Traditional rulers and stakeholders in Kwara South Senatorial District have endorsed the Igbomina bloc to produce the next senator representing the district in 2027. The Chairman of the Igbomina Traditional Rulers Forum and Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya, made the remarks on Monday at his palace in Ajase-Ipo shortly after meeting with traditional rulers […]
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Klinshak Longbak is on the verge of sealing a move away from Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Wikki Tourists, DAILY POST reports.
Longbak is reported to be undergoing trials with Slovakian side, AS Trencin.
The midfielder left the Bauchi Elephants after the completion of the 2025-26 NPFL season.
His departure comes as Wikki Tourists prepare for life in the Nigeria National League, NNL.
Longbak netted thrice and provided three assists in 32 appearances for Wikki Tourists in the just-concluded season.
He joined Wikki Tourists from Plateau United in 2023.
Former World No 1 and 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams has confirmed her return to the sport after receiving a doubles wildcard to play at the HSBC Championships the Queen’s Club in west London, which starts on Monday 8 June, ahead of a likely return at Wimbledon later in the month.
Williams, who was last seen in competitive action almost four years ago before announcing her retirement, is set to play doubles at Queen’s with Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, who idolised Williams growing up, and may play singles at Wimbledon.
Williams, one of the sport’s defining champions and greatest players of all time, has not played competitively since the 2022 US Open, where she reached the third round in a glittering farewell. Before that tournament, the American carefully said she would be “evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me”, rather than ever using the word “retirement.
Williams, who gave birth to her second child in 2023, sparked speculation that she would be returning to tennis when she reentered the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s anti-doping testing pool last year, and she has been cleared to compete competitively since 22 February.
A seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, as well as a six-time Wimbledon doubles champion with her sister Venus, the Championships are one of the most important tournaments in her hall-of-fame career. Her last appearance at Wimbledon came in a first-round defeat to Harmony Tan in 2022.
Serena Williams made her last appearance at Wimbledon four years ago, losing in the first round to unseeded player Harmony Tan.
This comeback is being seen as a major boost for women’s tennis, which many feel is currently offering more drama and intrigue than the men’s game. Whether this is a one-off appearance or the beginning of a longer return remains to be seen.
Serena Williams is widely considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, holding the Open Era record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
Over a dominant professional career spanning from 1995 to 2022, she revolutionised women’s tennis with her powerful style of play, spent 319 weeks as the world No. 1, and completed a rare Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles.
As a pioneering Black woman in a historically white-dominated sport, she shattered systemic barriers, advocating fiercely for equal prize money and maternal health rights for female athletes.
Serena Williams Makes Return To Tennis At 44 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Medical services were disrupted at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, and its Akure Annex on Sunday as doctors commenced a 72-hour warning strike following the alleged assault of a medical doctor by a patient’s relative within the hospital premises. The industrial action was declared by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), FMC Owo, after […]
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The Labour Party has unveiled Mrs Julie Obeta as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections in Benue State. The unveiling took place on Monday at the party secretariat along Otukpo Road, where the party’s governorship candidate, Mathias Byuan, announced that Mrs Obeta was unanimously elected by party members across the state. Her […]
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Millions of telecommunication subscribers across Nigeria face a common dilemma when they accidentally purchase credit on the wrong network or simply need to share credit with friends
The post How to transfer airtime from Airtel to MTN in 2026 (Is it possible?) appeared first on Tribune Online.
For many Nigerians, financial stress has become an everyday reality. Rising inflation, unemployment, high transportation costs, increasing food prices, and the declining purchasing power of incomes have placed millions of households under immense economic pressure.
While the financial consequences of these challenges are widely discussed, their impact on mental health often receives far less attention.
Across Nigeria, financial stress is increasingly contributing to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, family conflicts, and other mental health challenges. As economic hardships deepen, experts warn that the country may be facing a growing mental health crisis driven largely by financial insecurity.
The removal of fuel subsidies, fluctuations in the naira, and rising living costs have significantly affected household budgets. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), analysed by THE WHISTLER, inflation has continued to erode the value of incomes, making it difficult for many families to afford necessities such as food, transportation, healthcare, and education.
For civil servants, traders, artisans, and private sector workers alike, the struggle to make ends meet has become more intense. Salaries that once covered monthly expenses are now often insufficient, forcing many Nigerians to cut spending, borrow money, or take on additional jobs.
Mental health professionals say these economic pressures are having a profound effect on emotional well-being.
“When people are constantly worried about how they will feed their families, pay rent, or cover school fees, the body remains in a state of prolonged stress,” says Dr Bokolo David, a Lagos-based clinical psychologist.
“Over time, that stress can develop into anxiety, depression, and other psychological conditions,” she says.
One of the most common effects of financial stress is anxiety. Many Nigerians report constantly worrying about unpaid bills, rent increases, medical expenses, and the possibility of losing their source of income. For business owners, concerns about declining sales, rising operational costs, and currency instability can create additional pressure.
This persistent worry often affects sleep. Individuals struggling financially frequently find themselves awake at night calculating expenses, planning how to settle debts, or worrying about future obligations. Lack of adequate sleep can impair concentration, reduce productivity, and increase irritability.
Depression is another growing concern. Financial hardship can leave individuals feeling trapped and hopeless, especially when they see little opportunity for improvement. For unemployed graduates who have spent years searching for work, the emotional toll can be particularly severe.
Nigeria’s youth are among the groups most affected by financial stress. Despite being one of the most entrepreneurial populations in Africa, many young Nigerians face significant barriers to economic stability. High unemployment rates, limited access to affordable credit, and rising costs of living have made financial independence increasingly difficult to achieve.
Many young professionals also struggle with the pressure to support family members while trying to establish their own careers. In a society where financial success is often viewed as a measure of personal achievement, economic difficulties can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
Financial stress also affects family relationships. Across the country, economic hardship has become a major source of tension in homes. Couples often argue about spending priorities, debt, school fees, rent, and other financial obligations.
Marriage counsellors said that money-related disputes are among the leading causes of marital conflict. When financial pressures persist, they can weaken communication, increase resentment, and contribute to separation or divorce.
Parents face additional challenges. Many experience guilt and emotional distress when they cannot provide the quality of education, healthcare, or lifestyle they desire for their children. The stress felt by parents can also affect children, who may become anxious when they witness financial struggles within the household.
Small business owners are another vulnerable group. From market traders to manufacturers, entrepreneurs across Nigeria are grappling with rising costs of goods, higher energy expenses, and reduced consumer spending. The uncertainty surrounding business survival can create significant emotional strain.
Some individuals respond to financial stress through unhealthy coping mechanisms. Excessive alcohol consumption, gambling, substance abuse, and emotional withdrawal are increasingly being linked to economic pressures. While these behaviours may offer temporary relief, they often worsen both financial and mental health problems.
Unfortunately, access to mental healthcare remains limited in Nigeria. Mental health services are concentrated in urban areas, and many people cannot afford professional counselling or therapy. Stigma surrounding mental illness also discourages many individuals from seeking help.
Instead, people often suffer silently or rely solely on family members, religious leaders, or friends for support. While community support can be valuable, experts argue that greater investment in mental healthcare is necessary to address the growing burden of psychological distress.
The Registrar of the Institute of Finance and Control of Nigeria, Godwin Eohoi said that addressing the relationship between financial stress and mental health requires action on multiple fronts.
He told THE WHISTLER, “Economic policies that create jobs, improve incomes, and reduce inflation can help ease financial pressures. At the same time, greater awareness of mental health issues is needed to encourage people to seek support when necessary.
“Financial literacy programmes can also play an important role. Teaching individuals how to budget, manage debt, save money, and plan for emergencies can help reduce financial anxiety. Employers can contribute by offering financial wellness programmes and mental health support services for workers.”
Mental health experts alslnadvise Nigerians experiencing financial stress to focus on practical steps within their control.
According to them, creating a realistic budget, prioritising essential expenses, seeking financial advice, maintaining social connections, and engaging in healthy stress-management activities can make a difference.
While these measures may not eliminate financial challenges, they can help individuals cope more effectively and protect their mental well-being.
As Nigeria continues to navigate economic uncertainty, the connection between financial health and mental health can no longer be ignored. Behind every statistic on inflation or unemployment are individuals and families struggling with the emotional consequences of economic hardship.
Recognising and addressing this link is essential not only for improving mental health outcomes but also for building a healthier and more resilient society.
ENDS
How Financial Stress Is Fueling Mental Health Crisis In Nigeria is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
The Federal Government has welcomed the unveiling of the “Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer Workforce: A Global Crisis”, describing it as a timely call to strengthen cancer care systems globally.
Dr Uche Nwokwu, National Coordinator, National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), said this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja following the report’s unveiling at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago.
Nwokwu said the report highlighted an urgent global shortage of cancer care workers and projected a shortfall of 100 million cancer workforce personnel by 2050 amid rising cancer incidences worldwide.
He said the findings reflected existing challenges across Nigeria and many African countries, including late presentation of cancer cases, diagnostic delays, overstretched oncology teams and limited specialist capacity.
According to him, Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030 has already outlined strategies to address the oncology workforce gap, providing a framework that could serve as a model for other countries.
Nwokwu said the report reinforced the need for countries to move beyond planning and implement measurable actions to strengthen cancer workforce capacity and improve patient outcomes.
He quoted Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Chief Executive Officer of Medicaid Cancer Foundation and President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control, as welcoming the commission’s inauguration.
“The inauguration of this commission is both timely and necessary. Around the world, and especially across low- and middle-income countries, the cancer workforce is central to whether patients are diagnosed early, treated effectively, and supported with dignity throughout their care.
“For Nigeria and Africa, this report strengthens the case for deliberate investment in people, not only infrastructure. We must build, retain, and support the multidisciplinary teams needed to deliver equitable cancer care.”
Shinkafi-Bagudu said such investments were required across the continuum of prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship and palliative care to improve access to quality cancer services.
The statement also quoted Prof. Folakemi Odedina, Chair of the NCCP Technical Working Group, as describing the report’s inauguration as critical for Nigeria’s cancer control efforts.
“The inauguration of this commission comes at a critical time for Nigeria. Through the NCCP-TWG, we are taking important steps to address the cancer workforce gap by strengthening planning, coordination, training priorities, and implementation pathways.
“Bridging this shortage will require sustained commitment from government, professional bodies, training institutions, development partners, and the wider health system,” Odedina said.
She added that the commission reinforced the urgency of ongoing efforts and supported Nigeria’s direction toward building a more resilient and equitable cancer workforce.
Nwokwu further quoted Dr Nwamaka Lasebikan of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, and co-author of the commission, on the implications of the findings for Africa.
“For Nigeria and many African countries, this commission is not an abstract global warning. It reflects the reality we see every day: rising cancer burden, late presentation, limited diagnostic and treatment capacity, and a workforce stretched far beyond what is sustainable.
“If we want better cancer outcomes, we must move beyond isolated services and invest deliberately in cancer workforce planning, training, retention, task-sharing, digital tools, and strong cancer systems.
“The cancer workforce is not a support structure for cancer care; it is the foundation on which timely, equitable, and high-quality cancer care depends,” Lasebikan said.
According to the statement, the commission calls for coordinated action to strengthen cancer workforce registries, expand oncology training programmes and improve retention across health systems.
It said investments were also needed for nurses, diagnostics teams, radiotherapy professionals, pathologists, imaging specialists, palliative care providers, data teams and community-level health workers.
The report further highlighted the importance of digital health technologies, artificial intelligence, task-sharing approaches and sustainable financing mechanisms in improving access and continuity of cancer care.
Nwokwu said the commission underscored that cancer control could not succeed through infrastructure investments alone but required strong systems, financing, governance, data and human resources.
He said the inauguration of the report served as a call to action for the global cancer community and a call to implementation for Nigeria as it advanced its cancer control agenda.
FG Welcomes Lancet Report On Cancer Workforce Crisis is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued 23 kidnapped passengers following a swift counter-kidnapping operation along the Ayegunle–Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. This was contained in an official report made available to the Nigerian Tribune at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Monday. The report explained that the […]
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Iran has suspended all peace negotiations with the United States, citing ongoing Israeli military strikes in Lebanon as a fundamental violation of the fragile ceasefire framework that has held the two sides back from renewed full-scale war since April.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, reported on Monday that Tehran’s negotiating team had decided to halt discussions until its concerns and the interests of its allied groups in the region received greater consideration.
Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and Israel’s continued war in Lebanon were “clear evidence” of Washington’s noncompliance with the ceasefire, before the formal suspension of talks was announced.
The breakdown came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered fresh strikes on Beirut’s Dahieh district, a Hezbollah stronghold in the city’s southern suburbs, with Israeli officials saying the plans were coordinated with Washington.
Israel also recently captured a strategic Crusader-era castle in southern Lebanon, approximately 15 kilometres from the Israeli border, after days of fierce fighting.
Iran has consistently maintained that any lasting ceasefire must include a halt to Israeli operations in Lebanon, a demand Israel and the United States have both rejected, insisting the original April truce covered only direct U.S.—Iran hostilities.
The suspension deals a severe blow to a diplomatic process that was already under intense strain.
Trump had over the weekend sent back a proposed deal to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, insisting on tougher language around Iran’s nuclear commitments.
A senior U.S. official told CBS News that Iran’s latest proposals had not represented a meaningful improvement on previous positions. Despite the breakdown, Trump remained publicly optimistic on Monday, posting on Truth Social that Iran “really wants to make a deal” and urging Americans to “sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end.”
Iran’s move to suspend talks raises immediate fears of renewed escalation and a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil trade passes and which Tehran has kept under effective blockade since the conflict began.
Oil prices surged sharply after Iranian state media confirmed the suspension.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC)has been meeting in emergency session, and European governments have called on all sides to return to negotiations.
The White House had not issued a formal response at the time of publication.
Iran Pulls Out Of U.S. Peace Talks Amid Ceasefire Strain is first published on The Whistler Newspaper