Tonto Dikeh Celebrates Discipleship Graduation, Declares Powerful Spiritual Transformation

Congratulations have continued to pour in for Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh following her graduation from the Discipleship Class at Pastor Jerry Eze’s church. The actress took to Instagram to share a video of herself holding her certificate, declaring that the experience has completely transformed her life. “LAST WEEK MONDAY, I graduated from Discipleship Class, and I am not the same person who walked in. This journey with God has been the most healing, stretching, overwhelming, beautiful experience of my life. There are mornings I wake up already in tears, not from pain, but from the weight of His presence resting on me. It’s indescribable.” Expressing deep conviction about her faith, she added, “No one can convince me that there is no God. I feel Him. I hear Him. He carries me (every fear, every worry, every hidden burden). Watching how He sends destiny helpers, the right people at the right time, to meet my every need, has left me in awe. I can’t even explain it. The Peace. The Joy. The Grace. The Abundance. The Revival. It’s real. It’s alive. It’s happening to me. 🥹” Tonto also revealed that she now serves full-time in the Temple Keepers Department, joking that her favourite duty post is the children’s washroom. She recounted the divine instruction she received in October 2025: “GO CLEAN MY HOUSE, AND I WILL CLEAN YOUR LIFE FROM THE INSIDE OUT.” “I said yes. And today… I am living that prophecy. He is cleansing. He is restoring. He is rebuilding me from the inside out. This is more than service. This is surrender. This is a transformation. And I will never be the same.” She concluded by appreciating her spiritual mentors: “Thank you, MAMA @enojerry22. Thank you, Papa @realjerryeze. For raising a Warrior for Jesus.” Her testimony of faith, renewal and dedication has since inspired colleagues and fans within Nollywood and beyond.

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Mayor Of Ekiti Considers Returning Lion Cub Over Rising Aggression

Mayor Of Ekiti, a popular influencer on X, has hinted at returning his pet lion cub, Leo, to the zoo following concerns about the animal’s increasingly aggressive behaviour. The social media personality shared a photo of the cub attempting to tear into his pillow, a moment that appeared to underline his worries. “I’m considering sending LEO back to his source before month-end. His growing aggression is a concern, and I’m not pleased about it.” The post quickly generated mixed reactions online, with many pointing out the risks involved in keeping a wild animal in a home environment. Observers noted that as lion cubs grow, their natural instincts become more pronounced, making them harder to manage outside controlled wildlife settings.

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Nasiru El-Rufai Complies With EFCC Invitation Amid Corruption Probe

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai appeared at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters on Wednesday following an earlier invitation for questioning. The ADC chieftain is under investigation over alleged corrupt practices linked to his time in office. He arrived at the commission accompanied by a large crowd of supporters. El-Rufai had previously resisted an arrest attempt at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, last Thursday. After the incident, he claimed in multiple interviews that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was behind the attempted arrest.

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US Sanctions Eight Nigerians Over Terror Links And Cybercrime

The United States has sanctioned eight Nigerians accused of involvement with terrorist groups and cybercrime, freezing any assets they hold in the country and prohibiting Americans from doing business with them. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) released the names over the weekend in a 3,000-page document listing individuals and entities designated as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) under U.S. counter-terrorism laws. OFAC said the publication “provides actual notice of actions … whose property is blocked,” serving as a legal reference for U.S. citizens and businesses. Several of those sanctioned are reportedly linked to Boko Haram, designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2013, and to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The list includes Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, a Nigerian passport holder with alleged ties to Boko Haram. In 2022, he was convicted in the United Arab Emirates alongside five others for setting up a Boko Haram cell to raise funds for fighters. Others named include Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, and several members of the Al-Barnawi family, widely reported to be connected to Boko Haram leadership. Nnamdi Orson Benson was also sanctioned for cybercrime-related activity, indicating involvement in significant online criminal operations. Under the sanctions, all property and interests these individuals hold in the U.S. or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked, and Americans are barred from financial dealings with them. The move is part of ongoing U.S. efforts to combat terrorism financing and cyber threats, including visa bans and asset freezes targeting other Nigerians facing similar allegations. Nigeria’s government and law enforcement authorities have not yet publicly responded to the sanctions.

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Sega Hardware Pioneer Hideki Sato Dies At 77, Leaving Lasting Legacy In Gaming

Hideki Sato, the legendary video game hardware designer known as the “father of Sega hardware,” has passed away at the age of 77. His death was confirmed on February 13, 2026, by Japanese gaming outlet Beep21, which paid tribute to his profound influence on the gaming world. Sato joined Sega in 1971 and played a key role in developing the company’s most iconic systems, including the SG-1000, Sega Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast. His innovations helped establish Sega as a major force in both the home console and arcade markets throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He eventually rose to leadership positions, serving as director of Sega’s Research & Development department and later as company president from 2001 to 2003. Sato was celebrated for bringing arcade-level technology to home gaming, creating experiences that left a lasting mark on generations of players. Beep21 described him as “a truly great figure who shaped Japanese gaming history and captivated Sega fans all around the world,” adding that “the excitement and pioneering spirit of that era will remain forever in the hearts and memories of countless fans.” The gaming industry and fans worldwide are mourning Sato’s passing, remembering the consoles and experiences he created that defined childhoods and helped shape modern gaming culture.

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Taliban’s New Law Allows Husbands To Punish Wives, Sparks Worldwide Outcry

The Taliban’s new penal code in Afghanistan has sparked global outrage for putting women and children at risk. Reports say the 90-page law allows husbands to physically punish their wives and children, as long as it does not cause serious visible injuries. Cases that lead to severe harm, like broken bones, carry a maximum prison sentence of only 15 days. Legal action can reportedly proceed only if the wife can prove abuse in court. The law also reportedly allows authorities to jail married women for up to three months if they visit relatives without their husband’s permission. Human rights groups say the law treats women as property and removes protections that existed under the 2009 Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law. Exiled Afghan rights group Rawadari, which claims to have obtained the document, warned that the law could make abuse legal and leave women and children more vulnerable. The group called on the United Nations and the international community to act quickly to stop the law from being enforced.

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Two Nollywood Crew Members Found Dead Inside Car As SCID Investigates

The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, has launched a probe into the sudden deaths of two Nollywood crew members discovered inside a parked vehicle at a film set in Lekki Phase 1. The deceased have been identified as Godstime Imeh, a lighting director and CEO of GeeTee Light, and Walter Odediran, a creative video director known as Director Carrinqton. Their bodies were found on the evening of Saturday, February 7, 2026, inside Imeh’s car. The film being shot at the location was reportedly directed by former Big Brother Naija housemate, Boma. Sources said the two men arrived early to install lighting equipment and, after completing their setup mid-morning, took a break inside Imeh’s tinted Nissan while awaiting further instructions. Around 11 a.m., a crew member brought them breakfast consisting of yam and omelette. The men were last seen reclining in the car with the air-conditioning running. Concern arose when calls to their phones went unanswered by noon. Later that evening, colleagues discovered them unresponsive inside the vehicle. Kola Odediran, elder brother of Walter, told Vanguard: “Walter and I were like twin brothers. He was 36 and the last-born of our family. He was very close to Godstime Imeh. They worked hand-in-hand on movie productions.” He recounted their last known movements: “On Saturday, February 7, they were set to shoot a medical scene at Evercare Hospital. Around 10 a.m., they decided to rest in GeeTee’s car. Food was delivered to them; that was the last time anyone saw them alive. Around 7 or 8 p.m., after filming wrapped, they were found in the car. My brother was seated upright with foam at his mouth, while GeeTee was slumped, bleeding from his nose, eyes, and mouth. It seemed whatever happened occurred suddenly.” Odediran criticized the initial response by police, saying the case was first reported at Maroko Police Station but was not treated urgently. “We had to escalate it to SCID, Yaba, where it was recorded as an unnatural death requiring investigation and autopsy. Everyone involved—the producer, Boma, and the person who served the food—was invited,” he said. Authorities confirmed that the film producer, food vendor, staff member who delivered the meal, and hospital management have all been questioned. The food vendor remains in custody. Investigators are exploring environmental factors, potential ingestion, or mechanical causes, including the use of heavy-duty industrial generators above the parking area. Forensic procedures, including autopsies, toxicology tests, mechanical inspection of the vehicle, and CCTV review, are ongoing. Police stated that all possibilities remain open pending lab results. “It has been very difficult for our family. My mother is devastated. He was the last-born. We were just two male children. This has been extremely painful for us,” Kola Odediran added.

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First Batch Of U.S. Military Personnel Arrives In Nigeria To Support Counterterrorism Operations

The first contingent of U.S. military personnel has arrived in Nigeria as part of a deployment of approximately 200 American intelligence analysts, advisers, and trainers to assist Nigerian forces in counterterrorism operations, officials confirmed Friday. The mission also includes efforts to help protect Christian communities in volatile regions. A U.S. military plane landed in Maiduguri on Thursday night, bringing the initial group of roughly 100 troops. Additional flights carrying personnel and equipment are expected to arrive over the coming weeks. Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, a Nigerian defence spokesman, clarified that the U.S. troops will focus on training and technical support. “These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role,” he said. “Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational decisions, and will lead all missions on Nigerian sovereign territory.” The deployment follows recommendations from a U.S.-Nigeria joint working group, with American personnel providing advisory support at multiple locations. U.S. Defence Department officials confirmed that their role is primarily noncombat, operating mainly from command posts. The mission will span several high-risk areas, including northern states affected by jihadist activity, such as Boko Haram, and the Middle Belt, where attacks on Christian communities have been particularly severe, according to Nigerian officials.

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