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DSS Arrests El-Rufai After Two Nights Of EFCC Questioning Over Security Matter 01
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Tinubu’s Support Could Pave Way For Igbo Presidency – Cubana Chief Priest Tells South-East
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Forgive Me If I Have Sinned – Tinubu Appeals To Nigerians As Ramadan Begins
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BREAKING: Tinubu Signs Electoral Act 2026 Amendment
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Yemi Solade Celebrates Daughter’s University Graduation With Heartfelt Instagram Tribute

Year: 2026

Nigerian Engineer Previously Reported Dead In Ukraine Found Alive, Appeals To Tinubu For Repatriation

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A 32-year-old Nigerian engineer, Balogun Adisa Ridwan, previously reported dead while fighting for Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, has been found alive after being captured by Ukrainian forces in January. Ridwan had travelled to Russia seeking employment but was reportedly conscripted into the Russian army. In February, media reports circulated claiming he had been killed alongside three other Nigerians: Adam Anas, Akinlawon Tunde Kuyum, and Abugu Stanley Onyeka. According to earlier accounts, Ridwan was lured to Russia with promises of a civilian job, forced into military service without proper translation, briefly trained, and deployed to Ukraine near Lyman. He was captured by Ukrainian troops on January 13, 2026, with initial reports wrongly stating he had been killed. However, Ukrainian media outlet United24Media confirmed on Monday that Ridwan is alive as a prisoner of war. He has since appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian government for help with repatriation. Speaking from captivity, Ridwan revealed he was shocked to learn he had been declared dead in Nigeria. “The day we were signing the contract, I didn’t understand the language,” he said. “They didn’t allow us to use our phones to translate, so we signed the contracts. I told them about my job, thinking maybe they would put me in my field. I didn’t know they would use me in the military.” Ridwan explained that he and another foreign recruit decided to surrender immediately when they encountered Ukrainian forces. “I was lucky to be captured by the Ukrainians. They treated us well—giving us clothes, coffee, and a warm place to calm down. They made sure we were okay and didn’t panic. I really appreciate that,” he said. He added that he travelled to Russia solely to find civilian work and wants to return home safely. “I went to Russia on a tourist visa to find a job. The Russian government deceived me, forced me into military service, and sent me to war in Ukraine. I appeal to my government, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Forgive your son. I left home to support my family. I wanted a job as a mechanic or engineer, but it turned out this way. The Russian government completely fooled me,” he said. Ridwan’s story highlights the dangers Nigerians may face abroad and the urgent need for government intervention to secure his safe return.

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Pete Edochie Calls Men Who Kneel To Propose ‘Buffoons,’ Defends African Cultural Values

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Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has sparked controversy after criticising men who kneel to propose marriage, describing the gesture as foolish and contrary to African cultural values. In a video that has resurfaced online, Edochie said: “Any young man who goes down on his knees to propose to a woman is not just an idiot; he’s a bloody fool, a compound buffoon. The reason why I’m saying this is simple… we try to copy white people, right? The white man kneels to propose, and you know what it means? The girl takes over the family.” He added: “A young man like you, who should be in charge of your destiny, you want everything about the woman. That makes you a fool. I have lived with my wife for 51 years. Nobody has come to say, ‘Please stop beating this woman.’ Is that hatred?” Edochie stressed that African traditions do not require men to kneel when proposing, and he believes mimicking Western practices can undermine men’s authority in relationships. His comments have provoked mixed reactions online, with some praising him for defending cultural values, while others criticise his views as outdated. Known for his long and respected career in Nollywood, Edochie frequently shares opinions on relationships and tradition, continuing to spark debate on societal norms.

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Nigeria’s Inflation Eases Slightly To 15.10% In January 2026

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Nigeria’s headline inflation edged down to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, slightly lower than the 15.15 per cent recorded in December 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported on Monday. The modest decline came despite earlier projections by analysts that inflation could rise to 19 per cent in the month. The CPI fell to 127.4 in January from 131.2 in December, representing a 3.8-point drop. Year-on-year, the headline inflation rate is 12.51 percentage points lower than the 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025. Month-on-month, inflation fell by 2.88 per cent in January, following a 0.54 per cent rise in December, indicating a reduction in average price levels. The NBS stated: “The Consumer Price Index declined to 127.4 in January 2026, reflecting a 3.8-point decrease from the preceding month. Headline inflation eased to 15.10 per cent, down from 15.15 per cent in December 2025, a decline of 0.05 percentage points.” The bureau noted that the twelve-month average CPI ending January 2026 was 21.97 per cent, up from 17.59 per cent in January 2025. Urban and Rural Inflation Urban inflation dropped to 15.36 per cent year-on-year, from 29.45 per cent in January 2025, while rural inflation fell to 14.44 per cent from 25.04 per cent. Month-on-month, urban prices declined by 2.72 per cent and rural prices by 3.29 per cent. Food and Core Inflation Food inflation slowed to 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025, while month-on-month food prices fell by 6.02 per cent. The NBS attributed the slowdown to lower prices for staples including water yam, eggs, green peas, groundnut oil, soya beans, palm oil, maize grains, guinea corn, beans, beef, and cassava. Core inflation, which excludes volatile agricultural and energy items, stood at 17.72 per cent year-on-year, compared with 25.27 per cent in January 2025. Month-on-month, core inflation decreased by 1.69 per cent. State-Level Inflation Among states, Benue recorded the highest year-on-year inflation at 22.48 per cent, followed by Kogi (20.98 per cent) and the Federal Capital Territory (19.25 per cent). Ebonyi (8.72 per cent), Katsina (8.94 per cent), and Imo (10.61 per cent) had the lowest rates. For month-on-month changes, Imo and Ondo posted the largest increases at 1.93 per cent and 1.932 per cent, while Cross River, Ogun, and Kogi recorded the sharpest declines at negative 6.34 per cent, negative 6.30 per cent, and negative 6.03 per cent, respectively. In food inflation, Kogi led with 19.84 per cent, followed by Benue (18.38 per cent) and Adamawa (17.29 per cent), while Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo had the slowest increases. The figures reflect continued easing in Nigeria’s inflationary pressures, particularly in food prices, providing some relief for households after periods of high price growth.

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Kingsley Okonkwo Says “My Juniors Can’t Criticize Me” While Defending Bible-Inspired Tattoo

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Relationship coach and lead pastor of David Christian Centre, Kingsley Okonkwo, has defended his decision to get a Bible-inspired tattoo, which he unveiled during his 50th birthday celebration, saying he was offended by critical comments from some fellow ministers. Pastor Okonkwo first drew attention in January when he shared a video on Instagram showing the tattooing process, accompanied by a voice-over of John 3:16. The tattoo reads “III: XVI” in Roman numerals, referencing the famous Bible verse, and sparked debate among Christians and social media users. During a sermon on Sunday, Okonkwo addressed the controversy, noting that only a handful of ministers understood his decision, while others reacted out of religious bias. “On my tattoo issue, only one or two ministers were grounded and sound enough to understand it. Most of them are just religious people,” he said. “They said, ‘Tattoo is not a sin, but is it expedient? Why did you post it? Why must you do it?’ That is stupid talk, and I am insulted.” He emphasized that spiritual authority varies among ministers and that not everyone is qualified to pass judgment. “There is ranking in the spirit. My junior cannot talk when I am talking. There are people you cannot correct. The scope of what they are handling, you cannot grasp it,” he said. Okonkwo cited well-known Christian leaders like Joyce Meyer and Max Lucado, who also have tattoos, to support his stance. “Am I higher than Joyce Meyer? She had a tattoo at eight years old. Am I higher than Max Lucado? He got his tattoo at 70,” he said. He added that making the tattoo public was tied to his calling and constituency. “I posted it because my own position, my own calling, my own constituency requires that. Even Peter said he could not understand Paul. In Christianity, there are different flavours. It is not only your style that matters. You don’t want to wear shoes – so what? I want to wear shoes. How does that affect anybody’s faith?” Okonkwo’s comments highlight his view that personal expression and calling can coexist with Christian leadership, even when it challenges conventional expectations.

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Toke Makinwa Explains Why She Stopped Paying Tithes, Chooses Direct Giving Instead

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Toke Makinwa has sparked fresh debate after revealing why she no longer pays tithes to churches, saying many ministries are already financially secure. Speaking during an interview on WithChude, the media personality explained that her approach to giving has shifted toward supporting people directly. She noted that many churches she knows are constantly funding building projects through congregants’ contributions. “Every church is building. Every Sunday, there’s a building fund envelope. You guys have so much money and it’s not taxed. It’s a business, if we are going to be real. Because if that pastor dies today, either his wife or his child becomes the next pastor,” she said. Despite stepping back from tithing, Makinwa clarified that she still gives offerings and contributes to church projects when necessary. She added that she now prefers to channel her resources toward meeting real-life needs, such as helping people pay rent, supporting widows, and covering hospital or maternity bills, saying she feels called to make a tangible impact.

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Federal Government Files Three-Count Charge Against Nasir El-Rufai Over Alleged NSA Phone Interception

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The Nigerian Government has moved to prosecute former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations that he illegally intercepted the phone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. According to documents filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on February 16, 2026, El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge stemming from comments he allegedly made during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme. “Count One: Admitting, during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme, that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the communications of the NSA, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024. “Count Two: Knowing and associating with individuals involved in the unlawful interception without reporting them to security agencies, in violation of Section 27(b) of the same Act. “Count Three: Using technical equipment or systems to compromise public safety and national security by intercepting the NSA’s communications, an offence under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.” The case was instituted by counsel representing the Department of State Services, namely M.E. Ernest, O.M. Owan, U.M. Bulla, C.S. Eze and E.G. Orubor. The court is expected to fix a date soon for his arraignment as proceedings commence.

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Tonto Dikeh Celebrates Discipleship Graduation, Declares Powerful Spiritual Transformation

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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

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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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