No fewer than 30 people have been feared dead and about 40 others injured in a tragic tanker explosion that rocked Essan and Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred around 11:00 a.m., reportedly happened when residents rushed to scoop fuel from a fallen petrol tanker before it suddenly exploded, igniting a massive inferno that engulfed scores of people. Eyewitnesses told News Point Nigeria that many victims were burnt beyond recognition, while survivors with severe burns were evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment. Confirming the incident, Comrade…
Author: National Update
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse In a decisive move to combat child hunger and save young lives, Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has approved the release of ₦250 million as a matching fund for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) — a life-saving nutrition supplement for children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). The intervention, carried out in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is part of the Namadi administration’s renewed drive to end child malnutrition and ensure every child in Jigawa grows up healthy and strong. Announcing the development after the State Executive Council meeting in…
***Tasks Contractor on Timely Completion of 23km Ogane-Inigu Road By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The Kogi State House of Assembly has commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his commitment to inclusive governance and rural development, describing his projects as a deliberate effort to spread growth and infrastructure across the state. The commendation followed the adoption of a motion of appreciation moved by Hon. Ochidi Usman Shehu (APC–Dekina/Biraidu) during Tuesday’s plenary in Lokoja. The House specifically praised the Governor for approving and awarding the contract for the construction of the 23-kilometre Ogane-Inigu Road in Dekina/Biraidu Constituency — a project it described as…
The Nigeria Police have arraigned Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, his younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and 10 others following Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja. According to a court document shared on X by former National Human Rights Commission Chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the suspects are being charged with inciting disturbance and breach of public peace in disobedience to a court order. The police alleged that the defendants obstructed traffic, denied citizens free movement, and chanted war songs while demanding Kanu’s release. Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, had earlier confirmed on Channels Television’s Politics Today that those…
The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has launched a strategic partnership with the Lens for Good Initiative to empower Nigerian creatives, promote national identity through positive storytelling, and showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage to the world. The partnership, formalised on Monday at the Nest Gardens in Guzape, Abuja, aims to create fresh opportunities for young Nigerians in the creative industry through training, mentorship, and collaboration. It also seeks to catalyse economic growth by equipping creatives with skills in photography, filmmaking, digital storytelling, and content production. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister of Art, Culture,…
The Senate Committee on Army has pledged to push for improved welfare and insurance packages for the families of military personnel who lose their lives in active service, following the recent ambush in Borno State that claimed the lives of Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko and several other soldiers. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the Committee described the incident as a painful reminder of the enormous sacrifices made daily by Nigerian troops in defence of the nation’s territorial integrity. “The death of Lieutenant Colonel Paiko and his gallant men is a national tragedy,” the…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment and commencement of postgraduate programmes as well as the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree for Salem University, Lokoja (SUL). Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Alewo Johnson Akubo, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Lokoja, saying the approvals followed a rigorous accreditation and verification process conducted by the NUC. According to him, the approved programmes include Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master of Science (M.Sc), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degrees in Biochemistry, Mass Communication, and International Relations. Prof. Akubo described the development as…
***Karimi’s Bold Remark Stirs Rebellion, Wada’s Defection Stalls Amid Deepening Power Rift A new wave of tension has swept through the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the conspicuous absence of top national figures from the weekend’s endorsement rally for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Usman Ododo — a silence party insiders describe as a “political statement louder than words.” The Lokoja rally, touted as a grand reaffirmation of support for Tinubu and the Ododo administration, was expected to showcase the state’s unity under the ruling party. But what was meant to be a celebration…
By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko “There’s no doubt that when it comes to our treatment of Native Americans as well as other persons of color in this country, we’ve got some very sad and difficult things to account for. I personally would want to see our tragic history, or the tragic elements of our history, acknowledged. I consistently believe that when it comes to whether it’s Native Americans or African-American issues or reparations, the most important thing for the U.S. government to do is not just offer words, but offer deeds. – Barack Obama What I’m talking about is more than…
Monday’s heavy security presence across Abuja during a peaceful protest demanding the release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has drawn sharp condemnation from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and other civil groups. Residents of the Federal Capital Territory woke up to what many described as a “security siege,” as soldiers, police patrol teams, and armored vehicles were stationed at major routes, preventing movement around key locations such as the Unity Fountain, Eagle Square, and the Central Business District. The tense atmosphere brought commercial and social activities to a halt. Banks and petrol stations closed operations,…