Moses Itauma’s unbeaten professional run has come to an end after Filip Hrgovic stopped the British heavyweight in the ninth round of a dramatic world-title contest at the O2 Arena in London. Itauma, 21, appeared to be on course for victory after dominating the early stages and scoring a knockdown in the second round, but the Croatian veteran absorbed his opponent’s sustained attacks before mounting a decisive comeback. The bout was contested for the vacant IBF heavyweight title, with Itauma entering the fight as a strong favourite after winning his first 14 professional bouts. Victory would have made Itauma the…
Author: Ini Sam
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Friday, August 28, 2026, flagged off the reconstruction of the 15.4-kilometre Benin–Sapele Expressway in Sapele, Delta State, in a major infrastructure intervention aimed at improving transportation, strengthening economic activities and easing the hardship faced by motorists and commuters along the corridor. The flag-off ceremony, held at the Amukpe Roundabout on Sapele Road, marked the commencement of work on the critical economic corridor, which has suffered prolonged deterioration, resulting in persistent traffic congestion, increased travel time and difficulties for road users, traders and businesses operating along the axis. Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive…
Akwa Ibom State Government has expressed its readiness to partner with South Korea in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), smart agriculture and the development of its blue economy. Governor Umo Eno stated this on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Permanent Site of the University of Uyo, Nwaniba, while welcoming the Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to Nigeria, Ambassador Jeong Yo-an. The Ambassador was in the state to deliver a public lecture on “Artificial Intelligence, Smart Agriculture and the Development of Blue Economy Resources.” Represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Governor Eno said the visit reflected…
The Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspects allegedly linked to an organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State. The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) following a sting operation conducted on August 19, 2026, at Auta Balifi in Karu Local Government Area of the state. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, August 28, 2026, noting that the operation was carried out following credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate. According to the statement, clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds of the…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive forensic audit of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Federal Government agencies and other government systems following concerns over ghost workers, fake agencies and weaknesses in internal controls. The President directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to oversee and coordinate the exercise. The directive followed a resolution of the Federal Executive Council on August 19, 2026, in response to findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on alleged fake agencies, ghost workers and other control failures within the…
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank Plc, Moruf Oseni, has been appointed Chairman of the Consultative Committee for the 19th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). The two-day conference is scheduled to hold on September 8 and 9, 2026, at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The conference, themed “Building a Resilient Economy in an Era of Disruptions: Strategic Imperatives for the Banking and Financial Services Industry,” will bring together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, development partners, technology providers, academics and business leaders to discuss challenges facing the financial…
The Nigeria Police Force has challenged social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence backing his allegation that some police officers manning checkpoints on major highways relay information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits. The Force made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday by its Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, following comments made by VDM at the recent Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Port Harcourt. According to the Police, the allegation is serious and requires corresponding evidence, insisting that the claim, as presented, was unsubstantiated and unfairly damaging to an…
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has paused immigrant visa applications worldwide as part of measures to tighten immigration screening and prevent applicants considered likely to depend on US public assistance from entering the country. The US State Department said the pause was introduced to allow consular officers at American embassies and consulates around the world to undergo an in-depth training programme on the assessment of visa applicants. The development affects immigrant visa applicants globally, with scheduled interviews being postponed as the US government adjusts its visa processing arrangements to accommodate the training exercise. According to reports, the…
A purported government agency, the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, allegedly operated with a nationwide structure comprising an executive director, zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China. A check of the organisation’s website on Saturday showed Hon. Nwabueze George listed as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator,” alongside other officials. The development comes after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, identified by the commission as the promoter of the alleged fake office.…
The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a public holiday to mark this year’s Eid ul Mawlid, commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued on Friday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani. Tunji-Ojo congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the diaspora on the occasion, urging Nigerians to reflect on the values of compassion, humility and service associated with the life of Prophet Muhammad. “Every Eid ul Mawlid gives us reason to pause and draw…