Today, communities across Izzi LGA, Ebonyi State, are celebrating Ojiji Izzi, the traditional New Yam Festival that holds a special place in the cultural life and identity of the Izzi people. For many people outside Izzi, a New Yam Festival may simply look like a day of eating yam, dressing traditionally, dancing and gathering with family. But for the Izzi people, Ojiji is much more than a feast. It is a celebration of harvest, family, heritage, hard work, unity and the continuation of a tradition passed down through generations. What is Ojiji Izzi? Ojiji is the traditional New Yam Festival of the Izzi people of Ebonyi State. Yam has historically been one of the most important crops in Izzi society, both economically and culturally. The arrival of the new yam therefore represents more than the availability of a new food crop — it represents the reward for months of farming and the beginning of another cycle.  The festival is observed across Izzi communities and has also...

 Pope Leo XIV has expressed his sorrow over the devastating floods that have struck Nepal, offering condolences to families who lost loved ones and prayers for those still missing. The Pope's message came as rescue teams continued searching for survivors following catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border. According to the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV was saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the flash floods. He also expressed spiritual closeness to those affected and prayed for emergency personnel involved in the ongoing rescue operation.  Death toll and missing persons continue to rise The disaster has caused catastrophic destruction across parts of Nepal and neighbouring Tibet. The latest reports put the death toll at at least 359 people, while around 1,500 people are reported missing across Nepal and Tibet. The figures remain subject to updates as rescue teams reach areas that were cut off by the floods.  The scale of the dis...

Category: Nigeria News | Breaking News | Security Published: August 26, 2026 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered Nigeria's security and intelligence agencies to launch an immediate, coordinated rescue operation following a deadly mass abduction in Niger State. The directive came after armed men reportedly attacked communities and worshippers in Borgu Local Government Area, with a video later emerging that appeared to show a large number of women, children and elderly people being held by armed men. Residents estimated that about 600 people may have been abducted. However, that figure has not been independently verified, and Niger State authorities have said they are still working to establish the exact number of missing people. The attack has triggered fresh concerns about insecurity in Nigeria's north-central region and the ability of armed groups to move between remote communities and border areas. What Happened in Niger State? The attack reportedly occurred l...

 Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate Cassi has been evicted from the reality TV show after four weeks in the ‘Show Ya Sef’ house. Cassi became the latest housemate to leave the competition during the live eviction show on Sunday, August 23, 2026, as the reality show entered another important stage. His eviction came as a surprise to some viewers, particularly because he had remained active in the house and had continued to participate in the various tasks and activities throughout the season. Cassi Evicted During Week Four Live Show Cassi was among the housemates nominated for possible eviction in the fourth week of the competition. He faced the eviction battle alongside Araga, Gerard, Nomy, Tram, Sheba, Aikou, Goddessa and Temi Nkem. After the voting process and the live eviction proceedings, Cassi was announced as one of the housemates who would no longer continue in the competition.  The other nominated housemates were declared safe and will continue their BBN...

Category: Nigeria News | Politics | Breaking News Published: August 23, 2026 A developing controversy involving an alleged fake government agency has taken a new turn after George Buchi Nwabueze, identified by the ICPC as the promoter of the organisation, released an alleged appointment letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The development comes after President Bola Tinubu ordered Nwabueze's arrest following a briefing by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which said it had uncovered the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office operating from government premises without the required presidential authorisation.  Nwabueze, however, disputes the allegation and insists that the Made-in-Nigeria Project Office is a legitimate project domiciled within the OSGF. The conflicting claims have now raised questions about who authorised the office, how it obtained ...

Category: Entertainment | Music Afrobeats superstar Davido has sparked a fresh conversation about the future of his music career after revealing that he does not see himself competing for the same spotlight with younger artistes when he reaches 40. The singer made the comments during his appearance on The Uncut Podcast, where he discussed the next phase of his career, the strength of his music catalogue and the possibility of eventually stepping away from active music for a period of time. The episode was released on August 17, 2026.  But while some headlines have interpreted his comments as a retirement announcement, Davido's remarks suggest something different. He is talking about stepping back from the race for attention — not necessarily walking away from music forever. the multi-award-winning record executive and DMW boss boasted that his decade-plus catalogue of hit songs gives him the unique privilege to step back from making new music without losing his global i...

Category: Business, Finance & Investment A major development is attracting the attention of investors in Nigeria’s capital market. Thirteen companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) have declared a combined ₦861.6 billion in interim dividends during the first half of 2026, according to recent market reporting. The figure is significant because interim dividends are payments made to shareholders before a company's full-year results are completed. The latest declarations have been led by major companies in telecommunications, cement, consumer goods and other sectors.  But what does the ₦861.6 billion figure actually mean for an ordinary Nigerian investor? Here is what you need to know. What Are Interim Dividends? An interim dividend is a payment a company makes to its shareholders during the financial year, usually after releasing quarterly or half-year financial results. Unlike a final dividend, which is normally considered after the full financial year, an i...

 A devastating boat accident in Sokoto State has left at least 50 people dead, with a large number of the victims reportedly being children. The tragedy occurred on Thursday near Gorau in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, when a boat carrying people travelling towards farms capsized. The exact number of passengers and final death toll remains unclear as rescue and recovery operations continue, with different officials and residents giving varying figures. Overloading and Heavy Waterways Claim Dozens of Lives According to local emergency officials and eyewitnesses, the wooden boat was transporting over 70 passengers across the river to nearby rice fields for planting and harvesting work when it lost balance and capsized shortly after setting off. Confirming the escalating numbers, Tukur Abubakar, Head of Operations for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Sokoto State, stated on Friday that official search parties had recovered at least 52 bodi...

Drama erupted in the Big Brother Naija Season 11 ("Show Ya Sef") house when 25-year-old lawyer and entrepreneur Chinaecherem "Neche" Maduagwu stunned her fellow housemates and millions of viewers nationwide by voluntarily quitting the show on Day 22. The unexpected announcement came shortly after Sunday’s live eviction show, leaving contestants and fans in absolute shock. Gathering the housemates in the main lounge, Neche delivered an emotional farewell before removing her microphone and name tag to make her final exit through the diary room.  But the biggest question among viewers has been simple: Why did Neche leave BBNaija? Here's what has been confirmed so far — and what remains speculation. MultiChoice Releases Official Statement on Neche’s Departure Following intense public speculation regarding her sudden exit, show organizers MultiChoice Nigeria released an official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding her departure. According t...

 Governor Ademola Adeleke has been declared the winner of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, securing another term in office after defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party, the winner after the final results from the state's 30 local government areas were collated. Adeleke defeats Oyebamiji by 66,252 votes The final figures showed a clear statewide victory for Adeleke. Candidate.              Party.            Vote

  The tension inside the Big Brother Naija "Show Ya Sef" house has hit maximum levels following the recent live evictions of Martins and Mercedes. With the heat turned all the way up, a staggering 16 housemates are officially facing possible eviction this week. From high-stakes HoH games to strategic Veto swaps during "Conspiracy Hour," here is everything you need to know about who is safe, who is on the chopping block, and how the Week 3 dynamics played out. As Week 3 unfolds, attention has shifted to the nomination process and the role of Neche, whose involvement in the week’s veto-power twist has added another layer of uncertainty to the eviction race. Neche Claims Week 3 HoH Title and Immunity The Week 3 Head of House challenge ended with Neche emerging victorious after a tough battle in the arena. The win secured her full immunity from this week's eviction nominations, along with exclusive leadership privileges in Biggie’s house. The Veto Power...

  Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has ignited yet another fierce political storm across social media following explosive statements regarding former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and PDP chieftain Atiku Abubakar. In a trending interview clip circulating across TikTok, X, and YouTube, the vocal PDP politician delivered a blunt assessment of Peter Obi’s presidential ambitions, while fiercely defending Atiku Abubakar’s continued relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections. "Peter Obi Cannot Unify Nigeria Right Now" — The Core Allegations During his interview, Dino Melaye acknowledged Peter Obi’s immense popularity among Nigerian youths, calling him a "fantastic man with strong principles." However, he quickly dismissed the idea of an Obi presidency in 2027, arguing that the political reality of Nigeria requires broad-based geopolitical coalitions rather than individual popularity waves. "Peter Obi is a fantastic man, but 2027 i...

The Federal Government has officially concluded its high-stakes emergency repatriation exercise, safely bringing home a final tally of 1,174 stranded Nigerian nationals from South Africa. The comprehensive, state-funded operation was launched in direct response to severe security anxieties triggered by anti-immigration vigilante groups in South Africa. These groups issued strict, public ultimatums demanding that foreign nationals leave the country, raising immediate fears of a massive wave of coordinated xenophobic attacks. A Breakdown of the Six-Batch Rescue Mission Coordinated under the strict directive of President Bola Tinubu, the evacuation was executed seamlessly across six individual airlifts to minimize logistical bottlenecks at the High Commission in Pretoria. The multi-agency task force—combining efforts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) —brought citizens back ...

  The stage is set for a historic political showdown in Osun State. On Saturday, August 15, 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct one of the most highly anticipated off-cycle governorship elections in Nigeria's recent history. With the final voter register topping an unprecedented 2.3 million registered voters, this election features the largest electorate the state has ever recorded. As 14 political parties finalize their strategies across 30 Local Government Areas and 3,763 polling units, security agencies and electoral umpires are leaving nothing to chance. 25,310 Security Personnel Flooded Into Osun State To neutralize potential flashpoints and combat threats of electoral violence highlighted in recent risk assessments by the Kukah Centre and the EU-SDGN, a massive joint task force has taken over the state. A total of 25,310 heavily armed security personnel—drawing from the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defe...