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Abia State Government Warns Hotels: No Room for Insecure or Unhygienic Conditions The Abia State Government has issued a stern directive to operators of hotels, bars, lounges, restaurants, and other hospitality facilities, mandating that they prevent guests and visitors from being exposed to insecure or unhygienic environments. The directive forms part of a broader initiative to introduce a comprehensive classification and grading system for the state's hospitality industry. This system will evaluate facilities based on standardized criteria, including security measures, hygiene standards, equipment quality, service delivery, and overall operational efficiency. Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mathew Ekwuribe, announced the policy during a stakeholders’ engagement program held in Umuahia for hospitality industry operators. He emphasized that the classification exercise is designed to foster professionalism, build traveler confidence, and align Abia with global b...

 Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has rewarded Mr. Solanke Francis Taiwo, a teacher at Ansa-Ur-Deen Main School I, Abeokuta, with a two-bedroom bungalow for emerging as the Overall Best Primary School Teacher in Nigeria for the 2025/2026 session.  The governor also presented him with the keys to a brand-new car donated by the Federal Government, in addition to the ₦50 million cash prize earlier awarded at the National Teachers’ Summit in Abuja. The presentation took place at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where Governor Abiodun announced that the bungalow would be allocated to the award-winning teacher in any location of his choice under the State Housing Scheme. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuous teacher training, welfare, digitisation, and innovation, noting that sustained reforms in the education sector are yielding measurable national recognition for Ogun State. More photos below. 

 Light plane crashes in Madidi, just outside Soshanguve, Pretoria. Two people were on board; both survived with minor injuries. Emergency crews responded quickly, and the area is secured. This incident highlights the risks of small aircraft flights near populated areas and the importance of strict safety checks. Authorities are investigating the cause.

 Mugabe’s son’s car seized for illegal siren and white lights Police caught the vehicle leaving his house with three people inside, including a helper, during their second visit. Private use of sirens and white lights is illegal. The seizure exposes misuse of government-style equipment and possible privilege abuse by high-profile families. Authorities acted immediately as the car tried to leave and are now holding it for investigation.

 He hid inside women’s cars and attacked them at knifepoint Now he is going to prison for 25 years. The Modimolle Regional Court has sentenced 38-year-old Satiel Ramadikela Molobi to an effective 25 years imprisonment for robbery, kidnapping and theft. In February 2024, he targeted women at residential gates in Modimolle. He would hide inside their vehicles while they opened gates, then threaten them with a knife and force them to drive around as he robbed them. He was arrested after an intensive investigation. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

 Police Seal Off Hyde Park Home After Shooting Leaves Worker Critically Injured Police operations intensified in Hyde Park after a 23 year old worker was shot and critically injured at a residence linked to Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe. Authorities deployed three emergency medical service trucks to the scene. K9 and forensic units searched the property as part of an ongoing investigation. Officers are looking for the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. Police have not yet confirmed whether any weapon has been recovered. The residence is connected to Mugabe, the son of the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. Mugabe and another man have been taken into custody. They are expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrates Court on charges of attempted murder. Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances that led to the shooting. The condition of the injured worker remains critical. The case has drawn attention because of the high profile ...

 A foreign ruling party is demanding answers from South Africa over the arrest of a private citizen Zimbabwe’s governing party, ZANU-PF, has reportedly requested an urgent report from South African authorities following the arrest of the son of former President Robert Mugabe. The arrest took place in South Africa under South African law. Law enforcement decisions in South Africa fall under the authority of local police and prosecutors, not foreign political parties. This raises serious sovereignty concerns. South Africa is not accountable to any foreign political party. If a governing party from another country expects briefings on domestic criminal matters, it challenges the principle that each state enforces its own laws independently. At the same time, governments often communicate through diplomatic channels when their citizens are arrested abroad. That process normally happens between states, not political parties. If this is a diplomatic matter, it should follow formal state-...

 Olukoyede Tasks Fresh Students  of Yakubu Gowon University on Anti-corruption Values   The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  Mr. Ola Olukoyede on Friday, February 20, 2026, charged the newly admitted students of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, (formerly University of Abuja) to embrace integrity and position themselves as builders of a corruption-free Nigeria.   Speaking on integrity and nation-building, the EFCC boss who was represented by the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, Aisha Mohammed urged the students to shun corruption in all of its forms, noting that corruption undermines national development and erodes public trust.   “Corruption is the use of public resources, opportunities and privileges for private gain. It is compromising rules, regulations and procedures for private benefit. It is the deliberate manipulation of trust for selfish advan...

 Man remanded over rape of model Fems and her friend after luring them with fake modeling job. A 23-year-old man, Abidemi Emmanuel, has been remanded in a correctional facility following accusations that he raped a model Fems Thrift and her friend after luring them with a fake modeling job. Emmanuel was arraigned on Tuesday, Feb. 17, before a magistrate’s court in Lagos State, and the case has been adjourned to March 19 for further hearing. The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the suspect was remanded after his arraignment and that investigations were ongoing. “The suspect has been arraigned and remanded in a correctional facility. The case has been adjourned till March 19, 2026. Investigation is still ongoing,” she told Punch on Thursday,  Feb. 19. Recall that Fems cried out on Febryary 11 that a certain man contacted her on Instagram, claiming to have relocated from the United Kingdom to launch an international fashion brand in Nige...

 A senior Confederation of African Football (CAF) official has issued a rare public apology to Morocco’s national team over the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, saying the rules were not applied correctly and Morocco was treated unfairly.   Samir Sobha, president of the Mauritius FA and a member of CAF’s executive committee, told The Guardian he wanted Morocco’s federation to accept an apology.   “I want to plead with the Moroccan FA to forgive us for the injustice done to them. The rules have not been respected, as they should have been in this match. They were robbed,” Sobha said.   Sobha argued that Senegal should have faced automatic punishment once they left the field. “It’s clear that after the Senegalese team left the field, all the players should have been sanctioned with a yellow card,” he said. At the same time, he stressed the trophy should not be taken away because “what happened has happened.”   His remarks revive debate about the controver...

 The Anambra State Ministry of Education has vowed to prosecute the woman accused of torturing a 17-year-old female student in Awka. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, said the suspect, Osinachi Ede, will be arraigned before a court to serve as a deterrent against child abuse. She made this known while addressing the suspect in her office in Awka today 20th Feb.  Ede, 29, was arrested by the Anambra State Police Command on February 3, 2025, for allegedly using a hot electric iron to inflict serious injuries on the girl, who was reportedly her house help. The Commissioner said the move reflects the commitment of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to protect children in schools across the state. She also directed that the victim, who had been sent to her relatives, be returned to Awka.

 LAGOS DEEPENS ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY OF NEWLY ELEVATED PRINCIPALS, VICE-PRINCIPALS The Lagos State Government, through the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), has deepened the administrative capacity of newly elevated Principals and Vice Principals in the State Post Primary schools with an induction workshop. The workshop aimed to equip, re-orientate and reinforce the capabilities of this calibre of policy drivers in Schools with emphasis on the ethos of administration and school management techniques of the present modern times. Declaring the induction workshop open at the Teaching Service Staff Development Centre, Owutu, Ikorodu, Chairman of TESCOM, Mrs Victoria Mopelola Peregrino said that State-wide Induction for 200 newly elevated Principals and Vice Principals has become one of the veritable avenues where successful officers are exposed to contemporary issues bordering on the ever-increasing scope of School’s Administration/Management. She reminded them that their r...

  Anambra State House of Assembly Reinstates Suspended Anyamelum Lawmaker, Udemezue By Chizoba Okeke The Anambra State House of Assembly has approved the reinstatement of the suspended member representing Anyamelum Constituency, Hon. Bernard Udemezue, following the consideration and adoption of the report on his alleged unparliamentary conduct. The decision was reached after the House unanimously adopted the recommendations of its Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges, chaired by the Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme. Presiding over plenary, the Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, read out the committee’s resolutions and recommendations, which were subsequently adopted through a voice vote and now stand as the official position of the House. As part of its recommendations, the committee directed that the restriction placed on Hon. Udemezue’s allowances be lifted, with effect from March 2026, and that he resumes receiving all his entitlements accordingly. The committee furt...

 ‎ NSCDC Warns Construction Firms Over Fibre Optic Cables, Public Infrastructure Destruction By Chukwuka Ugokwe  The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, has cautioned all road construction companies, civil engineering firms, contractors, developers, and allied operators across the State over the persistent destruction of fibre-optic cables and other critical public infrastructure during excavation and construction activities. Commandant Maku Olatunde, the Anambra State Commandant of NSCDC, stated this during his weekly tactical digest meeting with the command's top management at the State Command Headquarters, Awka. The NSCDC State helmsman said the warning is in line with the directive received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on the protection of telecommunications infrastructure and other Critical National Assets and Infrastructure nationwide. The Command, he said, notes with grave concern the increasing incidents of damag...

 BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND CRIMES BULLETIN The editors, BAUCHI POLICE ARRESTED SUSPECTS OVER ARMED ROBBERY, HOMICIDE, AND CYBERCRIME CASES The Bauchi State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in the investigation of several violent crimes reported across the State over the week. In a continued effort to ensure the safety and security of all residents, our operatives have swiftly responded to distress calls, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects involved in crimes ranging from culpable homicide, armed robbery to criminal intimidation/cyber bullying and extortion. 1.ARREST OF SUSPECTS FOR EXTORTION AND ASSAULT IN DARAZO On the 14th of February, 2026, a complaint was lodged at the Darazo Division by three residents of Rigar Garba Village: Usman Gidado (30), Jibrin Bala (35), and Dahiru Iliyasu (20). They reported that they were on two separate occasions (9th and 11th February) attacked and robbed by a gang of armed youths in Unguwar Jarmai, Darazo. The gang, a...

Real Housewives of London star Amanda Cronin has been banned from driving after being caught speeding at just 4mph over the 20mph limit — in her brand new £250,000 Bentley. Cronin, of Belgravia, pleaded guilty to driving her blue V8 Bentley Continental GT at 4mph above the 20mph limit on the A4. She was caught in excess of the limit at 6.20pm on May 26 last year, near the junction with Lexham Gardens, South Kensington. The Real Housewives star received three penalty points for the offence, but due to her history of speeding offences this took her to a total of twelve - triggering an automatic six-month ban. The wealthy divorcee already had nine points on her licence for speeding offences in 30mph zones on October 10, 2023, August 21, 2024 and November 3, 2024.  Cronin had pleaded with the court not to issue a ban, arguing that caring for her 85 year-old Hampshire-based mother Janet meant keeping her licence was vital. But a judge disagreed and handed her the standard six-month ban....

 BENUE’S KONSHISHA LOSES ESTEEMED TRADITIONAL LEADER, TER IKYOR I  ‎Born in 1945-2025, ‎His Royal Highness, Chief Thomas Tule Jam Gbinde, known as Ter Ikyor I, was a revered 2nd Class Chief and the paramount ruler of the Ikyor people in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. He was a highly respected, long-serving traditional ruler known for his dedication to peace, unity, and the preservation of Tiv cultural heritage. ‎ He served as a traditional ruler for several decades, establishing himself as one of the oldest and most influential traditional rulers in the Tiv nation. ‎ ‎Appointment: He was appointed as the head of Abara in 1984. ‎Elevation: In 1991, he was elevated to the position of a 2nd Class Chief, known as Ter Ikyor. ‎ ‎Leadership Style: Chief Gbinde was characterized as a leader with integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to justice, often described as a "sage" and a "bridge between the past and the future". ‎Role in Community: He w...

 GOV. ALIA DECLARES FREE BASIC EDUCATION IN BENUE, LAUNCHES BRACE-UP INITIATIVE, BAGS NUT GOLDEN AWARD  20th February, 2026   Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has announced free education for pupils in all government-owned public schools in Benue State from Basic One to Basic Nine. The governor made the declaration on Friday at the maiden Benue Basic Education Summit held at the College of Health Sciences, Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi. Alia said the policy was part of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no child of school age is denied access to education. He explained that the decision was aimed at supporting poor and vulnerable families while building a strong educational foundation for the state’s future leaders. The governor highlighted steps already taken in the education sector, including the recruitment of over 9,700 teachers, regular payment of salaries, and implementation of the harmonised retirement age for teachers. He called on parents...

 LASG SUPPORTS BECKY JOE’S GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT FOR AFRICA’S LARGEST SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING LESSON The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has lent its support to the Guinness World Record attempt for Africa’s Largest Social Media Marketing Lesson, spearheaded by marketing strategist Becky Joe. The landmark event, which kicked off at the University of Lagos Sports Centre on Thursday, had in attendance thousands of participants in a single session and is designed to break the existing Guinness World Record while equipping young people with practical, income-generating skills in content creation and social media marketing. While addressing the participants at the event, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, described the initiative as a strategic platform that aligns with the Ministry’s mandate to drive sustainable employment through innovation and digital enterprise. “This Guinness World Record attempt is not just ab...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE ELECTIONS IN FCT, KANO, RIVERS: PRESIDENT TINUBU CALLS FOR ORDERLINESS, RESTRAINT BY SECURITY AGENCIES, URGES INEC TO STRENGTHEN VOTERS’ CONFIDENCE   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on voters, security agencies, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct themselves in an orderly manner during Saturday’s polls in the Federal Capital Territory and the states of Kano and Rivers.   INEC will conduct elections in the six area councils of the FCT and bye-elections in the Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies of Rivers State, and in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.   President Tinubu urged all eligible voters to come out and vote without fear, emphasising that the democratic process thrives best in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance, and mutual respect.   He appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to shun violence, inflammatory statements, ...

Eric Dane, Grey’s Anatomy actor and ALS advocate, dies at 53 Eric Dane, the actor celebrated for his roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria” and later known as an advocate for ALS awareness, died Thursday at the age of 53. His representatives said Dane passed away from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, less than a year after publicly announcing his diagnosis. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” a statement read. “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received.” Dane became widely known in the mid-2000s for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan, nicknamed McSteamy, on ABC’s “Grey...

Texas Republican denies relationship with staffer who died by suicide Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales is pushing back against allegations that he had an extramarital relationship with a congressional aide who died by suicide last fall, while urging the Uvalde Police Department to release its investigative report despite objections from the woman’s family. Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, who served as Gonzales’ regional district director, died on Sept. 14 after authorities determined she set herself on fire outside her home in Uvalde, Texas. The controversy intensified after reporting surfaced alleging that Santos-Aviles had claimed in text messages that she was involved in an affair with the congressman. Gonzales has repeatedly denied any such relationship. In public statements, Gonzales praised Santos-Aviles as a dedicated public servant who worked to improve school safety, health care access, and rural water infrastructure in the region. He accused his Republican primary challenger, Br...

 President Trump orders release of documents on UFOs and alien life  President Donald Trump has ordered the release of government files related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life, seeking to shed light on questions about the existence of aliens. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social Thursday night, Trump said he directed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other federal agencies to “begin the process of identifying and releasing government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.” The announcement comes amid renewed public interest in UFOs and extraterrestrial life, fueled in part by former President Barack Obama, who recently suggested in a YouTube podcast that aliens are real. Obama later clarified that while the universe likely hosts life elsewhere, there ...

 Court  Convicts,   Fines  Firm for Illegal BDC Operation in Lagos Justice D.I.Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, February 20, 2026, convicted and sentenced a company, AP Mcnisi Initiatives Limited, to a fine of N500,000( Five Hundred Thousand Naira) for operating a Bureau De Change (BDC) business without a valid licence. The conviction followed the arraignment of the company by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ikoyi, Lagos on a one-count charge bordering on illegal foreign exchange transactions. The charge reads: “ That you, AP Mcnisi Initiatives Limited, on or about June 7, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, engaged in a foreign exchange transaction with one Adeoye Phillips Tomilola other than through the official foreign exchange market and without a valid licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to carry on the business of Bureau De C...

 False Rape Accusation Rocks Obafemi Awolowo University as Student Retracts Claim and Issues Apology A controversy at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has drawn widespread attention after a female student publicly accused a male colleague of rape and being a rape apologist on social media, only to later retract the allegation and issue a public apology. The incident involves Adeife, a student in the Department of English at OAU, who accused David, a 200-level student, of rape-related offenses following his repost of content discussing false rape accusations.  According to multiple accounts circulating online, Adeife labeled David a "rapist and rape apologist" without providing any evidence of an actual assault. She reportedly shared his personal phone number publicly, resulting in David receiving a barrage of abusive calls, threatening messages, and harassment that affected his reputation and mental well-being. Rather than engaging in a public dispute, David documented the po...

 FCT polls holiday stalls Malami, son’s re-arraignment for terrorism, illegal arms possession The work free day declared by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, over Saturday’s area council elections has scuttled the bid by the Department of State Services, DSS, to re-arraign a former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession. The arraignment, slated for the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, February 20, was abruptly put off when it became clear that workers including those of the court would not be at work. Operatives of the DSS had taken over security at the court as early as 7: 00 am ahead of the arraignment. However, by 9:00 am when Malami and his son were to be brought before Justice Peter Lifu, information filtered round that the workers would not be on duty. The development prompted the DSS to shelve bringing the two defendants...

 ANAMBRA POLICE COMMAND RECORDS MASSIVE PROMOTION AS CP ORUTUGU DECORATES OVER 300 ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS OF POLICE The Anambra State Police Command has recorded a significant milestone in personnel advancement as it celebrated the promotion of over three hundred officers to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). The decoration ceremony took place at the Command Headquarters in Awka on 20th February, 2025. Decorating the officers, the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, fwc mnips PhD, described the promotion as well-deserved and merit-based. He congratulated the newly promoted officers and charged them to rededicate themselves to professionalism, discipline, and quality service to the people of Anambra State. The CP emphasized that promotion comes with greater responsibility, urging the officers to uphold the core values of the Force, maintain integrity, and sustain public trust in the discharge of their duties. He further reaffirmed the Command’s commitment t...