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 Dolly Parton Day honors the late country legend with parades, pink lights and book drives Pour yourself a cup of ambition. It’s Dolly Parton Day. Across the world, communities are dedicating Friday to honoring the beloved country singer. The day falls on Sept. 25, a wink at Parton’s hit song “9 to 5.” Parton, who died of cancer last month at age 80, built an impressive legacy over the decades as a singer-songwriter, actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur — leaving big and small ways to honor the icon. So whether it’s dusting off your rhinestones, donating a book or throwing back a pink-themed cocktail, here’s how you can celebrate Dolly Parton Day. In the US, a growing number of state and local leaders are establishing Sept. 25 as an annual Dolly Parton Day from California to the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The proclamations highlight Parton’s successful career and stress her lifelong commitment to promoting literacy. In Nashville — where Parton had lived since she was ...

 Woman accused of biting chunk out of victim’s forehead in ‘zombie bite’ attack A blood-curdling, random attack in downtown Seattle last week left a woman with injuries to her face similar to a “zombie bite,” she said. Diana Gonzalez, 36, was walking to a 7-Eleven when a crazed suspect, identified as homeless woman Kamilia Chadli, threw a food wrapper at her. When Gonzalez questioned her actions, Chadli allegedly spit on her, used a homophobic slur, and called her “the inferior race.” Chadli then allegedly began assaulting her, tossing her to the ground. Then, horrifyingly, Chadli allegedly took a bloody bite out of Gonzalez’s forehead. A nearby witness pulled the women apart and pursued Chadli after she allegedly fled the scene. Seattle police would later apprehend her, and she has been charged with felony second-degree assault. Gonzalez needed to be hospitalized and is recovering. The bite horrified the woman, who was just looking for a drink to quench her thirst while working at...

 Abia APC Insists Senator Nkechi Nwaogu Remains Party Member, Rejects NDC Claim The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has rejected a claim by the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) that former Senator Nkechi Justina Nwaogu has joined its ranks, insisting that the former lawmaker remains a bona fide member of the APC. In a statement issued on Friday, September 25, 2026, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, described Nwaogu as “Mama APC” and said available party records show that she remains registered with the ruling party. According to Aguoru, Senator Nwaogu purchased the APC Senate nomination form and participated in the party’s senatorial primary election held on May 18, 2026. He said she polled 12,033 votes, finishing as runner-up in the primary conducted by the APC, with Hon. Erasmus Cishark serving as Returning Officer and Chairman of the Senatorial Primary Election Committee. The APC spokesman further claimed that Nwaogu’s name was included in the party...

 ARTMA CAUTIONS MOTORISTS AS RAINFALL, FLOODING HEIGHTEN ROAD RISKS By MaryAnn Chukwuma. The Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) has cautioned motorists to exercise maximum care while driving as rainfall and flooding continue to pose safety risks on roads across the state. ARTMA gave the advice in a road safety message shared on its official Facebook page on September 25, urging motorists to prioritise safety while navigating wet and flooded roads. The agency advised drivers to reduce their speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, particularly during heavy rainfall and periods of poor visibility. It also cautioned motorists against sudden braking and dangerous overtaking, urging them to exercise patience and avoid actions that could increase the risk of road crashes. ARTMA further advised motorists to use their headlights during heavy rainfall to improve visibility and enhance safety for themselves and other road users. According to the agency, motor...

 Heavy Rain: Parents, Schools Urged to Prioritise Safety of Schoolchildren ‎ ‎By Chizoba Njaka ‎ ‎Safety expert (name withheld), have urged parents and guardians to keep schoolchildren at home during periods of heavy rainfall to reduce their exposure to road accidents, flooding and other weather-related hazards. ‎ ‎The expert said the precaution was particularly important in communities where poor drainage, flooding, erosion and damaged roads can make movement dangerous during heavy downpours. ‎According to him, heavy rainfall can quickly flood roads and walkways, make surfaces slippery and reduce visibility for motorists, thereby increasing the risk of road crashes involving pedestrians. ‎ ‎He also warned that floodwaters can conceal open drains, deep potholes, sharp debris and other hazards capable of causing serious injuries or drowning. Contact with contaminated floodwater, they added, could expose children to waterborne infections and skin diseases. ‎ ‎The expert advised paren...

 Hawaii braces for catastrophic flooding as Hurricane Nolo approaches, while Mexico faces threat from Hurricane Polo  Residents across Hawaii’s Big Island were preparing for potentially catastrophic flooding Friday as Hurricane Nolo moved toward the state, bringing the threat of torrential rainfall, dangerous mudslides and damaging winds. Meanwhile, Mexico remained on alert as Hurricane Polo strengthened in the Pacific and continued toward the Baja California Peninsula after already bringing damaging conditions to the country’s southwestern coast. Nolo was approximately 220 miles south of Hawaii’s Big Island on Friday morning, moving northeast. Tropical storm conditions were expected to reach the island Friday evening, with rainfall totals potentially reaching 15 to 30 inches. The storm was forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane by Saturday. The southeastern portion of the Big Island faced the greatest threat of heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslides, particularly in m...

 White House video pool resumes operations after Trump media access ban ruling    The White House network video pool resumed operations Friday for the first time since President Donald Trump barred three news outlets from the White House in a high-profile dispute over media access. The pool, made up of five major U.S. television networks that rotate coverage and share video, had been inactive after the White House excluded CNN and two other outlets from its grounds. The remaining four members refused to participate in a show of solidarity with the banned organizations. A federal judge temporarily blocked the White House ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Thursday, allowing reporters from all three outlets to return to the White House. However, the ruling did not specifically address the video pool, and the participating networks continued to withhold their coverage. The pool's live video feed was circulating Friday again as Trump prepared to take Chinese President Xi Jinp...

 Police investigate suspected hazing after 30 young men found partially clothed and covered in food at Wisconsin fraternity house Police are investigating a suspected hazing incident at a fraternity house near the University of Wisconsin-Madison after approximately 30 young men were found partially clothed and covered in food, condiments, and other liquids in the basement. Madison police said several of the men, who were identified as fraternity pledges, appeared to have suffered physical injuries consistent with being assaulted. Officers went to the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house Wednesday night after receiving an anonymous report. Two 20-year-old fraternity members were arrested on tentative misdemeanor allegations of hazing and disorderly conduct. No formal charges had been filed as of Friday morning. The university has launched its own investigation and said it takes allegations of hazing seriously. Students found responsible for violating university policies or the law coul...

 Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks within seven days if US meets conditions Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming negotiations over its nuclear program within seven days if the United States lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and agrees to a ceasefire that includes Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the proposal during a private meeting Thursday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. The proposal was communicated to the United States through mediators and closely resembles an agreement discussed in June, but with a much faster timeline. That earlier proposal called for a 60-day interim period but broke down after Iran resumed attacks on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait has become Iran’s primary source of leverage in the conflict. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas passed through the strategi...

Aguiyi Urges Omasi Community to Preserve Green, Agrarian Heritage ‎ ‎By Stanley Onunkwor ‎ ‎The Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, has urged the people of Omasi in Ayamelum Local Government Area to preserve the community’s rich natural environment and agrarian heritage as the state government intensifies efforts to harness its agricultural and investment potential. ‎ ‎Aguiyi made the call on Sept 24 during a town hall engagement with the Omasi community, where he expressed appreciation for its lush vegetation and expansive agricultural landscape. He stressed that economic growth and infrastructure development should be pursued without compromising the community’s green spaces and agricultural character. ‎ ‎The commissioner said Omasi had the opportunity to adopt a development model that combines agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability. He noted that the community’s abundant vegetation contributes to environmental health, residents’ quality ...

 2027 ELECTION: ANAMBRA CP STRENGTHENS SECURITY PREPARATIONS, FINALISES REFRESHER COURSE FOR POLICE AND OTHER SECURITY AGENCIES; HOLDS STRATEGIC MEETING WITH SENIOR AND TACTICAL COMMANDERS The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, today, 25th September 2026, intensified the Command’s preparations for the 2027 general elections and finalised discussions with Civil Society Organisations on organising a refresher course for Police personnel and other security agencies. The proposed course is designed to strengthen the professional capacity, operational preparedness and understanding of security personnel on their roles and responsibilities before, during and after electoral activities. The training will focus on professionalism, human rights, democratic policing, conflict prevention and management, crowd control, communication, community engagement, election security and the lawful, impartial and professional discharge of security responsibiliti...

 Umeh begs Nigerian govt to declare Anambra Central ecological disaster zone as erosion swallows houses The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Victor Umeh, has called on the federal government to declare his senatorial zone an ecological disaster zone, following the menace of erosion and flooding in the zone. Parts of Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, have recently experienced severe flooding and erosion devastation as a result of torrential rainfall. These have led to the death by drowning of a six-year-old schoolboy and the caving in of about three houses into an erosion gully, displacing their occupants. The senator made the call at the weekend when he visited the family of the drowned schoolboy and the scene of erosion devastation where houses caved into gullies. Umeh said: “I feel sad that Anambra Central Senatorial District is under serious erosion menace and flooding. I was in Obosi and Ogidi in Idemili area just weeks back to see the de...

 Gospel Singer Sola Allyson Faces Career Backlash Over Interfaith Collaboration with Lateef Adedimeji Renowned Nigerian gospel singer Sola Allyson has revealed a startling professional setback, disclosing that her decision to host Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji, a Muslim, at one of her programs cost her potential performance engagements in the United States. Allyson shared her experience in a recent video that has since gained significant traction online, sparking renewed conversations about religious tolerance and artistic freedom within Nigeria's entertainment industry. She recounted how a pastor, who had initially facilitated a recommendation for her to secure bookings during her stay in America, later withdrew the endorsement. The reason provided to her was her collaboration with Adedimeji. The two artists have a history of public appearances together, frequently using these platforms to advocate for and defend cross-religious creative collaborations. Their joint performances...

 COAS UNVEILS AIRBORNE SCHOOL, TASKS TROOPS ON SPECIAL OPERATIONS READINESS The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged the newly established Nigerian Army Airborne Training School to develop highly skilled, agile and mission-ready personnel capable of conducting complex airborne and special operations in response to evolving security threats. The COAS gave the charge on Friday, 25 September 2026, while unveiling the Nigerian Army Airborne School at Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State. Lieutenant General Shaibu described the establishment of the School as a strategic investment in capability development, designed to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s capacity to rapidly deploy specialised forces for demanding operations. He noted that the changing character of warfare and increasing sophistication of asymmetric threats require forces that are highly trained, adaptable and capable of operating effectively across diverse and challenging environments. H...

 IFITE SCHOOL GATE BOOMS AS STUDENTS AND TRADERS REAP BENEFITS FROM RISING COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES By Ofem Gift and  Ekene Favour   The growing number of traders operating around Ifite school gate in Awka is easing daily life for Nnamdi Azikiwe University students while creating new business opportunities for local sellers. The roadside market provides students with convenient access to food, snacks, toiletries, stationery and other essential items, reducing the need to travel to distant markets for everyday purchases. Some students said visiting Ifite First Market, Ifite Second Market or Eke-Awka Market often requires transportation money, making nearby sellers a cheaper and more convenient alternative. Speaking to our correspondent, Nnamdi Azikiwe University student, Chidinma Okafor, said the nearby shops save her time and transportation costs, especially when she needs something urgently.  Another student, Daniel Eze, explained that traders around the gate have...

 JAMB Urges UTME Candidates to Avoid New Tickets, Shares Steps to Track Existing Complaints Abuja - The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a crucial advisory to candidates participating in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), providing clear instructions on how to effectively track existing complaints without the need to submit new, duplicate tickets. The examination body emphasized that opening fresh support tickets to inquire about previously submitted issues is unnecessary and can lead to confusion and delays. Instead, JAMB has outlined a straightforward five-step process for candidates to access and monitor the progress of their original complaints. This guidance comes as part of JAMB's ongoing efforts to streamline its support services and reduce common issues faced by candidates, particularly those who may be unsure how to follow up on their queries. How to Check Your Existing JAMB Support Ticket Candidates can retrieve and view their...

 NISCN HONOURS MOJOLA, DG OF LAGOS SAFETY COMMISSION, WITH SENIOR SAFETY ADVOCATE TITLE  The National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) has conferred its prestigious Senior Safety Advocate (SSA) title on the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, in recognition of his contributions to occupational health, safety and environmental standards in Nigeria. National President, National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN), Engr. John Obajimi presented the prestigious Award and apex Safety professional title, Senior Safety Advocate (SSA),  to Mr. Lanre Mojola, the DG/CEO of the Lagos State Safety Commission, on behalf of the body. According to the National Executive Council and all members of the NISCN, the honour was in recognition of Mojola’s “visionary leadership, outstanding dedication and impactful contributions” to the advancement of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards ...

 NIS SAYS PASSPORT ISSUED TO REBECCA GODWIN-ISAAC 4 MONTHS BEFORE HER COURT RESTRICTION The Nigeria Immigration Service has clarified the circumstances surrounding the issuance of a Nigerian passport to  Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac. A statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, says Passport Number B51450551 was issued to Mrs Godwin-Isaac on 15th February 2025, about four months before her arraignment at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The statement further says she had applied for reissuance of her previous passport and met all applicable requirements before the new document was issued. According to the statement, the Service had, at the time, received no court order, watchlist instruction or other lawful restriction preventing the issuance of the passport or restricting her travel. The subsequent court order requiring her to deposit her passport was therefore made after the document had been issued. The Service also confirms that its records show sh...

 Property Scam: EFCC Hands Over N84 million to Businessman The Benin Zonal Directorate, EEFCC on Friday September 25, 2026 handed over a draft of N84 million to Ekhahon Abraham, being the sum recovered by operatives of the Commission from one Anita Eborome. Abraham was  defrauded of the said sum by  Eboreme under the pretence of selling an expanse of land measuring 115ft by 135ft to him in one community in Edo State. Abraham said after making  payment, he erected a parameter fence on the land but it was pulled down by a man who claimed to the be rightful owner. Based on that incident, he sought for a refund of his money but met a brick wall as Eborome came evasive hence he was advised to petition the Commission.  During investigation, it was discovered that Abraham transferred the money to Eborome but she diverted the money for her personal use. Presenting the draft, Ag Zonal Director, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, Sa'ad Hanafi Sa'ad, noted that the Commission w...

 Burkina Faso approves free education, transport, healthcare for families of martyrs Burkina Faso says it is launching free public transport and healthcare services to support family members of those who have died or been injured while defending the nation. This comes after the Sahel nation formally recognised 315 people as national martyrs and 10 others as Invalides de la Nation (Disabled of the Nation) The measures were approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by President Ibrahim Traoré under legislation governing the status of national martyrs and injured veterans. Government spokesman Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo said those recognised and their families will be entitled, among other benefits, to free public transport and public healthcare, psychosocial support and assistance for their minor children, TRT Afrika reported. Authorities said its decision to support families of those killed or injured in the military goes hand-in-hand with its continual emphasis on national solida...

 Stop Starting. Start Finishing: Why Continuity Is Strategically Important For Nigeria In 2027 By Mary Laniyan “Stop starting. Start finishing,” is a popular agile transformation principle used to shift organisations away from measuring activity and toward delivering value and measurable outcomes. Governments are not corporations, but the underlying economic principle is comparable. In government, the stakes are infinitely higher, they have a human cost. The cost is measured in the lives of ordinary people, the pain of making ends meet, the anxiety of raising a family, the frustration of being unable to find meaningful work, the loss of dignity that comes from being unable to be productive and self-reliant, and, above all, the uncertainty surrounding the future of an entire generation of young Nigerians. That is why I dare say this: Nigeria does not need another beginning in 2027.  Nigeria needs continuity, discipline and the courage to finish what it has started. The problem ...

 BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE TWO ARRESTED FOR INFANTICIDE AND WITCHCRAFT-RELATED KILLING IN GADAU AND AZARE The Bauchi State Police Command wishes to inform the public of two recent incidents of infanticide and culpable homicide recorded in Itas/Gadau and Katagum LGAs. 1.  CRIMINAL FORCE AND SUSPECTED INFANTICIDE IN ZIRAMI: ONE ARRESTED On 24st September, 2026 at about 2200hrs, a 20 years old mother of Zirami area, reported at Azare Division with her 4-month-old biological daughter, Fatimah Muhammad 'F', lifeless, and reported that she left the minor sleeping and went to her neighbor's house for hairdressing. A few moments later, she returned home and discovered that the baby was not respirating, and met her husband, one Muhammad Garba Ladan 'M' 27 years old of Zirami, suspiciously coming out of the room. She alleged that he had earlier made several unsuccessful attempts to kill the said infant, as the pregnancy occurred out of wedlock before they late...

 PRESS RELEASE SUSPECTED FAKE ALCOHOLIC/WINE FACTORY DISCOVERED AND SEALED IN BADAGRY; 48-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT ARRESTED In a continued effort to curb criminal activities within the state, operatives of the Lagos State Police Command, acting on credible intelligence from members of the public, discovered and sealed a suspected illegal factory allegedly used for the production of adulterated alcoholic drinks in Badagry. The operation led to the arrest of Anaebo Emeka Hilary, ‘m’, 48 years, at Yafin, Badagry, Lagos State, where the suspected illegal factory was located. During the operation, the operatives recovered adulterated alcoholic drinks, empty bottles, different wine labels and various production utensils suspected to have been used in the production and packaging of the drinks. The factory was subsequently sealed, while the suspect was taken into Police custody. The recovered items have been taken to the station for further investigation. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State C...

 Abia Demolishes Structures Along Railways Quarters for New Road Project The Abia State Government has demolished shops and shanties on the right flank of the Nigerian Railways Quarters in Umuahia to clear the way for an ongoing road construction project. The Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) defended the action, stating that the occupants were given sufficient notice before the bulldozers moved in. According to the design plan and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Abia State Government and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), the new road will run from the First Bank junction on Market Road through the Railways Quarters and terminate at Akanu Ibiam Road in the state capital. The government said the project is intended to ease traffic congestion in Umuahia and restore the aesthetic appeal of the capital city. The demolished structures included those occupied by electronics dealers, dry cleaners near the Government House, and shops and shanties used by some resi...

 LASODA PROVIDES HEARING AIDS TO 15 PERSONS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT … Reiterates Commitment To Improving Quality Of Life For PWDs The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has provided hearing aids to 15 persons with hearing impairment as part of its efforts to promote inclusive healthcare and improve the quality of life of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the State. The two-day hearing aid intervention was held on September 17 and 18, 2026, at Nigerbell Hearing & Speech Centre, Agidingbi, Lagos. The intervention was implemented in partnership with Nigerbell Hearing & Speech Centre, a specialised audiology facility, to ensure that the beneficiaries received appropriate assessment, fitting and professional guidance on the use of their hearing devices. Speaking on the intervention, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, represented by the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Omolade Sonubi, said the provision of hearing a...

 LASG CONVENES STAKEHOLDERS’ PARLEY TO TACKLE RESURGENT TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK IN APAPA, LEKKI-EPE CORRIDORS The Lagos State Government today convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting to examine the recent resurgence of traffic congestion within Apapa and its environs, particularly along the critical port-access corridors, as well as the Lekki-Epe corridor and the Lekki Free Trade Zone axis of the State. The crucial meeting, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, provided a strategic platform for stakeholders to dissect the emerging traffic management challenges, identify their underlying causative factors and deliberate on pragmatic, sustainable interventions capable of restoring seamless vehicular movement within the affected corridors. In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary affirmed the commitment of the State Government to intensify regulatory and enforcement measures against the indiscriminate parking of articulated trucks al...