Author: Lawan

The Federal Government said it has commenced moves to scrap the criminal penalty for attempted suicide, following the approval of its position on decriminalisation by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The decision, described by stakeholders as a major shift from punishment to care, is expected to pave the way for amendments to the relevant provisions of the Penal Code and Criminal Code when the proposal is transmitted to the National Assembly. The development was announced yesterday at an event organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to mark the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day in Abuja. Minister…

Global crude oil prices have climbed above $100 per barrel, reaching their highest level since July, as escalating military tensions in the Middle East raise fresh fears of disruptions to crude production and international oil shipments. Brent crude, the global benchmark against which Nigeria’s crude is priced, rose 2.8 per cent on Wednesday to break above the $100 per barrel mark, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 2.9 per cent to $95.70 per barrel. The latest rally has pushed both benchmarks more than 60 per cent higher than their levels at the beginning of the year, increasing concerns that…

The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism and other security threats in the region. The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) disclosed this in a statement posted on its X handle on Thursday. According to AFRICOM, the equipment was transported to Nigeria aboard a United States Air Force C-17 aircraft over the weekend under a Foreign Military Sales agreement between the two countries. The command said the delivery was aimed at further strengthening the security partnership between the United States and Nigeria, while…

The National Assembly has suspended all official legislative visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers to boycott South African-hosted or organised legislative activities over renewed xenophobic attacks and growing threats against Nigerians and other African nationals in the country. The decision followed the latest wave of violence, intimidation and attacks on foreign nationals, coming after anti-immigrant protests in South Africa demanded that migrants leave the country. In a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on Thursday, September 10, the joint leadership of the Senate and House said the suspension covered “all official visits” to South…

The Center for Public Accountability and Social Well-being (CPASW) on Thursday, September 10, 2026, protested at the Lagos State House of Assembly, urging lawmakers to investigate alleged interference, intimidation and harassment linked to a disputed 27.65-hectare parcel of government-allocated land in the Lekki sub-region. The organisation’s protest followed a petition it submitted to the House on August 23, seeking legislative intervention in the lingering dispute involving the Ojaekomo family, the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family and Bashiru Fakorede over land at Sapata Village, Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area. The Lagos State House of Assembly, in a letter dated September 7 and signed…

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) plans to raise campaign funds through small donations from ordinary Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election, National Leader Seriake Dickson has said. Dickson disclosed this during an appearance on Arise News’ Prime Time on Wednesday, saying the party would encourage Nigerians to contribute as little as N1,000 towards its activities. The former Bayelsa State governor said the initiative was aimed at reducing the influence of wealthy individuals and political financiers who, according to him, could use their financial power to exert undue influence on the country’s democratic process. He described the NDC as the…

The political fallout from the blockade of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State deepened yesterday as police arrested 46 suspects, amid mounting demands for an investigation to unmask the organisers and financiers of the incident. Former deputy Senate president and NDC candidate for Delta Central, Ovie Omo-Agege, and the party’s deputy governorship candidate in Cross River State, Stella Archibong, demanded a full investigation, while Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the incident. The Nigeria Patriotic Youths Forum (PYF) also joined the outrage,…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised the alarm over the approaching peak season for Lassa fever, warning states and local governments that Nigeria has a narrow window to plug critical gaps in preparedness before infections begin to surge. It expressed concern over delayed presentation of patients at health facilities, infections among healthcare workers, poor sanitation and food storage, exposure to rodents and what it described as inadequate ownership of outbreak preparedness by some states.Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, who sounded the warning at a press briefing on Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2026/2027 Lassa fever…

Governor Peter Mbah has unveiled a compendium of more than 10,000 milestones recorded in the first term of his administration across critical sectors of the Enugu State economy. The compendium, entitled: “A Thousand and One Reasons Why Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Should be Re-elected as Governor of Enugu State,” was presented to the public at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, yesterday. The compendium of milestones records, among others, over 1,521 kilometres of constructed and reconstructed roads, over 7,000 classrooms, 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, Enugu Air, the New Enugu Smart City, and the revamp of moribund assets.Represented by the Deputy…

Kano State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the death by stabbing of Ibrahim Khalil Danshagamu at his residence in Gaida Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State. A statement issued on Wednesday night by the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, indicated that unknown hoodlums had, on September 8th, forcibly entered the residence of the deceased and attacked him with sharp objects. “The victim was rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialists Hospital, Kano, where he was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor, the statement said. The statement said the Command had immediately…