Ukraine says it has discovered the bodies of two Nigerians in its Luhansk region who were allegedly fighting on Russia’s side in the ongoing four-year war. In a statement on Thursday, Ukraine said military intelligence operatives made the discovery, identifying the two Nigerians as Hamzat Kazeen Kolawole, 42, and Mbah Stephen Udoka, 38. “Both served…
The Delta State Government has banned the celebration of Valentine’s Day in all public and private secondary schools across the state. The decision was made known in an official circular dated February 11, 2026, and released by the Ministry of Secondary Education at its headquarters in Asaba. The circular was signed by the Commissioner for…
GISTSMATE MEDIA reports that the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council. The dissolution, announced on Thursday, takes immediate effect. All commissioners and special advisers have been directed to hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries. Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to the outgoing…
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said African countries should deliberately promote leaders between the ages of 25 and 50, arguing that younger people are more physically and mentally equipped to handle the demands of governance. Jonathan made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the International Memorial Lecture and Leadership Conference marking the 50th anniversary…
Professor Abubakar Mohammed El-Jummah, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State, has died while in the custody of Boko Haram militants, nearly a year after his abduction. Professor El-Jummah was kidnapped on March 3, 2025, along the troubled Damaturu–Buni Yadi–Biu road. He reportedly remained in captivity…
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission cannot use real-time election results transmitted to its IReV portal for collation under the Electoral Act Bill. The lawmaker stated this during an interview on the proposed bill on an Arise TV programme on Thursday. He…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has projected a total of N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, while requesting N171 billion for its 2026 operational budget. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the Commission’s budget proposals before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters. He…
A former Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Bisi Ilaka has officially resigned his membership of the party. In his resignation letter dated Tuesday, February 10, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, on Thursday, in Ibadan, the state capital, Ilaka thanked…
Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has said he believes the Nigerian naira could trade below ₦1,000 to one US dollar before the end of the year. He said this positive outlook is due to the progress made by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Otedola shared his view on his X (formerly Twitter) account while congratulating Aliko Dangote,…
As Valentine’s Day draws near, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) 2023 warning against money bouquets is making the rounds again. The apex bank had classified money bouquets, a popular gift among lovers, as a form of naira abuse. In a flier shared on its official Twitter handle in 2023, the CBN listed money bouquets…
