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 MINISTER OF HEALTH PATE LAUNCHES EMPOWER ACADEMY NIGERIA The coordinating minister of health and social welfare, prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has  launched empower academy Nigeria in Abuja, a strategic platform to boost skills development and Nigeria's healthcare value chain.  The academy will address the gap in industry-ready professionals training especially in pharmaceutical manufacturing and life sciences, addressing a critical gap in practical skills. Prof. Pate emphasized that  the initiative aligns with president Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision to make Nigeria a manufacturing hub and create quality jobs. The programme is free for qualified Nigerians for the next 2 years which includes classroom learning, lab practice, mentorship, and factory-style training to equip young nigerians with technical skills.

UN SEC. GEN.  COMMISERATES WITH OVER  KWARA ATTACKS The  United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a strong condemnation of a terrorist attack that struck Kwara State in Nigeria leaving scores of people dead. In a statement released by his office, Guterres expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Nigerian people and government.  He also extended  wishes for a swift recovery to those injured in the assault. Reaffirming the UN's unwavering support, the Secretary-General emphasised the organisation's solidarity with Nigeria in its ongoing battle against terrorism and violent extremism.  He underscored the critical need to hold the perpetrators accountable, calling for them to be brought to justice.  UN officials have repeatedly pledged assistance to help strengthen counter-terrorism efforts in West Africa.

 Alleged N738.6m Fraud: Judge Threatens to Revoke Maina’s Bail The trial of Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, continued on Thursday, February 5, 2026 before Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Asokoro with the judge threatening to revoke the defendant’s bail for employing multiple antics to stall his trial. Justice Kutigi’s anger followed the presentation of Maina’s hospital referral in court by the defence lawyer, Mr Achibong and the lawyer’s request for adjournment as a result of the referral, which named no ill health. The judge frowned at the fact that the case has not gathered any momentum in the past four years as result of diverse antics of the defendant to stall his trial, despite all the opportunities being given to him by the court to respond to fraud allegations against him. The judge regretted that Maina’s antics “have stalled proceedings completely,” noting that the last time the defendant was ...

 Trump says he will not get involved in Netflix and Paramount Skydance battle to acquire WBD  President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will not involve himself in the battle between Netflix and Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. “I haven’t been involved,” Trump said, adding that while both sides have reached out to him, he has decided to step aside and let the Justice Department handle the matter. The announcement marks a shift from Trump’s comments in early December, when he suggested he might participate in reviewing the deal. At the time, he expressed concerns about Netflix gaining a large market share if its proposed $72 billion acquisition of WBD, which would include the film studio, HBO, and HBO Max but exclude cable networks like CNN, were approved. Paramount Skydance later launched a competing hostile takeover bid valued at more than $108 billion for all of WBD. Trump noted Wednesday that the two companies are fiercely competing and said, “They’...

Barry Manilow postpones Las Vegas residency dates after lung cancer surgery announcement Singer Barry Manilow provided an update on his health on Wednesday, revealing he is recovering from lung cancer surgery and will postpone his Las Vegas residency dates this month. Manilow had shared in December that a cancerous spot was found on his left lung after he recovered from several weeks of bronchitis. An MRI, ordered as a precaution, revealed the spot that needed surgical removal. On Wednesday, the musician said the procedure went well, and he is now focusing on recovery. "I've been getting exercise and spending some time in the studio, which has been fantastic," Manilow wrote on Instagram. Following his doctor’s advice, he will push back his Westgate Las Vegas residency, originally scheduled for Feb. 12 through Feb. 21, to allow time for healing and to prepare for his upcoming tour, which begins Feb. 27. Manilow had already rescheduled several January tour dates due to reco...

Lee Hamilton, Indiana Democrat and 9/11 Commission vice chair, dies at 94 Former Rep. Lee H. Hamilton, the Indiana Democrat who served as vice chair of the 9/11 Commission and was widely recognized as a leading voice on foreign policy, has died at the age of 94. Hamilton, first elected to Congress in 1964, served 17 terms and remained active after leaving office, holding prominent roles at institutions such as Indiana University’s Center on Representative Government and the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, which he co-names with the late Republican Sen. Richard Lugar. Indiana University President Pamela Whitten praised Hamilton’s lifelong service, saying he profoundly shaped the understanding of democracy, global engagement, and principled leadership, leaving a lasting impact on the nation. Known early on as a moderate and independent-minded legislator, Hamilton in 1965 famously urged President Lyndon B. Johnson to “pause” in the rush to enact Great Society le...