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United States President Donald Trump has expressed admiration for American rapper Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, popularly known as Nicki Minaj, calling her “so beautiful.”

Speaking at a Black History Month event in Washington, the 79-year-old president praised the 43-year-old rapper’s appearance in remarks that quickly went viral online.

In a video from the event, Trump said: “How about Nicki Minaj? Do we love Nicki Minaj? I love Nicki Minaj. She was here a couple of weeks ago. She’s so beautiful, her skin’s so beautiful. I said, ‘Nicki, you’re so beautiful.’ Her nails are so long.”

He also shared a playful exchange with Minaj during her recent visit: “I asked Nicki, are they real? She didn’t want to answer, but she was so beautiful and so great. And she gets it, more importantly.”

Trump revealed that he first noticed Minaj during her recent visits to the White House.

The remarks came shortly after Minaj celebrated Presidents’ Day by sharing photos on her X account highlighting her rapport with the president, captioned: “Happy President’s Day.”

Reports indicate that Minaj also attended the Trump-backed World Liberty Forum on Wednesday, participating as a keynote speaker on a panel titled “Owning the Culture: The Business of Music in a Creator-Led Economy.”

She had previously met Trump in January at the Trump Accounts Summit in Washington, D.C., where she referred to herself as the “president’s No. 1 fan.”



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Dozens of people are feared dead following attacks by suspected Lakurawa militants on several rural communities in Arewa Local Government Area on Wednesday.

Local and security sources reported that the gunmen stormed villages in the remote border district, firing indiscriminately at residents in what survivors described as highly coordinated assaults.

Security breakdowns indicate that 16 people were killed in Mamunu, five in Awashaka, three in Masama, and two in each of five other affected villages.

The assaults sparked widespread panic, forcing many residents to flee as the attackers set homes ablaze and fired at civilians.

Security forces have been deployed to stabilize the area, support survivors, and prevent the assailants from escaping, with ongoing tracking operations in place.

Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident and said further details would be released as investigations continue.


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Halima Buba, the Managing Director (MD) of SunTrust Bank Ltd, on Thursday asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to grant her permission to travel to the United States (US) for medical treatment linked to pregnancy complications.

Buba, who is facing a six-count charge bordering on money laundering, made the request through her counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, before Justice Emeka Nwite.

PlatinumPost reports that the bank MD, along with the Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer, Innocent Mbagwu, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged 12 million dollar fraud.

They were arraigned on July 13, 2025, and granted bail of N100 million each with one surety in the same amount.

Justice Nwite also directed that their international passports be deposited with the court registry.

However, Buba, who was present in court on Thursday, filed a motion on notice dated Feb. 2 and filed Feb. 3, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/180/2025, through her lawyer, seeking three orders.

She requested an order varying the bail conditions granted to her on June 13, 2025.

She also asked the court to release her international passport to enable her travel outside Nigeria for medical treatment and follow-up care.

In addition, Buba sought an order directing the chief or deputy chief registrar to temporarily release her travel documents for the proposed trip.

Providing seven reasons for the request, she stated that since being admitted to bail, she had complied fully with the conditions and attended all court sittings.

The MD explained that she required the court’s approval to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment and would complete the treatment and return the passport before the next adjourned date.

In an affidavit supporting the motion, Buba said she planned to travel on Feb. 15 and return before the end of the month.

“That I am pregnant and the pregnancy has some complications that requires an expert in the field.

“That I registered my ante-natal medicals with Deda Hospital, Jahi Abuja.

“”That upon being examined by the Chief Medical Officer of Deda, there is a discovery of some complications and referred my medical situation to Bridge Clinics, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist at Indiana University Health, Carmel, Indiana, United States of America,” she said.

She added that she had been scheduled for urgent treatment in the United States.

According to her, I am ready and willing to be in court on any date this honourable court deems appropriate to adjourn the charge for continuation of hearing having regards to this application.

Buba, who pledged to return to the country after the treatment, said she would not jump bail if the application is granted.

She, therefore, urged the court to approve her request in the interest of justice.

However, the EFCC’s counsel, Ogechi Ujam, strongly opposed the application after Buba’s lawyer moved the motion.

Ujam told the court that a counter affidavit had been filed on Feb. 3, asking the court to dismiss the request.

She argued that the depositions made by Buba were false, speculative and misleading.

The lawyer submitted that, contrary to Paragraph 10 of Buba’s affidavit, the proposed travel date had already been overtaken by events.

She also said that, contrary to the MD’s claim in Exhibit B, which she described as a medical report, the consultant did not state any inability to treat her.

Ujam argued that Buba had not submitted herself for treatment at the hospital listed in Exhibit C and that the facility could not have confirmed her medical status to justify the recommendation to travel abroad.

She further argued that nothing in the application showed that Nigerian doctors or the country’s healthcare system were incapable of managing her pregnancy or other medical needs.

According to her, the bank MD did not explore available local healthcare options and no Nigerian doctor or hospital had advised her to seek treatment abroad.

She added that there was no evidence of a scheduled medical appointment for Buba at the proposed foreign hospital.

Ujam told the court that she had been informed by Mr Ahmad Yahaya, one of the EFCC’s medical doctors, and believed that Buba could be effectively treated in Nigeria.

She reminded the court that the trial had already progressed, with the prosecution calling three witnesses who gave serious incriminating evidence against Buba.

The lawyer said the offences were serious, involving alleged money laundering, and that the stage of the trial created a strong incentive for the defendant to evade proceedings.

“That it is a fact in the public space that it has become a trend that in criminal high profile cases, defendants always bring up medical reasons to travel outside the country to avoid standing trial,” she said.

Ujam maintained that Buba had not provided any material showing that her medical condition could not be treated in Nigeria.

She urged the court to refuse the application.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until March 4 for ruling.


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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters, have killed a senior Boko Haram commander and arrested a suspected drone and logistics supplier during separate but related operations in Madagali Local Government Area.

It was gathered on Thursday that the troops engaged suspected Boko Haram fighters during an ambush along the Visik River line.

The encounter resulted in the death of Abdullahi Mafa, a former hybrid commander notorious for orchestrating attacks in the Madagali council area.

A security analyst, Zagazola Makama, confirmed that later, around 6:30pm, troops carried out a raid at Madagali Motor Park, arresting 64-year-old Dauda Usman Gubula, a suspected Boko Haram collaborator and drone supplier.

Authorities recovered two aerial drones and 20 solar power banks from the suspect.

Officials stated that Gubula is currently in custody undergoing investigation, while military operations in the area continue to disrupt Boko Haram networks and restore stability to the region.

(Sahara Reporters)

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Less than 48 hours before Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PFP) chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Zadna Dantani, has pulled out of the contest and declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Christopher  Maikalangu.

The decision comes shortly after a similar development in Bwari Area Council, where the PDP candidate, Julius Adamu, on Wednesday stepped down in favour of APC’s Joshua  Musa.

Dantani confirmed his withdrawal in a formal declaration, explaining that the move followed high-level interventions by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whom he described as both the party leader and the FCT leader.

Explaining the rationale behind the sudden alignment, Dantani stated, “My name is Hon. Zadna Dantani, the Chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Abuja Municipal Area Council for Saturday’s Area Council elections. I want to sincerely appreciate everyone who supported us, and by the grace of God, we are doing it not because of our personal interests.”

He said the minister’s advice centred on the idea of “brotherhood” in the local polls.

“I am here to tell my people that as a candidate who is standing for this election, I have today agreed, based on the intervention of the Honourable Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who is our leader in the party and the leader in FCT, who has called my attention to let us know that this is a brotherhood election. I am also doing this in support of the good works of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Dantani added.

The former candidate said he had completed all necessary legal steps to formalise his exit from the race.

“I have consulted widely, and by the grace of God, we have agreed that we are no longer going to contest against my brother, Hon Christopher Zakka Maikalangu. By doing so, I also submitted a letter of withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today,” he said, urging his supporters across the 12 wards of AMAC to vote for the APC candidate.

In his letter to the electoral body, Dantani said the decision was entirely voluntary.
The letter to INEC, signed by Hon. Zadna Dantani, read: “I write to respectfully inform you that I, Hon. Zadna Dantani of Gosa Village along Airport Road, FCT Abuja, a member and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have decided to voluntarily withdraw from contesting for the Chairmanship position of Abuja Municipal Area Council in the forthcoming Area Council Elections, which is scheduled to hold on 21st February, 2026, after due other consideration and thorough consultation with my family and relevant stakeholders.

“I wish to state unequivocally that this decision to withdraw my candidature is borne out of my own free will volition.”


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Islamic police in Kano State have taken nine individuals into custody for allegedly eating in public during fasting hours on the opening day of Ramadan, underscoring the enforcement of Sharia regulations in the state despite Nigeria’s secular constitution.

The Kano State Hisbah Corps said its operatives arrested the suspects on Wednesday after they were reportedly seen eating at midday, an act considered a direct breach of the Islamic fast observed from dawn until sunset.

Kano, one of the most populous states in northern Nigeria, operates a dual legal structure in which Islamic Sharia law runs alongside the country’s conventional legal system.

During the Ramadan period, Hisbah officials regularly patrol markets, restaurants and public areas to ensure that Muslims comply with fasting obligations.

Although some eateries remain open in neighbourhoods largely populated by Christians and other non-Muslims, practising Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking or engaging in any activity that invalidates the fast between sunrise and sunset. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is regarded as a core religious obligation.

Deputy Commander Mujahid Aminudeen told reporters that those detained comprised seven men and two women.

“We have arrested them and they are currently with us. We will teach them the importance of fasting, how to pray, how to read the Qur’an, and how to be good Muslims,” Aminudeen said.

Authorities have not yet indicated when the detainees will regain their freedom, prompting renewed debate over the reach and limits of religious policing in northern Nigeria.

(SAHARA REPORTERS)

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A raid by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists on a military facility in Borno State has left eight Nigerian soldiers dead and 23 others wounded, three security sources told AFP on Wednesday.

The sources said about 70 fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), riding on motorcycles, attacked a base in Cross Kauwa village, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.

“Eight soldiers paid the supreme price, and 23 others sustained injuries,” a military officer said of the attack which struck on Monday.

Two members of an anti-jihadist militia supporting the military said the terrorists mobilised from a camp on Dabar Masara island in Lake Chad and took a long detour before launching the assault, confirming the casualty figures.

“The terrorists burnt down the base along with 11 gun trucks and took away the anti-aircraft guns mounted on them,” said one anti-jihadist militia source.

All the sources requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the incident.

The base, located about 24 kilometres from the fishing town of Baga, has served as a major security buffer protecting the area from jihadist incursions.

ISWAP and its rival, Boko Haram, have recently stepped up attacks on military formations across the northeast.

According to the military, insurgents attacked two bases in Borno at the weekend, leaving soldiers and anti-jihadist militia dead or injured.

Late on Saturday, ISWAP fighters stormed a base in Mandaragirau near the Sambisa forest stronghold, killing and wounding an unspecified number of troops and militia, the military said in a statement.

In a separate incident, Boko Haram attacked another base in Pulka near the Cameroon border, destroying equipment and accommodation before reinforcements helped repel the assault, the statement added.

The United Nations says jihadist violence has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced about two million others in the northeast since 2009.

The conflict later spread into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, leading to the formation of a regional military coalition to confront the insurgents.

However, the coalition has weakened in recent years following Niger’s withdrawal after a diplomatic row with Nigeria in the aftermath of the country’s 2023 military coup.

Meanwhile, the United States is deploying troops to Nigeria to provide technical and training support in the fight against the jihadist groups. The US Africa Command said 200 personnel are expected to take part in the deployment overall.

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The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) has called on Nigerians to embrace unity, compassion, and peaceful coexistence as Christians and Muslims begin the holy seasons of Lent and Ramadan at the same time this year.

In a statement signed by its Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. (Dr.) Abubakar Gambo Umar, the foundation described the rare convergence of the two sacred periods as a symbol of shared spiritual values and an opportunity for national reflection.

“This year, the remarkable coincidence of these two holy seasons beginning together serves as a profound symbol of our shared spiritual heritage and a unique opportunity for national reflection,” the statement read.

According to the foundation, the alignment of the seasons underscores the common values in both faiths, including sacrifice, repentance, charity, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

“This rare alignment reminds us of the deep common ground between our faiths—values of sacrifice, self-discipline, repentance, compassion, charity, and spiritual renewal,” it said, urging Nigerians to embrace these principles “in a spirit of unity, togetherness, and mutual respect.”

The foundation appealed to citizens across the country to use the period for acts of kindness, support for vulnerable groups, forgiveness, and reconciliation, stressing the need for a collective commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous society.

It also called on religious leaders to use their platforms to promote harmony.

“We particularly urge religious leaders to use their pulpits and platforms to preach messages of unity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, rather than anything that sows division or discord among communities,” the statement said.

The foundation further advised political leaders to avoid divisive rhetoric and actions that could heighten tensions.

“Similarly, we call on political leaders to eschew divisive statements, actions, or rhetoric that could foster disharmony, and instead promote dialogue, inclusivity, and efforts that advance national harmony and progress,” it added.

While urging Nigerians to pray for peace, stability, and sustainable development, the foundation said the lessons of both seasons should inspire citizens to work together across ethnic, religious, and political divides.

“As we journey through these sacred times, may we pray fervently for peace, stability, unity, and sustainable development in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.


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The House of Representatives has apologised to protesters who were affected by the use of tear gas at the National Assembly earlier this week, describing the incident as unfortunate and assuring that it is being reviewed.

The apology was conveyed by the House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi, during a press briefing in Abuja focused on the Electoral Act recently signed into law by Bola Tinubu.

The event was organised by The Kukah Centre and Yiaga Africa in partnership with International Press Centre, TAF Africa, Centre for Media and Society, Nigerian Women Trust Fund and ElectHer.

The Nigeria Police Force had faced strong criticism after officers fired tear gas at demonstrators who returned to the National Assembly complex on Tuesday. The protesters were demanding the compulsory inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026.

The demonstration resumed after a five-day pause, following assurances reportedly given to the protesters during the previous week’s sitting.

Expressing sympathy, Rotimi said, “I would like to express my sympathy with all those who were affected by the tear gas incident at the National Assembly the other day. It’s something that the House of Representatives’ media and public affairs is taking up. It should never have happened.”

He emphasised that citizens have a constitutional right to protest peacefully, adding that the circumstances that led to the incident are being examined.

While reaffirming support for peaceful protests, he cautioned organisers to guard against infiltration by disruptive elements seeking to incite disorder.

Rotimi also defended the National Assembly’s handling of the Electoral Act review, insisting that lawmakers acted in good faith and followed constitutional procedures. He maintained that civil society organisations were actively involved throughout the review of the 2022 Act and the recent 2026 amendment.

Although acknowledging dissatisfaction among some stakeholders, he stressed that due process was observed at every stage, in line with constitutional provisions and the rules of both chambers.

He described democratisation as an evolving process and noted that the law could still be amended in the future if necessary.

Urging Nigerians to maintain confidence in the legislature, Rotimi said the Act, though possibly imperfect, was passed in the country’s best interest and should be used to ensure credible elections.

On calls for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a nationwide simulation of its results transmission system, he said the House welcomed the proposal. He also supported the prompt publication of the newly signed Electoral Act to promote transparency and public awareness, noting that the process would be guided by the Authentication Act through the Clerk to the National Assembly and the government printer.

Acknowledging declining public trust in government institutions, particularly the legislature, Rotimi assured that efforts would continue to rebuild confidence.

The conference was part of ongoing post-legislative engagement between lawmakers and civil society groups following the passage of the Electoral Act 2026, which has sparked intense debate over electronic transmission of results and other contentious provisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.


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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, has reportedly been arrested by UK police.

He was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

In a statement released on Thursday, Thames Valley Police confirmed that a man in his sixties from Norfolk was arrested on February 19 over the alleged offence.

The police added that searches are currently being conducted at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk.

“The man remains in police custody at this time. We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance,” the statement read.

Although authorities did not officially identify the suspect, when asked whether Andrew had been arrested, the force referred back to its earlier statement confirming the detention of a man in his sixties. Andrew is 66.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said an investigation was launched following a detailed assessment of the allegation.

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has suspended the impeachment proceedings initiated against Governor Siminalayi Fubaraand his deputy Ngozi Odu following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The decision was announced on Thursday during plenary in Port Harcourt, where lawmakers adopted a motion to halt the process.

The Assembly had earlier begun impeachment proceedings at its first sitting of 2026, accusing the governor and his deputy of gross misconduct.

The allegations included the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex and approval of expenditures without legislative authorisation, among other claims.

More details to follow…


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The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, says it is imperative for Africa to grow, industrialise, create jobs, expand opportunities, and lift millions out of poverty.

According to a statement from the apex bank, Cardoso said that the continent should also decarbonise and build climate resilience.

He said this in his keynote speech at the recent Egypt 30by30 Programme organised by the Central Bank of Egypt and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The CBN governor said that the collaborative ambition behind the 30by30 initiative embodied a shared continental vision that Africa’s future must be resilient, climate-aware, and economically sustainable.

He said that through closer collaboration with the Central Bank of Egypt and partners across the World Bank Group, the CBN remained dedicated to building a resilient, risk-aware financial framework.

He said that the CBN was also dedicated to advancing green finance, strengthening cross-border cooperation, and positioning Africa to withstand shocks, and also to thrive in a changing global economy.

According to Cardoso, resilience begins with credibility.

“In Nigeria, disciplined and transparent reforms are strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals and boosting confidence in the financial system, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.

“To build resilient financial systems, we must anchor our economies on trustworthy institutions, credible policies, transparent markets, and risk-aware innovation,” he said.

The CBN governor described climate risk as financial risk.

“It affects sovereign ratings, cost of capital, inflation dynamics, food security, insurance markets, and fiscal sustainability,” he said.

He said that Africa contributed the least to climate change yet bore some of its highest costs.

He, however, said that Africa also offered some of the world’s greatest opportunities in renewable energy capacity, biodiversity, a young population, and rapidly evolving financial markets.

“To seize these opportunities, we must innovate for resilience, not as isolated nations, but as a continent.

“By working together deliberately, transparently, and with unwavering commitment, we can build the resilient, sustainable, and inclusive financial systems that Africa needs to withstand future shocks, and also to thrive in the decades ahead.'(NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu has issued an Executive Order directing direct remittance of oil and gas revenues to the Federation Account.

The order is to safeguard and enhance revenues, curb wasteful spending and eliminate duplicative structures in the sector.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The President signed the order pursuant to Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

It is anchored on Section 44(3) of the Constitution, which vests ownership and control of mineral resources in the Federal Government.

Tinubu said the directive sought to restore constitutional revenue entitlements of the three tiers of government removed in 2021 by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He said the PIA created structural and legal channels through which substantial Federation revenues were lost through deductions, charges and fees.

Under the current PIA framework, NNPC Limited retains 30 per cent of the Federation’s oil revenues as a management fee on Profit Oil and Profit Gas.

He said the company also retained 20 per cent of its profits to cover working capital and future investments.

Tinubu said the additional 30 per cent management fee was unjustified, given the existing 20 per cent retention.

He said NNPC Ltd. also retained another 30 per cent of its profit oil and profit gas as the Frontier Exploration Fund under sections 9(4) and (5) of the PIA.

Tinubu said the fund risked accumulating idle cash balances and encouraging inefficient exploration spending.

He said the order also addressed the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) created under Section 52(7)(d) of the PIA.

The MDGIF is funded by gas flaring penalties, even though the PIA already established an Environmental Remediation Fund under Section 103.

He said the overlapping funds and deductions far exceeded global norms and effectively divert more than two-thirds of potential remittances.

Tinubu said the Executive Order would resolve duplicative deductions by addressing overlapping provisions across relevant laws and regulatory instruments.

According to him, the objective is to eliminate multiple layers of deductions that erode revenues meant for the Federation Account.

The President also raised concerns over the continued role of NNPC Limited as a concessionaire under Production Sharing Contract arrangements.

He said the framework created competitive distortions and undermined NNPC Ltd.’s transition into a fully commercial operator.

Tinubu said the order introduced immediate measures to curb leakages, enhance transparency and reposition NNPC Ltd. strictly as a commercial enterprise.

He said the reforms were urgent given their implications for national budgeting, debt sustainability and economic stability.

Tinubu said his administration would also undertake a comprehensive review of the PIA in consultation with stakeholders.

According to the order, NNPC Ltd. will no longer collect and manage the 30 per cent Frontier Exploration Fund.

It said the 30 per cent profit oil and gas currently earmarked for the fund must henceforth be transferred to the Federation Account.

The order also states that NNPC Limited will no longer be entitled to the 30 per cent management fee on profit oil and profit gas revenues.

All operators and contractors under production sharing contracts must, from Feb. 13, pay royalty oil, tax oil, profit oil, profit gas and other interests directly to the Federation Account.

Tinubu, however, suspended payments of gas flare penalties into the MDGIF.

Proceeds from all penalties imposed on operators for gas flaring must be paid into the Federation Account.

The order directs that all expenditure from the MDGIF must comply with extant public procurement laws, policies and regulations.

Tinubu approved the constitution of a joint project team to execute integrated petroleum operations.

The Commission will serve as an interface with licensees and lessees where upstream and midstream operations are fully combined.

The President also approved the establishment of an Implementation Committee to oversee the coordinated execution of the order.

Members include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Others are the Minister of Budget and National Planning and the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil).

Also listed are the Chairman, Nigeria Revenue Service, a representative of the Ministry of Justice and the Special Adviser to the President on Energy.

The Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, will serve as the secretariat to the committee. (NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians to forgive him if he has sinned against them, urging the citizens to embrace unity, peace, and moral renewal at the start of Ramadan.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday during the opening of this year’s Tafsir at the State House mosque in Abuja.

The president highlighted the overlap between Ramadan and the Christian season of Lent as a reminder of shared values.

“Ramadan coincides with Lent, reminding us of our common commitment to sacrifice, discipline, prayer, and self-denial,” he said.

“We start this Ramadan with all the teaching that it brings to us all. But the main principle is to do good to people, to share love and faith, and to forgive sins. I say, if I have sinned, forgive me as Nigerians.”

Tinubu said fasting should go beyond physical abstinence, noting that it must embody kindness, forgiveness, good deeds, and love for humanity.

He urged Nigerians across all religions in the country to pray for peace and support efforts against terrorism, banditry, and insecurity.

Chief Imam of the State House mosque, Abdulwahid Suleiman,  thanked Allah for enabling the Muslims to witness another Ramadan.

He lauded Tinubu’s leadership and prayed for wisdom, good health, and strength for the president and his team, while beseeching peace, stability, and prosperity for all Nigerians.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has announced a sharp rise in voter registrations in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, with more than 1.2 million Nigerians successfully completing the process in the second phase as of February 13, 2026.

In an update shared on its official X account on Thursday, INEC disclosed that 1,228,648 eligible voters had fully registered by Week Six of Phase II. This represents a notable increase from the 884,737 recorded at the end of Week Five.

According to the commission, 673,124 applicants initiated their registration online, while 555,524 completed the process physically at designated registration centres nationwide.

State-by-state data shows that Jigawa Staterecorded the highest number of new registrants with 98,698 voters, accounting for 8.03 per cent of the total. It is followed by Lagos State (86,307), Sokoto State (77,004), and Kano State (71,990).

On gender distribution, INEC reported that 696,891 registrants (57 per cent) are female, while 531,757 (43 per cent) are male. Youths aged 18 to 34 make up the majority, with 848,066 registrations, representing 69.02 per cent of the total figure.

The commission also noted that 19,414 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have registered nationwide during the exercise.

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Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions took a hit after they threw away a two-goal advantage to settle for a dramatic 2–2 draw against Wolves on Wednesday night.

Mikel Arteta’s men appeared to be cruising at Molineux following an early strike from Bukayo Saka and a second-half effort from Piero Hincapie, which had put them firmly in control.

However, the Gunners faltered late on. Hugo Bueno sparked Wolves’ comeback before Riccardo Calafiori inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in stoppage time after a mix-up involving goalkeeper David Raya and defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

It marked the second straight league match in which Arsenal failed to protect a lead, following last week’s 1–1 draw at Brentford.

The result is a significant setback for Arsenal, who have now won just two of their last seven league games, giving renewed hope to second-placed Manchester City in the title race. City trail by five points with a game in hand and are scheduled to host Arsenal in April.

Having previously surrendered strong positions in title battles with City, Arteta’s side now risk seeing history repeat itself. Signs of nerves were evident as the clock wound down at Molineux, underlining the mounting pressure in their bid for a first league crown since 2004.

Adding to Arteta’s concerns, Saka was forced off in the second half with a suspected knee injury. The England international recently signed a new contract to become the club’s highest-paid player, and a prolonged absence could severely dent Arsenal’s title hopes.

Despite sitting 17 points from safety with 11 games remaining, Wolves showed resilience with a spirited comeback.

Match Highlights

Deployed again in a central attacking role, Saka made an immediate impact, heading home Declan Rice’s pinpoint cross just five minutes in to end a 15-game goal drought.

Arsenal dominated the early stages, with Rice and Noni Madueke both going close. Wolves threatened sporadically, with Andre and Adam Armstrong testing the visitors from distance.

Arsenal doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Gabriel threaded a pass through to Hincapie, who fired home. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but stood after a VAR review.

Wolves responded in style, with Bueno curling a superb effort into the top corner to reduce the deficit. Arsenal failed to put the game to bed, and their profligacy proved costly.

In stoppage time, confusion in the Arsenal defence allowed Tom Edozie to fire goalward, with the ball deflecting off Calafiori into the net — sealing a stunning late equaliser and leaving Arteta’s side stunned.


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