The Lagos State Government has recovered more than ₦450 million for consumers through interventions carried out by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA)…
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Sunshine Stars U-19 head coach, Adenike Ayeni, has commended his players’ determination in the victory over Niger Tornadoes.
The Akure-based side stunned Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Niger Tornadoes 2-1 in a Round of 64 clash in Ilorin.
The victory sent Sunshine Stars into the next round of the competition at the expense of the NPFL club.
Ayeni, however, promised to make amends on the lapses identified in the game ahead of the next round of the competition.
“I thank God that we defeated the NPFL side, but the victory was not without some mistakes, which we will address when we return to base,” Ayeni was quoted by Karenkossnews.
“We are going back home to work on some areas where we felt we did not perform well.”
Sunshine Stars U-19 will learn their next opponent after the conclusion of remaining fixtures on Wednesday.
President Federation Cup: Sunshine Stars U-19 celebrate stunning win over Tornadoes
Senator Shehu Buba Umar has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Bauchi State scheduled for tomorrow, May 21, 2026, citing alleged irregularities and violations of electoral laws and party guidelines.
The senator, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, announced his withdrawal in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Sabo Muhammad.
According to the statement, the decision followed what the senator described as widespread breaches of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, the APC Constitution 2022 (as amended), and the party’s electoral guidelines.
Shehu Buba alleged that the APC in Bauchi State had been engulfed in leadership crises involving key state executive positions, including the offices of the State Secretary and Organising Secretary, a development he said negatively affected the conduct of the ward, local government and state congresses.
The senator stated that despite several efforts by him and other stakeholders to resolve the issues within the party, no meaningful progress was achieved.
He maintained that his participation in the governorship race was guided by the APC’s principles of internal democracy and the rule of law as enshrined in the party’s constitution.
The statement quoted Article 7(ix) and (x) of the APC Constitution, which emphasises the promotion of internal democracy and observance of the rule of law.
Shehu Buba also referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s call for fairness and a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the party primaries.
However, he alleged that the conduct of the primaries for the House of Representatives and Senate seats fell short of democratic standards.
The senator accused party officials of allegedly operating from undisclosed hotels in Bauchi State and releasing what he described as predetermined results without conducting actual elections at designated venues.
According to him, no electoral officials were seen at polling locations during the ongoing primaries, while aspirants were allegedly not informed about election venues, collation centres or the distribution of election materials.
He further claimed that only “prearranged winners” appeared to have prior knowledge of the process.
The senator said his decision to withdraw was reached after consultations with supporters, political associates, family members and stakeholders.
He urged his supporters and party loyalists to remain calm and steadfast despite the situation, while expressing appreciation to President Tinubu for his leadership of the party and the country.
Shehu Buba also pledged continued support for the president ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Senator Shehu Buba withdraws from APC Bauchi governorship primary
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has dismantled a methamphetamine laboratory in Ogun state.
A statement on Wednesday by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the operation led to the seizure of over 2.4 tonnes of methamphetamine and chemical materials valued at more than $362 million, equivalent to over N480 billion in the international market.
He said the industrial-scale laboratory was hidden inside a remote forest in Ijebu east LGA Ogun state and was allegedly operated jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and Mexican methamphetamine experts.
“Through a clinical, simultaneous operation executed by the elite operatives of our Special Operations Unit (SOU), we have successfully dismantled a sophisticated, transnational methamphetamine production syndicate run jointly by a Nigerian drug cartel and their Mexican counterparts,” the statement reads.
“This network did not just traffic drugs; they were actively manufacturing industrial-scale quantities of highly lethal illicit substances right on our soil, threatening the national security and public health of Nigeria.”
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives launched simultaneous raids in Ogun and Lagos states on May 16 after months of intelligence gathering.
“The primary target was a remote farm located at Abidagba forest, in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. This farm was being used as a massive, highly dangerous clandestine methamphetamine laboratory by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO),” he said.
Babafemi added that another tactical team simultaneously stormed a residence in the Lakowe area of Lekki, Lagos, where the alleged mastermind, identified as Anochili Innocent, was arrested.
“At the farm in the Ijebu forest, our operatives overran the clandestine laboratory in Ogun State, securing the perimeter and catching the syndicates completely off-guard,” the statement reads.
“Among those arrested are three Mexican nationals brought into the country specifically to cook this deadly substance, alongside four Nigerian collaborators.”
The spokesperson identified the arrested Mexicans as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos.
The Nigerian suspects arrested at the forest laboratory were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor,
Marwa said investigators later arrested another suspect, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, at a property linked to the alleged cartel leader in Lekki, while operatives also raided the residence of another syndicate member, Emeka Nwobum, which allegedly served as the cartel’s stash house.
He said the total number of suspects in custody had risen to 10, including the alleged kingpin, the three Mexican nationals and six Nigerian collaborators.
Providing details of the seizure, Babafemi said NDLEA recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical materials, including finished and liquid methamphetamine, toxic precursor chemicals and industrial solvents.
“The operation yielded a massive 2,419.48 kilograms (over 2.4 tons) of chemical materials, including highly toxic, volatile, and crystallized methamphetamine worth Three Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand Dollars ($362,922,000.00) in the international market,” he said.
“This translates to over Four Hundred and Eighty Billion Naira (N480,000,000,000.00). Imagine this humongous amount in the control of criminal elements!”
The agency also recovered a Toyota Tacoma vehicle allegedly used for operations at the forest laboratory and a Toyota Highlander seized from the residence of the alleged cartel leader.
Bauchi Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed concern over what it described as objectionable policy pronouncements by the Federal Government, which, if allowed to stand, will hinder the development of the country’s education sector. Addressing journalists on Wednesday after its meeting held at the Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi Campus, […]
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Lagos State have inaugurated N10bn Lagos State Access to Finance for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to expand access to finance for small businesses.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
According to her, the initiative provides up to N10 million non-collateralised loans to cooperative-based MSMEs at a single-digit interest rate of nine per cent per annum through its LASMECO programme.
She added that the state had already released five billion naira as matched funding for the programme.
“LASMECO is not just a financing programme; it is a strategic economic empowerment platform designed to deepen financial inclusion and support enterprise growth.
“The programme has already been adopted nationally as a working model for MSME financing reform at the 16th National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment,” she said.
Ambrose-Medebem also said the state emerged as the top-performing state in Nigeria in the 2026 Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Ease of Doing Business rankings, as it intensifies investment promotion and MSME financing initiatives.
She said the ranking reinforced Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s preferred investment destination and Africa’s emerging business gateway.
She said the state’s strong performance was driven by improvements in infrastructure, digital service delivery, land administration, investor support systems and regulatory efficiency.
“Lagos has continued to demonstrate that a competitive and enabling business environment is achievable through deliberate reforms, institutional coordination and strategic investment.
“Our vision remains to transform Lagos from the commercial capital of Nigeria to the business gateway of Africa,” she said.
Ambrose-Medebem said Lagos had also intensified efforts to attract local and foreign investment through the “Invest in Lagos” initiative.
She said the `Invest in Lagos 3.0 summit’ scheduled for June 8 to June 9 would host over 600 delegates, including investors, policymakers, heads of international finance institutions and industry leaders.
“The summit is designed to close multi-million-dollar deals and position Lagos as the leading subnational gateway for capital flows, trade integration and infrastructure development in Africa,” she said.
The commissioner said the ministry had also unveiled the Lagos State Industrial Policy 2025–2030 to reposition the state as the manufacturing hub of Africa.
She said the policy focused on industrial estate upgrades, innovation support, infrastructure expansion and stronger public-private sector collaboration.
Ambrose-Medebem added that the ministry renovated industrial estates in Matori I, Matori II and Sabo, Ikorodu, to improve productivity and operational efficiency.
On export development, she said the Lagos State Export Readiness Programme (LASERP), organised in partnership with Afreximbank and ImpactHer, trained 253 MSMEs on export procedures and global trade standards.
She said 20 outstanding participants, designated as Lagos Trade Champions, were sponsored to participate in the 2025 Intra-Africa Trade Fair in Algiers.
“They sold out their products at the fair and secured export relationships that have continued under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework,” she said.
The commissioner said the ministry had also strengthened cooperative reforms through digitalisation, with over 3,000 cooperative societies on boarded the Cooperative Management Information System platform.
“The initiative is improving transparency, monitoring and data-driven policymaking in the cooperative sector.
She disclosed that the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency recovered more than N450 million on behalf of consumers during the reporting period.
She said the agency received 4,412 complaints, out of which 3,687 cases were resolved through mediation and enforcement.
Ambrose-Medebem said the government remained committed to sustaining economic reforms, strengthening investor confidence and expanding opportunities for businesses across the state.
“The direction is clear, the resolve is strong and the commitment is steady.
“Together with the people of Lagos, we will continue the journey from the commercial capital of Nigeria to the business gateway of Africa,” she said.
Lagos Unveils N10bn Loan To Cooperative-Based MSMEs is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology has warned that temperatures during the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage could rise to 47 degrees Celsius.
The agency advised pilgrims to prepare for extremely hot weather and take steps to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses, particularly during outdoor religious activities in Makkah and other nearby holy sites.
The advisory instructed pilgrims to carry umbrellas while moving around and to drink water regularly to remain hydrated.
Saudi authorities also urged pilgrims to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day.
The advisory also asked “worshippers to obey all health and safety guidelines issued during the pilgrimage.”
The Saudi emergency medical number, 997, was also shared for anyone requiring urgent medical assistance.
The warning comes as millions of pilgrims from different countries continue arriving in Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia warns Hajj pilgrims of extreme temperatures, up to 47°C
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the lawsuit filed by the late Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, challenging an alleged impeachment plot by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling on Wednesday after counsel for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, B.K. Angaye, applied for the suit to be struck out. No counsel appeared for the plaintiff, and the matter was declared overtaken by events following Ewhrudjakpo’s death.
Ewhrudjakpo passed away on December 11, 2025, after collapsing in his office in Yenagoa. He was buried on January 30, 2026.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/221/2025, was filed when Ewhrudjakpo was still in office. He accused the State House of Assembly of planning to impeach him for refusing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Douye Diri.
Diri defected to the APC on November 3, 2025, but Ewhrudjakpo remained loyal to the PDP. Through his counsel, he sought court orders to restrain the Assembly from initiating or proceeding with any impeachment process based on his refusal to defect.
He also prayed for protection of his security details and an order preventing any other person from being recognised as Deputy Governor.
Angaye told the court that the suit had become academic due to the passage of time and the plaintiff’s demise. Counsel for the Department of State Services did not oppose the application, leading Justice Nwite to strike out the case.
The development brings to a formal close a politically charged legal battle that highlighted tensions within Bayelsa State’s executive and legislative arms following the governor’s party switch.
Ewhrudjakpo’s death had already rendered the substantive claims moot.
No immediate reaction has been reported from the Bayelsa State Government or the House of Assembly on the court’s decision.
Court Strikes Out Late Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Impeachment Suit is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Norway midfielder Morten Thorsby has warned that “everybody in football loses” if FIFA fails to do more to protect players from extreme heat at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Thorsby is among a group of current and former professional footballers who have written to football’s world governing body calling for stronger heat protocols ahead of the expanded tournament.
The letter supports concerns raised by leading scientists and medical experts, who warned that FIFA’s current heat safety measures should be strengthened and could put player safety at risk.
“It’s also a message to FIFA – they have to do more to take care of people and the planet,” the 30-year-old said.
“They have a huge responsibility and they’re not doing enough in terms of how big their impact and their influence is,” he said.
Thorsby, who plays for Italian Serie A side Cremonese and has campaigned on climate issues in football for more than a decade, is expected to feature at the World Cup after Norway qualified for the tournament for the first time in 28 years.
Heat is predicted to be a major issue during the competition, with researchers warning that temperatures at 14 of the 16 stadiums being used could exceed dangerous levels.
FIFA has said it has enhanced heat protocols for the tournament, including mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in every half of every match, regardless of the conditions.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff.”
However, the players’ letter argues that FIFA should go further, backing calls from medical experts for stronger protections including longer cooling breaks and clearer protocols for delaying or postponing games in extreme conditions.
“For the players, it’s an obvious problem of heat impacting the performance. Obviously the intensity of the game goes down,” Thorsby said.
“There are dangers related to heat-related problems, but it’s also a huge problem for the spectators.
“Football is also an entertainment industry. The spectacle and the show and the sport loses its value if the players are not able to perform at their best.
“Everybody in football loses by not tackling this.”
The letter has been signed by players past and present from across the men’s and women’s game, including Italy defender Elena Linari, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha and Ipswich Town forward Chuba Akpom.
Thorsby said more high-profile footballers need to join the debate despite fears about public scrutiny.
“The more profiled and the more attention you have, the more difficult it is to speak up because you know how much attention it creates,” he said.
Thorsby founded the We Play Green foundation to encourage footballers to engage with climate and environmental issues.
“I know that the players are scared – they’re concerned about opinions of people. So that’s an obstacle that we need to overcome,” he said.
“Football players are the most influential people on the planet.
“If we could gather momentum among the players, getting them to speak up about these issues, we could really accelerate the green shift and the sustainability within football.
“When you have this voice, you have it because you’re good at what you’re doing – playing football – which is a privilege.
“We’re not special. We’re lucky.”
FIFA has previously maintained that it is committed to protecting the health and safety of everyone involved at the World Cup and said scheduling, stadium selection and operational planning have taken climate conditions into account. It has however not reacted to the latest development.
The players’ letter also called on FIFA to take “serious climate action” and drop fossil fuel sponsors.
FIFA’s global partners include Aramco, the Saudi Arabia state-owned energy company and the world’s largest oil company, which signed a four-year global partnership with the governing body in 2024.
A FIFA spokesperson said the organisation remains “committed to ensuring that its partnerships contribute to the long-term development of the game and to broader social and environmental objectives”.
They added, “FIFA will reinvest nearly 90% of the projected $14bn revenue for the 2027–30 cycle back into the global game.
“This record level of reinvestment helps ensure football can be organised and developed in more than 100 countries where it would otherwise not be possible -underpinned by commercial partnerships, including those with global partners such as Aramco.”
Thorsby has previously criticised the environmental impact of major tournaments, describing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as “an absolute disaster” for the environment.
Despite his concerns, he said the World Cup still has an important global role to play.
“In the times that we’re in today, with such a fragmented world, I think a World Cup is extremely important in terms of world peace and having a meeting place where all nations can meet,” he said.
“Maybe football is one of the few things we still have in common.
“Some types of emissions, some types of footprint, we have to allow ourselves.
“Maybe a World Cup is actually something that, if you think about all the aspects, has a positive effect on the world right now,” he said.
W/Cup Player Signs Petition Calling For Protection From Extreme Heat is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
A fish seller identified as Zayyanu Yahaya has been praised for his honesty after returning an excess payment mistakenly transferred to him by a customer. The customer, Arogbonlo Israel, in a video clip obtained by TRIBUNE ONLINE, narrated that the incident occurred while he was fixing his car and decided to buy fish from the […]
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