Author: Elizabeth Jenrola Oso

Focus Holiday Inn, a popular hotel in the Garki area of Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT), has been engulfed by fire. According to a hotel staff, the alarm was raised by a reportedly unclad guest who rushed to the reception, to alert workers about the blaze. The fire, which originated from a section of the three-storey building quickly spread to other parts, causing widespread panic among guests and employees. Despite multiple distress calls, fire service responders reportedly came late. However, as of the time of this report, fire crews were on site working to contain the blaze. Established in…

To assist candidates preparing for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations, the Lagos State Government has unveiled a new initiative tagged the Eko Learners’ Support. The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, who spoke during the programme’s official launching at the Education Resource Centre in Lagos on Tuesday, said the initiative is designed to help students excel in their external examinations. He said, “These lessons will be broadcast on Lagos Television, as well as other social media platforms, and will feature proficient teachers who have undergone rigorous screening.” The programme aims…

A Lagos-based Arabic teacher, Oladosu Sakiru, has been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for attempted sexual assault on a 13-year-old student. Sakiru, who is also an Alfa (Muslim cleric) was jailed by Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court after he was found guilty on an amended two-count charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration, and indecent treatment of a child filed against him by the police. The convict, who was re-arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi, was first arraigned on March 17, 2023, and had pleaded not guilty to the charge. At the resumption of trial, the prosecution called two…

Spanish police have announced the arrest of three “extremely dangerous” suspected mafia members wanted in Italy for crimes, including attempted murder, weapons trafficking and money laundering. A police statement on Tuesday said the suspects were “one of the heads of a dangerous family clan” of the Neapolitan Camorra, his son, and his son-in-law, without naming the three. They were recently detained in the southern Spanish coastal town of Marbella, where many international criminal gang members have settled in recent years. Police posted video on social media, showing officers separately escorting the three suspects who appeared to be in handcuffs. The…

Legendary Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1 or K1 de Ultimate, has lost one of his former wives, Alhaja Hafsat Ajoke Anifowoshe. Alhaja Hafsat, who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, succumbed to an undisclosed illness. She was the mother of one of his daughters, Honourable Idayat Anifowoshe, a Special Assistant on Special Duties to Dr. Mayor Muibi Alade Folawiyo, the executive chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Authority, LIEL CDA. She was aged 65 years. Commiserating with Honourable Idayat, Olushoga Olushola, the Chief Press Secretary to The Executive Chairman of…

Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai has urged Muslim leaders to challenge the Taliban government in Afghanistan and its repressive policies for girls and women. “Simply put, the Taliban in Afghanistan do not see women as human beings,” she told an international summit hosted by Pakistan on girls education in Islamic countries. Ms Yousafzai told Muslim leaders there was “nothing Islamic” about the Taliban’s policies which include preventing girls and women from accessing education and work. The 27-year-old was evacuated from Pakistan at 15 after being shot in the head by a Pakistan Taliban gunman who targeted her for speaking…

Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including scavengers, beggars, and petty traders, among others, have filed a suit against the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, demanding N500 million in damages over an alleged breach of their fundamental rights. A legal practitioner, Abba Hikima, who filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/3024 before the Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of the vulnerable residents, listed as the applicant in the originating motion dated Nov. 19, 2024, but filed Nov. 20, 2024, said he is suing in public interest for the protection of vulnerable citizens in Nigeria. The applicant sued Wike; Inspector-General…

Six more bodies have been recovered from an illegal gold mine in South Africa, where scores of people have reportedly died underground since authorities tried to force them out and seal the mine in November, BBC News reported. Eight people were rescued alive on Tuesday and 26 were recovered on Monday, the BBC reported. Over 100 people who were illegally mining in the abandoned mine have reportedly died since the crackdown began, a group representing the miners told British broadcaster Sky News. Arguing that the miners had entered without permission, the crackdown involved authorities cutting off their access to food…

President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that two of the Navy’s future aircraft carriers will be named after former commanders-in-chief, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. “The future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and the future USS George W. Bush (CVN 83) will begin construction in the years ahead,” Biden said in a statement issued just a week before he is replaced in office by Donald Trump. “When complete, they will join the most capable, flexible, and professional Navy that has ever put to sea,” Biden said. “They will be crewed by sailors who hail from every corner of the…

In a surprise midnight operation, the Jigawa State Command of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has rescued 10 victims of suspected trafficking in Babura Local Government Area of the state. Disclosing the development while briefing newsmen in his office in Dutse, the state NIS Comptroller CIS. Musa said the interception is based on the “Operation Salama” team, carried out on January 12, 2025, at Naira Tsamiyar Kwance in Babura Local Government Area. He said the victims, comprising eight females and two males, were en route to Europe through illegal migration channels. CIS. Musa explained that the victims ages range between 21…