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 FMINO PRESS RELEASE FG Supporting Youths in Education, Digital Skills to make Nigeria an Unstoppable Global Force.” The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged Nigerian youths to seize the opportunities created by ongoing national reforms, describing them as critical pathways for personal growth and nation-building. The Minister stated this while delivering the 2026 Convocation Lecture at the 34th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State. The lecture was titled “Youth and Nation Building: Navigating Opportunities in an Era of National Reforms.” Speaking to graduating students, the Minister described Nigeria as a youthful nation with immense potential, noting that the country’s future depends mainly on how its young population is educated, skilled and engaged. “Nigeria, like the rest of Africa, happens to be a very youthful country, with half of our population under the age of 20, and three-quart...

 “After five years, my school still hasn’t released my results” — lady cries out A Nigerian lady has taken to social media to lament her ordeal with Cross River University of Technology, revealing that the institution has allegedly refused to release her academic results for five years. According to her, she has explored every possible option to resolve the issue but has hit a brick wall each time. Now exhausted and frustrated, she says she is considering starting her education all over again just to move forward with her life. Watch video below. 

 Human rights lawyer, Barrister Ikechukwu Obasi, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, the Attorney General of Anambra State, the Commissioner of Police of Anambra State, and the Inspector General of Police demanding over 2 Billion Naira in damages.  The suit is over the closure of the Onitsha Main Market and other markets in the state over traders’ continued observance of Monday sit-at-home. In the suit he filed under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, Obasi argued that the closure of the markets violated the traders’ fundamental rights, including personal liberty, freedom from forced labour, human dignity, freedom of movement, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, right to privacy, economic development, and freedom of expression, as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Rat...

 Aguata Mayor signs MOU with Blord to empower 2 young Aguata entrepreneurs with his products which they will only remit the exact cost price to Blord after sale. The mayor of Aguata, Hon Chibueze Ofobuike has revealed that at the Aguata Youths Business and Leadership Summit 2.0, which will hold 12 February 2026, B-Lord will announce two young Aguata entrepreneurs as beneficiaries of his support. The two persons will receive his products on credit, and will remit only the exact cost price of the products to him after sale.  At the summit, sixty-five outstanding young people from Aguata will be empowered with numerous business items/tools required for their success.  B-Lord will also be a  Guest Speaker at the summit.  More photos below. 

 Ignore February 2 sit-at-home order, it is fake- IPOB lawyer(Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor) urges Ndi Anambra and S-East residents ‎ ‎A human rights lawyer and lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged South-East residents to completely ignore what he described as a “fraudulent” sit-at-home order allegedly scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, by a faction of the group. ‎ ‎Recall that the pro-Biafran group, through its spokesman Emma Powerful, had directed a sit-at-home on February 2 across the region in solidarity with traders at the Onitsha Main Market. ‎ ‎But in a counter statement released on Saturday, Ejiofor said the source behind the directive, operating under the guise of “Emma Powerful,” has been compromised and is acting against the collective interest of Ndi-Igbo. ‎ ‎He insisted that IPOB has formally and decisively distanced itself from the false sit-at-home order and directed Ndi-Igbo to go about their lawful activities without fear. ‎ ‎...

 Peter Obi Gets Major Backing As Former First Lady Declares Support For Him Support for former Anambra State governor Peter Obi’s potential 2027 presidential bid under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has received a boost following a public endorsement by former Ondo State First Lady, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. In a statement shared on her verified X social media account, Akeredolu declared strong backing for Obi as the preferred presidential candidate of the ADC-backed coalition, signaling her position with a firm and unambiguous message of support. Her declaration comes as discussions intensify within opposition circles over who should emerge as the ADC’s standard-bearer in the next general election; The debate has drawn in supporters of multiple leading figures, particularly Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, with both camps actively mobilizing grassroots and online backing. Obi’s supporters have continued to push for the party to consider regional balance in ...

 Vice Chancellor Prof. Omenugha Officially Reopens UniOjukwu 106.1FM, Restores COOU’s Broadcast Voice Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) on Friday, 30th January 2026, witnessed a historic moment as the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, FNIPR, officially reopened the university’s campus radio station, UniOjukwu 106.1FM, at the Department of Mass Communication, Igbariam Campus. The reopening marks the return of the university’s broadcast voice, offering a platform for students, staff, and the surrounding community to engage, learn, and share information. The revitalization of UniOjukwu 106.1FM stood as a cornerstone of Prof. Omenugha’s visionary leadership from the outset. Drawing on her deep-rooted passion for media education and her pioneering legacy including her foundational role in establishing UNIZIK 94.1FM as one of Nigeria’s earliest campus radio initiatives. Prof. Omenugha championed the project’s revival with firm personal dedication.  As a disting...

 95-year-old woman dies as fire guts residential building in Onitsha North LGA, Anambra Fire has gutted a residential building at Fabikez Street, Omagba Phase 2, in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing a 95-year-old woman who was reportedly trapped for several hours. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, but it was gathered that the inferno, which started in one of the apartments in the two-storey building at about 5:15 pm on Friday, spread to adjoining apartments before it was brought under control by officials of the Anambra State Fire Service after several hours. It was learnt that the blaze, which reportedly caused damage running into several millions of naira, was eventually contained with the intervention of residents and passersby, while firefighters made frantic efforts to extinguish the fire. The landlord of the building could not be reached for comments, but a resident, identified simply as Uche, who spoke to our correspondent on Saturda...

 Next Fast & Furious film titled, set for spring 2028 release The Fast & Furious franchise is gearing up for its next big chapter. Universal announced that the upcoming sequel will be titled Fast Forever and is scheduled for a March 17, 2028, theatrical release. The film follows 2023’s Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier. Vin Diesel, who plays Dominic Toretto, celebrated the announcement on Instagram with a photo of himself alongside late co-star Paul Walker, who portrayed Brian O’Conner. Walker passed away in 2013 during the production of Furious 7, with his remaining scenes completed using CGI, archival footage, and stand-ins, including his brothers Caleb and Cody Walker. Diesel wrote, “No one said the road would be easy… but it’s ours… And a legacy… lasts Forever. March 17th 2028! FAST FOREVER.” The sequel, initially planned for a 2025 release, was delayed, and Universal has not yet revealed details about the cast, plot, or filmmaking team. Diesel previously confirmed th...

 Shakira breaks record with highest-grossing Latin tour ever Colombian singer Shakira has set a Guinness World Record as the highest-grossing Latin touring artist ever, surpassing Luis Miguel and Bad Bunny. Her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour has grossed $421.6 million and sold 3.3 million tickets across 86 reported shows since its launch on February 11, making it the most successful tour by a Spanish-language artist in history. The record was officially recognized on December 11 during Shakira’s concert at Vélez Sarsfield Stadium in Buenos Aires, when cumulative tour revenue surpassed $410 million. Additional shows in Argentina and the United States further boosted the total. The tour has sold out stadiums across Latin America, North America, and other international markets, with regional figures showing the first Latin America leg earned $144.4 million from 25 concerts, and the North American leg brought in $103.6 million across 22 shows. A second Latin America leg added $169...

 Minnesota Vikings part ways with GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four years The Minnesota Vikings have dismissed general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the team announced Friday. Executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski will oversee football operations through the 2026 NFL Draft, following the team’s end-of-season organizational meetings. Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf expressed gratitude for Adofo-Mensah’s four years with the team. “These decisions are never easy,” they said, adding that they will begin a search for a new general manager after the draft, which runs April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Brzezinski will manage the Vikings’ No. 18 overall pick. Adofo-Mensah joined the Vikings in 2022. The team went 13-4 in his first season, 7-10 in 2023, 14-3 in 2024, and 9-8 in 2025, with quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, and J.J. McCarthy leading the offense at various points. Despite a strong 2024 passing attack, the Vikings struggled offensively in 2025, ranking nea...

 Howard Lutnick and Prince Andrew named in latest Epstein files release Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was included in newly released Justice Department documents that detail a planned 2012 visit to Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean island, years after Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution-related charges involving a minor. The records show email exchanges in December 2012 in which Lutnick discussed meeting Epstein for lunch while traveling in the Caribbean with a large group that included family and friends. Epstein’s longtime assistant coordinated the arrangements, confirming lunch plans and providing directions to Little St. James. Additional emails indicate Lutnick’s wife, Allison, was also involved in the planning and logistics of the visit, including arrival times and anchoring details. Follow-up correspondence from Epstein’s assistant later referenced seeing Lutnick, suggesting the meeting took place. Lutnick has since publicly described Epstein as “gross” and referred...

Michael 5000 Watts, Houston hip-hop legend, dies at 52    Michael “5000” Watts, a pioneering figure in Houston’s hip-hop scene and the founder of Swishahouse Records, died Friday at the age of 52. He passed away at Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands. Watts was widely recognized for shaping Southern hip-hop, expanding Houston’s chopped and screwed sound, and turning mixtape culture into a global phenomenon. Swishahouse co-founder OG-Ron C called Watts a founder, visionary, and “cultural architect,” expressing profound sorrow at his passing. Through his label, Watts introduced and elevated countless artists, DJs, and producers, creating a platform for voices that would define a generation of music. Beyond his contributions to the industry, he is remembered as a mentor and cultural curator whose impact extended to fashion, language, business, and the broader identity of Southern hip-hop, solidifying Houston’s place in American music history.

 Don Lemon released after brief Los Angeles hearing, vows 'I will not be silent' as DOJ indictment is unsealed Don Lemon was released from federal custody Friday after a brief hearing in downtown Los Angeles, following his arrest earlier this month while covering an anti-ICE protest at a church in the Minneapolis area. Granted a no-cash bond and permission to travel domestically and internationally, Lemon is now free despite a recently unsealed two-count indictment. Speaking outside the courthouse, Lemon thanked supporters and declared, “I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now.” He emphasized the importance of a free and independent media, saying it must continue to “shine a light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.” Lemon also noted that federal agents had arrested him at night for activities he had performed for more than 30 years as a journalist, underscoring his belief that the First Amendment protects his work. Lemon has not yet e...

 Drone strikes in Ethiopia's Tigray region kill one, injure another One person was killed and another injured in drone strikes in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region on Saturday, a senior Tigrayan official and a humanitarian worker said, in another sign of renewed conflict between regional and national forces. Ethiopia's national army fought fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front for two years until late 2022, in a war researchers say killed hundreds of thousands through direct violence, the collapse of healthcare and famine. Fighting broke out between regional and national forces in the disputed territory of western Tigray earlier this week, according to diplomatic and government sources, Reuters reported. The senior Tigrayan official said the drone strikes hit two Isuzu trucks near Enticho and Gendebta, two places in Tigray about 20 kilometres apart. A humanitarian worker confirmed the strikes had happened. Both asked not to be named. The Tigrayan official s...

Mexico bans vapes, fueling cartel control over booming market   When a cartel targeted a vape shop in northern Mexico, the owners knew resistance was not an option. In early 2022, two employees were abducted, blindfolded, and forced to speak with the gang, which announced it was seizing control of the store. The business would only be allowed to sell online outside the state. “They don’t ask; they tell you what’s about to happen,” one former owner, now living in the U.S., said on the condition of anonymity. At the time, vapes were legal in Mexico, a market valued at $1.5 billion. But after the country banned the sale of electronic cigarettes earlier this month, experts warn organized crime will now dominate the sector. “By banning it, you’re handing the market to non-state groups,” said Zara Snapp, director of the Mexico-based Ría Institute, citing the country’s high levels of corruption and cartel violence. The prohibition is expected to provide cartels with a new revenue stream l...

Lindsey Vonn skips final pre-Olympic race after crash but stays on track for Games  Lindsey Vonn will miss Saturday’s World Cup super-G race after crashing and injuring her left knee Friday, but she remains on track for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, her coach confirmed. “No, she is not racing today but preparing for Cortina as usual,” Chris Knight, Vonn’s personal coach, said in a message. Vonn shared on Instagram, “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to race today. Thank you for all of the love and support I have received. Means the world to me. Doing my best right now…,” accompanied by praying hands and fingers-crossed emojis. The 41-year-old American skier crashed during a downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday, ending up in the safety nets before skiing to the bottom of the course and being airlifted for medical attention. The exact nature of her injury has not yet been determined. “I crashed today in the downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. I am discussin...

 NFL teams up with startup to help blind and low-vision fans follow Super Bowl beyond audio commentary For years, blind and low-vision sports fans have relied on audio commentary to follow games, but delays and missed moments often left them asking friends or family for updates. Now, the NFL is teaming up with Seattle-based startup OneCourt to give some Super Bowl attendees a more immersive way to follow the action. OneCourt’s device, about the size of a thick iPad, provides real-time tactile feedback for major sporting events. Raised lines on its surface map out the field, while different vibrations signal specific plays. The device also includes headphones, letting users follow their team’s radio broadcast with minimal delay. Founded in 2021 by University of Washington students, OneCourt was inspired when CEO Jerred Mace saw a blind man using a tactile game board at a soccer match. During the most recent NFL season, the device was piloted at 15 games in collaboration with the NFL...

Israeli airstrikes kill 23 in Gaza as ceasefire talks make slow progress   Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on Saturday killed at least 23 Palestinians, one of the deadliest days since the ceasefire in October, according to local hospitals. The strikes hit multiple locations, including an apartment building in Gaza City, a tent camp in Khan Younis, and a police station in Gaza City. Among the casualties were at least six children and two women. Shifa Hospital reported that the police station strike killed at least 11 people, including officers and detainees. The attacks occurred a day before the Rafah crossing with Egypt is scheduled to reopen, a critical step in the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The crossing is seen as vital for tens of thousands needing medical treatment outside Gaza, where much of the medical infrastructure has been destroyed. Saturday’s strikes underscore that violence continues even as talks progress, with Hamas condemning the attacks and calling on m...

 A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb reaches No. 1 on US album chart Rapper A$AP Rocky’s album Don’t Be Dumb has claimed the No. 1 spot on the U.S. album chart this week. Following Rocky, ENHYPHEN’s The Sin:Vanish: 7th Mini Album holds the No. 2 position, with Bad Bunny’s Debi Tirar Mas Fotos at No. 3. Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem is at No. 4, and Zach Bryan’s With Heaven on Top rounds out the top five. Other albums in the top 10 include YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s Slime City at No. 6, Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving at No. 7, Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl at No. 8, the K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack at No. 9, and Madison Beer’s Locket at No. 10.

 Elena Rybakina claims Australian Open title, defeats No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for second Grand Slam win    Elena Rybakina captured her second Grand Slam title Saturday with a hard-fought victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open, capping a quiet but determined run through the tournament. The 26-year-old, representing Kazakhstan, secured the win 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 after rallying from a 3-0 deficit in the final set. Her composure on court contrasted with the intensity of the match: a small fist pump, a brief embrace with Sabalenka, and a wave to the crowd marked her understated celebration. Rybakina’s calm belied the emotions she felt inside, reflecting a player who has learned to close matches quickly after struggling in tight moments earlier in the tournament. Rybakina first broke through for a Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2022 but had not reached another major final until this tournament. Her resurgence followed a career-shaping win over Sabalenka at the WTA ...

 One killed, 14 injured in explosion at Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, local media say At least one person was killed and 14 others injured in an explosion on Saturday in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, officials reported, though the cause of the blast remains unclear. Local authorities said the incident is under investigation, but no further details were immediately provided. Semi-official Iranian media dismissed social media claims that the blast targeted a Revolutionary Guard navy commander as “completely false.” Separately, a gas explosion in Ahvaz, near the Iraqi border, killed four people, according to Iranian state media, though additional details were not available. Israeli officials denied any involvement in the Bandar Abbas incident. The explosion comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s protests and nuclear program. Bandar Abbas, which hosts Iran’s largest container port along the strategic Strait of Hormuz, was previously t...

LAWMA enforcement teams have arrested cart pushers over illegal dumping along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, Ojo. Waste disposal through unregulated handlers is illegal. Illegal dumping remains a challenge largely driven by unregulated waste handlers. LAWMA urges residents to stop patronising cart pushers and comply with waste disposal guidelines. LAWMA surveillance and enforcement activities are ongoing across Lagos. Those involved in illegal dumping will be arrested and prosecuted. @Muyiwa Gbadegesin @LAWMA  Watch video below. 

 Education Remains a Pillar of Development, Says Abiodun; Donates ₦2 Million to Overall Best Graduating Student of OOU Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State — Governor Dapo Abiodun has reaffirmed that education remains a cornerstone of his administration’s developmental agenda, emphasizing continued investment in the sector as essential for securing the state’s future. The Governor made the statement during the 35th Convocation Ceremony of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), held at the institution’s permanent site in Ago-Iwoye. The event was particularly significant as it coincided with Ogun State’s 50th anniversary, with Governor Abiodun noting that the university stands proudly among the legacies of this defining milestone in the state’s history. Represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Governor Abiodun lauded OOU for producing competent, innovative, and future-ready graduates while upholding high standards of discipline, innovation, and service. He commended the P...

 Comedy icon Catherine O'Hara of Home Alone and Schitt's Creek dies at 71 Catherine O’Hara, the virtuoso comedic actor celebrated for her unforgettable work in Home Alone, Best in Show, and the Emmy-winning series Schitt’s Creek, died Friday at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness, according to her representatives. She was 71. Over a career spanning more than five decades, O’Hara developed a singular screen presence, excelling at characters who were extravagantly theatrical yet deeply human, flamboyant in their vanity but ultimately grounded in warmth and vulnerability. Her performances often walked a fine line between absurdity and emotional truth, a balance that made her one of comedy’s most respected and beloved figures. O’Hara began her career in Canadian sketch comedy, performing and writing for Second City Television (SCTV), where she emerged as part of an extraordinary ensemble that included John Candy, Eugene Levy, Rick Moranis, and Martin Short. The show b...

 Kaduna State Government Launches “Operation Tsapta” To Boost Environmental Sanitation The Kaduna State Government has launched Operation Tsapta, a statewide environmental sanitation initiative aimed at improving cleanliness, public health, and environmental sustainability across the state. The programme was unveiled on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani.  It is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, headed by Hon. Sadiq Mamman Lagos, and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. According to officials, Operation Tsapta is designed to strengthen waste management systems, improve hygiene standards, and restore environmental order, particularly within the Kaduna metropolis.  The initiative aligns with the state government’s commitment to enhancing urban aesthetics, protecting public health, and creating a safer and more livable environment for residents. As part of the programm...

 PRESS RELEASE  OPERATION HADIN KAI DEALS  DECISIVE BLOWS TO TERRORIST LEADERSHIP AND CRIMINAL ELEMENTS ACROSS THE NORTH - EAST Troops of  the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded major operational successes across the North-East, neutralising high-value terrorist targets, disrupting insurgent activities, and foiling criminal operations through sustained, intelligence-driven actions. In a significant breakthrough, intelligence has confirmed the killing of JULAIBIB, a top ISWAP commander operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, during an encounter around Kimba, Damboa LGA of Borno State, on 30 January 2026. Further intelligence revealed that the elimination of the terrorist leader has thrown ISWAP elements in the area into disarray, with several fighters reportedly neutralised during the operation. This impressive development represents a major blow to the command and control structure of ISWAP in the region. In a rel...

 SENATE SETS DATE FOR PASSAGE OF 2026 BUDGET The Senate Committee on Appropriations says it is looking at the possibility of passing the 2026 budget in the third week of March. At a special  meeting to outline legislative timeline of procedure on the budget, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Adeola Solomon  Olamilekan said, to ensure meticulous scrutiny, hard copies of the budget have been printed for the Chairmen of the standing committees.  He added that budget defence engagements will hold between February 2nd and 13th 2026. The committee equally has a plan to convene   an interactive session with key stakeholders, on February 9th with the theme, FROM BUDGET TO IMPACT, STRENGHTENING THE MICRO ECONOMIC STABILITY, ACCELERATING INFRASTRUCTURAL DELIVERY AND IMPROVING SECURITY THROUGH FISCAL DISCIPLINE AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF 2026 BUDGET.  The committee  hopes to meet with Federal Governments economic team on March ...

 ANAMBRA POLICE OUTLINE STAGES OF SECURITY CONCERNS LEADING TO STATE GOVERNMENT CORRECTIVE MEASURES; SAYS POLICE ARE NOT THE ENEMY BUT THOSE WHO SEEK TO INFLICT SUFFERING ON THE PEOPLE The Anambra State Police Command wishes to explain the security concerns stages that led to the corrective measures recently taken by the Anambra State Government to enhance safety and security in the State, particularly the efforts aimed at discouraging the illegal Sit-at-Home and closure of markets on Mondays. The Command notes that the first stage of addressing the security challenges occurred when criminal elements launched attacks on security operatives and destroyed government facilities in an attempt to instil fear in the residents of Anambra State. Despite these attacks and the prevailing conspiracy of silence, in which residents initially feared volunteering information, the security forces remained resolute and demonstrated courage and professionalism. A positive shift in public attitude ma...

 FMINO PRESS RELEASE Unified Government Messaging Key to Restoring Public Trust — Information Minister The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for a unified, coordinated, and trust-driven approach to government communication as a critical requirement for delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Minister made the call during an interactive session with Directors of Information and Resident Information Officers (RIOs) on grade level 14-17, deployed across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), held under the theme “Aligning Public Information with the Renewed Hope Agenda: Rebuilding Trust Through Effective, Transparent Communication", on Thursday, in Abuja. Idris emphasised that public trust remains the most valuable asset of government communication, stressing that information officers must be guided by honesty, credibility, and consistency in their work. “Public trust is our most important capital. ...