Storytimes Newspapers

  Governor Caleb Mutfwang's defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in early 2026. Governor Mutfwang, who was elected on the PDP platform, formally defected to the APC around January 2026 (with initial announcements and rumors in late 2025). He described the move not as a mere defection but as a "strategic realignment" or "realignment of forces" aimed at fostering unity, reconciliation, and greater benefits for Plateau State. Key points from his statements and related events include: Motivation for the move: Mutfwang cited outreach from President Bola Tinubu (starting around July 2025), consultations, and a desire to align Plateau with the federal government for better development, security, and national representation. He emphasized healing political divisions, reducing acrimony, and building a "united Plateau" where people prioritize the state's interest over party lines. Unity aspect: At his forma...

 Newly unsealed U.S. Department of Justice files have exposed email correspondence from 2010 in which convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein offered to arrange a dinner introduction between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—King Charles III's brother and the former Duke of York—and a 26-year-old Russian woman described as "clever" and "beautiful." The exchanges, dated August 11–12, 2010, occurred two years after Epstein's guilty plea in Florida to charges involving a minor. Epstein, writing to an account labeled "The Duke," stated he had "a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with," naming her "Irina" and noting her upcoming visit to London from August 20–24. The recipient, whose responses appear to match Andrew's style and signature ("HRH The Duke of York KG"), expressed interest: "Of course... I would be delighted to see her." Epstein replied with further details: "she 26, russian, clevere be...

  The Federal Government's recent concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu has sparked sharp criticism from aviation unions and industry experts, who accuse authorities of an opaque and exclusionary process that sidelines workers' interests. The concession, signed in January 2026 with a private consortium (identified in reports as Aero Alliance), follows Federal Executive Council approval in July 2025. The government, led by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, positions it as a vital step toward modernizing infrastructure, enhancing efficiency, and driving economic growth in the South-East through public-private partnerships. Officials insist workers' jobs and conditions remain secure, with no retrenchments planned and employees retaining federal status. However, major aviation unions—including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and ...

  Abia State is bracing for a high-stakes political showdown as the 2027 governorship election approaches. What began as verbal jabs between former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and incumbent Governor Alex Otti has snowballed into a full-scale confrontation, pitting a formidable coalition of ex-governors and their allies against Otti and his supporters. The battle is increasingly described as one for the very soul of Abia—pitting the "old guard" desperate to reclaim influence against a governor backed by widespread public support for his reform agenda. The spark ignited when Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), a former governor (1999–2007), publicly declared that Otti's backing was unnecessary for President Bola Tinubu to win Abia in 2027. Kalu has repeatedly claimed Otti is merely "repainting" projects from his own era and vowed Otti would be a one-term governor. This escalated when Kalu, alongside former Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji (2007–2015) and ex-Gove...

  The Anambra State Government has announced a landmark agreement with traders of the Onitsha Main Market to commence the phased remodelling of the sprawling commercial hub. The initiative aims to restore the market's infrastructure, improve organisation, and position it as a modern, sustainable trading centre aligned with global standards. The breakthrough came after a high-level dialogue at the Light House in Awka, involving Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and leaders from the Onitsha Main Market and adjoining markets. Rising from the meeting, both parties agreed to begin immediate reinvigoration efforts, with the remodelling to be executed in phases to minimise disruptions to ongoing commercial activities. Governor Soludo emphasised that the project is part of his administration's manifesto to deliver planned, sustainable markets and communities. He described the intervention as an "emergency" measure to address long-standing issues such as congestion, illegal str...

  The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Monday, February 2, 2026, as a "Biafra-Wide Solidarity Lockdown" or sit-at-home across the South-East region of Nigeria (Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo states) and other claimed Biafran territories. This one-day action calls for a complete shutdown of economic activities, urging traders, transporters, banks, schools, civil servants, and all sectors to remain indoors and refrain from commercial or public operations. IPOB describes it as a peaceful, voluntary protest in solidarity with traders at the Onitsha Main Market, who have faced punitive measures from Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo for observing previous Monday sit-at-home orders. Background and Reasons The declaration responds directly to Governor Soludo's recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week (with threats of longer closures, land revocation, demolitions, or repurposing if traders continue complying with sit-at-home observances). I...

  Society openly warns women about their biological clock—the ticking deadline tied to fertility, reproduction, and the fear that time is running out for motherhood or partnership. In contrast, men face an equally relentless but largely unspoken financial clock, where worth, respect, and eligibility are measured by economic achievement, stability, and provider status. The author argues that both are real and punishing, but the key difference is societal treatment: women are explicitly warned and allowed to express anxiety about time, while men are expected to "perform" silently, with their struggles dismissed or hidden under phrases like "man up." Key Arguments and Structure Women's Biological Clock: It's vocal and culturally ingrained. Women are policed by reminders that biology has hard limits—fertility declines, opportunities for family narrow—and time becomes an enemy. This creates open fear and shapes decisions around career, relationships, and life mil...

  What does Monday really cost the East?, by Stephanie Shaakaa" is an opinion piece published on Vanguard News (a major Nigerian newspaper) on or around January 30–31, 2026. It examines the economic and social impact of the recurring Monday sit-at-home orders in Eastern Nigeria (primarily the South-East region, including states like Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi). These orders, often enforced or observed due to directives from groups like IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) amid ongoing security concerns, separatist agitations, and fears of violence, result in widespread shutdowns every Monday. Every Monday, economic activity is deliberately suspended: Markets remain closed, schools shut down, banks and offices stay dark, transportation grinds to a halt, and businesses lose an entire day of operations. The piece questions the true cost of these disruptions to the region ("the East"), stripping away emotional or ideological framing to focus on honest economic reali...

 At least four persons were reportedly beheaded in a brutal attack during a renewed boundary dispute between Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area and the neighboring Amasiri community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The incident occurred on Thursday night, January 29, 2026, when suspected armed assailants invaded Okporojo village in Oso Edda, killing victims, injuring others, abducting some residents, and setting several houses ablaze. Sources from the community alleged that the attackers came from the Amasiri axis, beheading at least four victims and taking away their heads, while two persons remain missing. Graphic videos circulating on social media show decapitated bodies in pools of blood amid burning structures. The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the deaths, stating that four people were killed in the renewed fight over land. Police spokesperson noted that houses were burnt during the assault, and investigations have commenced to apprehend those respo...

 Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has strongly defended the recent demolition of structures in parts of the Makoko waterfront community, describing the action as essential for public safety and to avert potential disasters. Speaking at a private breakfast meeting with selected Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers organized by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) in Ikoyi, the governor addressed criticisms and protests following the demolitions. He explained that the exercise targeted illegal shanties that had expanded rapidly and encroached dangerously close to critical infrastructure, including the Third Mainland Bridge and high-tension power lines. “I have been accused of destroying Makoko,” Sanwo-Olu said. “But the challenge is that the settlement was growing at an incredible speed and moving dangerously close to the Third Mainland Bridge with high-tension power lines underneath. I am not going to sit down and wait for something to drop off and, in one day, lose bet...

 The United States federal government entered a partial shutdown at midnight Eastern Time on Saturday, January 31, 2026, after funding lapsed for major departments including Defense, State, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Homeland Security. This marks the second funding lapse in less than six months, following a record-breaking 43-day shutdown that ended in November 2025. The lapse occurred despite the Senate's late Friday approval of a bipartisan compromise package, backed by President Donald Trump, which funds most agencies through September 2026 while providing only a two-week extension for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The deal allows time for negotiations on reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices, including demands from Democrats for body cameras, unmasked agents, additional warrants, and local oversight—prompted by the recent fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by f...

 United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning that the international organization is facing an "imminent financial collapse" unless member states take immediate action. In a letter sent to ambassadors of all 193 member states on January 28, 2026, and made public shortly after, Guterres highlighted a deepening liquidity crisis that threatens the UN's core operations. The UN ended 2025 with a record $1.568 billion in outstanding assessed contributions—more than double the amount from the previous year. Guterres emphasized that the crisis stems from two main issues: persistent unpaid or delayed dues from member states and the organization's financial rules, which require returning unspent funds to contributors even if those funds were never fully collected. This has created a vicious cycle, with the UN recently returning $227 million in unspent 2026 dues despite severe cash shortages. "The crisis is deepening, threatening programme de...

  As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, a relentless wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dramatically reshaped the political map, leaving just seven opposition governors defying what analysts describe as an unstoppable "APC hurricane." Published reports highlight how power dynamics, federal pressure, and the quest for political survival are colliding in the run-up to the polls. Recent defections—particularly from PDP and other opposition platforms—have swelled APC's control to around 29 or 30 states (depending on the latest count), giving it unprecedented leverage over resources, security, and electoral machinery. Those still resisting the pull include: Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi (PDP), who has faced opposition siege but maintains a defiant stance rooted in northern PDP interests. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo (PDP), leveraging strong local power bases and rumored presidential ambitions within the PDP. Governor Dauda ...

 Igbo nation begins annual thanksgiving today" appears to come from a Vanguard News article published around January 31, 2026. It refers to the inaugural observance of the newly established Igbo Adoration and Thanksgiving Day (also called Igbo World Day of Adoration and Thanksgiving), set annually on the last Saturday of January. This initiative, proclaimed by Igbo church leaders (including Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal bishops, and archbishops in Alaigbo) in collaboration with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, marks gratitude to God for the survival, resilience, and divine protection of the Igbo people during and after the Nigerian Civil War (also known as the Nigeria-Biafra War, 1967–1970). The war ended on January 15, 1970, making 2026 the 56th anniversary year. Fifty-six years after the end of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), the Igbo nation on Saturday, January 31, 2026, commenced its newly instituted annual Day of Adoration and Thanksgiving to God. The...

  The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has urged calm and unity amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the temporary closure of Onitsha Main Market by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo. In a statement released recently, the elders commended Onitsha traders for their peaceful conduct during the period of tension. They appealed to both the state government and market stakeholders to prioritize constructive dialogue as the path toward reopening the market and resolving underlying issues. The closure stems from traders' continued adherence to the Monday sit-at-home order—linked to solidarity with IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu—despite repeated government directives to resume full business activities, including on Mondays. Governor Soludo imposed a one-week shutdown (from January 26 to January 31, 2026) as a punitive measure, emphasizing that Anambra cannot operate as a "four-day week state" and highlighting significant economic losses (estimated at billions weekly...

 The ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, Nigeria, have intensified following a bold statement by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The former Rivers governor accused the state government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara of denying his pro-President Bola Tinubu support group, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (also referred to as Renewed Hope Family), access to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt for a recent rally. Wike made the remarks on Friday, January 30, 2026, while inaugurating coordinators for the group across the state's senatorial districts and 23 local government areas. The event was held at an alternative venue, the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Port Harcourt, after the stadium request was reportedly rejected. According to reports from multiple sources, Wike claimed the group had formally applied for the stadium but was denied, describing the decision as unprecedented and provocative. He warned that if similar denia...

The management of Angela Okorie wishes to provide clarification regarding recent reports surrounding her arrest by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force – NCCC at her residence in Lagos on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, at approximately 5:00 PM. The arrest followed a dispute involving fellow industry colleague & actress Mercy Johnson. During the operation, the cell phones of household occupants were seized , and her domestic staffs were subjected to stressful circumstances while the operation, which lasted approximately three hours, was carried out. In the early hours of Wednesday, 28 January 2026, at about 6:00 AM, Angela Okorie was transferred from Lagos to Abuja for arraignment before the Federal High Court. It should be noted that Angela Okorie and Mercy Johnson have had prior disagreements. However, both parties mutually agreed to refrain from making negative statements about each other, and Angela Okorie has fully honored this agreement, including issuing a public apology in lin...

  Bandits holding 166 worshippers abducted from churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have escalated their demands, insisting on a ransom of ₦250 million and 20 motorcycles before freeing the victims. The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, revealed the latest conditions set by the kidnappers in a statement reported on January 27, 2026. According to the traditional ruler, the bandits contacted the community directly, linking their demands to an earlier accusation that residents had stolen 17 motorcycles allegedly lost during military operations in the area. “The bandits called and said Kurmin Wali community must pay ₦250 million and provide 20 motorcycles before they will release the kidnapped worshippers,” Dan’azumi stated. The mass abduction occurred on Sunday, January 18, 2026, when armed attackers raided three churches—branches of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Cherubim and Seraphim—during services in Iburu Di...

  The court found Kim guilty of accepting luxury gifts worth approximately 80 million won (about $56,000 or £40,600) from officials linked to the controversial Unification Church (also known as the Moonies) between April and July 2022. The bribes included a high-end Graff diamond necklace, Chanel handbags, and other items, given in exchange for political and business favors during her husband Yoon Suk Yeol's presidency. Judge Woo In-sung noted in the verdict that while Kim did not actively solicit the bribes, she exploited her influential position as first lady—a symbolic figure representing the nation alongside the president—to seek personal gains. The judge highlighted that she had no significant prior criminal record, which contributed to the relatively lenient sentence compared to prosecutors' demands. Prosecutors from the special counsel team had sought a 15-year prison term plus fines of up to 2 billion won (around $1.4 million) across three charges: bribery, stock price ...

 A chilling incident has rocked Delta State as a suspected internet fraudster, popularly known as a "Yahoo boy," allegedly killed his close friend in a dispute stemming from a $1,000 transaction. The suspect, whose identity is yet to be officially released by authorities, reportedly turned violent after a disagreement over the sharing or proceeds of an online fraud-related payment amounting to $1,000 (approximately ₦1.6 million at current rates). Sources close to the investigation indicate the victim, described as a friend and possible collaborator in illicit activities, was stabbed or attacked in a manner that led to his death. The incident occurred in one of the state's communities, with reports emerging on social media and local news platforms highlighting the brutality. Eyewitness accounts suggest the argument escalated quickly, leading to the fatal attack. The body of the deceased was discovered shortly after, prompting immediate police intervention. Delta State Poli...

 In a major security sweep, the Nigerian Army has arrested 27 suspected illegal miners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, while simultaneously neutralising scores of terrorists in coordinated operations nationwide. The dual actions underscore the military's intensified efforts to combat economic sabotage through illegal mining and eliminate terrorist threats disrupting national stability. The arrest of the 27 illegal miners occurred during targeted operations in mining hotspots within the FCT, where unlicensed activities have long posed environmental risks, revenue losses, and security concerns. Illegal mining, often linked to organised syndicates and sometimes foreign nationals, has been blamed for ecosystem degradation, community conflicts, and funding criminal elements. The suspects were apprehended with mining equipment and are currently in custody undergoing interrogation to uncover possible networks and affiliations. This crackdown aligns with the Federal Governme...

  Tottenham Hotspur forward Randal Kolo Muani escaped unharmed after a tyre blowout caused a minor car crash on the M25 motorway, with the incident leaving his high-value Ferrari heavily damaged but the player and teammate Wilson Odobert both confirmed fit ahead of their crucial Champions League fixture. The mishap occurred on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as the 27-year-old French striker—on loan from Paris Saint-Germain—was en route to Stansted Airport following training at Hotspur Way. Kolo Muani was driving a black Ferrari Purosangue, an SUV valued at around £313,000 (often exceeding £400,000 with extras), when the offside front tyre exploded, leading to loss of control and significant front-end damage to the vehicle. Teammate Wilson Odobert, traveling in a separate car behind him, pulled over immediately to check on his fellow forward. Social media images circulated widely showing the pair standing beside the wrecked Ferrari on a lay-by, with the car's front end visibly crumpled....

  President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to supporters on January 27, 2026, declaring that Republicans must secure victories in the upcoming November midterm elections—or face dire consequences for his second-term agenda. Speaking at a rally in Clive, Iowa—the kickoff to what the White House describes as a nationwide travel blitz ahead of the midterms—the 79-year-old president framed the contests as critical to preserving his economic achievements and policy priorities. "We've got to win the midterms," Trump emphasized. "If we lose the midterms, you'll lose so many of the things that we're talking about, so many of the assets that we're talking about, so many of the tax cuts that we're talking about—and it would lead to very bad things." Trump's remarks highlighted his administration's claims of a booming economy, including falling prices, rising incomes, soaring investment, and a "defeated" inflation rate. He touted a ...

 President Bola Tinubu's brief stumble during a welcome ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, has once again ignited health speculation, but a key presidential aide has firmly dismissed opposition-fueled claims of illness, insisting the 73-year-old leader is in excellent health and fully active. The incident occurred on January 27, 2026, as Tinubu joined Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for an official reception at the Presidential Complex. Video footage from the Turkish presidency's official channels showed Tinubu walking past a guard of honor before momentarily losing his balance—described variably as a stumble, slip, or fall—while shifting to his right. Aides quickly assisted him, and the ceremony continued without further disruption. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga addressed the matter directly, attributing the mishap to Tinubu stepping on a metal object on the floor, which caused him to lose balance. "This is not a big deal, except for those who want to make mischi...

  In the heart of Nigeria's Southeast region, a simmering conflict between state governments and traditional rulers is threatening the sanctity of Igbo cultural institutions. Recent directives from the Anambra and Enugu state governments requiring monarchs to seek official clearance before conferring chieftaincy titles have sparked widespread outrage among traditional leaders, who view these measures as an unwarranted intrusion into their domain.55a223 The controversy centers on policies aimed at vetting potential title recipients, particularly non-indigenes, to ensure they have no questionable backgrounds. In Anambra, the Traditional Rulers’ Code of Conduct stipulates that for individuals from outside a community, approval must be obtained from both the recipient's home traditional ruler and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.a898af Commissioner Tony Collins Nwabunwanne emphasized that this process prevents arbitrary honors and maintains the integrit...

  reports that the video has sparked widespread confusion and controversy, with many users mistakenly identifying the woman in the video as Ivana. The incident highlights the dangers of misinformation and deepfakes, which can cause harm to individuals' reputations. In Nigeria, leaking explicit videos without consent is a serious offense under the Violence Against Persons Act 2015, punishable by up to three years in prison. Watch video below

 Prominent Nigerian human rights activist and women's rights advocate, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, is grieving the sudden loss of her younger sister, Comrade Franca Ngozi Okei-Mebu (née Okei), who passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, in Abuja at the age of 51. The family announced the sad news on Tuesday, January 27, through a statement and social media posts. In her confirmation to journalists in Lagos, Dr. Okei-Odumakin expressed deep sorrow but submitted to the will of God, describing the demise as tragic. Comrade Franca Ngozi Okei-Mebu was known in activist circles and shared her sister's commitment to social justice causes. Details surrounding the cause of death have not been publicly disclosed, and the family has asked for privacy during this difficult time. Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, president of Women Arise for Change Initiative and Centre for Participatory Democracy, among other groups, is one of Nigeria's most vocal advocates for gender equality, democracy, and human r...

  Here are 10 African countries that Nigerians can visit without a visa (true visa-free entry, often under ECOWAS protocols for West Africa or broader African reciprocal policies). This is based on the latest 2026 updates from sources like Passport Index, Henley data references, and Nigerian media reports (e.g., Vanguard, TVC News, The Nation). Note that requirements can include a valid passport (usually 6 months validity), ECOWAS travel certificate in some cases, and staying within allowed periods (typically 90 days). Always double-check with official embassies or immigration sites before travel, as policies can shift. Benin Republic — Visa-free for 90 days (ECOWAS member; popular for short trips from Lagos to Cotonou). Ghana — Visa-free for 90 days (ECOWAS; vibrant culture, beaches, and Accra's nightlife). Togo — Visa-free (ECOWAS; easy access via land borders, known for Lomé markets and beaches). Senegal — Visa-free for 90 days (ECOWAS; Dakar’s music scene, Gorée Island history,...