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South Korean authorities have confirmed that a 2021 mid-air collision between two military fighter jets was caused by pilots taking photographs during a live mission.

The incident occurred in Daegu, a central South Korean city, and was detailed in findings published by Seoul’s Board of Audit and Inspection.

Both pilots escaped without injury, but the aircraft sustained significant damage, with repair bills reaching 880m won ($594,235)

One pilot who had left the military by the time the report was published was ordered to pay a fine of 88m won ($59,423).

According to the board, the pilot had wanted to document his final flight with his unit and declared his intention to take photographs before takeoff.

The audit found this was not an isolated habit.

Photographing significant or farewell flights was described as a widespread practice among South Korean pilots at the time, suggesting a cultural norm that authorities had either overlooked or tolerated.

The revelation sits against a broader backdrop of safety concerns in South Korea’s military aviation.

In March 2026, another mid-air collision between two F 16C jets occurred during a nighttime training exercise near Yeongju, with one aircraft coming down in a mountainous area after a pilot wearing night vision goggles misjudged the distance between the planes. The pilot ejected safely.

Separately, in March 2025, two KF-16 jets mistakenly dropped bombs on a civilian village in Pocheon during a joint exercise with the United States, injuring 31 people and damaging more than 140 homes, an incident attributed to a pilot entering incorrect target coordinates.

South Korea has also seen multiple incidents involving U.S. Air Force F 16s stationed at Kunsan Air Base, with jets going down in the Yellow Sea in both December 2023 and January 2024, though pilots were rescued safely on each occasion.

Pilots Taking Photos Caused South Korea Jet Crash — Audit is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday launched the 2026 annual medical screening programme for civil servants, urging public workers to pay closer attention to their health through regular checks.

A statement by the Lagos State government said the initiative, tagged “Public Servants, Know Your Numbers,” was flagged off at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, by the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro.

Speaking at the event, Agoro stressed the importance of a healthy workforce to effective service delivery, noting that physical and mental well-being are key to productivity in the public sector.

After declaring the programme open, he toured the facility, including the Lagos State Employee Wellness Centre (LASWELL), where he called for more focus on mental health among civil servants.

Agoro also commended Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for prioritising workers’ welfare, describing him as a “Talk and Do” leader committed to keeping employees healthy, happy and productive.

According to him, “A healthy staff is a happy staff, and a happy staff is a productive staff,” adding that Lagos can only maintain its leading position in public service performance with a workforce that is both physically and mentally fit.

He urged workers to take advantage of the screening, warning that many health conditions show no early signs and can only be detected through routine checks.

“Many of us do not take our health seriously, but this must change,” Agoro said.

Agoro disclosed that the programme is ongoing with no fixed timeline, encouraging civil servants to consistently monitor key health indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

He noted that the government has provided funding for the initiative, including free medications, while also working to expand drug supply through partnerships with the private sector.

The Head of Service further advised workers to adopt healthier lifestyles, including regular exercise, proper diet, adequate rest and stress management, pointing out that modern work environments can increase health risks.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, described the programme as a strategic effort to encourage workers to take responsibility for their health.

She explained that the “Know Your Numbers” campaign focuses on raising awareness about blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, noting that many non-communicable diseases develop silently and are often discovered late.

Lajide said the programme, supported by the Governor and other top government officials, ensures that civil servants have access to free screening services, with trained healthcare professionals available to provide full medical support.

She added that the Directorate of Staff Health Services, which manages the Folarin Coker Clinic, operates a walk-in system that allows workers to access care at any time. She noted that serious cases identified during screening would be referred and supported under the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme.

Earlier, the Director of Staff Health Services, Dr. Abdulrasheed Kolade, said the programme is expected to cover between 3,500 and 4,000 civil servants each year across 14 to 15 Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He explained that routine tests include blood pressure checks, fasting blood sugar tests and Body Mass Index assessment, with additional screenings such as prostate tests for men above 45 and breast screening for women when necessary.

Also speaking, a Nursing Officer at the Lagos State Employee Wellness Centre, Miss Olushola Callisto, highlighted the centre’s role in promoting mental health. She said services offered include counselling, therapy and psychiatric care for conditions such as stress, insomnia and depression.

She added that the centre operates an open-door policy and is stepping up awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage more workers to seek mental health support.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Lagos State Council, Comrade Olusegun Balogun, praised the government for reintroducing and expanding the screening programme.

“Regular medical screening enables early detection of illnesses and timely intervention, adding that the transition to biannual checks represents a significant improvement in staff welfare,” Balogun said.

A beneficiary, Mrs. Funmi Daramola, a civil servant from the Public Service Office, also commended the initiative, saying it provided useful health information and access to essential medical tests.

She added that the programme has helped workers better understand their health and encouraged them to adopt healthier lifestyles, while appreciating the presence and commitment of the Head of Service at the event.

Lagos expands routine health checks for civil servants to tackle silent disease

The Lagos State Ministry of Housing has warned residents of government-owned estates that installing solar panels without prior approval is a violation of their allocation terms, and that enforcement is already underway.

Permanent Secretary Abdulhafis Toriola confirmed the position after a resident sparked debate on social media after the Ministry’s Monitoring and Compliance Team reportedly demanded documentation during a routine inspection at the Lagos State Millennium Housing Estate, Ibeshe.

Toriola said the requirement is not new.

According to him, it is embedded in the Letter of Allocation and Allottees Guide issued to buyers at the point of purchase.

“An allottee must obtain approval from the Ministry for any intended alteration to the flat allocated and the building, including installation of solar panels,” he said.

He further explained that the measure is aimed at protecting shared assets such as rooftops, walls and water installations, as well as preventing fire incidents and structural damage linked to poorly installed solar systems.

According to him, the ministry developed specific guidelines after solar panel installations began to pose challenges for both users and non-users in government estates.

“In recent times, the Ministry had to intervene in fixing leaking rooftops and incessant fire outbreaks caused by solar panel installation by some residents,” Toriola said.

He noted that government estates are designed as social housing schemes where multiple families share building infrastructure — rooftops, walls and water systems — making individual alterations a collective risk.

The ministry subsequently developed installation guidelines covering material quality, panel configuration and the technical competence of installers.

Toriola said the rules also address insurance coverage, equitable access to shared roof space and dispute prevention.

Residents were advised to seek clarification before beginning any installation.

The ministry said it conducts regular public enlightenment campaigns across estates to communicate the requirements.

Lagos Explains Crackdown On Unapproved Solar Installations is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed a vote of confidence in both Governor Seyi Makinde and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Debo Ogundoyin….

The post Oyo Assembly passes vote of confidence in Makinde, Ogundoyin appeared first on Tribune Online.

Ghana has initiated urgent diplomatic engagement with South Africa after videos appearing to show xenophobic attacks on Ghanaian nationals began circulating widely online, prompting swift intervention from Accra.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that he personally reached out to his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, to address the footage and coordinate a response.

Ablakwa said the call was prompted directly by the disturbing scenes spreading across social media.

The South African Foreign Minister, he said, expressed empathy with the victims and committed to full-scale investigations into the incidents shown in the videos.

South African authorities are also expected to brief African ambassadors stationed in Pretoria as part of broader diplomatic efforts to reassure affected countries and prevent further escalation.

Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa has simultaneously stepped up efforts to identify and support Ghanaian nationals caught up in the situation, working in close coordination with the Foreign Ministry in Accra.

Ablakwa confirmed that the main individual featured in the viral footage had been located and was receiving consular assistance from Ghanaian officials, adding that the person was in good health.

He also confirmed that no Ghanaian lives had been lost and urged the public to remain calm.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to citizen protection, the minister said the Mahama administration remained uncompromising on the welfare of Ghanaians both at home and abroad.

Despite the tension, Ablakwa appealed for Pan-African solidarity, cautioning against allowing the actions of a fringe few to drive a wedge between African nations.

The incident is the latest in a long pattern of xenophobic flare-ups in South Africa, where foreign nationals have repeatedly been targeted over the years, regularly drawing diplomatic condemnation and calls for structural reform from across the continent.

Ghana In Talks With South Africa Over Xenophobia Attacks is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerian workers of stronger protection against economic shocks, workplace risks, and uncertainty after retirement…

The post Tinubu promises better protection for workers, secure life after retirement appeared first on Tribune Online.

 The Federal Government has announced the death of Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, who died at the age of 50.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja today by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

According to the ministry, Lele died in the early hours of April 19, 2026, in Ankara, Türkiye, after a protracted illness.

The ministry described the late diplomat as a dedicated officer who served the country with distinction.

“The late Ambassador Lele, until his death after a protracted illness, was the Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Ambassador Lele, a career diplomat, was recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Ambassador-designate to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, following the Nigerian Senate’s confirmation of his nomination,” the statement said.

Born in Gamawa, Bauchi State, in 1976, Lele studied Economics at Bayero University, Kano, and went on to serve in Nigerian missions in Berlin, Lomé and Riyadh.

Sorrow swept on Monday in Ilara-Mokin Junction, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, as a woman identified as Oluwasola Victoria Adebayo collapsed and died while waiting for her child writing the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

It was gathered that the deceased had accompanied her child to the examination centre when she suddenly took ill shortly after arriving at the junction.

Sources at the scene said she complained of weakness before slumping unexpectedly.

Attempts by sympathisers to revive her proved abortive as she was pronounced dead at the spot.

Her child was said to be inside the examination hall at the time of the incident, unaware of the development.

A resident of the area, who identified the deceased as “Mommy Ayo,” disclosed that she had earlier spoken about escorting her daughter to the examination venue that morning.

The incident attracted a crowd of onlookers, with many expressing shock and sadness over the sudden death. The cause of the incident had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

Confirming the development, the Spokesperson for Ondo state Police command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh said: “The Command notes with deep concern a sad incident involving the sudden death of a woman in Ilara Mokin. The family of the deceased has since been contacted and upon thorough checks, the remains of the deceased have been released to one Mr. Apapa Olamilekan, who identified himself as her son and an officer of the Nigeria Legion, Akure.

“The Command commiserates with the family of the deceased and urges the public to remain calm.

The Kano State House of Assembly has constituted a 12-member committee t01o screen the Deputy Governor nominee, Murtala Sule Garo…

The post Kano Assembly sets up 12-member panel to screen deputy gov nominee appeared first on Tribune Online.

The federal government, states and local government councils shared a total of N2.036 trillion as Federation Account revenue for March 2026.

The figure was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bala Mokwa.

According to the statement, the total distributable revenue comprised N1.320 trillion in statutory revenue, N515.391 billion from value-added tax (VAT), and N200 billion as augmentation.

A communiqué from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that gross statutory revenue rose to N1.699 trillion in March, up by N137.914 billion from the N1.561 trillion recorded in February.

In contrast, VAT revenue dipped slightly, with N664.425 billion generated in March compared to N668.450 billion in the previous month—a decrease of N4.025 billion.

From the total distributable revenue of N2.036 trillion, the federal government received N789.159 billion, state governments got N657.596 billion, and local government councils were allocated N468.826 billion. Additionally, oil-producing states received N120.759 billion as 13 percent derivation revenue.

A breakdown of the N1.320 trillion statutory revenue showed that the federal government received N632.260 billion, states got N320.691 billion, and local councils received N247.239 billion. The sum of N120.759 billion was also shared to benefit states as a derivation.

From the N515.391 billion VAT pool, the federal government received N51.539 billion, states got N283.465 billion, and local governments received N180.387 billion.

Similarly, from the N200 billion augmentation, the federal government got N105.360 billion, states received N53.440 billion, and local councils were allocated N41.200 billion.

The statement further noted that revenue from Companies Income Tax (CIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Stamp Duties (SDT), and Excise Duty recorded significant increases during the period.

However, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), oil and gas royalties, import duty, and Common External Tariff (CET) declined, while VAT recorded a marginal drop.

FAAC shares N2.04tn to FG, states, LGs as March revenue