Author: damazah@gmail.com

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has called on the Federal Government to apply the principle of reciprocity in its dealings with South Africa following reports that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and members of her team were allegedly denied entry visas. In a statement shared on Thursday on Facebook, the senator urged the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Federal Government to review visa applications submitted by South African artistes and their entourages if it is confirmed that Ayra Starr’s team was denied visas, resulting in the cancellation of scheduled engagements. The senator’s comments come amid public outrage over…

Nigerian music promoter Samson “Sam Larry” Balogun on Thursday made his first public appearance since surviving a car crash on 5 July that claimed the life of his bouncer, Wale. The accident occurred along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after their vehicle collided with a trailer, leaving it extensively damaged. The crash claimed Wale’s life, while Sam Larry sustained injuries. Thursday’s outing marked his first confirmed public appearance since the accident, ending weeks of speculation about his health. Sam Larry attended the wedding ceremony of Omosalewa and Chinedu, held at Whitestone Event Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday. At the ceremony,…

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Oyo State Government has constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of students and teachers at Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026. A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the Judicial Commission of Inquiry would be inaugurated on Friday(today) at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Ibadan. According to the commissioner, the panel is expected to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction and make appropriate recommendations. Oyelade recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde, during his statewide broadcast following the release of the…

Estimated 60,000 migrants crossed into Spain’s Ceuta, with at least 34 dead, local leader saysSpeaking shortly after Sánchez, Ceuta’s regional president Juan Jesús Vivas also offered his take on the events of the last 24 hours.People try to swim through the waters close to the fence near Fnideq, on the Morocco-Spain border. Photograph: Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP/Getty ImagesHe said that the latest estimates show that “around 60,000 people have entered our city” as part of the influx.That’s almost two-thirds of the city’s ordinary population.“Clearly, this figure demonstrates the impossibility of absorbing such pressure,” he said.Furthermore, at least 34 people are believed…

STRAIT OF HORMUZ, IRAN – MAY 16: An Iranian flag flutters in the wind as ships remain anchored on May 16, 2026 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over opening this critical waterway have largely stalled as the countries have rejected each other’s proposals to end the war that began when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)Getty ImagesLike many oil market observers, I have been puzzled by the relatively low level of oil prices given what has been one of the largest supply…

An opportunity to study the Moon… The upper stage belongs to a Falcon 9 rocket that launched two lunar landers, Firefly’s Blue Ghost and ispace’s Hakuto-R, on January 15, 2025. Its impact will help astronomers and others studying the Moon. “Because the timing, location, and speed of the crash are known in advance, this event is a rare opportunity to learn about impact physics, the properties of lunar soil, planetary protection, and the safety of future operations on the lunar surface,” the research team said. (submitted by philip verdieck) AST SpaceMobile turns back to Falcon 9. AST SpaceMobile announced this…

Canada-based Nigerian enterepreneur, Kenneth Oguzie, has bagged the Leadership Development award for his contribution to national development. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has honoured Canada-based Nigerian trade and investment expert, Kenneth Oguzie, with the National Diaspora Merit Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to leadership development and national development. Presenting the award during the 4th Edition of the National Diaspora Merit Awards,held at the Banquet Hall, State House-Abuja, NIDCOM Chairman, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended Oguzie for his selfless service as a Nigerian in the diaspora, describing his contributions to leadership development as exemplary. She stressed that the award…

A National Trust ranger says it is “really upsetting” to think a fire that destroyed a large area of heathland on the Isle of Wight was “almost certainly started” by someone having a campfire – adding the land will take years to recover.The blaze, at Headon Warren, raged for almost five days before being put out on Monday, leaving nine hectares (22.2 acres) of burnt land. The remains of a camp fire were found by fire crews..The land was home to some of the island’s rarest habitats, the trust says.Paul Davies, countryside manager for the area, says a large number…

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has accepted responsibility for Nigeria’s stunning defeat to Malawi in their opening match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), insisting the reigning champions remain united and determined to revive their title defence. The Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper made the admission in a post on her X account on Thursday, two days after Nigeria suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their Group C opener. Reflecting on the disappointing result, the 25-year-old admitted the loss was painful but stressed that the team would not allow the setback to define…

“Slow Horses” star Gary Oldman, “Obsession” director Curry Barker and “Barbie” producer Robbie Brenner are among the lineup of speakers at the Toronto Film Festival’s inaugural market, which runs Sept. 10-16. Other speakers at the event, known as TIFF: The Market, include “Obsession” star Inde Navarrette, director Lee Chang-dong, and producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler. They will join Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca, the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group’s co-chairs and CEOs, who were already announced. Charles Tremblay, head of TIFF: The Market, said, “The high caliber of speakers participating in our first market reflects the industry’s strong…