamenei made the remarks on Thursday in a recorded message — his first public address since assuming leadership on Sunday following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. Earlier, on March 2, a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that the strait had been “closed,” warning that any vessel attempting to navigate the route would be set “ablaze”. Rising tensions in the region have already disrupted global shipping. Several major container lines have halted voyages through…

Nine members of the senate on Thursday announced their defection from their respective political parties to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Godswill Akpabio read their letters of defection during plenary. Among those who switched parties is Aminu Tambuwal, representing Sokoto south, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ADC. Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia south, also moved from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the ADC. Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra central, left the Labour Party (LP) for the ADC. In his letter, Umeh cited internal conflicts within the Labour Party as the reason for his decision. “I…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reduced the pump price of petrol at its retail outlets to N1,130 per litre in Lagos and N1,165 per litre in Abuja. Checks on Wednesday showed that the new prices represent a drop of N100 from the previous N1,230 per litre in Lagos and N95 from N1,260 per litre in Abuja. At several NNPC filling stations in Lagos — including those along Isheri Oshun Road, Apple Junction and Ago Palace Way — petrol was observed selling at the revised price of N1,130 per litre. Similarly, outlets operated by the company in areas…