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 Sultan Declares Friday As Eid-el-Fitr Day After Non-Sighting Of Shawwal Moon On Wednesday In Nigeria  The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the celeberation of Eid-el-Fitr, following the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent across Nigeria. This is contained in a statement signed by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu. The statement says, the National Moon Sighting Committee did not receive any verified report of the Shawwal crescent sighting from various Committees across the Country on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1447AH. Consequently, Thursday, March 19th 2026, is declared as the 30th day of Ramadan, in line with Islamic tradition which stipulates completing thirty days when th...

 Enyimba Star Eze Ekwutoziam Exposes Club Betrayal: Rejected Kanu Nwankwo's Salary Deduction Loan for ACL Surgery Enyimba FC midfielder Eze Ekwutoziam has made startling disclosures about the hardships he endured at the club following a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, as revealed in his recent interview on the SuperSport Naija Made program. The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) player stated that he had to personally secure a ₦1 million loan to pay for his surgery, despite earlier assurances from the club that it would cover the medical expenses. He remains responsible for repaying the debt on his own. Ekwutoziam further alleged that Sporting Director Ifeanyi Ekwueme claimed no knowledge of his injury when management sought clarification. He highlighted consistent delays in salary payments during his lengthy recovery period. According to the player, former captain Obinna Nwaneri urged him to count his blessings, pointing out that numerous other NPFL sides woul...

 A Florida mother restrained a 10-year-old and ordered her children to beat him because he called her a "fat ass". I have to censor those words.  According to Osceola County Sheriff's Office, 41-year-old Ketsy Rivera's children were playing at a park inside of the Heritage Park Apartment Complex when an altercation broke out between children.  Ketsy's children ran to her residence and told her about the incident prompting her to get involved.  When Ketsy arrived on the scene, instead of de-escalating, she became involved in the verbal argument.  As the argument intensified, eyewitnesses say, Ketsy called the 10-year-old boy a derogatory name. The 10-year-old responded by calling Ketsy a "f@t a**." This is when Ketsy ordered her two boys, aged 8 years old and 9 years old, to attack the child.  Ketsy then grabbed the young boy and held him while her two children repeatedly punched the child.  This left the child completely defenseless while suffering the...

 Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has warned that the global consequences of the current war “will affect everyone.” The minister stated on Wednesday, March 18, that all individuals, regardless of race, religion, or economic status, will be impacted by the conflict.  He made this remark while advocating for increased resistance from western officials against the war.  “[A] wave of global consequences has only commenced and will affect all – irrespective of wealth, religion, or race,” Abbas Araghchi shared on X.  His post included a copy of the resignation letter from Joe Kent, the director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, which was submitted on Tuesday, March 17.  In his resignation letter, Kent expressed that he could not “in good conscience” endorse the ongoing war in Iran, as “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation”.  Abbas Araghchi noted a “growing number of voices – (including) European and US officials” declaring that the war a...

 MANAGING 22 MILLION LAGOSIANS’ WASTE REQUIRES SHARED RESPONSIBILITY - LAWMA The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has emphasised that effective waste management in Lagos requires shared responsibility among residents, operators, and government. He made this known while delivering a paper at the annual conference of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria (PEWAN) at the NECA House, Alausa CBD, on Wednesday, where he addressed the complexities of managing waste in a megacity of over 22 million people. Dr. Gbadegesin, who spoke through his Executive Director, Finance, Kunle Adebiyi, described waste management as a critical urban governance issue with far-reaching implications for public health, flood control, environmental sustainability, and the overall functionality of the city. He explained that household waste collection across Lagos was carried out by licensed Private Sector Participa...

UK DEGREES IN NIGERIA: FG SECURES COVENTRY UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP TO DELIVER AFFORDABLE GLOBAL EDUCATION  The Federal Government is advancing plans to establish a Coventry University campus in Nigeria through a Transnational Education (TNE) partnership aimed at expanding access to globally recognised degrees. The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa is currently in the United Kingdom accompanying President Bola Tinubu engaging with UK university leadership, key investors, and development partners to drive the initiative forward. The proposed campus, to be located in Alaro City, Lagos State, will offer Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), Business, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). All degrees will be equivalent to those awarded in the United Kingdom. Admissions are expected to commence between the third and fourth quarters of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. This initiat...

 PRESS RELEASE TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI  FOIL TERRORIST ASSAULT AT MALLAM FATORI, NEUTRALISE OVER 80 INSURGENTS INCLUDING HIGH-PROFILE COMMANDERS Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in the early hours of Wednesday successfully repelled a coordinated and simultaneous five-pronged terrorist attack on own positions at Mallam Fatori in Sector 3. The terrorists, who advanced in large numbers on foot and deployed armed drones in a desperate bid to breach the defences of  locations of troops, particularly along the frontage of Bravo Company from the Duguri general area, were met with overwhelming resistance.  Having maintained full situational awareness of the battlespace, troops had anticipated the attack and deliberately prepared an offensive-defensive battle designed to decisively defeat and annihilate the assault elements. Through disciplined fire control, coordinated manoeuvre and superior tactical execution, the attackers were e...

 Mass funeral held in Kabul for victims of Pakistani strike as Taliban vows retribution but leaves room for talks  A mass funeral was held on Wednesday in Kabul for some of the hundreds of victims of a Pakistani strike on a drug treatment center, as the Taliban government vowed retaliation while leaving the door open for diplomacy to end the conflict. On a rain-soaked hillside above the Afghan capital, volunteers from the Afghan Red Crescent Society carried dozens of simple wooden coffins from ambulances to a mass grave excavated by heavy machinery. At the graveside, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani described the victims as innocent and targeted by “criminals,” offering condolences to their families just days before the end of Ramadan. He warned those responsible, saying, “We are not weak and helpless. You will see the consequences of your crimes.” At the same time, Haqqani suggested that the government prefers resolving the situation through diplomatic channels, stating, ...

 New US trade deal with Indonesia ensures fossil fuel supplies and critical mineral access   A new trade agreement between the United States and Indonesia is reshaping the two countries’ economic relationship, tying Jakarta’s vast natural resources and energy sector more closely to U.S. strategic interests. Under the deal, Indonesia will expand access for American investors in its critical minerals sector, increase purchases of U.S. crude and liquefied petroleum gas, support development of an American coal export corridor, and collaborate on small modular nuclear reactors. In return, the United States reduced a proposed 32% tariff on Indonesian goods to 19% and granted broader market access, including zero-tariff entry for key exports such as palm oil, coffee, cocoa, spices, and rubber. The pact is part of Washington’s broader effort to secure critical mineral supply chains, strengthen energy exports, and reduce reliance on China. Neighboring countries negotiating with the U.S...

 EFCC Hands Over N3bn Recovered  Funds to NNPCL The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 18, 2026 handed over a total sum of N3,936,145, 822 ( Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty Six Million, One Hundred and Forty Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Two Naira) to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, NNPC Ltd. The presentation was made on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede by the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammed Hammajoda in a brief ceremony at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja. In his remark at the occasion,   Hammajoda reiterated  the commitment of the Commission to the task of curbing economic and financial crimes, stressing that the funds were recovered through diligent investigation and professional uncovering  of fraudulent engagements by some actors in the NNPCL.  “On behalf of the Executive Chairman, we will continue to put ourselves on the line to serve over 220 million Nige...

 Papa Ajasco’s claims of being broke is misleading – Wale Adenuga responds Wale Adenuga, a filmmaker and Chief Executive Officer of Wale Adenuga Productions, has responded after actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, popularly known as Papa Ajasco, claimed that he is broke. Ayoyinka sparked reactions online when an interview with Lucky Udu showed him lamenting that he is facing financial hardship despite his long-standing role in the popular TV series Papa Ajasco and Company. According to Ayoyinka, things have not been okay for him for years. He added that he has no car or house of his own, and he can't use the Papa Ajasco brand to create content because the character has been registered by Wale Adenuga. More photos below.  Reacting in a statement released on Wednesday, March 18, Wale Adenuga dismissed insinuations of neglect and described the narrative as “false and misleading,” while providing details about his relationship with the actor and the structure of their professional engagement....

  Eric Chelle drops Osimhen and Nwabali as he names 23 players for friendly against Iran and Jordan Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has named a 23-man squad for this month’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan. Chelle surprisingly left out Victor Osimhen and first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from his 23-man squad. But recalled other key players, including Maduka Okoye, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, and Paul Onuachu. There are also first-time call-ups for Scotland-based defender Emmanuel Fernandez, Germany-based forward Philip Otele, and Yira Collins Sor of KRC Genk. Goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye returns to the squad. The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Iran in Antalya, Turkey, on March 27 (4pm local time) before taking on Jordan on March 31 (8pm local time). Both fixtures were moved from Amman, Jordan, due to ongoing military tensions in the Middle East.

 Joseph Kahn calls Hollywood a "highschool collection of mean kids" as Misty Copeland seemingly shades Timothée Chalamet through Oscar performance Director Joseph Kahn weighed in on Misty Copeland’s Oscar performance, suggesting it was aimed at Timothée Chalamet after his controversial remarks about ballet.  Kahn shared Grok’s fact check, which implied Copeland agreed to perform following Chalamet’s comments, and criticized Hollywood as a “high school collection of mean kids” who bully those who step out of line.  His remarks came after New York Magazine reported that Copeland had come out of retirement specifically to respond to Chalamet. The controversy began on February 24, when Chalamet told Matthew McConaughey during a conversation in Texas that art forms like ballet and opera no longer mattered to modern audiences.  He said he didn’t want to work in fields where people were simply trying to keep traditions alive despite waning interest. His comments drew backla...

 Joel Madden says his relationship with wife Nicole Richie is 'sacred ground' as he explains why he's 'protective' of family Joel Madden recently opened up about his marriage to Nicole Richie, describing their relationship as “sacred ground” and praising her consistency over the years.  Speaking on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast, the Good Charlotte frontman said that Richie has always been the same person he first met nearly two decades ago, regardless of how the public once perceived her.  He emphasized her strength, integrity, and self-respect, noting that she rose above the narrative others created for her during her younger years. Richie, who gained fame on The Simple Life and was often portrayed as a “wild child,” married Madden in 2010. Together, they share two children: daughter Kate, 18, and son Sparrow, 16.  Madden recalled meeting Richie in 2006 and immediately recognizing her as the person he wanted to build a family with.  He explained that he didn’...

 Real Housewives star Leah McSweeney’s lawsuit against Andy Cohen and Bravo will proceed in public courtroom, judge rules Leah McSweeney filed a lawsuit in 2024 against Andy Cohen, Bravo, and affiliated companies, claiming they exploited her struggles with alcohol addiction for entertainment value on The Real Housewives of New York City.  A federal judge recently ruled that the case will remain in public court rather than private arbitration, noting that Cohen and Bravo delayed their arbitration request after already engaging in litigation.  The judge criticized the defendants for attempting to avoid civil discovery, saying they had “waived” that right by first fighting the case in court. In her filings, McSweeney alleged that Bravo producers knowingly placed her in situations that worsened her alcohol use disorder to generate sensational television.  She also accused Cohen of using cocaine with cast members and rewarding those who participated with favorable treatme...

 Igboho Rejects Pressure to Endorse Atiku, Obi, or Sowore for 2027 Presidency Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has firmly rejected any pressure to endorse the 2027 presidential ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party's Peter Obi, or activist-politician Omoyele Sowore. Igboho's declaration came in response to criticisms from Sowore, who in a viral video accused certain regional agitators and influencers, including Igboho, of engaging in "transactional politics" by aligning with political figures for personal or material gains. Sowore specifically labeled Igboho's approach as "amala politics," a term implying opportunistic, benefit-driven dealings, and linked it to Igboho's apparent support for President Bola Tinubu's potential reelection bid. In a statement issued through his media aide, Olayomi Koiki, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Igboho dismissed Sowore's remarks as an "inconsequen...

 We Have No Relationship Now - Woman in Coldplay 'Kiss Cam' Controversy Says Former Boss Lied to Her For Kristin Cabot, the fallout from a viral concert clip did not end when the cameras stopped rolling.  Months later, she says she made a firm decision to walk away from Andy Byron, her former boss, after what she describes as a breakdown in trust. Speaking on The Oprah Podcast with Oprah Winfrey on March 17, Cabot said she ended all communication with Byron last fall. “There was a big miss on honesty and integrity,” she said, adding, “He wasn’t the person he represented himself to be to me, and lying is a non-negotiable for me.” The two first drew widespread attention during a Coldplay concert last summer, when they appeared together on the venue’s “kiss cam.” As they tried to avoid the camera, frontman Chris Martin made a light comment from the stage, suggesting they might be involved. The clip quickly spread online, bringing intense public scrutiny. At the time, Cabot was he...

 I Know That Ain’t Me - Kevin Hart Calls Out Wax Figure Seeing your likeness turned into a wax figure is usually flattering, but for Kevin Hart, this one missed the mark. The comedian took to Instagram over the weekend, reacting to a newly unveiled wax statue that left him more confused than impressed. The figure, dressed in a leather jacket and gold chain with arms stretched out, quickly became the center of online chatter. “What did I do to these people?” Hart wrote, clearly stunned. In the video he shared, he added, “I know that ain’t Kevin Hart,” before going further, calling it “an attack” and questioning who the statue was actually meant to be. He did not hold back his feelings, saying the situation was enough to make him “cry,” though he mixed the frustration with humor, adding laughing emojis. His message was simple, he wants a redo. As expected, social media jumped in. The comment section quickly turned into a roast session, with fans offering their own takes on the lookal...

 Labour Party Fixes May 23 for Presidential Primary Ahead of 2027 Elections The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party has approved May 23, 2026, as the date for its presidential primary election, as part of the party's timetable for primaries leading to the 2027 general elections. This was announced by Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Interim National Chairman, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday. According to Asogwa, the timetable was endorsed during a statutory NEC meeting monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. The approved schedule includes: - Submission of the party's membership register to INEC on April 15, 2026. - Governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly primaries on May 15, 2026. - Presidential primary on May 23, 2026. The NEC also ratified the national leadership's conduct of ward congresses on March 26, local governme...

 It’s El-Rufai Today, It Could Be You Tomorrow - ADC Tells Nigerians The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as a serious violation of his fundamental human rights.  The party also threatened to petition Amnesty International and other rights groups over the matter. El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a member of the ADC, has reportedly been held in custody for over 30 days. In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC labeled the detention as illegal and unconstitutional. The party alleged that there were attempts to pressure El-Rufai into abandoning his political affiliations and urged the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to respect the rule of law by either releasing him or allowing him to defend himself in court. The ADC warned that prolonged detention without charge reflects authorita...

 Kim Kardashian takes a VERY dramatic tumble in towering $80 'stripper heels' and accidentally grabs an 'old lady' as she falls on her way out of Vanity Fair Oscar party Getting ready for a major red carpet moment did not go entirely smoothly for Kim Kardashian. The SKIMS founder shared a video showing a brief fall as she made her way to a car en route to the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party. Dressed in a fitted gold Gucci gown, Kim was wearing towering platform heels when she appeared to twist her ankle and lose balance. In the clip, she stumbles toward a hedge and instinctively reaches out, grabbing a passerby to steady herself. “Ahhh sorry, my ankle, sorry,” she says in the moment, before being helped back up by her team, including longtime friend Stephanie Shepherd. Still gathering herself, Kim admitted she felt a bit uneasy ahead of the event. “I’m nervous for the carpet,” she said, before testing her footing again. She also acknowledged the unexpected contact during...

 Categorically False -Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Dispute Claims Netflix Was Blindsided by Oprah Interview and Spare Fresh questions about the working relationship between Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Netflix are being met with firm denials from the couple’s camp. A report published on March 17 by Variety takes a closer look at their production deal, tracing developments since the agreement was signed in 2020 after their move to California.  Central to that partnership was the docuseries Harry & Meghan, which followed their relationship and decision to step away from royal duties. The report suggests there were moments of tension during production, including changes behind the scenes before director Liz Garbus took over the project. It also raises concerns from unnamed sources about how certain external projects were handled. One of the key points involves the couple’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. According to the report, Netflix was not fully informed ahead of...

 Baba, 82, Bags 12 years Imprisonment for Forgery The Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC  on Wednesday March 18, 2026 secured the conviction of 82-year-old Clement Nnamdi Okonjo before Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State. Okonjo was arraigned on a four count charge of forgery on January 17, 2023 by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Upon arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the charge setting the stage for trial.

 Alleged ₦10bn Kogi Fraud: Ali Bello Loses in Trial- within- Trial           As Court Affirms Voluntariness of Defendants’ Statements Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, affirmed the voluntariness of the extra-judicial statements of Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, alongside Dauda Sulaiman, on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of ₦10,270,556,800.00. The trial-within-trial was conducted to ascertain the voluntariness or otherwise of the extra-judicial statements made by the defendants during investigation. The defendants had objected to the prosecution’s move to tender the eight statements, claiming that they were put under duress and threatened before making them. In his ruling on Wednesday,  Justic...

King Charles III and Queen Camilla welcomed President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu on Wednesday with a blaze of ceremonial grandeur, vibrant colours, mounted cavalry, horse-drawn carts, a fanfare of trumpets, and a gun salute.- Aso Villa "Welcome to Windsor! 🇬🇧🇳🇬 It was wonderful to welcome President Tinubu and First Lady, Mrs. Tinubu to Windsor Castle earlier today. They joined The King and Queen for a Ceremonial Welcome in the Quadrangle, where President Tinubu was invited to inspect the Guard of Honour. 🇳🇬 As part of the Nigerian State Visit to the UK, President Tinubu and Mrs Tinubu were shown a display of objects from The Royal Collection Trust in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle".Palace More photos below.