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Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art

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Nigeria and Turkey have reinforced their cultural partnership through a poetry exchange in Abuja designed to foster peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding between the two nations. The literary gathering, hosted by the Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, brought together poets, cultural practitioners, diplomats, and arts administrators from both countries to explore shared human values through poetry and performance. Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Kaduna International Film Festival, Israel Kashim Audu, described poetry as a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy and peacebuilding. He noted that although Turkish poetry is deeply influenced by Anatolian mysticism, Nigerian poetry often reflects post-colonial experiences, identity, and nationhood. “Despite their different historical contexts, both poetic traditions meet in their pursuit of justice, harmony, and human dignity,” Audu said. The Abuja Coordinator of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, Fatih Erkin Mahdum, said th...
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NIS Dismisses Claims of Regional Exclusion in Passport Issuance

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has debunked reports circulating online alleging that a particular region of the country has been barred from obtaining Nigerian passports, describing the claim as false and misleading. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Service said the reports wrongly interpreted ongoing reforms aimed at modernising the country’s passport administration system.  According to NIS, no region or group of Nigerians has been excluded from passport issuance. The Service explained that it is currently implementing a phased onboarding process to migrate passport offices—both within Nigeria and at foreign missions—to a centralised passport production framework.  The statement said the initiative, which commenced in 2024, is intended to improve efficiency, enhance security, and strengthen the integrity of the passport production process. It added that as part of the reforms, passport offices in several North-East and North-Central states—including ...
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LAGOS TASKFORCE CLEARS DAVIES, BREADFRUIT STREETS OF STREET TRADING, ILLEGAL SHOP EXTENSIONS

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In continuation of the Agency’s ongoing clean-up enforcement operations aimed at ridding the State of street trading, display of goods on roadways, unauthorized blockage of roads, illegal shop extensions contrary to the State’s master plan, and other environmental infractions, the Lagos State Environmental Taskforce today embarked on another enforcement exercise on Lagos Island. The operation, which was led by the Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, covered Marina, Davies Street, Breadfruit Street, and adjoining roads where recalcitrant street traders had displayed goods on roadways, highways, and walkways, thereby constituting serious environmental nuisance and obstruction to free movement along the Lagos Marina Expressway through Davies and Breadfruit Streets. Speaking during the operation, CSP Akerele expressed concern over the continued disregard for environmental and traffic regulations by some traders. He noted that it was particularly disheartening to discover that trader...
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Kwara Terror Attack: Southern Governors’ Forum Commiserates with Kwara Govt, Calls for Prosecution of Perpetrators

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The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with the Government and people of Kwara State over the deadly terrorist attacks that claimed at least 162 lives in the villages of Woro and Nuku. In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday, Abiodun expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a tragic and unfortunate act in which innocent and law-abiding citizens were brutally murdered while going about their lawful activities. The governor condemned the reported targeting of residents who allegedly refused to adopt Sharia law, noting that homes and shops were burnt while several people were kidnapped by the attackers, who are believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram. He described the act as most horrendous, stressing that Nigeria remains a secular state that respects freedom of religion. Abiodun called on law enforcement agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure they are prosecuted to th...
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INEC, Security Agencies Brace for FCT Polls, Voter Revalidation and Critical 2026 Elections Ahead of 2027

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The Independent National Electoral Commission continued Day 3 of its first regular stakeholders’ meeting for the year 2026 with a high-level engagement with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), as the Commission warned that the year would be one of the busiest in Nigeria’s electoral history ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking at the meeting held at the Commission’s Conference Room, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, described 2026 as a critical year that demands heightened security coordination, proactive intelligence gathering and seamless inter-agency collaboration to guarantee peaceful, credible and violence-free elections. Prof. Amupitan noted that the meeting marked his second engagement with ICCES since assuming office, recalling that the first meeting held on 28 October 2025 focused on security preparations for the Anambra State off-cycle Governorship Election. 2026 is a ...
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Ali Bello Alleged 10bn Fraud: Court Orders Police, DSS to Investigate Court Registrar, Defendant for Alleged Tampering with Evidence

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  Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court,  Maitama, Abuja, On Thursday, February 5,  2026, ordered  the Nigeria Police Force, NPF,  and the Department of State Services, DSS to investigate  his court Registrar, Nasiru Onimisi Zubairu as well  as the 2nd defendant in an alleged N10billion fraud,  Daudu Sulaiman for alleged tampering with Exhibits N and O.    The directive followed a discovery and disclosure by the judge that Zubairu  confessed to him that Sulaiman  approached him to use a code to wipe off some significant messages contained in Whaptsapp chats of the second defendant in a telephone set deposited with the court.        Justice Omotosho played Zubairu's  confessions in the open court and further directed  him to tell the court what transpired between him and the second defendant.    Addressing the court, the judge said:  “I have to disclose it becau...
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LASTMA RESCUE LAWMA OPERATIVE STRUCK DOWN BY RECKLESSLY SPEEDING LOADED CONTAINERIZED TRUCK ALONG OFFIN CANAL AXIS INWARD EKO BRIDGE.

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. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed a distressing and potentially fatal road traffic occurrence that unfolded in the early hours of today at Oja Junction, along the principal carriageway by Offin Canal inward Eko Bridge, involving a heavily laden containerised truck which violently struck a male operative of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), identified as Mr. Baba Ibeji, while he was diligently discharging his lawful refuse evacuation duties. Preliminary investigative findings indicate that the articulated vehicle, reportedly travelling at an inordinately excessive speed, suffered a devastating brake system failure while descending the CMS Bridge connecting Offin Canal to Eko Bridge. This mechanical failure precipitated a catastrophic loss of control, culminating in the truck forcefully mowing down the LAWMA worker before further ramming into and crushing a Toyota Camry with registration number FST 417 FS, thereby aggravating th...
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Russia Declares End of Nuclear Weapons Reduction Deal With US

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The Russian Federation has formally marked the expiration of the Russia–United States New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), stating that both countries are no longer bound by its obligations following the agreement’s termination on February 5, 2026. In a statement issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moscow recalled that the treaty—signed in 2010, enforced in 2011, and extended once in 2021—had played a significant role in curbing the strategic arms race and ensuring predictability in nuclear relations between the two powers. Russia noted that it suspended its participation in New START in February 2023, citing what it described as persistent violations and hostile actions by the United States that undermined the treaty’s core principles.  According to the statement, Washington’s military policies, particularly in the area of missile defense, disrupted the strategic balance envisioned by the agreement and constituted a material breach that made ...
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55 Years of Win-Win: Nigeria and China's Growing Partnership

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                            By Raphael Oni   February 10, 2026, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria-China relations, as the two countries celebrate 55 years of diplomatic ties. Over the years, their partnership has blossomed into a comprehensive strategic cooperation, with China emerging as one of Nigeria's largest trading partners and investors.   "China and Nigeria are entering a new phase in their bilateral relationship — one that aims to move beyond the traditional, trade-heavy dynamic towards a mutually beneficial development model," said President Xi Jinping.   The relationship between Nigeria and China is built on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has played a pivotal role in strengthening ties between China and Africa, including Nigeria. Established in 2000, FOCAC has provided a platform for China and African countries to ...
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KWARA MASSACRE; CDHR SAYS GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED IN ITS PRIMARY CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY

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​The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) expresses its profound outrage and unreserved condemnation of the barbaric and gruesome massacre of over 160 innocent Nigerians in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State. This latest orgy of violence, reportedly carried out by extremist elements, is a reflection of the cheapness of human life in Nigeria today. ​The CDHR is deeply saddened by reports that these defenseless citizens were rounded up, bound, and executed for simply refusing to succumb to the extremist ideologies of their attackers. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire people of Kwara State who are currently reeling from this unprecedented tragedy. ​Security is a Right, Not a Privilege ​Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) explicitly states that "the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of governme...
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